Amazing ideas and opportunities can happen anywhere and at anytime.It was during a hair appointment last summer my client, Diane Moore suggested I along with Photographer Genna Yussman Greene do a photoshoots involving her horses. I instantly loved the ideas and later that week phoned Genna to share my conversation I had with Diane about working with the horse and she loved the idea. Genna had been preparing a collection of Latin/Spanish clothing in Red and Black hues in various textures and fabrics. Reworking vintage fashions, textiles. She was even making some elaborate dresses with long trains on her sewing machines.

As with all our shoots, Genna and I generally overshoot with several models and we originally only planned on four models but the shoot evolved to be three times as many models and two make up artists. I contacted Lexington, Mua, Portia Greene and Louisville, Mua, Jace Race to do make up for a total of eight models.

Image Genna Yussman Greene/Property of Absolute Studio, Louisville, KY

Booking models is a tedious process, I used social media to do a model call of which can be hit or miss with responses. The process of messaging back models and writing/rewriting details is a lengthy and time comsuming process and sometimes a “cat and mouse” experience to make sure models read all notes and give confirmation back. Sometimes several models come out of the woodwork and then sometimes very few respond back. We will tend to work with some of the same models and include new models and I will invite some clients who may be interested. My biggest key is to select models that will pair nicely together especially for cohesiveness when your trying to tell a story. For maximize content, Genna and I create multiple looks on all models with the team to have enough material to work with post shooting.

Photo Jul 12, 10 00 22 AM.jpg — Selfie with Diane

As with anything unexpected challenges arise, after weeks of planning a day before we had to make the call to cancel the shoot due to a storm. Bummer, but we reset the shoot a few weeks after that. Of course we could not retain all the models as it was back to school season for some of the college/highschool models. We overbooked the shoot because we know the day of some models won’t be able to show up. This is typical within the industry and I’ve encountered at every show/shoot at some time in my career. Prepare for the unexpected…amazing things happen when you least expect them too. You just roll with it.

We travelled to Harrodsburg, Kentucky about and hour from Louisville, KY on a very hot day. We weathered the heat with an amazing team for 14 hours in the beautiful countryside of Kentucky with beautiful horses. We were fortunate to have this collection published in Like A Lion Magazine during the quarantine in the May 2020 issue. It was wonderful seeing the release as this would have been the Derby season had it not been post poned due to quarantine. We felt this collection represented Kentucky’s love for horses and fashion with our own creativity.

In addition to booking talent, I had to create look boards for hair and makeup for each model and for both make up artists. I used Google/Pinterest images using key words that pertained to our theme. I knew I would need to keep hair simple, classy and elegant. For cohesiveness, I decided to make rose hair pieces for each model. I made varying pieces that I adorned each model’s hairstyle with. I had also prepped some wigs to help with timing.I also always keep wigs and extensions in my kit because some of the models recently cut their hair shorter than their headshots.

The day stared at 5 a.m. after my morning coffee, my tools were packed the previous night and my car loaded. I would be transporting any of the models that needed a ride if they arrived at my house that a.m. I had a cooler packed with beverages and bag full of snacks for us to have on location for the models and we would work out details for lunch. We arrived on set at the horse farm and was greeted by Diane and her daughter, Kara. We set up two tents to house the models to protect us from the bright rays of the sun. We had tables for the make up and hair set and we set up wardrobe in one of the barns for the models to dress.

We did a quick meeting with the team to go over expectations of the day and how the flow of the shoot would work. Models were staggered hourly to arrive at different intervals to keep the flow and to prevent models from sitting to long in hair and make up. Genna had scouted out areas with Diane on location as we prepared models. Genna and the assistant would take groups of models that were ready on location as we prepared the next set of models that arrived on location.

Each model wore 2-4 looks a piece complete with accessories and minimal hair changes and make up touch ups. It was a pizza kind of day as you never know what will be available but fortunately there was a pizzeria very close to where we were working.

For Megan’s Hair, I used hair extensions to add density and large hair pad to create this classic shape. Using hairspray to slick back her hair with a center part and hair pins. Heavy shine spray to reflect off her gorgeous hair color.

For model Stephanie I actually used to different custom wigs to give her an alternate look. I prepared a blonde braided wig for texture and a sleek black wig. It totally changed up her look and was convenient to have already prepared with the timing allotted for each model.

For model Braden I slick his hair backed with a Denman brush and a round brush for volume. Set his length on top with a large iron and back combed with hairspray for this classic pompadour. This was his very first shoot and I’m sure it won’t be his last.

For Model Ariana I fishtailed half braids around her entire head except the center of which I backcombed and formed over a pinned hair pad. Afterwards I strategically placed all the braids over the pad and pinned them into place. I loved the some texture from the fishtails that blew in the soft breeze.

Model, Dakota has very lovely and extremely lengthy hair. I would give her a center part with two large fishtails of which I would stretch out to expose a soft wispy texture.

In addition to the models, the horses were the true stars. Along with Diane’s horses their were lovely horse scattered through the location that were friendly and happy to have their photos taken. Gentle giants with beautiful hair. This was an amazing opportunity for everyone involved.

For model, Christie I set her hair on top with a large iron and teased it into this half up do. I left her bangs out an curled the ponytail.

All the assistants on set did a fabulous job, Diane, Kara, Brandy and Love helped transporting, directing models, carrying and dressing models, getting food and hold up camera gear for Genna and managing the horses. Love also modeled having dual roles on set. I added a custom ponytail to her slicked back hair for a classic look.

I had the entire next day off as I needed the rest, unpack my car and prepare for a busy week in the salon. Genna and the make up artists had worked so very hard as did all the models. Everyone had worked so very hard on set. The shoot was so busy but I did get the opportunity to ride on one of the horses.

After the photoshoot Genna and I spent time selecting photos for the collection and she started preparing and editing them for submission. We were so happy to see “Crimson Equine” published in Like A Lion Magazine. Everyone’s hard work paid off and it was nice to see this released during quarantine shut down. I love this gorgeous and colorful collection. The beauty of fashion, hair and make up and the beauty that everyone brings to the table.

A Special thanks to everyone involved. A big thank you to Diane More and Kara Percle for hosting us and the privilege to work with her amazing horses. To Genna Yussman Yussman for your constant creativity.

Credits

Photograpy /Wardrobe/ Creative Direction: Genna Yussman Greene

Photographer’s Assistants: Kara Percle, Love Yascone, Brandie Perry

Hair: Matthew Tyldesley

Make Up: Portia Greene and Jace Race

Location/Horses: Diane Moore

Models: Margarita Karasjaka, Megan Amanda, Stephanie Lynn Johnson, Braden Marble, Ariana Johnson, Dakota Bruton, Christie Perez, Love Yascone

The making of “Crimson Equine”

I’ve always had an infinity for fantasy and childhood tales…one of the fables that always comes to mind is Lewis Carol’s “Alice In Wonderland” & “Through the Looking Glass”. The inspiration for this collection was fueled by my imagination to reimagined the classic fairytale.

image by Genna Yussman Greene/ Absolute Studio

I wanted to create more of an avant garde interpretation and chose only a few of the standout characters to develop for this collection. The obvious selections, Alice and the Queen of hearts and I chose to do the Mad Hatter.

hair prep, Alice’s headers and custom earrings

Of course I enlisted the help of Genna Yussman Greene at our studio, Absolute Studio. She would curate the wardrobe as well as doing photography and Micah Severo would be the make up artist for this collection.

Of course preparation for this took a very long time; several months and several purchases of hair extensions from Ebonyline and Doctored locks with various lengths but I got a great deal on 22 inch hair extensions.

The hair took 6 month to prepare as I had a full schedule of traveling for shows and taking care of my clientele behind the chair. I would have to order several lots of hair extenisons wait for them to arrive.

I had to color all the hair prior to using them. They had to dry and be styled and I made from three front lace wigs all hand sewn. Top hair pieces that would adorn each model and wanted to take it to another level by fabricating matching earrings made of hair that would be worn by each model.

Lots of money was spent on hair and materials. I fabricated a metal base for the Queen of hearts. I would take large sheets of red hair and cut and roll them into roses. I mixed variations of red hues to layer and to show off the texture of the hair.

it’s all in the details…it’s all about the hair

Rachel’s I mean, “Mad Hattresses” big close up

I decided I wanted to book a female model of the Mad hatter/ Mad Hattress. For her hair I created a long black front lace wig of which I colored large panels of violet and blue. I again fabricated hair “Mats” by using Redken’s Control Addict 28 and an iron to fuse the hair together. Afterwards hair was cut into squares on which I made a patchwork hat using a active mesh base. Very lightweight but strong enough to support the shape of her hat. I also rolled hair like I had done on the Queens hair and layered them around the rim of the hat.

For Alice I created a blonde wig with bright yellow panels and a created this huge flower-like piece that was made from custom yellow mat hair. Folding and glueing the piece like an accordian. I played around with the yellow pigment to get variations in tonality.

The earrings were a lot of fun, tedious and required a lot of time and patients. I twist wrapped kanekalon hair around florist wire using a hot glue gun. After the pieces were done I shaped them and hand sewn them together to become pairs of earrings for each model to wear.

I’m obsessed with the wardrobe Genna put together. Dark hues with bright tones and brooches, textiles and safety pins were added to each model. She made sure to layer texture and distinction of each character quite obvious.

It’s all in the details. Discussing make up with Micah

We photographed each model on dark, velvet backdrops with props for a darker vibe. Cincinnati, make up artist Micah did beautiful, clean makeup. I love the bee stung lips he did on the queen of hearts.

For model selection I booked Olive Flick of Heyman Talent Agency to play Alice, Margarita Karizskaja to play the queen of hearts and Rachel Madison to portray the Mad Hattress.

The shoot took all day of ten hours and very cold as we were working in the month of December. Everyone did a fabulous job of transforming all the models into the characters.

All about the make up with Rachel and Micah

We were honored to have this collection in six page spread in the limited edition, hard copy holiday collection in Faddy Magazine in Italy. When I received my copy in the mail I had cried…I hadn’t seen our work in that format. After all the work, time and money this collection required it was all worth it seeing it in print. I am so grateful to this team.

Credits

Models:

Olive Flick (Heyman Talent Agency) @oliveflick

Margarita Karizskaja @margarita_karizskaja

Rachel Madison @officialrachelmadison

Hair / Creative Direction / Earrings | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Photography / Wardrobe / Set | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Make Up | Micah Severo @micahsevero

Assistant | Tony Welscher

Official making of video for “Wonderland Holiday”