I can hardly contain my excitement over these photos and I couldn’t be happier with the results. As we set up for the shoot I could feel my happiness bubbling over, I’ve never had so much fun simply pinning and placing clothing. My knowledge of fashion photography is lacking so all the credit goes to these incredible models for truly shining in these photos and Carlos for coaching them through the shoot.
Melendez are a husband-wife photography duo shooting weddings and head shots in the Charlotte area. I met Carlos and Lisa at Concord Fashion Week, and their runway shots were positively effortless. We had a chance to chat and Carlos told me that he wanted to explore fashion photography even further.
We put this shoot together with some of the models I met through the Sustainable Style Show. We set up on location at the Melendez studio near UNCC. Carlye Pieratt is an experienced model from the Charlotte area, she has walked in many Charlotte Seen shows and she is a brand ambassador for Simply Jane Formals. Kennedy Guyton, alter ego ‘Keytona,’ is a successful model from Columbia, SC; she is also a singer/songwriter. Tatum Ann Hecker is an accomplished MTM model and volleyball player. Kaley Aucello is a novice model attending UNCC and a 49er’s cheerleader.
I was also joined by makeup artist and model, Ashley Linzey. I also met her through the sustainable style show, she was one of my models and she arrived with her makeup already applied. She is incredibly talented and I was so excited to have her with me at this shoot.
The studio echoed with creativity as we bounced ideas around. The girls really showed their colors as they began to feel more comfortable in front of the camera with ‘girl-power-anthems’ playing the background.
I tried my best to suggest poses; I find it easiest to paint a scenario, give everyone a story behind the concept. I like to give the girls a character to play at the runway shows, so we used these characters here too. I told the girls to imagine they were on a fantastic vacation with all expenses paid for and not a care in the world. I think my clothes have a bit of an attitude and the girls really show it through these photos.
I even got to help a little! I held up a board to bounce light in a more pleasing way. I was also on call to straighten hems and flip straps so everything looked perfect!
Thank you again to everyone who made this happen!
Photographer: Melendez
Models: Carlye Pieratt, Kaley Aucello, Kennedy Guyton, and Tatum Ann Hecker.
Makeup Artist: Ashley Linzey
And one last thank you to all the moms who provide rides and my awesome partner/SO who helps me move things and brought us lunch!
[…] featured on the cover of a magazine! Zersten girl, Carlye Pieratt, submitted some photos from the Current photoshoot, shot by Melendezphoto, to be featured. This incredible group shot was selected to be the cover of […]