Sunday 23 February 2014

Lighting Tech

65W Ring Light

This was a recent purchase from Amazon.ca, it's called the 65W ring light.  This has been a substitute from my softbox that I currently decided to leave it in the studio and use the ring light as it's easier to carry around.  This is well suited for product shots and portraits especially if you like that light circle in your eyes.

Another lighting that I use is the Lumahawk LD 312A On-Camera LED Light from Henry's Photo.  This is what I use to travel with if I need additional lighting in a small space.  It's quite small that it can fit in my bag or just to carry around.

Lumahawk LD 312A On-Camera LED Light
Both lights gives a flattering effect and creates a shadow-free lighting.  It's also ideal for small spaces.

Sunday 16 February 2014

Pick of the Week: Contour, Highlight and Blush


Lately, most people are into contouring, highlight, and blush.  But what does it exactly do to our face? where do you apply the products? what products to use?

Contour: It basically adds shadow to the parts of the face that you want to recede.  It also draws attention away from the features that you may not have.  I have a heart shaped face so the widest part of my face is my forehead and it gets narrower from my eyes to my jaw.  

For the products that makes an appearance for those days that I want to add some dimension to my skin, I reach for my Mac Pro Conceal and Correct Palette in Medium with my Real Techniques Contour Brush, and I use the shade in NW35 which is the darkest shade in the palette.  This palette is amazing because it's all in one, if you want to hide dark circles, dark spots etc. this palette does it all.  If you don't have this product, you can also use a matte bronzer, foundation or a concealer that is two shades darker than your skin.  Since I want my forehead narrower, I applied the NW35 on to my temples, then I sucked in my cheeks and applied it to the hallow right below my cheek bones from my ear then continue halfway to the corner of my mouth.  I also applied it downward on the corner of the bridge of my nose, Blending is the key for looking natural and to avoid harsh lines.



Highlight: This creates the illusion to bring your best features forward to look more prominent.  Such as a fabulous cheekbones.  To achieve this look, you can use a liquid or cream foundation, powder product or concealer that is two shades lighter than your skin.  I still used the Mac Palette in Mid-yellow shade with a Real Techniques foundation brush.  I applied it to the centre of my forehead, between my eyes and top of my cheekbones, under my brow for an extra lift and the centre of my nose applying it downward.  I also set this product with a setting powder and with a Real Techniques setting brush.  Here I used the Mac Prep and Prime CC in illuminate.  


Blush: This is to add a beautiful flush of colour to your skin, apply it to the apples of your cheeks.  I used the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose with a Sigma F40.  This blush has a subtle coral toned with a Gold shimmer which gives that hint of glow to the skin.


These techniques will definitely make your face appear defined and proportional if it's done correctly.

Until next time.

Thursday 6 February 2014

Wardrobe Ideas and Style for boyz



I was at the grocery store one day and I over heard 2 moms having a conversation on how little girls are more fun to dress up than boys.  It made me think just a bit, maybe to some extent they could be right because you're not going to put a boy in a dress with tights or a faux fur coat... That's just wrong! For boys, it may be just a shirt and a pair of pants and they're good to go but you can make those pieces turn into something boring to equally as interesting and fun as girls, you just have to be creative.  I myself like to look my best when I go out and having my 2 boys do the same by looking like their mom made an effort to dress them up says something.  What I like to do sometimes is to dress them up in layers.  I think putting pieces together and layering them will make a tasteful statement.  For some visuals - see below.  On a side note, I planned this photoshoot days before where I made sure I had a time frame of 15 minutes of each of my boys before they get restless and antsy and I must say it turned out well, they did their own poses which made it fun for them.  Mission Accomplished!

White Shirt with collar - Lee
Yellow and White V-neck - Mexx kids
Shorts - Target
Hat - Children's Place

Yellow and Grey stripes long sleeves - Gap Kids
White long sleeves with collar - Lee Kids (Philippines)
Pants - Joe kids

Teal Long sleeves - Target
Navy Blue Sweater #8 - Tommy  Kids
Pants - Joe

White Long Sleeves - Target
V-neck Black and White Stripes - SM Philippines
V-neck Blue short sleeves ( underneath ) - Gap Kids
V-neck Green short sleeves - Gap Kids
Brown Cargo Pants - Children's Place