STYLE

MAKE YOURSELF WORTH 1,000 WORDS

Any of us who lived through the '80s have done it. After getting those Glamour Shots gift certificates for Christmas, we rushed out to have our hair poofed, our cheeks heavily rouged and our entire upper half draped in a rhinestonestudded jean material. The result of this fiasco was a hazy photograph of a nameless garish face with the same generic pose and smile that all of the larger-than-life "glamour" photos on the wall conveyed. Well, it's time now let those photos drift back into the far reaches of your junk drawer and purchase some portraits that are truly both glamorous and expressive.

Alternative portraiture is allowing customers to create images they can really be proud of. Customers can work with a professional photographer on a concept that reflects their personalities. Many people are now seeking out independent photographers for the high quality and fun results they provide.

Erik Mart, of the Third Eye Photo Studio and Gallery, took the photos for this page based off of a concept provided by professional model Mariana Ryd.

He believes alternative portraiture provides the customer with a very personal connection to the process of the shoot.

"It's really an experience to do these kind of photos," he said. "You can get really excited and have a lot of fun with it. Doing something inventive and creative says something about the subject's personality, intent and desires."

Because the photographer will be working with the customer's concept, not every photographer will be able to accommodate their needs, so they may have to seek out more than one option.

"I think it's really important to meet with a photographer or two or three photographers," Mart said. "A portfolio is very important. He or she will show you some interesting photos in person or on the Internet, that will help you decide if that photographer will fill your needs."

Finding the right photographer can be difficult, but sometimes it can even be more difficult to find the right props. If someone was interested in using animals such as the snakes in these pictures, they might have to go to some lengths.

Rob Storms provided the snakes for this shoot. He has owned snakes for five years and is just now starting to rent them out for photo shoots and movies. There are a few things to think about if a customer wanted to use snakes such as these for their portrait.

"The place where they would do the shoot would have to be indoors," Rob said. "It would have to be about 78 degrees to 80 degrees for the reptiles. If snakes are in the cold too often they could get a respiratory infection and have to go to the vet."

The room isn't the only thing that has to be prepped for the animals though. "You have to school the model if they've never been around the animal. It is important for the person to learn what to expect or not expect from a live animal."

Makeup is an essential part of every professional portraiture session, You could do it yourself, but a professional makeup artist is recommended. Samara Culghinan provided the makeup for our shoot.

Whether you decide to go with snakes or without, alternative portraiture can offer you great possibilities for photos that you'll keep forever, and some might just call art. --Elizabeth Beeson

To find out more information on portrait photographers go to www. profotos. com for national listings or simply run an Internet search for "colorado photographer." To contact Erik Mart, call the Third Eye Photo Studio and Gallery at 303-893-0924. To contact Rob Storms about snake rental, call 303-580-4079.

Models: Rob Storms and Mariana Ryd