My shoot with Moving Mountains for AP Magazine

A bit ago I had the privilege to shoot Moving Mountains. A super talented band quickly on the rise to stardom. These guys are hysterical and the nicest people (with rock star edge of course). I absolutely loved them and am so excited for all the success coming their way. I worked with the incredible Christopher Benton at Alternative Press Magazine for this shoot. Love AP, love MM, love Chris! Thanks guys!

My official site here (with some additional photos from our day)

Check out their chunes here.   and of course the fabulous AP Mag here.

 

 

New Book Cover – The Gathering

Recently my new book cover photo for the incredible NY Times Best Selling Author, Kelley Armstrong’s “The Gathering” hit shelves.

I was very excited when HarperCollins Publishers called me up for the new trilogy by Kelley. She is an incredible talent and from what I hear a sensational person. The people I’ve rec’d her books to, have become huge fans of hers after the first chapter. HC is one of my favorite clients, they love to create visually stunning work that captivates its audience, and they are just really great people to work for. The lead character’s name is Maya and HC made sure we stayed as true as we could to the characters Native American heritage when casting our model Michelle.

Michelle is gorgeous and a total sweetheart! We had a great time on set with a killer crew.

The Art Director is none other than Hillary Zarycky, graphic designer is super star Erin Fitzsimmons. Hair by the incredible Jamal Hodges. Makeup by the sweet Jennifer Nam.

The 2nd book cover has already showed up on-line, called “The Calling.” It hits shelves in 2012.

I’m very honored to be chosen to photograph another trilogy for Kelley and HarperCollins. Can’t wait for the next 2 books to come out! Congrats Kelley and HarperCollins on another smash hit!

New Cover. The Vampire Diaries. The Return:Midnight

The last book of my first trilogy for The Vampire Diaries, The Return – by L.J. Smith. I shot for the incredible HarperCollins Publishers, who I LOVE, they are all such a great group of people! This cover was art directed by the incredible and warm-hearted David Caplan, graphic design by the lovely and talented Jennifer Heuer, hair and makeup extraordinaire Roshar, one of my favorite team members. First asst Derrick C.

The shoot was lovely, I adored our model!! She became the character Caroline in the novel. What an amazing day we had on set, it’s an incredible series to be a part of. Congrats to all the success of the books and tv show and everyone involved, esp the fabulous L.J. Smith.

all 3 of my covers for the Return Trilogy

BAYSIDE tears

My cover and feature for AP Magazine and Hot Topic. All Images ©Carrie Schechter

Behind the Scenes with BAYSIDE for the new cover for Hot Topic & AP Mag

As the snow melted all over the metro area, I had the pleasure of being asked by Editor Ted Barnes to shoot the new cover and feature story for AP Magazine and Hot Topic Clothing Stores. My cover for this months issue is the band Bayside.

They are a great group of guys to work with, they were punctial (a rarity in rock), professional, funny & were down for anything I threw at them which made the day amazing.

Bayside has a new much anticipated new album out called Killing Time, and fans are going wild. I wish these guys the best, the deserve nothing less.

Get the Limitied Edition Mini Mag at Hot Topics everywhere, and give a big hug to AP Mag who has included a CD, wrist band and poster with the mag. You can also see one of my Bayside photos in the normal edition of the current AP Magazine on newstands now.

Bayside is with Wind-up Records and their manager Catie is a total doll! Watch their little video below.

Behind the scenes shot by my first assistant Eric B.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes: Behind the Scenes

A few months ago I had the pleasure to shoot Me First and The Gimme Gimmes for Fat Wreck Chords . We met on a chilly afternoon in Williamsburg Brooklyn to shoot a few EP covers and a press kit. I met Vanessa (Mutiny) & Fat Mike a year ago when I shot his other band NOFX for Alternative Press Magazine. We had a great time on the first shoot and I was excited they chose me for this project.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are amazing. I love when intelligence is mixed with punk sarcasm. It’s a pleasure to work with them as always. The first EP cover released is Go Down Under, its awesome and out now. Look forward to my next few EP covers to come out soon.  Behind the Scenes photos by: Eric B.

Fashion Party – Behind the Scenes

Getting my makeup done by Ruth

On 2.2.11 I hosted Engie Hassan’s, CEO of EngieStyle, web launch and 1 year anniversary celebration. It was a bit nerve-racking getting on a 4 foot wooden box in 6 inch Jimmy Choo’s to deliver my speech, but I made it. The celebration was a huge success with a room full of  heavy hitters in the fashion and celebrity industry.  We sat high above the city at the Hudson Terrace in their rooftop glass cabana. Engie did an amazing job as did her team, Iman, Sam, Emily, Steph, Ash and Steven. On my side I had the fabulous and lovely Megan Toscano, who is a major asset to anyones life. I’m super proud of Engie and everything she has accomplished and was honored to be a part of the celebration.

We had the joy of wearing Dominique Auxilly’s beautiful gowns. One of the most popular questions of the night was “Who are you wearing?” Her dresses are a smash hit whether its on the red carpet or covering the pages of fashion magazines.

The press photos & tv interviews are out and about (you can see one here), below are some point-n-shoot photos & a home-movie. Photographed/Filmed by Megan Toscano.

Makeup and Hair: Christopher Ritchey, Alicia Oliveri, Jessi Butterfield , Ruth Fernandez, Donald Francis

in the elevator at the Hudson Terrace

 

step & repeat

gettin my hair did

Jessica, Daryana, Me, Engie

tv interview

Niia (one of my fav singers and clients) and myself

me being interviewed on tv again and Engie waiting for her interview

Group Photo & GQ photo: by Natsuko Matsumura | Above: Engie during the run through

Top Covers for 2010

Well its been quite a crazy year, I’ve gotten to shoot some of the most beautiful & gold hearted people, and work for clients that keep those creative juices boiling.

I’ve been a bit slow at keeping up with all the incredible work I’ve done this year on the blog, there’s been so much shooting going on I haven’t gotten a chance to celebrate it all at the end of 2010 yet…but it will come soon. On Jan 3rd I shoot my first mag cover of the new year (best way to start off 2011) and I can’t stop feeling overwhelming gratefulness for everything and everyone that’s been a part of my life so far and excited for all the people I have yet to meet.

This post though is about my 2 covers for the Village Voice that made the TOP 10 2010 COVERS. My Jersey Shore, The Guido Ideal cover was voted #10 best Cover by the Village Voice by one of my favorite Art Director’s John Dixon. It’s his intelligence coupled with humor and out of the box thinking that keeps the Voice covers topping each issue after issue.

Voted #1 Voice cover was my cover of Debrahlee Lorenzana, the Citibank banker fired for being too sexy.

Thanks John & thank you Village Voice, it was the best cherry anyone could have put on my vegan ice cream sundae for 2010.

Also The Jersey Shore was voted 13th most popular story of 2010, & Debbie the Banker came in at #1!!!

Congrats to the writers that brought the story to light and to life, Elizabeth Dwoskin and Tony Philip!

Also on the NEW YORK TIMES most talked about stories, Debbie the Banker came in at #15!

I have an incredible team, its takes a community to produce a hot shot, so on these 2 covers special shout out to Margina Dennis, Angelique Vasquez, Jessica Zindren, Eric B., Mike M., & Ross T. I love you guys, you always rock my world!

Happy, healthy, wealthy, lucky, adventurous, exciting, dream living, personal world domination building, over the top creative New Year to you all. 2010 went out like a rock star and 2011 is already coming in guns blazin

There are very exciting things coming in the next few months, thanks for caring and sharing and enjoying my work. So excited to share it when I can (including another stint in front of the camera in Feb.)

Onward and upward in 2011!

Behind the Scenes with Belle and Sebastian

A few weeks ago I got the call from the SF Weekly about a opportunity for a cover shoot & feature spread for the beloved indie band from Glasgow, Belle & Sebastian.

I had the incredible art direction of Andrew Nilsen, a visual risk taker & creative genius, who had a plethora of strong concepts for the cover. Unable to fly to NY for the shoot he sent me Brit Cochran, stylist & makeup artist extraordinaire. Her attention to detail and smile turned the grey day into pure sunshine. By my side was Mike M. my fabulous 1st asst.

in blue Belle & Sebastian | brunette = me | blond = Brit

We had the band for 1 hour, they decided as the hour was almost up to be late to their sound check for their evening outdoor Williamsburg concert  and we got some extra time on the last setup (thank you B&S). The SF Weekly cover was especially meaningful to Stuart as he expresses in his SF interview, plus all of them were pumped on Andrew’s concept for the cover.

Due to the time crunch we had to pin them 2 by 2 into their ‘blue waves representing the San Francisco bay’. They had to stay pinned to together for a bit, so they shuffled around the studios with their partner, laughing and joking with each other, it was a riot to watch.  I completely loved them. It was an amazing shoot, my life is richer for it. Thanks Andrew, Brit, Mike and of course Belle & Sebastian!!

Check out the slide show of the behind the scenes here.

My portfolio here…

In a Soap + a Nomination

I received a Nomination in the Fashion Category from the International Color Awards. The nominated image is from my series, “Cruel, Cruel Summer“(pictured below).

In random news ….

At a celebration one night, a friend in the daytime drama industry and I were joking about me being on tv. A month later the casting directors intern from As the World Turns called and I had the opportunity to be an extra.

I arrived at the studio & was showed to my private dressing room. After I got settled (and tried to calm down the mutant butterflies in my stomach) I took a walk to the green room for lunch and was overtaken by a warm & loving crew & cast that welcomed me right in.

in my dressing room before wardrobe

I hear the call over the speakers that its time for me to go to set. I get my final dusting, wardrobe check, the director gave me some quick direction, someone shouts….”quiet on set….aaaaand…action”. one take, no walk through, and that’s a rap.

on set

It was a blast, but I couldn’t wait to get back to the other side of the camera for a cover shoot the following day. See the clip below – if you blink you’ll miss me walking through the background.

**I highly recommend turning the volume off, I haven’t figured out how to remove the loud “hum” yet…sorry.