April Turner Photography – Blog

Wow…it’s been awhile!  At the end of last year, the busy-ness of my life was spiraling beyond my control, and I vowed that if I ever got a break (which I finally did, around January), I’d take a year “off”, as a sabbatical of sorts.  I needed a little space and time to explore little moments with my family (like doing arts and crafts with and taking photos of my own children), to work toward some personal goals, to travel.  We experienced the death of my mother-in-law earlier this year, as well, which was absolutely unexpected and devastating.  Even though my time off was already on the horizon, her passing really had a profound affect on me and on my decision to take time off, going forward.  I realized what I already knew but hadn’t truly accepted:  that life is very brief.  My moments with my children and family are numbered.  I don’t know by how long.  So it’s important to be sure they are the priority, always.  My work life had started to permeate my home life in 2011, and 2012 was the time for all that to change.

The biggest change for me was to limit the number of sessions I accepted and to stop worrying about my social media/online posting (Facebook biz page, Twitter, blog), which was always a source of stress for me (am I posting enough??  What should I put up next that would interest people??  Did I blog this week?).  Who cares, right?  In the end, it really hasn’t mattered or affected my business that I stopped posting.  I’m not really sure how much it ever really helped my particular business in the first place, but I just always felt “better” knowing that I was putting stuff out there to be hopefully be seen.  And I realized, by taking nearly this whole year off from my business’ social media, that that act alone was enough to free up a large percentage of my time.  So I decided to nix the social media and just photograph when I was able to do it around my family, and it has created an incredibly rewarding shift for me.  It has helped me firm up my “why” for photography (why do I love it?  what area am I most interested in pursuing at this point in my life?), and it has helped me to truly enjoy my sessions.  I really do need to catch my blog and Facebook session up with this year’s images, though, because I have had some incredibly lovely clients and have enjoyed working with them so much on their imagery.  I’ll try to do that soon.  In the meantime, I am prepping for the Marine Corps Marathon–just two weeks away but MONTHS along in training!–which has been a part time job in and of itself just to log the running miles (but I’ve loved every single minute….that’s a whole other blog post, which I will write soon).  I also will be spending time in NYC next month where I’ll be working on my fashion photography craft and business and spending some quality time with my friends there in the City.   Can’t wait to come back with lots of stories and inspiration for my 2013 editorial work (and which may also mean some cool new things for my boutique senior portrait clients, as well).  Also, I’m continuing to grow my Rodan + Fields Dermatology business, which has been a phenomenal tandem service to my photography clients and beyond.  To read more about the importance of great skin for photos (and, more importantly, how to get it!), be sure to visit my previous blog post [HERE] and my separate R+F website [HERE] (don’t forget to do the new, customized facial analysis to discover your unique “Perskinality“–it actually analyzes your photo/webcam shot as part of the e-consultation!).

So, anyway, that’s the quick 411 update on me.  I am excited about how the experiences and training from this year will influence my work in 2013, and I look forward to sharing that more regularly with you.  Here is a quick look at one of my beautiful senior clients, Elizabeth, who is actually applying to my alma mater, Penn (the University of Pennsylvania).  We had a few giggles about the perennial question we always get as Penn students/grads:  ”Oh, so Penn State??”  ;)  Nope.  If you’re a Penn grad, you’ll know what I mean.   It confuses people.  lol  Elizabeth, featured here, is a total doll, and I cannot wait to hear about all the big things she does in the future!  She is a true gem!

And a behind-the-scenes iPhone shot of the making of that last photo….thank you to Elizabeth’s mom for capturing the moment and sending it to me!

Have a fantastic week!!  Feel free to leave comments or input in the comment section below!

xo

April

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Top Questions I Am Asked on a Weekly Basis:

“Can you ‘photoshop’ that?”

“Can you even out my skin tone in Photoshop?”

“Can you get rid of these wrinkles?  What about this blemish that popped up overnight?”

If I had a dime for every time I got a question like one of these, I’d retire!  ;)  One of the practices that I try to teach to my clients is that it really all starts with taking care of your face so that you can have great skin in the first place.  I really try to do a lot of education about using sunscreen and following a beauty regimen beyond soap and water in the weeks leading up to a photo shoot so that my clients’ skin is in tip-top shape for the camera.  But really, we all owe it to ourselves to take care of our skin…it’s the largest organ on our bodies, it gets the most harsh environmental exposure, and–newsflash–it’s not getting any younger.   An ounce of prevention and maintenance will do wonders for preserving it.  A few months ago, I personally started using the medically proven, Anti-Age skincare line by Rodan + Fields, and I cannot begin to tell you how absolutely INCREDIBLE the results are.  For those of you who think the name Rodan + Fields sounds familiar, you are right–Drs. Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields are the dermatologists who created the very well-known and effective acne treatment, ProActive.  The two doctors–who are still actively practicing dermatologists in the San Francisco Bay area–are now targeting new skin care needs with highly specific regimens that are head and shoulders above all other treatments on the market in efficacy AND are showing up in leading fashion magazines monthly as top editor’s picks for beauty “must haves”.  When I started using the regimen, seeing incredible results, and seeing it pop up in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Allure, I realized that this line was the perfect compliment to my fashion/editorial photography business.  It is a rockstar!

Rodan + Fields Lip Serum featured in Harper's Bazaar

And here is a little tid bit about me that few of you know–I am not just a photographer, I am also a Registered Nurse (surprise!  It’s a whole other blog post to cover that story ), and I received my nursing degree from the University of Pennsylvania, one of the leading medical research universities and top nursing schools in the country.   I tell you this because being trained at a research institution at this level, I was taught to contribute and seek clinical research validation in products and best practices, and so I approach all new products with that mindset.  Does it work?  Is it clinically proven to work?  Have studies been published that prove it works?  The answer to these questions was YES when it came to Rodan + Fields multi-medical regimens.  In addition, the company maintains a panel of nurses who are trained in dermatology to answer questions that I may have for my clients, which could be anything from “How will this interact with xyz” to “My client has sensitive skin.  What combination of products would work best.”  What other skincare line can say they offer that kind of support system?  I feel excited and confident recommending this line to my clients as they settle into a a skin care routine, not just for their photo shoot, but long-term.  I want you to feel confident all the time…not just with retouched photos!

I am so thrilled to be able to offer these products to my clients, their friends, EVERYONE who is interested in having a fashion forward, healthy face every day…not just in retouched photos.  It really is so, so important to take care of your skin.  You can {click here} to learn more about the following regimens:  (also be sure to check out before and after photos…they will blow you away!)

1. Anti-Age (for pore refining/fine line & wrinkle reduction/acne scar reduction)–I PERSONALLY USE AND LOVE THIS ONE!
2. Reverse (to remove/fade sun marks and brighten skin)–AMAZING LINE!!!  And absolutely perfect for almost everyone as a way to get that baseline brightness and even skin tone back.
3. Unblemish (the improved anti-acne formulation…if you like ProActive, you will love Unblemish.  If you are an adult, you should definitely be on Unblemish, since ProActive is not recommended for adult skin)
4. Soothe (for individuals with sensitive skin/rosacea/eczema)

**I would also recommend their Microdermabrasion paste from the Enhancements Line they offer, coupled with the Night Renewing Serum!  It is like a MAGIC POTION for incredible skin texture and will make a world of difference in how your make-up glides on.  This is seriously what got me hooked.  Do yourself a favor and try it!  You will thank me later.  Not sure which is for you?  Use the Solution Tool to get a virtual “prescription” for your personalized, recommended regimen.  And be sure to sign up for the PC Perks Program, so that you save yourself 10% and get free shipping every time.  It’s totally worth it in savings!

Please visit my site or email me at info@aprilturnerphotography.com  if you have any questions at all about the products or the business.  There is nothing else out there that will change your skin and your face so dramatically for the better.

xoxo

April

Interested in joining my Rodan + Fields team as a business partner?  Email me at info@aprilturnerphotography.com or call 678-849-4529.

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My sister, Kelly, recently gave me a call, asking me if I’d photograph her and her boyfriend, Josh, for his birthday.  Well, I adore Josh, and of course I love Kelly, so it was my pleasure to be able to do this for them.  As we went through the shoot, I couldn’t get over how different it felt to work with family versus strangers…I rarely get that opportunity to work with the people I’m closest to.  It was just a 100% relaxed, fun hour, filled with a whole lot of “cutting up”, loud laughs, and impersonations from the movie, Zoolander, a la Josh (if you haven’t seen that movie, you should be ashamed of yourself…here are some highlights to bring you up-to-date).  And in the words of the great Derek Zoolander, it doesn’t hurt that these two are “ridiculously good-looking”.  :)  It made it as much fun to edit as to photograph.  But I will say that these images are barely retouched.  Other than a few blemish removals, these are right out of camera–sun flare, glare, and all.  Rarely does it happen that I love an image totally “as is” right out of camera (because I usually prefer more dimension and contrast), but for this particular look that we were going for, they just needed to be left alone, in their native capture.  So anyway, even though I generally only post fashion work and select senior work online, I thought it would be fun to share some of these more personal photos, which truly, are the most precious to me since they are of my own family.

Have a great week!

April

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Hi, everyone!  Long time no post, right?  :)  It’s been a while, for sure.  At the end of last year, I decided to use this first part of 2012 to totally unplug from some things and take some pressure off of myself from the go-go-go cycle that I’d found myself in last year.  It’s good for everyone, I think, to allow themselves some space from certain things, and for creatives, it’s really important to get your head out of your craft every now and then so that you can be open to inspiration from other things.  That’s sort of what I’ve been doing.  I have dedicated the first part of this year to my kids, to very regular exercise, and, actually, also to my lifelong passion: DANCE!  I am performing in the Service League’s “Dancing for the Children” benefit ball next month and have been knee-deep in choreography (I’m the “professional” who’s dancing with the celebrity partner) and rehearsals.  It’s going to be FUN!  I haven’t had an opportunity to perform in forever, so this has been a dream come true to take a break from things and go back to the art form that I have loved and studied all my life.  There is nothing like the expression of the body in motion, against the backdrop of music.  NOTHING like it.  It’s so fulfilling to just move freely.  And it’s funny because even though I’ve taken some time away from work to do this, it’s really inspired me toward a creative direction with my work that is new and fresh.  This is what I’m talking about…allowing yourself time in other endeavors to see the world from a different perspective.  It’s amazing what it can do for your brain.

Just to catch you up a little bit with where I am right now (besides the dancing!),  I recently had a couple of images appear in Jezebel magazine this month from the editorial I shot with designer, Sarah Parrott, last summer.  Yes, I said last summer.  For certain projects that I photograph, I have to keep the images sealed until they appear in publication.  This means no posting to web, no Facebook, no anything because publications don’t want to show images that have been seen before.  It can be tough, especially when I am working hard on several different projects for a long period of time and have nothing that I can immediately show for it.  The result, though, is of course, having that work (hopefully) rewarded with tear sheets that I can use to (hopefully) get more work.  So the images in the magazine are an example of having to hold on for a long time because we weren’t sure when or how or even if they’d ever be used, we just knew that we wanted see them somewhere, and we all agreed to not post them until at least one of the images got published, whenever that might be.  That was literally almost nine months ago.  To give you some background, Sarah is a designer contestant on NBC’s Fashion Star, which airs on Tuesday nights at 10pm.  Fashion Star is now in its second week, and she has done really well on the show, having both her shift dress (Week 1) and her tuxedo trousers (Week 2) purchased by H&M, then (as if it couldn’t get any better) both items sold out online within an hour after each of their respective shows!   Awesome, to say the least!  I am addicted to the show because I love the concept that the items can be purchased online immediately afterward.  Below, is a snapshot of article, featuring her interview with Jezebel about her experience on the show (you can see it on p. 76 in the print and online versions of the magazine), and they wanted to run an image showing her previous collection.  Thankfully, we had one (actually many more than one!) that hadn’t been shown, so it was usable.  The model, Caroline, is wearing a camisole and hot pink shorts from Sarah’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection that we shot last year, and the headshot of Sarah was done by me in January.  Karen Filos did hair and make-up for both images, and Megan Head styled the image of Caroline.  A couple of weeks ago, I photographed Sarah’s A/W 2012 Lookbook, and all I can say about that is:  Wow!  I am so looking forward to wearing that collection later this year.  Breathtaking.

Have a fantastic week!

xoxo

April

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This last week has been a blur to say the least!  Friday through Monday, I was working out of New York for a Spring 2012 editorial fashion shoot with designer, Cody Sai, and MODA Creative Artists team member, Karen Filos.  We actually worked with Cody in September, as well, so it was great to visit with him again (you can see the video of that project right on the homepage of MODA Creative Artists).  My cousin, Courtney, joined us for this project as the production assistant, which was wonderful, because I love working with her (she helped me with my Nicole Krinsky photo shoot this summer, and did a stellar job).  I need to actually have her do a blog post on what it was like from her end, though.  She was charged with the responsibility of managing the lights and reflectors on our 32nd story balcony set on Wall Street, and with wind like we had that day, there were definitely a few moments where I thought she was going to totally be whisked away, Mary Poppins-style, into Downtown Manhattan.  It was a lot to handle, for sure!

During our trip, though, we did manage to squeeze in a few really fun things like eating at my two favorite restaurants, the Union Square Cafe and Cafe Lalo (a “must” for me, every time I’m there);  perusing some cool little boutiques (got a great scarf that I’m pretty sure will be my winter fashion staple!); seeing the Rockettes and visiting the ice rink at the Rockefeller Center (the classic holiday experience…and my two friends had never experienced it!); and helping Courtney pick out her very first Louis Vuitton handbag (lots of memories will be associated with this bag for years to come!).  One of the absolute coolest things we did, though, was check out the Christian Louboutin window displays at Barneys (“Celebrating 20 Years and The Launch of The Book:  Christian Louboutin”).  Oh my gosh, were they incredible!  I had read about the intent to create some pretty elaborate displays at the store, and considering how artful his shoes are just by themselves, I was interested in seeing how the footwear would be transformed into large-sized attractions.  If you love fashion (especially shoes), then do yourself a favor and check out this video that truly shows the magic in how this display was conceptualized and created (it also links you to a gallery where you can see all the displays from this feature).  Very, very interesting and artistically inspiring.  Here is an iPhone image I grabbed of my favorite window display:

Way impressive!

As soon as I got home late Monday night/Tuesday morning, I was consumed in this week’s Atlanta photo shoot for another Spring 2012 editorial…but this one is all about parachutes!!  Cannot wait to show you what I mean.  These images won’t run until after the first of the year, so unfortunately, it will be a bit before I can post them, but how cool is that–parachutes?!

Have a fantastic weekend!!

xoxo

April

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Every season, I get so excited about the opportunity to change up my wardrobe and wear something different for a while.  I always tear out magazine pages of looks that I like, and usually, I start to see a little bit of a common theme after a while.  There are always a few key pieces that I end up really longing to have!  For Fall 2011, this is what I love right now:  ”Boho Chic”

1.  High waisted pants with wider legs & gorgeous blouses of all types.

For my particular body type and personal style, I really gravitate toward streamlined silhouettes, long lines, and clean construction.  Some people have the type of look that allows them to pull anything off…but I’m not that person.  I am very petite and really love how much taller and more “powerful” I look when I am wearing an outfit with strong lines.   Luckily, this look is really hot right now with the emergence of the ’70s glam pieces that are popping up all over the place.  I seriously should have been born in this era.  I love that it’s clean-lined and feminine, while still emitting a vibe of confidence, and even a little hint of bohemian style depending upon the accessorization.  Online, they are calling it “power dressing” from the ’70s.  My thought, exactly!  So strong, SO GLAM!!

Photo Credit:  Fashionising.com

2.  Fur

I loooove the look of fur!  I love the subtle variations in color, the texture it lends to an outfit, the sophistication it can bring, and even the hippie vibe it can lend, too.  I wore a vintage fur stole in my wedding and just have always loved the look of it.  Thankfully, it’s not just for special occasions anymore!  There are so many styles this season from which to choose, but I especially adore funkier, more unusual ones like this fringed one by Haute Hippie (available online at Neiman Marcus).  I love that it’s paired with a dressier, silk blouse and skirt!

Photo Credit: Neiman Marcus Online

3.  Wide Brim Fedora Hats

I am a “hat person”, so I am thrilled to see that they have become so mainstream lately, which makes it easier to find a wider variety of cool styles.  I have bangs and wavy hair, and for me, what that means is that it truly needs to be blown out in order for it to look good.  I don’t always have the time to do that, unfortunately.  With hats, I can let it be wavy and wear it down, then top it off with a cute wide-brimmed fedora or floppy hat, tease my hair a little, and I’m good to go!  It shaves so much time off my routine in the mornings, which is super important since I have two small boys under 4 years old who I also need to tend to first thing (all while trying to get myself together and prep for client meetings, shoots, etc.!).  It’s a life-saver!  I love this Genie by Eugenia Kim fedora, available online at Saks Fifth Avenue.  I have a heart-shaped face, so the wider brim looks so much better with my face shape than a regular brim fedora, which tends to look too small on me.

Photo Credit:  Saks Fifth Avenue Online

4.  Hunter Wellies

I have been longing for a pair of Hunter wellies for a really long time and finally sprung for a pair this month after I photographed a senior who looked so cute in hers that I HAD to finally have a pair!  What took so long?  The price, mainly.  At $125, these aren’t cheap rain boots, BUT they are, by far, the most well-fitting, comfortable ones I’ve ever owned.  I finally decided that buying one really amazing pair of boots was a better investment than buying several cheapie ones that I really never wore because they were too cutesy, too uncomfortable, etc.  I plan to use my Hunters as a fashion boot for rainy weather.  I bought the tall brown original (no-gloss) ones so that I could substitute them for a brown riding boot with my outfits and still look dressed up.  There are lots of other colors, textures, and styles to choose from, though, and the fit and quality are second to none.

Photo Credit:  Hunter Boots Online

5.  Over-Sized Sunnies!

Just like with the large hats (and, again, the result of being born with a broader, heart-shaped face), I am attracted to a larger accessory…like these oversized sunglasses by House of Harlow (“Jordana”, found here).  They are, as Rachel Zoe would say, “so MAJ!”.

Photo Credit:  Singer 22 Online

So these are my must-haves for fall…what are YOURS??  Leave a comment below!  Also, if you have any favorite designers or fashion sites, drop a line and let us know that, too!  We want to hear what you’re loving this fall!

xoxo

April

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In August, Karen Filos and I travelled to Athens for a music promo shoot.   The subject?  Musician Wesley Cook, a super-talented singer/songwriter who has been blowing up on the scene lately.  Just that month, he’d been named one of Atlanta’s “21 Most Eligible” by Jezebel Magazine, appearing in their feature issue of the same name, then he learned that he had also been named one of FOUR finalists in the nationwide Rolling Stone Magazine “Street to Stage” contest, appearing in their magazine, as well.  Everywhere you turn these days, you’re gonna see or hear him:  TV, magazines, you name it.  His single, “Sway”, is currently featured on a 94.9 The Bull air spot.  Take a look at his website, and the accolades will continue to impress you:  stage appearances with the Zac Brown Band and Drivin’n'Cryin; MTV2 “Artist on the Rise”; the list goes on.   And besides all of his talent, which is evident, he has a killer personality to match:  super sweet, extremely funny, total gentleman.  We had Athens bar, The Mad Hatter, to ourselves on that August morning for our photo shoot, but the room was filled with music, laughter, and great conversation among the artistic team and Wesley.

Wesley is featured in this month’s issue of Georgia Music Magazine, and I was so excited to learn yesterday that one of the images we shot that day in Athens was chosen to feature with the article!  As most of you know from my last post, hair/make-up guru, Karen Filos, and I recently launched MODA Creative Artists, a team of artists that specializes in creating editorial and promotional images for the fashion, music, and lifestyle industries (you can read more about that story here).  This photograph is a product of the MODA team, with Karen doing the hair/make-up and fashion stylist, Megan Head, creating the wardrobe looks.  The really cool thing is that this particular photograph was just a candid shot I took of him, a last minute photo at the end of the session.  We’d spent time setting up various shots that morning that I love, but in the end, it was this shot that ended up being my favorite, and I think Wesley would agree that it’s his favorite, too.   It just goes to show how important it is to keep your camera ready so you can grab those moments “in between”.  In fashion/editorial work, it is, really by design, important to orchestrate an image down to the last detail.   The clothes have to be perfect, the hair has to be just so, and there are a number of people standing all around the subject, jumping in every few seconds to fix this and that.  I actually really like “planned” images, but that’s not the be-all end-all.  As a photographer, it’s important to not let your guard down in between the shots because you could miss something really important, like raw moments and real emotion.  And it just so happened, in this case, that the “in-between” is what became the favorite image!

More music editorial/promo work that I have done with MODA Creative Artists can be seen in my previous posts about Nashville singer/songwriter, Jessica Cayne (a friend of Wesley’s, who you can sometimes see appearing on-stage with him) and singer/songwriter Nicole Krinsky.

If you haven’t already, be sure to visit my Facebook page and “Like” it for behind the scenes glimpses into my journey with fashion and editorial photography.  I am planning to post videos and other visual content to document the adventure as we move into 2012.  Also, check out my team, MODA Creative Artists, on Facebook!  Have a great week!

xoxo

April

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Sometimes, you just can’t plan things.  You can set goals, create a strategy to get there, and use the resources you have available, but in the end, a lot of things work out (or don’t) because that’s just the way it’s meant to be.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned over time, it’s that God has a bigger plan for me than I have for myself.  Sometimes my plans line up with His, and sometimes they do not.  When they don’t, He intervenes.  I need to have my goals (which I can’t resist, because I am a true Aquarian, and dreams are what drive me), but I really have to be open to the ebb and flow of life’s experiences, and I always, always need to listen to my gut.  Somehow, it already knows what I need to do, even before my head does.  This story, and the result, is a true example of how things unfold exactly when they are ready to (always on God’s time and always in His way).  And that’s exactly how it should be because I couldn’t have planned this one any better if I’d tried.

It all started with a chance meeting I had with interior designer, Katrina Nelson, back in January.  I’d met her backstage at a high school-sponsored fashion show that I had agreed to photograph to help raise money for the school with the resulting images.  I was actually really sick that day, and I had a newborn baby at home who was also pretty sick, so I nearly didn’t make it to the event.  Still, as hard as it was to get there, I just felt that I really needed to go.  I’m glad I did.  Katrina, who also is a rep for Stella & Dot jewelry, was volunteering, too.  She was loaning her jewelry pieces to the student models.  As we chatted backstage, and as I photographed her styling the students, we talked about collaborating on some projects (particularly ones where my stylist, Megan, needed to pull jewelry for a shoot) and realized we could really help each other out.  We decided to meet later for coffee so we could chat more about our careers and basically just explore the ways in which we could support each other’s ventures and lift each other up.  Megan and I talked with Katrina for a long time during our coffee meeting, and what an incredible conversation it was!  Katrina is such a fantastic, interesting person with the purest heart!  I really adore her.  When we disclosed to her that we’d been expanding into fashion shoots and that we were about to do one for American Threads boutique (you can see those photos here), she immediately emphasized that we must meet her friend, hair and make-up artist, Karen Filos, who’d just moved here from the NJ/NY area less than two years prior.  Karen is a superbly talented artist who specializes in the editorial and production fields of hair and make-up artistry, and when I saw her portfolio, I was totally blown away.  Karen is amazing at both beauty looks and conceptual/abstract creations.  She was the missing link that I needed in order to take my ideas in the direction I wanted to go.  I had reached the point in my career where I wanted to begin expanding into conceptual editorial shoots–that’s where my heart and vision for photography have always existed–and I needed someone who shared that direction and vision.

Megan and I set up a meeting with Karen, where we hit it off immediately and discovered–totally by chance!–that we were all planning to be at Charleston Fashion Week that next month.  What were the odds of that?  Karen had already auditioned for the production and had earned a position working backstage doing the hair and make-up for the models, while Megan and I had already planned to go on business and would be in the audience to view the collections.  It was really in that moment that we all realized we had the same dreams and were truly on the same paths.  It was the making of a solid team, and from that moment forward, we were bound by the sisterhood of these dreams!  Over the last several months, we have been working together on multiple fashion editorial and lookbook shoots, both in Atlanta and beyond, and we added two additional stylists–Charleston Fashion Week’s Jessica Vennard and the very sought-after, Atlanta-based Danniel Nicole to our team.  On one of our out-of-town trips, in particular, Karen and I had a very long conversation about the unique chemistry of our team and how it not only makes the photo shoot experience more enjoyable for the client, but how it also delivers the best results.  We have all worked on projects where different pros are pulled in from different places (and you don’t necessarily know each other).  The issue with that situation is that you aren’t always on the same page when creating the image.  A “look” to one person may mean something totally different to another person since artists may interpret a vision differently.  Karen, Megan, Nicole, Jessica, and I are unique in that our level of communication and teamwork is so thorough, that we can nearly read each others’ minds.  It makes the whole experience seamless and consistent.  I can’t tell you how amazing and fulfilling it is to be on-set with this kind of chemistry.

It was on this particular road trip that Karen and I developed the idea of marketing our favorite group of professionals as a collective editorial team that could provide top to bottom (conceptualization and art direction through execution) service to clients in the fashion, editorial, lifestyle/advertising, and music industries.  And it was on this trip that Karen and I officially co-founded our new joint venture:  MODA Creative Artists.  The word “Moda” is Brazilian Portuguese for the word “fashion” (a tribute to Karen’s Brazilian roots!) and indicates our primary focus with regard to our work.  We are not an agency; instead, we are simply a team of artists who have a solid working relationship, and we can be hired either individually or as a team to complete a project.  We can fulfill duties in our respective areas alone (i.e., simply providing photography, make-up, styling for a project), or we can provide full, comprehensive service and artistic direction for a client where we develop the concept, hire the models, secure locations/permits, and deliver the final images.  Not only do we provide services in photography, hair/make-up, fashion styling, we also have brought on board team members like Katrina Nelson (yep, we have come full circle in this story!) who provide set design services, and we have partnered with the extremely talented Ryan Rodinis of Rodinis Films to provide dynamic cinematography and fashion art video services to our clients.  MODA Creative Artists boasts a team of members who are among the most acclaimed, well-respected professionals working in the industry today and has positioned itself as the premier team for creative projects involving fashion, editorial, lifestyle, and music promotinal shoots.  Based out of Atlanta, GA, MODA Creative travels extensively, working all along the East Coast.  We currently provide regular services in New York City, Charleston, and Nashville, with plans in the works to expand to Miami and Los Angeles.  I could not be more pleased or honored to be a part of this group.  The groundwork for our official launch has been several months in the making, and we’ve worked hard to develop our platform.  It’s been hard to stay quiet for so long!  I have been bursting at the seams with excitement, and now, today is the day!!  From the chance encounter with Katrina and all the events that unfolded after, I never could have guessed that donating my photography to that high school fashion show last January would lead me to this moment.  I will continue to work and book under my own “April Turner Photography” as usual, while also promoting our MODA editorial team for larger scale projects.  2011-2012 is gonna be a busy one, so hang in there with me–it’s going to be a fun ride!

I am so very excited to present to you all the new website and video for MODA Creative Artists!!  When you visit our homepage, you will immediately experience a MODA Creative production, created by our incredible team member, Ryan Rodinis, which showcases our recent fashion shoot in NYC with New York designer, Cody Sai.  You’ll get the full experience through this video, traveling with us on location throughout the City as we meet with Cody, create three different looks for our beautiful model, then hit the rooftops, the streets, and everything in between to deliver our resulting images.  Be sure to let us know what you think by commenting below!!  We want your feedback.  Also, please be sure to “Like” our Facebook Page:  www.facebook.com/ModaCreativeArtists and please RECOMMEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS as we begin our official launch today!  Thank you and much love!  xoxo  - April

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If you are not yet familiar with the voice of beautiful Jessica Cayne, you are missing out.  She is an incredible singer and songwriter who hails from Georgia and recently moved to Nashville!  She was put in contact with Karen Filos and me by another singer, Wesley Cook, who we also photographed recently and can’t wait to blog about (coming soon!!), and she is every bit as sweet and fun as he said she would be.  Jessica came with her iTunes loaded with great music (we love a lot of the same stuff!!), a vibrant personality, and a free spirit to try anything.  She and Wesley are two reasons I really LOVE working with musicians and other creative artists.  They are always so fun, so creative, and so willing to be DIFFERENT.  Generally, they are pretty confident in themselves and in their image and, because of that, they are willing to try things and just enjoy the shoot for what it is.  It makes it a fun time for everyone.  Also, they are so easily able to let their personalities show through, which is the number one most important thing for an image to be successful.  I love their soulful spirits!  Here are a few of the images from our photoshoot at Mad Hatter in Athens (thanks to Mad Hatter for so generously allowing us to use their facility!).  Thanks, Jessica, for driving all the way down from Nashville to work with us!  You are a doll!

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So I can’t even remember the last time I updated my blog–I’m terrible at it!–but it’s been quite a while, and whew, a lot has been going on!!  All good stuff!  I have been doing a lot of traveling for various projects and am fortunate to be taking part in some collaborations that are both artistically inspiring and wonderfully challenging.  It’s been a summer of growth, expansion, creative projects, new goals, and great friendships, so I am one lucky gal to be able to be in the middle of all of this crazy excitement.  One thing that’s been going on that is partly to blame for the lack of blog posts and updates in general is that my lovely friend, hair & make-up artist Karen Filos, and I (along with Megan, of course, and the lovely Jessica Vennard) have been collaborating with several designers for photo shoots; most of which will be submitted as editorial spreads to magazines.  Many people don’t realize it, but those images cannot be shown until they are published.  I am dying to put them up (and put them in my portfolio!), but I do have to wait…which is hard for a girl who doesn’t have much patience for waiting!  :)  But truly, we have to do it the “right” way, so it could be many months before I am able to show you all what I have been doing since May of this year.  As soon as I can fill you in, though, trust me–I WILL!!  :)

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you that one of my images is featured on page 64 in this month’s issue of Jezebel Magazine (“21 Most Eligible” Issue).  Check it out!  This photo is of the very sweet and accomplished (oh yeah, and good looking!), Tony Scarpero, taken at Room and Board, Atlanta.  You can read the article to find out more about his many ventures and accolades, but let me tell you, he wears many hats.  He is a business man; a designer (coming out with his own line of cycling apparel); and a model for CLICK.  Truly a great guy.  To read more, you can view the digital version of this month’s magazine here, but I’ve put the basics (cover, article credits, and Tony’s image) below.

Tony’s photo credits (p. 64) :  Photo by April Turner  |  Hair & Make-Up by Karen Filos  |  Location Room & Board

Hope you all have a great week!!

Best,

April

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