Friends and work

Is friendship a good mix with work? Just like when oil doesn't mix with water. It's especially difficult when two people do the same thing for work and, both are driven in their own way. When is it considered one is better then the other or more ambitious then the other? or even on the same level? But what level are we referring to? Is it when one does the profession full time and more often or is it the other person who just sits back and lets things come to them?

I recently bumped into a good old friend of mine while running errands. We ended up having dinner and just catching up. I was explaining to her my situation about how recently I have decided to mix friendship with work. I've never done it before so, I figured what's the worse that can happen? Well...silly me! My friend who I was venting to made a valid point she as, well works in the fashion industry. She said to me
 " We have never work together nor will we ever and that's why we are still good friends till this day. It's just something  you don't do!" It was plain and simple and to the point and for some odd reason I, needed to hear it from someone else so, the logic could get through my head.

So here's the problem....

I have accumulated a lot of things from doing photo shoots that I either just kept for more use out of it or that I couldn't return it. My friend was in the same boat. We are both freelance stylist so, it made sense with the both of us to just pile everything together so we can have one big "stylist closet" Now before all of this great decision that I made. Our friendship was great. We were new friends, getting to know each other and hanging out a few times out of the week to talk about everything. As, I've mention before I'm not an accessory type of stylist but, my friend is. So I had more clothes that I've kept from shoots and she had the stock with accessory's. We decided to keep everything at her place since she had a separate room for it all which made sense to me anyways. She had a fairly flexible schedule just like mine. So, I was free to give her a call anytime to stop by and "pull" from the closet. At the same time I didn't want to feel like I was being a pest. So, I pull the stuff that I need for my coming up shoots. Some of it was accessories, stockings, shoes etc. Now from pervious shoots that I've done who I've pulled from boutique stores or designers I've always told them as apart of my own personal agreement that if anything is damaged or if they aren't happy with the way the garments are brought back to them I would personally be more then happy and willing to either pay for the product full price or replace it if I could. After my shoots I met up with my friend to return everything that I have borrowed. I've misplace some stockings (one part of it) and misplaced a bracelet. I know I could replace the stockings since, they weren't a speciality type of stocking. So I did. The bracelet I was going to take the time to clean my car and place to find it since I know its somewhere.When meeting up with her I was honest with her right off the bat and explained myself about the stockings apologized and said I need to do a throughly clean and look for the bracelet. I personally didn't think it was a big deal with replacing the stocking. But, instead I got am attitude and a sour face. I completely understand with treating the stylist closet as a regular pull from anywhere else. But, I REPLACED all the missing items out of my own pocket. The items I replaced are the exact same style, pair, color as, the original item. But since we are friends does that change everything??

Ever since the last meet up we haven't been in communication since. I'm busy with my own work and styling and I'm sure she is as well. But, at the same time my friend and I have worked together by helping  each other on each others shoots and, that never seemed to be a problem at all.

Maybe there's someone out there that can give me some advice on how to go on about this. My friend that I vented out to gave me the logical advice saying that I should just pull all my stuff out remain friends with the other girl and to NEVER mix work with friends.

In the mean time I've posted up some cool quotes  and photos referring to this post that I found inspirational, witty, and funny. My next shoot is a night shoot! FINALLY I've been waiting a long time its going to be AWESOME! I just saw a preview photo from ben from the athletic shoot which will be up soon! after the night shoot its beach shoot!!

Minimal

Over the years of being a freelance fashion stylist, I've developed a style that is show cased through my work. I'm a minimalist in every way. In my home decor, my styling, my personal wardrobe and in life as well. I'm a black and white type of person. I use very little to no accessories on shoots. I believe in using the model as my accessory. To have the models personality shine through and bring a photo to a complete circle. I admire artists who can capture a photo in such a beautiful way. A team that can capture the real and true beauty of the model, the atmosphere, the clothing, the makeup, the hair etc.

 One of my favorite designers is Yves Saint Laurent. I adore every little thing about him from his name, the initials, to his visions.  It's a shame he passed away with among other great designers as well. His designs have  a way of portraying confidence, smart, sexy, chic, flattering for a woman's body and overall image. Using bold powerful, statement colors and, strong clean lines, YSL captures the right way for any women to wear her clothes.

YSL ad's are so captivating and so inspirational. At the same time its so simple. With no big huge theatrical background, he allows his designs to speak for themselves.  With settle hints of quirkiness in his ad's as, well as the shoes!  with little accessories here and there, there's nothing that can over shine YSL garments. The model  also, captures YSL just perfectly through her emotions, her body language and expressions.  I've posted up  some of my personal favorites of YSL ads and some runway photos dating back from fall ,spring and summer 2008-2010.

Take the time to admire a fine genius designers work

Criticism

What does one consider a artist an artist? Is it coming up with new ideas for concepts? design? trends? Is  it holding a camera , a paint brush, a video camera, a makeup brush etc considered an artist?  is it starting up your own magazine? or online magazine? is it starting up your own blog?, is posting up photos of your current work on facebook for all 300 odd some friends to see so , you can see how many "likes" you receive? There's all shapes and forms of artistry out there, that I have a mutual respect for. I'm not the type of person who will judge another artist for what they believe in doing as art to them. If it makes them happy then there's no reason for me to judge. But, at what point is someone consider a  ignorant  artist?  isn't the point of assisting another artist that you potentially want to be at their level, is suppose to give you an insight of how photo shoot goes, how a cooking as the head chef goes?  then allows you branch out and you take what you've learn and apply that to your own skills and be a more and improved artist for yourself? Aren't all artist let it be  fashion, cooking, home decor design, etc  should be able to accept and learn from criticism from others? Not saying it has to be in the same profession but, just from anyone who has an opinion about the artist work. You posted up your work for a reason. Obviously you are bound to receive comments about it.  Shouldn't it be a given that if you decided that you wanted to be an artist for living and to have that as your main profession that its a given that there will always be rejections, others opinions about your work from the "normal" people ,that you may not agree with their criticism and more? I knew what I was getting myself into when I wanted to make fashion styling as my full time career. I've gone through a lot of rejections and, criticism and, both have been good and bad.  If I didn't have any of that I wouldn't be where I am today. Till this day I still ASK and still accept criticism from anyone.  It allows me to be a better fashion stylist, to improve myself and to prove to others that I do listen and that I do want to learn and grow.

Is having a models opinion about the recent photo shoot you did with her more valuable then a fellow photographers opinion? or an actual "normal" person view and opinion about a specific photo? who you can actually learn from? is asking a simple question ( "why did you decide to over light the back of her head?") a hard hitting question? A question is just a question. You learn from the questions being asked because, it allows you to challenge yourself to think about a legit answer that makes sense. A simple question about an artist work doesn't necessarily always mean that someone's attacking you or insulting your work. If an artist takes so much offense to any question about their work from  any kind of people, I think it just might be something wrong with the artist them self.  Insecurities perhaps? No one is perfect in general. No matter how beautiful you are, how talented you are, how rich you are, how fast you drive. No one is perfect. We all take learning steps to get where we are now. We all accept criticism in any shape or form to learn from to be better at our craft, for whatever it may be.  If you think you are such a perfect photographer, chef, TV host, model etc  then I would of seen your work in vogue, on Fashion TV, on the cooking channel. Instead I see it on facebook. I'm not saying Im any shape or form I'm a  perfect artist. I'm far from that but, at the same time I'm trying my hardest to be close to it. But, as an artist myself, I've definitely received my share of comments good and bad. It allows me to be even more driven, to be even more determined, to continue to try to set the bar high, and more passionate about my work. I'm the type of artist that I would rather keep my mouth shut and prove everyone wrong by surprising them when open or click to the latest magazine or website.

When a artist is trying to seek out attention in the wrong way are they  considered someone worth listening to? Writing about or posting it up on any social network about your personal life on how things aren't going your way, is that considered you more important then anyone else? does having models that you've done Polaroids for at the agency who  have commented on your status allow you to feel that you have a closer relationship with them then anyone else? Yet, you can't accept criticism from other artist? I'm just confused that's all. It's hard enough in the fashion industry in Vancouver especially to always be in the "loop". It seems like everyone does their round with other artist until they find someone they click with personality wise and can always be called on 24/7.  I think its hard enough for artist to help other artist without giving to much away. There's nothing wrong with being a confident artist at all.  My personal opinion is to achieve the confidence in your own work as any kind of artist that you have allowed yourself to accept opinions from anyone and anywhere and, you still continue to do so. You've allowed yourself to be a vulnerable artist so others can either really admire your work or really hate it.

Just remember a question is just a question. It all depends how you perceive it Take it with a grain of salt and take it as, a learning experience. Take it as you becoming a better artist then you already are! or at least claim to be. Take it as, a form of respect from others. That they are looking at your work and enjoy looking at your work. Take it as, a way of them trying to help you, trying to lend you a helping hand.  Everyone's opinions are valid. Let it be non professional to professionals.  Be an open minded artist because, one slight acceptance from one's opinion would probably change the way you do things, and see things. Be ready to open yourself to the world and be ready for the world to hit back.

In the mean time...........

I've posted up some new photos from a photo shoot with Ben kwan. The model was flawless! I've also decided to post up some of the inspiration photos that has led me to do photo shoots. The inspiration photo i just posted was the "athletic" photo shoot I did just this weekend. The photos were for NAGG magazine that model Agyness deyn started up!  I'll be posting up photos from the photo shoot soon! in the mean time enjoy my newest work and the inspiration photos and soon to be photos!