The ABS 2009 photo shoot with Luis Alvarez of Aquage

Have you ever collaborated with another artist on a project and during that creation period know that creative magic has just happened?

Well I sure did when America's Beauty Show collaborated with Luis Alvarez of Aquage for the ABS 2009 photo shoot.
This year we wanted to show models in and around Chicago. Our shows city.

This shot was taken at North Beach in Chicago. The clouds were so weird that day. It had rained to whole day before. In this photo Cindy, our model, is the sun. Just like the the weekend of America's Beauty Show, we are the sun for Chicago.

All these shots will be used in all the marketing and media pushes for ABS this year. Check us out especially in Modern Salon, Estetica and Canadian Hairdresser and VIBRA Magazines.

We hired four AMAZING models. It was a four day shoot. During that time is when the creative magic happened.

Luis Alvarez was the photographer. Here's his bio. The VP of Creative & Education and cofounder of Aquage. Named one of the Top 75 Educators of the Century by Modern Salon, Luis was recently honored by Intercoiffure with the Knight of the Ordre de la Chevalerie in Paris.
Luis personally photographs all Aquage images as well as many covers and editorial spreads for trade publications. Luis believes that knowledge is an energy source we can all tap into to
inspire creative growth. He encourages every professional hairdresser to become
a student for life and to take advantage of every educational opportunity to enrich both mind and soul.

I just want to say from my personal experience Luis Alvarez is an amazing stylist, educator, photographer and person. He's the kind of guy that you want to listen to every word that he says because you will learn a lot about everything you do and how to do it better. Now I'm saying that as a print/web graphic designer/creative director.
If you are a salon professional listen up and do this right now ...

STEP 1: Get a pad of paper and a pen and sit down somewhere comfortable

STEP2: Make a list of all the big name salon pros you would like to meet. If you don't know anyone by name, page through a trade publication like Modern Salon, Estetica or VIBRA.

STEP 3: Put Luis Alvarez on the top of your list. Right at #1!

STEP4: Come to America's Beauty Show March 28-30, 2009 at McCormick Place | Chicago AND MEET HIM IN PERSON! He'll be at the Aquage booth and on 'The Runway @ABS".

The amazing hair stylist at the shoot was Ann Bray! I remember her holding wads of hair that she was preparing for the next days hair sculpture and I thought, I wonder what she's going to do with that? Then the next day comes around and wham I see the model with this amazing, you wouldn't know how she did it updo and then you realize what a powerhouse designer/stylist you have in front of you and she is the sweetest lady you could ever meet. This is Ann's bio. She is a long hair NAHA winner and winner of Intercoiffure's Createur de Mode award, a master of competition dresswork and has trained winners at every level of competition including the only gold medal in U.S. history during the World Championships.

Put her on your list too!

Wanda Alvarez was the Make-up artist for the shoot. She put the tattoos on the models and even added colors to some of them with body paint and a watercolor brush. She designed all the models with a dramatic eye and light colored lips. Just beautiful work as an end result. Thank you so much for your artistry Wanda! We had so much fun laughing at the end of the day. I can't wait to see you again.

This kind of artistry of course takes time to build. ABS can help you with finding the best products to work with, talking to your peers, mentors and salon stars from all over the world.
The beauty industry is so personable, I love everyone I've met so far in it.

Thanks again for a great shoot. It was unforgettable.

Kristen