"Shanelle Gabriel"

Shanelle Gabriel

Had a 4th shoot with Shanelle Gabriel this past weekend.. We shot for the first time in October of 2007. Ironically, I had been a loyal fan of HBO's Def Poetry Jam, and Shanelle appeared on an episode that year. Unrelated, she contacted me thru Model Mayhem with a very nice message and request for a shoot collaboration. We met that October in the D.U.M.B.O. for a street shoot and have done four shoots since. Although I love the many photos from those earlier shoots, it's cool to see how things evolve as we have both honed our respective crafts.... I have been an artist and designer for years, but photography is a medium I embraced seriously only a couple of years ago. Shanelle has been a great study for me over the past couple of years. She is at ease in front of the camera; full of personality, grace, talent and heart.

This time around, we were fortunate to work with 2 people to help us enhance the look even more. Lex came on board to share his makeup chops, and Soji graced us with his styling magic.... Thanks to both... The energy, focus and 'good people' vibe, made for fun and productive day.

©Wendy Whitesell

Making the best of a Sticky Situation

Had a shoot with Shanelle Gabriel on Thursday night on the hottest, muggiest night of the summer so far, and I don't have a/c in my apartment at the moment. I was well prepared with clothes and accessories, but other things went wrong. We were supposed to start at 7pm, and by 8 we were still waiting for the makeup artist in my miserably hot apartment. The MUA got in a jam and was not able to make it.... There we were with no professional make up. Shanelle had some Mac Studio Fix foundation, and combined with my makeup, I pretty much winged it; becoming makeup artist, stylist, and photographer. The only real draw back was that I had false eye lashes but no adhesive. I usually like false eye lashes in pictures, but we had to go with out...

We melted in the heat but forged ahead; completing the shoot in about 2 and a half hours... There are not many good pics, but there are enough to make the night worth it. Shanelle got the head shot she wanted, and a couple of promotional shots, and I got a piece for my series. She is a joy to work with after all is said and done, and I look forward to another shoot under better circumstances.


©Wendy Whitesell