{My work day} with Mrs. Virginia-America 2012

Mrs. Virginia America 2012, Brandi Pope, and I go way back! HA! to last year when she WON the title of Mrs. Virgina -America! This is a very special pageant for me to attend and be a part of still, as I too am part of the "sisterhood" of Mrs. Virginia's. My crown came in 2004!
I was overjoyed to be the official makeup artist last year, for Brandi's hair and makeup the day after her crowning for her official photo shoot with Larry Wright.
Brandi went on to make top 15 at Mrs. America and I could not be happier for her! April
6th, Brandi will give up her title to a new Mrs. Virginia, and I will be there for that!

SO! I reached out to Brandi late last week, with a last minute request. Being that the pageant is just around the corner, it is about time for me to send in my ad page for the program book. I wanted to feature Brandi on my ad page, and I could think of no other way to do it, than to just take her picture!

my "brandi" inspiration-Christina Aguilera-in Burlesque

I love to come up with concept shoots!

 After looking back through Brandi's photos on Facebook, I decided I wanted to give Brandi a look that she had not done before. Something more cutting edge, something with punch!

 While watching TV this past weekend and flicking through the channels, I caught the end of Burlesque! I adore the makeup and hair in this movie! It struck me what I wanted to do. I googled and pulled an image for inspiration.

I decided that I wanted to tone it down some, however, so she did not look so much like a circus act. :)

Right before her shoot with me yesterday, my very good friend Jennifer Saunders, makeup artist (www.jennifersaundersmua.com) came in to say hello! Of course, I put her to work on Brandi's makeup, so i could shoot a little video!




So this is what my "work" day looked like yesterday! I love what i do so much, and I am so happy I get to have "this" job!

 

Weekend of Crowns and Gowns

 The studio was all a buzz this past weekend full of chatter, Cheese-its, lip gloss and gowns! Four pageant ladies came to see me and one Beauty going to the Military ball. There was lots of makeup, hair styling and laughing. Here is a sneak peak of a few of our end results!....

{SENIOR PROMO!} say what?

Oh today is a super cool day as I am excited to launch our FIRST SENIOR PROMO VIDEO!!! Did you know that Senior photography Season is just around the corner!!!???? EKKKKK! ok, let me pull it together here. I wanted to give 2014 Seniors an opportunity to see an experience with us from beginning to end! So I created a {promo video!} My crew (my 9 year old daughter, Madison) and I, with Lee Davis Senior, Lauren, give you a "good, good day"

ENJOY!

Pageant {Couture}

Pageant Couture is a new service at the Studio! We launched just a few weeks ago. It's an opportunity for pageant competitiors to get new headshots or photos for their portfolios. The experience includes full hair and makeup application and a fashion shoot that will provide them with competition shots they need.

Friday, I had a fabulous session with Miss American Teenager-Jr., Lauren Watkins. She and her mom, Donna, traveled from Arlington, Virginia to see me for photos for the National pageant web site, Miss American Teenager! We had such a great time in the studio.

Here is a sneak peak at a few behind the scenes photos, and a few from our session!

{FACELIFT}

Its that time of year when I usually go through a little housekeeping and reorganization when it comes to the web site! So it did not take long on Friday to launch a new look and feel! What i love about the new look it that I can feature a few different parts of the studio-right on the home page.
I wonder if you knew how much the studio is becoming much more multi-dimensional!  Senior photos, Beauty photos, Pageant photos and lifestyle photos have become an entwined part of the studio. This new web site gives me the chance to showcase all of them with ease! So head on over and check it out if you have not been in a while! www.studiofbj.com

Just yesterday the studio welcomed Lauren Watson, Miss American Teenager-Jr. What fun!

A Sweet Treat for the Class of 2014

Love of Self

Love is in the air this week with Valentines day right around the corner! I can not help but  EYE every candy box at the store. I used to wish someone would buy me one of those great big boxes.... even when I was a teenager. NOW, I have realized that I am JUST has happy to BUY it for myself! So watch out candy box...I am coming for you this week! HA! Whether your sharing your Valentines week/day with someone or on your own with friends, don't forget the person in the mirror can buy her self her own little goodies... even better!

Have a SWEET week!

Glam the Dress

The studio as continued to BUZZ with beauty and glam!! The past two weeks I have had an amazing time with three ladies! Two married and one Bride to be in March trying one of the new Glam the Dress beauty sessions!! Take a look behind the scenes as I prepare my friend Ashley for her Glam the Dress!

PIX of the Week {Midlothian High}

Ahhhh I saw this photo while editing and I just love this.  Alexa from Midlothian High School and I got together at the farm the she boards her horse, and we had just an amazing day.

BTW, the phone has started ringing for the class of 2014! If your ready to book your spring, summer, or fall session, the time is great!! The schedule is expected to FILL up by May!! Give me a shout and get on the books!

January {goals and more}

January has typically been the month that I set new goals for the coming season! It tends to slow down for me and I am able to breathe and relax a bit. This January, has been somewhat busier than previous, as it has been a FIRST for many things for Studio FBJ! Chat and Snap happened with my photographer friends Kristie Bradley and Cate Gravatt, such fun! I have also been prepping the studio with lighting and shooting glamour, pageant, and beauty! It has been truly an amazing month. I wrote my first business plan and met with the BRAND NEW Senior model team for 2014! OH MAN! So exciting!! I am looking forward now to February with several exciting shoots on the books! Keep your eyes peeled!