Monday, February 28, 2011

TFP

The Infamous TFP.


I first heard about these terms on modelmayhem.com and this is what they mean:
TFP= Trade for Print
TFCD= Trade for CD images

For people that aren't aware of what this means:
In the world of the arts, and when you don't have a lot of money, someone, somewhere, somehow came up with this 'TFP' idea. 'TFP' is an inexpensive way to 'trade' your services with someone else for photography prints that will benefit everyone involved. For example, if you are a model and you like a certain photographers' style, you could approach that photographer and let them know what concept you'd like to create with them on a 'tfp' basis. It's always a 50/50 chance. They could say yes, could say no: All you have to do is ask.

TFP helps you build up your portfolio with images that will benefit your portfolio while you network and collaborate with new people within the industry. Whether you are a makeup artist, hairstylist, model, wardrobe stylist, videographer, photographer, dancer, artist, etc., every one in the arts is capable of building their portfolio with this method.

Every one has the capability to do 'tfp' but not every one wants to participate.

Some people in the visual arts industry are more interested in working their passion full time so they charge for their services. TFP may not be to their liking. Some people trade for prints simply for the love of the arts, for the passion, and to better their skills each time they work with someone new.
Either way, you do what works for you to get your portfolio correct.

For me, tfp is the reason why my portfolio is slowly looking more to my liking and it is the reason why I have become a perfectionist with my craft. Working with different photographers has helped me as a makeup artist understand light values; when to increase the opacity in concealing blemishes on skin, when to decrease the tonal value in contouring for certain skin tones, how to create the illusion of obliques on untoned skin, when to work with gold reflectives or silver reflectives in certain lighting; soooo much is in this itty bitty head of mine after practicing and practicing for years with different people.

One photographer I worked with linked me up with a hairstylist, that hairstylist linked me to a film production, the producer of that film production linked me to an artists agency, and badda bing, badda boom. TFP can get you connections you didn't know existed all simply from taking a chance and working with new people.
I don't look down on tf, it helped me grow as an artist and as a person.

In tfp, you also have the right to say NO if the concept makes you uncomfortable or if the concept does not work for your portfolio. I have had a few people ask me to help them on a tfp basis. I honestly don't mind helping people but I don't say yes to everyone and I don't feel obligated to anymore. If people ask me to apply makeup for over 20 models alone, or asking me to apply makeup on certain body parts, or is asking for a complete body paint makeup that may take me over 3 hours to complete, or if the concept just doesn't excite me, I will say no and I am ok with saying no.

There are times when you need to know and show your value and worth as a budding artist; saying no to a potential client does not make YOU a bad person no matter what other people may say to you. Even if it is someone you have been DYING to work with them for years, even if that person may take you alittle bit closer to your ideal career, even if it is your best friend, you always have the right to say NO and you should always put yourself and your best interests FIRST.

At first, I thought 'TFP' was a Chicago thing;
later I learned 'TFP' is a global thing.

When I travled to New York, people I encountered were happy to do TFP all day, all the time; they understand that the pay will come when it's meant to come and it's nothing to really worry about. Now don't get me wrong, I still love Chicago! Some fashion people in Chicago need to understand if the concept will benefit everyone's portfolio's (mua's, hair, wardrobe, photographer, etc.) then there really is nothing wrong with tfp. The GREATEST people in the fashion industry STILL do tfp all around the world. I've been recently talking with talents over in the UK, they understand the concept of TFP and have no qualms about it.

All careers are a learning process but you have to be willing and open to trying something new if you'd like to mature in your career. It's better to try new things on a freelance/free basis rather than to discombobulate a paid shoot and never hear from a client again.
Never stop growing.
Never stop learning.

In my opinion, tfp is a benefit; it's the time to try new things, work with new people, try new concepts, build teams, build friendships and network.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wednesday Inspiration: Emily Gualdoni

Emily Gualdoni is a photographer in Chicago with a lot of versatility. Emily does Bridal, Fashion, Beauty, and so much more. Not only is she extremely talented behind the camera, but she has a beautiful and sweet personality.

We got to work with one of my most FAVORITE stylists in Chicago, Marta Cebrat-Czernik. I love working with Marta because she brings so much passion, drive and originality to each shoot.

Here are a few shots we did last Friday. It only took her 4 DAYS to edit the pictures!! That's a pretty good turn around. Photo editing that takes less than one week makes me so happy!!

The look was Dark and inspired by a few editorials I've seen in Vogue. It was all about contrast: pure blacks & pure whites. I wanted the makeup to compliment the jewelry, not over power it.

I used:
- Black glitter eyeliner by Sephora and black sand to create the eyes
- Face & Body Liquid Foundation Shade Ivory 20 from Make Up For Ever to give the models a creamy, even, brighter skin tone
- Silver Dusk Loose Powder by M.A.C. to give their skin a luminescent glow from the waist up
- MAC Cheek Color in "Sweet As Cocoa" for contour

Model: Sarah Uchison
MUA: Andrea C. Samuels
Hair: Anita Arsova
Jewelry: Marta Cebrat-Czernik
Photographer: Emily Gualdoni

















Model: Megan Graveline
MUA: Andrea C. Samuels
Hair: Anita Arsova
Jewelry: Marta Cebrat-Czernik
Photographer: Emily Gualdoni









Model: Lauren Mulford
MUA: Andrea C. Samuels
Hair: Anita Arsova
Jewelry: Marta Cebrat-Czernik
Photographer: Emily Gualdoni








And here's a video of us working on this shoot!

Chicago Photo Shoot with Emily Gualdoni from Logi Productions, LLC. on Vimeo.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

WCIU-26: You And Me This Morning


So I had the opportunity to do makeup for a fashion segment for WCIU-26 on Thursday, February 17th, 2011. I had to wake up at 2am, to leave my house at 3am, to be there by 4am to start on makeup for Aleah and 3 guest models so they will be ready by 5:45am and go on air at 6am.

Here are a few screen shots from Fashion Express with Aleah.
The theme was "Spring Jackets for Your Body Type"


^Here is Aleah!^
I was able to do a quick (literally 5 minute) makeover for Aleah before the camera's started rolling.





First Model: ^Melissa^
I used MAC 'Golden Bronze' Loose Powder to give her a Spring Time glow.




Second Model: ^Kelley^
I used MAC 'Spring sheen' Cheek Color and The Body Shop #44 Golden Meadow to bring out her hazel/brown eyes.




Third Model: ^Melissa^
I used orange and golden colors on her eyes for a fresh looking 'spring time' look.


And there I am! Walked out with the hairstylist, Alexia King.




And here's the video :)

Spring Jackets Preview

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Ruby Yo! FIRE IT UP Music Video

I was told about this film project by multi-talented visual artist
Kaori Nik.
She's an up and coming rising star in Chicago and she's a very cool lady. Nik let me know about the makeup opening and she was in charge of whippin' the hair. The video shoot went so well. It was FUN!! I really had a good time for 10 straight hours!! Everything went by smoothly and at a pretty fast rate.

Ruby Yo!
is sooo sweet and sooo nice! She has the most gorgeous cheek bones that I have ever worked on. Her song got me pumped up and helped me snap off on her lovely face. Ruby Yo, Kaori, Lindsey (assistant hairstylist) and the whole 'Fire It Up' team was looking SO FIERCE after I handled my business on their faces. I thanked the producer, Qadree Holmes, over and over again for the amazing opportunity.
He was great to work with!

Here are a few Behind-The-Scenes photos that Kaori Nik & Lindsey took as well as photographer Anthony Aicardi.

Enjoy!


Ruby Yo!



FIERCE!



On Set with the 'Fire It Up' Girls: Kaori Nik, Ruby Yo, & Nicole Duran



Ruby's Stylist, which is also her brother, Javier Camacho, did a superb job on all the garments and accessories!



Doing touch ups :)



Making sure Ruby stays HOT for the cameras...



Noel Spence a.k.a. Girl #2. She was such a sweetheart! I used Sephora's glitter eye liners on her lower lash line to create an 'anime' eye effect on her eyes.



Eric Almond, The Director, with the Fire It Up team watching playback.


Myself & Kaori Nik Cheesin.



So her brother, Javier, mentioned "Pastel!" for her next lip color. I grabbed the white lipmix, then the red lipmix, then the yellow. That word made me think of an orange creamsicle within 30 seconds. She literally had 2 minutes before she had to go on set, and that custom made MAC pastel orange lip color POPPED on camera.



Kaori Nik styling Ms.Ruby!



Myself with Assistant Hairstylist Lindsey Howard.
She was sooo sweet!



Ruby with her Ruby Lips.
I used Make Up For Ever's Rough Artist lipstick in Moulin Rouge($20), red glitter from Michael's Craft Store ($4) and Scarlet Swarvoski crystals($20) to create the lip color!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Freja Beha Erichsen

This girl is BAD.

She knows how to work every inch of her face.
I have GOT to work with her!!!!
Freja is an IMG agency model from Denmark. I love how versatile she is, from extreme to serene modeling. Loving this 23 year old. I've been watching Freja in a lot of shows in all four major fashion week's for the past few months. Just found out today Freja not only models for Georg Jensen but she is also working on new jewelry designs for the company. Freja is putting in some SERIOUS work for major campaigns showing and proving that she's more than just a model.
She is Amazing!!












Friday, February 11, 2011

New York Photo Shoots: Part 2!


Here are more of the edited pictures from the photo shoots set up in Manhattan, New York on November 28th, 2010.

Enjoy!


Model: Lilija Thorvaldsdottis of Iceland
Wardrobe: Tamera Darden
Hair: Kahlil Oliver
MUA: Andrea C. Samuels





_________________________________________________________

Model: Kristina of Ignite Model Management.
Wardrobe: Tamera Darden
Hair: Kahlil Oliver
MUA: Andrea C. Samuels






Also, our work is featured in Ignite Model Management's Blog!
Ignite
________________________________________________________

Model: Ashley Howard of ANTM Season 13
Hair: Kahlil Oliver
MUA & Wardrobe: Andrea C. Samuels