Why HMU? And who is your HMU artist?

I work with Akyiaa Wilson, who is both a great friend and an incredible artist. Her work is consistently fantastic, and she's a great collaborator to have as we go through the shooting process.

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Objetively speaking, HMU makes you look better. You might be accustomed to doing your own grooming at home, but having a specialist makes an enormous difference when it comes to shooting. I use both flash and daylight for our session, and each has its own effect on skin texture and tone. An HMU artist knows how to color- and texture-correct for both lighting and the lens. They're also extra hands and eyes to save you from stray hairs, smudges, and blemishes while we're shooting.

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They can arguably also save you money down the road. I offer two fully retouched photos as part of my artist packaging, and additional photos are $50 per photo for retouching. Retouching includes fixing skin texture, blemishes, stray hairs, and other adjustments. While not all of these can be caught by an HMU teammate during shooting, the work that an HMU artist does drastically decreases the possibiity that you'll need those adjustments in post.

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And it's fun! And it feels nice! I really believe in HMU artists and all of the good stuff they bring on the day and beyond.

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How can I prepare for HMU before my session?

For Makeup: you'll want to show up as fresh-faced as possible, moisturized and without any traces of makeup. Akyiaa will have everything you need. If you are planning to have a facial, waxing, intense exfoliation or any other service that may irritate your skin please make sure to do them at least 5-7 days before we work together. If you have a product that you really love using or that you think works exceptionally well for you, bring it and Akyiaa will be happy to use it in your application, otherwise she has you covered! If you have any allergies or sensitivities feel free to let her know beforehand, but she will also check in with you before starting your application.  

 

For hair: come with your hair done as you normally would and Akyiaa will do a final zhuzh, (reviving a curl, straightening out a wayward kink + some hair spray, wax or texturizer for volume) .

If you need a full head style (curls, waves, flat ironing) she'd be happy to help for an additional charge (see below). Let us know if you would like to add this service!

For changes during the shoot, should you need them, she will have all the typical things, bobby pins, hairspray, etc. But if you have any you like to use, bring them along!

 

Additional options for HMU include a full head style for $40 and lashes for $10.

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How many "looks" do we get? What should I bring to wear?

We can shoot as many "looks" as we can get through in 90 minutes!​

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While putting together your wardrobe, I'd recommend looking for pieces that make you feel joyous and authentic. Think things you'd wear for a first date or to a friend's party. I think layers and textures look particularly good on camera. Whatever you choose, the items you choose should feel authentic to you.

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If you'd like some inspiration on how to think about your personal style, I've gotten a bit obsessed with Caleigh O'Donnell's stuff on IG (@itscalbal) -- she has a method of finding your personal style that revolves around comfort, confidence, and creativity. It's a fun rabbithole to fall into and might be helpful if you're feeling a bit at sea. Let me know if it helps at all!

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I'm an artist in a tough financial situation right now, but I really need new shots. Is there any way we can still work together?

I would love to work with you. Definitely reach out via the form below with a bit more information about where you're coming from and what you need! If a full studio session is inaccessible to you, I occassionally offer outdoor shoots at highly discounted rates and would be happy to put you on my mailing list.

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I'm looking for a photographer for another purpose! Engagement! Wedding! Pregnancy! Corporate headshots and events! Pranks? 

I don't know what kind of prank photography you need, but I bet I can help with it! You can fill out the form below with a bit more info about the who/what/when, and I'd be glad to discuss rates and availability.

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I'm in! How do I book?

Just fill out the form below to book a session. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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