MODEL CALL: Maternity July 2014

I’ve decided I’d like to focus on maternity and newborn for my first portfolio project. By the end of fall, I’m hoping to have 12 strong maternity images.

Currently, I’m casting a model call for Mamas who’d like to model this dress:

Dress by Sew Trendy Accessories
Image by “Cherish this Photography by Ashley”

 

The dress, by Sew Trendy Accessories, is just stunning to me, and truly fits the style I’m hoping to accomplish. The image, by “Cherish This Photography by Ashley”, is quite similar to the style of photography I’m aiming to accomplish.

Are you a Mama-to-Be and loving this look? Or maybe you know a Mama that might like this look? Read on for info!

• Models must agree and sign the contract as is, which mentions that your images may be used for publications as I see fit, including publications over social media.
• Models must have a visible belly, and willing to show your belly; I’m asking potential models to send a side and front view of their belly to ensure their belly is indeed showing. For these photos I’m not asking for a boudoir styled model, just the belly to be shown.
• As a model, you’ll have your make up done by a professional make up artist, receive an online gallery of 10 images, lowres and watermarked files of entire gallery, and 10% off print products. You also have the option to upgrade to a full gallery at 20% off. No purchase is required. 
• Models will wear the dress displayed in the model call image, designed and made by Sew Trendy Accessories, along with other accessories I will provide.
• You must be able to have transportation to and from the shooting location, which will be in the Bay Area
• Models must attend the date assigned to them (assignment dates are currently TBA, but during the last two weeks of July); once you’re date is set, you are obligated to be present or will be charged the amount of a  full maternity session. 
• You are not expected, nor will you be asked, to do anything to risk injury or harm to you or your pregnancy.

 

If you are interested, send an email to teairramitchell@gmail.com with your name, due date, and front and side view images of your belly. No more than 3 models will be chosen for this look, but applicants may book a session at a one-time, discounted price for this look only. If you think someone you know might be interested in modeling, pass the info on to them so that they may apply.
I look forward to hearing from all the Mamas, and hope to be able to work with all of you!
Have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

 

Perfection

One of my greatest attributes, and biggest flaws, is that I tend to be a perfectionist; everything has to be done precisely and be nothing less than pristine when complete. If I feel like I can do better, I will literally start over from the beginning if I can. I’m especially picky when it comes to things I’m passionate about– you guessed it: photography!

Since deciding to really set out to start my business, I’ve been learning, practicing and implementing every bit of information I can get into. In the beginning, Google was my best friend. Slowly, I realized I could watch videos on YouTube (duh! one can learn the basics of just about anything on YouTube), and stumbled on a channel focusing on maternity and newborn photography. The channel belonged to photographer Ana Brandt, and I immediately fell in love with how she carried herself during the session, the feel to her photographic style, and just her overall perfection in capturing her images. She was perfect! For awhile, I only caught snips of Ana from YouTube and fantasized being able to be that photographer some day.

Well! A couple months later, I discovered the joys of CreativeLive (where I found another photographer I admire, but that’s another post), another online video learning tool. Searching through the courses, I found Ana had her own CreativeLive course, TAoPaN, and I was just so amazed! Finally, after trying to get what I could from YouTube videos for so long, there was a course that would give me access to all of Ana’s newborn and maternity perfection! So, naturally, I wanted the course. And I saved the money I needed, and made the investment. I made the purchase about a month ago, and I still study the course, eager to obtain perfection.

Fast forward to this evening: I saw another tog like a Fb post that Ana was having a sale on her online workshops… O. M. G. AAANNNDDD, the sale was ending that evening. To top it all off, the online workshop is titled “4 Week Belly: Baby Perfection.” Now, we’re a little tight on cash because we had a burglary recently that threw a wrench in our financial plans, but how could I let this opportunity pass? I am now enrolled in the workshop.

Ana Brandt’s TAoPaN Onile Workshop

I really pride myself in working hard, getting educated, and producing quality, even outside of photography. Now that I’m starting a business, perfection isn’t optional, it’s necessary. People are coming to me, trusting me to give them images they can treasure years to come, images from times of their lives that can never be replicated or re-lived– timeless memories. And I don’t want to fail them. Sure the studying and practicing are part of my crazy perfection obsession, but my pushing through early days and late nights is an effort to make sure my TMPfamily can be assured that I’m doing my job.

 

With all that said, I will be updating on my progress in the workshop! I’m super excited, especially because I truly adore Ana Brandt, and she is a big inspiration to me. To be able to learn directly from her, and be in communication with her, is truly a blessing and honor. When I’m done, I’ll be able to say “yeah, I learned it all from Ana” and have a certificate to show off.