I was really excited to shoot a summer collection with my friend Genna Yussman Greene. We had recently rented a studio at Mellwoods Art Center and she wanted to start shooting editorial and beauty in addition to design and styling.

I remember discussing doing a summer inspired shoot and we need models so I post on social media a model call. I had gotten several responses and decided to book four of the models that responded.

I knew for this collection I wanted to focus on texture with a commercial feel and utizling hair pieces to create some soft summery dimension. I made several clip hair extensions that I colored with Redken's City Beats fashion hair color.

We wanted a "Boho" feel so Genna styled multiple outfits using hassle, faux fur, heavy textiles and layers to create a fashionable, summer collection. For hair I set each models hair in varying degrees of curls sets (from tight curls to loose waves) incorporating soft summer pastel hues. Hair was teased and set into two to three looks per model. For some styles braids were added along with yarn for others.

I enlisted make up artist, Caleb Yeske to create the make up on our gorgeous models. He did a wonderful job of layering the make up from look to look. Soft natural looks to bright bold eyeshadeows and perfectly lined eyes.

The shoot lasted about 10 hours rotating models between sets and wardrobe and allowing ample time for hair and make up. The day was bright and cheery given the rather cold day outside. Our collection definitely harkens to summer and we were happy to have the collection featured in the June, Summer issue of Beauty Launchpad Magazine.

Hazy, breezy and oh so boho...this collection boasts textured hairstyles with colored accents, volume and commercial make up along with a modern Summer wardrobe.

up close and personal with model, Dezaray

We titled this collection, "California Dreaming" for the L.A. vibe with the hair and wardrobe. A big thank you to Beauty Launchpad for publishing our collection.

Credits

Models |

Katie Leigh Tarr @kt_Tarr

Katia Bachelder @deanna_rush_

Dezaray Nicks @dezaraynicks

Karoline Jane Hix @karolinehix_model

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Make Up | Caleb Yeske @ckyhair

Photography | Styling | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

through the lens with Genna and model, Katia

BTS making of California Dreaming

I love working with photographer, Jenni Harper (Harper Young Photography). She has an eye for good lighting and balanced composition. Every few months we make plans to execute a photoshoot. This time we wanted to create beauty images incorporating moody lighting and textured, braided hairstyles. We decided to only use jewelry for wardrobe paired with shimmering make up. We are representing beauty and fashion with wearable looks for 2018.

We chose to use costume jewelry for simplicity from JC Beauty in Louisville, KY. We selected three models, two looks a piece. Models were booked from Lexington, Ky and Cincinnati, Oh.

We planned the shoot several weeks in advanced but challenges can happen. Our make up artist could not make the date last minute fortunately, I had an assistant on set. Caleb Yeske is both a hair and make up artist. He did and amazing job as he is well trained in his skill sets. Photoshoots have taught me a lot about how to just "go with the flow" as the show must go on. The end results speak for themselves as everyone did an amazing job.

We created 2-3 looks per model and time ranged up two hours per look. Looks involved extensive braiding and the usage of hair pieces. Pre braided kanekalon hair and hair pieces were prepared a few days prior to the shoot. Make up looks included shimmers, bronzers and metallic hues. Highlighters, Metallic lip color and bronzed skinned were incorporated to match and reflect the moody set/lighting created by Jenni. Models nails were polished in metallic tones.

For this look on Ayanna, I started with a directional blow-dry using Redken, Guts 10 upwards with a Sam Villa hairdryer and Denman Brush. Afterwards I converged the hair into pontails in the center like a "mohawk" while leaving smalls sections out that I cornrowed on scalp. I secured hair pieces on the small ponytails and attached the braids into them with hair pins and Fashion Works 12 hair spray.

bts side profile of Ayanna

I used Water Wax 03 pomade and a fine tooth come to wave the fine hairs around her hairline on Ayanna's skin.

bts profile of Kirjah (cross hatching)

This look on Kirjah, was created by sectioning small square sections into elastic bands and converging them together (cross hatching). I found Hardware Gel 16 helped with control of the hair. The top of her hair was braided with Kanekalon hair for length and density.

bts profile of Katy

For this look on Katy, I section the center top and secured the hair into several ponytails that I pulled and loosen. The remaining hair was braided scalp and formed into a rosette and secured with hair pins. Control Addict 28 was used to set the look.