As I’m waiting for the laundry to dry, I sit here in a nearby Panera Bread on this chilly May morning. Sipping my piping hot latte always makes thing better…even laundry.
While I relax, I think about my afternoon yesterday and how I got to see my bestie on the big screen. I’ve watched her grow as a person long before the idea of acting ever entered her mind. We’ve cried together, screamed together, worked together and she stood by my side as I married the man I now call my husband.
I remember running off to the movie theater together years ago, just to catch a glimpse of her on screen as an extra; and I do mean a glimpse. It was less than 20 seconds and she screamed, “There I am!” Of course, I was looking so hard that I missed it all together. “Where?” I said. “Behind that person over there” as she’d point herself out in the crowded nightclub scene.
I hate to admit it but I still didn’t see her. It happened too fast. Next time, I thought. And there would be next time. The movie Star Trek Into Darkness was the first time I heard her speak on screen and just yesterday I watched her as she had a role in the celebrity-packed movie Mother’s Day.
Here’s a little sneak peak of her work on the movie, directed by film legend, Garry Marshall.
[Can I just note….thank God she’s making romantic comedies now, they are much more my pace.]
Anyway, back to my latte. Fine, I admit it; I also splurged on a pumpkin muffin! Don’t judge me. Pumpkin in May? Pumpkin anytime of year…who can resist?
Speaking of out of season things…have you ever watched a Christmas movie in June? Or a Halloween movie just because you wanted to be scared? Or a love story outside of February? Of course, you have! Well, I hope you have.
So between Actors and out of season pumpkin muffins, you must think I’m losing my mind. But as I drifted my thoughts from the movie I had just watched to the actors I photograph, to the industry as a whole; I thought about the age old question…are Actors overpaid? And because I’m a business person, I thought, “maybe not.” After all, they are just businesses. And really, what is a good business person trying to do? Most businesses are looking for that golden ticket…scaleability. Actors are paid to entertain us; to tell untold stories and give us a much-needed break from the stress of life. If you don’t agree, don’t watch any movies. It’s that simple. You vote with your dollars.
Whether they realize it or not, Actors have just figured out the ultimate business dream. To do what they do on a global level. Think about it, it’s the ultimate scalable business! They make one movie and get paid residuals based on the number of people who see that movie. It just so happens that for big stars and big movies, a shit ton of people buy what they do! In fact, if you’ve ever bought a movie so that you can watch it out of season [just like my pumpkin muffin], the scalability is even greater!
So instead of focusing on how much money a group of people has the potential to make, why don’t you ask yourself “How can I make my business more scalable? How can I grow my business to reach billions of people?” Because I’ll let you on a little secret… Actors are not the only people who have the capability to make millions. After all, someone has to finance those movies 🙂
And it’s like the old saying goes “Easy reading is hard writing.” Their job may look easy but take it from someone who’s seen firsthand, it takes a ton of hard work, patience, commitment, drive, passion, talent and even a little bit of luck. Absolutely no one is an overnight success and not all Actors will make it big.
And a great, big congrats to my friend Gianna Simone who is on Vogue’s best-dressed list at the 2016 Canne’s Film Festival in a stunning Naeem Khan gown. You rocked it!!! And check another creative genius friend, Holly Nichols’ fashion illustration of that exact moment!
PERSONAL BRANDING FOR CREATIVE, PASSIONATE WOMEN
[WHO HATE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED]
Let me ask you a question…
- Do you feel like you need to have more of a presence in your business, but you dread being photographed?
- Are you the least photogenic person you know?
- Do you panic anytime you’re asked to submit a photo of yourself?
If you said “yes” to any of these things, I want to work with you! I want to help you learn to love the way you look on camera. I want to walk you through the entire process. When you work with me, you worth with a team of professionals. We take the time to understand more about your personal brand, we offer a stylist to help you select what to wear, we include hair and makeup, professional quality lighting, professional retouching and the best part….we telling you exactly how to pose. You just have to show up! You can be scared shitless, but you just have to show up.
It’s why you hire a specialist after all!
As one creative to another, I understand that sometimes it can be hard to verbalise what you’re looking for. You may not even know what it is you’re looking for, other than a portrait of yourself that doesn’t make you wince every time you look at it. Unfortunately, most women have never been photographed correctly. It’s no wonder you might be using a selfie or a 5+-year-old photograph of yourself!
Meet Love Coach Catherine.
“Every second is a chance to turn your life around.” – Catherine Hummel
I was excited to work with Catherine to create new photographs for her personal brand. She believes in authenticity and is so passionate about helping women transform their life, open their hearts and find happiness in their relationships. She says…
“Who you are is enough. You are lovable and have tremendous power over your love life. Everyone is worthy of love.”
Catherine has used her personal branding photographs to boost her business on Facebook, Instagram, in the media, promoting appearances etc. When asked to submit a photograph, she just chooses one from the many we have on file. She doesn’t even have to think about it. She knows that it’s in perfect alignment with her brand, which is more consistent than it ever has been before.
Here are a few of her favs as well as some examples of how she’s used them online.
Want to fall in love with yourself on camera?
Can you imagine?! Over 10,000 women were in attendance! This year at the annual Massachusetts Conference for Women, we had the opportunity to take part in an amazing 2 days that support local business women.
Keynote speakers included Nasty Gal’s own Sophia Amoruso, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn, Shonda Rhimes [executive producer of ABC’s hit shows “Grey’s Anatomy and “Scandal”] and many more.
Exhibitors included local brands like Alex and Ani, The Boston Globe, XO Monica Lee and of course, Yours Truly. Make up artist Shana Christoforo was by our side as our partner in crime and offered makeup tutorials throughout the day. [I even learned how to contour my own face shape…finally], we raffled off a complimentary private makeup and posing class for a group of 10 friends and we gave away 100 pairs of eyelashes, completely free thanks so Amy June Lashes!
The day was absolutely amazing. We met some wonderful women, added hundreds to our VIP list and even ran into some past clients as well as other vendors! In fact, photographer Jen Arya posted on social media that she was there that morning so of course we invited her in for one of our makeovers [pics below]!
Next year’s convention is scheduled for December 8, 2016. It takes place at the Boston Convention & Exhibit Center on the waterfront [Summer Street] in South Boston and if you’re not into early rising and morning traffic, crash the night before at the Westin Boston Waterfront. That’s what we did, and it made things so much more enjoyable. Just make sure to get on the convention’s mailing list and get your tickets as soon as they are available this summer; they go lightening fast!
A special thank you to Jaclyn Lombardo [Newport wedding photographer] who came up all the way from Rhode Island to help us out last minute. We couldn’t do anything without the support of an amazing team and friends.
Please enjoy a few cell phone pics below from the event!
Didn’t make it to this year’s convention? Just mention that you read this blog and book before Feb 14, 2016 for a complimentary mobile look book featuring 10 retouched digital files with any booking. Schedule your appointment HERE.
Over 10,000 women in attendance at the MA Convention for Women.
Shannon + Shana at the MA Convention for Women.
Shana, Jen, Jaclyn + Shannon
Shana giving makeup tutorials.
The Before and After Board.
Thank you to all who came out to shop local and support small business artists!
Enjoy a few photos from our shop small Saturday open studio, featuring fashion illustrator Holly Nichols, makeup artist Danielle Keefe and yours truly!!
Miss out on today’s event and holiday offers?
You can still get a complimentary mobile look book when you schedule any boudoir or beauty portrait in the month of December.
For more info, contact us HERE.
#ShopSmall
[Danielle’s Organic Lip Scrub]
Love & Lipstick’s own Danielle Keefe can now be found at Shannon Michelle Photography!
Designer Decor . Custom Lip Treatments . Headshots
Holiday Cards and Mugs by Holly!
Holly Nichols Studio [left] | Shannon Michelle Studio [right]
Live Sketching by Holly Nichols
Fashion Inspired Portraits make an amazing alternative to traditional headshots. I’m always honored when other professional photographer’s chose to work with me. Here are just a few of the creative and corporate clients I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Click on the website to view their work!
PHOTOGRAPHER HEADSHOTS:
Kelley Cronin – Kelly Cronin.com
Jaclyn Lombardo – Jaclyn L Photography.com
Tricia McCormack – Tricia McCormack.com
Anna Sawin – Pencils and Lens.com
ARTISTS AND CORPORATE HEADSHOTS:
Holly Nichols – H Nichols Illustration.com
Katherine Kowalik – Tullis Funds.com
The Oceanos Inc. Team – Oceanosinc.com
Are you in need of an updated headshots? Message us for booking!
info@shannon-michelle.com or 617.307.1155
I love her attitude and honesty!! Real estate mogul and star of ABC’s hit show, Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran (founder of the Corcoran group) shares her story about her failures, the gift of the insult and persistence. Video courtesy of Entrepreneur.com.