Behind the Scenes

So people ask all the time what a photo shoot is like….Today I put together for you a nifty little peek at what happens behind the scenes. This slide show features LightningCloud, the dynamic music group who won the Power 106 Who’s Next contest and is performing with some pretty heavy hitters this summer! Burn It Down by Lightning Cloud. Enjoy!!

 

May 2013 Giveaway

Pretty On The Playground Giveaway 05/07/2013 21 Comments     Welcome to our pretty as a playground giveaway photographed by JT Pro imaging.  facebook  website Your little princess can win the set you see here: Darling top by Playground Pixie Designs  Facebook Cute pants by Spiced Ginger Designs  Facebook and fabulous necklace by Sweet Lemonade  Facebook  Shop Enjoy the photos and at the end you can enter to win!          Comments Jennifer 05/07/2013 8:00am   Adorable, would look great on my little grandbaby, Vivi. Reply   Gillian Whitaker 05/07/2013 9:22am   My daughter Reply   Brandy 05/07/2013 9:43am   My daughter would look so cute in this! Reply   Rikki-Dee Flora 05/07/2013 12:59pm   I would give it to my daughter. Reply   Jessica 05/07/2013 9:19pm   I would love to win this for my daughter! Reply   Josi 05/07/2013 9:33pm   So very cute. Unique top. Love it. Reply   Lydia Persson 05/07/2013 9:53pm   I would give to my nearly 5 yr old daughter Reply   Larissa 05/07/2013 11:39pm   my daughter! Reply   Kari 05/08/2013 5:08am   My daughter would love these pants Reply   Joy 05/08/2013 6:07am   I would LOVE all of these for my 2 Granddaughters ages 4 and 6!! Reply   Shanna Uptergrove 05/08/2013 6:21am   Probably my niece- I got to thinking.. I buy a lot of handmade things for my little girls- her mom can’t afford to buy her own daughter anything nice. Reply   rozzielink 05/08/2013 8:34am   beautiful! Reply   jennifer 05/08/2013 8:46am   Beautiful Reply   Rylie Origon 05/08/2013 2:23pm   I would love this for my beautiful daughter!! Reply   Erin Noie 05/08/2013 11:01pm   To my (mostly) sweet daughter!! Reply   Amy Nelsonlink 05/09/2013 7:33pm   My darling daughter, of course! Reply   Hannah Ezinga 05/10/2013 4:02pm   my daughter! Reply   Cassandra Madrigallink 05/10/2013 7:22pm   I would send it to a friend of mine out of state. :0) Reply   Amber Fowles 05/12/2013 3:23pm   Thank you for the giveaway Reply   Paula 05/12/2013 5:34pm   I would give this outfit to my great granddaughter due soon! Reply   amy tolley 05/14/2013 10:21am   grand daughter Reply     Leave a Reply

A good reminder…

We like to repost and share excellent information when we find it. This is a great blog post that is sure to make you smile!!

FRANK SONNENBERG ONLINE THE NEXT BEST THING TO A GREAT IDEA IS KNOWING WHERE TO FIND ONE®

The Power of a Positive Attitude

MARCH 29, 2011

Do you think you’re a positive person? A positive mental attitude can improve your health, enhance your relationships, increase your chances of success, and add years to your life.

The fact is, most people are bombarded by negativity each day. Sure, it’s easy to cast blame by saying you’re surrounded by negative people. The reality: A lot of the negativity is self- inflicted…influenced by the company you keep and your personal perspective on life’s realities.

Take a minute…

Think how often in the day you’re besieged by people who argue over money, worry about the possibility of failure, complain about someone’s actions, criticize mistakes, mistrust some- one’s intentions, blame others to avoid condemnation, envy someone for personal achievements, and gossip about trivial garbage. (No wonder we’re exhausted at the end of the day.)

Let’s take a closer look at the negativity that we face every day…

Arguments. Many arguments are the result of poor communication, the lack of open mindedness, or the clash of opposing values and principles. People also argue to force their viewpoint on others or just to let off steam.

Worry. Others worry about losing control. They desire certainty in an uncertain world. These people feel that worrying is productive, even though they’ll be the first to tell you that they’re driving themselves crazy because they can’t get these thoughts out of their head.

Fear. Some people fear the unknown. Just as pollution damages the environment, fear is toxic to individuals and companies. Fear encourages people to withdraw, keep infor- mation close to their vest, hide mistakes, and refuse to take

risks. Whether their fear is caused by something real or imagined, perception is reality.

Blame. Criticizing and insulting people in front of their peers, challenging their competence, demanding impossible deadlines, and cutting them out of the information loop are tactics that create negativity. Furthermore, when something goes wrong, people often look to others to cast blame. The result is that everyone watches out for #1 — themselves.

Complaints. The reason many people complain all the time is not necessarily because they’re unhappy with their lives or circumstances. The fact is, compulsive

complainers don’t even realize that they’re complaining. Perpetual complainers grumble out of boredom or a desire to turn an awkward moment of silence into a conversation starter. Or sometimes, people complain just because it makes them feel better to vent.

Criticism. There’s a difference between constructive feedback and biting criticism. While constructive feedback is offered with good intent, constant and biting criticism can lead to stress, anxiety, and reduced self-esteem.

Mistrust. How much time is wasted and how much ill will created as a result of mistrust? People spend endless hours second-guessing intent, peering over shoulders, and creating elaborate

approval processes to check and recheck.

Jealousy. When is enough, enough? We live in a society where many people aren’t satisfied with their own accom- plishments. If our neighbor buys a new toy, if our colleague receives a promotion, or if the TV celebrity flaunts a new design, we want it too. The problem is, after the excitement wears off, the finish line moves as well. Whether it’s afford- able, deserved, or needed never comes into question.

If you want to achieve happiness, better health, stronger relationships, and continued success, you may not have to look any further than the mirror.

FRANKSONNENBERGONLINE.COM

Gossip (our national pastime). People gossip to fit into a group, fill a void in conversation, prove that they’re in the know, take revenge on a person, put someone in their place, or merely to gain attention. Gossip is a disease spread mouth to mouth. It’s one of those distractions that keep us from focusing on our own lives.

It Pays to Be Positive

There’s a direct correlation between a positive attitude and better relationships, superior health, and greater success.

A positive attitude can boost your energy, heighten your inner strength, inspire others, and garner the fortitude to meet difficult challenges. According to research from the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking can increase your life span, decrease depression, reduce levels of distress, provide greater resistance to the common cold, offer better psychological and physical well-being, reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and enable you to cope better during hardships and times of stress.

Here are several ways to adopt a positive mental attitude:

Surround yourself with positive people. Spend time with people who are positive, supportive, and who energize you. Remember, if you get too close to a drowning victim, he may take you down with him. Pick a positive person instead.

Be positive yourself. If you don’t want to be surrounded by negative people, what makes you think others do? Learn to master your own thoughts. For example:

• When you visualize a goal, it makes you more likely to take the actions necessary to reach it. Visualize yourself winning the race, getting the promotion, accepting the award, or landing the new account.

• Control your negative thinking. This can be accom- plished in the following ways:

N See the glass as half full rather than half empty.

N Anticipate the best outcome.

N Stay the middle ground. Don’t view everything in extremes — as either fantastic or a catastrophe. This will help you reduce your highs and lows.

N Mistakes happen. Negative people blame themselves for every bad occurrence whether it was their fault or not. Don’t let this be you.

Consciously resist negative thinking. Be cognizant of and mentally avoid negative thinking. This will help you modify your behavior.

Be nice to yourself. Unfortunately, some people say the meanest things to themselves. If you criticize yourself long enough, you’ll start to believe it. This negativity can drag you down over time. It may be time to fire the critic and hire the advocate.

Set realistic, achievable goals. There’s nothing wrong with setting a high bar — unless you beat yourself up for not achieving your goals. The key is to build confidence by setting realistic goals and by hitting a lot of singles rather than swinging for the fences.

Keep it in perspective. Life is all about prioritizing the things that matter most in your life and focusing your efforts in these areas. This means that trivial things that go wrong every day shouldn’t get you down. Learn to address or ignore small issues and move on. It’s time to sweat the big stuff.

Turn challenges into opportunities. Instead of letting challenges overwhelm you, turn them into opportunities. (Rather than hitting the wall, climb over it or go around.)

Count your blessings. Be grateful and give thanks for the special things in your life rather than taking them for granted. Some people do this by giving thanks around the dinner table, keeping a written journal, or posting one special item each day on Facebook. Remember, some of the greatest possessions in life aren’t material. Take every opportunity to make a wonderful new memory.

If you want to achieve happiness, better health, stronger relationships, and continued success, you may not have to look any further than the mirror. “The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.”* Do you see the glass half full or half empty? True happiness may depend on how you view the world and who you look to for inspiration. It pays to be positive. G

Frank Sonnenberg, a marketing strategist, has written three books and published over 300 articles. • Industry Week named his book, Managing With a Conscience one of the Top Ten Business Books of the Year • Salon.com named Sonnenberg’s blog among the top 100 in 2009 • Trust Across America named Sonnenberg one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders of 2010 • In 2011, Social Media Marketing Magazine (SMM) selected Sonnenberg as one of the top 77 marketing authors in the world on Twitter. http://www.franksonnenbergonline.com © 2011 Frank K. Sonnenberg. All rights reserved.

*Author unknown. See http://anse.rs/iatZYn

FRANKSONNENBERGONLINE.COM

Preparing for Acting Headshot Session

I love sharing good information when I come across it. While researching something completely different I found this article. I felt it was nice and succinct and it laid out preparation in a great way so I wanted to share it with you. Taken from: http://www.usi.edu/photography/documents/ActingHeadshots.pdf

Preparing For An Acting Headshot Photography Session

The fact that you are reading this is a start. The rest of the process should be somewhat back-to- front.

As the date of your photography session gets closer, give yourself a few days to think about hair and clothing. That way you will be more confident with your choices and still have time for a last-minute brainstorm. Schedule your photo session to account for your cycles of sleep, medication or exams, and allow plenty of extra time to spend at the studio. Also, give haircuts a few days to fall into place, and shave your face (men, and women when necessary, please) at a time that leaves you neither too rough nor too red. The morning of your session, get a good breakfast and read the paper. Then go wash your face and apply some moisturizer to replace the skin oil you just scrubbed out. Under no circumstances should you stay up late, party or drink the night before your session, even if you are not scheduled until late in the afternoon. You just can’t get away with it.

Drink plenty of water. The water will help your skin to appear smooth and clear in the week leading up to your headshot session.

Also, if you arrive overheated and sweaty you’ll have to cool down before the photographer can begin to shoot. This is simply because your photographer cannot shoot an actors headshot when you are glistening, as this will show up clearly as shiny patches around your face. Worse still if you are perspiring heavily, this will show up clearly as beads of moisture and ruin your actor’s headshot.

Another thing to think about is the photographer’s time. Arriving late or not being ready to shoot when you do arrive, can lead to rush or shortened sessions as the next client may be arriving shortly. I allow a minimum of one hour for each appointment as this leaves plenty of time for late arrivals, stress on arrival and in some cases a reluctance to have a headshot done.

Who Should Take Your Acting Headshots?

A photographer, who is familiar with the conventions of the talent headshot business. Your local family portrait studio is probably not right for the job.

What Is An Acting Headshot?

It’s an 8×10 photograph of you, with your name on it, as you look right now, showing how you connect with the camera. The more professional your headshot, the better represented you will be in the industry.

The director wants to see 2 things from a headshot: What you really look like, and if you can connect with the camera. The style of your headshot does not matter. But, simple is better. The photo should be about you, not the background or the environment or a photographer’s fancy tricks. Producers want to see if you’re professional.

Headshot Photos – What To Wear

The best clothes to wear during a headshot photo shoot are a widely debated topic. The following is a version of what I have discovered.

• Plain & simple, not dated
• I want to focus on your eyes and not be distracted by your clothing. I would like to see

you in a solid colored shirt (very dark or very light) with an interesting neckline and

maybe a textured finish to the fabric.

• Limited Jewelry: Avoid distracting accessories, such as large, shiny jewelry. If you have a

  pierced ear, wear studs or small hoops. No matter how much you love your gold

  necklace, remember it will take the focus away from your face.

• Neckline: Is your neck short or long? A V-neck lengthens the neck; a round neckline

  shortens it. A collar frames the face well, without taking away length from your neck. A collared shirt with a V-neck or a few buttons undone is most popular. Turtlenecks completely hide the neck, which is very unflattering, and should be avoided.

• No Logos: Okay. NO WRITING ON YOUR SHIRT. logos mean product placement issues and the production staff must be very careful about legal issues. So if a logo appears in your headshot, it just shows you aren’t clued in.
• You will need to be comfortable in the clothing.
• Remember your headshot is your marketing/sales tool.
• Denim jackets: Sometimes they work. Bring it along and we’ll see.
• No shiny leather: Screams “over the top”. It limits your potential and distracts from your

  face.

• Glasses: If you always wear glasses, keep them on for the photo shoot. Lighting can be

  adjusted to eliminate glare. In difficult cases, the lenses can sometimes be removed

  from the frames, but it is very important to maintain a natural, comfortable look

• Subdued/No Patterns: Avoid bold colors and crazy patterns. They will present a

  distraction.

• Light to dark colors are fine, as long as it doesn’t match or come close to your skin tone.

  Wear items that provide some contrast to your skin tones.

• Anything that has texture is nice. Its adds interest without being distracting.
• No polka dots, no wild prints, and no distracting stripes. Clothing of this type can have a

  tendency to distract the viewer from the most important subject in your photos, you. Pastel colors are typically not recommended. Neither is white or black, but more importantly, you should avoid anything that clashes with your skin tone. Colors that compliment your skin tone are appropriate.

• Don’t wear a turtleneck.
• Avoid blouses with padded shoulders.
• Don’t try to fit in to something too small.
• Women should bring the correct bra colors for the wardrobe. (please remember to wear

  a flesh-toned bra under white garments!)

• Men should bring a couple of different newish t-shirts in different shades.

  Makeup Tips – How to Apply Makeup for Photographs

•   Skin Features: Do not hide your skin’s personality! Flaunt your freckles. Cover your moles. They are a part of what makes you unique. Unique features are what make others sit up and take notice. Of course, if the day of the shoot you are sporting a monstrous zit, use some light makeup, but I’ll magically heal it! Generally speaking, unusual attractive features are an asset. Who would ever want to say good-bye to Harrison Ford’s chin scar?
•   Avoid heavy makeup! During finishing of your selected images, we will take care of blemishes and other ‘artifacts’ on your skin during the basic retouch process. Heavy makeup tends to look caked up. Remember that my cameras and lenses produce images at far higher definition than even HDTV and my job is to flatter you, but your headshot has to look like the person that walks into the audition space!
•   B/W Photo: Remember, if you are going for you’re doing this for Black and White, not color; darker colors will appear as shadow, lighter colors as highlight. The trend in the states is for color headshots and in UK is B&W because I shoot everything in color, you’ll

have a wide range of choices.

•   Ladies with straight hair: You want to frame your face, so if your hair is very straight and

  long, give it some body to accentuate your face.

•   Haircut: Don’t cut your hair the day before your shoot! It will look like you just got a

  haircut. Give your hair a week after a cut to relax.

  Remember, it’s all about the eyes!

  How important are the eyes? They are critical to making your headshot stand out. The wow factor! The eyes define a person. They are the windows into that person’s soul. The eyes are one of, if not the single most, important parts of a portrait photograph. It is the first feature noticed. It is also one place where a little post-processing can really make a portrait shine. And your “theater” look is the closest to your natural self in the most positive sense–when you are rested, relaxed in a positive frame of mind and raring to go. For this shot feel free to let your own personal sense of style come through, within the bounds of how you are likely to be cast. Character actors should not dress as ingénues and vice versa.

Make up for Photography made easy

I was going to write this amazing article today that was going to be a major epiphany for all you models and actors and aspiring models and actors and then I found a blog that pretty much said exactly what I wanted it to…. so I decided to save my epicness for another blog and share this girl’s tips with you today.

Tips for Doing Makeup for Photographs

 

This is Mallory, isn’t she lovely?  You can see the rest of her pictures here.

Doing makeup for photographs is a little different than every day makeup.  Some things look great in person but don’t translate well in pictures.  Here are a few makeup tips to help you look your best when you are photographed:

1.  Use matte colors - Although shimmer can look great when applied properly, if you are a little unsure about what to do, it’s always safe to go with matte colors.  Matte makeup won’t reflect light, making it easy to apply and easy to photograph.

2.  Fill in your brows - Even if you don’t fill in your brows on a daily basis, fill them in for your pictures.  Your eyes and face will look so much more complete if your brows are looking polished.  This especially goes for blondes.  Blonde eyebrows will disappear in photographs.

3.  Makeup will photograph 2 shades lighter - In the picture above, Mallory’s lip stick color was a seriously BRIGHT orange, but you would never guess it by look at the picture.  Makeup doesn’t translate as vibrant in photographs.  I recommend doing your blush, eyes and lip color a little more vibrant than you normally would.

4.  Use powder - Even if your makeup is applied perfectly, if you look shiny in your pictures it can ruin your whole look.  Once your makeup is complete, use a finishing or setting powder to make everything more matte.  I recommend even taking some powder with you (or oil blotting sheets), especially if it’s a warm day.

5.  Wear false lashes - I have never had a bride who didn’t like wearing false lashes, even if they were hesitant about them at first.  95% of the people in my portfolio are wearing false lashes, and they make all the difference!  Once again, Mallory’s false lashes were sooo long, but in the pictures they look perfectly proportionate.  If you want something more natural, buy the individual lashes and just put a few on the outer corners.

6.  Apply your makeup in natural light - When you put on your makeup, sit by a window or in a room with a lot of natural light.  This will give you the best idea of what your makeup really looks like, and how it will look in the pictures.

7.  Wax - makeup does not adhere well to peach fuzz.  Whatever you normally wax on your face, wax it before your pictures.  I suggest waxing at least 48 hours before your pictures to give enough time for any redness and swelling to go down.

8. Wear lip gloss- I, myself, never wear lip gloss.  I am a chapstick girl through and through.  But when it comes to photos, lip gloss is a must.  I consider my lips on the smaller side, so wearing lip gloss really helps them look full and plump in pictures.

9.  Wear black mascara - Some people think black is too harsh for their skin tone, but I promise that when it comes to pictures, black looks good on everyone.  Wearing black mascara will bring out your eyes a lot more than brown will.

taken from hairandmakeupbysteph.com

Why Mother’s Day is special

Mothers Day is special time when we take a moment to say thank you to all the women in our lives who have helped raise us, continue to raise us, become our best friends and sometimes just simply put up with us.

Give a special gift to yourself your mother, your best friend or a mother you know. Give that special someone a day of beauty. We will provide a complimentary make over complete with make up and hair. We will style the shoot in a beautiful way befitting of the special woman in your life (or yourself). After being pampered, we will take photos to commemorate the woman you love. And if you want to share in the experience, we will invite you to arrive with family at the end of her session for some family photos.

Mother’s Day is more than a mere thank you to your mother. It is a time when you really get to show the women in your life how beautiful they are…and how beautiful they’ve made your life.
JT Pro Imaging is celebrating mothers and women with special sessions this April and May. Packages with print start at $200. Contact us to set up styling and session.

A Spring Fling Giveaway by JT Pro Imaging and friends!!

http://tfbm.weebly.com/1/post/2013/03/pretty-as-a-flower-giveaway.html

 

 

Pretty as a Flower Giveaway 03/29/2013 13 Comments     Welcome to our pretty as a flower giveaway!  Spring has sprung and its time for new clothes for your little one.  Come meet the designers offering this darling outfit to one lucky winner! First up is KS Monkeys who made this darling applique shirt. KS Monkeys Facebook Shop One lucky winner will win this shirt in the size of their choice. (limited to size range offerings.)   Little Whimsy Wears made this darling skirt to match.  Facebook Shop One lucky winner will also get this coordinating skirt!   This darling collaborration was photographed by JT Pro Imaging.  Jt Pro Imaging specializes in studio work and outdoor set photography.  The photos you see here are not outdoors at all but actually in a studio using props!  How amazing are they?  JT Pro has a portfolio that includes celeb headshots, product and event photography. To learn more about JT Pro please vist their website or Facebook page.   Enter the giveaway using the rafflecopter gadget below.  Good luck!     Comments Elizabeth 03/29/2013 11:06am   Have twin girls who are always in need of cute clothes. Reply   Ayanna McLeod 03/29/2013 11:16am   My daughter would love this darling outfit! Reply   Laura merrigan (peters 03/29/2013 7:05pm   my beautiful daughter Reply   Daisy 03/29/2013 10:11pm   My daughter thank you Reply   Jessica 03/29/2013 10:11pm   Super cute outfit! Would love to win for my little girl! Reply   Mariam 03/29/2013 10:38pm   For my little daughter! Reply   Theresa Ann 03/30/2013 10:24am   My daughter would <3 LOVE THIS…. Reply   Kristen 03/30/2013 10:48am   For my beautiful daughter! Reply   Erin Noie 03/30/2013 10:01pm   My daughter <3<3! TY for the chance! Reply   Alyssa Michalski 03/31/2013 12:24pm   My daughter! Reply   juanita may 03/31/2013 3:42pm   My granddaughter Reply   Deanna Middendorf 03/31/2013 8:35pm   my adorable niece Reply   Melinda 04/03/2013 5:30pm   Would love to win for my sweet daughter Reply     Leave a Reply