Here’s the editorial for the January-February issue of Luxury Magazine featuring Iulia M. from MRA and Luna Veneziana masks. Everything went smoothly, I worked well with the model (we knew eachother since she was a contestant on Next Top Model by Catalin Botezatu) and the location was awesome.

Location: Artmark

Masks: Luna Veneziana by Acaderm

Dresses: Bien Savvy

Make-up: Carmen Arhire

Hairstyling: Cornel Saru

Style & concept: Rosalie Kanda

Model: Iulia M. / MRA Models Agency

]]> http://strugariu.com/blog/a-winter-nights-mystery-for-luxury-magazine/feed/ http://strugariu.com/blog/crochet-deluxe-by-cristina-matei/ http://strugariu.com/blog/crochet-deluxe-by-cristina-matei/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:14:29 +0000 admin http://strugariu.com/blog/?p=1553 A short while ago I took the photos for Cristina Matei’s Crochet Deluxe collection, her latest work. All the clothes are done manually, and most of them include crochet. You can find more information about the collection and the designer on the official site, here.

Model: Andreea Savu Radulescu

Make-up: Lacramioara Campeanu

Hair: Steluta Martin

From all the shootings I did for Next Top Model, it was the only one with a rather normal surface to walk on. We shot around Hadrian’s Gate and the Library in Efes.

It was somewhat amazing that we were able to have the shooting there. The place was swarming with tourists. To make matters even more difficult, it appears that the locals are not very keen on having models running around on sacred ground. The producers made sure we had a green light, but I’ve been told it wasn’t exactly easy to do so.

Although it didn’t involve water, mud or dubious creatures like the following shootings, it was still difficult to a certain extent. There was a lot of walking around involved; however, the girls behaved in a very professional manner and that definitely made everything more efficient.

Hair: Florin Cova from Laurent Tourette

Make-Up: Stela Sapera

Styling: Catalin Botezatu

It’s time for the second installment of my Next Top Model story.

For episode 7 of season two, all the excitement moved to Turkey where we shot in various locations. The first of them was the spectacular Pamukkale.

It was all pretty strange because of those white limestone walls and water everywhere. One of the many challenges, for example, was to keep all the equipment from ending up in the water.

By the time we were finished, all of us including the models were extremely tired because of that otherworldly white light always shining into our eyes.

The white surroundings, although spectacular, made shooting portraits rather difficult. On top of everything, it was also incredibly hot.

However, this unique scenery, combined with the girls’ increasing skills made for a very productive day, visually speaking.

Hair: Florin Cova de la Laurent Tourette

Make-Up: Stela Sapera

Styling: Catalin Botezatu

It was pretty difficult for the girls because they had to make their way through the rather deep mud; it wasn’t any easier for Catalin Botezatu and the producers, since they also had to cope with the same elusive swamp and various aquatic creatures squirming through it.

It was close to the beginning of the season (episode 6 of season 2), so there were still a lot of girls and a lot of shooting to be done. Since there were 11 girls, we had to move between 11 different locations from the Delta.

I was slightly luckier than everyone else, since I got to stay in the boat. For the last few photos, however, I also descended into the slime that bordered one of the lakes.

Towards the end of the episode, I contributed to the judging process together with Catalin and Mirela Vescan. Although it was a difficult shoot for everybody, I had to assess the girls’ ability to pose successfully regardless of conditions.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the visual possibilities the Delta has to offer.

Hair: Florin Cova from Laurent Tourette

Make-Up: Mirela Vescan & Stela Sapera

Styling: Catalin Botezatu

Model: Madalina Pamfile

Art: Tavi Cocis

Hair & make-up: Diana Ionescu

Styling: Andreea Constantin

The road leading to the hotel traveled over the frozen lake, and legs tended to slip through into the icy water more than once. It was especially dangerous around the place where blocks of ice were being removed in order to help build the hotel.

One of the cars we used to get up there was a Duster borrowed from Dacia. During the shoot, we used a portable Dynaphos Kit with two flashheads.

The model faced the blizzard heroically. We shot over two consecutive days. On the first one, it got dark before we could finish so we had to start over the next morning with the whole hair/make-up/styling process.

We got snowed in and had to stay for an extra night. Even before finally descending, we didn’t know if we were going to be able to, since the weather was so menacing. It all depended on the forecast, and no one really wanted to risk their lives unnecessarily.

Here is the brave and adventurous team:

Styling: Iulia Dumitru

Make-up: Marina Chiorean

Hair: George Siea

Assistant: Vlad Zlate

Production: Laura Davidescu and Radu Davidescu

Model: Ioana Bradeanu (One Models)

Here’s the end result of the whole adventure. All in all, it was a pretty fruitful expedition

The credits are below.

Make-up: Andra Manea

Hair: Cristina Trohani (Cristina Trohani Hair Studio)

Styling: Ana Andrei