It's All In The Music (And The Lips)

Alison, Lindsay and I put this shoot together last fall with the ubercool but sweet couple in mind. Eugene is prime for contradictions--the passionate activism, organic food and bike culture overtones in a liberal university setting draws people from all over the country and world. The town remains fascinating because the mode of dress does not directly correspond to a particular belief system. We liked the idea of our couple being somewhat new to Eugene (but not too far out of town they wouldn't "get" the scene), Nor Cal or maybe Portland. Our couple brought with them their young sophistication,

and still having a kick playing in quirky Eugene. I decided that bright, strong lips would anchor our point that she is not from here, and maybe she is even playing an exaggerated version of herself.

I straightened her long, thick hair for the same reason.

Daily Emerald Shoot: Getting My Sea Legs

 This photo shoot, shot for the Oregon Daily Emerald in fall 2007, was my first shot at makeup and styling. Along with my best friends and fellow Journalism School students Ali and Lin, we borrowed fall clothes from local boutiques and raided our closets, found a University student to model, hired a photographer (Connor Jay) and went to work doing what I would find I loved doing more than anything: writing a story with clothes, makeup and people. We named our character University Girl, and sent her around campus for some lonely strolling and pondering in the grave yard.

I envisioned her to be glossy, so there are the shiny lips and the curled hair. Looking back on this shoot, I think we made our character into a girl who takes herself a bit seriously.