Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

Two years ago, by chance, I came across Elke von Freudenberg on a group that we both happened to be apart of. Without knowing too much about her, beyond her love for cosmetics, we began a friendship. One that I cherish deeply.

So when Elke told me she was asked to be the Makeup Artist for Harper's Bazaar China, I knew that when the November edition came out, I wanted to be the first to proudly boast about it to the world.

Today I had the chance to briefly interview Elke:

Today's PRO-file is with Lianne Farbes, a former Model, current Makeup Artist and blog owner of The Makeup Girl.

Your bio says you got your start as a model. What made you decide you wanted to be a model and how long did you model for?

Actually I didn’t decide! My mother sent my photos around everywhere. I grew up in St. Louis and I don’t really remember how it happened, but before I knew it I was modeling for Stix Baer and Fuller (now Dillard’s) and Venture (like Target) everyday after school. When I moved to New York for college, someone saw me at a club and I started doing runway shows, and later moved on to catalog work. In all total, I think I modeled for about 12 years.

What was the first job that you finally felt like you were a makeup artist?

Oh that one is easy, when I started working as a custom blender for Prescriptives. I was able to really get the colors perfect and build looks around that.

Who are some of the makeup companies you are worked for?

Clarins, Prescriptives, Princess Marcella Borghese and Lancome.

I've been a Rocketboom viewer since the beginning (and persecuted for my advocacy of the lighthearted daily news by friends and colleages): I think I tuned in on her 3rd podcast on iTunes. Not a iTunes subscriber? Check your Tivo; Rocketboom is now available to most Tivo subscribers. Like many loyal followers of "citizen journalism," it was sad to see her leave Rocketboom. The good news is now everyone can see her on the boob-tube; watch for Amanda on ABC, maybe even prime time! Again, congratulations. Yesterday's headline read:

Amanda Congdon, the former host of the Rocketboom video blog, has been hired by US TV network ABC.

Congdon is also in the process of developing a show with US cable channel Home Box Office (HBO).

The Back-story: Congdon left Rocketboom in June this year claiming that she was fired, but Baron alleges that she quit to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles.

Baron apparently gave Congdon a 49 per cent share of Rocketboom. The two are currently in a dispute as to whether the agreement still stands.

In true Congdon spirit, here is an interpretation of perky quirky "news babe" memorable highlights. You may get a kick out of it if you watched Rocketboom since the beginning.

"I am going to be video blogging for Disney ABC, specifically ABC News," Congdon said in a video message on her Amanda Across America blog.

"I'll be the first person to fulfill that role for the network. Because ABC is continually pushing ahead and innovating, I'm super excited to be a part of their team.

"I'll also be appearing on ABC's News Now from time to time and occasionally I'll pop up on Good Morning America, Nightline and 20/20 to serve as an Internet correspondent."

Jeremy Wright is a serial entrepreneur, some have even said a blogpreneur for his focus on communications-oriented ventures. He has been involved in IT, programming and the business side of IT for nearly a decade. Jeremy is the President/CEO of b5media, a prominent blog network. He is the author of Blog Marketing, a business book on blogging and writes Ensight, a popular business and technology blog. Jeremy consults on blogging, communication, IT and time management.

What was your vision when you first had an inkling that you wanted to start b5media?
While it'd be nice to say there was some grand vision when b5 started, the truth is that it was a simple idea by Duncan Riley: partner with a bunch of bloggers to get more advertising. Then if we were going to sell ads, why not join them into a network? And if we were going to start a network, why not start new blogs? And if we were going to do that, why not hire authors?

So yeah, no clear vision initially, just a bunch of guys trying to have some fun and make some money. Who knows where it'll go though? We certainly have a vision and an amazing team and a fantastic group of bloggers that continue to astound me every day, but who knows what the future will hold, eh?

What do you feel are the benefits of being a part of a network?
There are obvious benefits. More traffic. Better traffic. Better ads. More ads. Higher paying ads. All of these mean that a blog that joins b5, or is started for b5, will almost always earn more money than it would on its own. It's kind of like hiring a book agent: sure, you give up 15-20% of your advance and royalties, but if they get you a deal that's 80% better it's a real no-brainer. And if they take all the heavy lifting of landing a book deal off your shoulders so you're less stressed, all the better.

Beyond that, you get free hosting, access to some of blogging's leaders like Darren Rowse and Brian Clarke, and you get to do it all while blogging about something you're passionate about and making some decent bucks for the privilege! It isn't really that hard of a sell when we have to pitch bloggers.

Joanna Roche is the Senior Managing VP of Pierce Mattie Public Relations. She has a proven track record of success and corporate experience. She is high energy and passionate about her work, which makes her direct, up front, realistic approach with Pierce Mattie PR clients what makes her a true asset.

Joanna is a married mother of a 2-year-old son, who loves to run, cook and travel. The best way to describe her is balanced. She loves to dive into her work, yet still maintain the proper balance of her hobbies and family life. Joanna is goal oriented and believes that nothing is impossible.

Tell readers about a typical day as VP of Pierce Mattie.

There is nothing typical about being a VP at Pierce Mattie PR! Every day is different and it is one of the things I love about my job. Most days include working on new business, coming up with creative ideas to promote our brands, meeting with clients, nurturing the staff and helping them develop pitches and reach editors, and keeping abreast of trends and happenings in the PR world.

In our continued effort to support bloggers and citizen journalists we are opening up our vote for Publicist of the Year to you. In the past we have only asked the media and producers to participate. If you've worked with any of our publicists, please vote today.

There are many milestones in a young man’s life. I can remember my first kiss, the first time I tried to drive a stick shift and the day I left my small hometown of Pearl, Mississippi for the bright lights of Broadway.

As I celebrate my third year anniversary at Pierce Mattie PR, I’ve hit two more milestones. I’m now one of the seniors at the firm, and as a result, Mr. Mattie has given me my first Louis Vuitton bag to commemorate the occasion. Just think, a few days ago I couldn’t even spell Louis Vuitton, and now I own one of their Epi leather briefcases.

As I think back on my time with the firm, I have many great memories. Aside from the day-to-day work, which I love, I’m most fond of the people. Nikki Walker, last year’s Publicist of the Year always brightens my day with her big smile and cheerful attitude. And no day is complete without the musical stylings of Miss Lauren Branche. But the person I have the most admiration for is Pierce Mattie himself.

Pierce will never admit this, but I often get the feeling that he cares more for his employees than himself. Even when he’s critiquing our work, I know that he’s doing all he can to help give the team all the tools we need in order to be successful. Whether it’s a gym membership to help stay in shape, a bonus to show his appreciation for the work we’ve done all year, or simply a “great job,” Pierce always goes above and beyond when it comes to taking care of us, and that is one of the major reasons why I’ve flourished so much in my career over the past three years, and why the firm has grown to a bi-coastal company with firms in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

So for me, the Louis Vuitton bag is not just a milestone in my path to becoming a more fashionable publicist, it’s a stepping stone to the next level of my career journey at Pierce Mattie PR. And no matter where the road takes me, I’ll always look great while pounding the pavement and securing the placements.

I decided to share what the topic was at "show and tell" time in our weekly management meetings in the New York Office. This weeks discussion was a review of Liz Wilson's Telling It Straight article. I will post the article here, then invite Pierce Mattie members to comment along with any comments you may have.

What quality do employees most want from business leaders?

A clear vision of the way ahead, perhaps? A charismatic leadership style? Political or business acumen?

Of course, we demand all those qualities in leaders. But a recent piece of research points to a different quality as being the top priority for many employees.

A survey of over 1,000 employees found that what they most want from their leaders is authenticity, honesty and clear communication. In other words, straight talk.

Many professional communicators already sense this and are counselling business leaders to adopt more open communication measures. But this message isn't always getting through. "Too much value is placed on charismatic leadership: Boards select leaders for their dazzle and the biggest plaudits are saved for those whose profile is often bigger than that of their organization," notes CHA, the consultancy that commissioned the research.

The straight talking survey identified four communication styles among business leaders:

Controlling
Understated
Charismatic
Considerate

Controlling Communicators don't really communicate at all. They are perceived as arrogant, cold and insincere. In the workplace environment, they are seen as strong on business acumen but failing to provide staff with enough information. Rupert Murdoch, boss of News Corporation, is cited as an example.

Elizabeth Shoemaker is only 24 years old, but through her Photography and articles on the subject, she brings a sense of worldliness, maturity and knowledge that is so refreshing. Elizabeth is one of those diamonds that sparkles so bright she captivates you from across the room.

When did you begin your career in Photography and what was the image that inspired you to do so?
It wasn't a particular image that inspired me to get into photography. My mother is an art connaiseur-- I grew up with signed, limited edition prints on my bedroom wall instead of posters. I've always loved visual art and always been perfectly awful at it. Actually trying photography never occured to me until my roommate bought a digital camera, but I guess the most powerful photographic experience I had was in high school. I was very much an outsider, even inside the typical "outsider" cliques, and didn't really bother with stuff like fashion or makeup. When it came time for my senior pictures, I chose someplace cheap on the outskirts of town-- it'd been ingrained in me that I wasn't that attractive and I didn't want my parents to waste money on pictures. It turned out that the photographer who worked with me was phenomenal-- I got goosebumps when he showed us the proofs. I remember my hands shaking when I picked up my favorite one. That feeling of "Oh my God.. Is that really me? Do I really look like this?" was life changing. I thought photography was all about pushing a button, that it was the poor man's art: I had no idea it could be revelatory before then.

Is there a perfect picture, perfect scene or perfect image that you continue to strive for?
I don't know. There are a ton of concepts on my to-do list; things I want to create but don't have the resources for just yet. I have a lot of ideas. I think, though, that what I strive for the most is a certain emotion-- pretty pictures are nice, but someday I want to take a picture with that amazing heart-in-your-throat quality, something you can't stop staring at. It's a huge thrill when I get a reaction like that from the subject of a portrait. Now my goal is to get that reaction from anyone who sees the portrait.

What are your thoughts on the beauty and fashion magazines photoshopping so many of the images we see?

The first time I'd ever heard of airbrushing photos was years ago, when Kate Winslet went after GQ for photoshopping her legs thinner. She was offended because she loved her curves! That was awesome. I think that drastic photoshopping in fashion and beauty mags was much more detrimental to self-esteem before so many people learned how to manipulate their own images. I don't like to do much at all to any of the images I take, even the rare self-portrait-- but just the widespread knowledge of what is done to those pictures, and the basic ideas of HOW, might actually be good for women as a whole. Smart, empowered women can look at those pictures and know they're not real--and if that small, insecure voice in their head says, "I wish I looked like that!" logic can respond with, "You WOULD look like that with the right photographer and digital artist."

Karen A. Newman is Editor in Chief of Global Cosmetic Industry magazine. Global Cosmetic Industry magazine is the business and marketing magazine read by cosmetic, fragrance and personal care product manufacturers and brand owners who look to the publication for the strategies behind the industry success stories. Karen also writes GCI's blog called Beauty Union.

Where do you see cosmetic packaging trends in color cosmetics going in 2007?
One interesting trend we see is in making it easier to apply makeup. Applicators are being refined to meet a very specific purpose for everything from foundation to eyeliner. The new lipstick packaging from Cargo is a hint of what’s to come in recyclable packaging.

What popular scents are being used in fragrances for 2007?
Among recent releases, a broad range of floral and citrus scents are represented, as are musk, sandalwood and patchouli.

Which brands do you seem to get the most press releases about?
We get a lot of press releases from professional beauty brands – and mostly hair care. We hear regularly from Pureology and Thermafuse as well as Graham Webb International, ISO and Joico, but we hear from a wonderfully broad selection of marketers in every category – and we never get tired of hearing about the new things companies are doing. There’s a lot of passion in the beauty industry.

What do you think was the best product launch of 2006?
There were a few that I especially liked. The Yves Saint Laurent Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation offers a built in brush, which speaks to the packaging trend question. Freeze 24/7’s Ice Shield Facial Cleanser with SPF 15 is interesting because it is the first product to commercialize a new delivery system that helps ingredients such as sunscreens bond with the skin so they can be left behind after cleansing. John Frieda’s Luminous Color Glaze puts a salon treatment into at-home use at a mass price.

Any changes taking place for GCI in 2007, editorial content, advisory board, etc.?
We introduced a new editorial advisory board at the end of 2006. This is exciting for us as it is a great group of industry professionals who are going to help us create content that is smart and spot on for our readers. The group includes: Roger Caracappa, The Estee Lauder Companies; Beth Ann Catalano, twist.new.brand.venture; Peter Gallagher, Unilever; Liz Grubow, LPK; Tina Hedges, twist.new.brand.venture; Camille McDonald, Bath & Body Works; Debbie Murtha, Macy’s Merchandising Group; Art Rich, A. Rich Development; Marc Rosen, Marc Rosen Associates; and Laura Setzfand, The Hain Celectial Group Personal Care Division. We’re really excited to be working with this stellar group!

Do you see the faux botox craze stopping?
I don’t see it stopping as long as consumers can find products that give them the temporary smoothing they are looking for.

Some of us are blessed with one talent in life, and others were given many. Jason Jobson is one of those multi-talented professionals with many talents you'll want to know. For starters, this native New Yorker has been a print, television and fitness model for many years. He ran the NY marathon in 2002 and a marathon in Paris in 2005. You may have already heard Jason's voice as a voice-over talent for commercials, podcasts and pilots all while working for one of the most recognized fashion brands in the world: Chanel.

“Ground Control” is the name of a pilot he has developed as a gardening/home improvement show that he is currently pitching to the networks. You may have seen his face on Sex & The City, Law & Order, Guiding Light or in 13 Going on 30. Jason’s newest role is full time Manager of Training and Special Events at Chanel and so I decided to tap into this multi-talented individual to learn more about him and what's new for Chanel this year.

With so many projects and talents, where does your passion to push your creativity come from?
I think that some people just see things with different eyes. I'm inspired by the simplest things and then also the most beautiful. I just saw the "Glitter and Doom" exhibit at the Met and the colors were incredible. My mind was racing with design inspriation. On the other hand I was in Mexico over Christmas and I saw this stack of empty glass soda bottles that were beautiful. I had to stop and take a picture and I got a few strange looks. Sometime the hardest thing is keeping myself focused on current projects. I think in New York it's easy to spread yourself too thin if you are not careful. We are obsessed with taking on one more project. It's hard when you want to move forward in different directions sometimes. Some things must be put on hold while you go in another direction.

What has working at Chanel taught you that you didn’t already know about the fashion industry?
Chanel is an unbelievable company overall. The thing that has impressed me the most is just how big the scope of all the projects are. I've worked with major houses from Italy and France over the years but when Chanel uses the word "global," they truly mean it.

What are some of the new things going on at Chanel?
That is the other thing I have learned - there are always 10 new things happening at Chanel! You almost have to pick a category and dive in - for instance in the fragrance division, the house is launching an ultra luxe group of scents called "les exclusifs de Chanel". There are 10 scents that each have a special meaning to the legacy of Coco Chanel.

Accessories are also on fire at the moment. There are a group of exotic tote bags launching next month that are going to set Chanel apart from any of the luxury exotic bags on the market.

Do you have any predictions for color and style for Fall 2007?
I think that most designers are really going for more vibrant, deep colors for Fall. Spring was clean and bright, but Fall will be deeper gem tones. Deep reds, and purples. I think American women have started to embrace the idea of wearing color. Not just when they go out at night, but introducing pieces of color to mix into thier wardrobe in an irreverent way.

Are there any styles from years past that you think will be making a comeback?
Looks from the 60's were a strong theme for Spring 07. I think sometimes designs are timeless. If a building is designed in a modern style, it should look modern a hundred years from now - I think the same is true for fashion design. The A-Line dresses from the 60's still look just as new and fresh today.

Is there anything new or coming up on the Chanel website that people can look forward to?
The website is always being tweaked and reborn. So much so, that I have to log on all the time so I don't miss something! One of the coolest things recently was the podcast made available of the pre-fall 07 collection that was shown in the Opera house in Monte-Carlo. Something about this little jewel box of a theater being featured in a podcast is such an incredible twist on what you expect. Now that is inspiring!

Where you can find Jason: MySpace, he also has a out of date website that he's been trying to update for years, found at JasonJobson.com.

Greg Cartwright has been a Massage Therapist for the past 8 years and Body Sugaring Expert for the last 4. He is accomplished in numerous massage techniques, including Shiatsu, sports and Swedish massage. Additionally, he is certified in Thai massage by the Traditional Medicinal Hospital of Thailand. Greg has been trained by top-tier cosmetology companies, such as La Prairie, Alexandria and SkinCeuticals - to use and administer their products. He achieved his Licensed Esthetician certification through The Aveda Institute.

Greg has always been a person who loves working with his hands, is service oriented and understands building relationships with his clients. Prior to starting Downtime Massage and Skincare, he was a chef at the Ritz in London, Moomba in NYC and private chef to a CEO of one of America’s best-known fashion companies.

What prompted your decision to change your career from being a chef to becoming a massage therapist and esthetician?
The food industry is brutal and there is a certain lifestyle that goes along with being in it. After 10 years and an injury in the kitchen, I was ready for a lifestyle change. At that time I was introduced to Yoga and went to a chiropractor. It was at the Chiropractor’s office that I saw massage for the first time. I love doing things for others; using my hands and making people feel better. I saw that I could achieve this through massage and that is when I decided to begin training to become a massage therapist and eventually a licensed esthetician.

Holly Houk always viewed illustration art as a hobby and thought that most people who wanted to earn a living from their art were fated to be “struggling artists.” Her perception changed when she began working at an advertising agency as an art buyer. Through her job duties and contacts, she began to see that many people made a viable living from illustration art. It was when her employer had a hard time finding the right fit to some accounts in need of illustration art that Holly felt the courage to submit her own artwork. Her employer was impressed and began to ask her for more illustrations.

One day while searching Craig’s List she found an ad by KMC looking for illustration art for an upcoming project. After calling in books from New York agencies, KMC still hadn’t found the right artist and posted the job. The art would be used for their nail polish company Artessa. Here in the US, Artessa’s sister company is Dashing Diva, which I recognized immediately as I have some of their polish myself. Holly was selected over 30 other illustrators being reviewed for the project and was awarded the account. The client was so thrilled with the results they blew up the images 5 feet tall and featured them at one of the world’s largest beauty tradeshows, held in Italy.

Her previous work also includes Airwalk footwear and the Boston Greater Real Estate Board. You can also see Holly’s art on our Beauty Pro blog, and this month she launched her new website, HollyIllustration.com

Holly told me that she gets her inspiration from film, fashion magazines and photography books and keeps a digital camera with her at all times. She even has a folder in her car to hold the random inspiration she picks up along the way – scraps of paper, spreads from magazines and “pretty little brochures.” This year Holly’s goals are to continue to build up fashion and beauty accounts so that five years from now she is working exclusively with high profile long-term clients.

Please be sure to check out Holly’s website, I assure you that you will be just as impressed as I was with her gorgeous artwork.

Simply say, “The Beauty Bible” and everyone knows I am talking about Paula Begoun. I recently was able to interview Paula, also known for her other best sellers: Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me and Don’t Go Shopping For Hair Care Products Without Me. Paula Begoun is also a syndicated columnist of “Dear Paula,” a column that can be found throughout newspapers in the US and the creator and innovative force behind her product line, “Paula’s Choice.”

When you first began to challenge the cosmetics industry, were you met with much resistance by them, or did they give off the attitude that you were simply one individual who didn't pose much of a threat?
I have always found the resistance the same, some people in the industry love my work and others think I don’t know what I’m talking about. In the long run, I don’t pose much of a threat, but that’s always true for an iconoclast.

As time went on and your books became best sellers (and you--a force to be reckoned with), did you notice that the brands you were challenging for false claims began to change the wording in their advertising?
No, if anything things have gotten worse. Cosmetic companies don’t even care what the FDA does, because by the time anyone notices, the next advertising campaign or product launch replaced the previous one.

In the beginning, were you surprised by the amount of women responding to you? Are you still surprised that it continues today?
I’m always surprised how many women know my work. Selling over 2 million books is really great for the ego. What saddens me, is when I feel nothing has changed and women are still wasting lots of money on misleading advertising claims.

You said (on your website) that Paula's Choice and your challenging of the cosmetic industry began as a personal quest. Do you now feel like an advocate for all women discerning fact from fiction in product claims?
It still feels like a personal quest, I find myself wanting to know more all the time. Being an advocate for myself, and having turned that into a business is a wonderful way to earn a living.

What makes Paula's Choice products stand out among its competitors?
It depends on who the competitor is. There are some really bad products on the market and in those instances my products are stellar with state of the art ingredients, air tight packaging (to keep the beneficial ingredients stable), and elegant formulations. But there are also brilliant products out there that are truly excellent and I feel strongly my products compete beautifully (and almost always, mine are far less expensive).

To say that Billy Brasfield, known as "billy b" in the beauty industry, is simply a Makeup Artist would be an understatement. While some things in Billy's life have been black and white, such as his decision to leave Mississippi for New York, there is much more depth to billy b that goes beyond skin deep.

A world renowned Celebrity Makeup Artist painting faces from the Red Carpet to the small screen, billy b has never forgotten where he came from and is on a mission to revitalize his hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi. I have been a long time fan of billy b the Makeup Artist, but now I can firmly say that without a doubt I am an absolute fan of billy b the person.

Shannon: Before venturing into the beauty industry, was there another career path you had set for yourself?
billy b: I ventured into the beauty industry by accident. For me, it was a matter of survival. I moved from a tiny Mississippi town (Aberdeen), and only knew NYC was where I wanted to be. I faked my way through the audition process for The American Academy of Dramatic Art, but had never thought of being an actor and had no experience whatsoever. It was a just “way” of getting to NYC, with my parents paying for it. I attended 1 semester and dropped out. My parents were not happy with the move and insisted I return to Mississippi.

After quitting school, I was forced to move out of housing, my parents cut me off financially, so it was sink or swim. I moved into a YMCA in Times Square and only had experience in retail, so I went to Macy’s Herald Square (because it was the only store I knew of from watching the Thanksgiving Parade on T.V. while growing up in Mississippi. They had a job in cosmetics so I lied and said I had experience, got the job and luckily discovered my talent there doing makeup on real women.

Shannon: When you began doing makeup, who were the makeup artists that you admired for their work?
billy b: To be honest, prior to my retail job selling makeup at Macy’s, I had never given any thought to who actually did makeup for magazines etc. I always liked fashion etc., but was so naive from Mississippi, I had never thought about it until I started doing makeup and then of course became aware of Kevyn Aucoin. He was already a working makeup artist then. I knew he was southern, so I was intrigued. He became my makeup hero.

Shannon: Are there any emerging makeup artists now whose talent you marvel at?
billy b: There are so many incredibly talented makeup artists out there known and unknown! I always say in my classes that every Sunday there are thousands of incredibly talented singers in church choirs that can sing circles around Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, but will never have record deals or be famous. It is the same with makeup artists. There are so many talented artists (known and unknown) who are unsung heroes.

Shannon: Which do you enjoy more: creating a story for a photo shoot, creating a story for a video or creating the look of a celebrity for the red carpet? Why?
billy b: The answer to that question depends on so many factors, but I enjoy it all. I think the best thing about our job is that it is something different everyday! The answer for a photo shoot depends on the photographer, the model, the hair, the stylist, the magazine, what type of makeup I am asked to do etc. For a video it depends on the video concept, the director, the director of photography, the singer, the song etc. For the Red Carpet, all of the same factors come into play. Making a magic image isn’t just left up to the makeup artist. As a matter of fact, making magic is a RARE thing and absolutely a "team" effort, but I LOVE the challenge every time.

Shannon: You just launched your own brush collection, billybBeauty Paint Brushes, what inspired you to create your own collection and how are they different from other brush lines on the market?
billy b: I’m glad you asked this question! I have always been very particular about my brushes. I think tools make all the difference in the world. For me, there are several factors, but the MOST important is that the brush help me do what I want to do. The shape, density, texture of the hair etc., but I also wanted to do a brush that is comfortable to use (ie. the length, weight, etc.) All of those factors are important. I designed the brushes for me; brushes that I use everyday to make my job easier. I am making tools that I love and use with the hope that others will love them, but I made them for myself. How they are different for me is that I incorporate some aspect of every great brush I found. Now I love every aspect of every brush I have designed; they are meant to be light and comfortable to use. This collection is ever evolving and what you see is not the final collection. I am in the process of designing a retractable lip brush and I'm sure I'll be inspired to design more brushes in time.

Shannon: You are a keynote speaker at The Makeup Show run by The Powder Group and now you will be doing The American Beauty Tour with them, as well. Do you find that you enjoy being out in the spotlight teaching pro's and non-pro's your techniques more so than being "behind the scenes" for your work, or is it equally rewarding?
billy b: This is a good question! I don’t know how this whole “teaching” and “speaking” thing happened, but I do enjoy giving back. I didn’t have anything like this available to me when I started out and if I had had the opportunity to learn from someone “who had been there” it would have helped me so much. When I speak/teach, I just try to be honest. I just “tell it like it is” and people seem to enjoy it. That makes me feel good, yes. I receive the most incredible letters after speaking. It always amazes me what exactly helps someone. It’s not always about watching me work or learning a tip about makeup. It’s nice to know I might validate, teach or inspire someone. It is a totally different type of satisfaction than creating makeup.

A photo team based in Los Angeles, Gaelle Morand and Chris Zwirner have been working together since 2003. They combined their mutual love of fashion photography as well as their unique talents, to create visually stunning images. Both have a long history rooted in the Film Industry, which provide them with a unique versatility.

Shannon: How did the two of you cross paths?
Morand & Zwirner: Gaelle and myself are neighbors. I think our paths crossed initially in the laundry room. We both were working in the film business, she doing CGI work as a “Look Development Artist”, me as a “Gaffer.” It led to discussions about lighting and photography. Gaelle was actively doing shoots where I, had taken a long hiatus from picture taking. I began to pitch in on some of her shoots to help with the lighting. Through that, I was inspired to pick the camera back up. We began to organize shoots together in the hope of building individual portfolios. It became clear that we complimented each other well. The deficiency of one was compensated by the other. Instead of trying to do it alone, we decided it made more sense to work as a team. Plus, we like to work together so why not?

Shannon: With backgrounds in the film industry, what inspired you to choose photography over film as your career path?
Morand & Zwirner: Creative control, the desire to nurture your own vision, and see it to completion. Both of our jobs required us to utilize our creativity, just not to its highest potential and in a very limited scope. The final “look” of the projects we were involved in was always at the discretion of others and at times, we had no control over what projects we were working on. It became a “job” and although we were both well paid at what we did, something was missing. Plus, the hours we were both keeping in the film industry began to affect our quality of life.

Shannon: Do you have a mentor or another photographer you admire? What are the qualities about this person that help you learn and grow in your craft?
Morand & Zwirner: We respect the work of many photographers. Each seems to have something particular that resonates with us. Be it Nigel Parry’s portraiture work, Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott’s or Gray Scott’s fashion spreads. I am a big fan of Gregory Crewdson, his lighting is amazing!

Shannon: What is your signature style of photography?
Morand & Zwirner: A cinematic look is what we think would best describe it. Dynamic lighting, bold use of colors, the ability to be versatile. We are drawn to many “looks” or “styles,” I believe the specifics of the shoot will dictate the style. It is up to us to be versatile and able to capitalize on it.

Shannon: Where do you look to for ideas and inspiration for a shoot?
Morand & Zwirner: The ideas seem to come from nowhere, I get some of my best ideas while I am in the shower. Why? Who knows? Otherwise we are always looking at other peoples work, or shoots from the past. Taking bits and pieces and trying to fit all the things we like together.

Shannon: What is the most important part of a successful shoot?
Morand & Zwirner: The most important part is a clear vision of what it is you are there to capture. Surrounding yourself with a talented and enthusiastic crew is very important, as well. Combine that with a positive “can do” energy, and you have a good recipe for success.

Amy Stephens, MS, RD, CDE has been working as a Clinical Diabetes Nutritionist for nine years specializing in diabetes & weight management. She's primarily worked as an Outpatient Diabetes Nutritionist for Dr. Andrew Drexler at NYU, as well as maintain her own private practice. She is a certified Diabetes educator, has also lectured to doctors and patients on nutrition with Diabetes and maintains a blog "Nutrition in the City."

Shannon: When did your interest in diet and nutrition begin?
Amy Stephens: I have been interested in nutrition since college. I had many gastrointestinal issues that were corrected with adequate nutrition.

Shannon: Why did you choose to become a Nutritionist?
Amy Stephens: I decided to study nutrition when I learned more about the field as a career rather than a hobbie from my sister's friend at Syracuse University. I was so excited to learn that I could make a career from a hobbie that I loved. The opportunites with a nutrition degree are endless - chef, clinical nutritionist in a hospital or private practice setting, and so on.

Shannon: Do you feel there are any misconceptions or misunderstandings about what a Nutritionist does?
Amy Stephens: Absolutely. Most patients think they see a Nutritionist "to be put on a diet." Patients don't realize our eating habits are much more complex. I like to think of myself as an educator and coach to help patients overcome obstacles, food misperceptions and misperceptions from food advertising. Most patients misunderstand the food-diet-health-weight loss relationship; our food choices are 80% psychological and 20% knowledge. Patients know what to eat, they just don't know how to incorporate it into their lifestyles permanently.

Shannon: What do you enjoy most about being a Nutritionist?
Amy Stephens: I like helping people achieve their nutrition goals. I feel more like a coach and enjoy it when patients do well.

Shannon: Do you find that as society has become more health consciencious, that there is an increase in demand for Nutritionists and a growth in your industry overall?
Amy Stephens: I think it's trendy to eat organic, but I don't think people understand the health benefits. It's more important to achieve a healthy weight and exercise than it is to have organic strawberries. Also, food marketing is geared at making the consumer believe if it's organic, you can eat as much as you want.

Shannon: What are your thoughts on the recent trends in the food industry changing the way they market to children to tackle childhood obesity?
Amy Stephens: The food industry is focused on making money, not making us healthy. We'll be healthier if we eat less, not more foods/portions.

Shari Weber has been in the music industry for 13 years. She got her start by doing a favor for a friend; she worked a concert as a local assistant by running errands for a band--taking the group to and from their hotel, setting up their dressing rooms and getting them take away Chinese food. That band was the Counting Crows. It was then that she was introduced to a Florida Promoter and he started using her for all of his shows. Shari's career as a touring production assistant has taken her all over the world logging over 840,000 miles in just the last eight years alone. She's been on tour with the likes of Celine Dion, Coldplay, The Go Gos, Def Leppard and many more.

Shari's years of globe trotting has made her an expert in travel, creating and sending digital postcards from each of the sites she visits. Her travels and time spent with musicians and their production crews have given her plenty of material to write her thoughts out in her online diary "Catch Her If You Can." Shari's insight of life on the road, human behavior and oftentimes witty prose makes reading her updates addictive.

Shari just completed a tour with Def Leppard, and also Evanescence, that kept her busy from January up until only a few days ago. Set to go out on the road again at the end of this month, I took the opportunity to get an inside view of what life is like as a touring production assistant and jet setter.

Shannon: How does it feel to have spent more time on a plane than you have in a car?

Shari: It's crazy to think, but it's absolutely true. I've also spent an equal amount of time in a tour bus. I don't care for the tour buses but I do enjoy flying - flying has become a mental cleansing for me. I fall into the time warp of travel; I can catch up with TV shows on my iPod. Watch a movie, eat & have a glass of wine and take a nap - then magically wake up in another country - its quite amazing still to me after all this time. I prefer flights over 6 hours - that's when I can really relax.

I'm rarely ever in a car. I go usually 2 months before I sit behind the wheel of my own car and its a strange sensation - its like you forget how to drive. Once I returned home from Australia and actually forgot, briefly, where I was and found myself driving down the wrong side of a parking gararge! Thankfully, no one was hurt and telling the story to my Mom gave her a great laugh!

Shannon: Female production crew members being in the minority, is there a bond between the women traveling?

Shari: Yes, there is. Even if you would never socialize with them outside of the tour - being thrust in an extreme environment makes people reach out for the familiar. Its nice to know you always have an ear to talk to and to be an ear for someone else.

Shannon: Did you ever think that just doing a favor for a friend so many years ago would be the beginning of your career?

Shari: I never thought a favor would amount to a career. I'm still dumbfounded by what I do for a living and to revisit the past and remember the day that started it all - makes me realize how lucky I am. I never thought doing a show for the Counting Crows in St. Petersburg, Florida would have open the door to traveling the world and working for the people I have. When days & schedules are challenging - I silently curse my friend, but honestly I am very thankful, its a world I never knew existed and I fit rather well in it.

Shannon: Describe what your typical day is like as a Touring Production Assistant.

Shari: This industry doesn't lend much to typical, but when touring North America & Europe, since we travel by tour bus, the average day starts by loading into the venue around 8am, setting up all production offices & dressing rooms - managing local assistants for the day. The entire day is spent sending the local assistants shopping for band & show needs, multiple Starbucks runs and so on. Usually the band arrives around 4pm for sound check and usually chaos begins once they're in the building. The "need" factor increases the moment the band is in the building. Usually, they take the stage at 9pm and show is down by 11pm. We load out & pack up - usually showering in a smelly locker room around 12:30am and climbing into my bunk on the tour bus around 1am. Driving through the night to the next venue and wake up there and start all over again. Its a bit different when in Japan, South America and Australia - the luxury is, no tour buses and a hotel every night with a private shower! Downside to that is being on a plane every 48 to 72 hours!

Shannon: Spending your days in a hotel room, eating room service and at restaurants, traveling by plane and bus—how do you keep yourself eating right and remaining physically fit?

Shari: It's a challenge- very much so. I seek out gyms before my days off so I have a game plan before I arrive the hotel for a non-show day. I go to the gym every day off and on show days, I will break out my roller blades and do a few laps around the building and sometimes, I will run up and down in the grand stands for a quick cardio work out. Most tours carry juicing machines so I try to make fresh juices everyday. Days off are usually the cheat days because after eating crappy catering for weeks on end - I always treat myself to a proper steak or sushi dinner on a day off! And yes, I do sneak in the molten lava cake!

Ever since Eddie LeVian joined the company in 1978, Le Vian® has grown and prospered through its entry into uncharted territory in the jewelry world, through Eddie’s eyebrow-raising marketing techniques, all to bring fine jewelry within reach of jewelry lovers – and would-be jewelry lovers – coast to coast. Today, Le Vian® collectors number more than 500,000, including royalty and billionaires but, more important to Eddie, jewelry lovers at middle income levels to whom he has opened a treasure trove.

Shannon: The Le Vian website is very unique with a great tribute to your father A. Le Vian and an all around feeling of warmth and love of family; I feel this sets you apart from other jeweler web sites out there. How did the concept of your website come together?

Eddie LeVian: The website is a collaboration of many areas within Le Vian including Marketing, Merchandising, MIS, Customer Service and more. My son Jonathan is the web master. My nephew Rafael is the graphic designer and web developer. Everyone involved in the web work knows the story of Le Vian first hand and maybe that is why the feel is more personal.

Shannon: You joined the family business in 1978, being surrounded by the jewelry business all of your life, was this something you had long wanted to do or was there a time when you wanted to venture out down a different career path?

Eddie: During college, I was not sure if this is what I wanted to do and in fact I was in search of my fountain of youth. Then I realized that of all of the things that you have in life, it is your jewelry that people keep from you and remember you by. So I realized that by having my name signed inside the pieces, my name will live on along with the jewel that is passed down the generations in the families. I realized that I had found my fountain of youth in my family business, where I have an excuse to see my brothers and sisters every single day. I decided to make the world’s most beautiful jewelry and make them available and affordable to everyone.

Shannon: Your website mentions that you have been responsible for many "eyebrow raising marketing techniques," can you share a few of them with us and explain how this has made Le Vian Jewelers who they are today?

Eddie: We made history with the first all precious tiara ever made for any pageant or parade, a $75,000 ruby and diamond one for the fiesta bowl that they used for 20 years. We have been the official designer for the Mrs. America Pageant for 17 years. We go to 1,000 cities and towns in the US each year with unbelievable trunk shows of the artist’s proofs and original pieces that are offered to our collectors. Our "Where to Buy" page can tell you every store we are in with maps to find the location. Each year we send personalized letters to our half million collectors at least twice a year and send roses and chocolates to the thousands of VIP’s. These letters give user names and passwords that allow our collectors to go to a private zone within our site called the Collectors Club where they can see the thousands of new designs a month that we do, as they come out. We even do a jewelry design competition with Jewelers for Children each year.

Piper Carter has worked as a freelance assistant for many of the top photographers in the world, and as a studio assistant at three of the top studios in the world: Pier 59, Industria, and Splashlight Studios in New York City. For three years she was assistant to maverick photographer Steven Klein working with him on some of the most famous projects of his career, including the ones featuring Brad Pitt and another with Madonna. She also assisted David Seidner on his last two projects before he passed away, including a series of famous portraits of Naomi Campbell and Leontine Price.

She graduated from FIT in May 2007 with a BFA in Photography & Digital Media. She completed her internship at Vogue Magazine in the Photography Dept. assisting the photo research team with editorial content for the magazine and the Poiret exhibition featured this past summer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Costume Institute.

Recently, Piper was on VH1's "The Shot," a fashion photography reality series and I took the opportunity to find out more about her.

Shannon: When was the very first time you picked up a camera, shot something and realized you had a knack for photography?

Piper Carter: I first picked up a camera (Canon AE-1) in 1992. I was attending Howard University at the time & had changed my major to Photography. I had no previous knowledge of photography & it kind of came to me naturally. I became hooked in the darkroom after I developed my first roll of Kodak 100 t-max, & watched in awe As my contact sheet miraculously appeared! I realized: Wow! I did that? I want to do this for the rest of my life.

Shannon: Thinking back to this moment, what was the image that inspired you?

Piper: My most inspirational image to date is a mermaid image I made a few years ago. My comrade Lenoid made an amazine denim skirt fashioned after a ball gown with rolls of ruffles. The model is Hollis: a beautiful creature with so much heart and passion. She works the brilliant red wig created by Ursula Stephan, a real artist. And she is slightly silouhetted against a white background. Make up artist Hiyiyatun Muqaribu makes us able to feel her buttery skin, & full lips. It’s a great project I really love.

Shannon: Many Fashion Photographers have told me that it is their love for art that guides them in how they capture an image through their lens and bring it to life, is this the same for you as well?

Piper: My inspiration comes from many sources: a combination of the French New Wave movement, The German Expressionist movement, the Blaxploitation movement, the Northern Renaissance, Octavia Butler, Shakespeare, & Stanley Kubrick.

Shannon: What is your favorite aspect to fashion photography?

Piper: My favorite aspects of fashion photography, besides great images, are researching the idea: looking up various resources, and the collaborative spirit of a good team all working together lending their expertise to the creative endeavor.

Shannon: Reflecting on the photographers you have worked with, what aspects of their knowledge have you incorporated into creating your own work?

Piper: I’ve worked with the best fashion photographers in recent history. One common factor they share is passion. They all are dedicated to making a perfect image & strong project. They all continue testing in their spare time Working on personal projects, trying new ideas, new people, expanding their scope. I follow this module in my life, “Keep shooting.”

Syd Curry is an amazingly talented hair stylist. Syd's career in the beauty industry has spanned 3 decades working on celebrities such as Debbie Harry, Ashley Judd, Madonna, Charlize Theron, Mariah Carey and Cindy Crawford. His trademark hair styles have graced celebrities at iconic events like The Academy Awards, The Emmy’s and The Grammy’s while his work has been published in every major magazine domestically and abroad. He was the creative behind the "black bob" wig for the model featured in George Michael’s video “Father Figure” and at present you can see his craftsmanship on Nicolette Sheridan as she graces the cover of Prestige Magazine. Syd Curry is talented, creative, innovative, but most of all...inspiring.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Syd Curry granted me access into his rise to the top, hitting rock bottom and how determination can never keep a good man down.

Shannon: When did you first realize that you had a talent for styling hair?

Syd Curry: At a very young age, it was just something I could always do. I started beauty school at 16 in Simi Valley, California. I was the only boy in school at the time and I took a lot of flack for it, but I was a good stylist and the boys who gave me the hardest time stopped when their mothers and sisters started coming to me.

Shannon: Did you ever think that it would take you all over the world?

Syd: No never. Who thinks that someday you’ll be going all over the world because you have a talent for doing hair? I had traveled all over the United States but when I worked for Mariah Carey I was lucky enough to travel all over Europe and to Japan. Billy B who was her make up artist at the time introduced us so it was amazing getting to see the world with my best friend. Ask him about the earthquake in Japan someday!

Shannon: How were you discovered?

Syd: My friend Ricky Castro needed hair done for a story in LA Weekly—we were shooting in a graveyard and old theater and his agent came by and asked me to call her. My first print work was with Matthew Rolston and one of my first videos was for Buster Pointdexter in Las Vegas—this is where I met Billy B.

Shannon: What do you feel are the two most important products when styling hair?

Syd: Of course products are always important, a good hairspray and something to “set” the hair, but for me having the right tools are key. Irons, hot rollers good brushes and a tail comb. I’m old school and almost every thing I do comes out of the “sets” I learned in Beauty School, even if its beach hair I start out pin curling the hair. Of course I can do a straight, flat look, but what fun is that? But getting back to your question, if it works for me I use it. I don’t care if it cost fifty cents or fifty dollars.