Time Flies!?! Are you having Fun?!?

You all know that the road to "blogs" are paved with good intention. I had planned on writing here, about every shoot.. It's still my plan, but bare with me if the blogs don't come near as often as I shoot.

Here's a little "catch up" on what's been going on, and what you may have missed.

-closed the Blair Studio.. kept most of the group of photographers..

-found another place to make into a studio..

-added two new photographers to the group.. (sound fimilar :()

-moved into the new spot.. started working on it to make it a perfect studio.

-after only two months (when photographers join the group, it's on a one year basis), two new photographer quit without notice (sound fimilar? lol )

made a choice to not continue pouring money into a place without the comitments of photographers, who join excited for a studio, equipment, and any help, or advise I could possibly offer.

-closed(ing) the new spot.. and moving on once more.

-found a new place. a store front that will be my portrait studio, as well as a fully equipped studio for 5 photographers who will be renting and using the studio behind the wall of the front end store front. It's been a goal for a long time, and the time just seemed right.

-moving into the new place in july.. and having a grand opening for friends, models, mua, and the general public in sept.. (likely the 1st.. or the week school starts for kids)

Met some new friends, who are extremely talented.. a make up artist with zeal, passion, and vission.. and all the skills to back it up. Problem is, she's so good, so busy, it's hard to pin her down for photo shoots.. :)

Oh... I also got myself a new laptop.. important to note here, because as of yet, i haven't put a lot of my photos on it, so this blog will be more writting, and less photos.. sorry.

I do want to show off some of my newer photos though.. a couple from a photo shoot with a girl named Brianne.. and her boyfriend Nathan. A friend/model suggested to Brianne that she might like to work with me on some photos for her boyfriend, as she is going away to school for an entire year.. I am glad to have met both Brianne, and Nathan, and had a great deal of fun taking an afternoon to get some really amazing photos. Even Nathan, whom, I was warned, does not like to be in photos, jumped in to make some pretty cool "james dean" like photos. Both did really well, and made it a really fun afternoon. Don't you think that they look great, and look great together....? I hope that they both like the photos as much as I do.

Though I was without a studio for a while, I was still having fun, and shooting with some people, some models that really were able to help out, by sucking up the cold weather.. and braving the elements for some amazing outdoor artistic work (which I can't show you on this blog.. but you can check out my photoblog :) I have to tell you, now that the winter months are past.. some days that I shot some of these brave model.. it was freakn cold.. like, coat, mitts, and scarf cold..

Not having a working studio, really forced me to be creative again.. finding different locations, and posing new, and unique ideas.. One location that I shot "to death" is an old abandon barn.

So, for fear of boring you.. any further.. I will post a few more photos, and save the babble for the next blog.. which I promise won't take another 3 months to post :)

Thanks for the support, the help, and all the fun that went into the amazing winter, studio-less months of my photography.

Mark

if you'd like to see more photos..

try

facebook - MArk Allan

or my photoblog

www.photoblog.com/markallan

December 2008 in Review....

December was an extremely busy month, and seemed to whirl by like an Ontario snow storm. There was a lot of photos taken, tons of snow to be shoveled, a bit of shopping, and lots of new friends, and models that produced some incredible photos in December.
I also got a chance to meet, and work with another photographer/model, in December. Through opening a new account on Face Book, I met Skye Kalosza. She has more friends on her Face Book account than... well she has alot of friends; and a profile filled with pretty glam photos, or some pretty glam models. We hooked up early this month to shoot two local models; Carley Faith, and Michelle MacKenzie. (see Carley in the second photo). It had been a long day before the three girls showed up, and I was a little lasking in energy, and apologize for that, but I extremely hope the girl wish to come back again. As for Skye; I believe she another young photographer with a great deal of energy, and a great eye for the world of glam. She is one to watch, and I certainly hope we'll get more chances to work together again in 2009...
As a professional fashion photographer, I make my living in the world and industry of high fashion; but I absolutely have a passion for shooting, and creating "art" photos. When the mood strikes me, and I can set aside a fair amount of time, I like to put together a collection of photos in hopes to show them in a gallery. In December I started a series of photos that I have simply called "The Chair". It is, for me, a better personal series of photos. A model, a chair, and a top.. we sit and talk, and I take random photos while we talk, and capture the mood, and body languge of the model (see the third photo). This Jan. I am shooting a series of photos in a collection that I have called "Dare to Bare - Bare to Care". It's a charity photo shoot, in which models have graciously decided to give both their time and body to helping me put together this series, and show it with all the money being raised, going directly to my favourite charity; The Make A Wish Foundation of Canada. The shoot is planned for the 18th of Jan., and so far, 18 beautiful people (some models, some not), have agreed to take part in helping raise as much money from one show to donate to this charity. This collection will be shown at either the Powerhouse, or Ago, in Toronto, and I will keep you all informed as to when, and how long the show will run. I would dearly appreciate everyone that can make time to view the showing to do so, and help add to the moneys to be donated.

You don't have to be a photographer to know that, when it comes to popular photos, one of the biggest draws is a new born baby. This December I had the previllge of being to the photographer to shoot Cali.. in the studio only 12 days after birth; proud parents Garry, and Amanda let me take some cute baby photos, and were kind enough to let me share them with you. CONGRATULATIONS!!

Rachel was back in the studio in December (with my trusted assistant Kevin - just Rachel's friend? :), and we got together with a new make up artist, Rachel Duff (new to me, but not new to the industry), and shoot some very cool "glam" make up photos. I really look forward to working Rachel, and...umm... Rachel again this year. By the way, Rachel Duff, has, and runs her own spa, in Hamilton. The name of it has slipped my mind at this moment, but I will find out and post it here for everyone shortly.

In December, I also returned to photos with wings.. and snow. I consider myself a very lucky photographer, to have models willing to brave the cold, and snow just for photos. Zoey sat in snow, Jenn went bare foot, and knelt in snow, and a new friend/model, Nina, dared the cold and snow in wings and a thin gown. As I have not had the opportunity to share her own photos with Nina as of yet, I can't post it for you to see.. (as a rule, I don't post any photo of a model without them first seeing and agreeing to the photos being shared). But, Nina is a stunningly cute little model (I say little in the nicest way, Nina is only five foot something, tall :). Nina will be back in the studio next weekend to help create an inspired work of art... and has gracious agreed to step out of her comfort zone to shot a "gothic pixie" photo, in which her entire outfit with be metal wings, and body paint. Thanks Nina, it's going to be fun, and an amazing photo. Kristen Demelo will be coming in to do the painting and make up. She is a good friend, and a great special effect make up artist.

And finally, the last shoot of December was in preparation for nearly three years. A long time ago, I met Laurie, a local model who has done very well for herself working with a local agency. After three years of trying to match our schedules, we finally found time in December. Laurie brought her friend, and very exciting model Myra with her, and we shot a fun series of the two girls in black dresses. (between the two girls, I am sure they could open a clothing store)
The girls came with a plan in mind, and I have to tell you, that the two of them were absolutely amazing, and so easy to shoot. I had a great deal of fun, and lots of photos in the short time that we had. I hope that it doesn't take another three years to get them both back in the studio :)

Well, I am sure that I have forgotten parts of Decemeber, and things that I got to do, and shoot.. but I did want to give you all a little of how the Christmas month looked to me.

Thank you for taking a little time, and reading..
If you are interested in having photos done.. be it modeling, or family portraits, please feel free to contact me directly.. 519-594-2291. If you have any questions or comments about any of my photos you can direct them to my email - markallans@hotmail.com

A Brand New Year - I Hope It's Everything You Want It To Be!

Hi everyone, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2008 was a fantastic year for me, and I got to share parts of it with so many new friends, models, and other people in the entertainment industry. I am, and feel truly blessed. It was an amazingly busy, and "fast" year, and 2009 is already promising to be bigger, and better than 2008. I really believe that there are big, huge, things waiting for me, and all my friends this year, and I am so excited, to be, in some form or other, a part of things to come.
I wish that I could list everything, and everyone that I have had the pleasure of meeting, and working with in 2008, but there are just way too many great people, and events that I would have to start an entirely new blog to cover everything. As it is, and I am sure, if you are following my blog, it's been a month since I last updated the blog, and I had set out to at least update once a week. Like you, I do get busy, and some times when the "ball" is rolling, I can't find the time to sit and give a posting filled with the details of every event, photo shoot, and meetings of new and wonderfully talented people.
So.. this year, I will try to at least post photos from every photo shoot, even if the details are as simple as "great shoot", "have a blast".... "look forward to doing it all again".
And now, bare with me, as I will post once more today, in a kind of review of the last month..

Alannah - New Job, New Car... New Photos

I had Alannah back in the studio today. This girl never stops impressing me. With the promise of outdoor photos (swim wear, no less), she showed up, both sick, and tired.. ready to work (I call it work, but it's really a lot of fun). With no make up artist, or hair stylist to show up, Alannah took care of her own style, and did a wonderful job. I have mentioned in the last few posts about the temperature, and how darn cold it has been for the models outside.. Heather "rocked" a bikini in a snow fall.. but today, with a snow storm looming, it was bitter outside. Of course, so as not to let the camera shake, I "had to" be dressed warm, in a sweeter and winter coat (and was still cold... shh, don't tell Alannah). We went to an industrial location, and like a pro, ready for work, Alannah was hitting her poses in a bikini and heels, never once complaining about the cold (although she did mention how warm the truck was, a few times when we returned to it). Alas.. just when she thought is was safe to warm up in the truck, we headed to a second location, and Alannah dressed in a white dress, and angel wings; even in the cold, looked absolutely angelic. I swear I heard harps playing.. err, could have been teeth chattering? So as not to disappoint Alannah's parents (all the dental bills paid and such:) we snapped away as quickly as possible, and ended the outdoor adventure.
Back at the studio, and after a short time to thaw.... we had a surprise for Alannah's mom.. a wedding dress to model. After a brief session of "why 18's too young for a wedding dress", we set to taking some very beautiful bird's eye view of Alannah laying draped in rose pedals (no actually roses were hurt in the making of these photos.. pretend rose pedals). It was a soft, and peaceful pose, so much so, that I think my little super model fell asleep (I have a photo of you with your eyes closed...err, or maybe blinking.. ). So it was time for something warm and fun.. and with this young lady's knowledge of left from right, we were able to get her swinging the dress AND a piece of material, all at the same time..
The day was, as I thought it would be, a great deal of fun, that produced some very amazing photos. Great job Alannah.. with assists going to her mother, first for taking the time to bring Alannah; on her 29th birthday no less.. and also almost mastering the art of reflecting light, and tossing fake rose pedals directly into the model's eyes.. nice work both of you!! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
(to see more of Alannah's photos, or any of the other models from my blog, go to www.markallanphotos.com, and follow their links).

Thanks again Alannah, you did great, and I can't wait to work with you again.

Mark Allan

ps.. during the entire shoot, I had a silly song in my head, which I thought for a time was a Disney tune, which inspired the edit of Alannah's photo you see here. The original is absolutely beautiful and had little to do with me editing the photo.. I hope you don't mine..

ABSOLUTE FUN, with a capital R.. for Rachel

Like is every photo shoot, the two main goals are to get great photos, and have more fun than you could possible imagine. Tuesday, I meet and shot Rachel, and the day, and shoot proved to be all that we could ask for. Rachel came to the studio, open minded, and prepared to work hard to get our amazing photos.. she had it look easy; going from pose to pose, and outfit, to "very little" outfit, and the entire time (with the assistance of her friend; turn photographer assistant for the day :) we have a great time.
Not allowing any time to be shy, Rachel allowed be to play with a photo idea that came to me some time in the night.. and we played with lights, colours, backdrops, and she handled it like a pro. The idea real was pretty simple.. a beautiful girl in stockings, and bright colours surrounding her.. After playing, and playing, the end product, the photo that I think worked the best, was more simple that I had planned.. Rachel in a sexy pose.. that's it! She even provided the stocking, which I jokingly said were perfect to create a beautiful Christmas Card. (maybe not for my mom:).
Rachel is a great young model, with fantastic facial expressions.. The close up of Rachel's open mouth smile, that I have posted to share, is likely one of my favourite fun head shots to date. I can't tell you enough, just how much fun we had.. and certainly not to forget to mention Kevin.. the unsuppecting assistant. (I have a rule about guests in the studio.. no one comes to watch, without expecting to be part.. helping). Kevin was our day's "towel boy".. guys you think that's bottom of the barrel job?, in this case, the towel boy was the one that took the towel from our super model, and left her in just her stockings.
As always, I truly appreciate a model that comes, open minded, and prepared to work, and I thank Rachel for being that fantastic model, that helped me create some absolutely amazing photos. I can't wait to work with Rachel again. Hope you like the photos as much as I do. Thanks, you did a great job!!

Meredith; a little bit colder...

The snow looked so pretty the other day, that I really wanted to shoot outside, at least one more time. I had already had a photo shoot arranged with Meredith, with plans to travel to TO and shoot in an abandon factory. The weather was perhaps not the greatest to travel in, so with very little convincing, Meredith and I were off to shoot in an old abandon barn that I have shot in a few times before. It was very cold. Despite the weather conditions, Meredith pulled off another amazing set of photos. We started inside the barn, in the basement, with little light, and yes, absolutely no heat. We found a spot the lit up with available light so nicely, and Meredith, dressed in over alls was able to hold a pose long enough to get the shots.
After thawing, slightly, and changing in the truck, we moved to shoot in the snow, outside, without any sort of cover. Like a pro, Meredith pulled off the amazing photos that you see here.
Afterwards, we headed back to the studio to get some work done.. food on the way, and while I edited some of the photos, Meredith, warmed, under a few blankets, and the heater.. fell asleep. Who says Art isn't exhausting? Thanks for BRAVING the cold.. you did a fantastic job.

Heather beats the weather brrr!!

This past weekend, I finally got to work with, and shoot model Heather Orr. Here's a young model that I have been chasing for nearly 4 months. She is every bit as talented, charming, and fun as I had hoped. On top of all that, Heather is a polite young professional, that enjoys every second of the work, and is able to hit a pose, do her own make up (she's a trained make up artist), and even laugh at my jokes.
Dressed in a thin full body stocking, we headed OUTSIDE, to start the shoot. It was cold, and even, at times, was snowing. My idea for the shoot, was the black body stocking, plus Heather's long body, and her ability to pose, using her entire body for each pose; and for the backdrop, a couple old churches in the local area. It was Sunday, and although Heather truly looked amazing, we both laughed at the thought of her stretching out in front of a church door, with "grandma's and grandpa's" existing the churches.. (I am pretty sure it says right at the top of every map to purgatory, pose a model in a skin tight body stocking at the doors of church on Sunday)... so we drove a short time to find a new location. The first place was at the back of an old building, with a wierd provided yellow light. Heather pulled it off.. The second spot that we found, was directly beside the river, and while shooting, Heather seeing the flowing river, and a stone drop wall, she decides it could make a wicked photo. So, in the snow, and minus temp., Heather put on a bikini, and sucked it up in the cold, for real, no editing tricks, or photoshop.. she sat on the cold wall for some wicked photos. After a quick thaw, and a hot chocolate, we were back in the studio, with a heater, and taking some gorgeous head, and fashion photos.
I had a great time, and glad that I got to meet Heather. We are planning another shoot soon, letting Heather flex her make up talent, and bringing is a second beautiful model (Heather's younger sister).. Thank you Heather, it was a fun day, and I look forward to working with you again.

AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS GIFT!!

Last night I took a little time away from shooting future super models, to shoot a SUPER MOMMY!! Sue's baby is due the eve before Christmas, and we wanted to get some maternity photos to capture one of the most beautiful times in a mother's life (of course second only to the first time a mother's son has his photos published in a magazine :). We took some pretty nice, black and white artistic photos, and because Sue's baby will be a Christmas baby, it seemed only fitting to finish off the Christmas gift, with a big Christmas bow. With this mommy's charm, grace (she using to be a ballet, and jazz dancer -- "JAZZ HANDS!!").. and beauty; her new baby --, will be a very handsome/beautiful addition to her family.
A note to her husband... I am pretty sure that you won't have to leave a list this year, Sue has already got your gift, about 8 months ago ;)
Even as a professional photographer, it's seemingly hard to convince a "mommy-to-be" to entrust these special photos to a male photographer.. so I thank you Sue for your faith, and hope that you think the photos are as beautiful as I do. You did great.
In advance, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and Congratulations on the newest member of your family!!
HA! let's see Santa pull a gift like this out of his red velvet bag :)

The "Under-Study" - Meredith, a rising STAR!

Yesterday was turning out to be, one of those days that, you just file, and forget. I had a photo shoot scheduled for noon, with one of my favourite models. For some reason, 3 o'clack, then 4, I was still waiting, wondering if; she was ok, or if I mis-informed her of the time, or if I actually knew what day it was (it was Tuesday :). At any rate, when all else fails, "edit photos"; and that's what I was doing, when I received an email from a "new" model, inquiring "if I might be interested in working with her". Well... surprise!, not only did I want to work with her.. I brought Meredith into the studio, the same day, last night, and we put together some very wicked, hott photos.. Usually in a shoot, specially with a new model, we shoot from "cute" to "sexy"... but last night Meredith jumped right into some pretty cool, artistic photos.. dressed in long satin gloves, thigh high leather boots, and a full body stocking (those photos you'll have to look for on my web site.. ).
Anyways, thanks Meredith for stepping in, and doing a fantastic job. I look forward to working with you again. At 5'5", Meredith might not be CNTM (<--shameless plug for the web site to apply for the new season of CNTM), but she has the looks, and is very talented as a model, and I am sure you'll soon be purchasing her photos off a magazine rack somewhere soon. By the way.. she's a university student studying English, so you may even see a bi-line in the same magazine.

Long Sunday, Great Hair Photos

This past Sunday was our first hair shoot. We had a plan; three models, Jenn, Stacy, and "fresh on the scene" Alannah. The day would start at 9am, with a meet at my studio, and then a caravan to the hair dresser's; touch ups, for Stacy and Jenn, and a whole, brand new look for Alannah. I think the hardest part for Alannah was saying good-bye to her long "cover the face" bangs. But like a trooper, she watched as her bangs got chopped, and became what we all thought suited her.. "fashionable, and hott".
By 10am, and girls were walking around with tin foil in their hair, and waiting to see what the finished colour would be. With hair done on the two models that came to take part in the photo shoot, we headed back to the studio, to meet up with Kristen, of Punch Zombie Effects Make Up, and Jenn, and Alannah began the task of sitting again, to have make-up applied. It was Alannah's make up that took the longest, as my idea for her photo not only ment make up on her face, but also make up on her arms, shoulders, and neck. Both girls looked absolutely amazing.. BEAUTIFUL!, like pro's they in turn stepped in front of the camera and made it easy to take these award winning hair photos. Thank you to Alannah, Jenn, Kristen, and of course the outstanding creative hair styles by Philp, we got many GREAT photos.
But, of course it wasn't quite over... as it does so often during a photo shoot, my mind races with new, and add on ideas... Poor Alannah wasn't done yet. We had our friend, and representative from the hair colour product Natrique run out and get a bottle of gold paint, and then poured it over Alannah's hands letting it run down her arms..
I have posted two of the photos from Sunday's hard work. I think it was all worth it.
Thanks everyone.. AMAZING job!!