Honest Critiques

Writer’s Block! It’s not that I don’t have anything to say, it’s just that sometimes I don’t know exactly how to say it. I wish I had it in me to break off some fabulous technical tips and insight on how to light for black clothing (use side light) or an insider secret on a great beauty shot (use a model with great skin to begin with) but I think I want to write about something else. I know that I haven’t been writing a lot lately.  The truth is: I AM BUSY!!! I’ve had a smashing great start for the new year! I’m meeting today with a client for a huge gig that will be a monthly contractual job for 12 months. Love those kinds of jobs!! Getting ready for Dubai in March and I’m so excited!! Just booked my plane ticket yesterday and have already done a couple of interviews for some of Dubai’s newspapers and magazines. Gearing up for my best photographer friend David Anthony’s move to Los Angeles…….no, seriously, Can. Not. WAIT!! Met with and am going to be working with Vincent De Vries on European seminars to commence in August (LONDON CALLING). Shooting for my book! Shooting for CHURCH, which has now become a regular client needing me to supply monthly images for their upcoming website. Prepping a shoot for MIRRIN Magazine, based out of the UK that I will shooting next Tuesday. And as if I don’t have enough on my plate, I’m organizing and downsizing my archives because aforementioned David Anthony accused me of collecting too many nic nac’s (sp.) and gave me some great advice on how to store my past editorials, which was taking up WAY too much room. Thanks, David!

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(4.47 stars, 30 ratings)

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The Year of the Tiger!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holidays! I was able to relax for a little bit, catch up on some reading that I sorely miss doing and reassess where I am and where I’m heading in my career. I also had the immense pleasure of spending the day with David Anthony down in Palm Springs. We kicked around downtown Palm Springs with our point and shoots, arguing and laughing and eating and smoking and just having a great time. I came back home totally inspired, actually. And that’s what colleagues should do for you, they should inspire and provoke! I also quit smoking as my New Years resolution. So far, I’m 4 days off cigarettes. I’ve quit before, and I’ll keep trying until I stay quit! But I’m hoping this time is the last time I have to quit and I can stay off cigarettes for good. We’ll see.

So…what does this next year look like for me? For one, a lot of travel! I’ve been asked to teach workshops at Gulf Photo Plus in Dubai! I leave at the end of February and will be in Dubai the first week of March. I will be there with the big heavy hittin’ honchos: Zack Arias, David Hobby, etc etc. But  I am especially excited to meet  Joey L. That kid really blows my mind as far as how young he is, how inspired he is and how bomb his work is. After Dubai, I am showing some photographs at the SNAP! Exhibition in Orlando, Florida from May 20th to the 23rd.  And NYC in between all the rest! That’s the first six months of the year. I can only imagine that the next six months will be just as busy. But what will I be doing when I’m in LA besides shooting? Doing more SEMINARS!!

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(4.44 stars, 18 ratings)

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A little slice of Heaven called CHURCH

Living in Los Angeles is indeed a trip. As the famous gossip columnist Rona Barrett once said; “Pick your enemies carefully or you’ll never make it in Los Angeles.” People tend to live in a dream world here where who you are is identified by the car you drive or the celebrity’s personal cell number in your iPhone. Young hopefuls flock here by the thousands hoping to make their dreams come true and the city supports that mission by placing more importance on material and superficial gains over spiritual enlightenment. LA denizens actually believe if they jog for two hours in the morning they are morally fit. As Craig Kilbourn joked, “People here in Los Angeles are disgusted now about a sex scandal involving Arnold Schwarzenegger. Apparently for seven years, he carried on a sexual relationship with his own wife.” Yep, that’s my hometown, love it or not.

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(4.36 stars, 28 ratings)

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All Images © 2009 Melissa Rodwell Photography

When asked to shoot an editorial for Genlux Magazine, Stephen Kamifuji, the creative director, gave me two choices: I could shoot a beauty story based on a man and woman kissing or a fashion story based on the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet. I chose the fashion story. The theme for Genlux’s fall fashion magazine is Love, so obviously kissing and Romeo and Juliet are story ideas that depict the theme. Honestly I would have liked to have shot a beauty story for Genlux because it’s been a few years since I’ve done one for them but when Stephen presented both ideas to me, for some reason I felt more inclined to do the fashion story. I worked with stylist George Blodwell again because I like his work and I like working with him. Whether George’s website showcases more celebrity dressing/red carpet styling rather than editorial, one has to remember we are based here in Los Angeles and our market is celebrity driven. Many talented stylists ( wardrobe, hair and make up included ) market themselves towards the celebrity market when they are based out of Los Angeles. If you click on the artists name that has a hyper link and actually check out the agency site and more importantly, the artist’s link, you will see that most agencies have a celebrity section along with the editorial and advertising sections on their artists.

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(4.83 stars, 23 ratings)

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The Movie that Lets Us Inside the Coveted Domain of MY Favorite Diva

Photo by Lori Hawkins - The September Issue

Everyone has their heroes, people you look up to and draw inspiration from, and Anna Wintour is definitely one of mine. I’m sure it’s obvious why. Anyone who knows anything about the fashion industry knows Anna Wintour. Over 20 years ago she rescued American Vogue from the brink of obscurity and restored it to its Diana Vreeland-era glory days, and she’s remained one of the most important figures in the fashion industry ever since. Her eye for style is unsurpassed, her taste is impeccable, and her power and influence in this industry cannot be overstated.

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(4.67 stars, 36 ratings)

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