Cristina Valesquez

Two weeks ago while attending an art festival at downtown River Walk in Augusta, I met Cristina who was setting up her booth to sell candles. I'd initially noticed her, but didn't pay too much attention to her until a friend of mine mentioned how attractive she was. With that comment I decided to ask her if she would model for me. Cristina was very flattered by the invitation but equally apprehensive about being in front of the camera. She had never modeled before.

So, to give her some encouragement a week later we met and I showed her samples of my work and she agreed to this first session. I also want to give a big "thank you" to Kenya Moody who applied Cristina's makeup. This was our first time working together as a team, so I've started off the images below with Kenya at work.

In closing, I get a creative rush when I photograph someone who has never been photographed by a professional before. It's a thrill adding my creative touch to their personality and then see it all come together in great images. I look forward to working with Kenya and Cristina in the future. I think we all make a great team!

[Double click images to enlarge viewing]

Cristina before makeup was applied.

Kenya at work.

Model and makeup artist.

Cristina after makeup was applied.
One look at this image and you understand
why I wanted to photograph Cristina.
Cristina is Panamanian and she has great skin coloring.

We borrowed the front of this truck from a
driver who was parked near our location.

[To see a slide presentation of all the images

from this session, click on this link here.]

Location: 6th Street, Downtown Augusta
Cameras: 30D w/17-55mm IS and 70-200mm IS lenses
Flash: Canon 580 EX
Post: Adobe Lightroom 2.5 & CS3
Lighting: Doug Box softbox