8/30 NAHA for Carol DeLange Grandaw

Already in Washington, I left this morning to drive down to the studio of Tom Hanser. Upon arrival, I met Carol, her assistant, and Tom inside and was introduced to the MUA (MakeUp Artist) Teryl Hawk.

Now let me explain NAHA. They are the North American Hairstyling Awards, and in short they turn out some of the most amazing artistic work regarding models, hairstylists, wardrobe stylists, and makeup artists to date.

There are quite a few categories to enter including (but not limited to): haircolor, texture, student hairstylist, salon team, fashion forward, avant garde. Past winners can be found on the website--I greatly encourage you to checkthem out. Anyway, since she owns a salon, made her own wardrobe (out of ties!), and most likely understands that she's incredibly creative and has an incredibly positive mindset, Carol decided to do an entry.

Now, as mentioned in my previous post about Carol, she is multi-talented given any kind of art form. I'm sure she would have taken the pictures and done the makeup herself if she could. But, I assume to further the MUA and photographer's credibility and business (should she win), she hired them to complete the shoot in the most professional manner possible. Oh, did I also mention Carol is a sweetheart?

The studio was quite large--but you had to take a series of twists and turns after entering through an empty gallery door to get there. Rounding the corner, there was a table set up with snacks and coffee/water/tea, another table with hairstyling equipment, and a side room where Teryl was doing the makeup. Another model sat, finishing up her hair and wearing one of Carol's pieces. She started shooting while my face got caked and my hair done did.

Chatting with the team you're working with is always important to me, because I like to get to know who is 1) touching my face, 2) touching my hair, and 3) what their goals are in the industry to see if I can help them out later on, assuming future success. I find out that Teryl works in Eugene (where I was living at the time), and actually attended the same high school I did. Not only that, but she was in choir and the advanced jazz choir (just as I was) and closely knows the choir director (who is like my second dad). She knows his children who I went to school with, and sees them frequently when in the area. And we were in Seattle!

Small world! You'll hear me say that a lot.

Side Note: The smallest of the small. I know a photographer in Eugene through a ballroom dance class I took at UofO. He mentioned to me that a photographer friend of his wanted to use me for her gallery show that was coming up. I'm in LA trying out for ANTM (5'7" under season!) when I get her text and I tell her I'll be back soon. My mom goes to a garage sale down the street and through chit-chatting (as moms do) finds out that the photographer lives just three or so houses down from us. Upon the arrival of the opening of her gallery, a past co-worker from a bakery I worked in for 10 months shows up bearing chocolate truffles. The photographer's husband (who co-owns the gallery and glass blows) knows my co-worker from also working at the bakery, but had gotten the job after I quit. Turns out, I had gotten my best friend hired at the bakery, and she was the one who trained him. Oh, and my old co-worker and I had just gotten hired as the head bakers at a new bakery opening up in town. Yeah, small world.




Aaaannnyyywaaaaay. Makeup on, tie suit tied and pinned, awesome heels worn. We switched between a white seamless and a grey seamless (which were conveniently located right next to each other). I was doing that thing that I do where I look angry in most pictures, so I kept being reminded to relax and just have fun. We changed the hair and wardrobe a couple times, and suddenly the shoot was over.

Leaving the studio and realizing again that this was for NAHA, I was informed that I won't receive the pictures until April. 2010. Ahh, the wonders of competitions.

This wasn't the first time I had to be patient, though. My first NAHA experience was with The Teals, when they cut my long blonde hair and turned it into this:



We had shot in January and had to wait until April, which seemingly wasn't as bad a wait, but it was when I was first starting to model so of course I was impatient :)

Hopped in my car and drove down to Portland to crash before going home the next day.

I left looking a bit like this:

Final pictures will come...in April...

8/28-29 Girl on Fire's The Promise (Calling You Out) Music Video

Without even the opportunity to breathe and recollect from the Ash music video, I get a call from a friend who's best high school friend Christian Saxton happens to be a music video director. He needs an actress for a narrative video for the band Girl on Fire.

We quickly make a test video of me screaming (the video will be a bit violent, he says) and making angry, mean looks. We send it to him, and he casts me. We are completely unaware of what the storyline is and who we will be working with, but hey! Since my friend trusts him, I trust him.

The shoot is in Everett, WA. It happened to coincide perfectly with a photo shoot I had that weekend in Seattle. Ahh, life, you crazy dog.

We road-trip up, arrive, and are immediately put to work. Makeup, hair, meet the band members, put together the set. My co-actor is a guy named Tryg from the band Fall From Grace--I am to directly act with both him and the lead singer from Girl on Fire, Robbie. A whole broken romance storyline, with a twist.

The first scene we shot, Robbie threw a wine glass over my head to smash against the wall. We had four glasses just in case something went wrong. Lo and behold as we were practicing, Robbie had grabbed one glass a bit too hard and it shattered in his bare hands. The glasses were so cheap they turned right back into sand (thanks to my mom for that one, too!).

The second take was much more successful. We then continued on, walking across Western Washington University's campus to shoot scenes well into the night. Again, I can't talk much about it due to the fact that, well, it will get spoiled before you even see the video. But let me tell you, I am surprised at my screaming capabilities. I'm not really the type, but at least I can somehow dig deep in the depths of my dark and demented psyche and turn out a beautiful, blossoming, breath-taking, blood curdling shriek.

Hehe.

Of course, again, none of the audio would be used but going through the motions always makes the shot as realistic as possible. I just felt bad for anyone living around campus at midnight.

Something I can mention:

I've had a lot of theater and film experience, but I've never had to perform the task of on-stage/screen kissing. Until tonight. And the next day. With two different people.

So that was a good introduction, huh? Just kind of jump right into it.

Aside: Sounds just like my first runway experience. I had my first EVER runway show in Portland in the morning, then had another one in Eugene that night. I really do like just going for things, it seems (tested: true).

Emotionless kissing: something I am not too familiar with.

Verdict: weird.

A statement to relate to: Imagine intensely making-out with your hand, in front of a camera.

It was a good introduction, along with knowledge of how to be professionally awkward on set. That's the best I can describe it. This shoot was a good test of tolerance to a wide range of types and styles of people. There were usually about 15 people around at all times, which helped me get used to being on camera with a lot of people watching. It certainly can't hurt.

View Full Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZJ9J4T3auk

8/23 Trash the Dress with Chris Adams (Photo-Modern)

I first met Chris Adams at a runway show for Atomic Daylight. He was quick to shoot (stealthy!), quiet, and very nice. I had run into him a couple more times during the runway shows for Dirty, and we began talking about doing a shoot together because he liked my look, attitude, and drive.

He wanted to do his own version of a trash the dress shoot. His style (if you have gone to his website) you'll see is very edgy and darker than other photographers I've worked with. I love this style, so I accepted his request.

We met, changed into outfit, and went around Portland. On a bridge, in a random industrial parking lot, down by the river, and next to a theater.

It was definitely humorous. It's a rare occasion that I get to model in front of the public, so it's always awkward at first. On the bridge, more than 100 bikers passed us and each group just had to say something, including but not limited to: "congratulations!!!" "you look beautiful!" "oooh, good job!" "how pretty!"

I got these images out of it:
[gallery]

After the shoot, he mentioned he had an idea to spend one full day later in the month at the beach, same dress with perhaps a few different girls, but have the dress on fire.

It took Zero Seconds for me to agree. Whether or not I'd actually be on fire, I didn't care. It'd be an awesome shot!

So there I found myself, in the back of his car with his wife and friend/model, driving to Lincoln City. We stopped to eat first, then headed to the beach.

Chris' wife Kelsey did hair and makeup outside the car. It was a bit windy, but overall a really nice day. We wrapped ourselves in our sweatshirts and walked through the parking lot into the sandy dunes.

We walked a few hundred feet and found the ideal location; near the open waves but tucked away from everyone else. We happened to choose the one spot where the wind was fiercest (not realizing of course until after the shoot), but we managed by taking turns holding the lights and weighing the stands down with our bags.



The shoot was relatively simple: stand in one place but create dramatic poses and lines using our limbs. The dress had to stay in one spot so we could later duplicate the placement on a stand, so we could light it safely on fire. It's a composite photo which means in post-production, Chris would take the burning dress image and lay it over an image of one of us, giving the illusion of us being on fire.

I guess it's a little safer than actually lighting us up.




Burning the dress was exciting, but had no real climax due to is polyester nature of purely melting. There was a lot of smoke, though, so it seemed intense!

Fun, long day, with what I'd say is one of my favorite images of me thus far!

Total Time: all day

8/19-20 Ash's True Love 1980 Music Video

If you asked me how I got this gig, I wouldn't be able to tell you. I have no idea what happened, but I found myself auditioning at a production company called Bent, then a couple weeks later I received a call from the casting director congratulating me on booking the lead role. I wouldn't get paid much they said, but it would be an amazing experience. Of course I would take it.

They sent me a link to the directors website. Daniel Garcia lives in New York but works with Bent when he's on the West Coast. Please, I beg of you, look at his work. I was inspired by him even before I met him.

The band Ash is also located in New York (they're actually an Irish pop band), but it would have cost 10x more to film over there than here, so they flew the director and band and put them up to work on the music video. And thankfully, the locals and myself benefited from this :)

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had to leave the Quavondo photo shoot early to make it to film this. They had originally only required one day of filming, but they realized a space was too small so they extended the dates and needed me a day earlier, along with the full day of filming.

I rushed and raced to the film site where I was immediately fitted for wardrobe and for the second time that day, got make-up done.


(that's myself and chicken purse!)

After that, Daniel came in. Because he was a person of authority, I did not say anything. Speak unless you are spoken to. I am not a fool, and I have to prove it! He would say yes, no, try this, try that, not that, I like the stripes, try that instead, ok that's good.

Costume on, as the film crew was setting up the shot, Daniel led me into his "office" (which were the stairs around the corner) and he laid out the concept and outline of the video. He gave me the overall "feel" of my character, and by then the team had finished setting up and we were ready to shoot.

That entire paragraph sounded incredibly suggestive. I swear I didn't mean to.

Just a couple of takes later, we had gotten the shot and we were free to go. I met my co-actors Drew Aguilera and Ben Farmer. I would get to work directly with them on the full shoot date.

Excited that this was actually happening, and realizing that since they had my face already filmed that they'd have to use me for the rest (I was in complete denial. Nothing is real to me until a physical product comes out of it!), I somehow managed my way through the next day, waiting and waiting until I could shoot the full video.

The day came. I had parked a block away, arriving 20 minutes early so I could have time to breathe and collect myself before walking on set. I had called my good friend Elliott and he successfully calmed me down enough for me to be able to leave my car. I was shaking, but it was also kind of cold out.

Side Note: Just to let you guys know, filming took place beginning at 9pm.

Daniel greeted me on set and we sat and talked for a bit. I took the opportunity to ask about New York, his job, his commitments, etc. I wanted to know more about the industry he was a part of--he probably has so many connections (which I found later was true. Cartoon Network, anyone?). We weren't allowed a lot of time until he was called off on set to figure out what to do.

The entire night was extraordinary. Unfortunately, I still don't think I'm allowed to talk about it in detail, but there were about 20 extras, us three leads, the band, and the production team on set, usually all at once.

We filmed the scenes backwards. At one point I had to yell at my "boyfriend" (Ben), and we did multiple takes where he reacted, didn't react, led the argument, where I led the argument, etc. Shots from my POV, his POV, full scene shot, etc. At one point Daniel came up to me and said "ok, this time I want you to just lay into him. And Ben? Don't verbally react, just kind of take it." Daniel made a mistake by saying that.

Things you don't know about Meredith: a lot. I knew I had to yell at one point or another, so before we shot anything I made sure to give everyone a good enough impression of me before it was completely ruined, if the opportunity should appear. And, well, it definitely appeared.

Side Note: everything was filmed without sound because in the music video, it is obviously unnecessary to have any dialogue--just the movement of words spilling through our mouths.

I'm not going to type out my rant about how he never &#$& listens to me, how he doesn't give a #$@&( about me or us, how it's our one-year anniversary, how I @*(&%$ hate this diner that he took me to, how I do everything for him, how his friends are @$*% and nobody likes him, how his brain is just as small as his ****, and how he only thinks of himself...oh...

Unfortunately it was a lot longer and more full of profanity than I'd like to admit. After a good minute Daniel interrupted, laughing, saying "OK, OK, CUT! Cut!!!" The entire room cracked up. Red. I apologized profusely. Good second first impression, huh?

We filmed until 7am. We were exhausted by the end of the shoot and I had to drive back to Eugene the same day.

Side Note: Don't do that.

The production team was so kind and accommodating, the actors were wonderful, and the entire experience was unbelievable. It went by so fast, and even though we were exhausted I was incredibly sad to go home.
[gallery]

Video is below, enjoy!

Total time: 10 hours

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaIuL13WfzQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1]

8/19 Quavondo Shoot for Sidlab Hair Couture

Quavondo. A name I've seen. A name I've admired.

I suddenly found myself confirming my commitment through e-mail with Eric Nelson of Sidlab Hair Couture for this shoot. Knowing full well of who and what Quavondo has shot, I was a little excited.

...maybe so much so that I arrived a half-hour early only to sit on the front steps, waiting and freaking out.

I hadn't really gotten any information as to what the shoot would be like, but I did receive inspiration photos for the shoot:


I brought my darker dresses and heels with me, seeing these images by Camille Rose Garcia and having Tim Burton in mind.

There were going to be two models shot: myself and a girl named Allegra. She was waiting on the steps when I arrived and we got to know each other until Eric opened the door.

We were escorted through a hallway and into a very old school elevator (one where you have to slide a gate open to get in). A man with a huge camera was waiting inside. It was Quavondo. It's always shocking to see who the eyes belong to the photographs I've drooled over, and it's always intimidating meeting them. I am quiet. It is better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. My mom taught me that :)

We are led into a basement room and the makeup and hair stylist Madeline Roosevelt created the coolest look based on the above inspiration photos. While she was doing that, a local tattoo artist Chris Graham came up with designs and drew them on our knuckles.

Meanwhile, Quavondo was in the next room, constructing the most unique lighting I've seen yet.

It was pitch black when we walked into the room. Suddenly, a flash of light went off and I only caught a glimpse of what we were to shoot with. A chair with holes in the back sat to the right, a branch placed on top of it, and a light immediately behind the chair, flashing the creepiest shadow on the wall. A red and blue light were on the left. Another light to light our hair, and another in front of us to get our face. It was intricate. It was professional, it was so incredibly fun!

I had to leave early due to the music video (read in next blog post!), so I went first while Allegra finished getting ready, then she took pictures while I changed looks, and we continued until we had three to four looks. I was incredibly disappointed that I had to run off from the shoot after a couple hours, but we did end up with the photos we wanted. Quavondo doesn't show his face, so I was unable to get a photo of him. However, here are the rest of the team involved!

[caption id="attachment_109" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Chris, Eric, and Maddi"][/caption]

Final photos:
[gallery]

8/18 MF Magazine SWAG Shoot

It was last minute for Eric, a guy I've worked with already who runs MF Magazine.

When I first met him, I had arrived at Hotel Monaco: an amazing, colorful and perfectly clashing hotel with the best waiting room I have ever seen. I met with seven other models there so we could shoot a cover image with David Koechner. They decided to use another shot when the magazine came out, but here's the image as proof because I know a lot of you don't believe me:

[caption id="attachment_71" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="(yeah that\'s me on his right shoulder!)"][/caption]

That was an entirely different experience that I'm not going to go into. However, about David--he's just as you would expect from watching him in Anchorman and on The Office. I'll let your imaginations run wild ;)

As for this SWAG shoot--the magazine gives it's subscribers the chance to receive free clothes in every issue, and they needed models to show off what they can win. We met at Saturn Style Studios and as we entered the door, we were greeted by a tub of clothes and accessories.

It took awhile to get everyone in a random outfit. Quickly realizing that every item of clothing was extra-large or bigger, we decided that a somewhat "sleepover" theme would be the most believable. With about seven girls and two boys, the theme switched around to fighting over the two boys, all of course while trying to successfully show off the clothing people were to wear.

The photographer was having a blast, cracking up at everything we were doing, shouting out ideas and then placing us here and there. We got to see the images as she switched and emptied memory card after memory card.

This shoot was interesting for me--I had never worked with that many people in one photo before so it was a good challenge trying to match everyone else in feeling and emotion. Though, I do tend to take things more seriously and the shoot was overall just for fun, so I allowed my stoic self to be a little more lenient with emotions ;) Not everything is professional, meredith. Silly girl.



Final picture:

Total time: 3 hours

8/15 Rock the Runways 4.0

The fourth annual Rock the Runways show hosted by Semper Fashion.

Let me take you back to the audition. About a month prior, I read an ad for a runway show. Actually, there were two ads, one on model mayhem and one on craigslist. One of the ads mentioned the height requirements, and one did not. Women 5'8" and taller, men 6' and taller.

Now, for those of you who don't know, I am 5'7". I've been told many, many times about how I am not tall enough for the runway, or high-fashion work, from people who have been in the industry for years and from people who haven't. It seems to be the general consensus that one inch is much too short, and I am clearly not cut out for the runway.

It's a shame for all of them that my drive stems from proving people wrong. And it's amazing what high heels and good posture can do for you : )

So, I entered the audition confident and tall--at least for the first few minutes. We were seated in the waiting area (I arrived early because, well, that's what I do) and I got to watch everyone who was auditioning walk in. Of course, everyone else was 5'8" or taller, thinner, more exotic looking, what-have-you. It's incredible how insecurities can just creep from the depths of your soul and encompass your brain. So there I sat, 5'7" and shrinking.

Everyone arrived, we were lined up for measuring our stats (bust, waist, hips, inseam) and then sent to a photographer in the corner to get our names with a face. Then we were herded yet again into another line to audition with our "walk."

Tall posture, happy face, confident walk (shoulders back of course!). The owner of the agency Mode Models was there judging and helping us. As I watch these girls, the ones who look the supposed “perfect,” I can’t help but suddenly and slyly smile to myself.

There is a huge difference in being able to model and being able to walk.

One by one, we walked. We circled through about four times, and by the end there had been judges watching and getting our contact information if they liked our look and style of walking. Two information exchanges later, those who did not get the privilege to were sent home. The rest of us were gathered in a group and told “congratulations,” you are the next 20 models for the 4th annual Rock the Runways show.

A month and a practice run went by, and suddenly it was the day of the event.

Six o'clock call time for the first group of models. We sat and got our hair and makeup done which took about 30-45 minutes each girl. Photographers were trying to weave through the room, crowded with the Paul Mitchell school of hair design students, struggling to get an idea of what look everyone was going for. Struggling to know what make-up to put on everyone.

It was there that I found out the runway show started (yes, started) at 10:45. Post Meridiem.

Oof. If the day wasn't long enough, huh?

Four hours, sitting, waiting, talking, connecting.


Now, I'm shy by nature. Fortunately (or unfortunately--glass empty or full?), the industry I am trying to place myself in requires big crowds and unfamiliar faces; talking, connecting. Understanding that connections are what gets you places, I always force myself to be present in my mind, body, and soul...without having to talk too much, if I can help it :)

I was able to meet a few girls during the night. Surprisingly, for how many people are involved one really doesn't have the time to sit and chat unless through business matters (e.g. two models are waiting to get hair and makeup, they begin to chat). These girls kept me company as we waited, and we all had each others' backs during the show. That's always a good thing. Gotta get those shoes off!

It was over in about forty-five minutes. Truthfully, the show felt like it lasted ten. Lining up by designer backstage, the crew yelling at every model to "GO, GO, GOGOGO" while the crowd drowned out any mumble of talking behind the curtains, the whole experience felt rushed. I, however, thrive on over-working myself and thus was bouncing with excitement until the moment I stepped onto the runway.

Some people drink, some people do drugs, but ever since I was little I've just done life. Corny? Yes. Cheaper? Yes. More rewarding? I think so. Now, I do understand that some people need to loosen the *#$@ up, but when sober the experience is so much more...well, real. So, you'd think that I was completely in the moment while I strut.

Wrong!

In fact, I do believe my brain shuts off. There are lights blinding me, the rest of the room is dark, I know the crowd is there but their cheers and claps get drowned out by my own thoughts...or lack thereof. I swear my brain is so loud with not thinking that I can't hear anything.

No, this doesn't affect my performance while walking. Just like when I bake anything, I'm so used to every procedure that I don't need to think about it anymore. I just do it.

Side Note: I'm really glad the concentrated face I make while baking is not the same as the one I walk with

The night was over much faster than it had begun. I made some friends, hopefully got some good face time, but more importantly had a really fun night.

Thanks to Semper Fashion for putting it on. Here's to next year!

Total Time: 5 hours

8/13 Dr Tim's Stress Test Shoot

He tells me to meet at the north entrance, and he'll be wearing a tie-dye shirt so I can't miss him. Sure enough, as I pull into the mall's parking lot I see him, clear as crystal, an array of vibrant colors sticking out like a sore thumb against the flat, off-white building.

Dr Tim. He works for a stress management company, and wanted an alternative way to let people tell, on their own, if they were stressed or not. The company has basically a "mood card" which, when placing your fingertip on it, will change colors and let you know your stress levels. Unfortunately, these little cards cost a lot to make (ordering the cards, ordering the mood sensitive part, then having someone glue them together). So, this shoot was to come up with a card that showed people how to check their stress levels while doing anything!

Which is why we met at the mall. Cause you can do a lot there, right? Right.

We took pictures outside, inside, next to clothing racks, next to trash cans, and in hallways. The shoot went by so fast, and I got the final product via email the next day. I'll also be getting some in the mail, so anyone who wants one of these, let me know (ha!).





Total time: 30 minutes

8/10-8/12 Movie Filming: Cinderblock Dreams

I have found, throughout modeling and acting opportunities, that my default mood setting is either 1) angry, or 2) sexy but pissed off. Either way, there seems to be a deep inner-anger that resides deep in the depths of my subconscious, anxiously awaiting the open invitation of a camera. I have no idea where it comes from. I swear I had a good childhood!

I drove to the audition on the other side of town, and sat in a circle of actors and actresses as we took turns reading three or four different parts. Each part was open to any gender--the boss, the villain, the secretary, the doctor. The director, Nick Blacketer, was very open to ideas and suggestions. I had received a script earlier and was to mainly read for the roll of the Boss, but enjoyed the dialogue of the villain "Jude" to pass up the opportunity. Everyone read before me. I usually plan it this way (if possible) to see other takes on the characters, though I always use my gut instinct in the end.

"Jude" had a gun in this scene. Badass. Not angry, not sexy, just badass. I straightened my posture, pointed my hand-made finger gun, and read the dialogue. Sarcasm dripped through my teeth and out of my mouth; evil domination filled my being; my head tilts slightly down while my eyes stare straight into the lead's soul.

At least, I'd like to think so.

Either way, I did something right and landed the part. Filming took place this month over a period of three consecutive days which were long and exhausting, but calmly entertaining. Small cast of some extremely talented people, intense focus on the script, and a determined director with his always loving and helping girlfriend, you've got a short!

Without revealing too much, my character was quickly and uncomfortably developed. Rather than sarcasm and anger, there was collected acceptance, comfort, and stoic indifference towards the pleasurable act of murder.

After every take I forced myself to crack a joke, laugh, or smile and redeem myself as human, because I felt so awful pretending I was that thing; a cold, murdering robot.

Fun though! :)

Visit http://moonlightpictures.org to view the trailer!

8/9 Conceptual Project shoot for Meghan

I contacted Meghan (brooke brady) for her ad for conceptual projects. Intrigued, I soon discovered a very passionate young woman who truly lives for photography.

Now, I've seen photographers with the most expensive cameras, attached with only the most expensive lenses, and predictably I was engulfed with the most intricate set-up of lights; I've seen photographers with a brand-new camera that they're just testing out, using only natural light because they can't afford any stands; I've seen photographers who rent their cameras and lights, but they know what they're doing but can't justify buying a set because renting is a lot cheaper. But I have never seen what I saw with Meghan.

Through the doors in a parking garage, around the corner into a caged elevator and shaken up to the roof, I lay out my clothes and she comes up with a few different outfits that we'll change through. The setting is the Portland horizon and city line:


She stands on the edge of the roof, camera to her eye, searching for angles. Another camera hangs from her neck. She motions for me to look over the roof, concerned or "weirded out." Little direction is necessary--just the general idea is stated and however I move, she finds the best perspective. However I move, she also finds the right camera.

A digital canon, a 35-mm film camera, a polaroid, and a wind-up camera cycled through as we changed outfits and edges of the building; as I changed from standing to sitting to laying on the ground and only showing my yellow stocking-covered legs.

This is the kind of photography that I would take, if I photographed people. I do much better with inanimate objects than life forms, and the way she took pictures was purely for the art of it. A leg here, the back of my head there, sections of my body split between six polariods. It wouldn't have mattered if I were naked or completely covered--the ending image would of course be considered in all aspects: artistic.

Not knowing what to do or what section of my body is being photographed is always such a fun and interesting challenge. And, being a model herself, Meghan knows what she wants and how to get it. I was impressed and inspired by her. Before even seeing the pictures I knew I'd like them.


Total time: 1 1/2 hours

8/5 Yin Photoshoot with Aimee J'adore Makeup

After last night's fashion show, I was predictably and understandably exhausted. I stayed the night at my old college roommates' house, falling asleep too late and waking up much earlier than I had set my alarm for. Showered, got ready minus the make-up, and headed over to Aimee J'adore Makeup's house and arrived at 10 A.M.

I've never worked with Aimee before, but I have seen many, many photos of her work on Model Mayhem and had been admiring it all before she contacted me for this shoot. She does make-up, hair, modeling, and now she has taken up photography as of six months ago.

So, I was more than willing to do whatever it was she wanted me to do!

She presented me with a yin and yang concept. I had the general idea in my head, but then she showed me the inspiration photo:

[caption id="attachment_19" align="aligncenter" width="229" caption="Matthew Jordan Smith 2005"][/caption]

Much cooler than what was in my head :)

Off-Topic: She had two adorable kittens who were jumping around, loving and licking my plastic bag containing a brand-new dress that sat on the couch during the duration of the shoot. Adorable! They love the taste of plastic! Lick lick lick.

My hair and the yin took about an hour and fifteen to complete (so fast!). We went upstairs to her studio space and spent at most half an hour taking pictures (so fast!). The shoot was over at 12 P.M. Most definitely the fastest and most successful shoot I've done. It would be absolutely fantastic if all shoots were like this. I am so used to spending all day somewhere that I don't even realize how valuable my time is. I trust as I get more professional, the shoots will, too. After all, time is money, huh?



Final photo:

Total time: 2 hours

8/4 Dirty Fashion Show 3.0

It's 9:49 P.M. and I'm sitting at a pizza shop and bar that is tucked away someplace near Couch (pronounced "koo-tch") and 5th; that's actually the intersection for the club Dirty, but I'm too busy cautiously looking around at tweakers and guys who are cat-calling me to actually know the streets, let alone the name of this place. This is the 3rd time I've been here, and it seems funny to me that similar, if not the exact same things happen:

I park.
I walk into the club.
We change, wait, and do the first runway show.
I leave, some guy affiliated with us stops me to ask where I'm going, meanwhile chain-smoking in a group of people, to which I respond "going to eat!" as they continue the small talk until I slowly inch away and/or they become distracted with their Very Important Crowd.
I get cat-called (this either happens now or after I eat)
I arrive here at the pizza shop.
All employees and customers stare at me as if I don't belong--granted my hair and make-up are always ridiculous.
I leave.
I get cat-called (see above)
Do second show.

Now, of course even these events differ every time depending on who is currently present, and what I have done previously during the day prior to the show.

For instance, I very clearly and completely regret ingesting a bean and cheese burrito earlier today for lunch because I am very clearly and completely reaping the consequences. The wrath of the beans. Unforgiving. Unforgetting.

Aside: Always humorous, catching people trying to figure the meaning behind the hair and face...and why the clothes? Why so plain? If I had testes I would usually speak first and challenge their bemused staring. I try not to look at people, and I try to act the complete antithesis of how my head is portraying me. No room to judge, folks! Move along.

Anyhow. About the runway show. Lucy Lovette puts on a runway show at the Portland club Dirty every first Tuesday. This is the third show, and there will be more. Although we don't get paid for doing any of it, I'm still planning on driving up as often as I can, if not for the fun of it than for the study of planning and coordinating events. I have learned a few things within the past three months, which include:

Models will flake.
Designers will flake.
Salons will flake.

Basically, the world is a huge head of untreated dandruff. Fortunately, there are always enough other people to keep it running on this slightly bumpy road. I do admire and respect Lucy's hard work every time, and it's just unfortunate that so many people choose to be so unprofessional.

The Paul Mitchell School in Portland provides the hair and make-up during these shows, and Lucy brings in the models and designers.



It's always a blast trying to guess what thing will go wrong next. Model drives all the way from the coast, shows up for hair and make-up and then books it once we leave for the club? Designer promising a load of clothes and will be the biggest part of the show, but then doesn't show up? Salon team thinking we said meet an hour earlier than we were, so 75% of the team leaves?

Who knows, but we're ready for anything now!


Designers: Danelle Kay and Sean

Danelle sent us pictures for the style she wanted for her wardrobe:



Models: Niki, Angel, Anna Lee, Myself, Mia
Total time: 5 hours

8/3 Carol DeLange Grandaw

Allow me to introduce Carol.

Alright, now that you've got the basic gist of her I will continue.

I was first contacted by Carol last month to do a photo-shoot with her. We came up with this image:



She not only did the hair, but the make-up, wardrobe styling, and photography. Then she did it all again on Monday!

We met at her salon where she made me up, then we took off to go to a skate-park. The half-pipes were a perfect gray seamless background (brilliant!), and no one was in the park when we drove up.

As we unloaded the car, we noticed a group of little kids and counselors riding skateboards right outside of the park. And of course, thanks to Murphy, as we got closer they moved into the park.

Fortunately, they were in the opposite corner of where we needed to be, so asking the counselors granted us permission and accessibility into the park.



Carol had done my hair up into a punky sort of up-do with a tuft of hair spiking out from the side. Underneath the salons' silk black robe, I was wearing my Victoria's Secret swimsuit, which covers quite a bit more than a standard swimsuit.

We set up the tripod and reflector, and I removed by robe.

Allow me to interject--I hate being in a swimsuit, and I most certainly hate being in a swimsuit in public. I justified this inner-pickle with simple facts: 1) the audience was a bunch of little kids 2) no one would have recognized me, and 3) anything for the photo!

Before the robe could even slip off my arms, a little girl from across the park screamed, and yes I do mean screamed, "EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!"

Awesome. It was just what I needed, after all.

We continued to shoot until we tired out the look, had to talk with another counselor due to the kids complaining (come on, really?), and decided to vacate to change looks as well as locations. We had had enough little kids and their little glares.

The next part of the shoot I was to wear a bunch of vintage hats and big coats. 92 degrees outside in the gravel wasn't as bad as it sounds. I don't like complaining so I have a pretty high tolerance now of what I can handle. This doesn't compare to the 500-foot elevation above the city on a snow-covered hill in a little pink dress and heels, but I won't go there ;)



Final image:


Total time: 5 hours

Welcome, Life!

First off, let me say “welcome!” to everyone who has happened upon this blog. You may be a friend, a friend of a friend, a relative, admirer, stranger, what-have-you. Any person is welcome to hear about my life throughout my modeling photo-shoots, my film endeavors, and let you in on my other hobbies (which include but are not limited to: singing, photography, dancing, drawing, writing).

I hope you will enjoy my world as I open it up to you, and any and all critique, advice, or silent following is welcome.

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Meredith, and I’m modeling.