Photo Shoots

Four Model Brides Say, “I do” for a DAY: Behind the Scenes of BRIDAL SHOWCASE Photo Shoot, Sunday January 29th 2012

Posted on January 30, 2012

A beautiful and warm +11 day in Calgary on Sunday January 29th, 2012 the FASHIONSIGN Magazine team had one of the most successful photo shoot for their third issue.

Outline of the day:

10am – Make up artists and models showed up at the WED Studio located on 1611 14th Street SW to get make up and hair done. Trena Olfert and Kada Issa started to do make up right away and hair stylists, Michelle Scabar and Jackie Kinch did the other two models’ hair as well.

11am – Our “Behind the Scenes” photographer, Zev Abosh (PhotoArt4u) showed up and took BTS photos.

12:30pm – Lunch arrived and everyone was wrapping up the hair and make up. Everyone ate and the hair stylists and make up artists did the last retouches before everyone headed to the second location.

1:30 – Models and MUA leave for the second location, Riverside Inn Boutique in Calgary.

2:00 – Jess Bobbyn the main photographer starts shooting four beautiful bride models, Fela Dales, Claire Marie Roberts, Mohini Raaj Puniya and Tatiana Vladimirovna wearing four beautiful designers, Anya Dionne Dionne, Ruby Ellen Designs, Laura George and Adrienne Novia Mia. Stylist – Phyllis Oruclar helped with the dresses and styling the lovely jewelry collection from Anne B Accessories. 

*Riverside Inn Boutique is one absolutely gorgeous place to shoot for fashion editorial.*

3:15pm – the SHOOT wrapped up SUCCESSFULLY. Everyone was very happy at the end of the day!

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped out very much. It was such an amazing day and the photos featuring in our March issue is mind-blowing!

If you are interested in wedding planning, we recommend you to check out WED STUDIOS.

Click HERE if you want to see more photos from this blog post!

“I’ve Been Bullied” First Event Campaign Photo Shoot in Calgary: One Hot Topic in the Creative Industry – January 28th, 2012

Posted on January 30, 2012

On the semi warm day of Saturday January 28th, 2012 the well-known Calgary basedfashion photographer, Cat Oshanek of White Cedar Photography, held the first event for “I’ve Been Bullied” campaign that she graciously developed in the beginning of December 2011.

This campaign has begun to spread virally around the globe like water, touching many hearts in society. The event was open to people who were willing to show up with their “word” – the word they remember and have always been called  by bullies, to be photographed and have their photo added to the “I’ve Been Bullied” photo series collection.

This event was held in one of the barracks located off of Crowchild North and Flanders Ave, Calgary, in perfect scenery. When you enter the big doors, the strong smell of rubber and leather hits your nose and you see a huge warehouse that includes old school fitness equipment and such. It reminds you of the most familiar place where most bullying happens: school gyms, bathrooms, hallways and workspace. This event offered free make up and hair makeovers and a big bouncy castle for small kids who attended.

As some people would say, they  would not be as strong if they had not been bullied in their past but this campaign is not about pointing fingers, it’s about helping to heal. “I’ve Been Bullied” was created to show that the “word” that sticks with you forever does NOT define who you are but helps society understand why people bully and are bullied. Usually the reason for some bullies to hurt others is because they were raised that way by seeing their families or parents show a lack of love, lack of discipline and lack of education, or were they themselves bullied. Children have a powerful tool, which are they eyes, “what children see, they might do”. Bullying can start at home to work and school. It can be from a family member, friends or enemies. Sometimes there are kids who come from a loving home and they still bully; not intentionally but their friends bully and they don’t want to stick up for the bullied so they become “bystanders” because they fear that their friends will bully them too.

Everyday, there are human beings who are born with something different in their physical or mental attributes. Children need to be taught not to stare and not to taunt. This campaign is meant to bring everyone together who opened up about being a bully or being bullied and wants to help to change.

“I’ve Been Bullied” is trying to teach society to accept every human being for who they are and if they are different, WHO CARES. If they are happy, let them be. We don’t need to judge because we usually do not know what goes on behind closed doors and in people’s hearts and minds and we need to give everyone the benefit of doubt. This also teaches us to help others if they are victims of bullying. To help this change, why don’t you apologize to the person that you have hurt  in the past or now? Apologies really do make a difference. It may help someone who has been bullied greatly through elementary, middle school and high school to want to carry on with their dreams and deal with their painful pasts.

Make sure you LIKE “I’ve Been Bullied” and follow them on TWITTER. Also, check out the GREAT website and if you’re interested in White Cedar Photography, make sure you LIKEher page as well. Also click HERE to view more photos from this campaign.

Click HERE for more photos from this shoot.

Walking in Sunshine Poster Photo Shoot January 22nd, 2012 @ 2pm

Posted on January 27, 2012

Urban Couture Photography – Group Shot

Creating with the most gorgeous ladies wearing a sea of red, white and yellow was very breath-taking because of what was the shoot’s purpose and concept. Unfortunately for many years in the past and even today, here and internationally, many women and some men face many types of abuse. Calgary‘s well known local designer, Ruby Ellen Designs gathered with a few women to help raise awareness about the abuse that happens behind many closed doors.

So many lovely well known ladies from the creative industry who want to share their past stories to help the future to make a difference! Jennifer Ollinger from Urban Couture Photography gracefully took photos and the favourite photo will be created into a poster for the event on March 8th, 2012. Stay tuned for more information on this event to come soon!

This shoot was held in downtown Calgary inside of a bright glass overpass to create a free and happy atmosphere.

“Walking with Sunshine” is in support of the brilliant community service, “The Sonshine Centre” located in Calgary, which helps women and children who flee from domestic abuse. Their goal is to pursue “a rich history for a brighter tomorrow.”Check out theirWEBSITE and make donations if you wish.

These wonderful ladies spend a lot of their personal times to create projects to send positive messages around the world; Sunday Omony: Model and Speaker for Humanitarian Causes, Singer: Brittany Robart, Model: Elle Nguyen, SHIFT Talent Agency: Nelli Zimmer, The Magic Assistant: Gwyn Auger and many more! Other participants will be mentioned in our soon future event blog post.

By Tessa Lerbekmo

Ev Strenroos Jewelry and Model Brightens Up A Wintery Day, January 14th, 2011

FASHIONSIGN Magazine’s first shoot of the new year was beyond successful! Even though the weather was crisp and cold, there was lots of sun shining while the team met up at a fabulous studio located in the southwest of Calgary. The beautiful model, Sarah Elsom  got us super excited and inspired for the issue with her absolutely drop dead gorgeous looks, hair and how she provided the proper expression of the lovely jewellery line, Ev Strenroos.

The creative magazine team gathered together to start make up and hair while the designer Ev Strenroos carefully placed down her fragile and beautiful pieces to get ready for styling. Trena Olfert, (website) our main director for the beauty department started her magic work on Sarah’s face and tousled her hair after. Jess Bobbyn, the main director of photography was adjusting backgrounds and the lights, doing some test shots and getting ready. Zev Abosh (PhotoArt4U), an experienced photographer who specializes in event, glamour, fashion, media photography and much more, took our amazing BTS photos.

Allie McHugh, our Editor and Writer interviews Ev for our feature article coming in our March 2012 issue. Make sure you check out Ev Strenroos’ collection of absolutely gorgeous pieces.

Click HERE to see the rest of BTS photos!

By Tessa Lerbekmo

Spring Romance “Behind the Scenes” Photo Shoot Sunday January 15th, 2011

Due to a fierce Calgary snowstorm, the temperature read -15 but it felt like -30, there was an impromptu change of location. Needless to say the shoot took place indoors, in a cozy studio in Garrison Heights nestled away in Calgary’s SW. But enough about the cold; January 15^th’s shoot kept us warm despite the weather. Our spring blooming photo shoot brought fresh looks, bright colors and bold accessories.

Shades of teal, aqua, and rich hues of blues and greens flooded the shoot. Punches of yellow and coral were also perfect colours of seasonal transition. Today was all about fun: pretty, playful, carefree, romance between girlfriends, wishful thinking of summer.

Tiered and one shoulder dresses are definite must-haves for the upcoming spring season. Also keep watch for lace shorts or chiffon overlays, and a personal favorite, hand painted graphics and prints on silk. Tousled hair and bold makeup paired with colour blocking and a few loud accessories are sure to turn heads as the flowers blossom this spring; let everyday feel like a walk in the garden.

The designs featured in the spring shoot were the silk works of Calgary’s own Chantal Traub, complimented by Ashley Quan’s wearable art, ‘apiana que’.  The shoot was styled by the girl with the messy hair, a.k.a. blogger and local stylist KD Faustino, and photographed by the lovely Jess Böbyn. Hair was styled by Michelle Scabar of True Elegance Salon. Make up was done by Trena Olfert and Christine Basinet. Our models were Nyabuoy Gatbel, Heidi Roman, Shannon Forbes and Lelanie Seyffert from the SHIFT Agency.

Click HERE to view the entire album.

Keep your eyes out for this feature to be showcased in our upcoming March issue!

Nikole Galloway, Writer

Allie McHugh, Editor

Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot for FASHIONSIGN Magazine Team Spread, September 10th 2o11

September 10^th 2011 was a day full of sun and fun for our FASHIONSIGN Magazine team!

With help from Blo – Blow Dry Bar Inc. (located on 1^st  Street, SW) and styled by FASHIONSIGN’S very own stylist, KD Faustino (The Girl With The Messy Hair) our team rocked nothing but fabulous looks as we strutted our outfits personally from Mealan during the “Contributor’s” photo shoot. We can honestly say that each and every one of us felt like a “star” for a few hours that day!

Upon entering the salon we were greeted with pink sparkling champagne and a few hair stylists who promised nothing but miracles on all of our hair… and miracles they did achieve! The Blo girls were just fantastic as we practically took over their salon, with our bodies, clothes, shoes and accessories; making us feel welcomed and gladly offering feedback on “looks” that each of us were trying to achieve for the day.

The shoot took place on a fabulously HOT September afternoon, right on 1^st street, just outside of the salon. Not only was there a perfectly placed median for our use, but also, the city streets and buildings created for a very urban shoot. Not to mention the conveniently placed urban backdrop on one of the buildings… gave each of us some entertaining moments, as we experimented with different poses against it.

The day proved to be a grand success as we viewed the sample shots- smiles and laughter outlining each contributors face.

By Toran Lanthier

Photography by Sara Parker, Jess Bobbyn and Tessa Lerbekmo

Make Up Artists: Nicole Saxton and Jessica Nadeau

Make sure you LIKE Blo – Blow Dry Inc Facebook page.

Make sure you LIKE Mealan Facebook page.

Blogger of the Issue Photo Shoot with Vincent Law, July 24th 2011

Sunday was a beautiful day; this worked out in our favour, as FASHIONSIGN was minus a location.  Due to some unavoidable and unfortunate circumstances our original plan for Sunday’s photo shoot couldn’t go as planned, so at the last minute the team had to improvise.  Luckily Stephen Avenue was ready and waiting for blogger Vincent Law to strut his stuff.  So slogging our bags we traipsed up and down the walk for a bit and made use of the natural light and textured walls.

Stephen Avenue was fairly busy and our shoot was punctuated by a round of happy birthday from a next door outdoor patio, and more than a couple people who decided to become photographers themselves and snap a couple pictures of the team. All-in all with only one outfit change (in a handily located A &W) and no makeup, the whole thing took no time at all and left the team with plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine.

By Allie, McHugh

Candy Land, Treasures and the Funk Photo Shoot with Elizabeth Anne Shoes, July 9th 2011

No clothes? No problem. On Saturday FASHIONSIGN stripped down with models Venessa and Elle to showcase Elizabeth Anne Shoes’ combined purse-and boots, and some funky Boopydoodle jewellery.  A simple white background and some strategically placed props made for a sexy and playful shoot that was all about the accessories and the boots. Elizabeth Anne Shoes combines style with practicality, placing pockets in the inside of her knee-high leather boots to hold your cell phone, cash, cards, and ID. So while you may lose the shirt off your back (or in our case, all of your clothes altogether), you can rest easy that the contents of your wallet are secure, without having to lug around your giant purse or worry about misplacing your impractical clutch.  Hands-free dance floor time anyone?

Hair and makeup were pretty simple affairs: red lipstick, red nail polish, and for Elle, one hot black wig. Then it was just some twisting and reconfiguring of legs and torsos to showcase the footwear and jewellery and to conceal some, um, more sensitive parts.  Add in some lollipops and a couple martini glasses, and we had ourselves a full-on (extremely risqué) 1950s, pin-up type shoot.  And that, with much ooh-ing and ahh-ing over both the pictures and the boots, was that. So ditch the shirt, hell even the pants, because really, if everything is kept nice and tidy in your footwear, what more do you really need?

By Allie McHugh

Make sure you stop by Boopydoode’s FUNKY and NEAT jewelry HERE and like their facebook PAGE.

Make sure you stop by Elizabeth Anne’s Shoes Website HERE and like her page HERE.

Venessa Marie’s modeling page is HERE (the blonde model) and Elle Payne’s modeling page is HERE.

Dolls and Tea Party Photo Shoot with Ruby Ellen Designs, June 25th 2011

On Saturday FASHIONSIGN hosted a formal tea party for five dolls: models Holly, Kayley, Brittany R, Brittany B, and Amber.  After getting hair and makeup done at the designer’s home, and a quick coffee run we headed to the shoot location. Decked out in the playful and whimsical dresses of designer Ruby Ellen the five girls took their tea in Reader Rock Gardens, an undiscovered gem of a location where our living dolls looked perfectly at home amid the colourful flora and fauna and the equally formal wedding guests who were performing their own photo shoot in another section of the park.

While the day wasn’t without complications, such as battling bugs, indecisive weather, some unscheduled down-time and a forgotten pair of shoes, our models tromped around on flagstones and rough terrain for their love of Ruby Ellen designs and Ruby Ellen herself. The tea party dresses of all five models had personal significance, having been custom designed for each girl and her own special occasion, whether it was a high school graduation or showcasing musical talent with a concert.

Therein lies the magic of Ruby Ellen: each dress is personal, created special for each individual. Furthermore, establishing a connection with her clientele is something that comes naturally for Ruby, who made sure that a group shot of the dolls, the make-up team, and herself, made it into the variety of pictures taken yesterday.

Make sure you LIKE Ruby Ellen’s Page and check out her WEBSITE. She will be heading out for Boston Week this Fall! BTS video coming soon!

By Allie McHugh

Make sure you check out SHIFT Modeling Agency because they are a great agency to work with! We used Brittany Robart who works with SHIFT for one of our models (dolls).

Late Summer and Early Fall Fashion Bloggers Look Book, June 5th 2011

Sunday’s shoot could not have gone smoother.  From everyone arriving on time and ready to work, to the gorgeous decor of Hotel Arts, not only did we get some amazing photos and the opportunity to hang out with Nicole Tomney and her designs, we actually managed to finish ahead of schedule.

After getting some hair and makeup with more than a little edge, Venessa and Amrit, our willing and able, and also amiable, models took to our rock and to our rock n’ roll set and performed like consummate professionals. Basically they brought it.  Which is good, because you need to bring it if you are modelling  NRT Fashions’ collection.

From dramatic pleated skirts to chains and leather jackets, Nicole Tomney’s designs did not need an elaborate background or any kind of fanfare, the only thing required was a whole lot of confidence.  Paired with messy hair, black eyes, and electric blue lips, each look was modern, sexy, and entirely unique. As Venessa stated about Nicole’s clothes, you can really see the attention, the “extra TLC” that the designer puts into them.  Today was full of extra TLC all around, as everything came together without a hitch.

Check out NRT Fashions’ Facebook Page HERE

Great thanks to Hotel Arts for their courtesy of letting us to use their RAW BAR

By Allie McHugh

Late Summer and Early Fall Fashion Bloggers Look Book, June 5th 2011

What started out as a rather gray day in Calgary was quickly brightened up by the eclectic style of four of the city’s young fashion and design bloggers. Maybe not bright, but certainly early, the Fashionsign team assembled slightly bleary-eyed and fully-caffeinated. Shortly after we had arranged our equipment and selected some vintage-inspired props, design student and Born Electric blogger Susanne arrived to showcase her personal style for Fashionsign. Sporting some bed-head hair to match her rock-infused wardrobe, Susanne whipped through her five outfit choices, her photos belying whatever sense of camera-anxiety she expressed.

Following a lengthy lunch – and some quick wardrobe changes of our own – the weather decided to cooperate. Flying a Kite blogger Amy, and her cute summer wear, perfectly complimented our sunny outdoor set (who needs a studio?).  As our photographers, Jess and Kaitlyn continually arranged both our models and our props the day progressed into a perfectly breezy summer afternoon (wind machine need not apply). KD and Ashley of The Girl with the Messy Hair and Lions Lace Lattes respectively, rounded off the afternoon, and our down-time conversations ranged from Forever21 to the changing demographics of the city. Weather-wise it was a welcome reprieve from an otherwise rainy week, making the shoot an overall picture-perfect day – pun intended.

By Allie McHugh

Brighten Up Your Life with Litrato – Images by Bonskie Photography & Ariel Arrieta!

Hair & Make-up by: Kada Issa with SOHNI SKIN & HAIR STUDIO www.sohni.ca
Models: Nisha Kawa, Anita Kawa & Seema Pallan

Lights by: Cholo Lanuza

Tattooed Beauty Photo Series Helps Us Get Out of Winter Blues!

CD COVER Design for Nicole Lacey, “LAECIE”

Which ones are your favourite??!

BEHIND THE LENS: Second Eyes

This was taken in Samana, Dominican Republic in the year of 2009. Gorgeous old broken down boat left on the side of path by the gorgeous Caribbean Sea

The bike/pathway going under the burnt bridge/train track in St. Albert

Burnt bridge/train track

INSPIRING INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

FREELANCE Work: Silkscreening Job for Adejoke Taiwo; Canada Project Runway Fourth Runner: Calgary

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CHECK out our NEXT Photo Shoot Idea and Story For Next Week Photo Shoot

This shoot is going to be very delicate and cautious. It is being based on taking a moment and analyzing who you really are if possible. Mirrors will be everywhere and reflections will appear. The art work will be happening AT the shoot because it is not possible to do it days before. It will take many hands to make sure nothing rips or tears. Natural beauty needs to be seen within by every woman on this Earth. Make up artist and hair stylist will be helping out the team to capture our vision. Keep in tuned for more information and behind the scene photos from when this photo shoot happens next week! We are SO intrigued to get into art/fashion and photography again.

OUR FIRST PRE-COVER Sneak Peek for everyone to see!