Words by KimAThomas

What better way to make use of a beautiful, sunshiny day than to pump it even more with good tunes (we have a lot of gangster rap fans around here…), a stunning model and a killer view. Darren, Natel and I were on location early afternoon to begin setting up for a day that took us well into the night. We were approached by Melice a few months back to help her create a modelling portfolio. After a few meetings with her, some shopping for outfits and props and a lotttt of brainstorming, we were able to put together a full, commercial shoot.

When creating this shoot, Natel and I wanted to give Darren a variety of different looks to work with.  We were inspired by some photos of Tyra Banks, and with Melice and a great team behind us, we were able to create more than what we had originally entailed.

View the Shoot

For many of us, music is key when it comes to creating. It allows such a good energy to stir and really helps set the mood and the character of who we are trying to capture. The music allowed Melice the freedom to move naturally and if anything, the right headspace and motivation for the rest of us to keep the day running smoothly.

The preparation for the day was enormous. We had equipment set up all over the property (which was the back yard of a beautiful house overlooking all of Kelowna – pool included) and also had different scenes set up throughout the yard that were ready to go when we were. It didn’t take long before Darren and I were both in the pool, shooting and holding reflectors, (which I admit, on a 35 degree weather day was incredibly refreshing) trying to get the absolute perfect shot. Really, it was the huge amount of effort from the team we had that day that made the shoot so successful. I certainly love all the work we do and all the different shoots that includes, but I tell ya, it’s nice to be able to, every now and then, shoot something entirely different. It’s amazing to actually create something and then see it come to life.

Thanks again to everyone who helped with this shoot!
@dahul – Photographer
@tellinatellina – Producer and stylist
@kimathomas – Production and associate styling
Melice Bell – Model
@timfeeny – Videographer
Shani – Hair stylist
Jenny McKinney – Make up artist and stylist
Cairy & Richard – Location

Click it – to check out the complete photo set

Limelight also was there – Check out the video

A huge thanks to:
@treelines
@kimathomas
@_ds
@timfeeny
@tellinatellina

View the entire set >>

I thought it would be cool to sneak out a few of my view:

There will be much more coming from this shoot, as it moves into final post production.

This shoot would not have happened without the help of alot of people. I really can’t thank you guys enough for really making my job quite easy.

Shoot produced and styled: Natel Hull
Production and associate stylin: Kim A Thomas
Our Kick as model: Melice Bell
Motion and video: Limelight Studios
Make Up and stylin: Jenny McKinney
Location: Cairy & Richard
Catering: The Wedding Cafe

We have about 5 different looks all look amazing.

Photographer: Darren Hull

The Treelines shoot was AMAZING! Absolutely amazing! It was a long day, but the energy in the atmosphere that was pumped by good music, good people and a hot, sunny day kept us going. We started off by setting up a slip ‘n slide in the front yard of the Treelines house. I’m not talking about the cool slip ‘n slide where children are laughing and there are bright, fun colors; I’m talking about two ghetto tarps, some dish soap, a hose and four beer-loving guys (mind you, there were kids that rode their bicycles by us and laughed…). We had strobes set up around the slip ‘n slide and Darren and I parked at the bottom with our cameras ready. With a little running start, the guys were flying down the tarps, bellies down and heads first.

The next stop was in the backyard. We set up a white backdrop on the patio and basically let the guys do their thing (they wooooorked it). There was a small accident when one of the band member’s thought it would be a good idea to twirl their guitar around their neck by the strap (video link here), but other than that, everything went pretty smoothly!

Treelines music can be found here:
http://treelinesmusic.com

Huge thanks to Dustin Senos and Tim Feeny for helping us out that day.

What is 140portraits? Simply – its a behind the scenes look of a person told in a 140 images. This project was inspired by Gary, and could not be more thrilled he agreed to take the journey. This is something I have been working on for about 9 months. There was no way this project was going to launch without him. I would have shelved it until the moons aligned. More information about the scope of this project will be on the site when it launches.

Until then here is a shot driving back from the airport after his talk, interviews and book signing…. right back to doing what  he does! Work ethic is what I observed that day. I also have to say I came back with a larger flame to take care of some of my own business. Mad mad respect.  If for some reason your not familiar with Gary visit his site: http://garyvaynerchuk.com/ .. and Gary, another Big Thanks man!

Here was a little snip from our spec sheet.
Please shoot w/ camera far away from participant – 120mm lens further back (to avoid body distortion) .
please note focal length used in shoot. the director on set will need to be able to view stills on external monitor for approval as they are shot

Just a big thanks to the crew for making us feel at home, and for putting up with us for two long days.

During a late afternoon light test, Kim somehow was wearing a garbage bag.