Bambi is about giving fashion photographers creative freedom, allowing for the lines between fashion and art to truly blur, and respecting a model’s desire to be herself. Bambi is Sex, Culture and Rock an’ Roll.

Photography JENNIFER AVELLO
Talent ASHTON PHILLIPS at FORD MODELS
Styling THOMAS VAUGHAN
Make Up and Hair ANDREA C SAMUELS at The Rock Agency

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J

Stacey Roney, the founder of on-line video magazine, GlossedandFound.com, will be one of Simply Stylist Chicago speakers on the fashion and beauty Panel, for their June 8th event! How fun!

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J

Shot with all natural light, I just love how the light reflects these natural moments of Melody on her couch! Check out Refinery29 to read the article and see more shots of Melody!

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I have so many editorial assignments I’ve been working on these last couple of months that I am dying to share with everyone! Due to release dates and client requests, I can’t share the actual images yet but I thought it would be fun to share some behind the scenes images from some of the shoots. If you are following me through various social media account, some of these might look familiar. If your not, you should! — You’re definitely missing out!

Be sure to keep up to date with current and up and coming work, behind the scenes images, inspirational references, and some personal items too, (like my adorable furry babies!!) by following me below! And signing up for my newsletter! xx

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It’s images such as this that always gets my blood flowing. Photographs like this that remind me why I started doing art in the first place. Why I pour everything I have into this. Why I work my ass off to do what I love.

“Spellbound” is a fashion/beauty editorial I shot for CHAOS Magazine.

There is no better feeling the releasing new images into the world. The high you get when a new publication comes out. I swear nothing beats the feeling of seeing your work in public, in print. I live for these moments. These are the moments that help push me when I’m in between jobs, scraping at rock bottom, or second guessing even getting out of bed some mornings. I do it for the love of the art. I do it because I was born to. It’s not even a choice anymore.

photography JENNIFER AVELLO
talent BRYN @ IMG + FORD MODELS
make up + hair KAT DEJESUS @ FACTOR EMERGING ARTIST
styling ASHLEY BARLOW
manicurist ASTROWIFEY

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If you all don’t remember Lori, from a few blog posts back here is a quick recap: Lori, mostly a commercial model contacted me to update her modeling portfolio with both commercial and editorial looks. Through breaking out of her usual shell and trying a more edgy look, we all were pleasantly surprised when this has became her favorite look of the day. We got back together a few weeks ago to add a few more editorial looks to her book before she heads off to New York. It’s always a pleasure to work with a chameleon in front of the camera.

photography JENNIFER AVELLO
model LORI PRESTIDGE
mua/h ANDREA C SAMUELS @ the rock agency

[x] Check out: Loris last portfolio test with us.

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J

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J

Mostly a commercial model, Lori really wanted to experiment with a more editorial look while of course updating her commercial side. We spoke after the fact and Lori mentioned how unsure she was at first about even trying to be more “edgy,” but was shockingly surprised when this became her favorite image of the group. Which I too, just love! Even with weather not on our side, we jumped right into shooting lifestyle in the rain. Which I personally just love the added flare. With that being said, we are both thrilled that today looks like Chicago will behave itself while we are out shooting some more fun looks on location.

photography JENNIFER AVELLO
talent LORI PRESTIDGE
mua/h ANDREA C SAMUELS @ the rock agency

The things I’ve learned through experience or from other people:

- Do the things that scare you the most.
- Never let anyone dictate your own future.
- Love yourself before you expect anyone else to.
- Never compare yourself and your journey to someone else. You have no idea what their story is.
- Your dreams have to be bigger than your fears.
- You write your own story.
- Make yourself unavailable and the jobs will come rolling in.
- Surround yourself with people who will lift you higher.
- If you are the smartest, most talented or most successful person in the room, find another room.
- Never settle.
- Work hard, Stay humble.
- If someone is giving you advice, listen. They are speaking through experience or they are just talking to themselves, through you.
- Which reminds me, Take your own advice.
- Have a passion and never let that passion die.
- Fake it until you make it.
- Always be professional, you never know who you are standing next to on the train.
- Education is important but it is not always found through school. Educate yourself.
- Open yourself up to failure.
- Stand for something or your fall for everything.
- Don’t let your dreams always be dreams.
- Constructive criticism is more useful than praise.
- Do the things you love and do them often.
- The best things in life are free. The second best are really expensive.
- There are no original ideas.
- There will always be someone better than you and worse than you.
- Strive to only be better than you were yesterday.
- Some people are only meant to be in your lives for a short time. It’s okay.
- Invest in yourself. Invest in your future.
- When possible, save your money.
- Never go food shopping hungry.
- Set goals and work towards them.
- Always move forward.
- You have to spend money to make money. But be logical and smart with your spending.
- Today is yesterdays tomorrow.
- There is a lot more to being successful then money.
- Exercise your mind and body.
- Some opportunities only come once, seize them.
- Don’t wait around for inspiration. Get up and get to work.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things. Amazing things can happen through the process.
- Its okay to not be the best at everything. That is why there are specialists. Hire them.
- Never apologies for how you feel.
- Live your life. Most people just exist.
- There is nothing worse than wasted talent.
- The quietest people have the loudest minds.
- It’s okay to be vulnerable.
- If you don’t like something, change it!
- Take nothing for granted.
- Build lasting relationships with people.
- Go! Get! Take! Demand! No ones coming to find you, make them see you!!

Whats your manifesto? What inspires and pushes you when you need it the most? I’d love for you to expand on my list, or make your own list and share your inspiring story with me.

xx,
J

One of my “new years resolutions,” this year was to branch out and work with a wide range of talent artists where ever I may be. It’s easy to get into the routine of working with the same people day in and day out. You spend months, even years trying to find the right artists to collaborate with that will work efficiently, inspire you, surprise you, are a blast to be around, and most importantly get the job done and does it well. Lets face it, security is a wonderful thing. However, it’s the “not knowing” moments that can lead to the best experiences. I love waking up in the morning and not knowing what my day has in store for me. I love (however there are days I sometimes hate) not knowing; what my next assignment will be, where my next job will take me, what amazing creatives I’ll have the opportunity to meet. Surprises can be the best part of being creative. I love to be surprised.

If anyone knows me, they know that even on my days off I am working. I am always trying to divide my time up equally with personal and client work. I love spending my off time, testing. Testing new ideas, concepts, lighting, talent, and artists. Testing is like the beginning stage to any creative outlet. You always have to have a rough sketch before you draw and paint a masterpiece. Testing is like my sketch before a great photographic story, an editorial, a future job. It’s exhilarating stepping into a studio not knowing what you are going to come out with. It’s freeing to just let the creative process unravel before your eyes, not really knowing where your destination will lie until you get there. Open yourself up to failure and the sky will be the limit. It’s an interesting way to exercise your mind. I dare you to try it.

photography JENNIFER AVELLO
talent JESSICA @ ford models
mua/h TRACI FINE