Thursday, June 27, 2013

Mrs. H in maternity boudoir ~ Jacque Russell Imagery ~Cheyenne, WY Maternity Photographer

Mrs. H was so little. She is 8 months along and you could hardly tell she was going to be due. I kept telling her to stick out her belly. She was so awesome to work with. I can't wait till I get to meet the the little princesses here in a few more weeks. Are you due or know someone that is due. Contact us at 307.286.1908 or email to get your images done of this unique time.












Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tuesday Tip ~ Weight Loss Tips

Here are 25 tips for losing weight from registered dietitians Dawn Jackson Blatner, Elizabeth Ward, Bonnie Taub-Dix and Keith Ayoob:

1. Set a realistic weight-loss goals. One-half a pound to 2 pounds a week is about right.

2. Keep track of what you consume. Dieters who keep track of everything they eat lose twice as much weight as those who don't, research shows.

3. Motivate yourself. Get a pair of jeans or pants that are too tight and hang them in the kitchen instead of the closet to keep yourself inspired.

4. Enlist the help of family and friends. Dieters who have support from a partner at home lose more weight than those who don't, studies show.

5. Move it to lose it. Research shows that people who do physical activities such as walking or biking for two to four hours a week during weight-loss efforts lose extra pounds.

6. Pay attention to portions. A 3-ounce portion of meat, poultry or fish is about the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards; 1 teaspoon of butter or margarine, a standard postage stamp; a cup of cold cereal, berries or popcorn, a baseball; 4-inch pancake or waffle, the diameter of a CD.

7. Clean out your pantry and refrigerator. Get rid of the foods that sabotage your weight loss.

8. Create "a dinner deck." This would include 10 favorite quick and healthful dinners written on index cards. Each card should list the ingredients for the recipe on one side and directions for making it on the other.

9. Avoid hunger. Eat regular meals and snacks. Make sure you have some protein foods such as yogurt, tuna, beans or chicken for most meals. Research suggests that protein helps you feel full longer.

10. Keep produce on hand. Place a bowl of vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, cucumbers or carrot sticks in the refrigerator. You can eat them as a snack or when preparing meals to take the edge off your hunger.

11. Stock up on "impulse fruits." Keep things like grapes, clementines, small apples, small bananas and pears around the house. These foods are easy to eat without having to do much cutting and slicing.

12. Make some stealth changes. This will get everyone in the family eating healthier. Buy low-fat 1% or skim milk, low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheese instead of the full-fat versions. Use them in recipes to cut the fat and calories.

13. Cut out liquid calories. Eliminate soda and sugary drinks such as sweetened iced tea, sports drinks and alcoholic beverages. Liven up the taste of water by adding lemon, lime, cucumber or mint. Choose fat-free and 1% low-fat milk.

14. Practice the "Rule of One." When it comes to high-calorie foods, you won't go wrong if you allow one small treat a day. That might be one cookie or a fun-size candy bar.

15. Pace, don't race. Force yourself to eat more slowly, and savor each bite.

16. Hydrate before meals. Drinking 16 ounces, or two glasses, of water before meals may help you eat less.

17. Downsize plates, bowls, glasses, silverware. Using smaller versions of your serving ware will help you eat less food.

18. "After 8 is too late." Adopt the motto for snacks after dinner.

19. Buy a pedometer and get moving. Health experts recommend taking at least 10,000 steps a day, which is roughly 4 to 5 miles, depending on your stride length.

20. Treat yourself occasionally. If your chocolate craving is getting to you, try diet hot-chocolate packets. If you need a treat, go out for it, or buy small prepackaged portions of ice cream bars. If you love chocolate, consider keeping bite-size pieces in the freezer.

21. Dine at a table. Eat from a plate while seated at a table. Don't eat while driving, lounging on the couch or standing at the fridge. At restaurants, ask for a doggy bag at the beginning of the meal, and pack up half to take home. Take one roll and ask your server to remove the bread basket from the table.

22. Eat out without pigging out. Figure out what you are going to eat in advance of going to the restaurant. Order the salad dressing on the side. Restaurants usually put about one-quarter cup (4 tablespoons) of dressing on a salad, which is often too many calories. Best to stick with 1 to 2 tablespoons. Dip your fork into the dressing and then into the salad.

23. Get plenty of sleep. Scientists have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of a hunger hormone and decreases levels of a hormone that makes you feel full. Lack of sleep also plays havoc with your fat cells, recent research showed. This can lead to overeating and weight gain.

24. Weigh yourself regularly. That's what successful dieters and those who manage to maintain weight loss do. Some step on the scales once a week. Others do so daily. Some find once a month is enough.

25. Reward yourself. When you meet your incremental weight loss goals, say losing 5 pounds, treat yourself to something — but not food. Buy a CD or DVD you've been wanting or go out to a movie with a friend.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

30 Tips to get the most from your Pinup Session

Pinup Tips for a successful photo shoot. Printed with permission from Varga Photography. You can also catch him at his Myspace page: Roy Varga’s Myspace.
  1. It’s all in the face… I don’t care if you’re flat as a wall or have curves for days if you’re good at making faces that’s all that matters…
  2. Props make a huge difference…in all pinup pics the main focus is the gal of course…but sooner or later you will run out of poses… that’s where props make a world of difference… plus they are fun and you can play make believe.
  3. Always have a backup plan I don’t care if it’s a backup outfit or a backup location you always have to be ready… ha-ha one time a gal showed up in what she was wearing and 1 other outfit that didn’t match… yeah those are the rough ones.
  4. When it comes to hair and makeup leave it to the professionals… I mean personally I don’t know jack about hair and makeup. I just tell my gal to make’m pretty… but in my experience if your gonna go all out and make the effort to take pinup pictures… go that ‘lil extra and be sure to get a hair and makeup person.
  5. Get an old Varga pinup book or an old Bettie page pinup book something with alot of pictures… And sit in front of a mirror and try to make the faces that the gals make…its all in the face….that’s what tells the story…and that’s what makes the difference between a good picture and a bad picture…some people cant make all the right faces…
  6. Make a cd with all your favorite songs and have the photographer play it while you pose… It will help you relax and make it more fun
  7. Ok this one sucks but it makes a world of difference on outside shoots…practice posing while looking towards the sun without squinting… I know its hard and you might see dots after… but it helps a lot without door shoots
  8. When posing try to move gracefully from one pose to the next this will give a better transition from each pose and help to make sure you don’t miss the subtle details of each pose…if you move to quick you’ll get blurry pics
  9. You would think this one was common sense…but if you know that you will be shooting that day try to be freshly shaved….you would be surprised how many spiky pits I have to air brush…
  10. This one is for the hair dyers…this rule applies to all gals with colored hair, but blonds are usually the ones that break this rule…. always try to have freshly dyed hair for a shoot… it’s a pain to Photoshop roots.
  11. Nude shoots…trust me hun we do not care what you look like naked… it’s funny when a gal wants to pose nude or semi nude and they are trying there best to make sure the photographer or the crew doesn’t see anything…trust me no one really cares we just want the shot…. it’s all about being professional and the time you waste being shy can be used to take a great pic…
  12. Always have double stick tape… it’s great for those shots where you want maximum cleavage but don’t want any nipple slips.
  13. Try to limit who you bring along to your shoot…most photographers don’t mind if you bring a friend as long as they don’t get in the way… it’s always good to bring a friend cause you never know the guy could be a psycho… personally I prefer gals bring a female friend. Cause it’s kinda awkward to have a gal half naked or dressed sexy and the boyfriend is there watching you…
  14. Try not to party too hard the night before a shoot… some girls forget this and show up hung over…..
  15. When modeling for the first time try to do some warm up shoots first… this will help relax you… as for me I usually have the gals save the sexiest outfit or their favorite outfit for last since usually by that point they are well relaxed.
  16. Always try to be on time or early for a shoot I know this just seems obvious but you would be surprised how often gals are late… especially in cases like mine where I like to shoot right at sun set… if your late 1hr… I can’t be faulted for the picture quality… when shooting at sun set you have maybe 2hrs of perfect light at best… so if your late your pictures will be effected.
  17. Try not to bring a camera along when you model… most photographers will allow a few souvenir pics… but you have to understand any pics taken at a shoot are property of the photographer unless given permission.
  18. Don’t ever get a big head… I hate when gals hit me up and feel that I should be honored to work with them… I treat every gal the same I don’t care who she is…
  19. Have fun with it… it’s funny cause it’s when a gal is most silly that we get the best pictures. It may feel lame to make those Betty Boop faces but sometimes they come out the best… the more animated you are the better.
  20. You have to adapt to what’s around you. A good model can make anything look good. I once had a gal complain that a car wasn’t curvy enough for her.
  21. When posing try to keep your tongue firmly pressed against the roof of your mouth… this will help make your face slimmer and cut down the double chin action.
  22. Every one gets nervous from time to time but try not to self medicate. It sucks when you’re shooting a gal and she’s super high or extremely drunk. I mean I understand you might want to take the edge off… But know your limits cause it’s not gonna look so hot when you turn out cockeyed in your pics
  23. If you are serious about being a pinup… but you love tattoos and feel you must get some ink done try to stay to 1 side of the body… that way you can shoot traditional pinup from one side and edgier stuff from the other… You want to stay multi dimensional.
  24. Amber Marie-”Point your toes. Nothing ruins the smooth, swan-like grace of a lady’s legs in nylons than a 90 degree ankle. The higher the heels, the closer to god!”
  25. Always… always have the matching set… You have no idea how many times a shoot has not gone the way it was supposed to cause the gal didn’t have the matching set of bra and panties…this is very important…
  26. Smile with your eyes… As the old saying goes “the eyes are the windows to your soul” and you must learn how to use your eyes to express the feeling or emotion you are trying to portray. Work on your expressions…remember its all in the eyes.
  27. Here is a good tip when posing for a pinup shoot face the camera but have your eyes face the light furthest to your right or left. This lights up the whites of your eyes and gives of an effect that you have sparkly eyes since its bouncing that light back at the camera.
  28. No clear heals. I can’t tell you how many gals have shown up with the striper shoes… I mean if your dancing on a pole they are perfect but unless you plan on doing a booty clap for some $1′s then I suggest you leave them at home…unless its a fetish shoot then its fine.
  29. Have a freaken clue… Ok so I always get gals who just show up the day of their shoot with whatever they tossed in a bag, and they say ” I am open to anything whatever you want” I am sure that they think this is a great thing for me a chance to have free range and all. But you see, its not. When I do a shoot I plan every thing from the outfit to the background down to any detail that may affect the image. So when a gal shows up with no plan /no ideas it really is more of a pain and they are most likely going to end up with just a plane paper backdrop. Which isn’t bad just not original or one of a kind.
  30. Ok this one is one of the things I hate most. Now let’s get it straight the one on the left is a corset. It shapes it flatters it has boning, it’s amazing. The one on the right is a big rip off that every one has in multiple colors and looks good on almost no one; it’s basically a glorified tube top. I personally hate them and refuse to shoot any one in them… So please invest in a real corset and lose the tube tops

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Holly ~ Pinup ~ Jacque Russell Pinup Photographer

As you all know Wyoming is always windy. It was no exception this day. It was cool and the windy was blowing 60mph. But we still did our modern pinup shoot. We worked through the wind and got some awesome shots of Holly on a train track waiting for her love. If you or know someone that would like to get pinup shots done please contact us at 307.286.1908 or info@jrussellimagery.com  You can also visit our site to see more of our work www.jrussellimagery.com









Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Tips for H.S. Senior Portraits ~ Jacque Russell Imagery ~ Senior Photographer

High school senior pictures are an American tradition that has been around at least since World War II. These timeless photos taken by a professional photographer during the high school senior year capture teenage freshness as it’s poised on the brink of adulthood, ready to begin a career or enter college.
Because senior portraits are so meaningful and last a lifetime, seniors will want to prepare for the big day by getting suggestions for poses and clothing from friends, parents and the photographer.
Below are the top 20 portrait tips to help you plan for a photo session of senior pictures.

1. Plan several outfits to bring.
The studio you choose will tell you exactly how many changes of clothing to bring – usually it will be three or four – but include different styles, such as casual, semiformal, formal or outdoors, so you can take several pictures and get your best shots.Remember to bring accessories for all outfits, from footwear to jewelry and hair accents. Since several full-body shots are also taken for purchase, check shoes to be sure they are clean and that both socks match – that full-body shot could end up being your favorite pose. Check your clothing ahead of time to make sure it isn’t spotted or faded, and transport your outfits (you can wear one when you arrive) on hangers to prevent wrinkles.

2. Keep your clothing visually simple.
Don’t bring outfits with words or designs, stripes or pictures, except possibly your school logo. You want your face, eyes and expression to command attention, not the words on your shirt.

3. Give consideration to color.
Solid colors are recommended for most or all outfits. Colors that go well with a medium or dark background for close-ups include medium or dark tones of green, brown, rust, wine or blue. Darker shades tend to make people look slimmer. Try not to wear flesh-tone or neutral colors such as white, beige, tan, pale peach or pink, or gray, as these can dominate the picture and make you look washed out. For outside pictures, we recommends spring and summer colors of sky blue, pale green, watermelon and dark peach to complement the outdoor setting. For fall, consider wearing red, gold, deep orange, emerald green and dark green.

4. Use clothing to accentuate your best features.
Girls may want to forego short sleeves or spaghetti straps if their arms are heavy, since these styles will only accentuate that feature. Turtleneck tops look best on people with long necks. Round and square faces look good in a square-neck top, while thin faces or pointed chins are attractive with rounded-neck tops.

5. Go easy on the jewelry.
Avoid wearing attention-grabbing jewelry. Again, the photograph should accentuate your face, eyes and personality, not draw unwarranted attention to your jewelry. Also, jewelry can date a photograph very quickly. Classic jewelry pieces are best.

6. Apply makeup normally.
It’s tempting to get very “glam” when having pictures taken, but this could very well make you look like a stranger in your senior portrait. Apply your makeup as you normally look on a day-to-day basis, but bring your makeup with you and let the photographer know you have it. If the photographer feels you need a touch more blush or eyeshadow, he or she will let you know. Avoid glitter or sparkly anything (powder, eye shadow, blush) – it tends to reflect the flash and leaves white spots. Also avoid too much lip gloss. It can also leave white spots from the flash or make you look like you’re drooling.

7. Bring powder.
If you have it, bring along some translucent powder. While in real life, a bit of shine to the face gives you that “dewy glow,” it unfortunately can look like “too much glow” in photos. Your photographer can direct you if you need to dab some powder on your forehead or nose.

8. Go with practiced hair styles.
Getting senior portraits done is not the time to leave your hair uncombed for that “natural” look. Also, avoid experimental hairstyles. In general, friends and family prefer to remember you as you looked most of your senior year, not just during the period when you had your pictures taken. Santees.com suggests working with your desired hairstyles a few days before the photo shoot to get the look you want in advance.Get a haircut at least a week in advance to give your hair a chance to adjust and look natural. Girls having their hair styled for a formal picture can, of course, wait until the photo session day to get their hair done, but they should practice with their hair stylist beforehand so there are no surprises on picture day.

9. Guys need a fresh shave.
A fresh shave for guys is recommended, and mustaches or beards should be neatly trimmed.

10. Don’t worry about blemishes.
Don’t worry about a blemish or bruise. Ask your photographer about retouching options to get the most attractive portrait possible. Keep in mind that digital retouching is expensive, however.

11. Don’t worry about braces.
Your braces are a part of the high-school “you” and shouldn’t be avoided or hidden. However, if they really bother you, or you only wore them a short time, most photographers can digitally “erase” them for a fee.
Ask your photographer ahead of time about this option.

12. Stay away from tans.
Don’t overdo the tanned look. For one thing, it looks unnatural. For another, your pictures could reveal peeling skin or a cherry-red nose.

13. Help your glasses avoid glare.
Senior picture advice from Seniorpix.com includes a tip for those who wear glasses: Either buy or borrow a pair of suitable frames without lenses to prevent glare and reflections from the glass. Or you can ask your optician to remove the lenses from your frames for the photo session. Most will do this for you at no charge, but give them plenty of notice so there is no rush.

14. Make sure your hands are presentable.
Like shoes, hands can show up in some of your favorite poses, so be sure to take the time to make them presentable – guys should trim their nails, and girls might need to touch up their manicure.

15. Practice your facial expressions.
Before you go to the photo shoot, practice your facial expressions in front of a mirror at home. You can try various smiles, serious but relaxed looks, and animated expressions for action shots (with sports gear, for example).

16. Work on your poses.
Although the photographer will arrange your standing and sitting positions for a variety of shots, you can try out different stances and positions at home, in front of a mirror, or by asking for feedback from a friend or family member. The overall goal is to appear natural and upbeat.Popular poses include a seated shot that highlights your face. A recent adaptation to this style is to depict the face as half in light and half in shadow.
Full body pictures are taken, as well, showing a person standing, sitting, or crouching in a relaxed manner. Outdoor shots typically make use of background fences, trees, and attractive or interesting doorways.
Black and white, color, and sepia are also traditional options for your pictures.

17. Personalize your photos with props.
Many photographers will invite you to bring favorite props to the shoot, such as sports equipment if you are a team player or fan, musical instruments, or hobby items. You can even bring a favorite portable piece of furniture, such as a lightweight chair or stool.Usually you can even bring your pet to appear in some of the shots with you.


18. Bring someone with you.
Most photographers welcome you to bring a friend if that person can help make you relax and take a natural picture. That person can also help with clothing changes and “double check” you while you’re being photographed to make sure your clothing hasn’t taken a turn for the worse or that your hair hasn’t come all undone.

19. Become comfortable with the photographer.
Visit several photography websites for ideas on how the studio operates. Look at posted images and imagine your picture included there. If the pictures just don’t appeal to you, keep looking for the right studio. Some professional photographers will invite you to come in and discuss senior picture tips before scheduling a shoot.This will give you a chance to hear their ideas and suggestions as well as share yours, with the goal of working together to create beautiful photography that will please everyone.Don’t be shy about asking questions, even during the actual shoot. If you don’t feel comfortable with a certain pose, say so.

20. Only take the photo if you’re feeling your best.
When the big day comes, if you’re not feeling your best due to a bad cold or too little sleep, call and cancel your photo appointment. The photographer will surely understand how important it is to look your best and will simply set up a follow-up time.

Other students who have had their pictures taken already can offer senior picture tips from their experience. The bottom line is that you should plan ahead to take photos that will make you look and feel your best.

Try on several outfits at home before deciding which ones to take. As you become more familiar with the photographer, studio, and shooting plans, you can relax and enjoy the session.

Your level of comfort will show in facial expressions and bodily tension (or lack of). Planning ahead will make the busy day more manageable and arm you with the confidence you need to take outstanding senior pictures that you can be proud of the rest of your life.

Contact us at 307.286.1908 or info@jrussellimagery.com to book your session.


Thursday, June 6, 2013

Destinee ~ Pinup ~ Jacque Russell Imagery Pinup Photographer

Destinee rocked this shoot. She looks amazing in pinup. The colors really pop. As always she had me laughing. Watch for some blooper shots.















Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Pictures for your portfolio ~ Jacque Russell Imagery ~ Model Photographer

If you are a beginner female model just starting to make your mark in the network, you know how important a good portfolio filled with your best modeling pictures is to your success. 

These photo images that will consist of a variety of poses, head shots as well as full length poses and will show a client or talent agency what you're made of and what you're capable of.

First Impression to the Agent
Your modeling pictures and portfolio are going to serve to show a client or representative from a modeling agency just how versatile you are. They show how you look in a variety of situations and displaying various emotions. They show that you're more than just an amateur beginner and probably most important, they show your abilities as a model and just how photogenic you really are, as a woman, girl or teen.

What to Put in Your Picture Portfolio
When putting together your modeling pictures for your book, plan on including approximately 12-16 pictures of various poses.
Protect your investment! You'll want to buy sheer cover sheets to make the pictures easier for agents to view and flip through. If you are including horizontal shots, reduce the size so that they can be placed vertically in your portfolio. If your photos are smaller than the sleeves, use double-sided tape to keep them in place.

Show Your Best - Discard the Rest
When putting together your book, pick your three best pictures to go first in the book. Arrange them on the right side of the book with nothing on the left.

Good Beginning - Good Ending - Professional Portfolio Pictures have Both!
You want nothing distracting the eye from your best work. After the first three images, it's all right to put pictures in the front and back of your sleeves. Lastly, you want to finish strong, so your last photo should also be one of your best pictures with nothing on the left side to pull focus from it.

Acceptance and Recognition Takes Work - Even for Beautiful Models!!
Getting discovered is no accident. It takes as much work on your part as it does good luck. Practice your poses, invest in quality pictures and keep trying. Meet with anyone who will give you a shot and don't turn down jobs that seem "beneath" you. Just about any modeling job is worth your time in the beginning.
 
As you gain more experience and really learn how to become a model, weed out the photographs that were weaker and replace them with working examples. 

Your portfolio book is your calling card - make your modeling pictures count every time! Now, where did you put that photographer's phone number?

Contact us if you want to build your portfolio. 307.286.1908 or info@jrussellimagery.com You can visit our web site to see some of our work at jrussellimagery.com