I answered a casting call for a photographer put out by makeup artist Michelle Miller who wanted some more images for her book.  Initially we thought we'd do a downtown location shoot, but as the weather forecast started to get worrisome, I decided to book a studio.  We also juggled with the format of the shoot, trying to figure out how many models we'd need, how the logistics would work, how many looks we'd get, and so on.  The format worked really, really well, as the models rotated through makeup and hair and back to me for the photos in a variety of setups.  I loved the chance to work a little slower, adjusting the subtleties of light and shadows, and making the girls look fabulous.

Models Natasha (blonde) and Naomi (brunette) were totally professional, showed up on time, and worked tirelessly.  And of course Michelle worked her magic; I kind of wish I'd had a chance to see what she was doing, but it was a lot!  I can't say enough good stuff about them all.  We were all pretty beat and hungry at the end, and had a well-deserved meal at the end, swapping stories.  We had lots of fun, got to know each other a little bit, and I really hope this'll be the start to other work together.

I'd definitely plan on putting another shoot like this together for models or MUAs interested in a portfolio bootcamp (not quite the formal name, but might stick).  The main issue would be handling the actual fees involved as it gets costly to rent a studio strictly for TF* work on my end.  There's always the unfortunate risk of no-shows.  I may just have to consider some sort of fee to cover the rental, for example.  However, I think the results and variety of looks for the time spent make it worthwhile for all involved.

Last Friday I had the unique opportunity to shoot for a poster for the Vancouver club AuBAR, located across the street from the downtown Bay.  By the way, AuBAR is clean, classy, has a great atmosphere and music, friendly staff, and definitely a great vibe.  But I digress...  I showed up at AuBAR with my studio setup with no idea what the shoot was about other than being for a poster; however, I did get to talk to the promotions manager, Naava, who explained that he needed a couple of shots of "the girls" (Jenna and Jayda) to add to one of his promotional posters.  We had about a half hour to shoot before the club's patrons started to fill the place, but we managed to set up and tear down the studio and grab a few keepers of the two beauties in their go-go dancing outfits despite the rush.  Both girls were super friendly and great to work with and to hang out with while I ran around getting a bunch of atmosphere shots.

Jenna and Jayda in the makeshift studio on the actual dance floor

Jayda swaying on the bar top next to the VIP lounge 

Dance crowds.  There was only a split second when the right light was on the woman on the left 

In my last rally event in June I was able to finally fulfill a long-standing dream of getting on the podium with a third place finish.  This was a culmination of four seasons of racing and the various hard lessons learned along the way.  At the end, the car was spent, the crew was spent, and I was spent.  We had left nothing on the table.  We'd had a massive spin-out on the second stage that damaged the rear of the car and bent a rear hub, yet we were able to push harder than we'd ever did. 

We again pushed too hard near the end of the day as we spun out a second time, allowing our competition to close the gap.  At the end, we limped into the finish with 1/4 of the exhaust system remaining, a leaking rear differential, and barbed wire gouges on the rear of the car from a very close call with a fence and drop-off.

Few things compare to the elation of uncorking a champage bottle and spraying its contents in celebration.  

The competition for third place was intense -- about forty seconds separated us from sixth place, an infinitesimal difference over the course of a whole day's racing.  The slightest tentativeness; a fraction of a second of inattentiveness; a nagging worry about fuel, car handling, a new noise or vibration that wasn't there just a few minutes ago; or perhaps a sudden urge for self preservation could have shuffled the finishing order by disrupting the mental zone that guides the car on the fine line between disaster and speed.

Pushing hard has always been a part of my personality -- never content with the status quo, always wanting to be the best in whatever I set myself to, be it computers, photography, rallying.  It is not erratic peakiness that wins, but a steady, consistent, but hard pace.  Without the skills and tenacity of codriver Christa and our service crew to keep me on the road and to fix the car when I did go off the road, the podium finish would still be elusive.  One cannot win a rally alone.

Perhaps there is some kind of life lesson in this, something about always pushing for bigger and better things, or not pushing too hard.  But perhaps just once, I'll be able to savour the accomplishments a little while longer before trying to outdo them.