A Year of Beauty- Photography Challenge

[Samtian]

Hello! March's Challenge!! Drumroll please...Free for all! Time to get caught up on anything you missed or forgot to do.

Previous challenges-

April- Lipstick

May- Eye Shadow

June- Primer/Foundation/Concealer/CC/BB

July- Highlighters

August- Brushes

September- Sheet Masks

October- Hair Care

November- Fragrance

December- Nail Polish

January- Blush/Bronzer

February- Candles/Wax Melts/ Diffusers

I've been thinking for a while now about creating a challenge. And why not mix my two favorite things in life!? Beauty and photography. As some of you know I am a photographer on the side. But my creativity for things like this are horrible! Each month we will have a different theme, and your challenge is to incorporate the theme into a creative photo!

This challenge is going to be a little different, because you won't be creating looks! Starting in April, but I'd love to get your input and if this is something you would be interested in participating in. I thought about doing prizes and voting, we can still vote for the best if you guys want. But with all the legal jargon needed for prizes I decided I didn't want to mess with that. I might send  unicorn mail throughout to those who participate often though 😼 PS- They make for great filler posts on your social media too. And active participation in the forum, reviews, and gallery ( don't forget to post your challenge photos there too!) can possibly help your chances of getting gratis...like those two beautiful perfumes I got as a gratis below *wink wink*.  

The challenge and "rules"-

1. Flat lays and staged photos only. I'll post examples below. But no faces or people allowed in your photos. (Though you can include photographs).

2. All photos you take must be your own. 

3. Post as many images as you want, you have a whole month to get creative with each theme. Post one, post everyday, doesn't matter.

4. Let's talk gear and products! Tell us about your image. List the products and colors, talk to us about your concept and how it came to be, taken with your phone or DSLR? 

Here are some helpful reads- digital-photography-school dot com/flat-lay-photography/  and digital-photography-school dot com/tips-for-getting-started-with-still-life-photography/

Here are some of my example images I've taken in the past-

Gucci Bloom Eau De Toilette 1 oz/ 30 mL eau de toilette spray 

Floral Street Sunflower Pop Eau De Parfum Travel Spray 0.34 oz/ 10 mL 

[itsfi]

That says so much about you @LCResz! Both your investment in your students and how they respect and value you. What an impression you’ve left on them. 🥰 Awww, yes!!! I would love to see SoFla from your eyes. 

[LCResz]

The sample of Boadicea the Victorious Delicate I recently tried out instantly made me want to breakout this piece of art from Nars and do a quick photo shoot!

[Sunnysmom]

Beautiful shots ⬆️ and here @LCResz !  Love the info too. (I forgot I have that Nars! Thanks for reminder. 🥰 I should haul it out!) 

[CynthieLu]

There are serious classy vibes in this PhotoShoot @LCResz very pretty idea for a picture 📸 🥰

I want to know more about this piece of art by Nars 😍 whaaaat is it?

[LCResz]

@CynthieLu  The artist, Man Ray, was a surrealist of the early 20th century, and like most artists of that time, his work is dreamlike, otherworldly, even disturbing, and always interesting to say the least! If you like Picasso and Dali then you’ll definitely find Ray’s work enjoyable! 

Nars hasn’t done an interesting collaboration in a while, but who knows what they may have up their sleeves yet!

[CynthieLu]

Thank you for that explanation @LCResz 

This collab is so visually appealing. 

I think I would like his work from your descriptions, otherworldly vibes ooooh I'm intrigued 🌌

Your right, they could have oodles of fun things in store for us, well just have to wait and see 😄

[Samtian]

@LCResz Ooh this is so pretty! I had no idea Nars had anything like that, that is awesome! That scent sounds good. 

[LCResz]

@Samtian NARS did a collection featuring Man Ray’s photography in Fall 2020. I fell in love with Man Ray’s work after watching Midnight in Paris, which also featured my favorite authors, painters, and musicians to boot!

[Samtian]

@LCResz Oh wow! I bummed I missed that. 

[itsfi]

This is gorgeous @LCResz! 😍 The backdrop and coloring look beautiful together. 

[LCResz]

Thank you @itsfi! It’s been overcast and the perfume has a brooding nature to it, so they managed to spark a moment of inspiration!

[Samtian]

I can't say I'm particularly happy with either of these, but oh well! That's what I get for slacking off! December featuring the gorgeous Gucci Blush. And January featuring some wax melts. 

DecJan

[Sunnysmom]

I love all your great pics @Samtian , especially the B/W ones! These are very cool. 

[Samtian]

@Sunnysmom 😄 thank you so so much!

[Titian06]

@Samtian - I like both pics!  The postcard in the top photo is great!  It adds so much color and interest without overwhelming your pic.  Your layout seems to be a minimalist mimic of the postcard.

I love B&W photos, so my eye went to this pic first.  I didn't notice the feather at first.  Once I saw it, it really brought the whole photo together.  Very well done!

[Samtian]

@Titian06 Awe thank you so much!!

[CynthieLu]

They are pretty pictures @Samtian and the where you've laid them out on that marble surface, it makes them look extra elegant 💫 you did a good job with these 🙂

[Samtian]

@CynthieLu Thank you so much!!

[itsfi]

I would hardly say you were slacking off, Samtian! You've been working hard and a lot. Sometimes that doesn't leave a lot of time for other things. 

I'm sorry you're not happy with these pics. I wonder though if you aren't your hardest critic. I like both your photos and they're actually giving me inspiration for pics to do this month. The set up and props on the blush photo is creative and smart. I love the photo / postcard of the contents of a vanity table in the backdrop of a set up that looks like it's showcasing the contents of a vanity table with the perfume, brush, blush, makeup bag. It looks great against the marble background. 😍

Love the black-and-white of the wax melts photo. And I'm particularly fond of how you laid out / placed that feather pen (is it a pen) - genius. Very clever. The pen looks like it's part of the design / pattern on the notepad and the black-and-white motif and shading can, at certain points, mask the feather - it rests against the marble and is positioned in such a way that it nearly blends into the marble. Very cool @Samtian!

[Samtian]

@itsfi You are too kind thank you! Yep its a feather pen! I was bummed it arrived bent though ha. I can't wait to see what you come up with! 

[Samtian]

Next challenge is up! I misplaced one of my lighting cords so I'll upload my images tomorrow after I find it.