SENIOR GLAM TEXAS STYLE

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A little over a week ago, I was able to catch up with my beautiful (and sweet and smart) cousin Samantha to do a fun glam senior photo shoot so I’m sharing some of the shots here!

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She is more of a “sporty spice” type of girl so it was fun to do her hair and makeup for this session.  (Of course, she abruptly wiped off the red lip color the minute we were done!)  However, for that hour, she let me play and take as many photos as I wanted, and I had a blast!

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Fun senior photos that are based on a theme are a really big deal with most people having to scout for various picturesque locations.  In our case, we didn’t have to go any further than her family farm.  I thought it would be the perfect place for her Senior shots, using one of the old barns on her grandfather’s farm as a backdrop.

 

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One of the things I notice every time I do make up for people who will be taking photos, is that they are always surprised how much work it takes even to get a “natural”  look.   Photos usually wash away any natural definition your face may have, so you have to add a bit of color and contour back in.  Of course, it usually doesn’t all show up, it just protects you from getting washed away!

 

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Photography is something I enjoy working on because it’s an opportunity to be creative.  You can check out some more photos and make up I’ve done on the PHOTOGRAPHY by LUXOR  page of this blog!

 

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I try not to use any photo shop effects.  The last thing you want is to show someone your photo and have them say, “Is that you?”  I believe in being the best you possible, but I’ve seen so much photo shop that people don’t resemble themselves at all.  To me, that’s just cartoonery. (A word from my personal dictionary.)

I hope you enjoy the pictures and feel free to leave comments!

 

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BRAND BUILDING

The Woodlands, Texas, Houston hair stylist, jewelry designer, Luxor Living and Style, over 50 blogger, stylist, fashion blogger in The Woodlands Texas     Everybody has a fighting chance to obtain success in today’s digital world. This change is due to the advanced age of the Internet and the opportunity to share your business and your passion with the Universe.
      Through proper branding 
of your products, skills, company and persona even one single person can reach more potential customers and contacts than ever before. Across all social media accounts, while their should be a cohesive nature to images chosen for each… it is also best to realize that each account has a particular demographic and you may want to change up the methods that you use depending on that social media account’s genera demographic.
The Woodlands, Texas, Houston hair stylist, jewelry designer, Luxor Living and Style, over 50 blogger, stylist, fashion blogger in The Woodlands Texas
     While it can be scary to put your face out there and tell the world who you are and what you do…it can mean the difference between
giving yourself the best  
chance at success…
or never being heard
or seen.
     So that being stated, meet my new friend, Angel.  She is the designer and creative
mind behind
Waste Not Want Not Creations.  She creates Eco Accessories  and one of a kind pieces made from recycled items or re imagined vintage items. 
     There are fabulous book purses and whimsical lollipop necklaces as well as more conservative designs.
I recently created her online shop and website, and while doing so realized that we didn’t really have a lot of great artwork for the site.  It appeared rather heartless and generic without shots of the designer on the site.  I knew this would help to set the tone for her brand, and help future consumers connect with her.
     Products are one dimensional, however a Brand has many moveable components and layers.  People connect with
a Brand.
As a blogger, I realize that a lot of people do not care to read very much.  In those cases, people look to a photo
to tell them what they need
to know.  People are more likely to connect with your brand over a photo than they ever would if they had to read a three paragraph Bio.
    This is sad but true.
     Angel, a modest person, requested a little shoot to help 
bring her personality and heart to her brand. 
 
      It is very hard to make a person’s heart and passion shine through in photos, but I feel we accomplished this for her on this 108 degree day in Houston!
 
    While I am not the most talented photographer on the planet…I truly enjoy the creative process and being able to help people feel comfortable during a session.
      Check out Angel’s Waste Not Want Not Creations site to see more of her fabulous accessories!
-SDS
-July 20, 2014
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LASH SEXY with Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash

Stephanie Dawn Sjoberg, Younique, Cosmetics, Fiber Lash, Luxor Living and Style, MUA, Texas, Houston
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    I love the opportunity to try out and share the cool things that are out there in the beauty market!
 
   While I am a false eyelash girl, and it doesn’t bother me at all to throw on some quick lashes…there are a ton of ladies out there who do not at all feel comfortable wearing false lashes.  Some will glue hair to their heads and parade around daily in colored contact lenses yet false lashes are still viewed as a major no by some.
 VANITYFINAL@
 Good news for those gals who want major lash play without the drama of strip lashes… there is Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash by Younique.
 
     I’d heard of fiber lashes before, but didn’t hold out enough hope to ever go purchase them.  A rep from Younique sent me some 3D Fiber Lash to try out, and yes….it was amazing! (I’d posted a closeup of the lashes on my Instagram  account earlier this week.)
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    I work, (well one of my jobs anyway) in cosmetics so I know a lot of cosmetics people and everyone wanted to try the Moodstruck mascara.  It was amazing some of the results people got. (And no, you shouldn’t share macara but we are professionals, people!)
 
   Some people really do have trouble applying false lashes yet want the glammy, over the top lash look… so I feel this product is the perfect answer!
     If you want to learn more about Moodstruck by Younque, or any of their other fabulous cosmetics…click the link above to see and read about it all.  The link above goes to the site of Taylor Andress, an independent for Younique.  She’s very friendly and would love to help you with any questions.  
 
    I plan on trying more products from Younique!
-SDS
-July 1, 2014
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BLACK FEATHERED ANGEL


     This week I had the opportunity to do a full shoot in which I got to style, do the make up and photograph some photos for Jennifer’s acting/modeling portfolio.

I wanted to share some of the photos here on the blog because I absolutely had a blast spending the day together and working on her shots!

     Although I work in cosmetics, as well as own my own Apartment Locating business in Houston, I also enjoy doing freelance makeup and small shoots here and there. It’s a passion.

I decided to go for a more retro look this time, and used the new line of lip colors by Estee Lauder, Pure Envy, to give her that bold, sculpted lip look. I had used a nude lip in previous shots, shown here.

     The black feathered dress I used is a special vintage find that I own and it waits patiently in my closet for events such as this!  I use this fact to illustrate my continual point, in that fashion doesn’t have to kill your finances.  I actually bought it years ago. I’d taken over as District Manager for a chain of fashion stores in Houston, and they had decided to close out their formal collection, so I purchased this at a total steal although at the time I’d had no place to where it to!

Texas Modeling, Houston Photography, black feather dress, cocktail, glam, fashion, style blog in The Woodlands

I would almost be upset at how wonderful it looks on Jennifer, but she’s such an angel and so fabulous that it’s impossible to be upset with her for being 5’10 and gorgeous! And young. And smart.

     I’ve always been so interested in advertising and how exactly people a select few work their way up into ad positions with retailers.  I once worked for a US company that kept making odd choices in the catalog models and styles and sales began to suffer with each poor decision. 

     Once, they hired an actress from another country to be our model.  The problem was, they paid her a lot of money, but 98% of our demographic didn’t even know who she was so the large salary spent accomplished nothing.  I always felt it would be a better decision to find a fabulous unknown, and develop her and your company image simultaneously. If your product is great and your catalog is great, do you need a multi million dollar face? 


    

     Anyway, there will be other themed pictures from different parts of the shoot shared in the future here! What are your thoughts?

 

    

-SDS

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LITTLE BLACK DRESS (volume 1)


     I love black and white photography.  I  love old school scenery. I really love saving money on a fabulous and timeless dress.  This post combines it all.

I found this dress at Forever 21, which is sort of funny, huh? It’s fit was perfect, it’s lined and I love the cut.

 

The pearl embellished neckline made it classic and the wide and short flare of the skirt makes it appear as if I have wider hips!

This is one of those buys you can wear for years to come, which is the best kind!

retro, blonde, train tracks, Old Town Spring, Luxor, Stephanie, Prada, little black dress

                         watch by Movado, glasses by Prada, dress by Forever 21

     It’s been a super busy day but we are taking the evening off to go enjoy the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tonight! There surely will be another Texas girl post coming soon!

 

-February 26, 2013

-SDS

-SDS

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