Chanelle de Lau
Fashion shoot with Miss International Curacao Chanelle de Lau.
“When in doubt, wear red.”
I was contacted by my client Antina photograph her new client Miss International Curacao Chanelle de Lau. We decided to shoot two looks with a possible third in the works. We met at the Art District, but for some reason I was having major BG’s this day. This has never happened to me before so the entire day just felt weird for some reason.
For the first location we went to the famous LA river where plenty of people have done shoots, movies and videos there. The first look was an army fatigue one piece, with high heel booties. It was an interesting walk down to the river because there is a slight incline into the river Chanelle crabbed walked all the way down and Antina needed help making her way down. For this shoot I rented the Nikkor 85mm f1.8 for Lensrental.com. Also, I used my drone to do some area shots for BTS footage.
After finishing up at this spot, I helped them up the incline and back to the car. Again my stomach was killing me. We drove around looking for the second location but still couldn’t find the train that was supposed to be in the Art District but we couldn’t find it. We found a graffiti wall that was very dope. So we stopped while prepping and someone came across and we started to chat it up. She allowed me to use her restroom in her shop. I will forever in her debt for that one.
Lonely Thoughts
The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Her second look was a red body suit with a motorcycle jacket and high heel boots. We used different angles and utilized every aspect of the area to get the best look possible. I wasn’t until the end of this location when we were on a high of such a good set that I didn’t realize that I left my camera on top of the car. I knew something I was up when those bubble guts came back as warning, I did not pay attention to at all. We drove to the next location and enroute there. There was a hard right and when we took that turn, my camera went flying right off the car causing major damage of course.
I picked up all the pieces that I could find in the vicinity. On the inside I was hurt, as I knew all of this was coming out of my pocket because I didn’t have insurance on the lens. On the inside I was dying and wanted to cry. To mustard thru the pain I wanted to continue the shoot, but Antina called it and took us to eat to finish the night.
**It’s been over a month and lensrental.com still haven’t charged me for the damages but I’m for certain those charges will come at a very inconvenient time.**
Wall Rose
Valentine day theme shoot with Andrea
Model Mayhem has been somewhat of a hit or miss for me. Andrea responded to my ad on the site and we set everything up and she rented a studio for an hour - which I will use for future shoots.
We met at the studio and I had Tristan there to assist me on this one. The room she choose was perfect for the idea she had, and it corresponed with Valentine Day. The was staged with an empty tub and fake tree, andte the other end had the flower wall that was especially dope.
The lights they have are the Paul C. Buff Alien Bees 800. I am very familiar with those lights so it was very easy to operate. The only issue I had was with the triggers that were used was an off brand and added to much weight to the sync port.
NBA All-Star Weekend
Stacy aka Bratz visiting Los Angeles Art District
Over the course of NBA All Star weekend, people are swarming to Los Angeles (LA). Celebrities, models and everyday people ordinary people. In those group of ordinarty people are people who are looking to hit it big with a ball player or celeb. I knew models would be arriving soon, so I was kind of wondering about on Instagram and stumble across a post that an insta-model was looking to shoot while in town. So, I threww a "bone in the dark" and waited. Low and behold she responded. I was shocked!!!
We messaged each other with me giving details, and trying to find a location that would best suit both of us. We settled on the art district area. Of course, like majoity of my shoots they always take place after work. As soon as I got off, I showered made sure everything was packed and charged. Called an Uber early because I know how LA tracffic can be. I arrived at Urth Caffe extra early to scout and get a bite to eat. The session was agreed for four in the afternoon, but she was 45 minutes late. I was going to give her until five to cancel the session. She finally arrived purple hair and all.
So, we met chatted for a bit then started shooting. Her first outfit was an all black tube topand skirt with sparkle style heels. With this look, we shot around the graffiti in the area then over to the parking garage one blick away. While walking there, I asked if she had another outfit in which she replied yes. A few more shots in the first outfit then we switched to the second look.
Eyes
If looks could kill
Now, this outfit is what we should have started with. This fit the lifestyle look I was going for originally. It was more of a fun lifestyle shoot now. The outfit was something she would wear on a regular day. We stayed at the parking garage. Utiziling the area. Alot of the shots turned out like a fashion magizine. No flash was used but natural and available light.
I enjoyed this shoot then when I visit MIami again, I'll definitly connect with Stacy in her neck of the woods.
“There are things which nobody would see unless I photographed them.”
“I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”