Travel & Fashion Model Photographer Blog
Board Of Beauty? My New Make-up Artist Forum Is Launched!
Posted on May 17, 2009
Inspired by the passion and professionalism of the make-up artists and estheticians who have signed up with my FREE Fashion Industry Directory and participated in my Makeup Artist Interviews I decided to launch a bulletin board focused on a wide variety of beauty and skin care related topics.
My Makeup Artist Forum is designed not only for pro MUA’s and aspiring make-up artists but everyone interested in make-up tips, beauty information and advice.
I received invaluable help from Cristina of Glowing Faces Make-up Artistry about forum topics that make-up artists and the public would be interested in. Many thanks!
Click to continue: Board Of Beauty? My New Make-up Artist Forum Is Launched!
Creative Photographers Of My Fashion Directory
Posted on March 25, 2009
This post contains some of the most creative photos that have been submitted to my Photographer Directory.
To give voice to photographers who usually “silently” express themselves I started a new category in this blog: my Artist Interviews section.
These artist interviews are better than whet I have expected, they are funny, educational, informative and inspiring to read. The most passionate ones are no doubt were fun to write as well giving a chance perhaps for some verbal self expression and soul searching.
Click to continue: Creative Photographers Of My Fashion Directory
Creative Makeup Artist And Hair Stylist Photos
Posted on March 23, 2009
These are some of the most beautiful make up artist photos that were recently submitted to my Makeup Artist Hair Stylist Directory.
Makeup artists and hairdressers have been by far the most active group when it comes to registering. Thank you for that!
Their professionalism and passion stands out from the other beauty industry professionals who are also invited to create profile pages.
With a few exceptions makeup artists and hairstylists are probably not as well represented in online directories and communities so perhaps the chance for added exposure was also a motivating factor.
Click to continue: Creative Makeup Artist And Hair Stylist Photos
Become A Better Photographer And Human: Watch TED Videos
Posted on January 5, 2009
I recently stumbled upon a wealth of YouTube TEDtalks lecture videos (TED website + YouTube Channel) which are intellectually refreshing and stimulating gems perhaps best way I could describe them as superfood for thought.
TED calls them “Inspired talks by the world’s leading thinkers and doers”.
In this post I will be recommending videos that involve photos and photography just to stay somewhat on topic for this blog but TED’s wide variety of subject matter has something for everyone with wanderlust.
Click to continue: Become A Better Photographer And Human: Watch TED Videos
My Hawaiian Swimsuit Model Photos Published With Angelina Jolie’s Pictures!
Posted on October 29, 2008
My photos have been published alongside pictures of Angelina Jolie! Finally a major announcement from this blog!
Well, not really this post has nothing to do with the private family photos of Brad Pitt.
I am talking about content theft and copyright infringement.
As I was doing my routine Google image searches for this blog’s photos I stumbled upon a few new offenders.
Read on: Who Stole My Hawaiian Swimsuit Model?
Tourist Travel Warning For Ecuador, Bali Indonesia And Thailand Cambodia Border
Posted on October 25, 2008
This is an informal travel warning post about Ecuador, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. Today I came across a news item about a couple from Oregon who were attacked on a beach in Ecuador.
The story has been on the news but the reason I decided to mention it is because I did not find Ecuador on the US Government’s current travel warnings page.
And I was afraid some people would stop their research at this point.
Click to continue: Tourist Travel Warning For Ecuador, Bali Indonesia And Thailand Cambodia Border
Best Makeup Artists And Hair Stylists Of My Free Fashion Directory
Posted on October 20, 2008
These are the most recent and best photos submitted to my Makeup Artist Hair Stylist Directory by 24 talented makeup artists.
(Credit is also due to the photographers who captured their work).
My Directory is FREE to register for Photographers, Female and Male Models, Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists, Wardrobe Stylists, Fashion and Clothing Designers, Model Agencies, Agents, Talent Managers, Online or Print Fashion - Style Magazines.
Justyna Szewczyk Make Up Artist - London, UK
Click to continue: Best Makeup Artists And Hair Stylists Of My Free Fashion Directory
Fun Trekking Tours On Savagely Beaten Tortured Baby Elephants
Posted on September 24, 2008
The price of an elephant trekking tour is not only the sizable dollar amount it costs. Elephants are separated at a young age from their mothers to be tortured, starved and beaten into obedience.
Before I knew this I did think about paying for being carried through the jungle by an elephant, sounds like a lot of fun … for all involved except the elephants.
Then I did some research on the Southeast Asia elephant trekking tour industry.
Read the complete article: Tourists Who Support Elephant Abuse, The Beating Torturing Of Young Animals
Ending My Southeast Asia Travel Photography Trip In Hanoi, Vietnam
Posted on September 5, 2008
I have been hanging around in Southeast Asia for the past 9 months and it is time to stop and sort through the thousands of photos I took in a calmer environment. In other words I am out of money.
The last stop is Hanoi where I will be flying home from. Although the colorful communist capital can offer photographic subject matter that would take a lifetime to capture I was not producing anything spectacular during my last few days.
Click to continue: Ending My Southeast Asia Travel Photography Trip In Hanoi, Vietnam
Severed Goat Head For Lunch In Bac Ha, Vietnam
Posted on August 25, 2008
Do not look for scrumptious and mouthwatering food photography of perfectly rolled sushi or smooth Tiramisu from the rugged mountains of Northwest Vietnam, home of the Hmong hill tribe minorities.
Goat head is what’s for lunch!
Nearing towards the end of my eventually 9 month long Southeast Asia photography trip I decided to spend my 41st birthday away from the exhausting intensity of tourist traps and returned to the peaceful and picturesque Bac Ha.
Click to continue: Severed Goat Head For Lunch In Bac Ha, Vietnam
Dangers And Annoyances In Don Khong Island, Luang Prabang, Luang Nam Tha, Muang Sing, Laos
Posted on August 15, 2008
Oh yes, my Laos experience! No, I am not complaining, just subjectively reporting.
Even if I asked the kids in the above photo to pray for a successful travel photography trip I do not think that would have helped.
But the wisdom gained from my time spent in Laos will enable me to better enjoy non-photography related personal travel time and be a more successful travel photographer if I ever decide to return.
Days Of Giving Back In Kompong Cham, Cambodia
Posted on June 30, 2008
While I was walking around in an impoverished section of Kompong Cham taking pictures once again accompanied by my 7 year old guest photographer from my last visit I took the above snapshot of a little girl who was crying and kept scratching due to being covered with some kind of irritating skin rash on half of her body.
I took the photo and kept on walking, there are countless unsettling reminders of the harsh life in Cambodia while doing this kind of travel photography.
But her photo kept me up that night:
Click to continue: Days Of Giving Back In Kompong Cham, Cambodia
Photography In Easy Breezy Gender Confused Kampot, Cambodia
Posted on June 27, 2008
I took a gamble on Kampot, the pepper capital of Cambodia not knowing if this quiet town would have enough to inspire me.
The results of just showing up in places which are without “much to see” have swung both ways in the past.
The riverside was relaxing and the views were very nice, I have not been in a town during this trip which had a constant cool sea breeze like Kampot.
Click to continue: Photography In Easy Breezy Gender Confused Kampot, Cambodia
Squeezing My Way Back To Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Posted on June 25, 2008
The only reason I returned to Phnom Penh was to get a visa for Laos.
For some reason the capital never appealed to me photographically but I decided to walk around while waiting for my passport and look around again without any pressure to take incredible photos.
One possible reason is the very different feel larger cities and touristy spots offer. After being “spoiled” with genuine kindness and attention at less touristy areas the “walking ATM syndrome” does take away fromthe authenticity of the visit.
Click to continue: Squeezing My Way Back To Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Travel Photography At A Snail’s Pace In Takeo, Cambodia
Posted on June 21, 2008
Takeo is not a must see town, life moves at a snail’s pace and it is mildly recommended by the popular guidebook as a daytrip destination.
So I was eager to stop by expecting close to zero tourists and to witness authentic, simple Cambodian rural life.
The kids on the above picture are racing snails. I felt quite lucky to stumble upon this scene and capture what is probably ordinary to them but unique to me.
Click to continue: Travel Photography At A Snail’s Pace In Takeo, Cambodia
Kids And Travel Photography At Its Best In Chau Doc, Vietnam
Posted on June 20, 2008
I can always depend on Chau Doc for kids and travel photography so this is the 3rd time I stopped by on my way to the Cambodian border.
My days spent here have been memorable every time mostly because of the Cham people who live by the riverside across town; they provided me with the warmest welcome and some very nice photos.
The little girl above has been ill and I was told this special haircut has healing powers to help her get better.
Click to continue: Kids And Travel Photography At Its Best In Chau Doc, Vietnam
Mekong River Deja Vu in Can Tho, Vietnam
Posted on June 17, 2008
I have already spent one day in Can Tho before, the highly touristy and biggest town of the Mekong Delta. I stopped by again mostly because it was on my way from Tra Vinh to Chau Doc and the Cambodian border.
Last time I was in Can Tho I only did a Mekong River boat tour and left after one night.
This time I was not planning to do another tour but after getting a chance to go with someone else therefore splitting the $25 price in half I agreed.
Click to continue: Mekong River Deja Vu in Can Tho, Vietnam
Battling An Acute Rambutan Addiction In Tra Vinh, Vietnam
Posted on June 12, 2008
Tra Vinh, Vietnam is a tucked away town in the Mekong Delta casually mentioned but not even listed as an off the beaten track stop by the popular travel guide.
I was looking forward to visiting this secluded area which is too far from Saigon for the hordes of daytripping package tourists to reach.
The area of Tra Vinh used to belong to Cambodia and is home of Khmer minorities who are unfortunately second class citizens in Vietnam. There also 140 some Khmer pagodas throughout the province.
Click to continue: Battling An Acute Rambutan Addiction In Tra Vinh, Vietnam
Stopovers in Cua Lo Beach, Dong Hoi, Danang, Hoi An, Kon Tum, Saigon, Vietnam
Posted on June 7, 2008
Six stopovers in six days covering approximately 1000 miles in bouncing honking buses simply means I was not captivated by Central Vietnam photographically speaking. Some might find this extreme but I cannot fake inspiration.
It was an unique journey nevertheless only no photos came of it.
Click to continue: Stopovers in Cua Lo Beach, Dong Hoi, Danang, Hoi An, Kon Tum, Saigon, Vietnam
Seeing What The Buddha Sees In Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Posted on May 30, 2008
This funny warning sign displayed in the garden of the Bich Dong pagoda outside Ninh Binh is the most appropriate photo I can use to illustrate a post about tourists not showing respect to a foreign country with different customs and religion namely Buddhism.
Wearing a suit and tie in 100 degree heat hopefully is only symbolic but it makes an important point.
Either because of pure laziness to read a couple of paragraphs in any travel book or due to lack of common sense or decency, some tourist are completely oblivious to their behavior.
Click to continue: Seeing What The Buddha Sees In Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Body, Mind And Photo Gear Maintenance in Ha Noi, Vietnam
Posted on May 14, 2008
After spending 12 days in the Northwestern mountains photographing the Hmong minorities and the fantastic scenery in Bac Ha I did another stopover in Hanoi before heading South.
No photos again from Hanoi because the novelty of the town ended after my first visit; so it seems like I need to continue traveling to find fresh inspiration.
Click to continue: Body, Mind And Photo Gear Maintenance in Ha Noi, Vietnam
Flower Hmong Minority Travel Photography in Bac Ha, Northwest Vietnam
Posted on May 6, 2008
While visiting the stunning mountainous region of Northwest Vietnam I had a chance to take a break from searching for Vietnam’s Next Top Model and photograph some naturally beautiful, talented both hesitant and some quite willing locals like the buffalo above.
The pose is bold but not vulgar, notice how the curves of the model are in harmony with the shapes of the mountain top in the background, the picture perfect Paris Hilton signature look back over the shoulder executed flawlessly, the quiet confidence and the innocence in the eyes!
Click to continue: Flower Hmong Minority Travel Photography in Bac Ha, Northwest Vietnam
Vietnam’s Next Top Model Interview in Hanoi, Vietnam
Posted on April 20, 2008
The reason I backtracked and returned to Hanoi from the perfect destination of Ninh Binh instead of continuing to head South as planned was to meet a model from MySpace to discuss possibilities of doing photo shoots together in response to my recent post of looking for Vietnam’s Next Top Model.
Click to continue: Vietnam’s Next Top Model Interview in Hanoi, Vietnam
Daytrip Of Reflection To Kenh Ga, Vietnam
Posted on April 16, 2008
Kenh Ga is a popular day trip choice 20 some kilometers from the perfect travel destination of Ninh Binh.
The waterways of the village which are surrounded by picturesque karst mountains can be explored by taking a boat tour.
I had a motor bike driver take me from Ninh Binh to Kenh Ga through a maze of roads which was a tour in itself.
I can watch banana trees, rice fields, karst mountains and boys riding on water buffalos for hours.
Click to continue: Daytrip Of Reflection To Kenh Ga, Vietnam
Perfect Travel Destination Of Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Posted on April 14, 2008
Just like the scene on the photo below, Ninh Binh offered quiet simplicity with old time charm and something interesting to photograph around every corner and down every alley during my extended three weeks stay.
Beside the funny incident of getting yelled at by the bus station toilet attendant upon arrival because I did not comply immediately with a small sign written in Vietnamese to pay 15 cents for the use of the facilities things were pretty peaceful afterwords.
Ninh Binh is a highly recommended stop about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi for its spectacular surroundings namely picturesque limestone mountains.
Click to continue: Perfect Travel Destination Of Ninh Binh, Vietnam
