The Style Arbiter

Jul 24, 2007

A Stylist Life: Karen Parks photo shoot

By Libby Callaway | Filed Under My life as a stylist, Miscellaneous

I had the pleasure of working with the wonderful Atlanta-based opera singer Karen Parks earlier this week. I wanted to blog a bit about it, in case any of you guys might be curious about what goes on at photo shoots and Karen (this is her in the pink, in a photo taken as makeup artist/hair stylist Neil Robinson and I were getting her changed), David Macias of Thirty Tigers, and the fantabulous Nashville-based photographer Kristin Barlowe were kind enough to let me document it when I wasn’t helping get Karen gorgeous.

Luckily, Karen didn’t need that much help - she’s a knockout - so I had lots of time to take snaps of the team in action.

The first part of the shoot took place at the Schermerhorn, where we shot three outfits - including a black crepe vintage gown with a silver sequined panel down the middle that belongs to Barlowe, the lucky wench. It’s a killer dress, and it fit Karen like it was made for her.

Karen wanted a “fashiony” shoot, so Neil and I were charged with making sure that even when the clothes she wore were vintage (many came from the collection I’ve amassed to use in my styling jobs - my “kit,” as they call it in the biz) that her accessories, hair and makeup were modern enough to keep her from looking like we were shooting a period piece.

Thus, we avoided a classic updo with the black gown, option instead for a funked out, teased up ‘do to temper the classic lines of the gown. I chose long rhinestone earrings because the shape echoed that of the sequins on the dress.

Here’s Barlowe and Karen in the grand front entrance hall of the Schermerhorn. I love shooting in places like concert halls, which you rarely get to enjoy without a crowd around you. (Even empty, the marble hall was warm and welcoming, not intimidating; I love that about it.)

I shot a video on my camera that I was unable to post because I’m clueless on some of the finer aspects of this kind of posting (soon that will change!), but if I was able to post it, you’d see Kristin and her team of two assistants, Derrek and Daniel, walking backward, in front of Karen as she moved across the floor. At the same time, you’d hear Barlowe giving Karen instructions and feedback - hilarious feedback, at that. She’s a stitch, that girl. Super-duper talented, too.

After the Schermerhorn, we moved on to Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Jefferson Street. Karen wore two outfits there, including a long bias-cut mauve gown that was stunning on her, natch. I posted the photo of her back above to show you the kind of smoke and mirrors that go into photo shoots. Nine times out of ten, the perfect-looking outfits you see on models in magazines are jerry rigged out the whazoo with clamps, pins and tape. This picture is actually pretty mild - the dress was just a bit low in the front, which is why I snagged it with a plastic clip in the back and then secured it on the front with double-stick tape at the top of her adjustable bra (those are its clear straps hanging out the back).

Barlowe and her team scouted this location days before we shot, so she knew she wanted to shoot something in front of Mt. Zion’s gorgeous stained glass windows. When we did the fitting at my house with Karen on Sunday night (the shoot was Monday) and she tried on the mauve dress, Barlowe knew she had a winner. The color was perfect against all the dark wood and didn’t clash with the stained glass, but complemented it.

Again, we didn’t want the outfit to look too formal or antique-y. So Neil got out his teasing comb again and created an asymmetrical style that made the look more modern. I kept jewelry simple - small jeweled earring in a tone close to that of the dress; one dazzling Stephen Dwek bracelet (again, one of Barlowe’s amazing pieces); no necklace. Karen has gorgeous decolletage and we didn’t want to spoil it; plus, less really is more. We wanted to make sure that when you look at the photo you see KAREN, then notice her great outfit/jewelry, not the other way around. I think that’s what makes a picture like this great - when you strike that balance.

I love this shot - the last of the day, taken in front of the God Almighty Restaurant on Jefferson Street. Karen wore this canary yellow satin evening coat with enormous sleeves that I had in my cache with bright pink satin Dolce & Gabbana pumps and very ’80s dangle earrings with big colorful stones set in gold. Neil tied a pony tail into her hair, and Kristin pulled it to one side and tucked it in her coat. Chic!

Karen was the hit of Jefferson Street that afternoon, waving at passing cars as she walked backwards down the sidewalk with Barlowe, Derrek and Daniel following her with lights and camera. It was a sight, indeed.

Can’t wait to see the finished product. I’ll post a link as soon as they’re up.

Thanks, Karen, for letting us spy on your shoot. You did a great job, pretty lady!

Comments

One Response to “A Stylist Life: Karen Parks photo shoot”

Liz on August 9th, 2007 8:06 pm

The Karen Parks photo shoot was absolutely amazing! Every piece of clothing looked perfect on her. She has the kind of classic, gorgeous look which can sway either to modern fashion or to vintage couture. She is a true fashionista– if I hadn’t already heard her tremendous voice, I would have sworn that she is a model!