Monthly Archives: May 2011

Interview with Toronto Fashion Model Kelleth Cuthbert


Above: Marc Anthony national ad campaign

Kelleth is a professional model working out of Toronto, specializing in fashion, beauty, commercial, and runway modeling. She is currently represented by Next Model Management.

As a model, Kelleth is talented and versatile, in addition to having a great look. With several magazines and ad campaigns already under her belt, there is no question that her current success is only the beginning.

It is my pleasure to interview her for this post 🙂

AVIVA: How long have you been a model?
KELLETH CUTHBERT: Four years.

AVIVA: Have you always wanted to be a model or did you have other career options in mind when you were younger?
KC: As a child, I vacillated endlessly between being an actress/writer or a veterinarian. After high school, I pursued a degree in Social Work. I remember the first time I ever considered the possibility of modeling: I had just turned 16 and found myself appraising my appearance in the mirror differently one day. I had finally stopped wearing ten inches of chalk-white Halloween makeup a few months prior and had returned my hair to one uniform colour. I remember REALLY examining my face in the mirror (perhaps for the first time ever) and thinking “Interesting…so this is what I look like.”


Above: Urban Planet national ad campaign

AVIVA:What do you think is the best part about being a model and why?
KC: The opportunity for travel is a huge perk of the job. To be able to explore the world (and my place within it) while doing what I am most passionate about it is prodigious.

AVIVA: What achievement(s) are you most proud of? (publications, ads, etc.)
KC: I’m really proud of my campaigns for Urban Planet, Square One and Marc Anthony, as well as my covers for Auxiliary Magazine and Sessions Magazine. I also really loved my spread in the June 2010 issue of Plaid Magazine.


Above Image Credits: Artifice Clothing-Clothing Designer, Eusebia-Wardrobe Stylist, Richard Dubois-Photographer, Giancarlo Intini-Makeup Artist, Kelleth-Model

AVIVA: Other than your look, what else do you believe has been crucial to your success as a model?
KC: In an interview from 1980, Janice Dickinson talks about how it is vital for models to be well-educated. I used to harbour a slight sense of remorse over having pursued a degree at seventeen instead of immediately immersing myself into modeling. It is only in retrospect that I can really appreciate how much my education has actually helped me to bring more to the table as a model. My business savvy and my ability to network (as well as my embracing of social media) have been invaluable. I have developed a nearly unshakable self-confidence and have an enthusiasm for every job I work. I think that the respect that I have for everyone else’s job on set is apparent and helps others, in turn, to respect what I do.

AVIVA: What do you feel is the most important piece of advice to give to aspiring models?
KC: If I had to chalk it up to a single piece of advice, it would be to not fear looking silly. Take chances! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!


Above Image Credits: Alyson Gough-Makeup Artist, PhotoByWayne-Photographer, Decadent Designs-Clothing Designer, Kelleth-Model

AVIVA: Do you have any favorite models that you admire? If yes, who?
KC: My favourite models are mostly those of the 60’s and 70’s: Janice Dickinson, Lauren Hutton, Apollonia, and Gia Carangi. My favourite current models are Lara Stone, Jourdan Dunn and Crystal Renn.

AVIVA: What would you do if you won the lottery?
KC: Save it for my post-model life! Complete my Masters of Social Work! Drop off the face of the earth and write and publish a terribly gauche model memoir! Donate some to charity! Travel! Invest in real estate! Divide the rest between my family.

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You can see more of Kelleth’s work on her NEXT Models Canada profile and Model Mayhem.
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I would like to thank Kelleth for the interview, and I wish her all the best for many years to come!

Aviva

Lovely Mini Dress from the Meghan Shop

Hey,

I was looking around on the Meghan Shop Website, and found this very sexy summer mini dress.


When it comes to this dress,what caught my attention is the way the back is done.

I am a fan of unique elements in clothing and I believe that this is what separates this dress from some of the other ones that were there.

It is also great for photographing because for the most part it is just one colour, and it is a lot easier to photograph a uniform colour as opposed to patterns.

Although mini dresses are not for everyone, because they are quite short and may not be appropriate for certain occasions, I believe that it would look good with black leggings and high heel shoes.

Thoughts?

***Image from the Meghan Shop Website***

Meghan Shop Coupons & Deals:
Take 20% off , Including New Styles. Sexy Dresses, Special Promo Code

Buy Meghan Fabulous sale items, up to 70% off retail price. Free international and US shipping.

Interview With Vancouver Photographer Nina Pak


Image Credits: Lauren Marler-Makeup Artist, Rosalba Vagge-Model,Temna Fialka-Clothing Designer, Photo-Nina Pak

Nina Pak is a very talented artist, photographer, and designer working out of beautiful Vancouver, BC. She was the design editor for AustralAsia magazine in Moscow, Russia as well as worked as the curator for the Glendale Arts Council for many years.

In addition to photography, she is passionate about painting and creating unique mixed-media pieces with photographic elements.

She knows how to bring her vision to life, as well as bring out the best in her subjects.

I am thrilled to feature an interview with Nina on this blog, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 🙂


Image Credits: Studio Facade-Makeup Artist, Lanna Barrones-Model,J M W-Hair Stylist, Photo-Nina Pak

AVIVA: How long have you been a photographer?
NINA PAK: I first took photography in high school, I loved it but did not have a good camera of my own, I had a little point and shoot, I was always taking snapshots over the years but did not get serious about photography, as a focus of my artistic expression until the 1980s. I spent some years doing darkroom work with film and various experimental methods with liquid emulsion, and large mural sized prints, and various alt process, and transfer techniques, then I lost access to the dark room facilities I used. So I began to do digital work. I had taken some early Photoshop classes when it first came out, however the serious experimentation with digital manipulation began about thirteen years ago. Before the 1980s I was mostly a painter and print maker, so the work I do now with photography is largely influenced by that medium.

AVIVA: How has being a photographer helped you develop as an artist?
NP: This type of image making is very immediate, it is also flexible in ways that no other media is. There is a quality to this medium that allows me to express the dream quality in an image that I was never able to capture with paint.


Photo by Nina Pak

AVIVA: Do you have a favorite subject, if so, what is it?
NP: Yes I prefer the human form. I especially like to work with an undressed figure as it works best for the layering techniques that I use, and also because a nude is timeless, as soon as the person is dressed they are set within the period of that style. But in general I love to work with people; landscapes and still lifes do not give me the same inspiration. I like to capture something of the soul from my muse. Recently I have been working more with fashion and costume, and I am loving this new venue.

AVIVA: What do you feel is the biggest challenge, if any, that you had to overcome as a photographer?
NP: I am not very technically inclined. Not with the camera and not with the computer, I mean it does not come naturally, I have to work at it. I am the do by feel, or do as I see it done sort of person. When I read a computer book, it just puts me right to sleep. I also don’t tend to remember technical terms. I know what works for me and I do that, and I love to experiment, to do things in a non traditional way. I feel it can be limiting in terms of creativity to have too many rules, so accepting my nature and trusting that my way is OK was very difficult, I often feel that I am not good enough, when I don’t do what other professionals do. I also work rather simply, I don’t have a lot of fancy equipment.


Photo by Nina Pak

AVIVA: What achievement(s) are you most proud of? (publications, etc)
NP: I was perhaps most proud of the work I did with the Russian publication AustralAsia, as I had the dream job as the design editor, and I was also a staff photographer. It was challenge and a lot of fun. I am always pleased to have my work published and over the last few years have been fortunate to be included in art, and photographic magazines and fashion lifestyle publications. It’s one of those things that makes me feel in some way accomplished.
I also do presentations of my work process to groups such as the PPA (Professional Photographers of America ) and the Mensa regional gathering. It is always an honor to be invited to share with other creative minds.

AVIVA: Do you have a crazy/funny/interesting photoshoot experience that you would like to share?
NP: I was doing a fashion shoot for a young designer. She had used crow feathers in a head dress that went with this elegant black evening gown. I was walking the model through my neighborhood when the crows began to get pretty vocal, then they started to dive bomb the head dress rather boldly while cawing loudly, the designer was stunned, the model crouching and running for cover, And I was laughing so hard running behind them. But we did get some wonderful shots that day.

AVIVA: Do you pre-visualize your photos, or do you put all the components together as you go?
NP: I normally don’t I like to plan the image, I prefer to feel what is there in a natural uncontrolled way. I do know what I want, when I see it however, I just try to be in the moment, to be ready, to be sensitive. I also shoot pretty fast, I want to capture something unposed, something between what is expected.
Occasionally I will plan if I have a costume, headpiece, mask, or some fantasy concept in mind. But I am flexible and open to the flow and changes that tend to happen.

AVIVA: What would you do if you won the lottery?
NP: Pretty much the same as I do now, but with a budget. It would be great to be able to realize some of the elaborate fantasy costumes and concepts I create in my mind.

AVIVA: Do you have any additional comments?
NP: Well maybe I would say something about ethics, attitude, responsibility…
I pride myself as a photographer who cares about her models, her stylists, her assistants, and who truly wants everyone involved to enjoy the process of creating art together.
I also take my commitments seriously, I am prolific, I work long hours editing my images and get the finished edits to my clients and team quickly. I feel it is important to mention this only because it is not common in this industry. I was a model in my youth and at least half of the photographers I worked with, never gave me prints, or would give me poorly printed proofs that I could not use in my portfolio. I suppose it is due to those experiences that I feel an obligation to give, perhaps, more than is expected, to do something special.

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I would like to thank Nina for this wonderful insight into her artistic world. I wish her all the best for many years to come, because she has amazing talent.
You can check out more of her work on Model Mayhem, Facebook Page, and Website
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Cheers,
Aviva 🙂

Fashion Tape, Reusable Adhesive Bra, Bra Clips, and Cleavage Enhancer?

So, I was looking at the Playboy Store, which has a wide selection of sexy lingerie, costumes, accessories, jewelry, swimwear and other stuff.

I found a few things that I think would be useful under the “Accessories” category.

First, I believe that they are useful regardless of whether you’re going to a shoot, a meeting, or out for a night with some friends. There is nothing worse than dancing at a club and having a wardrobe malfunction of some sort.

Second, I think that they are inexpensive and are staples to a woman’s wardrobe for the aforementioned reasons.

1. Reusable Adhesive Bra

It is great for wearing under backless and strapless garments. Even bras that have the so called “invisible/clear straps” can be seen when you are wearing a backless or strapless dress.

2.Bra Clips

Bra clips help hide your bra straps, especially when the bra straps get stretched out by regular wear and tear and the bra loses some of its support. The bra clips prevent bra straps from falling out from under racerback tops, and tanks. In addition to hiding the straps, bra clips create more tension in the straps, adding more overall support to the bra.

3. Fashion Tape

Fashion tape is a double-sided adhesive which keeps clothing items in place. It is particularly useful when trying to keep bra traps from showing, or keeping edges of dresses and low cut shirts in place (especially if you are going to a party, where you will be moving a lot).

4. Cleavage Enhancer

Cleavage enhancers allow your clothing to fit better if you are not very endowed in the chest area. They also help give your body more sexy feminine shape.

****Images on here are from the Playboy Store Website.****

What other accessories of such nature do you think are useful? Do you use any of the above?

Number ONE Reason for Nutrition Misinformation

As you have probably guessed, the number one reason for nutrition misinformation is…PROFIT!

Companies that produce diet/nutritional products are interested in making money and they will stop at nothing to turn people’s desires for quick and easy weight loss into cash, as long as they are within the legal parameters of the FDA (and other such agencies).

There will always be a huge market for new (and improved) nutritional products as long as people continue to buy the myths of fad dieting, and look for quick and easy ways to lose weight, look younger, and build muscle.

Although there are some good nutritional products, that, combined with a healthy exercise regimen, can help you achieve your nutritional and fitness goals, many others are simply gimmicks that prey on people’s desires for instant gratification.

So, how do you identify nutrition misinformation?
Below is a checklist straight from “Nutrition Now” by Judith E. Brown:

1. Is something being sold?
2. Does the promotional material use the terms “magic”, “revolutionary”, “secret”, “new”, “never before seen”, “studies prove”, etc?
3. Does the product offer solutions to problems that are difficult to solve (such as cellulite, obesity, aging)?
4. Is there a money back guarantee?
5. Are before and after photos, testimonials, etc used?
6. Does it seem too good to be true?

I hope you found this helpful.

Aviva
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Sources:
Nutrition Now by Judith E. Brown (it is filled with great & easy to read nutiritional information and was the book that was used in my nutrition class)

Gloria Burton: Black Dress


Photo: IMS FotoGrafix
Wardrobe/Styling: Gloria Burton
Hair/Make-up/Model: Me

I think that Gloria Burton is a great designer. She is incredibly talented in what she does, and it is no wonder that her designs were worn by celebrities at the Oscars. I was very lucky to get a chance to work with her. 🙂

Aviva

What to Bring to a Photo Shoot? (models)

The question of “what to bring to a photo shoot?” is a very common question among newer models on modeling forums/networking sites.

If you are hired for a commercial shoot, usually the client will tell you exactly what you need to bring or they will have the wardrobe, make-up and hair all figured out.

However, if you are being hired by a photographer to work on his portfolio, or if you are shooting for your own portfolio, here are a few things that I found to be useful at shoots:

Wardrobe Items
1. Skin toned underwear(especially thong or g-string). The reason being is that skin toned underwear usually does not show through clothes and thongs/g-strings do not create those uneven lines on your tight skirt/pants that you would get if you wore full back underwear with seams.

2. Swimsuit(s). Go for a suit that flatters your body very well. If you can afford it, wear designer suits. If not, then don’t be afraid to shop around for a suit that is reasonably priced and fits your body type.

3. Dresses/Pants/Outfits. Depending on what the shoot calls for, you may want to bring some dresses and other outfits. Try to bring solid colour outfits instead of crazy patterns, because they are easier for the photographer to shoot. Also, make sure that your clothes are not all wrinkled up.

4. Lingerie. Make sure it fits you well, is clean and preferably not used for anything other than shoots.

5. Accessories. If you have necklaces or bracelets, or earrings that go well with the wardrobe items that you picked, then you should bring them. Accessories make the photos more interesting.

6. Shoes. High heel shoes look great in photos because they make your legs appear longer and thus leaner.

Make-Up (if you don’t have a make-up artist lined up, and even if you do, be on the safe side and bring your own make-up in case the artist doesn’t show up)
1. Moisturizer
2. Mirror
3. Tweezers
4. Foundation
5. Eye shadows
6. Lip stick
7. Mascara
8. Fake eyelashes
9. Eye make-up remover
10.Face powder
11.Brushes/cotton balls/q-tips
12.Eye cream
13.Blush

Hair
1. Brush/comb
2. Hairspray
3. Curling irons, straighteners, etc
4. Hair pins
5. Any hair accessories that you think you will need
6. Hair elastics (esp. the clear ones)

Always check with the people that you are working with when it comes to bringing things to shoots. Some shoots need special props, colours, etc, so it is best to discuss those things beforehand (including who buys the props, who brings what, etc)

Please feel free to make a comment to add things that you feel should be on this list but I forgot to include.

Aviva

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