27
Dec 09

Beauty: Tamara Hope Cox

I had the pleasure of shooting Tamara Hope Cox in November ‘09 at Orlando Perez’s studio in Orange, CA. Tamara brought her friend, model Brenda (whom you may remember from my very first shoot), who helped with styling after the MUA left. We managed to cull together some great looks with only a lip pencil, some hairspray, bobby pins and a lot of shading. I now carry around a hair/makeup bag for any and all emergencies just in case!


Model: Tamara Cox
MUA (one look): Deserae Barajas
MUA/Styling (remaining looks): Brenda Castillo
Location: Orange, CA


16
Sep 09

Brittany Beach

Brittany is such a sweetheart. We met in San Clemente and walked along the beach taking photos. You would never know by the way she moved that she was a first time model. We even garnered an audience at one point (who then promptly got drenched by the incoming tide). For those of you who are in the San Diego area, you are totally missing out. :)


14
Sep 09

October Portrait/Engagement Promo

Oct 09 Portrait Promo

For the month of October only, book an engagement or portrait session for only $75. Includes 1.5 hours, two wardrobe changes (if applicable) and 5 proofed images on CD.

Travel to LA or San Diego County will be $25 extra.

Email me if you want to take advantage of this :) venustusphotog@gmail.com


11
Sep 09

Sarabeth & Steve

Sarabeth & Steve were great enough to allow me to snap a couple photos of them. We took these in Irvine, right down the street from both our houses. I didn’t even have to scout because my husband showed this place to me several months ago.

The shoot took about 45 minutes, with us fighting the setting sun, which took us all by surprise: we thought it was going to set a lot later. Overall, they both look great and I wish them the best at their wedding next year :)


11
Sep 09

Assassin: Charlotte

This shoot was a lot of fun. Charlotte and Matt have been dating for about a year and Charlotte PM’d me, saying she was really interested in my assassin idea. So I said, “why not?”

The first half was a breeze. Matt probably thought he was getting off good. I mean, he got to make out with his girl for at least an hour. And then we started beating him up – literally and with makeup. Thankfully, my MUA was stage-trained so she knew all the right ways to make him bloody and bruised (although you hardly see it) with minimal effort. We made Matt take off his belt and tied him up with it. We stuffed an (I am fairly certain) unclean bandana in his mouth. And then we duct taped him (not shown).

And this was all while Charlotte was sitting on him. What a great sport! :)

I have a very sexy shoot coming up with Charlotte at the end of the month. Look for photos again in October.

View full sequential order on Facebook. Link is to your right.

Models & Wardrobe: Charlotte & Matt
MUA & Hair: Melissa Myers
Props & Jewelry: Venustus Photography


03
Sep 09

Playing With Dolls: Amber & Lynne

Amber and Lynne were great – and so much fun! We had a long shoot on a Monday night (what a way to start the week!) and Lynne arrived limping on only three good tires from northern LA. The girls got all dolled up courtesy of Frankenstiles and Amber’s closet and we trucked around the stairwell of my apartment building around midnight. I had to cut the shoot short because I didn’t want anyone going to bed at 2 am, so hopefully I can work with these girls again soon.


28
Aug 09

Playing With Dolls: Brenda

I had the opportunity to shoot the lovely Brenda Castillo last weekend in Brea, California for my doll concept photos. Brenda was lovely – on time and a true professional. She let us put her in uncomfortable positions, let blood rush to her head, get covered in mud and gnats and all in all did not complain for one second! Love this girl and hopefully we can schedule our gothic session soon.


25
Aug 09

Clearly, I need a vat of caffeine…

My new site will not be ready by September 1. It was an honorable goal but it just ain’t happening because I overbooked myself the two weeks before I was set to relaunch. New goal is September 15! Cross your fingers and all available appendages that I will be done before then :)

Update: Website construction will continue indefinitely… have a couple weeks in October that I may be able to work on it.


23
Aug 09

Gabrielle Green : Commercial Head & Body Shots

I had the privilege of photographing new actress Gabrielle Green in Irvine, CA yesterday. Here is a sample of what was taken during our 20 minute shoot:

Gabrielle Green - Commercial Headshot

Gabrielle Green - Commercial Headshot

Gabrielle Green - Commercial Headshot

As always, full size will be up on Facebook and Flickr.

MUA & Hair: Frankenstiles


08
Aug 09

Mason Jennings Lyric Project: Simple Life 1

Mason Jennings is a Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter. His lyrics are the inspiration for this large-scale concept I’ve taken on. And when I say, “large”, I mean there’s at least 100 published songs. And out of those songs, I can easily do 3-4 photos per song.

So here is the first photo of the first song I chose, Simple Life.
Simple Life 1

Full size can be viewed at Deviant Art or Flickr.