NEW YORK BEAUTY PHOTOGRAPHER JAMIYA WILSON

For anyone interested in learning how to retouch like the pros, I recommend an upcoming workshop taking place here in New York. The workshop is being sponsored by Hi-End Workshops, a new initiative aimed at bringing creative minds together.

The instructor will be none other than Natalia Taffarel, a retoucher I highly respect for her honesty and skills. I have no connection with them whatsoever. I don’t get a kick back nor have they asked me to promote the workshop here.

I honestly believe it’s a GENUINE opportunity for creatives to enhance their retouching skills. I saw Natalia’s DVD and was very impressed. So she’s “JAMIYA APPROVED”!

The workshop is 2 days long(October 2-3) and only $400. They’re taking deposits now so reserve your seat before it’s too late. Find out more here.

If anyone attends feel free to share your experience.

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Every now and then I get a request from someone looking to collaborate. It’s very flattering to know that people admire your work and want to team up. Whenever possible I try my best to schedule something allowing us to work together. However, some people don’t take the right approach when sending their request.

I generally dislike it when someone contacts me with a message like this:

Hi Jamiya,

xoxo
MUA

The problem with this type of email is that the person assumes that they can just have an idea and I’ll shoot it. Kinda rude.

If you’re going to contact someone you’re interested in working with, ask how you can help them before thinking about your own ideas. After you work together a few times, then present your idea.

Here’s a better example:

Hi Jamiya,

MUA

I’ll probably contact this person in the future about working together. So for all the artists looking to collaborate, I don’t mind working with you, just be courteous in your approach.

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This past weekend my schedule was loaded with test shoots. I remember being a little worried if I’d booked too many models and if that would affect the quality of the shoots. Somehow everything turned out great. However, I couldn’t have done any of it without my team members. Robert Sesnek, Eric Williams, and Kelly Budd are some of the most talented individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with.

It’s not just the collection of talent that makes our team work. It’s the ability to give/receive constructive criticism. There’s no blaming or bitterness involved. It’s a very encouraging, professional environment with the sole purpose of creating great images. I love it when someone suggests something that may have been overlooked. Whether it be changing the color of the lips, tweaking the shape of the hair, or even suggesting a different background color, we all colloborate (in the true sense of the word) to create something amazing.

I’m very fortunate to be working with such great people.

To my team members: Thank you for all your help, I couldn’t have done it without you!

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For some reason, many people assume that I retouch my own work. Thanks, but I actually hire someone.

*gasp*

It wasn’t always this way, I assure you. I used to have my Wacom pen swiping away after each shoot. I was actually pretty good thanks to Nick Saglimbeni.

Over time, I learned that my passion was photography. Retouching, not so much. I just don’t have the patience to retouch an image for hours on end.

Instead, I have a few retouchers I work with. Each has their own strengths, weaknesses, and price points, but overall they do a excellent job!

If you decide to hire someone, find someone who’s good and compliments your style.

An analogy I like to use is: “A great retoucher is like a great barber, once you find the right one, you stick with them.”

Some questions to consider are: What’s the average turnaround time? Are there charges for revisions? Do they respond to emails in a timely manner? Is their pricing fair and consistent? Do they follow your directions well?

Lastly, make sure you treat them well. Be polite, respect their time, pay your invoices in a timely manner, and don’t ask for way more than what you’re paying for!

If you retouch your own work and that’s working for you, congratulations! But if you’re on the fence about hiring someone, I say go for it if you can afford it.

Hiring a retoucher could be just the thing you need to take your work to the next level.

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Summertime sure brings the heat doesn’t it? The hot weather always reminds me of past summers I spent in Orlando, FL and my hometown Jackson, MS.

Those summers were tough. I worked a job two summers straight teaching children math at various community centers throughout Jackson. The children were a wild bunch, but were generally pleasant to be around. The working conditions were less than stellar though.

For those who love A/C, you’d die before your first workday was over. Over 100 kids, around 25 adults, in a small room and NO A/C for the entire summer. We must have broken a record for heat tolerance.

Orlando was a whole ‘nother beast. I was in film school around that time and the heat was WHEW (so hot it can only be described by a sound effect)! My Mama (we say Mama in the south) gave me her car to get through school. I had (and still have) a phobia about running A/C in old cars. Every time I would use A/C the car would breakdown. Sometimes it would happen the same day or days after. It was only a matter of time, but it always happened! Far away from home and scared of a breakdown, I endured the majority of summer in Orlando riding around with NO A/C.

Ah, good times.

I’m so used to not having/using A/C that when people come over to shoot, I sometimes forget. They’re just sitting there sweating bullets and I’m totally relaxed. I guess it was training for the day air conditioners are outlawed. I’ll be ready!

Whatever the case, I was able to endure without minor comforts for long periods of time, with no complaints. A little toughness and you can too!

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