Check out the stunning results of the first e-session with Claudia Hung! The supersexy couple here was Trevor and Julie, and man did they worrrk it! I lost track of the amount of double-takes they were getting, as they just casually walked down Front Street and around Union Station.

I did a mini make-up session with Julie using a make-up room at the CTV/MuchMusic building. I loved how she wanted to do a glam red lip look, but then again, the lady could really pull off anything :)

Make sure to read Claud's post about the day too. I'm glad Trev told that haunted story after we were almost done - that explains why the cleaning staff were there so early!

See also:
julie + trevor, engaged

I'm thrilled to post that I will be collaborating with Claudia for future upcoming engagement shoots (aka e-sessions). When booking your e-session with Claudia, be treated to a complimentary mini make-up application courtesy of yours truly! Wooooo!

Here on the artistrhi blog, you'll be able to see the results of our E-sessions on a new segment of posts entitled "ENGAGED". Of course, you'll also be able to view them on Claudia's site and blog.

We had our first e-session this past Wednesday with the stunning couple, Julie and Trevor. Below is a behind the scenes shot that I snuck - the lengths that awesome photographers go to to get their shots! Here's Claud doing her thing along Front Street, in front of the Royal York. Final pics to come in a bit :)

A few years back, when trying to master my own camera (that I use for my Beauty Shots), I quickly learned that stand-out photography is more than just good lighting and a pretty face. A breath-taking image (you know those ones that really capture your attention) has the power to freeze a moment in time and capture a sense of emotion.; it has the ability to invoke that emotion within the viewer, and inspire.

One photographer who I have been fortunate to work with who does just that (well, and then some!) is the insanely talented Claudia Hung, Toronto-based Editorial and Wedding Photographer.

Gorgeous images are one thing, but what makes it even better that is Claudia is a real down-to-earth gem to work with! I've experienced first-hand how she interacts with everyone to make sure they're comfortable, and it conveys in the final images. People aren't posed - they're in the moment and that's what makes her stuff so compelling.

If you’re in the market for a photographer for your special event, you need only look at her portfolio - the images speak for themselves.

Be warned - she books up fast!

To contact Claudia and to see more of her talent in action, check out:
Editorial
Weddings
Wedding Blog

photos courtesy of claudiahungweddings.com

Check out the before and after results of a make-up session I had with Prea. I used airbrush foundation for Prea and the benefits of airbrush make-up are definitely visible (or maybe I should say invisible!). The coverage from airbrush foundation is a lot more smooth and consistent without being cakey, and gives Prea's skin an amazing finish. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Prea was a gorgeous subject to begin with! Thanks for a fun session, Prea :)

More on Airbrush
I'll do a later post to outline the benefits of airbrush and demystify all the talk about it. Hopefully, I'll get some closer-up shots of the before and after make-ups when using airbrush foundation too. I would have shown these photos of Prea closer up, but we took these photos in a rush and without a tripod - my hand was a bit shaky so the resolution quality isn't an accurate depiction of how the airbrush makes the skin actually look! I'll have to work on steadying my hands or bring along a tripod the next time! (Note to self.)

See related posts:
BEAUTY SHOT | All

Q: I work full-time, but make-up has always been something that I loved to do. I would like to go to school for it, but I have commitments to work and to my family. I’m looking at part-time programs at different make-up schools, but there are just so many to choose from! Can you provide any recommendations or speak of your experience?

A: Thanks for the question! I can only speak from personal experience and about the classes and programs that I have taken, but I do remember being just as anxious researching a quality make-up school in Toronto. Fortunately, I really lucked out as all my choices exceeded my expectations! I'm a firm believer that you get what you put into something, and being that I've been passionate about doing make-up all my life, I wanted to ensure I maximized what I was learning from the classes.

In order to get a better feel for a school or program, I would recommend calling around to your school of choice to set up a visit. While you're at it, you can ask to sit in on one of the classes briefly - just to get a proper sense of the environment and the instructors. Pay attention to the facilities and even the other students (are they engaged in what they're learning? Do they look like they're having fun?) Your final choice in school will centre around a number of variables (quality of teaching, reputation, convenience, cost, certificate or course program, location, etc).

I answered a similar question like this in a previous post, and hopefully you'll find the info there useful as well:
Q & A | Choosing a Make-up School in Toronto

Hope this helps!

Make-up Learning and Upgrading at Wink
Speaking more on personal experience, I just completed an airbrush make-up class at Wink Make-up Academy, and would absolutely recommend for anyone to go there! Wink offers introductory make-up classes for beginners and specialized classes (for airbrushing, special effects, portfolio building, etc) for more seasoned make-up artists who are looking to expand their repertoire. The individual class size cap is eight students, so the instructors have the time to ensure you feel confident in what you've learned before you move on (and that sometimes gets lost in larger class sizes). The classes are offered at different times to accommodate day, evening and weekend schedule, and the instructors are knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic (insert numerous positive adjectives here)... seriously, what is there not to love?! I'll also be starting a hair class to update my skills in a couple of weeks - maybe I'll see you there! ;)