Photographing Jane Love

I had the pleasure of photographing tattooed alternative model Jane Love in the studio last week.

She is an alternative/conceptual model who always has the most colorful and vibrant hair to match her explosive personality.

Alex Jankowski of Arrogant Beauty came in and rocked out Jane's hair and makeup..... absolutely loved what Alex did with Jane's hair!

I chose a moodier lighting until Jane started to smile, that image was meant to be brighter ;)

Also since Jane stands out I wanted to keep the background simple and we shot on a black background and made her the main focus. 

Here are my favorite images from our shoot.

Our Breast Cancer Survivor, Tracy

For October, Kate Johnson and Revival Pinups gave away a free boudoir photoshoot and a makeover to a Breast Cancer Survivor.

From all of the submission, Tracy was chosen.  You may read her story here:
 http://revival-pinups.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-breast-cancer-survivor-photoshoot.html

She did absolutely amazing and I would like to share a couple of images from the ones she chose:

Our Breast Cancer Survivor Photoshoot!

We have a winner for our free photoshoot for a Breast Cancer Survivor: Tracy!

Here is her story....

Surviving Cancer….

            At present, I am a 35 year old single mother of two and a 13 year breast cancer survivor.  I have an amazing 17 year old son and a magnificent 10 year old daughter.  I reside on the north side of Chicago. 

            The news came to me 13 years ago this October.  I felt a lump and went to the doctor.  I was then scheduled for an ultrasound and immediately had a mammogram to follow because of the findings.  The Radiologist, along with my gynecologist (via a phone conference), broke the news to me, “it looks like cancer”.  I was crushed!  I was 22 years old with a 4 year old son at home and just a year into my career as an x-ray technologist.  I walked out of the room, got dressed, and went home. I was stunned into silence from the news. When I got home, I cried and cried. 

            The next morning I woke up and moved right into action.  Scheduling doctor’s appointments, further tests, and my first surgery (a lumpectomy) was on my “to do” list.  I went into auto pilot to just get a resolution to my problem.  All my appointments were done and my surgery was performed on November 24^th 2000.  I woke in a dazed state from surgery and my surgeon broke the news, “Tracy it’s malignant”. When you first hear the news of cancer, it sounds like a death sentence.  I again went home and cried.  I allowed the tears to flow for that day and the next, but then that was the end of it.  I am not allowing this bump in the road to bring me down!  I am not allowing cancer to beat me and so I didn’t.  

            The next nine months of my life was a whirlwind of action.  I began the roller coaster ride with an axillary node dissection surgery to see if the cancer had spread into my lymph nodes.  Thankfully it hadn’t.  I had my full diagnosis and prognosis at that point.  I was in stage I breast cancer with a 2cm lump and an aggressive tumor of 3, which meant it was rapid in its growth and spread quickly.  I am so thankful my cancer was caught when it was.  I had three more surgeries that year, with six rounds of Chemotherapy a sixteen week time frame, and six weeks of Radiation therapy to follow. 

            I decided in July of 2001 while I was finishing up my treatments for Radiation to have genetic testing performed.  I was so young when I got my diagnosis, even though cancer doesn’t discriminate by any means of the word, I wondered if possibly there was another explanation.  As it turned out, I did have BRCA II, an inherited genetic mutation that was hidden within the men of my father’s side. Another worry then had come to me and an even scarier thought; the chance for reoccurrence almost triples.  It was devastating news.  I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction.  However, my surgery needed to be put on hold.  I became pregnant in May of 2002; a real miracle considering all that my body had been through the year before.  I delivered in February of 2003 and allowed my body a year of healing before going through with the mastectomies. 

            In June of 2004, at 25, I had the 10 hour surgery of removing my breast tissue and reconstructing my body with my own tissues, the mastectomy and reconstruction.  There was another nine weeks of recovering ahead for me. I wanted the surgery though, to survive, to be there for my children, to be there for my family and friends, I wanted to live my life! 

            My survival story isn’t what I just told you, that was just the background to it.  The real story lies within my day to day life.  It is within my children’s eyes and their laughter, it is within my mother’s and father’s compassion and unconditional ways, it is within my brothers and sister-in-laws protecting arms and helping hands, it is within my family and extended families love and wisdom, it’s within my friend’s care and support.  Without all of those pieces to this puzzle my survival wouldn’t exist. Together as a whole they help me to survive, help me to be the best me, help me want to push forward every day to live my life! So, yeah I am a cancer survivor, yet more importantly I’ve learned to love life and believe in living life to the fullest!  

 Tracy now

Tracy then

As you know my Mother had a double masectomy on 11/5/13, almost a year ago.  This month my Aunt Sandy is a 5 year breast cancer survivor.  My Grandmother Marie passed from breast cancer 2 years ago.  This October to celebrate breast cancer survivor's I wanted to give away a free photoshoot to a survivor.

I enjoyed all of the stories and photos that were sent our way.

Kate Johnson will be beautifying Tracy for this shoot next month.... we can't wait to share some of Tracy's images, we are so excited to be working with her!

Giuseppina Magazine

Our photographer Lori Sapio had a fashion editorial published for Halloween in Giuseppina Magazine.

Here are the images:

 Hair & Makeup: Jen Bean
Stylist: Claire Ann
Stylist Assistant: Drea Shillingburg
Model: Kelsey Marcelline

Photographing a family member....

I have always wanted to photograph a family member, yet get turned down all the time by my 4 sisters.  My cousin Amanda (14 years my junior) was in town, I showed her the studio and suggested I take pics of her.  She jumped at the chance and we set up the shoot.

Emily came to do her hair and makeup (did another amazing job) and I brought this little black dress of mine for her to wear.  Since Amanda was traveling, she didn't have heels with her.  We made it work.

Looking at her through the lens I kept seeing me, my youngest sister, my Dad and my uncle.  It was an experience to view your own mannerisms and looks through a member of your family.  I loved photographing Amanda and think she did wonderful!  Hopefully now my sisters will let me get them in front of the camera.... hint..... hint!

Meet our Beauty team!

Jen has been working as a part of the Revival Pin-up team since Aug of 2012. She is happy to suggest the best colors and styles to make your Session top notch. She has worked in the the beauty industry for the past 5 years and is a Licensed Cosmetologist. Jen is trained in all types of hair textures and skin completions. When Jen is not working at Revival Pin-ups she keeps busy teaching for Aquage and doing hair and makeup for Commercial Shoots, so she knows just what to do for you to ensure you look amazing in your photos!

Hair/MUA : www.jenbeanartistry.com
Blog : www.beanstyling.wordpress.com
Art Site : www.jenbeanart.com
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Alyssa’s career in the beauty/fashion industry started back 5 years ago. It was when she was a young girl when she first played with makeup and found her passion. She then progressed into doing her friends hair and makeup for just about every event they attended.  

From there she went on to Pivot Point International Academy and furthered her skills and after onto bigger and better things such as various makeup and styling for shoots including fashion shows, clothing lines, events such as Lollapalooza, and editorial print work. 

In addition to styling Revival Pinups clients, she also works at a salon located in the Wrigley/ Lakeview area for the past four years called Fix Hair Studio.

When Alyssa’s not working she usually can be found with her friends outside enjoying the city, going to shows to see bands play, or out thrifting for jewelry and creating. Alyssa specializes in Hair styling, cutting, coloring, extensions, and a wide range of updos. As for makeup she is able to create anything from natural “barely-there” look to a more classic, sophisticated look as well as glamorous, bold or extravagant.

photo by Revival Pinups

Emily was introduced into the world of hair, makeup and fashion as a young girl. Between her makeup artist mother who later became a hair stylist, and her uncle who owned a salon, there was no escaping a future in the beauty industry! Emily has been a traveling regional makeup artist for Stila Cosmetics since 2005, with a brief intermission to attend Chicago’s own Aveda Institute. She knew that in order to be a well-rounded stylist, getting her cosmetology license and a more broad knowledge of hair and beauty was a must.

Emily’s esthetic resonates along the lines of classic beauties such as Grace Kelly, Lucille Ball, and Marilyn Monroe. She also loves current trends and modern looks straight from the runways of fashion week. When not at work, you can find Emily listening to old records, cooking up yummy feasts for her fella and roommates, or painting the town red. Emily always knows just how to make you giggle and feel at home, while creating the perfect look for every day or your special event.

Kate was born in a small suburb of Dallas Texas before her family moved to Southern California when she was 5. Growing up was like an old film from the 50’s,  she was her mother’s living doll, wearing pink sponge rollers in her hair every night and trying out the newest colors and looks.
It wasn’t until she was in college studying for her BFA in Musical Theater at California State University, Fullerton that she discovered her ease with a paint brush and her love for design. After designing the makeup and hair for multiple university productions, and shattering her foot performing in another, she changed her degree to Special Effects Makeup and Hair for Film and Theater. She was in love!
Not long after visiting Chicago for the first time she packed her bags and moved east finding success in print, film, commercials and fashion shows.  She worked as an artist and trainer for companies such as Smashbox, Nars, Vincent Longo and Kevyn Aucoin, learning how to bring out the beauty in every skin type.  A true believer that a great team is where creativity is born she always ensures that the clients needs are her top priority. 

Kate Johnson
Kate Johnson Facebook

Revival Pinups also has an handful of talented and accomplished hair and makeup artists we collaborate with.