Thank you for choosing Invicta for your Shoot!
Hi! I’m Invicta, otherwise known as Christina Schellhous. But just call me Invicta, it’s easier. I am (probably) the world’s ONLY Longhair Photographer and have been specializing in this niche for about a year now. I love to help this under-represented segment of our population finally get the adoration it deserves.
Reasons for the Shoot:
- Provide YOU with awesome new images for your portfolio and otherwise
- Provide fresh editorial content for Longhairs Magazine
- Provide images for Longhairs Calendar
- Provide new, on-going content for all social media sites and blogs, including but not limited to Invicta’s Art Photography Facebook page, Longhairs Magazine Facebook page, Invicta’s Art Photography Blogspot, Wordpress, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc.
- Provide images to authors for book covers and interior images (custom shoots or on speculative basis)
Ash Armand cover for author Carian Cole’s ‘Vandal’
Longhairs Calendar 2015 by Invicta’s Art Photography
Specific Shoot Goals:
To produce about 20-40 edited images spanning at least 4 different looks. I’m using the 4 seasons as a way to conceptually describe the mood each look should convey. The concept doesn’t have to be taken literally. It’s just a guideline to ensure we have a variety of looks.
Spring- Light, airy, simple, fresh, ‘cleanest’ of the 4- no suits though! ;) Can be brightly colored if you’re into that and have something awesome to wear.
Summer- The brightest outfit of the set. Also Shirtless, just underwear, or swimwear is possible, the look showing the most skin, generally. Lighter colors. Always in the mood for Western clothes too!
Fall- Mysterious, perhaps melancholic, dramatic but in a darker way than Summer. Colors could be darker neutrals or jewel tones, the colors commonly associated with Fall or whatever you have that’s closest to it.
Winter- The most intense, dark, even gothic look of the set. Heavy, dramatic, bold in a strong, vicious way. Less romantic than Fall. Cold. Could also do a Mountain Man look here as well. Western wear might also apply.
If we discuss a more specific theme or look before-hand, just go with that. This is general advice for either 1st time shoots with me or general shooting without a specific look in mind.
What
To
Wear?
Here’s
What
I
DON’T
want:
There’s
an exception
to almost
every rule,
when in doubt, send me a pic or ask me about it.
Jeans logos are fine.
Invicta LOVES
LEATHER PANTS!!!!!!!!
Plain T Shirts, plain pants, sometimes exciting pants too.
Regular old jeans and a tank, ripped jeans a plus! With a belt too, ya say? Now THAT’S fancy.
Stuff you can get wet and dirty. Because you will.
Everybody loves
a country boy.
Note:
THE BOOTS.
Invicta LOVES boots.
Dress shirts can be fun. Especially when they’re getting undressed.
Also sweaters, jackets, etc
*If you have any one-of-a-kind or designer pieces, please bring them!!! Weirder the better.
And don’t forget to ACCESSORIZE!
- Hats
- Scarves
- jewelry
- gloves
- sunglasses
- props if needed
- BOOTS!
HAIR (very important):
NO PONYTAIL DENTS!
We will have none of this on my set.
Just come with it down, clean, bring a comb/brush, some hairspray and maybe a hair tie or two.
Sexy Scruff is always a plus!
Generally, I prefer facial hair over clean shaven, but only if it comes
in right, not patchy.
But Hipster Beards: Can we just not?
Unless that’s where you’re hiding your hot twin brother....
I may just go fishing.
Because I’ve been catfished!
The Shoot Itself:
My general working style is to let the model begin modeling and then tweak it from there. I want to see what you’re bringing to the table. I may give you an overall mood to portray, or a character and then it’s up to you to throw something at me. I’ll let you know if it’s not working. If something very specific comes to either of our minds, I’ll bring it up, and you bring it up. If there’s a specific pose you want, just let me know and we’ll work it in. I prefer fluid movement or ‘flow’ posing more than stiff ‘hold this one pose forever’ kind of stuff. I’ll tell you to slow down if you’re moving too quick for me. I love catching ‘unposed’ candid moments of action the most! However they can be more difficult if you’re not used to modeling that way, plus there’s a lower keeper-rate for me generally due to motion blur. If you need help with this, just let me know and I’ll work with you on it. :)
MODEL NEWBS, HOW TO NOT ANNOY ME:
Pretty informative. Pay special attention to the PRACTICE IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR part. ;) Look at what angles you look best in. What the light does to your face and body. I LOVE jawlines and cheekbones... do stuff that shows that off. Google ‘male model posing’. In other words; please PREPARE for your shoot. This is a collaboration! I have enough to keep track of (backgrounds, lighting, creepy stray onlookers, deathtraps, your clothes tags, etc), help me out here and be self aware. This makes me verrrrry happy! Better yet, watch your own clothes tags. And no hair ties around the wrist!
For the more experienced of you; THANK YOU for bringing your knowledge and skill to the table! It frees up my mind to make better photos. You are what drags my ass down to the city, an inhospitable environment for someone like me. So thank you for making it FUN for me to help you out. :)
So who is this Invicta, anyway?
Do I even still wanna do this?
This sounds painful.
Now don’t say I didn’t warn ya! If I’m bossy, it’s just because I know what we need to do to get ‘the shot’- I don’t mean to offend or come off hastily. Because of the introvert thing, when shooting I’m very focused, direct and one-track minded. I’m thinking of the technicals to get the shot right, so I may not be 100% in social mode. I try my best but just know that’s where I’m at. :) Idle chit chat can wait till after the shoot. Otherwise, I think the picture sums it up. As you can tell, I’m very laid back, enjoy humor and like to have fun... Otherwise, why are we even here?
A note about photographing men specifically:
Often men only want to be seen a certain way; strong, powerful, in charge. That’s fine, I love that stuff too, but often ladies respond better to the softer, more vulnerable images of men, especially the ones normally seen as ‘tough guys’. Keep this in mind while shooting. I’m even thinking about doing a book called Men in Tears, because that’s something we hardly ever see. If you think you have what it takes to let me photograph you in that state, I MOST CERTAINLY want to try it. It’s more naked than being naked. And I think men’s tears are more genuine than many women’s. Women are taught they can manipulate by crying, and often do. Men don’t, generally. So it’s very precious to see that. In short, don’t be afraid to show me more sides of yourself. Same goes for very happy, and we all know happy tears are the best!
And if you happen to have a cat, let’s arrange to get a few shots with it too, because I’m making a book about LHCG, Long Haired Cat Guys. haha My favorite!
Whew! You’re done! Now let’s go SHOOT!
I seek to convey a variety emotions in my photography and in some cases tell a linear story. I’m drawn to photographing long haired male models in particular because I’ve always loved long hair on guys and the models I shoot with exhibit all the traits I seek to portray. They have the intense, masculine energy that works well with my shooting style, they know how to pose and convey different emotions and then there’s that long hair flowing in the wind! On men or women, I’ve always loved shooting that because it’s visually interesting, all the different shapes it can make and moods it can convey. I think it’s the greatest natural accessory one can wear. 
The work that any artist does, whether it’s fine arts, music, writing, etc, these works will (hopefully) survive the artist when he/she dies, and thus art making is a great way to leave a legacy others can appreciate long after death. To me, it’s like having children in that my photos are my creations, they will be around after I pass on and they will hopefully have some influence on the world for a long time to come. This excites me and motivates me to create images others might enjoy and be able to relate to as well. 
