model: SHAUNA BENNETT @Soul Artist Mgmt
ph. Tarrice Love
styling: Tarrice Love
hair & makeup: Salon 22
assisted: Tinnetta Bell
Shauna Bennett @Soul Artist Mgmt.
I have known hairstylist Allison Myers-Person since our University of Memphis days. She use to be one of the models for a magazine me and my friends started called WHUT!. She also did some of the other girls hair weaves for photoshoots and fashion shows. She's the proud owner of Salon 22 , an upscale salon located in Memphis, Tn.
She had recently joined the L'Oreal hair team and wanted her portfolio to stand next to the other members of the team... she wanted it to have that "New York" flair so she called me to get my rates.
SALON 22 Owner: Allison Myers-Person and assistant hairstylist Dorcas Woodson
2965 N. Germantown Rd. Ste 121
Bartlett, TN 38133
Appointments: 901.382.7200
I don't often get the opportunity to work with hairstylist so i worked out a deal with Allison. If she was willing to fly up and do hair, I would round up some good models and make "hotness" happen. I could use images with professionally styled hair. I love working with other artist and have the upmost respect for their craft. I jumped at the opportunity to create with other artist especially when we respect each other. People think I prefer working alone but thats not the case. Collaborating with other artist who are on the same page can make a project ten-times better. I am not in the position to compensate hairstylist and mua so out of respect i do as much as I can by myself. I hate when ppl try to get freebies from me so i don't ask for them from others. I definitely was interested in working with a hairstylist because I was starting to run out of ideas with turbans, hats, and headwraps. I was also anxious to work with Allison again.... it has been over 10 years since I last saw her. I didn't feel like i was giving her a freebie because we are friends and we both was giving and gaining from this project.
model: AZULI PEETERS @Soul Artist Mgmt
ph. Tarrice Love
styling: Tarrice Love
hair & makeup: Salon 22
assisted: Tinnetta Bell
Azuli Peeters @ Soul Artist Mgmt
Once Allison confirmed that she was flying up with dates, I started thinking about what models to use. The only specification Allison had was that all girls have their own hair...no hair weaves or extensions. I called Soul Artist Mgmt. and requested every girl that was available. I also called Emarie Wiltz from Mint Model Mgmt because she was the first black girls i could think of that didn't have a weave and was available. I called my friend Taj Reed at the last minute because They wanted to include a guy with hair.
We basically had one full day to style and shoot all the models. Allison and Dorcas had less than 2 hours to break down each girl's hair and create 2 looks (including makeup, wardrobe and actual shooting time). Because of strict TSA rules about chemicals and liquids and time limits, they had to create every hair style with as few hair products as possible. I also called my good friend Tinnetta Bell to assist for the day. I knew I was gonna need all the help I could get in order for this project to run smoothly.
Ludmilla Perignon @ Soul Artist Mgmt.
model: LUDMILLA PERIGNON @Soul Artist Mgmt
ph. Tarrice Love
styling: Tarrice Love
hair & makeup: Salon 22
assisted: Tinnetta Bell
Allison Myers-Person and Dorcas Woodson worked hard and fast
For this project, since hair was the focal point, I insisted Allison take the creative lead and I would literally built wardrobe around her hairstyles. She wanted me to work my styling magic like we did in college so I snatched the curtains from the window and made the outfits for the girls. I also went to the bargain store in my neighborhood and bought "granny" support underwear as foundation pieces for the looks. I was inspired by the designs of Jean Paul Gaultier.
model: TAJ REED ( currently seeking representation)
ph. Tarrice Love
styling: Tarrice Love
hair & grooming: Salon 22
assisted: Tinnetta Bell
Allison giving Taj Reed a rocker hairstyle inspired by his motercycle jacket
Taj Reed (currently seeking representation)
model: PIA BONGOLL @Soul Artist Mgmt
ph. Tarrice Love
styling: Tarrice Love
hair & makeup: Salon 22
assisted: Tinnetta Bell
follow Salon 22 on instagram - salon22
I hate long, drawn out photoshoots. It's usually hair and makeup that take the most time. I think Allison and Dorcas did an amazing job of managing the time for each model. Breaking down each girl's hairstyle they arrived with and creating 2 new ones, doing their makeup for each look and creating wardrobe, we did a good job. Everything seemed to flow effortlessly.
Working with Allison and Dorcas took me back to our college day collaborations. I miss having that "team spirit" energy of creating with other artist. Most of my experiences working with other creatives in New York haven't been the greatest. Technology has made photography accessible to anyone who can afford a camera and can learn from workshops and tutorials think they are a photographer. They don't view photographers as artist anymore. So they tend to treat the photographer like a hired technician on the set ready to execute someone else's creative ideas. I worked too hard developing my creative talent to put it on the backburner. I would hope when people contact me to work on a project it would be because I bring more to the table than my equipment. When I work on any project, I step through the door with everything I have so that we all win.
I had a awesome time working Allison and Dorcas. I am glad they flew up here to work with me. I don't get the opportunity to work with female models as much as I would like, so I am thankful that Sarah Hamilton-Bailey and Lance LaBreche at Soul Artist Mgmt trust me and my talent for sending some really great girls for us to work with. I am glad that Taj Reed came thru as a last minute add-on because Allison wanted to include a male model. Whenever I need a pretty black girl with here own hair (not a weave), Emarie Smith always makes herself available for me.
Fashion is all about having the right team of people who are on the same page. I don't have that yet, but i'm building toward having a powerhouse of creatives that are ready to change the game.
Great blog you hhave
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