That's rii~iight. I am now officially living in New York City. Classes are starting on the 31st, and when they do I'll be super-busy--Parsons is intense! But I'm definitely hoping to get some time aside for non-class-related activities, so here's what's up: Yumi is now looking for models!

This is how it works: I am NOT, I repeat, NOT a professional--I'm an amateur photographer, and have never been taught, ever. Despite that, I've been taking photographs for a while and I don't think I totally suck (although I might be biased. I'll let you be the judge of whether or not I suck). Currently I'm working a Nikon D80, and all I want is some pretty faces to photograph. I'm not claiming that my photos would make for a great modeling portfolio, but they are pretty, and I'm doing this for my enjoyment and hope to do it for yours as well.

I'm offering this for free, as I would feel guilty for charging anyone for my meager skills (although if you want to pay me, go right ahead, a starving student can always use the money). I don't have a studio or anything, so the backdrop will be the lovely city of New York. It is up to you to suggest a specific location (it has to be in New York City and reachable by subway) and provide clothes and makeup. I do have my own personal makeup kit, but that's only if you don't mind using things that I also use (I promise I don't have any diseases, don't worry). For shoots I am also offering up my own makeup skills (once again, not a professional, but I'm not awful) and will probably insist on touching up your makeup anyway if I think it needs something.

I suppose I should list more specifically what I am looking for. I like photographing attractive people--I'm not going to make that some big secret. It's not like I have any problem with photographing anyone who is less than the most perfect physical example of humankind, but I love to shoot the kind of people who are so beautiful that they make everyone else in the room lose a bit of self-esteem just from being in close proximity to them.

-This means you should still be fairly attractive even with your makeup off. I have nothing against using makeup--as a matter of fact, I adore the stuff. Personally, I am going to admit right here that I am not nearly as good-looking without it--not ugly, but not gorgeous, especially because my makeup hides my 4-years-of-all-nighters-undereye circles and the fact that I have almost no eyelashes to speak of. I am not asking for Angelina Jolie, but the idea of walking out the door sans makeup shouldn't give you a heart attack. Natural beauties are much more fun to shoot than someone who looks good because they're wearing a pound of makeup. Furthermore:

-You will have to submit to my makeup direction. Sorry. If I tell you I don't like the way you did your makeup, it's coming off. I'm not totally unreasonable, and I'm pretty flexible when it comes to makeup, especially colors and more costume-y makeup, but there are certain makeup looks that I refuse to shoot because I think they're heinous. These include:

*Heavily bronzered, spray tanned, or extremely dark suntan looks (orange fake tans or very dark tans acquired from lying on the beach for hours with no sunscreen). If your skin is naturally dark it's fine, but I dislike seriously tanned skin.
*Lining the lips with a liner that is significantly darker than your natural lipcolor and not filling them in.
*Clown makeup. If you're already doing a bright blue eyeshadow, you're going to have to say no to the fire engine-red lipstick, and vice versa (fret not, for you can do both, just not at the same time).


I am looking for guys too, but I should probably be very specific because my taste in guys is a bit picky. I like pretty boys--you know the type, the kind that is somewhat feminine and photographs well and has random girls requesting to be Friends on Myspace. Boys, here's what you need to know:

-This does not mean I want stick people. Thin is good, manorexic is scary. There is a limit. Find it and decide on which side you fall.

-No, you can't wear your hair in your face for the entire shoot. I like longer hair as opposed to, say, buzz cuts, but it must be reasonably well-kept and free of dandruff or excessive oil.

-I will probably insist on using at least a little concealer/highlighter on your face. Don't worry, your buddies on Facebook will never know.


Last but not least, I do withhold right to turn people down if I feel you're not what I'm looking for. If you're rejected, please don't fill my inbox with hate-spam, because then I will just send your lovingly written messages to join the other 600 spam e-mails I receive and delete every day.


If, after all that I haven't scared you off and you are interested, please shoot me an e-mail at crapitsyumi@yahoo.com and include a good, clear picture of yourself (none of that super-edited Myspace crap, I want one where I can SEE your nose, as well as the rest of your face. It can not be one where you've fiddled with the Brightness and Contrast so much that all that's visible are your eyes and your lips, nor one in which half your face is hidden by your hair. If I get any of these, I'm not even going to bother replying), your name, age, where you would like to shoot (description/photos would be good), and any questions you may have. I will probably insist upon meeting at least once at a Starbucks or something before doing the actual shoot to ensure that you're not a 40-year-old weirdo with a fetish for small Asian girls. In fact, copy and paste the below message into your e-mail:


I, *insert name here*, swear upon my life and honor that I am NOT a pedophile, stalker, rapist, mugger, murderer, or any other person with harmful intentions toward Yumi Arishima. May Yumi beat the shit out of me with her magical Little Asian Girl powers should I be lying.

*your name here*


I look forward to photographing you~!