A Look at DPX

I'd like to spotlight a good friend and one of my favorite working partners, DPX. When I met DPX I immediately liked him because he reminded me of one of my oldest friends. We had many online discussions and met in person before we worked together. When we did, it was like we'd done it a hundred times before. I'm incredibly comfortable around him and find that I am never disappointed in our work together. From elegant to funky, we pull it off!

Here are some of my favorite pieces he's done with other models.

It's Fine Art, Not Porn

There is nothing more frustrating as a nude model than meeting the accusatory stares when you tell someone what you do as a hobby. Here in the bible belt, any time I tell someone I am a fine art model, I get blank stares. Occasionally I can leave it at that but more often than not, people want clarification. When I explain that fine art modeling is tasteful, classy, artistic nudes, all they hear is "I DO PORN". And it's rather difficult to change someone's perception once they think the worst of you. So for a while I would simply say I model. But people always assume this means you're on advertisements and have some sort of contract with a major makeup brand or something. And once you explain to them that you prefer to work with local artists than be represented by some horrible, soul-sucking agency, they give you the look. The "oh-that's-so-cute-she-thinks-she's-a-model" look. Seriously, folks?

For the most part, I don't even tell people I model anymore. It's way more difficult than it's worth and I'm not a fan of lying. But as something that is so important to me, it's hard to keep it a secret. It's not the status as a model, it's the artistic endeavor. I do very few "artsy" things so I pour out a lot of my artistic side into my modeling. I want to be able to share it with more people. But as long as I live in the bible belt, I don't see this happening. Enter, the internet. I've found a nice little niche on deviantArt and thank goodness for that. I would highly recommend using this site, even if you aren't in an artistic closet. I've made a lot of great contacts on the site and I feel completely at ease sharing my pictures because there is a huge community dedicated to fine art photography. Go check it out and while you're at it, hit up my page.

The Look Book

Something I find to be incredibly useful when practicing makeup is keeping a "look book". I'm constantly browsing wedding magazines and occasionally others like Glamour and Cosmopolitan. I cut out pictures of makeup, hair and nail looks that I like. Then I paste them in a notebook and refer to it when I'm practicing different techniques. Here are a few pictures of my look book.

Your look book can be as simple or sophisticated as you want. I used an unlined journal I've had for years because I love the cover but hate writing on unlined pages. It's finally found a good use and I can quickly refer to many different makeup ideas.

Cut out and paste whatever strikes your fancy. I like to pick crazy looks that I wouldn't wear on a day to day basis so I can get practice doing new, creative makeup techniques. If you don't want to pay for a makeup artist for photo shoots and want to develop your own skills, a look book can very helpful.

Tips for a Successful Photo Shoot Part 2

Last time we talked about the importance of makeup. This week I'd like to discuss two more asthetically related things that contribute to a successful photo shoot. Just a short one this week :)

Nails: It's really important to have clean nails. Duh, right? No, not duh. Not duh because too many models break this rule. And yes, it is a rule. Just because you aren't a hand model doesn't mean you can ignore your hands. Even when your hands aren't the focus, dirty or unkempt hands can distract from a beautiful photo. Look at the picture above. Now imagine it with dirty fingernails. Yuck. I was a nail-chewer for the past 22 years of my life. But when I decided to get serious about modeling, I also decided to stop chewing my nails. And it's made all the difference, as evidenced in that picture.

Hair: If you dye your hair, you really need to have it freshly dyed when you do a photo shoot. Not only does this make it shinier for pictures (dull hair = boring), roots in a different color than the rest of your hair does not translate well in pictures, or real life for that matter. Even if you don't dye your hair, you need to give it some attention. Use good products to make sure your hair is shiny and clean. If your hair is naturally curly, fantastic! But I would recommend using a frizz serum if you get frizzies. My hair is bone straight and I get frizzy and poufy in the humidity so I use Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine formula. And greasy is not shiny, greasy is just yucky in pictures. And yes, you can tell in pictures. So take care of your hair and make sure it is in its best condition before you go to a shoot!

Tips for a Successful Photo Shoot Part 1

There are a lot of things that go into a photo, all of which are necessary to make it a success. I'm going to start a series of blogs with tips for models on how to make the best of a shoot because I don't know about you all, but I hate to get done with a shoot and realize it was a waste because something was off.

Tip 1: Always wear makeup, even when the photographer says he/she wants a natural look. To some, this is a no-brainer but it never fails to amaze me how many girls out there really REFUSE to put on a drop of makeup for any shoot. This is more of a problem in the nude modeling world as most models that do other work want to wear makeup on their shoots, though I must say it is even worst when I see a non-nude model with no makeup--yikes. Yes, there is something to be said for confidence and maybe there is a reason to skip the makeup for a very particular idea. However, it has been my experience that you can look very natural and lovely with makeup on. But if you can do it without, why bother? Because the way it comes through in photographs. A bit of good makeup softens imperfections and give images that flawless look you read about. It makes your T-zone appear to be matte; even if you have dry skin, everyone produces more oil in their T-zone. I can always tell when a model has no makeup on. I have rarely, if ever, seen a photograph in which the model had no makeup on and I thought "Wow, that's a beautiful picture". My thoughts are that the model looks sloppy and didn't care about the shoot. So, if you're going for a natural look, at the very least you should wear your base routine; mine is concealer, foundation, and powder. Occasionally I even wear a very nuetral eyeshadow in a color a little darker than my skin tone to darken my crease and something in a very light shimmery (not glittery) color to highlight my tear duct area and brow bone. The goal is to be wearing enough makeup to provide that finished look without wearing so much that you look like you're wearing makeup. This is easier than it sounds with a bit of practice.

Stay tuned for some more tips for a successful photo shoot.

Makeup Basics: Techniques

Until I took modeling classes, I did not know even the most basic makeup techniques. All too often I see what could be a great picture ruined by horrible makeup. This tutorial will show you the technique I learned, one that I've seen in several makeup books. I'll also include a list of books I recommend reading for further instruction.

Using quality makeup is important to me but I love to save money. Listed below are the best "drug store" brands I've found. I never spend more than ten dollars on one item and typically spend quiet a bit less. But I've used these brands for years and have had quality results from them time and again.

This is my face, no editing (blemishes and all). Immediately after I wash my face, I moisturize. This is not only a good habit for healthy skin, it helps tremendously when applying makeup. Although good makeup can cover up a few blemishes (as you will see), it is important to keep your skin as clear as possible. I recommend developing a routine and sticking to it to see results.


Here I'd like to note that this is how I apply makeup for photo shoots. I don't wear makeup on a regular basis outside of modeling and the rare occasion I do, I only wear a bit of concealer, powder, light eyeshadow and lip balm. If it's a special occasion, I recently started wearing L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Compact Makeup, which is not as heavy as liquid foundation and already has a powdery finish.

For photo shoots, the method is much more involved. I use Physicians Formula Gentle Cover concealer in green to cover red blemishes and in yellow to cover dark areas, such as under eyes and I get bluish spots on the sides of my nose. This type of makeup is extremely useful but I've found it's best to let it set for a minute or so, then blend it a little with a piece of toilet paper or cotton swab. After this, you have to cover it with your regular concealer. This might seem like an unnecessary step but without it, the yellow and especially green concealer will show through. I use the colored concealer for bigger blemishes and my regular concealer for smaller ones. The brand of face makeup I use is L'oreal True Match Super Blendable available at WalMart. It is the best brand I've ever used, it lasts a long time and really matches my skin tone. They have an easy to use chart to match you skin's tone to the correct color, which they have divided into warm, nuetral and cool. I have a warm skin tone and all of my products are clearly marked with a W so they're easy to find. My favorite thing about this brand is that it works well but my freckles still show through, which is important to me. After all my concealer, I apply a light layer of foundation all over, which I then cover with powder. At this point, I always apply blush as well which you can also buy from L'oreal True Match to match your skin tone. Smooth lips are important so I use Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm every day, particularly before I apply lipstick. Below is my face after all of these steps. Notice the difference in my skin texture from picture one and two and that you can still see my freckles but not my blemishes. The smoother look in picture two looks better in pictures.


After my basic cover-up, I apply eye makeup. When it comes to eyeshadow, pigmentation is the name of the game. You know how a color looks really pretty in the container but is never that nice on your skin? Simply put, pigmentation is how much color you will get out of your makeup. Brands with higher pigmentation will cost you more so most drug store brands won't be fantastic. My number one recommendation for eyeshadow with great pigmentation is MAC but I don't own a single thing from the line because it's too expensive for my taste. However, L'oreal High Itensity Pigment (HiP) can be found at WalMart for a reasonable price and is absolutely fabulous. I also use CoverGirl eyeshadow a lot because I've found it works best with my skin.

There are several different eye "looks" but the most basic, the one I use most, is pictured below. To create this look, I use a neutral color all over the lid, a darker color in the crease and a highlighting color on the brow bone and inner eye. The reason this look is so often used is it highlights areas that light naturally hits (brow and lower lid) and darkens the area with a natural shadow (crease). By applying the highlighting color to your inner eye, you make the eye look wider and brighter. For a soft, natural look, I do not use an eyeliner pencil; instead I take the crease color and using an angled brush, apply it to the outer corners of the eye. Again using the angled brush, I extend the neutral color from the inner eye where the highlighting color stops to the darker color, then blend. After that, apply mascara and separate with a lash separator which removes the clumpiness--so important! I own two types of mascara for different looks. Rimmel Underground Double Play has a day side and night side; I use the day side for a softer look, such as below, and night for darker. If I want to have even darker, thicker lashes, I use Maybelline Intense XXL Microfiber mascara. This has the white makeup that makes the lashes plumper, then the black end for color. Lipstick isn't as important to me. I only wear it for photo shoots and tend to focus on my eyes anyway. N.Y.C. has lipstick for $0.98 at WalMart and Maybelline's is only a few dollars. Here's the finished look.


There are tons of makeup books available but I've learned the most from these particular titles.
Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin
Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin
Bobbi Brown Beauty by Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution: A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty by Bobbi Brown

Makeup Basics: Brushes

When it comes to makeup, using a good brand is important. However, even the best brand won't look good if you apply it with sponges. My absolute number one tip regarding makeup is to invest in a decent set of brushes. It makes all the difference in the world, particularly in a photo shoot. But for those of us on a tight budget, purchasing a good set can seem a daunting task.

My recommendation is the Sonia Kashuk line available at Target. These brushes are good quality and they last a long time. They're also great on the pocket book. I bought an eight piece set for $20 (pictured above). You can also buy individual pieces to compliment your set, prices ranging from around $8 up to $20. At the Target near my house, they have a white handled set as well as a black and I believe the black handled brushes are higher quality, which means more money. However, I've been using the white handled set for almost three years. Note: brush sets will only last if you take proper care of them, as explained below. Another good brand for a bit more money is Sephora's line.

So, you might be wondering: Why do I need to use makeup brushes? Using brushes as opposed to the sponges that come with your makeup take your look to the next level. A quality brush makes a difference in the way your makeup goes on and stays on. Each brush is designed for a specific type of makeup, giving you better accuracy and precision. Sponge brushes are like kitchen sponges: they harbor bacteria. Not to mention, they get caked with makeup, making that makeup unavailable for use. To a tight wad like myself, this has waste written all over it. Even if you do not decide to use brushes, I ask you to take away one thing from this blog: DO NOT USE YOUR FINGERS TO APPLY MAKEUP! Fingers have their own magnetic fields which push makeup deep into your pores. This is horrible for your face!

After you invest in some good brushes, it is important to take care of them to make them last! A lot of sources will tell you different things but the most basic thing you can do to enhance the lifespan of your brushes is to wash them. Most often I've read using luke warm water works best, drying upside down or at the least horizontal (never right side up, the brushes may not dry correctly). It's best to store them right side up but again, horizontal works fine (never upside down, the brushes may become bent). You can also buy makeup brush cleaner solution which works well.

Good makeup is important to any photo shoot, even ones that require a "natural" look. And the best makeup is applied with a decent set of brushes.

In my opinion, the most important brushes to own are:
-foundation brush
-powder brush
-medium eyeshadow brush
-angled eyeliner brush
-brow brush/lash separator

Why Nude Modeling

Perhaps the question I am most frequently asked: Why nude modeling?

I've always prided myself on being an honest person. No sugar-coating here. Brutality does not have to be involved. A very simple, soft truth is almost always possible, despite what you may believe. There is nothing more simple, more soft, more honest than nudity.

I remember on my first day of basic combat training, I was the first to hit the showers. Other girls reluctantly ventured in wearing their underwear and bras. One of the only other girls as bold as myself commented that I should be a nude art model. At that point in my life, I had been modeling nude for a year already.

But I've always been fairly comfortable in my skin. Sure, there are some things I don't like, such as the all too soon lack of "perk" in my bra, the annoying lower body shape that makes all my jeans tight in the hips and loose in the waist, and while we're at it, the butt could use a boost, too. But I'd long ago adopted the philosophy that there is no sense in worrying over the things you cannot control. In the words of Mary Smich: "...Know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum." In the meantime, you might as well make the decision to just be happy with what you've got.

I originally wanted to be a SuicideGirl. I saw a special on HBO about these fabulously naked, beautifully modified women and I wanted to be one. When I turned 19, I contacted a photographer via MySpace and did my first photo shoot. I was completely comfortable being nude in front of her and I was immediately hooked on nude modeling. It's been the majority of my work since.

Thankfully, I never sent in my pictures to SG and although I have toyed with the idea since, I have come to realize that there is a huge difference between what they do and fine art nude photography. And I most certainly prefer the latter.

Welcome!

Welcome to Love.Carnelian, humble abode of a model, jeweler and beginning photographer with a passion for life and love of playing dress up (or down).

I've been modeling for three years and have had the honor of working with some truly gifted photographers. My main focus has been fine art nude modeling but as of late I have opened myself to new genres in order to gain more experience. I'm also looking to explore the other side of the lens and hope that I can use my modeling background to enhance my photography and hopefully take the skills I learn there to improve my modeling. One of my other hobbies that I have begun to tie into my modeling is creating handmade jewelry out of real semi-precious gemstones and glass beads. I've been posing in my necklaces and creating pieces for specific photo shoots.

I will being sharing my experiences in modeling and photographing other models as I continue to grow and learn. I'll display my work on both sides of the lens to document my journey. I will also offer up my advice for beginning models who want to learn how to get started, basic makeup techniques, help with posing and tips for successful photo shoots.

I'd like to network with models and photographers who are interested in sharing ideas, experiences and their artistic creations. I hope you'll come back as I add more of my work and share some of yours with me. Thanks for visiting!

Post Script
I have been invited to co-author over at DPX Photo Blog by the fantastic DPX, my good friend and partner in crime. I hope you'll stop by and check out his inspirational work and see a post or two from yours truly.