studio | Hold the Glamour

Shooting for Modern Curve by Ezibuy

Last week the crew and I finished shooting the autumn catalogue for Modern Curve by Ezibuy in Sydney.

Keep an eye out for a great pair of black-coated jeans, some cute rain coats and a studded black top I loved — very rock n’ roll indeed.

I have some behind-the-scene photos below.

Enjoy the rest of summer Southern Hemisphere and have safe fun in the sun!

A fabulous location house we shot in at Potts Point

We shot by the huge windows, getting beautiful light for our pictures

It's another location day in Walsh Bay, with the talented Deb Bowen styling

It’s another location day at Walsh Bay, with the talented Deb Bowen styling

Modeling one of the cute rain coats I mentioned above

Deb Bowen making some final adjustments to my outfit

A make-shift studio was made to ensure we had beautiful light to shoot on such a grey day

In the studio shooting one of the cover options

I love what Annette McKenzie has created with my hair — it’s a new fresh approach for Modern Curve

My messy but finished hair is my new personal favourite. I think we have started something Annette!

What hair style do you love most for yourself?

What is the craziest hair style you’ve had?

Do you like to change your hair colour or style often?

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For my last job, I traveled to Kansas City, Missouri for a couple of days. I’ve been there before however, it’s been a long time. I’ve shot in K.C. for a jewelry company and for a magazine shoot or two (editorial). Kansas City is in the middle of American, or so people say.

I arrived the evening before the shoot started and stayed at a lovely and relatively new hotel called the Ambassador Kansas City. The shower and bed were amazing. I had a wonderful night of rest and sleep. Not what I’m always used to at home I’m afraid.

The other two straight-size models and I were picked up and taken to the studio which was nearby. We shot at Rush Wade 2 Studios on Locust Street. It was an impressive studio that was large, beautifully outfitted with all the treats and fun you’d expect in a studio that’s located outside of New York City, where space comes at a premium.

Kansas City – Rush Wade 2 studio

We shot an all American campaign for the denim company. Packaging jobs are fun and you can push the boundaries a lot more than with catalogue. Packaging/campaign shoots are more about the image or feel of a company rather than it being about the garment which is the case with the typical catalogue shoot.

The photographer (whose family own the business and studio) built a skate ramp for some downtime play. See below. I have never seen a skate ramp in a photographic studio ever before in my life. How very cool indeed.

Kansas City – skate ramp in the studio

I discovered an orange Vespa parked in some corner near the hair and make-up table. I’m not sure if it worked or if it was more like a piece you’d find in a museum (for display purposes only). Everything was strategically placed and clean. It was a vintage, hipster, rock ‘n’roll showroom.

Kansas City – 1964 white pick-up in the background

Art, history, technology and inspiration working together. It was a new playground for me to explore. I like new places. I like to learn new things and am curious about life. This shoot allowed me to delve into the lives of others that live in the middle of America.

Have you ever been to Kansas City?

If so, what did you do there?

Did you see Dorothy and her red shoes? I did… At the airport on my way home to New York.

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March 26, 2013

Have you heard of Kelley Quan?

NYC – Our day begins

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with the brilliant hair & make-up artist Kelley Quan on a job in New York. I’ve known Kelley for almost 10 years and we used to work together a lot and often and then our careers, schedules and lives took us in different directions… Until now.

NYC – The delightful Kelley Quan at her h&m table

We couldn’t stop talking the entire day as we discussed our new, exciting, busy and sometimes crazy and hectic lives – juggling career and family simultaneously. A massive undertaking at the best of times.

As this master of both hair & make-up worked on me, Kelley used this atomiser spray on my face that I simply flipped out over and had never seen anything like it before. You see, I love Rosewater spray and I’m a huge fan of hydrating my skin – I use it everyday as a part of my daily routine. I asked Kelley where I could get it from and she told me she invented it and came up with the concept. Genius!

NYC – Kelley Quan’s Pocket Spa

I initially didn’t believe her and then she showed me how her Pocket Spa worked and explained why it was so unique and different – I wanted one on the spot. With all the traveling I do, I simply could not get enough.

Not only had Kelley gotten busy with her Pocket Spa creation however, her Vegan Beauty Brushes were born. As if this mother of two young lads wasn’t busy enough, she gives birth to another baby – a line of beauty brushes that are made entirely out of vegan products. I love it!

NYC – Kelley Quan’s Vegan Beauty Brush collection

Kelley’s aesthetic is similar to my own – natural, organic and gentle. You should feel and experience her vegan brushes! They are unbelievable and she has an entire collection for you to build upon (15 to date).

I have the brush numbered 9 and it is the softest and lightest touch on my skin and face I have experienced in the longest time – and I’m not just saying that! Try it for yourself and see. I was blown away.

You need to know that I’m not a paid brand ambassador for Kelley Quan nor am I getting paid for writing this post about her amazing products. I am doing it because I want you to know what great choices and products are out there for all of us to use and benefit from. I love to share!

If you would like to know more about this amazing woman and her secrets in looking your best, please visit www.kelleyquan.com for more details.

NYC – Kelley and I at the end of our shoot

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January 29, 2013

10 planes in 8 days

I do laugh when people say I lead a glamourous life! I was a total wreck up until a few days ago and I like many other working mothers and parents still have to keep going, no matter what.

Mid-flight from Sydney to Los Angeles

I returned from Australia almost two weeks ago and for the first few nights was awake most of the evening with jet-lag. Oh how I love jet-lag especially traveling east! It is in my experience, always worse on your body.

The day after I returned home I had to unpack and re-pack my bag for another work trip. I desperately tried to find the time to kiss and hug my family a million times before a six-hour journey to the middle of Arkansas on two different planes. I was asleep before take off both times and I slept most of the way, only to find myself stiff and sore from sleeping upright in an uncomfortable airline chair.

Arkansas - Arriving at a late hour and the airport is empty

Arkansas – Arriving at a late hour and the airport is deserted

This is survival – I arrive an hour late and not only is it below freezing in Arkansas, my ride isn’t at the airport as arranged. I call the hotel and they don’t have me booked in with them this particular night so I go ahead and make a booking myself, catch a yellow cab for a half hour drive out of the city, heading to the woods it seemed. I watch too much Law & Order as my mind was racing – I’ve never been to this part of the world before and it was dark, cold and remote. I was wide awake at this point with my mobile in hand.

I repeat the address to the taxi driver who is approx. 6’3” and is wearing overalls, to make sure he knows where to rightfully take me. See, I told you! All he says is, “Yes, ma’am”. You can’t blame me for being nervous right?

I then wait at the hotel reception for about 15 minutes as their computer system was down and the new kid on the block wasn’t able to kick-start it without help from someone on the phone. I just roll with it – there is no point in doing anything else.

I finally get to my room after midnight and the room is freezing. It takes me about two hours to fall asleep as I kept getting up trying to get warm. I put socks on first, then a blanket over me then another, until I reluctantly turned the heater on. It sounded like I was on an airport runway without earplugs or headphones. Lucky for me, I always travel with earplugs and an eye mask. Tools of the trade.

I wake at 6am for a 7am start. Fortunately, the crew were as eager as I was for a Starbucks run before work. The shoot went smoothly and quickly enough. Jet-lag slapped me in the face again by 2.30pm and I could not wait till my 6pm connecting flight so I could sleep, even if it was for an hour. I didn’t know what time zone my body was in.

Notice the WiFi sign on planes these days – gone are the No Smoking ones

I arrive home a day later at 1am from the airport and find myself awake till 5am, lying in bed trying desperately to zone out. What can I say… I thought of one million things I could have done during this time if it were daylight. I could have been so productive.

The couple of days that followed, I stayed as still as possible and at home with my family before a busy shoot in Manhattan. I rock-n-roll from one city to another!

New York – Finishing touches at the hair and make-up station

New York – Walking to the subway from the midtown studio with The Empire State Building in front

This lovely pattern went on for almost a week, including a second trip to Arkansas. I am happy to say the second trip went smoothly and without any delays. My ride even made contact before I left for New York. Happy days indeed!

I traveled on 10 planes in eight days. It is exhausting and tiring to say the least. I have finally caught up on much-needed sleep and rest. My lips are dry from constantly kissing my angels and husband… Making up for lost time.

Next stop Philadelphia… Stay tuned!

What is the worst jet-lag you have ever experienced?

How long did it take you to recover?

What remedies or methods have you tried to get over jet-lag that worked for you?

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September 11, 2012

Spring in Sydney

Sydney – Setting up on Coogee Beach

Since arriving in Sydney, Australia a week ago the fabulous spring weather has been nothing but delightful. I love it here at this time of year. The days are sunny and bright, the evenings still crisp and cool. I can smell and feel the change of season and there’s an excitement in the air. The time has come to shed your winter layers and get moving, going. A rebirth is around the corner.

Sydney – My change room on Coogee Beach

Our shoot for Ezibuy goes well and we have great weather to prove it. We shoot in various suburbs in Sydney which include Coogee Beach, Seaforth, Dover Heights and the studio in Waterloo.

Sydney – Hello sunshine! Views from Dover Heights

Our mornings start at 6.30am for hair and make-up, so that means my alarm goes off at 5am to ensure I’m at work on time. By lunchtime we are well and truly in to our day and by 9pm I fall into my bed exhausted, more than ready to rest and be still.

Sydney – Studio day with a hair & make-up change

Location days are generally more difficult than shooting in the studio. You have weather, sun, reflection, equipment to maneuver and light to consider and work around. In the studio, it’s a controlled environment. You can change the background and adjust the lighting depending on whether you are shooting full length, waist-up or waist-down. I like mixing up my days in studio and on location.

Sydney – Time to bring on the glamour

I manage to have some down time with a dear friend of mine and her family on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and we have brunch at The Boathouse Palm Beach (my first time). The views are spectacular, the food is delicious (fresh Australian cuisine) and the atmosphere is beachside and truly relaxed. It is a must on your Sydney agenda and worth the 45 min drive north.

Sydney – Views from The Boathouse Palm Beach

Sydney – Lying on the grass soaking up the sun after our brunch at The Boathouse

Now, I return to my annual tax return, filing, opening of mail and general office work. It’s the other side to my, ‘oh so glamourous’ life. Ha!

What are some of your favourite Sydney spots to live or visit?

Where is the best ‘brunch’ served in your opinion?

What makes or defines the best brunch?

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August 9, 2012

There’s a new skyscraper in town – One World Trade Center

NYC – On my way to work listening to Snow Patrol

The other day I was walking to work (to shoot for a catalogue client) from the subway. It was so hot and humid already – I felt like I was about to melt. I was rushing to get out of the heat – put it this way, when I left home my hair was wet and by the time I arrived at the studio, my hair was basically dry. With the amount of hair I have it takes a long time for it to dry naturally. It has been one of the hottest summers I can remember in New York and most people I talk to would agree.

It appeared to be just another summers day in the city, to most of us New Yorker’s anyway. We go about our business like most other city or urban dwellers, rushing from point A to point B. The only people I see that are somewhat relaxed and taking it nice and slow are the tourists who have come to the Big Apple for their summer holidays. I can spot the tourists from a mile away – it is rather incredible really. I sometimes wish, I could be more like them in my own city – where I live, work and play without the need or desire to rush and hurry.

NYC – On the corner of Hudson and Canal Streets

The studio has an amazing view and the building is located on the corner of Hudson and Canal Streets. It’s on the top floor so we have panoramic views of the city spread out before us.

Once I was done with hair & make-up, I looked out the massive wrap around windows and saw the view below. I asked someone what the large building was in the centre. I was told it was One World Trade Center or 1 WTC (previously known as The Freedom Tower). I couldn’t believe how much of it was erected – all of a sudden it seemed. I was informed that as it stands now, 1 WTC is the tallest building in New York City and will finish up at 1776 feet (541 m) and will be 82 stories high. Now that’s a nose bleed!

NYC – The view from the studio

I haven’t been to 1 WTC in a long time so I’m not surprised by the transformation of the site. It has after all, been six years since work commenced. I’m simply not used to seeing the Skyscraper so prominently in the city’s skyline. It seems odd and foreign however, beautiful and sleek. I wonder when it will become familiar? I wonder what the new World Trade Center will look like when completed? It’s hard to really know until you experience it personally. From what I can see and read online and in the news, it will become an integral part of lower Manhattan and certainly of New York and what the city represents – an international city on so many levels where the people have become one and unified.

NYC – One Word Trade Center or 1 WTC

What do you think of One World Trade Center?

Have you seen it, been there?

Are you looking forward to its completion in 2014?

What does it mean to you?

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July 25, 2012

Visions of a studio set

NYC - Sets are typically black and white as can be seen above

NYC – Studio set

NYC – Back shot of a model

I’m sitting on the sidelines, waiting for my turn to get on set and start shooting. The hair and make-up station can be seen peeking through the first picture on the left-hand side. The round lights are blinding sometimes and the station can’t be missed.

Studio sets are typically black and white as can be seen above. Reflector boards are always present allowing the light to dance about on set. Sometimes they face me as black boards and other times as white – it depends if I’m wearing light or dark colours and the setting the lights are on.

The wind machine is tilted, waiting to blow ‘Victoria Secret’ like hair. They can make your eyes water like rivers when turned up too much. This is not good for make-up and when I’m not shooting, I step out of the direction of the machine or the hairstylist angles it away.

Above, the model is patiently waiting and ready to start shooting. She waits for the photographer to check with the digital technician to make sure the light is correct. Computers and digital photography have made this process faster, easier and immediately accurate.

In the second picture you can see the power pack (small box sitting on the ground to the right-hand side with lots of electrical cords coming out of it). A power pack connects with the base of a camera to add more power – it is designed to provide a power boost.

It’s a glimpse of some behind-the-scenes action I get to see and experience when shooting in studio.

Have you ever been on a studio set before? What aspect of your experience or the set interested you the most?

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July 9, 2012

Getting it all done Big Apple style

Since returning home to New York, my time has flown by at record speed as usual. From unpacking to re-organising my entire closet/robe and getting rid of the clothes that needed to be, oh so long ago to purging the kid’s clothes again that are now too small and we have to make way for more to getting back to the gym and surviving the heat wave we’ve had in the last 10 days to getting back to my husband, kids and life in the Big Apple.

I had to go in to Ford and try a pair of jeans on for a client that had sent them to my agency for me to try on. So I went in, was introduced to two new bookers on our Ford + board then tried the jeans on. My booker took photos of me in the jeans and he emailed them through to the client. We had a quick meeting to discuss the work I have coming up and then I was off to run another errand or 10.

I worked a few days in the city and caught up with some wonderful friends and people I work with regularly in the industry. Here is a visual of my week at work.

NYC – The Empire State Building at 7am on my way to work

NYC – The beautiful Julie Henderson and I getting into mischief

NYC – My amazing hair & make-up artist, Keiko Hamaguchi and I

NYC – The studio in midtown

And now I must dash as I have a car waiting for me outside to take me to JFK airport. It really isn’t all that glamourous when I think back to my day and what I’ve had to do to get it all done.

The images my booker took must have worked – I’m going to work for them over the next few days. Till then…

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June 23, 2012

Where the ocean meets the sky

Sydney – the studio, quiet and empty before the day starts

Sydney - the rack of clothes that need to be shot

Sydney – the racks of clothes that need to be shot

We started shooting the spring and summer catalogues for Sara by Ezibuy last Friday in a studio in Sydney at 8am. Traffic is a part of Sydney life and it took me an hour to get to work (that was with no traffic accidents or incidents). Once inside the studio, Annette McKenzie (genius) starts on hair and make-up. By 10am we were ready, Juli Balla (photographer) and the crew were ready to start shooting the new season looks.

Sydney - hair & make-up done with curlers setting my hair

Sydney – hair & make-up done with pin curls setting my hair

Sydney - curlers out, touching up my lips with a hint of colour before getting changed into outfit #1

Sydney – curls out, touching up my lips with a hint of colour before getting changed into outfit #1

Scanning the racks of clothes once I was ready to get changed I noticed there were some key pieces that I really liked and simply had to have. The new season clothes were bright, colourful and included skinny jeans that fit me like a glove (one of my all time favs). Stripes are still very much in and still one of my favourite trends. There was a navy and a tea coloured linen jacket that I really liked too. Having basic neutrals in your wardrobe is a must in my opinion. It’s all about variety and versatility.

This routine continues over the next few days in studio. Our days of shooting merge into one as the days go by. At the end of our Sydney stint we head up to Palm Beach (Northern Beaches of Sydney) to get some location shots done. One can’t go any further than Palm Beach and its a 45 min – 1 hour drive north of Sydney (depending on traffic of course).

Palm Beach is somewhat far for the crew to travel and we mumble to ourselves about the distance and 6.45am call time however, once we are there and Andrea Rowe (amazing producer extraordinaire) walks in with delicious coffee and we have a moment to enjoy and take in the breathtaking views, we soon realise how divinely beautiful and blue this part of the world is. What were we saying?

Sydney – Palm Beach, view from the house we were shooting in

Sydney – Palm Beach, our view of where the ocean meets the sky

Sydney – Palm Beach, the day is done and I am heading home

Sydney – Palm Beach at ground level

Tomorrow we depart for Noosa, Queensland for the rest of the Sara shoot. Stay tuned.

Where have you been where the ocean meets the sky? What beautiful places do you dream of visiting and experiencing?

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June 1, 2012

Work, castings, boyfriend’s and family waiting

Welcome to Milwaukee airport, WI

Milwaukee – Robyn Lawley and I in the car off to the studio

Milwaukee – in the studio after lunch

As I sit at my dining table writing this post, I have three roofer’s banging away repairing our skylight ceiling that leaked oh so many weeks ago. We’ve had an enormous amount of rain these last two weeks in New York so finally they are here… Leaks and roofer’s!

This week I flew to Milwaukee again on a 6.30am flight right after the Memorial Day long weekend, with every man and his dog traveling to and fro where ever they came from. The airports were a hot mess with people traveling it seemed to all places imaginable. All flights were full, there were lines and queues from the minute you walked in to La Guardia airport.

I got in my beauty rest for the duration of my flight which was about two hours. When I disembarked, I walked over to Starbucks and was hanging for my Caffè Americano… basically, a rich, full-bodied espresso with hot water in true European style. It was a good kick-start to my morning… now I was ready for work!

In line for my Americano, I saw a male model I knew whose name was Gary and then I saw the beautiful Robyn Lawley. Robyn not only is a supermodel but someone I’ve known since she started her phenomenal career in Sydney a few years ago. She started shooting Sara for Ezibuy with me and we worked together for about 18 months. It’s been awhile since I saw her so we had much to catch-up on.

We shared a car ride to the studio… I felt sorry for our driver as we didn’t shut up and continued our talks throughout the day and night. Work was great. Had lingerie shots to get all sexy for… you should have seen my big Texas hair! Comical really. It was a steady day for the both of us.

A model shuttle took us back to the airport (there was five of us returning to the airport). One girl was flying to Miami the rest of us to New York. We bonded, chatted and laughed all the way in peak hour traffic to Milwaukee airport.

Once we checked in, went through security and had our wood fire oven pizza for dinner, the four of us walked over to our gate to discover our flight home was delayed by three hours. It was due to severe weather in the New York area which included Washington and Boston. There was a band of thunderstorm activity blocking our path home and the three New York airports were on lock down! No flight in or out for hours. What now?

We hung out in the lounge and found Gary waiting to get home on the same flight. The five of us bonded over ridiculous work and travel horror stories. Boy, we could have written a book. We all had our tales of woe, frustration, stress and tears at trying to get home after work was done.

We hung in there. One of us was always going up to the gate agent on a regular basis and asking what the update (if any) was. We were told an hour after our flight was scheduled to depart, that we’d have an update soon. Our update was that we would board shortly and hope for the best! If air traffic control gave us the green light, we would be lucky to land by midnight. That was the case. We were so happy to have made it home we didn’t care how late it was. Work, castings, boyfriend’s and family were waiting for us the next morning.

No one was prepared for the taxi line-up however! Unbelievable… I’ve never seen lines that long at all taxi ranks in 10 years of living in New York. Nor had my fellow models. I arrived home about 1am and had awoken by 3.45am the day before… It was a long day filled with fun, glamour, stress, frustration and relief.

Who said glamourous miracles can’t happen!

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Hold the Glamour

Tag: studio

January 13, 2014

Shooting for Modern Curve by Ezibuy

April 23, 2013

Kansas City

March 26, 2013

Have you heard of Kelley Quan?

January 29, 2013

10 planes in 8 days

September 11, 2012

Spring in Sydney

August 9, 2012

There’s a new skyscraper in town – One World Trade Center

July 25, 2012

Visions of a studio set

July 9, 2012

Getting it all done Big Apple style

June 23, 2012

Where the ocean meets the sky

June 1, 2012

Work, castings, boyfriend’s and family waiting