North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) Photoshoot

North American Hairstylist Awards (NAHA), presented by the Professional Beauty Association, is the most prestigious hairstyling competition in North America. I was delighted to help Allan of Allan's Salon in Santa Clara to photograph Allan's entry in the Colorist Category in NAHA. Trend Zoom Color Challenge, an international color competition invites colorists to interpret the Trend Zoom 2008 trend worlds—Rockmantic and Newstalgia—in a highly creative way and then have their interpretation professionally photographed. Goldwell Colorists can choose to enter one of three categories:

The Creative Colorist Category: For colorists who love working with Goldwell’s Topchic permanent color and/or Goldwell’s Colorance demi-permanent product.

The Elumen Colorist Category: For colorists who love to “illuminate hair” with Goldwell’s Elumen.

Partner Colorist Category: Colorists who work with Goldwell as a freelancer are invited to interpret the trends with a Goldwell color of their choice.

Allan picked the Rockmantic concept; Androgynous, harmonious color schemes created with contrasting light and dark cool tones, reborn from the Baroque romantic era, merged with a Rock and Roll style. Mysterious shades of graphic grays, rich purple, rose violets and pastel silver pearl blondes reflect the mood and textures of this romantic yet rebellious world.

Rockmantic is all about contrasts which are created by placing light and dark cool shades right next to each other. Expressive, extravagant shades - from violet to pink, light ivory and silvery gray up to a deep black - in this way, Rockmantic shows its charms between the extremes. (click on any image to expand).

Allan is quite the perfectionist. His work is immaculate but he is never happy with it, always striving for the next notch towards perfection.

- Michael Soo

NBC 11 - Golden State Warrior Cheerleaders 2008 Swimsuit Calendar

We're featured in NBC 11 sports news last night; in the Golden State Warrior Girls 2008 Swimsuit Calendar photoshoot.

They spelt my name as Michael Su instead of Michael Soo. I fixed the video using Photoshop Extended. Amazingly, Photoshop now deals with video as well as stills! ;-)

View the video in NBC 11 site or View the high resolution video (17 MB).

The thing is, this's quite a bit more than just lighting. There are lots of behind-the-scenes that require great teamwork. We have a phenomenal team that made this photoshoot as smooth as silk. I want to take the opportunity to thank the 2nd photographer Paul Ferradas, photography assistants James Wilson, Ron Crain & Nancy Crain, the amazing makeup artists Janice Daoud and Karolin Sharin, hair stylists from Christopher Michaels, videographers, coordinator Alicia, the coach Susan, executives in WG, Kyle & Travis for making this all happen. Of course, the gorgeous cheerleaders themselves. ;) The final key famly to thank are Jamal, Ranna & family for letting us use their phenomenal residence in Los Gatos. I apologize if I missed out anyone. THANK YOU!!!

After the official unveiling of the 2008 Swimsuit Calendar (which is slated to happen in a few weeks), the images will appear in my portfolio, blog and eMagazine.

Michael Soo
The Official Photographer for the NBA Golden State Warriors Cheerleaders