I was so excited to continue my editorial collaboration with fashion photographer, Jenni Harper Young (Harper Young Photography). This particular collection was inspired by holograms and pastel hair and fashion. Jenni had mentioned wanted to do a photoshoot with models that had blue and pink hair.

She had contacted me later and we started planning this collection. I recommend Genna Yussman Greene for Wardrobe and she wanted make up artist Becca Schell on board. Both of them played integral roles in this fashion collection. Genna had pieced together a wardrobe based on our concept along with accessories. A custom winglet she sewed together using holographic wrapping paper.

For make up Becca used bright pastels creating a beautiful, "doll" like make up. Eyeshadow was placed over entire lid and brow in strong pinks and blues on both models. Baby blue and pastel green lip color with strong baby pink blush with heavy highlighter.

hairstyles varied in length on each model ranging from lock flowing braided looks to short croppy cuts and fringed bobs.

For hair, I created various looks using several wigs. The look below was created using long hair pins that hair was woven through in a figure 8 pattern and heated using a hand held steamer. The hair setting took a couple hours to prep prior to the photoshoot.

models hair was braided to consolidate density and length for wigs

Utilizing wigs is efficient for on set photoshoots to drastically change a models look. The prep work is done prior to save time as some of the looks are very technical and time consuming to create. The hairstyle below is an example of one of the looks prepped prior to the shoot using various braid techniques.

The look below hair netting/hair veil was created using sewing thread and lots of patients. A front lace wig was used to create this look using the front hair line to execute the hair veil.

We all worked together to create a total of six looks on two model in eight hours. Genna pieced together a beautiful collection with metallic, textures in various materials in both pink, blue and holographic finishes in booth shine and matte nuances.

Jenni photographed the entire collection that was beautiful published by Elegant Magazine in a nine page spread. We are grateful to them for the feature and to everyone involved in this project.

it takes a village: Alli getting "dolled" up by Becca and I

Credits

Models

Alli Simms | @allisimmsmusic | Heyman Talent Agency

Lilly Smith | @lillylillysmith | Heyman Talent Agency

Photography | Jenni Harper Young @jharrrper

Wardrobe | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Make Up | Becca Schell @beccaschellmakeup

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

BTS making of video

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.