Interview with Photographer Mikel M. Louder

Mikel M. Louder is a freelance photographer based in the Tri-Cities area of Southeast Washington state. The Tri-Cities include Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland. However, he travels to a wide variety of different areas depending on the clients' needs.

Above: tearsheet from Swimwear Illustrated Magazine

He shoots just about everything from fashion, to real estate, to glamour, to commercial. Mikel has been published in a variety of magazines, brochures, and featured on notable websites. He is a talented photographer and I am always looking forward to seeing his new work.

It was a pleasure interviewing him for this AH Life & Style feature, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

AVIVA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a photographer?
MIKEL M. LOUDER: I really didn't think I would as a profession. It honestly became a necessity after a company layoff claimed my "full time" job. I decided to give the industry a shot.

AVIVA: What other career aspirations did you have when you were younger?
MML:  (laughs) like most little kids I planned on being a fireman, policeman...etc. Seriously, I thought I'd follow in my dad's foot steps as a custom harvester. If you don't know what that is, visit the tribute page on my photography website: http://www.mmlphoto.com/tribute.htm It summarizes my dad's career.

AVIVA: Do you prefer to shoot in studio or on location?
MML: Depends on what the client needs. I started out as a travel photographer (landscape, nature, scenic). I'm probably more comfortable shooting outdoors, but both have advantages and disadvantages.

Above: Teatsheet from  Sophisticate's Hairstyle Guide. 

AVIVA: What do you prefer/like about each of these situations?

MML: In studio you have better control and you're not affected by weather. On location, you've got a more natural light and the ability to use different backdrops without making changes like in a studio.

AVIVA: What shoot are you most proud of?
MML: WOW, tough choice! They are all great for different reasons. I guess, I'd have to say my first magazine published work in Swimwear Illustrated.

AVIVA: Why? (with respect to the previous question)
MML:  Just because of it being that first one.

AVIVA: Do you have any photographers/ artists that you admire? If yes, who?
MML: Ansel Adams, because I started in that style of photography, and of course my friend James (Jim) A. Sugar, my mentor, friend and adviser in the beginning. Thank you Jim for steering me in the right direction. I will always be grateful.

Above: Photo-MML, Hair-Liquidity, Makeup-Painted Chanteuse , Model-Krissy T.

AVIVA: In the best case scenario, where would you like to be 3 years from now as a photographer?

MML: Being in a more consistent market doing a lot more published work. (laughs) But wouldn't we all!

AVIVA: What is your favorite form of photography?
MML: I like them all for different reasons and at different times. I think that's what makes me unique, I'm not "just" good at any one style. Maybe better at some, but capable in all types.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to thank Mikel for this interview, and I wish him continued success :)
For more photos, go to his website or Facebook Page.
 
Aviva :)

Who is Your Market?

In this day and age, it is very difficult to generalize and say, "I am in the modeling industry". The so-called "modeling industry" is very fragmented and includes a wide range of niche markets within it. Now that almost anyone can join an online social network and call themselves a model, the "industry" has become more segmented than ever.

There are still the main genres of modeling that include: fashion, fitness, commercial, art, nude, and glamour. However, there has been a rise in gothic, alternative, pinup modeling and everything in between. The Internet has made it easier for you to access your market, but at the same time it has created a vast amount of competition that would not have been possible without it.

So, if you want to model, then first and foremost, you need to learn what your market is and whether or not it is sufficient enough to support you and the thousands of others who are vying for the same piece of the pie.

To learn what your market is, take a look at some of the more prominent models and photographers in each genre. Then, realistically asses your body type, facial structure, interest, and shooting style to see where you fit. You can't market yourself as a fashion model if you are very curvy, and don't fit the agency standards. That is NOT a bad thing, because there is another market that you can fit. If you have good muscle tone and even proportions, you like sports, then you should try to market yourself as a fitness model. If you are curvy and are not afraid to be scantily clad, then try glamour modeling.

Look at different magazines and catalogs that cater to specific markets, such as Vogue=fashion, Oxygen=fitness, American Curves & Maxim=glamour, Inked Magazine=alternative, Sears Catalogue & Travel Brochures=commercial, and see what suits you based on a realistic assessment of your look. For example, I love sports and working out, have muscle tone, and I'm passionate about fitness so I primarily market myself as a bikini or fitness model.

Aim to work with people who also shoot your style and who have connections within the market that you are trying to reach. Where you find them is up to you, but you should spend time contacting and working with people whose portfolios represent what you are trying to accomplish. Also, pay them if you have to.

Then, figure out how big the market that you want to enter is. You can do so by finding out how many readers the publications that cater to your specific market have, approximate number of people who shoot your style (ie. browse Model Mayhem), and how many publications are targeting that particular market.

Generally, the bigger the market, the easier it is to get a significant enough piece for you to make some money. At the same time though, there is more competition that you have to watch for in a bigger market. If it is a small market that you are trying to enter, then it may have some dominant players who have the majority of the market share (most likely because they started before you did), making it difficult for you as the new entrant. However, this does not mean that you can't just blow the dominant players out of the water and leave them in the dust if you offer something unique that your market accepts.

Some models have been successful in their careers by creating their own markets. The key is finding enough people who like that style. So, if you have a totally unique idea that won't cost you too much time and money, you can try to execute it and see how many people accept it and buy into it. It's possible to create a market where there is none.You don't know until you try, right?

Lastly, the key points are: be realistic in your market assessment, be aware of your competition, find a way to appeal to your market, and do your best. Good luck!

How to Tell if Someone is Serious About Shooting

This article is specifically geared towards new models, particularly those that use social networking sites such as Model Mayhem to get access to people to shoot with. If you are new to Model Mayhem, you are going to get quite a few messages from other members about the possibility of setting up a shoot.

Whenever someone inquires about shooting with you, and this actually applies to both new models and photographers, there are a few things to consider based on their original interaction with you to see if they are "for real".

1. They do not use text speak. The original message should not read along the lines of "Hey u. I luv ur work. Want 2 shoot sumtime?" A vague one-liner written in "text speak" usually means that the person did not even take the time to send you a proper message, introducing themselves and what they do. This translates to not caring, and generally, although not always, means that this is the attitude that they will take towards your shoot, if it ever even happens.

2. They give a description of the concept or project. When I say "description", I don't mean that they have to write a long and detailed essay about every aspect of the shoot. However, they should at least say if it requires nudity, special props/wardrobe, elaborate makeup, or intended usage. How else is someone supposed to say "yes" or "no" to a project or a shoot proposal if they don't even know what is required?

3. They have worked with many Model Mayhem members if they have been a member for a while. Let's put it this way: if someone has been on Model Mayhem for 4 years and in that whole time they have managed to only work with 5 people and only have 4 photos in their portfolio (no website/other portfolio links), then chances are they are not that serious about shooting. This might mean that they rarely ever shoot, may have flaked on shoots in the past, are not active on Model Mayhem, or there might be some other reason why they do not get that many shoots. Whatever it is, don't have your hopes too high.

4. They are up front about compensation. Whether they are looking for TFP or want to hire you, they let you know by indicating what they want. If they want to hire you, they tell you how much they can afford to spend and what they are willing to pay you (it's up to you to decide if you want to work for the amount that they offer). If they would like to do TF, they also let you know up front.

5. They do NOT promise you big things that will result from working with them. Just remember that the only things that are guaranteed are death and taxes. Even if you work with one of the best shooters or models in North America, you are still not guaranteed publication or fame, which is even more unlikely. What is worse than a one-liner that says, "Hey u. I luv ur work and want 2 shoot w/u."? The answer: a one-liner that says, "Hey, sup babe! Ur so sexi. Let's shoot so I can make u my star."

6. They do not write you anything sexual (or at least not before they get to know you very well in real life). That can be very creepy coming from someone who allegedly wants to shoot. Makes you wonder if there is a hidden agenda somewhere.

I hope that the above points will help you spot the B.S. before you waste any of your precious times writing email after email and have nothing come out of your efforts. I do, however, wish you all the best in your modeling and photographic endeavors.

If you feel that you have something to add to this list, please do so using the comment section. If you disagree with me, you are entitled to your opinion, and I would love to read what you think.

GUEST POST: 10 Reasons Why People Don't Succeed at Fitness

Submitted by Eric Rajchel, Fort Lauderdale Personal Trainer.


1. Nutrition- A perfectly good routine/exercise program can easily be ruined by poor dietary decisions. If your body composition is only slightly away from where you would like it to be to be, then simply introducing exercise may help you close that gap. On the other hand, if you have goals of losing a good amount of fat or packing on muscle then you most likely need to make SERIOUS changes to your diet.


2. Not Working Hard Enough- Going into the gym and doing the same thing over and over just isn’t going to cut it. Any workout or trip to the gym should present a challenge for you to outdo what you did the last time you were in there. Whether that means increasing time/intensity on the treadmill or adding weight/reps to your lifts, etc. Don’t just “go through the motions”.

3. Too Much Too Soon- After making the decision to “take working out seriously” or “start exercising”, many people jump into a very strenuous program. The vast majority of people are impatient and expect results instantly. This leads to brutal workouts day after day regardless of muscle soreness until they quit because it is too much to handle. They would be MUCH better off taking things slowly and allowing gradual progress.

4. Inadequate Sleep- Sleep is when your body repairs itself from all the damage you did during the day; including your workout. For some reason people are NOT willing to give up a couple hours of watching TV for a better nights rest. The result is usually being dead tired, relying on stimulants like coffee to get through the day, and piss poor workouts.

5. Making Excuses- Using ANY reason to justify not working out or going to the gym. This habit has a serious snowball effect. Missed workouts=missed opportunities to better yourself.

6. Overtraining- Similar to “Too Much Too Soon” for people who refuse to slow down or quit. While I admire these people’s ability to push through and keep going, they usually need to just listen to their bodies more. I would qualify those who bench and curl 3x a week and never add weight to the bar “upper body overtrainers.” Signs like no progress or backtracking are usually your bodies way of telling you to take a break or don’t do what you are doing so often.

7. Keeping a Journal- Its hard to know where you want to go if you don’t know where you’ve been. A journal can be a positive thing to look back on if you want to see how much you have progressed.

8. Neglecting Cardio OR Weight Training- Rarely will you find someone with a good balance of training. Women tend to be glued to cardio machines while weight lifters act like a treadmill is Kryptonite. It is okay to focus on one aspect of training more than the other. BUT, realize that doing cardio will help you weight training and vise-versa.

9. Lifestyle Outside the Gym- Drinking alcohol, doing drugs, and smoking cigarettes do not help you get better in the gym, simple as that.

10. Unrealistic Expectations- Wanting to look like a victoria’s secret model or professional bodybuilder will lead constantly being discouraged. Set realistic goals both short and long term. Strive to reach these goals, set different ones when you achieve them.

_______________________________________________________________________________
I would like to thank Eric for the contribution!
 
Cheers,
Aviva

GUEST POST: How To Give Your Friends A Total Bra Makeover

Submitted by Cindy Prosser

You know the feeling you get from a perfectly fitted bra? One that keeps you comfortable all day long – even into the late hours of the night. Or, one that makes you feel so confident that you can do anything?

Don’t you think your friends deserve to feel this way too? Giving your friend a total bra makeover will help boost their self-esteem, improve their health, and make them look and feel good wherever they go.

If you have a friend who would benefit from a makeover – whether their bra doesn’t look natural, doesn’t fit their style, or is the wrong size - it’s time to give them the makeover they deserve.

When you approach your friend, make sure to do it tactfully, without insult. Compliment them and tell them you want them to feel confident and empowered – and bra that is tailored for their body type may be just the ticket.

Once you have them on board, it’s time to get started.

Tips To Prepare for an Exceptional Shopping Experience

• Find the latest styles – Flip through a magazine, browse online or go window-shopping to find the latest styles, what body type they’re right for, etc. Then, narrow down your choices to 3-4 styles to make the shopping trip a bit easier. Here are a few of the top styles:

o Backless or adhesive – This type of bra is great for a backless dress or top, and is secured to your skin with adhesive, provide good support and can be reused.

 o Balconette – A balconette bra or shelf bra has little coverage but is great for wearing with low-cut tops because it enhances cleavage.

 o Convertible – This type of bra is extremely popular because it can be worn with so many different outfits. Straps can be removed to be worn on one shoulder, criss-crossed, halter, strapless and much more.

o Demi-cup – A demi-cup bra enhances cleavage and covers about ¾ of the breast, so is also great for low-cut tops.

o Push-up – Push-up bras create increasing cleavage so your friend can choose the level of lift she wants.

o Racerback – A racerback or t-back bra is perfect underneath a tank top, as the straps come together in the back so aren’t visible.

o Seamless – Created without seams, a seamless bra is great underneath knit or lightweight fabrics because it’s nearly invisible under clothing.

o T-shirt bra – A t-shirt bra offers a smooth, seamless look under thin fabrics and clingy tops.

• Set a budget – Perhaps even before narrowing down choices, decide how much your friend can spend. Specialty lingerie stores and online retailers tend to be more expensive, but they also offer high-quality bras that will last much longer than cheaply made ones.

• Wear a non-padded bra – It’s almost time to start shopping, but before you set out, make sure your friend wears a non-padded bra so she can be more accurately measured.

Tips for A Great Bra Makeover

Now that you have the basics covered it’s time to go shop! Shop online or take your friend to a local specialty store,in search of the perfect fitting bra. Here are some things to keep in mind during your day on the town:

• Get second opinions on size – Although it’s possible for you or your friend to measure, having a professional opinion can help. Most large department and specialty stores have someone on staff who can take care of this – though the experts are wrong sometimes!

o Band size: Band size is measured by wrapping the tape measure around the middle of the chest. If the measurement is an odd number, it will be rounded up to the next even number.

o Cup size: The measurement starts with wrapping tape around the fullest part of the bust. Then, the band size is subtracted which leaves the cup size. For example, if the band measurement was 34 inches and cup was 36, this indicates a B cup.

• Experiment with a variety of styles – Have your friend choose a couple bras from each style so she can decide what fits her best.

• Check the signs of a great bra – If your friend has found the perfect bra, she will:

o Feel comfortable – The perfect bra should feel extremely comfortable so she can wear it for an entire day without feeling discomfort.

o Look great in a t-shirt – While in the dressing room, have her slip on a t-shirt to make sure she likes the silhouette.

o Not have spillover – When wearing the perfect bra, there shouldn’t be spillover on the sides or at the top.

o Not have gaps – The underwire should lie flat against the chest. If it doesn’t, perhaps a larger band size is in order.

o Not have extra fabric – Finally, the bra should fit well without having extra fabric or wrinkly cups. If it does have one of these things, she should consider going one size down.

• Have fun! Most of all, make sure you’re having fun on your shopping trip – purchasing a bra should be a bonding experience; not something that’s stressful!

And there you have it – the ticket to a perfect bra. Keep in mind these tips, or print off this checklist and take it with you next time you and your friend go bra shopping.

More Bra Fit Resources

The Ultimate Bra Fit Checklist

A Bra Fit Guide for New Brides

Bra Fit Q/A

Video: Charla's Guide to The Ultimate Bra Wardrobe


____________________________________________________________________________
About the Author:
Cindy Prosser is an underwear model, a freelance writer and a mom. Not necessarily in that order anymore though :) She believes that good fitting Bras can change the world - well, your world at least ;) She's working to spread the "good-fit = happiness gospel" for Bare Necessities.
____________________________________________________________________________

I would like to thank Cindy for her article submission!! :) I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

"Skyscaper" by Demi Lovato

I really like this song "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato. It's part of her 2011 album 'Unbroken'. I think that some of the "not so great" things that Demi Lovato has been through when she was younger have played a major part in the lyrics of the song.

I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.




Aviva