HOLLYWOOD visits Carrie and Sean!!!

Yesterday we had the ultimate career advancement experience for Sean and Carrie.
Hollywoods TOP Talent Manager, Producer & Consultant Lori Noelker Knight came to town!
Lori lives out in LA and has her own management company where she helps guide the careers of such actors as Aaron Carter, Bella and Remy Thorne, Floriana Lima, Adam Gregory, Logan Grove and more! She spent a full day teaching the kids how to make it in the entertainment business. She was absolutely outstanding! The kids learned techniques such as cold reading, improvisation, auditioning techniques for commercials and film. She taught the kids how to go from "reading a script" to creating a "living breathing character". The kids then got a chance to show her what they are made of and were filmed while performing their script and characters. Lori has a no nonsense "take off your rose colored glasses" approach and let us know what it really takes to help guide our children while they follow their dreams of becoming performers. It's not easy, it's expensive, and it's a dog eat dog industry. I truly believe in this approach. While I truly want to help Sean and Carrie both, I understand there also needs to be a back up plan and we need to be cautious and selective about where and how we spend to help them advance.
Lori brought us parents back in for a Q and A session and to review the tape of the kids. She'll spend the next week in Kentucky before returning to LA with the tape of the kids to be submitted to major network casting offices. (wish lots of luck for Sean and Carrie)
Lori let us know that just because the class ended does not mean the end of our relationships, she invited us to correspond with her, ask her questions, she'll help guide us along the way and most important of all....she'll be completely honest whether its something we like to hear...or not!
Thank You Lori, for giving the kids such valuable information and learning techniques! It was soooo worth it! I recommend her class to anyone looking to really make a go of it! She'll be back in December and a 1 day class in January. Contact Lori for more information.
I look forward to working with you Lori and getting to know you better!
Here a few pics of the kids....please excuse the quality of the pictures...I used my old point and shoot....bad idea...LOL

Girls Day Out !

The day started with all of us getting up and checking the weather channel! We've had lot of rain and it was threatening to ruin our plans. We are blessed, the sky opened up to a beautiful sunny morning, and the ground began to dry. we still all checked our emails to make sure no one canceled! LOL

By 10:30 we were headed for the horse farm, this was our day to practice, learn, fail, and bond between girls.

Our goal was to learn, to practice, to figure out what works for us and what does not. We were aiming for "Fine Art" prints. Carol, above, has a degree in Art. Carol took the picture that is now at the top of my blog, and will be my logo on my website until I get a permanent one. Carol took the shot as I was walking away from them out of the barn on my way to get Carol another CF card. We had taken so many pictures Carol filled up her only card!

I learned taking pictures of horses at 11:00 am when the sun is high and not behind clouds, makes their coats really pop in pictures.

We had the best time I've had in a long time with my friends. We learned a lot, made some mistakes, and got to spend quality time doing something we liked to do...just for us!


When ya gotta go....ya gotta GO!

My friend Michelle, who owns the farm ( www.theinnisfreefarm.com ) actually got out in the muddy field and made the horses run for us! I LOVE THEM!! It was so fun!

my attempt at "fine art"

Cherene doesn't look to sure about being chased around by a bunch of foals bigger than we are! LOL

The Sestito Family

Amy wanted something a little different, more creative, which was right up my alley!

Can you do that thing where you make black and white portraits with just a little color in the picture?, Amy asked while we were walking from one location to the next.

Yes, I said, I can do it for you.

Doing something different is what I want my portrait sessions to be about. I don't want the same ol' stuff you see in other portraits. I want my sessions to be about Fun, Joy, Laughter, Love, Real Moments, Real Memories, Real Emotions, Real People. It's the best way to capture the best images, naturally, while they happen. Let the kids play, or let them be grumpy, I'll catch it all, it's real moments in life that matter the most.

Amy brought a few props of her own along for the shoot. I encourage this to everyone. If you have something special, or a special place you want to go, just bring it, or let me know of your location that's important to you.

I had a great time being creative with Amy's Pictures. I gave her lots of extras to choose from, and tried a few things I've never tried before, and found out I loved it! Thank you Amy for pushing me in a more creative direction!

Caden was the most adorable little boy. We planned the shoot around his schedule, and when he was done, he let us know, by simply heading towards the car........

Here are a few of my favorite.

Smokin' in the Boys Room.......

Motley Crue Album Cover:

I did my share of young, defiant, fearless teenager stunts. I remember the first time I tried a cigarette was with two of my girlfriends in the 8th grade, in the janitors room. They didn't lock all the doors back then like they do now ( at least not at my school).

All of us girls would sing along while we batted our eyelashes at the macho boys who were tough, mysterious, Dangerous!.... Yep, I remember this song from those days way back, and thought it was sooo cool at the time. Once I lost the ability to hear music, that song was all but forgotten.

That is.....until yesterday.........

That was the school, I have to go pick up Damian, said Eddie with really annoyed look on his face. Is he sick, was my first question back at him. Ummm, No he was smoking in the boys bathroom.

NO WAY!

Yep, my young man had tried the puff of a black and mild cigar, but failed to realize smoking stinks. Literally! Ironically, it was the janitor that smelled the spicy scent of my husbands indulgent vice.

There's always one child who loves to keep their parents on their toes. I have two them! Devin and Damian both keep my hairs turning gray faster than the other three kids combined!

I was that child! I remember my mom warning me of this future! Telling me I was going to have kids just like me, with a big knowing grin on her face.

The Hampton Family

When Michelle first met Scott, she knew he was someone special. She was one of those lucky girls who met her soul mate without even trying. Today, the couple has devoted their lives to one another, and their family has grown to four. We shot our photo session around the family horse farm. Taking our time and enjoying ourselves in the beautiful evening light. Michelle and her family have a very special place in my heart. It's incredible to watch them grow. There is something so special about being able to capture special moments in time, of families in love. I wish them all the love, health, wealth, and happiness in the world. Here are a few of my favorites.

Actor Headshots and the Pickerington Comm. Theatre

At the Right Place at the Right time is the only way to describe how I became involved with The Pickerington Community Theatre http://www.pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org/


Sean came to me at age 9 and told me he wanted to be an Actor! Jim Carrey to be exact! I've always tried to my best to provide my kids with multiple choices of interest. From Everything from Hip Hop Dance, to soccer, baseball, musical instruments, and yes even Drama. So when I saw an add in the local paper for Theatre Auditions, I asked Sean if he was interested and of course he said YES!

I can't remember how exactly it all came about, but it ended up with me having a conversation about pictures with the Founder and Director, Melvin C. Spring, and him asking me if I'd be interested in taking Headshots of all the Actors all the time!


Well of course this was just a dream come true for me so I jumped at the chance with both feet running and have not looked back since. (okay...I have looked at the pictures I started with and boy am I embarrassed!) I've been having an incredible time and learning from hands on experience since the Theatre opened with their first production of "Cheaper by the Dozen". I've come a long way since those first headshots I took with my point and shoot camera...yes I started with a Sony 3mp point and shoot! I'm proud to say that all of the pictures on the Website are the product of "yours truly".


Likewise, the Theatre has grown by leaps and bounds! They pump out extraordinary performances by local talent. I have been blown away by the dedication and commitment that goes into producing one of these full length performances.

Starting next week and running through 6 productions :

October 19, 2007, 8:00 PM: through the 28th, 2007

The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow Condominium Association Performance

Check Them Out !!!

http://www.pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org/

Thank You Melvin for trusting me and giving me the chance to grow along with your newest production.

Here are this productions Cast Headshots!