On Intimidation

Intimidation is like dipping a flimsy cracker into a jar of peanut butter.

Once intimidation sets in, confidence is suddenly broken, words get stuck and moving forward seems impossible compared to what you are up against. Recently, I've been given feedback that I need to trust myself more, speak up and be more confident. Sometimes I can be very loud and outgoing and at other times I can be practically invisible. 

When it comes to intimidation, I think the solution is as follows: you have to have the mentality that you're just as smart, pretty, strong, ambitious, educated, motivated and powerful as whatever it is that makes you feel inferior. Even if it isn't the case, if you don't believe you are worthy, no one else will. 

Below is the latest (long overdue) Not A Model photo shoot with Stef. We did this shoot post-work on the way to dinner in the city.  In the end, vulnerability is what really cracks intimidation. If you can understand that everyone has a goofy side or gets spinach stuck in their teeth, suddenly there is nothing to be afraid of.  Underneath the PR high heels and pencil skirt, I'm just a girl trying to find a mix of tough, tenacious and twenty-something.

So here's to being strong & silly, it's the only way to survive.

Sunglasses: H&M
Wrap shirt: Topshop
Shoes: Jessica Simpson

"That's why her hair is so big, it's full of secrets" - Mean Girls

I wanted to scare old man winter silly with the brightest colour on my lips and amazon jungle hair for the latest Not A Model photo shoot with Stefania. 

Beauty shoots are intimidating because they primarily focus on the face. Let's get serious here, who wants their face to be the focus of anything? If I can hide behind wild props, piles of clothing or large accessories I will. Give me a baby, a puppy or a large cake and I'm happy to pose.

I stopped by the Hermann and Audrey studio after a long day of work and tried to salvage my computer screen tired eyes and frazzled mind. I brushed my curls out dry (all the curly hair girls out there know what this does to your hair) and chose a soundtrack while Stef set up.  My tunes consisted of Robyn, J.Cole, Kanye, Rihanna...anything upbeat that would loosen me up. This time, the creative direction was a little more serious. Stefania was certain of one thing, "This time I don't want cute from you!" she said. 

For the first time in a long time, I wasn't thinking about my commute or the fact that I'd just worked over 9 hours. I just goofed around with one of my best friends and laughed until it literally hurt. So without any further delay, here is my face. It's going to be with me for awhile, I might as well get used to it.

Credit: Stefania Sgams & check out her new photography website here. xo

Brunettes & Baubles

Meet my latest non-models!

I met Marissa when we interned together at FASHION Magazine a few years ago and I met Amanda in our media studies program in university. It's been awhile since I did a Not A Model photo shoot so I thought I'd combine a cafe catch-up and a shoot in one. Marissa and Amanda are best friends and stunners with natural never-dyed hair, dewy skin and contagious laughs. I couldn't resist the opportunity to photograph them for the blog and get back to shooting since I've been slacking in that department lately.

So check them out! I'm happy with the results and these photos make me want to cut the fingers off my gloves, buy 100 rings and never dye my hair again.

Note: Please forgive the lack of a Not A Model sign, it got crumpled under a pile of magazines and I haven't had the chance to make a new one. xx

[Amanda left, Marissa right]

Charmed, I'm Sure

Charm is a tricky character.

It crawls up your back like the hands of a well trained masseuse and instantly creates a sense of comfort and intimacy. It makes you feel giddy and inadequate at the same time. You can recognize charm early on as a child on the playground, or you can see it in that person who works the room at a social function.

Charm yanks down your guard fast, like the moment you slip in the shower and take the entire curtain down with you. With little time for reaction, it is only after when you're wrapped up in a plastic sheet, that you realize you've been swindled. 

I'm not charming.

Sure I may be outgoing or easy to talk to, or maybe even endearing but not charming. I'm a little awkward, and don't always have the right thing to say. I often trip when walking down the street, or stare too much at strangers. I skip days of makeup and I'm addicted to ponytails.

Some people are better at piling on the shiny and always showing their best self in all situations. I both admire and loathe people who are can rely solely on their charm and never let that fear show. However, I'm always left wondering what these people are really hiding.

Everyone has layers, even those who are better at covering up than the rest of us.

Be yourself. Don't try to gloss over everything. Come to terms with the fact that not everyone will like you, no matter how hard you try. Search for the genuine, realer than real, better than breakfast-in-bed truth of other people. 

Only then will you be able to tell charm to find someone else's socks to steal.

Speaking of layers... 

Credit: my favourite photo girl Stefania Sgambelluri. 

Scarf: pashmina

Sweater: H&M

Belt: vintage

Boots & Bag: NYC purchase

We have a new project. Stefania and I will try to do mini-photo shoots each week when we meet up during our city work days. These shoots will last under 10 minutes and will test our creativity and nerves. It will leave little time for analyzing or thinking, and instead cause us both to just act.

So on days when I come home exhausted, I will already have some photos to work with on the blog. Stay tuned readers, I'm still here. xx

Pink Balloons & Photoshoots

Do you remember when He Put A Ring On It?

Since then I've been asked to be a bridesmaid (beyond excited) but didn't feel the same reaction when my cousin Diane asked me to shoot some Save the Date photos. Can you repeat the question please?

If I'm "Not A Model" then I'm definitely "Not A Photographer." I didn't want to mess up anything that could potentially land on people's doorsteps or magnetized on a refrigerator.

The final result? We had a great day and they were so much fun to shoot. Diane and Chris are adorable and sooo in love, but not the least bit corny or cheesy. I'm lactose intolerant when it comes to the lay-it-on-thick couples.

I always tell them that their kids will be stunners with their pouty lips, long lashes and lanky builds. I won't show their final choice (that's saved for the lucky mailboxes) but here are some of my favourite shots. Enjoy! :)

Chalkboard Charades

When photographer Angela Y Martin tweeted that she needed some bloggers to cover a photoshoot for 125 Magazine, I jumped at the opportunity.

I met Angela when we both interned at FASHION Magazine a few years back. She was the photography intern and I've always admired her work. She can shoot beauty and fashion with a flare that definitely has been noticed by professionals and fans alike.

I met some great talent that day including fellow fashion blogger Dejana who runs Shopsterium, as well as makeup artist Vanessa Melanson and hair dresser Mike Baronowski from Greg May Hair Architects. Gorgeous Ford model Jeannine Smith rocked the shoot while stylist Claudia Da Ponte chose the outfits.

It was interesting to see a photoshoot come together from beginning to end. It takes an entire team of people to make the final product work. I enjoyed listening to the artists talk about beauty and retouching. They all seemed to come to the same conclusion. They want their art to look its best, but not too stiff or perfect. It takes a lot of patience, hard work and waiting around before the polished photograph meets the thirsty for fashion eyeballs. Enjoy!!

Bicycles & Blue Eyeshadow

It's been some time since I've done a Not A Model photoshoot, but the wait is over!

My latest non-model is my cousin Laura. Our Dads are identical twins but we don't seem to share a resemblance. Some people say we look alike, but I don't see it. She's inherited the envious green/blue eyes that run in our family and a larger than life smile. Her fashion sense is a little bit quirky and always colourful. She can pull off big earrings, bright patterns and you'll never catch her walking into a room wearing the same outfit as someone else. We were inseparable growing up (in Italian families cousins aren't those people you see twice a year) and I can't remember a childhood memory where she wasn't right by my side.

She also has the coolest bike. When I first rode it, I panicked because I couldn't find the brakes. She yelled from across the road, "Push back on the pedals! Push back on the pedals!" Huh? I'll stick to my handlebar brakes please. 

The trends I focused on were bright eyes and bold, colourful lips. Just little bursts of colour on the face that are perfect for Spring and the approaching summer months. But really, who am I kidding? I just needed an excuse to photograph that bike.

Is there ever an item, smell or sound that when you see, taste or hear it you're immediately sent back to your childhood? Check out Dopey below. I swear as soon as I saw him I was transported back to backyard sprinkler scorchers and Olsen twin sleepovers.

Thanks to Laura for enduring the terrible, windy and cold weather for the shoot. Much appreciated!

If you ever want to be featured as my next non-model, don't hesitate to ask. I love hearing from you, shoot me an e-mail at: write.notamodel@gmail.com

Let Loose, Get Braid

It's time for another Not A Model photo shoot! This time it's all about the coif with a spotlight on braids and soft waves. 

It seems that braids have been weaving their way onto the heads of even the most stylish of women. A braid can be practical if you find yourself with little time to get ready. Yet, they can get quite intricate like a fishtail or french braid. Side braids have also been popping up all over the runways. Think farmer's daughter meets I don't shower hipster.

 

[photocredit left: Harper's Bazaar Alexander Wang] 

On another note, when it comes to the art of seduction nothing says romance and "run your hands through my hair" like soft waves. Touchable, bouncy and voluminous are the only adjectives that should be uttered around a truly swoonworthy mane. Think messy, not prom queen.

 [photocredit Harper's Bazaar Chloe]

When choosing my third "non-model" I immediately thought of Christina Pellegrini or Pell as most people call her. Her rich, dark hair is the perfect mix of texture, shine and volume. She has been one of my best friends since elementary school and she's the only person I know who received tips working at a bakery! When she's not breaking boys' hearts one hair flip at a time, she's working hard at getting her marketing certificate and being the glue that keeps all of our friendships together. She's a great listener and a natural beauty. These photos really capture her soft side and sweet personality. She was a breeze to shoot. I find that photography is soon becoming one of my favourite aspects of the blog. Hope you guys like them!

Hmm... I wonder if Not A Model will wash out of that pillowcase? :)

What Do You Bow About It?

Salutations my lovely readers! Are you ready for another Not A Model photoshoot? 

This week the trend is bows. It seems these girly accessories have made their way from the playground to the runway. You can opt for a more demure look and wear it on a headband ala Blair Waldorf, or you can rock out with a giant '80s cartoon character bow. My inspiration for this shoot stems from the bolder look of bows as seen on the Marc by Marc Jacobs SS 2010 runway. Sometimes, bigger is just better. 

 

[Marc by Marc Jacobs 2010 photo courtesy of bellasugar] 

I'd like to introduce the latest non model, my best friend Loredana, or Dana as most people call her.  I've been best friends with Dana since we met in grade 6 about a million years ago. We've been through everything together, from school dances to traveling Europe. We live 2.5 seconds away from each other, our parents and sisters are friends and I'm pretty sure Bailey is more in love with her than me. We've managed to remain inseparable even when I left the Italian homeland to go away for school, and she can always (amazingly or frustratingly) read my mind. Anyone who spends five minutes with her can attest that she's side splitting hilarious.

I think she's beautiful inside and out, not to mention she has the most insane eyelashes I've ever seen. We had a blast shooting this, but really we have fun wherever we are.

 

 

Ps- Check the balloon!  xo

Coral Lips, Jade Tips

Are you ready for your close-up? 

I'd like to introduce a new section on Not A Model. Weekly or biweekly, I will choose beautiful people (inside and out) to highlight any current beauty or style inspiration. I know so many amazing people who can rock it just like any other size 0 model. These people will represent all different facets of beauty and style (all shapes, sizes and ages) that traditional media seems to overlook. This will also be my first venture into some amateur portrait and fashion photography, and I'm very excited to be able to capture emotion through images, rather than just words.

Cookie cutter looks and glamazons need not apply.

 

This week I asked my sister Melissa to help kick off Spring with a beauty shoot inspired by the March 2010 issue of Australian Vogue featuring model Abbey Lee Kershaw shot by photographer Max Doyle.

 

Coral lips are a large trend for Spring 2010. The bright colour breathes life into the darker, vampy winter makeup trends we've become accustomed to. I especially love the contrast of the tangerine colours and the jade. For the shoot, I used a hint of some old blue eyeshadow, Revlon lipstick in "Colour Me Coral," and a previous favourite of mine, Essie nail polish in "Candy Apple Mint"

Melissa was a great subject to photograph. These colours really compliment her skin tone and amber hued eyes. She definitely inherited the strong genes in the family. To say she's pretty would be an understatement. She's my best friend and her sense of humour really came through in these photos. I feel they really showcase her bubbly personality and up for anything attitude.

 

 

I can't wait to start this journey with my readers and showcase some real people and real beauty for the world to see.

It is time to quench your thirst for something fresh and get ready for sunny skies.

Citrus wedge on the side please.