Milestone

Congratulations to Candy on her 750th catalog shot with the BeautifulYouth Project!

Sunday Morning Fashion

This past Sunday, we met up with Tal, one of the BY Project's new 2011 models for a photoshoot at a local nature preserve- one with some interesting background structures, and a place where we had previously shot both Courtney and Jennifer Valeria.


Tal had just returned from a trip abroad with and armload of new fashion, and was eager to show it off!  What started as an overcast, cool morning soon warmed up as we worked in a flurry of shooting!  Tal, much like her first shoot from a couple of months back, was professional and perfect... it was hard to take a bad picture.  I still find it hard to believe that before the BY Project, Tal had no previous experience in modeling for the camera.  Her innate talent and natural photogenaiety shone through the entire time.

We hope you enjoy the results of the shoot, and we look forward to working with Tal more.

Beach Day 2011

Saturday, we took the camera to the beach to shoot one of our 2011 models, Max.  While the ocean breeze provided a little too much cooling from the warm inland temperatures, we had a good time shooting Max in his karate uniform along with some other casual beachwear and costuming (you may recognize the leather greatcoat in the photo at right from Jake's "Dragon Warrior" shoot some years back).

It is always wonderful when the weather cooperates with a shoot, and we had a good time along the coastline... thanks for another great shoot, Max!

Milestone (another 1,000!)

Congratulations to Buzz, who has reached his 1,000th catalog shot with the BeautifulYouth Project!  We're lucky to have worked with such a wonderful and talented youngster!

Busy Summer Shooting Day

This past weekend, we were busy with the gorgeous weather shooting three of our models: Alexander Mikhail, Jennifer Valeria, and Shelley.  With plenty of sunshine, we had a great time all around!

First up were Jennifer Valeria and Alexander Mikhail, who, in addition to shooting some wonderful shots in martial arts gear, did a bit of fashion work as well!  We hope you enjoy their photos!

Afterwards, we traveled twenty miles south to an upscale commercial district to shoot the fabulous Shelley!  Because of the weather, the area was packed with people... we learned quite a bit about shooting around backdrops, getting people out of the way, and creative angles!  Shelley is quite the fashionista, and the results show in this marvelous shoot!

Milestone

Congratulations to Abra, who has just reached his 1,000th catalog entry in the BeautifulYouth Project (left).  It's been a pleasure to work with Abra through the years!

Contemporary Shoot in the Park

This past weekend, we had our fourth shoot with the lovely model Shelley, who is returning for her third season as part of the BeautifulYouth Project.  A gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine, the park we chose was crowded and overrun with everyone else enjoying the splendid weather!  So, with a bit of work, we found some out-of-the-way spots in the park and had an enjoyable time shooting a collection of summer (and one glamour!) dresses.  Look for more from Shelley as the summer continues!

Amazing Eyes

This past weekend, we shot our fourth (and final) new model for the 2011 shooting season, Tayler. Tayler, like many of our other models, is a natural talent with a fresh look- and the camera noticeably loves her!

We met Tayler for her premiere shoot at a lush park on a beautiful afternoon, and the first thing that was evident was her eyes. As you'll see in her galleries, Tayler has the most incredible, expressive piercing eyes that lend emotion and substance to all her work!

Tayler is a veteran model and actress (at the age of 14!), and is currently seeking opportunities to get involved in the world of theater! Tayler is already eyeing an education in the arts at Juilliard.

We look forward to more shoots from this talented model!

Many Looks for New Model

The BeautifulYouth Project is happy to announce the first shoot from one of our new models, Tal. Tal is 9 years old, and, though experienced in acting work, this is her first experience with modeling for the camera. You wouldn't have been able to tell that from her confidence and poise during our shoot this past weekend.

It was an overcast and cloudy weekend- recovering from our unseasonable rains- we weren't sure at first if we would be able to do the shoot as planned. And then fate dealt the shoot another blow. The county park where we were scheduled to shoot (a gorgeous park where we've shot Courtney and Esther in the past) was closed without notice for a private event.

So, we went the flexible route and set out for the downtown area of a nearby hamlet... actually quite a charming park and shopping district served as our backdrop. Tal was unflappable through it all.

One of the great things that Tal brings is an amazing range of looks. From sportiness to sophistication to goofiness, Tal can change her look almost in an instant- definitely a huge asset in the modeling and acting worlds!

Tal will spend July traveling abroad, and then return in August for another (and hopefully more!) shoots for the BY Project! We look forward to it!

Who IS That Model?

This past weekend, we had our first shoot with longtime BY model Hawk in almost two years. Because of scheduling and logistical reasons, we were unable to connect with him for a shoot last season.

Not much could have prepared me for who stepped out of the car at the shoot site... yes, it was Hawk. But had I passed him on the street, I doubt I would have recognized him at all!

Having grown to nearly six feet tall, Hawk is as different from the boy of past shoots as can be imagined. Fortunately, we jumped right back into it with a little adjustment here and there... and the quality and the timbre of the photographs have changed! I welcome everyone to phase two of Hawk's modelling career! We have a couple more shoots scheduled throughout the summer, and it will be fun to work with him some more!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

We'd like to introduce our newest model, Trent! Trent is the 54th model to pose for the BeautifulYouth Project, and our second new model of the 2011 season!

Yesterday was (!) a beautiful day in San Francisco. I arrived at the shoot site early to scout out some great spots for shooting. As the shoot time rolled around, clouds gathered, the sun disappeared and it started raining! Like some unwanted cosmic coincidence, the rain started falling almost at the very same instant that I took my camera out of the bag.

Trent, however, was not deterred. The 9-year old, who has just embarked upon his acting and modelling career showed poise and moxie and a great ability to work through obstacles! We did some shooting around a spectacular fountain (that I'm sure the project will revisit on a sunny day in the future!) until the rain started coming down heavier. After that, we moved to a skyscraper's ground-floor overhang (with a few other refugees from the unexpected rain) and finished the shoot there- again with poise and enthusiasm that was unexpected for such a turn in the day's plans.

Trent is currently working on his first TV show- a Disney pilot entitled "Real Kids"- and is seeking out more modelling opportunities since being named "Mr. March" for a promotional calendar for a local health organization.

We're excited to work with Trent more this summer- look for his galleries coming soon!

Kadabra In A New Light

For those that have been long-time fans of the BY Project, you're familiar with Kadabra, the older half of the Abra-Kadabra twins. Recently, Kadabra was chosen to shoot the cover of a soon-to-be-published novel, tentatively titled "Wisdom From the Heart", a zen take on the coming-of-age genre (I'll post more info about the novel and ordering options when it comes out!)

Last weekend, we shot the cover, and are happy to report that the author and publisher are happy with the outcome.

It was a "coming home" shoot... the same backdrop that we used for Kadabra's very first shoot six years ago. While we knew we would be in a battle for the light (logistically and artistically, we chose sundown for the best natural lighting), we spent what felt like a lazy hour along the shoals of the American River. Amazingly, even though we had two families watching the shoot from the bank, Kadabra was poised as ever, given the nature of his costume.

Congratulations to Kadabra for landing the gig, and may many more follow!

-ed. note: Kadabra was originally misidentified as the younger of the twins.  He is actually the older.  Sorry for the confusion!

Introducing Max

This season, the BeautifulYouth Project is lucky to have four new models.

This past weekend, we shot the first of those models, Max. Max comes to the project with quite a bit of acting experience- he has worked extensively in local and regional theater (currently, he stars in a regional production of "The Sound of Music"), and in independent film.

Max's first shoot was a nice outing into a local trail-riding hot spot (where we've done some engagement and wedding photos before). Max was a professional the whole way... it's easy to see why this 12-year-old has been so successful so early in the entertainment industry: poise, professionalism, and a winning smile- definitely the triple threat of modeling!

We look forward to more shoots with this talented model!