The happy couple will wed this June. I really had a great time capturing these guys at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. It was a beautiful day and the flowers were in bloom, Valencia and Michael were great. Congratulations  and I look forward to capturing your wedding day!!!!

We found yet another great location, to photograph newly engaged couples…but we had help this time.

Meet Roshaunda & Melvin a cute, fun and flirty young couple who found love on the campus of North Carolina State University (NCSU). They were our  first couple who requested an engagement session location that had significance beyond a beautiful scenery….they wanted pictures that reflected  memories of where they met, where they took classes and where they accepted love’s invitation.  On this beautiful day, they allowed us to canvas love at it’s best… Sometimes we captured images of them at child’s play, sometimes a lover’s dance and other times  we saw the eyes of honesty in the way they easily talked, laughed and embraced one another.

Who knew that NCSU had such great oasis’s for a photographer’s imagination.  We only photographed one area near the Jane S. McKimmon Center.

Roshaunda and Melvin will definitely be one of our Unforgettable engagement session stories.  Congratulations  and we  look forward to capturing your wedding day!!!

It was a great late afternoon photo session.  We shot him close to  downtown Raleigh at an old garage warehouse..  It was a great place to get the eclectic scene and imagery of this returning gospel artist.

He  was fun, open, eager and willing to try different concepts.  He was a great subject, check out some of his images.  Which one do you like the best?

Does music make you….

Move? 

                                                                                                                                                                          Laugh?

Cry?

What’s your theme song?

What songs make you feel any of these things?

Are you going to have the time of your life?

Kick back, relax and look and listen.

Having worked as a model in New York (back in the day..lol) I can say first hand it was not an easy business to break into. I think I was told “no” hundreds of times before getting that one “yes” your hired. One key is don’t give up! If modeling is something that you really want to do then you owe it to yourself to keep at it.  Fast-forward  a number of years  Here are a few tips from a photographers point of view that hopefully will aid you in becoming the next top model.

The first thing you have to consider is what type of model do you want to be? If you are trying for high fashion modeling, the runways of Paris, the cover of Vogue, etc., the requirements are very strict. If you are hoping to do commercial modeling (such as product or lifestyle) the requirements are much broader. If you want to be a glamour, or pin-up model, this area has its own set of requirements.

You need a killer portfolio!

Your portfolio is what agencies and other photographers will judge you on. It must show your range and different styles of work.  You never know what  modeling agencies  are looking for, so be prepared.  The trend these days is to look on model mayhem or something like that and find a photographer who’s looking to trade your time modeling for images on cd. Yes, this can be a win/win for all involved but understand when you try to develop your portfolio in this manner you are at the mercy of the photographers creative vision which may work for or against you. The best way to insure your getting what you want and need is simply pay a professional photographer. In doing this you are calling the shots and will have the last say on images.

Go to the Source
The bulk of the work in modeling is booked through modeling agencies. So, literally, go to the front door of the modeling agency. But do your research there are a lot of scams out their looking to take your money.  Also network as much as possible go to open calls, enter local fashion event and always keep comp cards on your person.

Work Smart because you will work hard

Models that decide to work their way slowly to the top of the business can be successful but you have to be smart when your marketing yourself. You must study and practice being a model by working on expressions, posing, runway walking, hair styling, makeup, working in front of a camera, and learning how the business works. And please, please dress like a model at all times, you should never be caught outside with rollers in your hair and scarf just because you only going to the laundry mat.  Hey, you never know who you might run into this person might be in the position to help you get your next gig. A nice fitted pair of jeans and a nice top is fine. Lastly if you plan to earn a living at modeling, i.e. as a career, you should be sure you meet the basic physical and aptitude requirements for the type of model you want to become before you invest your time and money into the process. In other words put the work in at to look the part. Go to the gym, eat right, keep plenty of rest at night and drink lots of water (at least 8 glasses a day.) Also remember it takes passion, work, prayer and time to be a star so keep at it.

If you have any questions please post them below and I will try to answer.

To Checklist or Not Checklist is the question?

Your Wedding Day is  one of the most important, cherished and memorable days of your life and you want to make sure that every aspect of your day is captured.  So many professionals will say get a checklist and give it to your photographer.   This way you are ensuring that every image from the break of day to your honeymoon getaway is captured.Sure, you can GOOGLE a 2-4 page wedding checklist…. Or have your photographer give you one to select images but then why would you hire a professional.

Don’t get me wrong, there are most definitely going to be friends and family that you absolutely have to get pictures with that your photographer would not recognize.  Maybe you have a great relationship with your Father, but a photograph with your stepdad is just as significant…here is where you want to make sure the photographer has your desires in mind.  Why? Your wedding day, should tell the story of all the “I did” before the “I Do.”

The photographer should know to photograph your wedding gown or wedding decorations or bridesmaids, without prompting from you….but this will be the difference between photography with a professional and a hobbyist.Certainly, you can never be too careful, but in your consultations with your photographer, you should be able to see and feel that he and or she, really get it.They should get the shoes, the ring, the blue and the borrowed thing.  Your wedding day should be seamless and everything you did before the day should be done.   You shouldn’t have to say, get this picture of me and my mom or me and my dad…Nevertheless, you shouldn’t have to ask a professional for professional service. Talk with your photographer about your expectations and then you will find out whether a checklist will be something helpful or instructional for your photographer.

 Dr. Martin Luther King’s words still holds a stunning power and grace more than 40 years after his death in Memphis on April 4, 1968. J’Elite Photography honors the holiday commemorating King’s birthday with this photograph of  supporters from all walks of life who still believe in  MLK’s vision.