Pro model, Iman Sheik, the guest judge for Phase Five of #ProjectScouted

As a professional model with Ice Modelsin Durban, Iman Sheik might only be 17 years old, but we couldn't have asked for a more qualified guest judge for Phase Five of #ProjectScouted. She's stunning, yet simple and down to earth, and isn't unwilling to pass on what she knows about the modelling industry to aspiring models. Having been at the Phase Five photo session at the Chris Saunders Park in Umhlanga this past Saturday morning, she has had the chance to not only see the #ProjectScouted girls in action but also to help with their posing while Phase Five photographer RoyEsterhuysen, who you can also read more about on the blog, did his thing behind the camera.

            Lee Folkard Photography found out more about this beauty who has success for modelling in her name.

            Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Iman Sheik?

            Iman: I'm a 17 year-old-girl from sunny Durban who is currently studying Clinical Psychology. I was really lucky to start my schooling earlier than usual. I'm also a model for Ice Models Durban, South Africa. I absolutely love fashion, food, family and friends.

            LFP: How did you hear about #ProjectScouted and how did you become a guest judge for Phase Five?

            Iman: I'm actually friends with Lee on Facebook and was sent an invitation to the Shoelaced Clothing fashion show in Phase Four at SMG Rocks. I absolutely love the whole concept of what #ProjectScouted aims to achieve and I knew I needed to be a part of it! I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a guest judge! I love meeting others who have similar interests that I have and who are passionate about the modelling industry.

            LFP: How did you enter the modelling industry?

            Iman: I was still in school and my best friend encouraged me to enter a modelling competition that was taking place. I reluctantly agreed. And to everyone's surprise, I was suddenly being offered contracts by some of the local agencies. Now three years in, I absolutely love every minute of it! And its all thanks to my best friend, Sonam! Its so important to have friends who motivate you and want to see you succeed!

            LFP: Being a model is tough work. What has been some of the challenges? Would you change anything about the modelling industry in Durban?

            Iman: For me, a challenge has sometimes been my age. Most of the girls start their careers a lot earlier on. It is hard in Durban as the fashion community is still on the rise. A model also needs to have a more mature image sometimes, and I'm still coming to that place. But I know how lucky I have been!

            LFP: What do you love the most about being a model?

            Iman: I love the confidence it has given me. I have learnt to love myself for who I am and not what society wants me to be. This can be really hard for a teenager to do but modelling has taught me how to. At the same time, I'm also obsessed with getting dressed up. And I get to do it on the grandest scale ever!

            LFP: What inspired you to choose Clinical Psychology as your qualification and what do you plan to do after you complete your studies?

            Iman: A few years back, I actually had to visit a Clinical Psychologist after being in a hijack situation. Sitting in that doctor's office, the doctor made me realize in that moment that one day I could have the opportunity to council children who have been victims of far worse situations than I had experienced. I intend on counseling war, rape, and abuse victims. I plan on making a difference!

            LFP: How do you balance your studies and model work?

            Iman: I have a really strict dad who expects nothing less than A's! To be honest, time management and being a perfectionist comes in very handy! I just believe that if you really enjoy what you do, you can do it all!

            LFP: It seems like the destiny to be a model is written in your name.

            Iman: I was named after Iman Abdulmajid and from a very young age I have aspired to be at least half the woman she is. Not only does she have an amazing career, but she truly embraces her African heritage and being a woman of colour!

            LFP: What has been the highlight of your modelling career?

            Iman: Last year I received the opportunity to enter the Elite Model Look competition and made it to the Top 3 in Durban! It was such an honour and experience being one of the youngest girls!

            LFP: What will you be looking for in the photographs of the #ProjectScouted girls when judging?

            Iman: I am definitely looking for girls with a unique factor; I believe that always give you an edge.

            LFP: What goes through your mind when you're posing for a photo?

            Iman: To be honest, I'm usually so focused on my angles and what the photographer wants. But there is that part of me where my inner diva comes out!

#ProjectScouted is getting more and more nail-biting as the phases go by. Iman will be a part of making the daunting and extremely difficult decision of choosing the girls who will make up the much-awaited Top 10. Along with photographers Lee Folkard, Jerome Stoffels, and Samantha Duckworth, all of whom you can read about on the blog, Iman knows exactly what a good photo comprises of. Who better to make that decision?

Make-up the College owner, Jacqui Bannerman, teaches the gift of beauty

Owner of Make-up the College, Jacqui Bannerman, is clearly one of the most passionate and knowledgeable people when it comes to makeup artistry in Durban. Having had her students create the makeup of the 25 girls walking in the Phase Four Fashion Extravaganza on Sunday at the SMG Rocks Mini showroom, it is also clear that her passion and skill has rubbed off on her students with each of the models looking stunning having had their specific features highlighted. We got to know this industry-expert a little better.

Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Jacqui Bannerman?

Jacqui: I’m from Durban and I have been a makeup artist for a number of years now giving me extensive experience in this industry. I have also headed makeup and hair departments on both local and international commercials; like Vodafone, Orange, and Coca-Cola, as well as on various films, documentaries, and drama series for both locally and internationally. Also, I’ve worked on both local and international still shoots and have done a lot of SFX and prosthetics for various movies – which is an area of makeup that I totally love! Bottom line – I love what I do and I believe it shows in the passion I have for my craft!

LFP: What was your inspiration to become a makeup artist and how did you start in the business?

Jacqui: Honestly, I did not put a lot of thought into it. It was something I just thought I would enjoy. I am a Libran, so I love beautiful things! I have an all-or-nothing personality, so when I do something, I give it 100%. It’s in my nature to achieve and I bring that to my makeup! I did not know that it would be as life-changing for me as it has been. I have never looked back! I do think I was lucky when I started out though, as I did a commercial straight away. I was just given an opportunity and I have worked ever since! All we need is an opportunity in life and it can change life completely. Film was not a planned goal either; it was something that just happened. I love SFX and prosthetics in makeup and by embracing film; I found a perfect fit for me, allowing me to dabble in all aspects and avenues of makeup. Film together with television commercials is like heaven for me now! I quickly built a reputation, but I also never forget that we are only as good as our last job!

LFP: How did you become involved in #ProjectScouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Jacqui: A mutual photographer friend asked if my college, Make-up the College, would be keen to get involved with the makeup of the Project. I am always looking for opportunities to grow my students and am also trying to create a platform for them to showcase their work, so this was absolutely a win-win scenario. Doing makeup, actually being involved in makeup on set, is totally different to doing makeup at college. Projects like this are very beneficial to students and makeup artists who are starting out. True learning comes from actually “doing”, embracing different visions, and being thrown into the deep end. I am all about helping my students grow!

LFP: Do you have a favourite type of makeup or occasion to do makeup for?

Jacqui: My personal belief of a true makeup artist is to embrace all areas of makeup! I absolutely love all aspects of makeup! I love the variety of the work, where one never gets tired of anything and each job is so different. This is what has kept my passion alive over the years. We never stop learning and new products are always coming out. I absolutely love the challenge of SFX and Prosthetics, because with everything in makeup, the makeup is just an illusion. I also have a love applying makeup to people who haven’t had their makeup done before and they are blown away when they see themselves in a new light. The power of makeup can even be life-changing; this is a beautiful thing to give someone, even if it is just for a moment. Makeup never ceases to amaze me, even after all these years!

LFP: What has been the biggest lesson you have learnt in your career as a makeup artist?

Jacqui: Many years ago a good friend of mine, an art-director, said to me, “Jax, it is not how you start a job, but how you end a job that will make you be remembered and go out with a bang every time!” Other words that have also left their mark with me are, “This is how you make your money; it is not who you are!” Balance is key and this is not always easy as a freelance worker, as you want to ride every wave. Balancing family and work is something I still find difficult!

LFP: Starting Make-up the College was certainly a huge step for you. How did it begin? What were some of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Jacqui: It definitely came with challenges! I have a reputation within the industry, but am merely a name to potential students! I had to basically start from scratch and build up my reputation as a reputable college! Of course it was a hard decision, going from having your diary run by agents, never having to look for jobs myself, to now taking a step backwards and hoping potential students would have me mentor them. I take what I do very seriously and it shows! My college has only been going for 3 years and I am getting amazing results. Makeup artists who have been through my facility are working successfully within the industry; I have a few in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and even one working abroad! Word of mouth is always the best, and my reputation and credibility as a college is growing and moving progressively forward. I cannot even believe it sometimes!  I approach my college exactly the same as I did when I was a freelancer – do not take anything for granted, keep the passion, and give 100%!

LFP: What’s an average day like for Jacqui?

Jacqui: I get up at 4:30am and sort my kids out for the day. I drop my daughter off at school then open up my college. I also do all of the lecturing at my facility. I am at college till about 2:30pm on weekdays, however, on a Tuesday and Thursday I am at work until about 8:30pm as I have my part-time classes.  On weekends, I may have Supersport and I also take on half-day shoots on days that suit me. I do try and do a few commercials wherever possible, then I make up the lost time with my students, but my focus is always going forward with the college. I allow nothing to get in the way of this!

LFP: If you could have done the makeup for any big budget film released recently or even in the past, which would it have been and why?

Jacqui: There would be so many for completely different reasons; like The Grinch with Jim Carrey. Yes, it is a suit where the face is moulded, but despite the exaggerated proportions, REAL EMOTION still manages to come through! This is exceptionally difficult to get right and a huge challenge to overcome. One does not quite realise the difficulty of this. Makeup on such a large scale can also easily cross the line to looking “ridiculous”. The Lord of the Rings is another standout for me. Huge amounts of prosthetic rubber foam were used. The “Orcs” were incredibly well done! A very current movie that has just been released, Maleficent, with Angelina Jolie, is also intriguing me at the moment. Her makeup, the beauty makeup, is just perfection in every way; the highlighting and contouring is beautiful! What is unbelievable is the cheekbones, which are tiny prosthetics made by the master himself, Rick Baker. This makeup was mind-blowing! I would have loved to have been involved in this makeup, where there is just no room for mistakes, as mistakes in such specific makeup could just not have been hidden. It was flawless!

LFP: For anyone aspiring to be a full-time makeup artist, what advice would you give? Is there a secret ingredient for a successful and long career in the industry?

Jacqui: To be successful in this industry requires more than just simply being able to do makeup! It is truly a package deal. It is personality, taste, listening skills, organization skills, work ethic, and above all attitude and patience! People want to be around workers with a good attitude, especially when you are working on a 4 week shoot, involving long hours! But never give up; be determined and believe in yourself! An eye for detail is also crucial, an artistic flair is beneficial, being able to work as part of a team is vital, and keeping an eye on current fashion trends is good too. Also keep growing your portfolio, which in turn will showcase your diversity and skill as an artist.

LFP: What do you think is the biggest makeup faux pas made by young girls?

Jacqui:  Just as with fashion, NOT taking their individual features and colouring into account and following “trends” whether it suits them or not! If you do not have, for example, beautiful lips; stay clear of bright colours! I also think that young girls wear too much makeup!  They apply too dark eyeshadow and, before they know it, they look like panda bears, or alternatively someone who has just been punched in the eyes! Makeup must be age-appropriate. Looking older than one is, is not the point of makeup. If your eyes are small, you should not wear black eyeliner all around the eye. Eyebrows should also be well-defined and not too dark or hard. Teenage workshops, where teenagers learn a few skills of applying makeup to their individual features, will go a long way and is something I would strongly recommend even if it is just for fun!

Only 15 of the 25 girls who walked in the fashion show will be chosen to proceed to Phase Five; so be sure to check out their individual pics on the ramp taken by Kevin Hsu and Jessica Van Goeverden that they will be judged on. With makeup as beautiful as Jacqui’s and her students’ paired with these beauties, it’s going to be a difficult task making the cut.

Project Scouted photographer profile: Tauhirah Raffie

Tauhirah Raffie, an easy-going and casual girl who still manages to be serious about and dedicated to photography, will be one of the next photographers to be a part of the coming phases of Project Scouted. Having been a part of Project Trinity, the previous year’s Project, she saw that the collaboration with Lee Folkard Photography was a winning one and returned to turn out more fantastic pics this year.

Lee Folkard Photography: What was your inspiration to begin photography and how did you start in the business?

Tauhirah: My inspiration was the world and its people; mostly the idea that everything and everyone has beauty but not everyone will see it and that my job as a photographer is to show it. I started out photographing what I knew but I wanted more training so I spent a year studying photography at Vega which gave me quite a good entrance into the business.

LFP: How did you become involved in Project Scouted and what motivated you to be a part of it?

Tauhirah: Well, I just spoke to Lee as I was really interested in his work and he was looking for young photographers to be a part of the Project. I wanted to be part of Project Scouted because of the success of Project Trinity which I was also involved in.

LFP: When photographing people, what is your process? What's your favourite aspect to capture?

Tauhirah: Usually when I see someone, I'll have an idea of how I want to photograph them but I also like to capture them as raw as possible. I prefer more personal photoshoots where I can get to know my subject and, as corny as it sounds, photograph their true selves. My favourite aspect to capture differs depending on the image. If it’s a portrait, the eyes are important, being the window the soul. Otherwise, it’s the lines, curves and shapes of the body and surroundings.

LFP: What inspires you artistically?

Tauhilah: Definitely finding beauty in the ordinary and showing others how to do the same. It gives you a new appreciation for the world when you see something ordinary become art.

LFP:  Has Durban always been your home? What do you love most about Durban?

Tauhirah: I was born in Jo’burg but have lived in Durban since I was one year old, so yes, you could say it’s always been my home. I love the weather. Summer all year round makes me happy and I also love the people; everyone's so easy-going which makes for good company.

Tauhirah so earnestly seeking to capture the beauty in everyone she shoots is a sure way to bring out the best in any subject. We can’t wait to see her shots of the girls chosen this year in Project Scouted as she captures their beauty and that something special in every one of them.

Sometimes beauty takes time

Some things and some people are born beautiful. They are born being special and precious, and are set apart from others from the very beginning. But this is not always the case and nor is it the only beauty that exists.

Sometimes some things, and some people, take a little more time. They become beautiful through the processes and struggles of life and living. And it is perhaps these processes and struggles that make these things and these people all the more beautiful.

And this beauty is not just found in the way of appearance, but in a certain inexplicable quality that endears one from the very first meeting. This beauty is not the frivolous, temperamental, fleeting kind so often found in youth – but the almost-aged, experienced and wise beauty that comes with the ticking of the clock.

So often people stop to admire the loveliness and the mesmerising display of a butterfly. But almost never do we stop to appreciate the changes, the pain, and the effort that the butterfly has gone through to achieve that beauty. From making its way through a cocoon to surviving in an unforgiving world, that butterfly portrays the true beauty that we all ought to come to appreciate – beauty that comes from survival.

The very hot and very new Vamp Magazine

There isn’t, by any measure, a dearth of fashion and beauty publications around the world but there aren’t very many objections to hot new magazines being put to print either.

The latest American edition to the newsstands is Vamp Magazine from the founders of Hercules, another fashion magazine. The new magazine’s ethos is based on the focus of featuring profiles of strong and prolific women as well as fashion and beauty spreads shot by the latest and hottest photographic talent. Their aesthetic vision is to emulate the fashion prints from the 70s and 80s.

The magazine went all out for its premiere issue featuring some of the hottest models at the moment all on six separate covers. Models Emily DiDonato, Andreea Diaconu, Liya Kebede, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karmen Pedaru and Carolyn Murphy all look stunning in their respective covers; photographed by Paola Kudacki, Giampaolo Sgura, and Santiago and Mauricio Sierra.

The magazine is definitely off to a good start with beauties like these headlining their opening edition. And the spreads within the magazine don’t disappoint either. Its brilliant photography and dazzling concepts. And although all the models are breathtaking, Emily DiDonato is definitely a stand out from the others with her sublime images.

The magazine seeks to inspire women by showcasing other women who have made it to the top in their respective fields. According to its creators, it’s a magazine for women determined to succeed and be taken seriously but who also happen to love fashion and beauty.

Keep smiling

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

-       Dr. Seuss

Did you know that Dr. Seuss wasn’t actually a doctor? Yet he’s still quoted around the world for his great and simple insight into human beings and relationships through his children’s stories and artwork. Dr. Seuss was just a pen name he came up with incorporating his middle name. Officially he was Theodor Seuss Geisel. But not having a doctorate on a paper did not make him any less of a genius than he was.

He was known for his positivity and optimism and his inspiration to look for the good in all things and people. It wasn’t like Dr. Seuss didn’t know what it was to suffer. He’d made mistakes in his life, big ones and very grown-up, adulterated ones. But he got one of his greatest life lessons from them that he imparted to the world through his literature, which was to simply smile and move forward. Life might not be great, we might not be where we really want to be or who we want to be; but maybe if we just smile and push through, we’ll get through it alright.

In its entirety, life is too beautiful – albeit, too unpredictable – to cry over what could have, should have, or would have been. Our smile often stems from our joy, but every once in a while maybe we should just smile for the hell of it and let our joy stem from the miracle that it is to be alive (and able to smile).

“Humans of New York” – The story behind all those stories

We live by telling stories. They are what makes life interesting, they are what show how uniquely different each one of us is but how intrinsically the same we are at the same time. Brandon Stanton, the creator of “Humans of New York” (“HONY”) was insightful and motivated enough to collect these stories that we all carry around with us and has, as a result, developed one of the most beautiful and creative photo-blogs ever.

29-year-old Brandon Stanton grew up in Atlanta and attended the University of Georgia and later went to New York after a short spell as a bond trader in Chicago. As a self-taught photographer, he travelled around New York City in 2010 and walked through the streets everyday taking portraits of complete strangers, originally just posting them on his Facebook profile. Today, he has collected over 6000 pictures of people he has met in the city.

He initially aimed to collect photographs with captions only in his first year of starting the blog but after starting to converse with his subjects; he began to include quotes with the photos that he posted. Stanton travels daily from his home in Brooklyn to shoot for about 4 hours before posting the images on his blog later. Today, “Humans of New York” has developed an incredible following on social media and has over 3,2 million followers on Facebook just waiting for him to upload more images.

The blog has become so popular and successful that a “Humans of New York” book was compiled in October 2013 and from the inspiration of “HONY”, hundreds of spinoff blogs have been created around the world.

When Stanton started “HONY”, he just thought it would be a really cool idea to create an extensive database of the people walking through the streets of New York. But today it has turned into much more. The blog has become a work of art that has managed to capture the inexhaustible beauty of people and the stories they carry around. He has also written about 50 short stories inspired by the people he has met along this journey. “Humans of New York” started with a simple but inspired idea that has grown, and is still growing, into a collection of something great and spectacular.

Emma Watson – The actress turns guest editor for Wonderland magazine

There’s almost nothing as impressive in a woman as one who has beauty and brains, and one who is not ashamed of it. In this way, Emma Watson has rather outdone herself. The British actress is not only the cover star but has also made her journalistic unveiling by guest editing an issue of the quarterly magazine, Wonderland, which went to print on 7^th February.

As any A-lister has A-list contacts, Emma proved to be quite hands-on in her editorial duties. The independent international publication, Wonderland, is known for its profiles on the coolest and most talented artists, musicians, and actors. And as any good editor would, she pulled out her contact list and crammed the magazine with interviews from co-stars and collaborators like Jonah Hill, Sofia Coppola, Darren Aronofsky, Lorde, Tavi, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lena Dunham, Patti Smith and, of course, J.K. Rowling. This girl is pretty resourceful.

Emma is definitely on a role. She went back to studying at Brown University recently and also has a new film coming out this year. “Noah”, directed by Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan”), is the dramatic recount of the famous Biblical story and is a hit-starrer with Russell Crowe as Noah, Jennifer Connelly, Douglas Booth, Logan Lerman, Ray Winstone, and, of course, Emma. The film is already generating quite a bit of buzz and is due for release in March this year.

Emma also has loads of fashion experience to draw from for her editorial shift with Wonderland. She has modelled for Burberry and has designed collections in collaboration with People Tree and Alberta Ferretti and is currently a representative for cosmetics giant Lancôme.

The images were shot by one of fashion’s hottest photographers at the moment, Kerry Hallihan. And there are also images in Emma’s fashion spread featuring her “Noah” co-star Douglas Booth, in which the two look rather ethereal. The magazine went to print with two different covers, making Emma an even luckier girl. And both the covers are gorgeous with Emma’s fine, princess-like features as the focus. So it’s quite fitting that she’s even wearing a tiara on one of the covers.

Hengone – An Artist “Born Hungry”

Instagram has become a phenomenal way to discover new and often amazing talent. One of the latest and most promising finds to have their work taken note of on Instagram is the artist Hengone. The motto displayed on his website is “Born Hungry” and taking a look at his work, it’s very clear that, as an artist, he is hungry and pressing toward the goal of fulfilling that passion by creating real and unique art.

Hengone was born in Battambang, Cambodia and arrived in the U.S. as a refugee when he was only 7 years old. Having struggled with the culture shock and completely new way of living, he took to drawing as a way to cope with his new life. Even at such a young age, he found stillness and peace in art that stabilized him from all the movement around him. For Hengone, art became a form of control – a way to feel in command of his circumstances. And in that control, it’s clear that he has found freedom. His work now speaks of confidence and power.

Being in love with all mediums, Hengone prefers not to be put into a box when it comes to classifying his style. He sees the uniqueness and variation of different styles and media and he aims to embrace that. He says that he is more in love with a textured, blank canvas than with the art itself. Spoken like a true artist. It’s the possibility of creating something amazing and distinct on that blank surface that keeps Hengone inspired.

He cites Czech Art Nouveau painter, Alphonse Mucha and the American illustrator, J.C. Leyendecker as his favourite artists. Hengone almost always plays up the hair of his female subjects in alluring and fascinating ways, something Mucha was famous for. But there’s no duplication here, Hengone’s art is 100% authentic and fitting of 2014.

He’s also got quite a following already. Selling his art online has proved successful and he’s got 19 966 followers (at the time of this blog being posted) on Instagram. His catchphrase on Instagram is quite inspiring too, “Never settle, always push and crave for more”.

Hengone’s work can be viewed on his website and Instagram. He also commissions work and sells prints online, from sketches to street art-inspired pieces. Hengone says that one of his biggest inspirations is people. And that’s what’s so intriguing about his work. Its beauty captured in a different sort of way.