Legendary Clients

Photo by MichaelAngelos Photography

For the last seven and a half years I was not only working but caring for my sick Father. Back in May my Dad passed away. In that time I learned how to juggle home and my professional life. The first part of the year I started off more as a nurse than a makeup artist. To be honest my mind wasn't into working because worry was overcoming my world. As a freelancer the early months tend to be slower and this helped me cope with my personal life.

After my Father’s passing I suddenly found myself very busy; was this to keep me preoccupied or was it all predetermined by the universe? In one week's time frame I was to be scheduled to take care of one of the biggest football players of all time; Peyton Manning. Then days later a job styling the biggest journalist in history Dan Rather. Mr. Rather was to be in town interviewing musician Kenny Loggins.

How is it I can go from darkness to light so fast? How lucky am I to have time to accommodate these fabulous people coming to Cleveland? I know this blog is late but here are the highlights from my time styling for them.

Peyton arrived to Riddell Sports to do a video for them. Once introduced I started the grooming process and then I directed him to his wardrobe. He asked me to hold his money clip, some receipts and a pen so it wasn’t showing in his pockets. Once on set I was also the keeper of his cell phone.

I found a secure pocket in my bag to hold his items but thought WOW he is trusting. I was checking with him periodically to ask if he needed his phone. I made small talk about his stay in town and also about retired NFL player Robert Smith of the Minnesota Vikings. Robert played football at my high school alma mater and we were close in age. Peyton did not take photos with the crew but I did get behind the scenes shots of him on set. He is a class act and very kind I really enjoyed my morning with him.

When I received a call that I was referred to assist legendary news broadcaster Dan Rather I was in shock. I think I was the only kid that watched the news in grade school so I knew how important he was. I heard through production that Dan wanted to interview Kenny Loggins but due to schedule conflicts they would have to meet and tape the show News and Guts in Cleveland.

I was escorted to a green room at Severance Hall at university circle. Dan’s name was posted on the door. I set up and I started to get nervous. I am confident on shoots but big ones make me doubt myself. On arrival Dan advised me of what he wanted done as far as grooming. We chatted a bit about his life growing up in Texas and a mutual friend we have in common.


I expressed to him my admiration for his work. I wanted to ask him so much but I kept it together. At 87 years old Dan has a sharp mind and is a true gentleman. This day climbed quickly to be one of my favorites styling. I think my angels are around me and I am so grateful.

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