Styled Bridal Shoot - Spring/Summer Inspiration! {Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park}

It is my great pride & joy to share a shoot conceptualized by Christine Le and myself to highlight the various wedding vendors located in the San Francisco Bay Area - specifically the South Bay vendors and hidden gems! We were hoping to submit it at the time it was produced & shot in June of 2011, but at the time there were an over saturation of stylized shoots! The photos were shot on film and are as is without alteration.  Nearly 2 years later, I am excited to share a few of the images here on my blog.  All of our vendors and the models worked hard and we are really proud of our work.  Watch the video now! :) :) :)

I also wanted to thank my friend Patty for agreeing to join!  What had happen was the original 'maid of honor' we casted had to cancel because she had to go in to work that day.  Patty & I went to grade school together in Bangkok, Thailand...we were supposed to hang out but I got the dates mixed up!!  And then I begged and begged Patty!  lol this is her acting & modeling debut! 

Here is the description of our project:

Christine & I drew our inspiration from the heart of California and its Spanish heritage. By juxtaposing a beautiful historic venue with modern elements, we salute old world

Spanish charm but present it with a modern twist!

Allied Arts Guild, a cooperative of artists, has been an inspiring sanctuary for artists and craftsmen since 1929. Originally owned by a Spanish King in 1700s, it was designed in the classic Spanish Colonial Style with tile work broughtby art lovers. The location is picture perfect with its exquisite over from Spain and Morocco and purchased Spanish-style gardens, making it a dream destination wedding venue. The Spanish architectural details of the red-roof tiles, archways, courtyards, and wrought iron reflect the beauty and history of California.

Our color palette of soft peaches, yellows & ivory was inspired by the warm California sunset as well as the hues of the venue's Spanish tiles. Indelisa Montoro from Royal Bloom designed the romantic yet modern floral designs. Also found in her charming boutique, located in the Allied Arts Guild, is the chandelier, vintage utensils and plates, as well as couture wedding favors like the bird nest our ring bearer is holding in his palm!

The groom and ring bearer wear custom fitted tuxedos provided by Eli Thomas. The lines and ruffles of the bride’s organza ball gown {“Chelsea from David Tutera by Faviana 2011”} echoe the motif of the Spanish tiles. Complementing the gown is a hand-made hair accessory by Bonnie Harper from One World Designs Bridal. Jewelry featuring an elegant organza & cotton flower on top of ivory feathers with a pearl accent in the center; it is placed carefully on top of the modern, side-parted low. The bridesmaid and mother of the bride wear Simone Carvalli – all gowns chignon on the bride by makeup & hair artist Elizabeth Chang from Skyla Arts, and the unique floor-length Sara Gabriel “Rachael” Veil are provided by BoLee Bridal Couture. Also showcased on the bride, is Yael Design’s bridal “Novelique” collection that is opulent and stylish –featuring a beautifully crafted diamond engagement ring. Jewelry worn on thebridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride is from Yael's “Lyra Collection” containing colorful diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.

Staying true to our Spanish/California inspiration, Tim Prestoza from Low Tek & Elizabeth

chose “Mi Corazon” (My Heart/Love) as the background music of our video, and the style of the digital videography –mixing the old and the modern - replicates vintage Super 8 mm film but is done instead (remove instead) digitally.

It was a surprisingly warm day for June, but despite the heat, all the vendors and models pulled out all the stops to create these images & video! We hope you enjoyed the photos and thevideo as much as we do!

Star Vendor List: 

Venue: Allied Arts Guild {Menlo Park, California - contact: Tiana Wong}
Makeup and Hair : Elizabeth Chang @ Skyla Arts {assisted by Erika T}
Photographer: Christine Le @Magnolia Photography {assisted by Erik L}
Videographer: Lowtek Studios {Tim & John}
Jewelry: Yael Designs
Hair Accessory: One World Designs Bridal
Bridal Gowns:  BoLee Bridal Couture, designer - David Tutera
Tuxedos: Eli Thomas
Flowers: Royal Bloom Boutique
Stationary: Inviting Ideas

Cast: 
Bride: Jana Molder
Maid of Honor: Patty Wu
Groom: Kelly Murphy
Best Man: Shane Swenson
Mother of the Bride: Astrid Tromp
Father of the Bride: Al Valdes
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer: Kelsey & Travis@ JE SF

MixedBagDesigns Spring 2013 Catalog!

I have to admit it's a pretty great feeling to see your makeup & hair work fill up an entire catalog! woohoo! Even though these images have been out for a while now (since I'm lagging on my blogging), I am still thrilled to share the work I did for Mixedbagdesigns for their Spring catalog! For 2 of the days we shot, I was lucky to have my friend Melissa Hoffmann as my 2nd in command to help me get the kiddos ready! I remember distinctly that we had a lot of adventures with the CalTrain....because it coincided with another Giants Parade....! At 5:30am Melissa was trying to catch the CalTrain and almost missed it because the line to get the tickets was so long!! I had no idea fans woke up so early to get into the city for the parade!! Luckily she made it and we were on the train together! So much excitement (or rather anxiety!!!) to get to a job ....! If we drove, we might have missed the job with all the traffic!!!

Wardrobe stylist Peggi Jeung and I had a lot of fun on this job! And I was thrilled to work on the Fall catalog again with the same team last week!  We also got to work with great models - Men & Women, kids and teens from Stars, Look and JE Models!

I'm looking forward to sharing the Fall catalog when it comes out!! :) Until next time!!!

Sara & Conrad in San Francisco...or Paris? {Summer 2012, photographed by Matt Edge}

Photography: Matt Edge

Makeup, Hair + Men's grooming: Elizabeth Chang (me!)

Styling: Matt + Allison

Models: Conrad @ Stars, Sara @ Scout

Last summer I posted the teaser for the "Behind the Scenes" from this shoot and discussed some of the Fall Trends on the runway.  Even though the photos were up on my portfolio (wink wink...I have updated my bridal website's slideshow + commercial print portfolio) but I post more images on the blog! Enough babbling!! 

We were going for a Parisian vibe, but it was shot in the beautiful windy San Francisco! 

I am so pleased with this set! All of the photos were shot on film photography - the colors and richness!      To my knowledge, most film photographers do not spend a lot of time in photo shop, so I try to make the subjects look as perfect as possible for every frame. I love the film look and I am thrilled with how the hair/makeup/grooming turned out too! Woohoo!  ^.~ The middle to last part of 2012 I had a lot of men's grooming jobs, either working on CEOs or for print work on male models ages 20-40.  I am quiet enjoying it more than before!  While men 'take less time' or could be thought of as 'easier' compared to woman, I have to say it's definitely a balance making it look like they are not wearing any makeup at all, and their hair natural but 'well groomed.' It's actually a lot of fun styling men's hair - it kind of feels like 'molding clay' or something into a mini sculpture, but it's actually hair! Fun! 

Matt posted the photos on his blogs - I selected a few different ones to highlight because I'm trying to showcase my makeup/hair work but I really love how he put it together! The wonderful thing is Matt moved from LA to the SF area, and so we'll be working together again! Very excited to work with Matt again!  Previously I had to go to LA to work with Matt, or wait for him to come up to the SF area en route to work a wedding in Napa/Sonoma! 

P.S - Matt shoots beautiful weddings as well as fashion/commercial/lifestyle work {Matt Edge Wedding Photography} so if you are a bride-to-be for 2013/2014, please check his work out! 

 

Z-life Magazine Publication{winter 2012}

Photography: Laura Tillinghast
Photography Assistant: Rebecca Herem
Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang (me!)
Model: Hannah + Jana @ Stars Model Management

I've been meaning to try Zumba for a while, more so after these two assignments for Z-Life Magazine!  Coincidentally, I received these photos today, and I also received my Zumba Fitness Xbox game in the mail!!  Now that my husband and I FINALLY installed curtains, I won't have to feel self conscious about my neighbors looking in while I attempt to work out a sweat in my living room! ;)

I was very very excited to get an opportunity for a tear sheet that features "beauty" work and we got to do 2 different features (one for the serum, the other for the hair chalking technique!!!)  I was pleased to see that it was also the first story in the issue!!! yay! I look forward to work with this magazine again and of course, trying Zumba!  For the serum shot, my left hand is in the shot (lol! my first shoot as a 'hand model'! lol!!!) and Rebecca was holding the serum droplet!!  It was a lot harder than it looked but we were able to get the shot under Laura's expert guidance!!  Laura did an amazing job with...everything!!! Planning the shoots, casting the PERFECT models, and then - the beautiful product shots!!! Bravo bravo!! I can't feel more proud of the spread!!! Not shown here, but there was a product shot that featured a REAL LIVE SNAKE!!!  Click to see it! I think that is pretty rad!  :) :) :)

On the personal note....

I'm heading to LA next week for a job, and the job continues the following week here in the Bay - and  after the job completes, I head to NYC for a destination wedding!  I don't know...my goal of catching up with blogging doesn't seem to be a realistic one...! You may also notice that I seem to prefer to blog the commercial/print work that I do, versus the 37+ weddings I haven't gotten around to!!! I hope you don't think that I prefer one type of work over the other because of this!!! The truth is, blogging about my lovely brides and their handsome grooms requires more time commitment, and also I am still collecting the photos from spring/summer weddings. My beloved iMac is also reaching the end of its rope....! And I'm having trouble updating my gallery on my bridal page...which brings me to... my new bridal website that will launch Spring of 2013!  I will begin working with a webdesigner/developer this coming month!  It's very exciting but wow...I was thinking Nov/Dec will be a nice down time for me, but it didn't end up happening that way.  I hope I don't sound like one of those people who goes "I am just SO busy...SO busy" and it gets annoying.  You know the type!!!  :P  But I have to say my plate is quite full, and I feel very blessed to be busy (even though I do whine about it when it gets a little overwhelming!!), working in an industry that I love.  In the meantime, if you would like to see sneak peaks of bridal photos, please like & follow the Skyla Arts Facebook Page.  I also have a Commercial Facebook Page, Elizabeth Chang | Makeup & Hair, dedicated to sharing commercial/print/photoshoot work.  Lastly, I'm active on Instagram and post behind the scenes snapshots and of course...my cat Skyla, and occasionally the food I'm eating :)

Yesterday I did a bridal preview/consultation with a lovely bride-to-be, and she asked how many weddings I did/am doing this year, and I said: "I think it's 40 or 41" and she thought that was a lot!  Definitely a lot more than last year!  But I know of colleagues that do 60+, or 100+! I had a conversation with them about it...I ask them..."How do you manage??!!"  Next year I will feel so lucky & honored if 40 brides choose me for their big day! I'm just hoping that next year will be even better than this year!  And by that I don't mean I hope to get more than 40 brides! :P Truly truly...to my clients who hired me, if I haven't said it enough, THANK YOU! Yes yes...This is a belated Thanksgiving post! :P :P 

Until next time!!! *smiles*

I just wanted to post this bec

Makeup & Hair for Pottery Barn Teen 2012 Holiday {Sleepover!}

 

I seem to find my work through Instagram a lot!  Karyta, the beautiful model on the left (from Brazil & represented by Scout SF) had posted the photo of her for the Sleepover sale on her Instagram account! Eventually, with her assistance, I was able to locate where the full size image was through the PB Teen website (I clicked on the product, and this photo was the last 'view' of the product!), and I also the spread of the catalogue!  The other beauty on the right, is Alina at Cast Images!

I'm always excited to see my work, whether it is bridal or the commercial/print stuff! I love my job! ;)

Alex | Lifestyle {photography by Sasha Gulish}

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang
Photography: Sasha Gulish
Styling: Peggi Jeung
Model: Alex @ Stars Model Management

On a warm sunny day...All I wanna do is lay on the grass and lounge around.  Meet Alex - she has a really beautiful smile and a sweet personality! Her southern accent is adorable! ;)  Immediately upon starting her makeup, I was like: "Doesn't she look like Alexis Bledel?!" After the first few looks, I knew the plan was to do a picnic theme, so then...I kept pushing for the red lips - knowing how gorgeous it looks on Alexis and how it will pop from the lush green colors of the grass.  Unfortunately I had to leave the shoot early to make another appointment.  Sasha thought maybe they would switch into a more neutral lip for the picnic, so I handed them a wipe and a empty jar with a tiny bit of lipstick. 

When I got the photos back, I was ecstatic to find that they decided to keep the red lips towards the end and I loved the results. There were many other favorites from this shoot, but I selected 5 of my favorites! Out of the five, my favorite is the first one above! It's such a happy photo...and I love the polka dots against the grassy fields! One of my photography friends pointed out that I seem to be fond of back-lit images - YES it's true!! I like it when the subject looks like they are glowing! ^.~

Peanut, the cute dog featured, belongs to Peggi. As I was doing Alex's hair, Peanut was pacing around the apartment {a very cute studio apartment that Alex was renting out for the duration of her stay in SF} - and Peggi said: "Peanut! Come back! You are in the hair spray zone!"  lol...and Peanut obediently marched back to the safety of the other side of the studio. that was my favorite quote of the day.

I hope everyone is having a good day/good week so far!

Diana - Beach Photoshoot!

Summer is here indeed!!

Makeup & Hair: Elizabeth Chang
Photography: Sasha Gulish
Styling: Ali
Model: Diana @ Stars Model Management

As usual, I am posting out of chronological order! I figured the last post was wedding related, I shall mix it up with some fun in the sun! 

It wasn't actually that sunny that day out in Marin, but you wouldn't have known because Diana from Stars Model Management brought it with her! 

There were some other great ones, but these are the few that I loved for the blog/website! ;) Actually.....I had SUCH a hard time deciding what photos to use.  Even now as I'm looking at the photos that Sasha (the photographer) chose, the ones that Stars (Diana's agency) chose, and then look at the ones I chose, I'm like..Should I have picked a DIFFERENT one? Oh oh ...! I cannot go through this again! lol. Diana dances a lot in school, and it certainly shows! She moves so well in front of the camera, and just bangs out the poses - click after click it's a good shot.  I guess this has to be a good dilemma to have!!!!  Maybe next month I can post the other beach shoot I did...Actually, expect to see some great "fun in the sun" blogs (or you could take a peak at them on my website...? )

One of the challenges I had to face was doing the hair without the hot tools.  To create the stringy texture, I wanted the stickiness and stay-power, so I went with Aquage Working Spray in order to manipulate the hair without heat & work with her natural texture!

Always a pleasure to work with Team Sasha (which is Sasha and her studio manager, Kelsie) Enjoy some of the photos!

Sue & Jeff {Mountain Winery / Saratoga Wedding}

I'm very excited to share the photos from Sue & Jeff's wedding last fall at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga! :) You may remember seeing their engagement photos! 

Sue was so much fun to work with! For her big day, I was lucky to have my friend & colleague Michelle on the team to beautify the bridal party (including Sue's mom!)  I was very excited when Sue decided to go with the hair piece by Bonnie from One World Designs (link provided below). I had a feeling that Sue would like it - and when she saw it in my studio when I was doing her engagement makeup & hair - I was like Yay! Because knowing the description of her dress and the feel that she wanted to go for, I knew we had a match! ^o^I love head to toe looks! 

I loved so many of the photos taken by uber talented Meg Perotti - and please enjoy a few that I pulled from Meg's blog! :)

List of vendors:
Makeup & Hair: Skyla Arts {Liz & Michelle}
Hair Accessory: One World Designs {Lily Flower Feather Fascinator}
Photography: Meg Perotti
Wedding Coordinator: Amazae Special Events
Florist: Huckleberry Karen Designs
Venue: Mountain Winery