Kandice

Adding contest list to this blog

There a quite a few aspiring artists/photographers out there. One way to get your work noticed both internationally and locally is through contests. The key to contests is finding the right contest for your work. Entering nudes in a mostly documentary contest will never get you first place or even considered. Look a the judges work, look at the past winners. this should give you a theme or a tone that the judges are looking for. Contests typically have an entrance fee, anywhere from nothing to a hundred dollars if you enter multiple images.

So I want to add an unbiased blog entry that just lists contests that I can update at will. It will be your responsibility to cull through the contest entries to see if there is an appropriate one that fits your style. Best of Luck to everyone in 2009.

Here are some images that I have been working on. Our shoot was based on Theda Bara "the Original Hollywood Vamp" My model and I recreated her calling card(also done by Marilyn Monroe)

A quote from Marilyn: " If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere."

Snowed IN

Dear PhotoNOMA Participants,

Do to power outage and bad weather The New Orleans Museum of Art is closed today and has canceled all programs.

We have not made a decision on rescheduling of this event yet, but as soon as we reach a decision, I will contact you all.


Darnit, the snow killed my debut at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Pinup and Location

I worked with my pinup team and again we pulled off a fantastic shoot. Here is the clear favorite from a shoot with Ayaka an Asian model. I didn't think we could pull it off but she really did an amazing job in this shot.

8 hour shoot

Whew last week I had an eight hour shoot. My whole team was worn out. I really don't want to do that again. Here is the break down:

1:00 Pm start initial hair/makeup and wardrobe.
3:53 pm First image get into the camera. Sheesh too long for hair, makeup and wardrobe. But we nailed the image perfectly. Red Jumper Radio and Robe Set.
4:13 PM hair, makeup and wardrobe.
4:41 PM Next set started. Bring in the animal wrangler. Can Can Dress.
5:10 PM hair, makeup and wardrobe next set.
5:49 PM Next set. Bullet bra and Garter pinup set.
6:48 PM Back to hair, makeup and wardrobe.
7:07 PM Next set. Hair ribbons and pink jumper. Nailed it again.
7:18 PM Back to hair, makeup and wardrobe.
7:57 Pm Clara bow Set. Man this one was perfection.
8:40 PM Last image in the can.
9:30 PM Britt and I finish cleaning up studio and we end the day.

Just writing about this wears me out again. 8 hours or so in post to finalize the images and clean dust from the images.

Critques, Karma and Learning

I never thought that I would learn from giving a constructive critique to others. On one of the modeling web sites I decided to give out "cookies" and Critiques of the first 8 images in a portfolio. I have garnered a rather large following and a modest fan base just from Critiques.

1. First of all I don't lie if I think something is wrong with and image I tell the model/ photographer/stylist asking for the Critique.
2. Second I find something positive about an image they did and encourage that pose, connection or expression.
3. Third I give them a cookie. All different types but a cookie nonetheless.
4. Fourth I try to tell them what the next level is for them. Some need a better photographer, some need posing, some need help with crops, some really don't need help at all but I find something to keep them going.
5. Fifth I find an image that is over and above the rest and I post it in the Forum so everyone can see what I do.

I have learned quite a bit from this. some take criticism well some don't. I don't back off of my decisions and I can justify everything I said. I have also learned where my images need to take me. Where my next level is and that is priceless. Karma at work here.

The Pinup Train is Rolling

As is the nature of things, the better you become at something the more people want to shoot with you. This is both good and bad as it can bring out the crazies. (as per the previous post) More often than not it brings you a wonderful group of models that want to collaborate and create great art.

I was contacted by another model yesterday referred by the beautiful Bella Blue, I read her bio on MM. She has a note that says she requires a contract to work with and works with an escort. I send off a professional missive that basically outlines how we work and our process. I also nicely tell her she can bring her friend Bella to the shoot(we all loved her). I have also updated my portfolio so that she knows what our expectations are and how my team works.

Yea! I get a really nice message back explaining that she understands and that was in her profile to ward off bad photographers and GWC's (Guy With Camera) She is fully on board and can't wait to work with our team. I am so glad to hear the voice of reason and not only that but trust, the other incident just left me with such a bad taste in my mouth.

Trust, Trust, Trust

I cannot tell you how important it is to have a model who trusts your team and you as a photographer to take great pictures. If you do not have that connection, the images are just not going to be at the next level.