This past week has been a busy one at the studio.

i.b.b.i Collection
I began the week shooting for a new client, “i.b.b.i Collection“. i.b.b.i. Collection is a new betterwear knit wear line started this year by two industry veterans. Winter 2008 is their first collection. My studio partner, Bette Marshall, and I were commissioned to create imagery for their website. With all the apparel photography that I’ve done this job was actually a little different for me. The setup was actually quite easy, we shot on white seamless, but we were shooting the garments on mannequins. I never realized just how hard it is to get a garment to look great when it’s static and not on a model. It made for a long tedious day, but the experience was a good one. I was very impressed with the construction and design of the garments, take a look at their website once it’s launched early next year.

Supermodels Unlimited
I also had the opportunity to shoot three fashion spreads, advertising and a couple calendar images for Supermodels Unlimited Magazine. For these spreads, I worked with Miss Jr. Teen America 2006, Kaitlin White, and her sister Alexandria White. A little twist to that I also did one set of advertising for SU with their Mom, Debbie White. These two southern girls were a joy to work with. Kaitlin is absolutely beautiful and didn’t want to stop shooting; Alexandria had so much energy by the end of the 18 hour day I think she was keeping everyone on set awake.

Makeup and Hair was done by master makeup artist Joel Green, who was flown in from Nashville for the shoot. Joel’s clientelle ranges from Country Stars to Eveningwear Manufacturers to local clients to pageant contestants. The stylist on the shoot was Annie Pemberton. This was my first time working with Annie. She has an awesome sense of style.

Look out for the fashion spreads: Gossip Girl, Old Hollywood and (TBA) in issues of Supermodels Unlimited early next year. I’m unsure when the calendar and advertising images will be used, but I’ll keep you updated.

December 1, 2007 – World AIDS Day
Today is World AIDS Day. Since 1980, AIDS has stolen so many people from the arts; I venture to bet that no single disease or event has taken as many people from the arts as AIDS has. In 2007, I believe everyone in the world has somehow been AFFECTED by HIV/AIDS. Beyond our own industry, look at the toll AIDS is currently taking in Africa — a whole generation of people are being taken from this earth and way before their time. But even closer to home, in our own neighborhoods – AIDS is prevelant. fAIDS has directly affected my family and my friends, and I’m sure you can probably say the same.

A press release sent out yesterday by the World AIDS Campaign, the official Global Campaign for AIDS Education and Prevention, started:

With thousands of events around the world marking World AIDS Day, December 1, the World AIDS Campaign is stressing the urgency of new and renewed leadership commitments by all stakeholders in the response to HIV and AIDS. The momentum must continue to build. “It is now time for bold leadership at all levels in order to turn the tide of HIV,â€? says Felicita Hikuam, Global Programmes Manager, World AIDS Campaign.

Be a leader. This holiday season see what YOU can do to help stop the global spread of AIDS. A great place to start is by purchasing products that donate to the prevention of AIDS in Africa with Project Red. Take a look at their site and make a conscious decision to make a difference: http://www.joinred.com/.

About the author

Kevin Michael Reed
Kevin Michael Reed (Google+, Facebook) is a fashion & beauty photographer and producer/director based in New York City and Los Angeles, CA. He is the President/CEO of RedFOG Visual Media, a production company in New York City, and a partner in Passion of Photography, Inc, a company dedicated to teaching photographers and sharing our passion through charitable causes. Kevin has lectured and hosted workshops throughout the United States and the world teaching photographers the business and creative sides of photography. (Kevin's Fashion & Beauty Photography Portfolio can be seen here).