Sweet things....

If you don't already know I am a great fan of anything sweet....cakes, candy, pastilles, more cake...I just love the sweetness!! Therefore as a special treat for all my lovely fans on Twitter, Blogspot and Facebook I am now giving you sweets....yes free as a bird jellybeans and rock candy!!

Just post a comment on the Carli-Art fan-page wall with your favorite image from my portfolio and I will do the rest.  (Contact you and get your address for postage basically!)  So don't miss out....there are a limited number of treat packs to go around!

Create a Boom....

I am sitting here surrounded by paper, files started two years ago now adorning an attractive jacket of dust and various items of my wardrobe that didn't quite make it on to a hanger.  I am having a sort, a big one.  Its my start to my now full time self employment status.

A good start however with a feature in the Reading edition of Creative Boom, an online magazine dedicated to showcasing the creative industries in Reading and surrounding areas, I was very proud to have been asked....check out the feature here.

I have pictures to follow over the next couple of weeks of the Bagatelles Look Book and also the opening of the new Factory 311.  Held last night at their new Mowlem Street location the party was kicked off with a live DJ set and images from the best of their represented talent displayed proudly throughout the space, which is light, modern and fits snugly into the surrounding culture rich patchwork that makes up East London.

"Chillax and look forward to the Roller Coaster...."

Frantically finding time to work and relax is not the easiest of things however after having a weekend away in Wales to 'chillax' as a friend put it really has put me in better stead.  There I was refusing to believe relaxation and getting away from work was feasible or even necessary and here I stand before you a converted woman!

I am gathering info and working hard at the moment to really hit the ground running come April.  A new luxury booklet to go out to clients showcasing some work, a potential redesign of the logo, an actual real business plan and yes some hard cash from the bank (or someone willing to lend!) to follow.  I have a lot of plans that are going to need some capital and having funded the business solely for the past couple of years I felt the full time move deserved to be treated with respect & enthusiasm.  

I have quite a few networking events in the diary so if you are looking for some yourself then visit Berkshire Networking, they have a full diary from various groups.

Other tit bits of news involve confirmation of me photographing the well renowned and highly respected English Music Festival held in Dorchester Abbey in May.  (Sneak previews of corporate portraits to follow as a start)  The Look Book shoot for fashion designer Bagatelles is coming up next week and hopefully we will see those Limited Ink images soon as well.  I am also excited to be taking part in something very local to me, the Burghfield May Fayre.  Not only will I be photographing the event but I have been asked to judge a new addition to their schedule this year, the photography competition.  More details to follow of course but I feel pleased that my goal to get to know more local business's and the local community as a whole has started well.

Keep those eyes peeled for the Sneak Previews plus a whole heap of behind the scenes stuff.  (Oh plus the newsletter in April features a free 'Light Up Ideas' download.....oooo!)

Model Look Books...

Some new pics of some wonderful Models!

Twon Allen / Elle Colman

Glass Fairies...

If you haven't yet experienced The Glass Magazine then its definitely worth taking a look.  Lose yourself for a moment in this 'of the moment' fairy-tale video editorial....

(Image courtesy of The Glass Magazine, Diego Merino)

"I'd be a toaster" Meet the Ltd Ink shoot crew...

If Sophie was an object found around the home she would be a pillow.  Not I assure you because she is round and soft but because she loves them.  I mean who doesn't, a sofa would be incomplete without them.  She also likes to remind us that socks with sandals are only fashionable when worn with heels and to be turned on she requires something edgy, interesting and unusual.  These are the fine words as spoken by Sophie Paxton, the stylist and miracle worker with whom I have worked before and chose to work with on the Limited Ink shoot.  She brings that 'pop' to my bang.

I would also like to introduce you to the rest of the lovely crew.....

Antonine Allen, Male model, is a quiet laid back chap who has been in the modeling industry for just over a year.  He enjoyed the Ltd Ink shoot due to its cool concept and arrived listening to Tirrs Riley.  The man has attitude, style and a crazy set of locks.

Elle, part French put some sweetness into the shoot and loved the Geek chic styling.  She last spent her hard earned pennies on food and believes that if she was any object she would be a mirror as it reflects the truth.

Our fabulous MUA was the wonderfully talented Jenny, who day to day works on great film productions and is a dab hand at effects.  She loves to come back to fashion and beauty though even if it does involve living her life out of a suitcase!

The shoot was a new experience for Maria Monfort who assisted and is currently studying hard to complete a BA in Photography.  She mentioned that she likes to sit and relax and would therefore be a sofa if she could be anything.  I like the thinking behind that.

Now if you hadn't already guessed I was the photographer, no there is no pic of me I stay behind the camera.  I liked the shoot because I like the tee's and I love getting a team together and experimenting with ideas.  It was a new experience with me as I tend to stick to natural light situations and outdoor spaces.  If you asked me what turned me on clothes wise I would say nothing, literally nothing.  Naked is best.

So there were a few words from the team and now to get the pictures edited and up for you to see!

In the meantime if you have the luxury of procrastinating this Saturday morning, check out this link - StudioXil.  Some excellent advise for lighting scenarios and getting the most out of those Bowens.  Plus they even show you the make up brief and the finished picture.  Great site.