Nigel Barker for Art Van Furniture

Here's a look Behind the Scenes for Art Van Furniture's Fall 2014 Catalog with photographer and spokesman Nigel Barker. Thanks to my agents at Factor Artists for the amazing opportunity to work with him along side makeup artist Kristina Feyerherm.

These were the two winners from The Art Van Photogenic contest, they were so excited to be pampered and dolled up for the catalog shoot.

Here are the final photos released and published in the Fall Catalog of 

Art Van Furniture.

Nigel is a DREAM to work with. His skin is like butter! He is so very genuine and sweet on set. I really didn't need to do much with his face; I just used a little Graftobian concealer, Ben Nye powder to stop the sweat on his forehead, a touch of bronzer for the cheeks, The Body Shop Argan Oil lip balm and he was good to go.

We also worked with kids, men and women from Factor Women, Ford Models, and Stewart Talent.

Turn that "NO'' around to "ON"

Would you believe the agency I am signed 

with rejected my work four times before

 signing me this year? 

4 times! 

I have called and emailed Factor Artists as well as numerous other agencies in the past 5 years and they all said: 

"no, no, no, no, no" 

I am very thankful for those "no's"; 

Those "no's" pushed me into understanding what I needed to work on to be a better artist not only for myself but for other artists in the fashion industry. Those "no's" pushed me to study intense makeup skills and even hair skills for men, women, and kids. Those "no's" helped me do things I didn't think I was capable of doing. Those "no's" are the exact reason why I am working with companies I have being dying to work with for years. If someone or something has told you 'NO', swallow your pride and understand it is a re-direction to your future.

Don't stop, don't quit, don't lose your mind: 

just flip that "NO" around to "ON" and 

keep ON moving, 

keep ON studying, 

keep ON testing, 

KEEP ON GOING!

- Andrea C. Samuels [08.27.14]