What makes a beautiful portrait or nude?

To me, photography is not about equipment or technical skill, nor is it purely about aesthetics or composition. I love human beings, and as an artist and explorer, my goal is to connect with people and capture their strengths, their vulnerabilities, their relationships with one another, and their interactions with me. My images are born of real moments – they are expressions of both emotional and physical human experience. Whether I am photographing a mother and child, or a couple making love – this is the common thread.

For me, it is about trust and relationships.

Because of this, I feel it is important to remain aware of what it is to be the subject… to be naked, either literally or emotionally, to relax, to be directed and recorded by someone else. In keeping with this, I enjoy posing for other photographers, and last weekend I did a shoot with R. Ward Shipman. Here is one of the many beautiful images we made together…

Nude portrait

Photo by R. Ward Shipman at The Melanie Gillis Studio

This image captures trust and relationship as I have described. As subjects, we felt safe and comfortable and were able to express this as Ward both directed us and also worked with our natural body language. His sensitivity as an image maker is key here, and for anyone who photographs people, this is just as important as knowing which buttons to push on the camera. Often though, this is somewhat overlooked by people who are trying to achieve this type of image.

For those of you who are aspiring photographic artists, have you ever wondered how to create a comfortable shooting situation where you can capture this sort of intimacy and emotional presence? In just a few weeks, I will be hosting a seminar to address this topic. It will include a lecture, slide show, and Q&A period…

Warmth and Beauty in Bareness: demystifying the nude

Thursday April 16th, 7 – 8:30pm
at The Melanie Gillis Studio Gallery
126 James Street North, 3rd floor
$20 admission
Signing up early via phone or email is recommended as seating is limited.

905 297 7050
info AT melaniegillis DOT com

Posted by: Melanie Gillis, The Melanie Gillis Studio

Here she is!

Have a look at Catherine’s before and after shots.

Now you can see what we were getting so excited about. These are photographer Melanie Gillis‘ pictures so, admittedly, they are much more beautiful than all of the medical or amateur shots we’ve been showing you so far. Catherine is unretouched in these images.

Catherine lost 15 pounds and 15 inches! WOW!

Oh — and by the way, Catherine is 58! Doesn’t she look wonderful?

Before and after UV images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are Catherine’s UV photos, the before on the left and today’s photo right. Yes, I know she looks a bit moribund but that is because ultraviolet light picks up different things from regular visible light.

If you watch crime shows like CSI, you know that UV light sees deeper into the skin, revealing sun damage that may not be visible on the surface. That’s what the brown spots are on Catherine’s skin.

You can see that we’ve reduced the size and number of brown spots with one month of treatments. The primary treatment responsible for this change is the IPL or Intense Pulsed Light treatment. The fractionated laser, the Pixel, also plays a role.

The skincare products helped too. Catherine was able to tolerate the Vitamin C serum with hydroquinone called SeeQuin by Vivier.

This is what Catherine’s skin looks like below the surface. Pretty good, eh? Wait until you see what it looks like in daylight. Stay tuned for the next article.

New additions to 10 Years Younger … in Burlington! team

10 Years Younger … in Burlington! has been generating so much excitement and support that we are able to make it an even better package than we originally thought.

We now have a specialty bra-fitting store on board, Bocana Boutique. They have beautiful clothes, cruisewear, swimwear, lingerie and shoes in addition to bras ranging in size from 32AA to 46H.

See the article below for tips on making sure your bra fits properly — most women’s don’t! Studies have shown that 50 – 90% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. No wonder we don’t like our bras!

Bocana will be providing Catherine with a custom-fitted bra.

And once you find a beautiful bra that fits, you might head over to our other new team member, photographer Melanie Gillis. In addition to beautiful family portraits, she does absolutely gorgeous glamour and erotica shots.

You can check out her portfolio on her website. I guarantee you’ll be sorely tempted to have her photograph you in your new bra, and you’ll walk away from the experience loving your body.

Melanie is going to do Catherine’s before and after pictures.