Fall

Well the fall has been extremely busy. I think companies just looked at their budgets and said “We have funds left let’s use them to market our merchandise.” The end of summer brought me another shoot for Michaels craft stores and David Tutera. The day of the shoot it was 90 degrees outside and we actually had a model pass out. She was fine but it was pretty scary.

I also worked with General Electric in a beautiful new home located in Bay Village Ohio. This shoot was for social media spots. I have companies I work with using this platform more to advertise on than longer campaigns. Also in September I worked with Creativity for Kids  and some amazing child models spotlighting new craft kits to be sold in Target stores.

I don’t host a You Tube channel but I was the stylist for a series called the Pull A Part challenge. I never know where I will work. These three days were at a junk yard. This was a fun episode and a charity will take home the prize.

October means back to basketball and the CAVS. I work for ESPN occasionally and they called a few days before media day for Dwayne Wade. I unfortunately was booked on another shoot and wasn’t able to be there despite offering other arrangements it was best just to decline since the shoot wasn’t even firm. Of course the interview did get set and another artist was called in to assist Rachel Nicoles and Wade;I guess it was her lucky day.


  All was good I would work with Stephen A Smith before the home opener in a few weeks to  be on set for his show First Take. Former Browns player Joe Hayden surprised everyone by stopping in and some people actually booed him. His reply was perfect as he smiled he said “They cut me”. This shut up everyone.

I was happy to see Joe. He was my favorite Browns player. I also styled him before for First Take last summer and on the cover shoot for Cleveland Magazine when he first came to Cleveland. I made Joe laugh when I asked him if he does a happy dance every Sunday on his way to work. I also told him to keep his nails in good shape to show off the superbowl ring he will be wearing one day.

These types of days make up for the cold shoots I do outside or a long day of work that I hardly have time to eat or take a bathroom break during. Seeing our town shine is amazing and people that are here visiting talking so positive about Cleveland makes me smile. This is just some behind the scenes about my commercial work recently and I feel real positive about the holidays approaching and new work I will be involved with.

Stephen A Smith / First Take 

Joe Hayden 

Creativity For Kids

Michaels/ David Tutera

Francisco Lindor

Well it is almost the All Star game for the MBL. I have to be honest I don’t know many statistics about baseball but I do recall the climb to the World Series in 1995 and last year’s appearance for the Cleveland Indians. This year at the All Star game the Indians will have five players who will play which is awesome news.


Francisco Lindor is one of the Indians player who will be there and back in May I was able to meet him. Our shoot was delayed by two hours because Francisco was running late. The day before the Indians were out of town and arrived back in Cleveland at 4 AM that morning so I think he was pretty tired. After Francisco’s arrival things moved along very quickly.


New Balance and Footlocker needed pictures on this day for their products. We were shooting on the campus of John Carroll University in South Euclid Ohio trying to stay warm on a cold spring day. Francisco spoke about how Cleveland grew on him, at first there was many grey weather days and the spirit of the town wasn’t where it is now. He then added how today the city is thriving he sees many fans in team shirts around town supporting both the Indians and the CAVS. After ballgames he sometimes meets families that are represented by all generations eager to talk baseball with him.


Francisco is a grounded with a true sense of family. Talking about his influence by his Father in his younger years to play baseball, to his love for his Mother and girlfriend shows true character of this young man. He is the real deal; handsome, talented and charismatic. It was a fun shoot to help style on and I look forward to future encounters with our sports greats in Cleveland. 

The LeBron Effect

        Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers did not reclaim the NBA championship title the city of Cleveland did again win. For me personally this was my fourth NBA series that I worked for the sports channel ESPN; and over the course of the last three years my work has significantly increased in general because of LeBron James coming back to Ohio. When our sports teams win our economy wins. People enjoy dinners out or meeting up with friends to watch the games. In general more business locally.

        This also means more media visiting. I love my career but before LeBron left for Miami my business was not as abundant as it is now. With LeBron home he brings big brands here like NIKE to film his ads on location. The CAVS wining has brought in journalists and sports channels to spotlight key team players. This for sure helps freelancers like me to get in on a piece of the pie.

     Here of some examples on how LeBron has helped me. In May I was able to work with the MIKE & Mike show on possibly one of their last trips as a duo to Cleveland this was filmed at Progressive Field. Another big event was a few weeks earlier when ABC and Rachel Nichols were here to interview Cavs player JR Smith and his wife Shirley to talk about their new daughter Dakota that arrived prematurely. This story broadcasted before game three during the preshow.

          Early in June I worked on the shows First Take and the JUMP that air live on ESPN. What an experience I had; from daily chats with legendary basketball player Scottie Pippen about the old Coliseum where the BULLS and the CAVS played during the 80’s and 90’s to busting a move with Atlanta Hawks player Dwight Howard off camera before the show aired. Memories I will never forget.

         I know that in the last few years meeting visitors they really like Cleveland; our food, hotels and personalities. They speak of the ease of getting in and around town along with our positive attitudes even when the odds are against us. The basketball season is done and to be honest I am having a bit of withdrawal, but I am excited to see what happens next in Cleveland. I also want to thank LeBron for coming back to Ohio. I defiantly see firsthand what a difference he has made for our city and in my business personally. 

JR Smith

On Set with Rachel Nichols 

Scottie

First Take Will and Marcellus 

My makeup on Molly Qerim 

The Jump 

Shine On

Last week I was interviewed and photographed for Fashion Flash a segment for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and part of Cleveland.Com. This was an honor to do not to mention a lot of fun. After gathering many outfits, shoes and accessories I made my way downtown with my friend Saideh willing to be my support system for the day.


After initial introductions to Allison Carey she showed us to a room where we could unpack and get comfortable in. I started to chat right away with her about my different projects I have worked on and people I have met so far in my career. During the interview process I was able to talk about my new business Sparkle & Shine Makeup Studio, tips about makeup and of course fashion.


After four hours of talking and photos we had plenty information for an article and I have attached a link below. I thank Allison and the Cleveland Plain Dealer for this opportunity and also to my sweet friend Saideh for her help and ability to remember to take some photos.

http://www.cleveland.com/style/index.ssf/2017/02/karen_siat_teaches_techniques.html

http://www.karensiat.com/sparkleandshinemakeupstudio/

ESPN

My Birthday was June 12th and I celebrate a full week each year. To close it out I got a call, to work the NBA basketball finals here in Cleveland for ESPN. Two days of being on set and a spot in the arena for the game. This to me a huge deal because I love the CAVS ever since I was younger. At one point I even tried out to be on the CAVS dance team so by all means I am not a fair weathered fan.

 As I have wrote in other blog post before I have met Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to groom them for past shoots but tonight it wasn't makeup for the team but the media. Talking to the anchors from ESPN they expressed how much spirit we have here and how they enjoyed their time in town. The night of the game before my shift I was able to see the players from both teams arrive also observe the world media in their pre-game analysis at court side. It was so exciting.

Half time I was off to work doing makeup touch ups and in fourth quarter I was on my way to East 4th street to the ESPN staging area. I had six anchors to get ready for a post-game broadcast that would air after the trophy ceremonies broadcasted.   I was happy to be out of the arena by then because in 2007 I sat in the ESPN booth and watched the Spurs take home the trophy and it felt awful.

This loss was different, we weren't swept and the CAVS fought hard despite the injuries of key players.  Each game was a nail biter. As CAVS fans walked down 4th street after the game they didn't look grumpy this time and they didn’t project hateful opinions. In fact at three different times in the sea of passing fans they chanted " Here we go Brownies here we go… woof woof”. It made be smile because as a native of Cleveland that is what we do just move on to the next season’s sports team and hope we get farther than the previous year.

It didn't faze Mike, PJ, Chauncey or Tim as they looked at their notes for the show, but I felt the energy and the true spirit of Cleveland.  My night went on till 2 am making the men of Sportscenter look flawless. Hopefully next year the big game will be back and I will get to work with one of the best crews in the business again and who knows  maybe then “Third time will be a charm "for the CAVS.

 

 

Delly

 

Lindsay and Tim

Tim and PJ

4th Street



My friend Nicole gets ready for the crowd

 

Kevin Love

Back in November like many people I became a victim to the stomach flu that had me out sick for a week.  I was feeling better just in time to do a shoot with Kevin Love from the Cleveland Cavilers. I was pretty excited to meet this new solid addition to the CAVS. Kevin was going to be on the cover of STACK magazine dedicated to sports fitness.

The crew was asked to arrive around lunch time so after the teams practice the shoot could start. We sat in the media room after setting up and discussed all of our Thanksgiving plans while waiting.  It was three hours before Kevin came in to meet us. When he walked in the room I was amazed how tall he was but considering my height most people tower over me.  After introductions were all done Kevin headed to change into his uniform then I proceed to groom him for the shoot.

As I applied powder the editor of Stack gave Kevin some information about the shoot. After he was already it was onto the set where Eric Mull would take the photos. Kevin practices yoga so some of the photos consisted of yoga poses which added some more conversation. We headed to the court where action shots were captured and pictures of his workout routine.

Kevin has been well received here in town and certainly the ladies think he is eye candy.  My daughter was excited I was going to meet him and my Facebook page was on fire with comments about Kevin. I must say he is not only handsome but very kind. He thanked me for helping him on set and was very cooperative in whatever the editor and staff asked of him.

I was really looking forward to seeing the CAVS in the playoffs and what kind of magic Kevin could do. Sadly he was hurt in game four against the Boston Celtics and underwent surgery on his left shoulder and will not be part of any more games I just hope the rest of the team can stay healthy and we reach the championships in June.

   I am happy that I have worked with Kevin last November and Kyrie in 2013. Many people ask me if I have met LeBron?The answer is I have been a room twice with him but not formally met. I keep getting closer and before long I feel I will land a project with King James and all the dots will be connected for me.    

Groom time

Photo: Eric Mull

Kyrie Irving

 Back in March, I received a call from photographer Tim Mantoani from San Diego. He was coming into town and asked if I could work on a Sunday, which was actually St. Patrick’s Day. I RARELY work Sundays as I feel it is my only “family” day and I'd rather spend it with the kids. Tim told me he could not discuss the job yet, but did tell me I would have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. In the back of my mind, I knew I might have to make an exception to my Sunday rule because only big jobs ask you to sign these agreements. I accepted the work and a week out from the shoot date Tim gave me directions to the studio. Not until I arrived did I find out the client was the Cleveland Cavaliers' point guard Kyrie Irving and he was going to be on the cover of an ES Sports PlayStation 4 game!

 As you can see in the photo, I did not wear my green hat or St. Patrick's Day beads for the shoot but I did arrive on time and got all set up. Kyrie’s uniform was sent over by the CAVS' office and I steamed it to get it ready for the photo shoot. A photo below shows all of the shoes sent over by NIKE for Kyrie to pick from to wear for the cover shot. He actually ended up wearing his team shoes instead. Once Kyrie got his uniform on, he said he didn’t think it looked right. I said to him, "The CAVS' office brought it here personally; however, I steamed it. Maybe that is why it looks different?" He laughed as he adjusted his shorts and said, “Maybe that IS it!"

 Kyrie had still photos taken on a green screen first and then went on camera to talk about his career and what he likes about EA Sports Games. That footage took about an hour to shoot and I was able to sit in for touch ups and hear how he has grown as an athlete. Kyrie is really a great role model for young athletes and I think EA Sports has a slam dunk on this year’s pick for the cover. As for me, I am glad I said I would work. I am not into green beer at all and my kids made plans with friends, so the day was just as exciting and I didn’t have to sit in parade traffic.

NIKE shoes sent over for Kyrie 

Kyrie Irving Tim Mantoani

Karen and Kyrie