Recycling Wardrobe & DIY Magic
So, with many folks still struggling to make ends meet with the way the economy is (I know, I know, we’re all tired of hearing about it), I figured I’d share some pretty awesome DIY projects and blogs that might even be made from items you :gasp: already have sitting in your closet! So, here you go!
Some specific projects… but be sure to check some of these sites for other DIY projects!
- Kingdom Of Style One-Shoulder T-Shirt
- FashionIndie DIY Shirt Skirt
- takeoffyourclothes’ Double T-Shirt Dress
- Monoxious’s Making Elastic Harness
And some general DIY blogs that are awesome!
I’m sure there are TONS out there, just search “DIY Fashion” or “Recycled Fashion” 
“Electrify Your Future” Fashion Show Video!
I walked in the 2010 “Electrify Your Future” fashion show, benefiting the Live Out Loud Charity. Here’s a short video featuring some of the models from the first part of the show (I come in at about 5:17) :)
Click here to watch the video.
You can also see a bunch of photos on the Tirage Studio Facebook Page.
Thanks to all who came out to support the Live Out Loud Charity! It was an incredible event!
Has Your Makeup Expired?
Here’s a great blog that can help you figure out whether or not your makeup has expired. Important for models who are doing their own makeup for shoots, but also for anyone who wears makeup. You don’t want to make yourself sick or give yourself an infection because of expired makeup or dirty brushes!
Here’s an excerpt:
What’s lurking in your makeup bag?
“Like food, makeup has an expiration date, and over time cosmetics can harbor harmful bacteria that can lead to infections,” states Dr. David Schlessinger, a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist, and medical director of Schlessinger Eye & Face. “The risks are multiplied when these products are shared among friends.”
What do you practice in front of a mirror?
Models say it all that time. Many photographers do too. ”Practice in front of a mirror.” But what, exactly, is a model supposed to practice in front of a mirror?
Practice moving in general and expressions. Study your body and watch how it moves, both nude (or in a bra and panties) and clothed, so you can see what happens to your skin as you move, and to the clothes as you move. Watch what your body does as you move, and as you stop moving. Sure, it’s not perfect, but it’s far better than not knowing your body and its movements at all.
Same goes for your face. Sit in front of the mirror and make faces at yourself. Walk yourself thru emotions (get a list if it helps) and think of situations you might feel those emotions in. Use personal experiences as a guide. For example, remember how you felt when your childhood pet died, think of the first time you got flowers from a boyfriend, or what went through your head during your first car accident. Study how your face moves through each expression, and what happens to it when it stops on each one. Again, it’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.
A model would also benefit from taking dance, yoga, martial arts, acting classes, or any other kind of class that either teaches you how to move (and be aware of your body) or how to emote.
Using it on shoots…
Take what you’ve learned from studying yourself (and from any experience you have, both from a body-movement aspect and from a personal-experience aspect) and use that when you model. You flow from pose to pose, expression to expression, and alter what you do based on feedback from the photographer/art director.
It’s not something a new model can do right off the bat, usually (some dancers are almost natural posers). It takes a lot of practice, a lot of patience, and a lot of time to learn.
If you’re a photographer working with a lot of new models, I usually suggest scrapping the traditional pose book (mostly ’cause most of them blow) and make your own. Take photos you like the poses in, print them out or tear them out of magazines and catalogs, and put them in a 3-ring binder. Categorize them if you like–fashion poses, glamour, art nudes, commercial/lifestyle–to make it easier to dig through. Keep that book on hand at all times, and reference it. Show the model you’re working with what you want her to do, and verbally make adjustments as you go. You’ll be more likely to get poses you like (instead of stuffy, fake, senior-portrait poses) and you’ll be happier all around.
Here’s a bunch of modeling-related links (articles, videos, whatever) that you may find helpful. If you have anything you’d like me to add to the list, feel free to drop me a line. Modeling Articles & Videos
New Hair
Yup
Wish
So I’ve updated my Wish List, for those looking to bribe me with stuff 
I added a couple links to stores I shop at, as well as a link to my item-specific WishPot list. Check it out
http://racheljay.wordpress.com/wish-list/
Get The Look: A Breath of Fresh Air
I haven’t done this set in quite some time… largely because I’ve been busy with other stuff. Bringin’ it back for kicks.
Look 9:
This shot is actually one of my 365 self-portraits, but I thought it would be a good one to do. Here’s the shot…
Get The Look:
Pair a simple black A-line dress with T-strap high heels. Though it is hard to see, I wore simple CZ studs and a multichain necklace. For makeup, I did creme blush on the apples of my cheeks swept up to my temples, smudgy black liner, black mascara, and just a touch of a neutral shimmer (I didn’t use the dark side of the shadow duo). It’s a pretty simple look that’s elegant without being over the top. I had actually worn this outfit to work that day.
GTL: Breath of Fresh Air by racheljay featuring Forever21 dresses
Check out the full 365 entry here: http://the365study.com/2010/06/12/day-55-a-breath-of-fresh-air/
Deal-Breakers
Here are deal-breakers for me when it comes to photographers. All of the things listed below are either things I’ve seen, or things I’ve dealt with during communications, at a shoot, or after a shoot. Post-shoot deal-breakers mean I won’t work with the person again, nor recommend them to others.
Turnoffs In Profiles:
- Rants about models
- Flake lists (extra points if each model’s listing has a rant/reason after it)
- Equipment lists and itemized cost detail
- Holier-than-thou attitude
Turnoffs In PMs & Prior To Shooting:
- Insulting people I’ve worked with and/or images in my portfolio
- “I’d love to work with you… my rates are…”
- Hitting on me
- Insisting we shoot something I’ve no desire to shoot, even after I turn it down
- Insulting me for turning down something, or for offering to discuss my rates if a trade isn’t beneficial
- Telling me I’d be prettier if I changed my appearance in one way or another
- Asking me to email them nude photos they “promise no one else will see”
- Telling me I’m stupid for modeling, because I’ll never go anywhere with it
- Telling me I have to shoot X with them because I shot it with someone else
- Attempting to become my manager in one way or another
- Changing shoot details at the last minute (i.e. “oh by the way, there are going to be 3 other photographers there, cool?”)
- Insisting I bring an escort
- Lecturing me when I opt not to bring an escort
- Insisting that I should be ok with something I’ve no desire to shoot, because we’ve worked together before
- Providing no guidance as far as what to bring when it comes to wardrobe
Turnoffs During A Shoot:
- Insulting people I’ve worked with and/or images in my portfolio
- Hitting on me
- Insisting we shoot something I’ve no desire to shoot, even after I turn it down
- Pressuring me to do something I’m not comfortable with
- Insulting me for turning down something
- Telling me I’d be prettier if I changed my appearance in one way or another
- Telling me I’m stupid for modeling, because I’ll never go anywhere with it
- Telling me I have to shoot X with them because I shot it with someone else
- Suddenly requiring me to pay for something not previously agreed upon (i.e. chip in for MUA or studio costs)
- No feedback at all during shooting
- Asking me to shoot nude photos they “promise no one else will see”
- Attempting to become my manager in one way or another
- Lecturing me for not bringing an escort
- Insisting that I should be ok with something I’ve no desire to shoot, because we’ve worked together before
- Touch-posing me, and touching me without asking first
- Complaining about the wardrobe I brought, after providing no guidance as to what to bring
Turnoffs Post-Shoot:
- Not sending edited images as agreed upon prior to shoot
- Complaining if I opt not to upload a photo of theirs to MM (or other modeling sites)
- Attempting to become my manager in one way or another
- Hitting on me
- Insisting that now that we’re “comfortable together” we can shoot something I’ve no interest in shooting/am not comfortable shooting
- Becoming offended and/or insulting me for turning down a shoot/concept/something I’m not comfortable with
- Telling me I’d be prettier if I changed my appearance in one way or another
- Asking me to email them nude photos they “promise no one else will see”
- Telling me I’m stupid for modeling, because I’ll never go anywhere with it
Missing Model: Mel Vega
Model Melanie “Mel Vega” Munoz has been missing since June 4, 2010. Her friends and family, as well as numerous colleagues in the modeling industry, have been looking frantically for her since then. She was last seen wearing a navy blue V-neck T-shirt and jeans, has numerous tattoos, and drives 1998, dark blue Ford Taurus, license plates TX-TGN-919, with 121,44100 miles on it. Here is her photo and other info, on a missing person poster image (please feel free to both repost and print out and post in public places). Click the flyer to view it full size in a new window.
There is a website dedicted to finding her, which has more info and pics: http://melanieismissing.com/
Here is a link to a thread about her on Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=600032
You can also join the group on Facebook to receive updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mel-Vega-Munoz-is-Missing/111902952189246
If you have any information on Mel Vega, please call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 281.376.2997. Please reference missing persons case number HC10-80798. Deputy Marshall (4P8S) has been working on Mel’s case.
fokusfoto (via the art of nude, and other things)
I thought this blog was worth sharing with my readers. It involves a photographer in the Washington DC area who has, for some time now, been scamming models out of money, and quite possibly putting them in danger other ways.
There was recently a post on MM by one model who was stranded in a hotel after being robbed of all her cash, and not paid as promised, leaving her with no money (and no CC, because she doesn’t have one) to pay for the hotel room, and no way to get home to her kids.
via the art of nude, and other things
ETA: London Andrews, a well known nude/glamour model, has also blogged about this guy. Read her take here: http://londonandrews.blogspot.com/2010/06/modelsphotographers-beware-of-jim.html
Update: There are photos of him posted here http://modelinsider.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1995
