Travel with an Artistic Entourage to Latvia!

UNCOMMON Gallery is launching its travel group this spring with an 8-day and 7-night trip to Latvia on May 16th–23rd. Michael Colanero of Uncommon Stock (OMP Member #91273) has passed along the invitation to all OMP models, photographers, artists, designers, and anyone interested in exploring this unique country.

They have chosen a location that will appeal to anyone with an interest in history or the world around them, yet will particularly strike the hearts of the artists and photographers with the wide diversity of the area - enough to fill up your mind and memory cards with the limitless photo ops and beautiful scenery.

The group will be leaving from JFK airport in NY and flying directly into the capital city of Riga (round trip flight from JFK to Riga included in travel package). From there they are getting picked up to go to a beach resort named by Forbes Magazine as the best SPA hotel in the Baltic Region and the only Five Star SPA resort on the beach (packages include hotel stay). With only a 20-minute ride away from the capital, all will get to take advantage of the Latvian Riviera and the action of the capital city nearby.

The first night starts with a complimentary mix and mingle party for everyone to get acquainted, make new friends and team up for excursions or fun. Included is a hot daily breakfast buffet (no mini continental breakfasts here) featuring hot vegetarian, meat and fish options. For evening dining options, the hotel has a café, bar and two upscale restaurants, with other diverse dining options within walking distance.

The following day the group will be going on a guided tour of the old city in Riga (also included in the package) and exploring its 800 year old architecture, Art Nouveau scenery, churches and cobble stone streets. For more adventurous travelers there are daily optional trips (the excursions are pretty inexpensive/breakdown will follow) to explore other towns, nature, castles, traditional bread baking, cooking classes, or even trips to the other Baltic States until it is time to depart this UNCOMMON location.

For solo options, take advantage of the world class SPA (one selected treatment is included), sauna (included), heated sea water pool (included), or just take a short train or taxi ride to the capital city of Riga. A charming beach town with cafes, shops and restaurants is located within walking distance of the SPA hotel and resort. The last day we are shuttled back to the airport (included) for the return trip to NY.

Travelers on this trip will have the opportunity to enter photos from the trip or paintings inspired on the way into a special juried art exhibit to be held at UNCOMMON Gallery shortly upon return.

For more details and package rates, email Michael at omp@uncommonstock.net

The Holidays Linger on at Playboy.com

The holidays may be almost over, but the spirit of the season is alive and well at Playboy.com. They have been unveiling a new holiday-themed nude picture every day of December, and will be counting down to the New Year in fine form. Fresh-faced Kaelie Hart, for example, unwinds in front of the holiday hearth.

Check out the full calendar at:

http://www.playboy.com/girls/landingpages/31-girls-2009/gallery.html?cm_mmc=Responsys-_-Playboy.com-_-Traffic-_-Weekly%20Dot%20Com%20Newsletter

Uncommon Gallery Night Features Breast Cancer Awareness Body Painting Project

Michael D. Colanero of UNCOMMON Stock (OMP Member #91273) invites all OMP members in the South Florida area to his
monthly Gallery Night on Friday, Dec. 11 from 6-11pm. This month they are featuring a sneak-peek preview of their Breast Cancer Awareness Body Painting Project. Breast cancer survivors who served as models for the project will be on hand.

The project promotes Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising, and features bodypainting by Body Art by Keegan (OMP Member #215682). Others may have seen the project on last month's cover of Flavor Magazine and the great two-page coverage on the project. The project will also be the cover story for the next edition of OMP's eXposure online magazine.

The event will take place at UNCOMMON Gallery, 2713 East Commercial Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 (just 4 blocks East of Federal Highway on the North side).

Image by Michael Colanero (OMP Member #91273), bodypainting by Body Art by Keegan (OMP Member #215682).

See more at http://www.uncommonstock.net

Michael Smith’s Carbon Graphx Creates Dreamstates with OMP Models

Michael Smith of Carbon Graphx (OMP Member #111038) started taking photographs when his parents gave him a Kodak Bellows camera as a kid, and he’s been shooting ever since.

“My true interest in photography began when I actually noticed the world around me. The fact that I could alter that view by manipulating the image in the chemicals and in the printing process made me feel like I could control my viewpoint. Now, with the advent of digital photography, my creative world is unfettered. I am now able to change the captured image of the world around me and bend it to my twisted artistic viewpoint.”

Although he shoots a variety of styles, Michael’s favorite subjects have all been female. “I enjoy shooting women, without thought of style. Shooting a woman who is relaxed, confident and experienced really is a pleasure. I feel I am just capturing what's in front of me and the skill is really in the model. I shoot many things in our business -- but shooting women is my favorite.”

He believes a successful shoot starts with communication. “You need to be honest, direct and to-the-point with the model. Allow the model to relax in the thoughts that you discuss with her, and let her become the image you are trying to capture. Then the added elements of her personality will serve as the cherry on the top.”

Michael’s casting process helps match the model with the theme. “The concept of the shoot is never set in stone – they will change within the shoot and with the models as we work. The final image will be determined by both what the model does with my thought and my abilities to capture the image. But the model is truly the artist. My photo-editing concepts can be described in one word: dreamstates.”

His choice to join One Model Place came after doing much research online. “I settled on One Model Place after carefully searching online for the most professional, well-run site I could find. OMP has become a home for my portfolio and a place to network. The direction suggested by the mods and many other members have helped sharpen my artistic efforts. Until I found OMP, it was a hit-and-miss situation for me -- locating models, talking to them before the shoots, etc. Thanks to OMP, I was able to work with one of the best visual artists, Jeffrey Scott 1019 (OMP Member #25854) who is a phenomenal artist and a direct, to the point Mentor. I owe much to One Model Place.”

He feels that his luck with OMP models has been pretty solid, noting that they seem to take photo shoots seriously. “I have shot many OMP models, all of whom were professional and self-motivated. All of the OMP models I have used are highly recommended and have given me many wonderful images.” Some of his favorites include:

-- “Colette (OMP Model #269439) was an unknown for me at first, because of her age… my wife talked me into shooting her and I have never regretted it. Colette is professional, sweet and very instinctive, fun to shoot and a wicked sense of humor. Also, her mom is very supportive.”

-- “Tavia (OMP Model #41145) spent weeks shooting with me. She is professional, competent, a photographer's dream if there ever cold be one.”

-- “Cassandra (OMP Model #285186) was my introduction through OMP to a truly professional model. She is exotic, totally comfortable, self-motivated and able to fulfill any photographers theme or idea for a photographic shoot."

West Coast-based Michael relates that he is “endlessly” traveling for photo assignments. “My job takes me around the world – including Asia, Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba. So many beautiful women, so little time! We are an entertainment industry-based company, so we work with many studios, pre and post-production houses, the exhibition industry, and other venues. My photography is intertwined throughout our business.”

His advice for photographers just starting out is straightforward. “Always make the image mirror your artistic viewpoint – a rule hammered home by 1019. And keep on shooting as long as it is fun!“

Image of Tavia OMP Model #41145 courtesy of Michael Smith of Carbon Graphx OMP Member #111038

Tattoo You!

If you are in the Indianapolis area tonight and are a fan of body art, check out "Etching The Flesh" -- a series of tattoo-themed portraits by fine art photographer D. Fulton OMP Member #184164. The artist's reception is tonight, Friday, May 1, 2009, from 6-9pm.

Admission is free, and benefits the RupertKids.org cause. The event takes place at:

The CITAP Gallery
The Murphy Arts Building
1043 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46203

Image courtesy of D. Fulton of Spark Art Photography

Field Trip to Art & Design!

OMP took a field trip recently to Art & Design gallery in Fort Lauderdale, FL, just minutes away from the OMP Studio. The location is filled with unique paintings, sculptures, and other artwork. It made the perfect backdrop for a shoot with some local models, including Monica (pictured). Keep checking in with the OMP Blog to see where we will be going to next!