“I’m From Albany” Photographer Mike Cooke

 

Where were you born?
Albany Georgia, its about 3 hours south of Atlanta

Where do you live?
Currently I live in Atlanta

When did you decide that this is what you want to do?

I decided I wanted to take photography serious my senior year in highschool. I had done a few photoshoots in my art class with my 4 megapixel point and shoot and after graduation I had received alot of checks from friend’s a family. With all of that money I bought my first digital SLR which was a nikon d70s and the rest is soon to be history

Are there any celebrities that you’ve worked with?

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with the RAWREPORT which is a DVD hip hop magazine based here in Atlanta. Through them I’ve had the chance to work with Gorilla Zoe, Roxy Reynolds, and T.I. to name a few. But I’d like to think most of the people I shoot with though are soon to be celebrities

Which Celebrities fit your style, and that you would want to work with?

I really liked Gorilla Zoe, he was very cool and down to earth. And I liked Roxy Reynolds for obvious reasons, but she had a glorious personality and always wore a smile on set.

Do you enjoy shooting by the water?

Me and water have a great connection and vibe. We’ve really gotten to know each other and some of my best shoots have come out of water. Thanks water

Do you make your own sets or you enjoy going on location?

I love shooting location, when I started out I shot location because thats all I had at my disposal. I still prefer it because there is an extra challenge that comes out of shooting location. EVERYTHING has to be in harmony from the models, to the wardrobe, to the hair, to the location. If even one thing is off it can damage your photo. But taking the time and making sure everything is just right gives you a better sense of satisfaction in my opinion.

What is some advice that you can give to a future male/female model?

Don’t think, the minute you think is the minute you’ll get a bad photo. I’ve told countless models to just be natural. And the poses you should do infront of the camera are the same ones you do in your bathroom mirror. We know what looks good, you’ve got TV and internet that tells you what looks good, and you do a great job at mocking it. Don’t second guess yourself, and don’t think, just do.

If there is one celebrity who you could work with who would it be?

Will Smith, the way this man markets himself and his movies is the reason why he is the ONLY actor in todays media that can still make money on a headline film. Plus people say I have his ears, I think we’d vibe very well.

If there is one model you could shoot, who would it be? male or female…

I’d love to shoot the next season of America’s next top model.

What is one thing that you hate people to do while on set?

Smoke, that is my biggest pet peve on set

When its time for you to do an interview do you enjoy it or get nervous?

I get an enjoyment nervous, I can’t even lie. Im not used to talking about myself and trying to hype up my talents, but when someone actually wants to know detailed info about what I do I run through a million answers a second. I still not quite used to it

Which do you really enjoy working on…Print, editorial, nude, commercial, etc?

I love a combination of editorial and commercial. I’ve seen it done very well and I love photos that can be artistically engaging while still selling a product.

Which shoot to date was the one you most enjoyed shooting, and why?

It would have to be my first shoot with HD The Agency Talent. Dawn Montgomery. It was her and 5 other models, we did a masquerade themed shoot and everything flowed sooo well. Dawn was a breeze to work with and it didn’t even feel like work, it felt like I was shooting one of my friends. All the models leeched off her energy and we got amazing results. I can honestly say that shoot was another turning point for my photography style.

What helps you get creative when when coming up with new shoot concepts?
(music,people,movies)

I’ve gotten inspiration from people simply saying something that caught my ear, I’ve found locations to shoot that matched a certain song I listened to, and movies inspire me everyday to go out and recreate a similar experience in a photographic world. So I’d have to say all three

Do you have a team that you work with that helps you come up with new
concepts and lighting options?

I have a team of people that help me out on all my shoots. Most times these people are my creative concepts. I’ll meet with them before hand explain to them who the shoot is for, what they want, etc etc and most times we’ll come to an agreed upon lighting situation or atleast a theme to push it toward in the model’s posing or post production effects

What type of model would you rather work with? Hi-Fashion, Urban, Male,
Female, Kids,Nature etc…
Hi Fashion

Is it more important to have a great make up artist or a good stylist?

Ooo that is like asking me to pick my favorite son…. I think on this one im going to have to go hairstyling is more important. I may be able to salvage a makeup job if the model has naturally clear skin, and alot of post work. But hair is a little to tedious to be able to fix in photoshop

Weblinks…

My website: www.MDSGstudios.com
HD The Agency: www.myspace.com/hatkahd
My favorite promo agency: http://www.monstarentertainment.com/

Any shout outs?
haha I feel like i should be yelling this part into a microphone. First off my Mom and Dad who continue to show me support, Dawn Montgromery and Jay Glover of HD the Agency who see the determination and drive in me and continue to show me love. All the folks at Broke & Boujee and Visual Vyanl, Hannibal Matthews, and last but not least my group of supporters and everyone who steps foot infront of my camera. Shouts out and thanks to all of you.

XXL Magazine Atlanta Model Search ” Web Candy “

XXL Magazine is coming back to Atlanta to search for the

Atlanta’s Hottest Boutique Owner and Celebrity Stylist…

Boutique name- DYMOND WAYZ Accessories Heav’n

Where were you born? Riverside, California

Where do you live? Castleberry Hill- Downtown Atlanta, Georgia

When did you decide that this is what you want to do? My freshman Year of College I was 19 working for $8 an hour with Sisley(united colors of benneton), & I was hired @ Phipps Plaza but I was 2 be moving to the new perimeter location when it opened. This experience really was the birth of my Brand “Dymond Wayz”. I gained visual and store build out skills, I already had 4yrs experience in retail; because I landed my 1st job @ 15 with Macy’s @ the Beverly Center. I worked for Sisley for 9months & had my 1st $2,500 sale with a wealthy client, who basically purchased everything that I picked out. Funny thing about it the young mgr, I was cool with rang up my sale under her I’d # 2 get my commission, so when I confronted my mgr. she showed me that she was really not cool &, I even got written up about confronting her, oh but I got my commission. After that experience I realized maybe working for some1 else was not my destiny & I might want 2 consider working 4 myself, 6months later I made a trip 2 NyC & bought my 1st merchandise & returned to Cau in the Fall as an Entrepreneur Sophomore with Dymond Wayz, and I have been working for my self ever since.

Do you sew as well as style? Yes I’ve been hand sewing since I was 7, I learned on the machine when I got 2 College, it is not my favorite thing cause I’m a bit antsy & sewing you must have a lot of patience.

Do you do personal styling? Yes I do personal, wardrobe reconstruction, image mgt, personal shopping, product knowledge & Rolling Out Magazine dubbed me as “Atlanta Fashion Forecaster” in August 2007.

Are there any celebrities that you’ve worked with? I have worked with Mr. Bangladesh of Bangladesh Prod., Tiny(T.I.’s wife), Mz. Shanicka (107.9), Megan Rochelle, Nikki Turner, Redd Xmaz, 5 Mic’s, Don Cannon,Nikki Minaj, Muffy Cupcakeopia, & host of other celebrities I can’t remember off the top of my head.

Which Celebrities fit your boutique style, and that you would want to work with? I would like 2 work with more male artist like umh… Young Jeezy or Diamond & Princess of Crime Mob, for some strange reason in Atlanta, labels leave image as last on the budget & usually don’t outsource stylist. That job will be left to the artist mgr or the artist themselves, its sad to me because Image is so vital in a celebrities career it should be more like # 1 on the budget and all other components fall after Image, just my opinion based on my experience of working with celebrities.

Which celebrity could put on anything and look good? (male or female) Female of course Beyonce. Male I must say Diddy.

Would you rather style something around a pair of boots or open toe pumps? I’m a Cali girl all day break out them toes girl. (Giggles) Who would you rather see in a fitted mini dress…a size 7 with curves or a size 1 with no curves? I love all shapes & sizes, I can work with all silhouettes.

Do you have a favorite color or fabric that you like to work with? And why? Right now I’m in Love with Green, but 2mrrw it might be Blue, I love all colors like a Vibrant Miami Rainbow. I love natural fibers like cotton, linen, but my favorite is fur I am mesmerized by dyed furs Sabel, Mink, Chinchilla, vintage Leopard, I even love faux Suede & Mink. I can create such a great illusion when working with furs, I can use the annual, thanks 2 fashionista’s like Lil Kim (chinchilla bikini).

What is some advice for girls out there that want to model? I feel like if you are pursing a career where your face or body is the product 2 be sold, than you must love yourself unconditionally, inside & out. I believe with that foundation you will have a healthy mind, & you can manifest a successful career.

A past video/magazine experience on set…Good and Bad… OMG bad, I was styling for a new artist video & one of the extras was wearing a ring I purchased in Paris @ a flea market 5years prior, she comes up to me with maybe an hour left 2 shoot saying she can’t find my ring & she thinks she lost it @ the last set location. Instantly I’m thinking why are you just now telling me this? But I kept my composure & brought it to the casting company that hired me as the stylist. They said well if the ring does not surface @ wrap time than the extra will have to pay for it out of her day rate. I was still a bit frustrated because even though I would of been monetary compensated for the lost, my ring that had sentimental value would be gone 4ever. I knew it was time for me to project my ability to work under pressure, I worked with the extra and directors interns as a team & within an hour the extra found my ring. A good experience is seeing all the ppl that I style happy faces when they like my final decision for there wardrobe & seeing them walk around set with confidence knowing the look Swagged up by Kesh.

What helps you get creative (music,people,movies) MUSIC,MUSIC,MUSIC, everyday people(mainly my college girls & boys) All movies even Sci Fi stuff. My biggest creative moments come from Daydreaming, and reading Fashion Magazines that I subscribe to.

Any projects coming up that we should know about? Yesss I’m so excited to finally be at a point where I can give back, Clark Atlanta University Fashion Design & Merchandising Dept & Bauder College & myself will be hosting a workshop the 3rd week of April. The workshop is free and I will be interviewing & selecting 10 interns to work with 5 different avenues of my Brand Dymond Wayz, I plan to bring in a small panel of about 2 of my close friends so they can speak to the students & possibly select the candidates that Dymond Wayz does not select so this way at least 20 students out of about 400 will be selected to complete an hands on internship working with some1(me) they can relate to because there is not that much of an age gap & I was in there shoes less than 5years ago.

Any shout outs? Yesss Thank you Jami Z at The Carinae Agency for this great interview. Dymond Wayz Alwayz, Dymond Bar Music, and Thank you for every1 who has supported & believed in my Brand, especially GOD.

Website, myspace, links etc… www.dymondwayzonline.com www.myspace.com/dymondwayzaccessories www.blogspot.com/streetschic www.myspace.com/keshmonroe Youtube: dymond wayz commercial

Emails: kesh [dot] dymondwayz [at] yahoo [dot] com Keshmonroe [at] gmail [dot] com

Miami Casting Notice

CASTING NOTICE FOR TV COMMERCIAL

PAYRATE: DANCER $2,000. FEATURED PRINCIPALS 1,500.

CASTING DATE: ..TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2009

CALLBACK: 3/20/2009

SHOOT DATE: MARCH 25

2 MALES – /Male /African Am, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic /22 – 33

MUST LOOK 22 – 33 / THEY ARE IN A BAR – MUST LOOK OLDER THAN 22 / ONE IS WHITE AND ONE ETHNIC – ….ALA…. HAROLD & KUMAR /

Wardrobe:COOL CASUAL – AT A CLUB WITH DANCING GIRLS / NOT TOO

Rate:$1,500. / ($500. SHOOT / $1,000. FOR 36 MONTHS BUYOUT )

DANCER TO RE-CREATE FLASH DANCE MOVIE SCENE /Male or Female /African Am /20 – 30

Description:PROFESSIONAL DANCER THAT CAN RE-CREATE THE FLASHDANCE DANCE AS WELL AS ADD THEIR OWN MATERIAL / COULD ONLY BE A MALE IF HE WAS ON THE SLIGHT SIDE AND COULD DANCE LIKE THE SCENE IN THE MOVIE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOQCL6373l4 / SONG NAME IS ‘HE’S A DREAM’ BY SHANDI Should be fierce, serious, intent.

Wardrobe:DANCE ATTIRE

Rate:$2,000. / ($250. REHEARSAL / 750. SHOOT / $1,000. FOR 3 YEARS USE)

EMAIL NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND PICTURE TO whitecastle [at] tysumagency [dot] com

Kiss Magazine Behind the Scenes Part ii

The KISS Magazine photoshoot was GREAT! Thanks to all the models that submitted images for the casting, the selection process was very close. Models please stay posted because there will be more opportunities with KISS Magazine in the future!!! Thank you to SS Automotive for supplying the cars for the Sunday shoot (3/8/2009) Thank You  Shay Monroe, Melissa and Morgan for shooting with SS Automotives classic Old School cars

Shay Monroe   Melissa Morgan

Miami: Commercial Casting

CASTING DATE: SUNDAY & MONDAY, FEB. 22 & 23

SHOOT DATE: FEB. 28 AND MARCH 1ST (SAT & SUNDAY)

PAYRATE: $350/day – Kids, $500/day-Adults

Roles:
20′S FEMALE SHOPPER / Featured / Female / Hispanic / 20-26
CUTE – FRIENDLY – HAPPY TO SEE SUCH A GREAT SELECTION OF PRODUCTS

DAUGHTER – HISPANIC / Featured / Female / Hispanic / 14-16
CUTE – FRIENDLY – EXPRESSIVE / HISPANIC LOOKING /

HISPANIC SON / Featured / Male / Hispanic / 9-10

NORMAL.. CUTE KID / HISPANIC LOOKING

MOTHER – HISPANIC / Featured / Female / Hispanic / 38-48
PROPER / PLEASANT LOOKING / ATTRACTIVE / A MOM TYPE / NOT SNOBBY / HAS 2 KIDS

OLDER MALE SHOPPER / Featured / Male / Hispanic / 60-75
UPSCALE NICE LOOKING CORAL GABLES GRANDPA TYPE / MUST LOOK HISPANIC /

OLDER FEMALE SHOPPER / Featured / Female / Hispanic / 60-75
UPSCALE NICE LOOKING CORAL GABLES LADY / MUST LOOK HISPANIC /

3 – ASST. MANAGERS – MALE & FEMALE / Featured / Male or Female / Hispanic / 30-45
FRIENDLY / EDUCATED / HELPFUL – CARING / GREAT FACIAL EXPRESSIONS / NICE LOOKING PEOPLE – ATTRACTIVE /

FEMALE CASHIER / Featured / Female / Hispanic / 28-38
CUTE / GREAT BIG SMILE / HELPFUL AND FRIENDLY / NOT ALOT OF MAKE-UP / SHE IS A NATURAL BEAUTY /

FRAGRANCE – COSMETIC DEPT – / Featured / Female / Hispanic / 28-38
SHE LOOKS THE PART / KNOWS MAKE-UP AND FASHION / THINK THE MAC COSMETIC GIRLS AT MACY’S / ATTRACTIVE AND COMFORTABLE WITH HER JOB AND PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

MALE HISPANIC PHARMICIST / Featured / Male / Hispanic / 40-58
PLEASANT, EDUCATED, NICE LOOKING. FIT, GREAT CONFIDENT AND FRIENDLY SMILE, NOT A GRANDPA TYPE – HE’S NOT THAT OLD… / NO DIALOG

FOR TIMESLOT/LOCATION EMAIL NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND PICTURE (IF WE DON’T HAVE ONE ON FILE) TO INFO [at] TYSUMAGENCY [dot] COM

Free Photo Gallery by Picturesurf

Miami: TV Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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