Los Angeles Trip, September 2020

Los Angeles Trip, September 2020

Hi all! I figured that it could be fun to do a blog post on my trip to LA since it has been two years since my last traveling model photoshoot trip to LA. I’ll take you through my packing process and the trip itself. (I wrote this from my seat on the airplane because I was way too excited).

I started packing a few days before and worked on styling each shoot individually. I put each set into a pile and then packed each pile into a ziplock bag. Super important to have a travel steamer if you are going to do this! You don’t want any wrinkles in your wardrobe.

I’m still impressed that I fit all of these outfits in here

My first shoot was scheduled for 4.5 hours after I landed. I wanted to make sure I had enough time to get through the airport and get my rental car. Same thing with my last shoot on the day I flew home- that shoot ended 5 hours before my flight. That extra time allowed me to run to the beach when I landed and to the mall when I got back!

Shoot 1: David Yang, Mansion Shoot

My very first shoot of the trip was with David Yang (@davidyangimages on IG). He had a stunning location in West LA and I knew it was going to be an incredible shoot when I parked out front. We did a variety of glam and boudoir looks, and a quick set that was more casual at the beginning. The house that we shot at had such beautiful lighting. Each of the rooms was very modern and brightly light.

I think that my favorite set we did had to be either with the bathtub or in the library… or one of the “door jam” shots… I learned lots of new terms about real estate during this shoot! ;)

Quick selfie at the end of a killer shoot!

David Yang

Shoot 2: Girls on Glass, Beach Cove Shoot

The second shoot was with the man himself- Girls on Glass (@girlsonglass on IG)! Keith and I have been chatting about me coming back out to LA to shoot for quite a while now and I was so excited to finally make this trip happen. I brought a few wardrobe items, but was looking forward to shooting in the pieces he brought from Swimxotic Swimwear (@swimxoticswimwear on IG) and BR Swimwear (@brswimwear on IG). We had a blast shooting in the waves, on the rocks, in a small “cave,” and on some beautiful steps.

IMG_6137 2.jpg — This cove was my favorite!

Girls on Glass- Censored in case individuals under 18 are viewing

Shoot 3: 48th Street Photography, Sunset Beach Shoot

Shoot number 3 was right after number 2! I jumped in the car and headed down the beach to another beautiful spot in Laguna. Marcus was such a blast to work with- he made getting taken out by big waves so much fun! He brought an assortment of bikinis to shoot in (@48thstreetphotography on IG) that were so cute and comfy. After the last light, we trekked back up the million steps and up the giant hill to our cars. My legs were still on fire days later, LOL.

Learning to model with the waves- a little harder than I expected!

48th Street Photography

Loved wearing these suits from Popstry Bikini for the shoot with Marcus

48th Street Photography

Shoot 4: Lifestyle/Product Shots for Benjilock with 8x10 Photography

I was so thrilled to set up another product shoot with one of my favorite clients- Benjilock (www.benjilock.com, @benjilockofficial on IG). I have known Robbie for a few years- this coming January would have been our fourth Consumer Electronics Show (CES) together. I do brand ambassador and product specialist work for Benjilock at this exciting tech show every year! It’s always great to see friends outside of the show floor.

Our photographer, Mike (@8x10proofs on IG), was so much fun to work with (I owe him some donuts next trip). He had a really great eye for commercial lifestyle shots and did not stop making me move until he got what he wanted. I’m so excited to introduce y’all to the fingerprint bike lock when it is in stores! You might remember seeing it on my story back in January. Stay tuned!

Was Mike telling a dad joke or bugging me about bringing donuts during this shot?

8x10 Proofs

Shoot 5: Rocky Beach Shoot, Boundless 815 Photography

Mauro was the sweetest (@boundless815photography on IG)! He brought me a T shirt and mask with his logo. We shot at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro (I got to see so many new beaches this trip). We used a rocky ledge and went down in the sand and rocks right on the shoreline. The weather was beautiful. I have seen a few of the photos already, and let me tell you... they are beautiful!

Beautiful waves at this beach in San Pedro

Boundless 815 Photography

Shoot 6: Studio Glam/Fashion/Boudoir Shoot, Py Pai

I made sure that this trip went out with a bang by shooting with the one and only Py Pai (@pypaiphoto and @wheelsandheelsmag on IG). Py is a dear friend of mine and found me at SEMA a few years ago. He is the owner of Wheels and Heels Magazine (view the latest issue here). Normally, in about a month or so, we would both be traveling to Las Vegas to work SEMA and shoot with some incredible cars. Since that won’t be happening this year, I popped into the studio to create some cool stuff.

One thing I really love about Py is his technical eye. His “back of the camera” shots are always so beautiful, and he’s a master of lighting. Speaking of which, Py has a book on photography and modeling in the works, and it should be published soon. I had the pleasure of previewing the section on working with models last month and I cannot wait for his book to come out!

So much fun getting to work with creative angles

Py Pai Photo

Had to take our usual post-shoot selfie!

Logistics:

Because I like keeping my overall trip costs as low as possible, I totally survived off of French fries, water, and Hi-Chews this trip. I think I got a little salad at one point too. I always forget to eat on my work trips. I wasn’t joking when I said that I need a food assistant to chase me around and hit me in the back of the head with a sandwich until I eat. I just get so focused on completing my tasks that it slips my mind until after my day is over.

I literally packed 49 lbs of shoot clothing and shoes. I fit it all in using ziplock bags. I also packed my Louis Vuitton bag with some stuff. Best bag ever. I’ve traveled with this thing for the last three years and I can not recommend it enough. Great quality and it has a ton of space. My makeup bag was pretty heavy. I take the makeup part pretty seriously and bring everything I own. Professional makeup means cleaner shots and less editing for photographers. I don’t ever hire makeup artists for shoots as I can do my own. It’s well worth your time to learn how you can do your own makeup.

I also sleep a ton on these trips. As much as I can. I crash pretty soon after I get back to my hotel room. I go to bed around 6:30 or 7:00 pm when I work the big trade shows in Vegas. Traveling really takes it out of me.

Traveling As A Mom

I have to say, it was much harder leaving Cadi at home for trip than the last one in January. Even though I was super distracted with work I missed my little buddy. We spend a lot of time together, even on the days that I have shoots and events, so it’s weird when you take a few days away and actually wake up to an alarm as opposed to baby cries.

Cadi was going to come on this trip with me but it would have been too difficult with me running around to shoots. Also, who knows if she would have slept in the hotel room? It would have been her first time in one of those. I am entertaining the idea of her coming on a longer trip with me so that I am not running so much and can space out my shoots and have time for exploring the coast.

In conclusion...

A quick shoutout to all of these incredible artists that I worked with on this trip. I love getting to meet new people and work with longtime friends again. Thank you for an amazing modeling trip.

A few notes for newer models who are thinking about becoming a “traveling model”- take the time to network and build a brand for yourself before you begin. Make sure that you have the funds for your trips. Calculate everything ahead of time and make sure that you will be making a profit. If you are wanting to learn more about becoming a traveling model, feel free to reach out. This is something I teach in my model mentoring course.

Lastly, all you need is a few people to believe in you and then you are on your way. I started the “traveling” part of being a traveling model back in 2017 and I have loved every trip I have taken (especially the 12 trips to Vegas in 2018... Lol).

I’ll be back soon, LA!