ErikaClassicand Edgy

The Phoenix Storm Rugby Club

JuanHe's got the New York State of Mind.

September 2011 Vedere MagazineVolume 1 Issue 2

Published by Michael Meadows Studios,

Tempe, AZ

Contact: Michael Meadows

mike@michaelmeadowsstudios.com

All images are copyrighted to Michael Meadows Studios, Michael Meadows or the respective artists and protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. All infringements will be pursued to the fullest extent of law. No use, reproduction or editing without written permission. All models are over the age of 18 unless noted with the images and have signed a full model release which is on file with the publisher. Any images that are more revealing will also have all required information to be 2257 compliant pursuant to Federal Law. Street photography and architectural images are for display and editorial purposes only.

If you are interested in using one of the images for publication or would like a print please contact the publisher at the email address above.Vedere Magazine Copyright 2011

On the Cover:Model: Erika Make Up By :Missy Bonifasi

When Amanda asked to come to the studio during the shoot with LeTroy I was hesitant. In the back of my mind I was hoping LeTroy would call for a closed set so I could save my diginity and not have to worry about sucking the stomach in for 3 hours. That's what the model is supposed to do! But, LeTroy was all for it and acutally I was happy to help Amanda out with her class project.

After 15 minutes I have to say I forgot Amanda was shooting. Once I put the camera to my eye and LeTroy got into the goove, it was a great shoot. Thankfully she wasn't using flash, I don't know how the models work with the sun flashing in their eyes every 30 seconds. I have a new respect for them and do not want to be in their shoes anytime soon.

I want to thank Amanda Stanko for allowing me to use these images, she is a great model, a great photographer and person I was lucky to have worked with. LeTroy Coleman is someone that is easy to work with and he definitely knows what he wants. I think you will see a lot more of him in the future.

Model: LeTroy ColemanPhotograher: Amanda StankoAll images copyright 2011 Amanda Stanko. Used with permission.

When Amanda asked to come to the studio during the shoot with LeTroy I was hesitant. In the back of my mind I was hoping LeTroy would call for a closed set so I could save my diginity and not have to worry about sucking the stomach in for 3 hours. That's what the model is supposed to do! But, LeTroy was all for it and acutally I was happy to help Amanda out with her class project.

After 15 minutes I have to say I forgot Amanda was shooting. Once I put the camera to my eye and LeTroy got into the goove, it was a great shoot. Thankfully she wasn't using flash, I don't know how the models work with the sun flashing in their eyes every 30 seconds. I have a new respect for them and do not want to be in their shoes anytime soon.

I want to thank Amanda Stanko for allowing me to use these images, she is a great model, a great photographer and person I was lucky to have worked with. LeTroy Coleman is someone that is easy to work with and he definitely knows what he wants. I think you will see a lot more of him in the future.

Model: LeTroy ColemanPhotograher: Amanda StankoAll images copyright 2011 Amanda Stanko. Used with permission.

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Mike MeadowsMichael Meadows Studios480-220-9305mike@michaelmeadowsstudios.com

ERIKA

I met Erika through Missy Bonifasi, one of the best Makeup Artists I've worked with. Missy and I were talking about collborating on a shoot when she brought up working with Erika. Since both of them were in school together and Erika was going to a national competition, Missy thought it would be a good idea for the 3 of us get in the studio. Who was I to complain? When they showed up at the studio I could not stop looking at the hair. I guess they took some liberties in classes to get ready for the evening shoot by doing Erikas' hair. Needless to say I was blown away by the look. When they started explaining the concept they were looking for, I was ready to start. We started the shoot with Erika being a puppet and slowly evolved into more fashion. The dress you see below is not a dress but acutally 2 different back drops wrapped around Erika and held together with clamps. A photographer couldn't ask for more creative people to work with and the results show the dedication they bring to the art and their profession.I'm sure you'll see and hear more from both Erika and Missy. I'm fortunate to have worked with them.Model: Erika Marie MakeUp/Hair/Wardrobe: Missy Bonifasi.

Not knowing much about Rugby Football I had to check out the local club called the Phoenix Storm. I have to admit I'm not a big sports fan since I can't sit long enough to watch an entire game. When I got to the field with my camera and started watching the action, I got into it. When I say action, I mean action. The rules still confuse me and some of the calls I really do not understand but the excitement is endless.

Watching these men volunteer to battle it out against other local teams and teams from out of state makes you believe some people have a passion that is insurmountable. I highly recommend you check them out on the links at the bottom of the page, then go to match and find out about a great sport.

Everyone thinks the desert is only about shooting during the day. Nothing could be further from the truth. All you have to do is go out any clear night and see what you can capture. Night photography does take patience but the images you create will give you a new appreciation of the desert.

I originally met Juan for a shoot downtown Phoenix with his publicist. Never having met him we talked a little about what he was looking for and what he's done in the past. Once he told me what he had done and where he wanted to go, I knew I had my work cut out.

You see Juan is not satisfied with sitting still and hoping. He is going all out to make his dreams come true, with vigor, as he has since he was a child.

To hear him tell the story,

"Ever since I was little I would sing

and dance and the first time I touched

a piano at age 8 I was hooked I have a

teacher named Jason, who challenged

me to play better and that if I wanted

to be better I had to sacrifice things in

order to get there . It's weird that I

remember, but my first piano recital

was at a church and I didn't have any

nice clothes all I had on was overalls

and a shirt underneath. I remember

Jason putting the letters on the keys, I

could play but I need the letters to

guide me."

He didn't stop there. He started singing at the age of 9 and to help him hone his skills, he played the cello into his sophmore year of high school. Of course his singing didn't stop, he was in the school choirs throughout and in his junior year he sang with his choir the Mozart Requim at Carnegie Hall. Most work a whole life to get to Carnegie, he was there before the end of high school.

As is with life, we all have bumps in the road and Juan is no exception, abeit his bump was more like a hole in the road that was big enough to stop most of us in our tracks. You see on May 27, 2001 he had heart surgery to replace his aortic valve. He says his love of his family and his love of music helped him with the long recovery. After graduating from high school, he studied at Scottsdale Community College where he found 50's inspired music. Not one to be idle he traveled to Carmel, California to do some singing.

Coming back to Phoenix, a friend asked him, "Why aren't you in theater?". That's all he needed to take another step towards his true calling.

After that thought provoking question, Juan once again was on his journey to fulfill his calling, that is after he says, "I got the blank look off my face".

With the goal in sight once again, he went after it. His stage credits include Wizard of Oz and the Rogers and Hammerstein Classic "Carousel" directed by David Hock.

Once again the creative itch has struck Juan. At the end of September he pursues his dream to the east coast. His new home will be New York City. Although he told me he's not sure about sharing an apartment with 5 other people and his share of the rent is the same as he pays for his own apartment in Phoenix, I think he know's in his heart this is another sacrifice he has to make to be the best.When he arrives he already has an audition lined up for the Broadway show Aladdin along with other audtions for off-Broadway productions.

I hope to stay in contact with Juan and hear of his success in NYC. Since all of us have had dreams we wanted to pursue and let life get in the way I take inspiration from this man. He had many obstacles that would have stopped most but he is reaching higher without reservation. I am honored to have worked with him and always will be.

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