It's high time for a new blog post, friends!  Where do I begin to cover the last 4 months?  I've been busy doing a lot of portfolio building, along with weddings, fashion and corporate shoots and even worked on a short film.  I'm dabbling my hand in some new techniques and challenging myself as usual.  Between the holidays and jobs, my schedule didn't really let up much.  I also spent some time in Las Vegas and Chicago...for business and pleasure!  And on my downtime I've been enjoying my own family (which is a riot with an almost 3 year old!)

What to cover...what to cover...

Aside from my corporate, theater, television, basically "everything else" work :), I was super blessed to work with 65 phenomenal brides last year...the last one on New Year's Eve!  I was recently notified that I won a Bride's Choice Award 2010 from WeddingWire!  Many thanks to all my brides out there who wrote reviews on my behalf :)  I am humbled to be in the top 5% of vendors across the US in the WeddingWire community!

Speaking of weddings, a note on my wedding schedule this year: I'm pretty well booked for summer weddings (June, July and August) aside from a few random Fridays still available.  This is either good news (for me!) or bad news (for brides I won't be able to accommodate), depending on  your perspective.  I've decided not to overbook and run myself into a mental institution :)

And because a post is boring sans photos (at least to me), a sampling from some of my work over the last several months...

Kayla, model portfolio shoot for Matthew Agency shot by the stellar Jerrad Matthew (Grand Rapids)

Serena, a model session (in super sweet vintage!) with the brilliantly talented KLK Photography (California)

Natasha, model shoot, shot by the amazing JK Photography

And lastly, but certainly not least, a preview of a fashion shoot I collaborated on with the fantastic Brian Kelly (and many others!)  I plan to do a separate post about this shoot in particular...stay tuned ;)

A few weeks ago, Kelly Sweet asked me to do makeup for a 'Trash the Dress' session she was shooting with a model.  Kelly let me take the creative reins when it came to Stephanie's overall makeup look.  Playing off the current fall trends, Stephanie's complexion and the ivory dress she was about to trash, we decided on a glossy/metallic eye, luminous apricot cheeks all complemented with a rich berry lip.  (And if you read below, you'll see a few of the photos gained some popularity online :)

Stephanie, you made an absolutely radiant bride trashing the dress and Kelly, I'm continually amazed with your beautiful work!  Thanks for allowing me to collaborate on this one!  You can see more photos on Kelly's blog here.

Here's one on the front page of MSN.com...

And then on the Today Show website...

And lastly as the photo "Pick of the Day" for Color Inc. photo lab :)

In August I was contacted by Storytelling Pictures (a Grand Rapids area production company) about working on a new telelvision show being produced by The Dove Foundation called Dove Spotlight.  I was very excited at the opportunity to work on the first show ever produced by The Dove Foundation and even more excited when I heard what the show was all about: a family focused movie, DVD and gaming review show based on The Dove Foundation criteria.

The three hosts were all great to work with: Rachael Ruiz, former news anchor for WOOD TV-8 and host of eightWest; Brian Burch, a (very humorous and witty!) senior associate for a public relations firm; and Derek Emerson, a college student and part-time actor and model.

We filmed the pilot episode over several days in September and I'm happy to tell you that it begins  airing today!  You can find the full schedule here.  Dove Spotlight will be broadcast over several networks, reaching an average of 40 million households.  It will also reach over 6 million online each month.

Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes filming the pilot episode (borrowed from Storytelling Pictures!).  More photos and the trailer can be viewed here.  Enjoy!

Brian and Rachael

What it looked like in person with the green screen

Derek in the "game cave"

Lots of lights!

Director John Evans giving the ok to give Brian some faux "plugs" in his thinning hair....(I kid, I kid...maybe.)

Doing Brian's makeup with Dove Co-founder and CEO Dick Rolfe looking on.

The MASSIVE green screen...

Walking into that sea of green in person makes me dizzy.  Really.

Watching the filming on set and satisfied with the results!

No blogging in a while...sorry!  Where has the time gone!?  This question often invades my mind and I decided to look back at my calendar this year so I could develop a definitive answer/explanation to that very question.  Wow, I've been busy and it got me thinking...

I know Thanksgiving is not until next month, but as I sit in front of the computer reviewing my 2009 calendar, I am filled with gratitude and thanks for all of my awesome clients this year!  I know the year isn't up yet but I feel the need to express my appreciation to each of you and there's no time like the present, right!?  Here goes...

To my 62 brides (and counting...;), thank you for allowing me to be a part of one of the most important days of your life.  You are ALL so special to me and I really treasure that time we have to create a look that you'll forever remember every time you look at your wedding photos.  And yes, I do remember each and every one of you and probably even the lipstick you wore :)

To all the countless models I've worked on with photo shoots this year...thanks for being so cooperative and trusting!  I know sometimes it's a little strange wearing feathers on your eyes or blue lipstick...but thank you for allowing me to channel my creativity :)

To my corporate clients...you're all awesome!  I have been blessed to work with some pretty amazing groups and companies.  I look forward to building lasting professional relationships with you over the years to come and collaborating on many projects!

To the photographers...from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  I know without a doubt my business would not be where it is now without all of you and your referrals.  Thank you, thank you, and thank you.

To sum it all up, I just want everyone to know that I value each of you and never take a job (no matter how large or small) for granted :)

Julie

This post is especially for all the moms out there reading this...and dedicated to my best friend, Nichole, who is about to become a mom for the first time today!  (I've been anxiously awaiting, phone in hand all day...)

I'm the mother of a busy 2 year old, Jack.  (Insert obligatory photo for bragging rights of my sweetheart here:

I'm sure most of you can understand the crazy mornings trying to get your child(ren) ready in time for whatever festivities the day may bring, let alone yourself.  You want to look presentable (better yet, feel pretty!) but most often time just doesn't allow for an elaborate makeup application.  I'm going to share with you what's in my own makeup bag and what I always carry with me to accomplish a more engaging look.  (And if you chance run into me at the grocery store sans makeup [yes, I do go out without makeup], just know I'm a mom and human too ;)

Here's my own 5 minute (really!) makeup routine:

First up is my holy grail product...concealer!  I use Face Atelier's Ultra Camouflage Duet ($30) in Light, for my very fair skin.  There are 2 ingenious shades in the mini compact with mirror that make this a winning product for me.  The peachier shade covers my undereye circles instantly (in a full coverage, crease-free kind of way) and the neutral shade can be used to quickly dab on any troublesome areas (read: my skin STILL breaks out.)  In a pinch, I can very sheerly blend a little down the center of my face and out slightly to give an even tone overall without adding a foundation.  We're at about 60 seconds so far for time...

Next, and a new recent love is Smashbox's O-Glow Intuitive Cheek Color ($26).  This product is AWESOME!  It starts as a clear gel and transforms before your eyes into the perfect shade of pink for your cheeks.  No guessing games here, this gives the best natural looking flush.  (I don't know how I lived without this all these years.)  Time is about 1 minute, 45 seconds now...

Looking back up to my eyes, I add a couple coats of The Body Shop's Super Volume Mascara ($14) in Black, though I think I'd like to try the Cobalt soon!  This is my favorite daily mascara.  The wand is easy to manipulate around my lashes, not too big nor too small.  It gives a nice, natural look and doesn't flake.  If I know my day will require a waterproof mascara, I add a coat on top of Clarin's Double-Fix Mascara ($21) which is a transparent gel that can be coated over virtually any mascara to waterproof and keep it in place!  Let's all say it together now, "Genius."  Time spent on entire makeup routine so far: 3 minutes, 30 seconds...

Lips are last.  I enjoy a good lip color whether it be in the form of a gloss, stain or traditional lipstick.  I look nearly lifeless without lips!  There are a few staple favorites that I gravitate toward depending on my mood and what I'm doing for the day or wearing.  They are MAC Pro Longwear Lip Colour in Perennial Rose ($21), a deep berry pink and also a stain which means no touch ups for 6-8 hours; Chanel's Glossimer in Spark ($27) a very soft and sheer berry pink with gold shimmer; and lastly my NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine ($24), a cool soft matte pink.  Total time spent? 4 minutes, 40 seconds.

My point in sharing my own makeup routine with you is that you can cater your own makeup routine to your time available and what's important to you.  Go ahead and cut out the unnecessary steps (for me they're foundation, eyeliner and eyeshadow)...just don't skip makeup altogether because you don't have time to do EVERYTHING.  As I've said before, pick what's important to you and highlight your best feature.  You'll be amazed at how 5 little minutes (or 4 minutes, 40 seconds) can make you feel beautiful and boost your confidence as a mom :) 

p.s. If you had time to read through this blog, you know what to do tomorrow morning!  As Yoda says, "Do or do not, there is no try". (ahem, I thought if I shared my little one with you, might as well share my husband's charm & influence too!!)

Enjoy your family, Nichole!  And may you always feel your inner beauty makes you up every morning after you haven't slept a wink all night.  xxoo!