Thread: md 'raq the camera' with azhia and cassie....

well, got back from that and i'll go on record saying................DO IT!

it rocked! not only did azhia make me look cairo/hollywood-tastic, but cassie, the photographer, definitely delivered the goods just in the un-edited batch!

finally meeting azhia was a treat! she's fabulous! very lovely, warm, and nurturing.....tells you what to do if you want to duplicate it......doesn't go by-the-book or by trends (unless they work for you), just looks at your features , and makes YOU and YOUR beauty more prominent.......i was watching her do that to the other ladies, and WOW did they pop!.......

cassie's lighting is excellent, as is her camera technique......if you're not comfortable posing on your own (i'm not, at all) she knows what she wants to see, and helps you out............

when we flipped thru the disk, i was surprised at HOW MANY great shots there were.....cuz i'm not particularly photogenic, but was VERY pleased,

the first lady up (before me) laughed in delight when she saw hers!

if they're in you neck of the woods, book a slot, if not, book them and bring others in............a VERY good, worthwhile investment! you'll feel and look like a fabulous diva!

thank you azhia, and cassie, and mia naja for hosting them! you are ALL the bomb!

I spent the afternoon there, while my troupies Anisa and Amira were having their photo sessions. Azhia made both of them look stunning, and Cassie's photos were amazing.

I was pleased to see how individualized the makeup sessions were. Azhia is a real artist. She listened to what each dancer wanted, in some cases using their own favorite makeup, in others using her own products. Each dancer looked very different, and each one looked absolutely beautiful.

I hadn't met Cassie before but would love to have her do pictures for me too! As a dancer herself, she knows what looks good in terms of body angles, types of movements etc. But again, of the photos I saw, each dancer looked different, unique, and lovely. My girls have so many good shots that it will be hard for them to choose.

Both of these ladies are so sweet, too! I loved spending time with them.

This is SO worth it. I'm tempted to bring them both back again soon, on a weekend when I'm not having my annual recital! ..g.:

I'd love to see the fantastic results of this shoot. :) It really sounds fabulous.
Latifa, let me know when you decide to bring her back. I just got photos- but by the time you bring her back I'll be ready for more, I'm sure.

Everything Samira said. ..g.:

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE azhia. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE cassie.
my makeup looked fabulous. i felt like such a princess. she kept touching me up as the shoot went on.
cassie is aweseome! I will definitely have a tough time picking shots. she made me feel totally at ease and comfortable and was really easy to work with.
i cannot wait to have another shoot with her.

..cr.: ..cr.: ..cr.:

I'm incredibly honoured for this post and and that you all enjoyed yourselves. Cas and I had such a wonderful time doing what we love, with amazing, gorgeous, and warm individuals.

I kept forgetting that I was looking at untouched photos, the chance I had to look through some of them.

Ruta, I love your hair, it's fabulous! It was great finally meeting you. You looked so amazing in your costume, girrrrl.

Amartia, Cass and I LOOOOOVE the reclining flower shot!!!

If anyone is interested, I can recap your colours for you. I still remember what I used.

Latifa, your colleagues/students are gorgeous! I'm so happy you dropped by!
Let's keep in touch for sure.

Thank you thank you thank you (and thank you, Mia Naja, fellow Mammarist and hostess with THE mostest) for allowing us to play with you. A la prochaine!

ok, now i really really really want my proofs! you are killing me!

I want to say "ditto" to all these remarks. It was so great to finally meet Azhia, the make was fantastic and I could not believe the time taken to create perfection. Cassie was fantastic, she was patient, gave clear direction on poses and made me feel very comfortable. I am terribly uncomfortable in front of a camera and she took all the anxiety away. I could not believe some of the shots she was able to catch, especially veils shots, which are not always so easy to grab when you are in motion :)

Thanks so much to Mia Naja for hosting this great event. You are " the hostess with the mostest" LOL, I know, very corny but very true!

It was a great day!!!

Thalia

Originally Posted by thaliadances

I want to say "ditto" to all these remarks. It was so great to finally meet Azhia, the make was fantastic and I could not believe the time taken to create perfection. Cassie was fantastic, she was patient, gave clear direction on poses and made me feel very comfortable. I am terribly uncomfortable in front of a camera and she took all the anxiety away. I could not believe some of the shots she was able to catch, especially veils shots, which are not always so easy to grab when you are in motion :)

Thanks so much to Mia Naja for hosting this great event. You are " the hostess with the mostest" LOL, I know, very corny but very true!

It was a great day!!!

Thalia

I'm SO HAPPY I got to see you in that costume!! You are total glamour.

Do any of you ladies plan on posting some pics when you get them back?

Azhia, I hope you visit Virginia soon! I need some photos and it sounds like everyone had a great time.

awww thanks so much everyone! it makes me so happy that we were able to give you all such a positive and confidence-building experience! that's a big reason that I love doing this kind of thing--to help everyday women realize they're just as amazing and beautiful as people we see on tv and in magazines. every single one of you was charming and friendly, and all such graceful dancers to boot!

thanks also to Mia Naja for being such an amazing hostess and welcoming us into her home! I was so comfortable and happy all weekend I almost didn't want to come home. :)

Azh darling, as usual it was my pleasure to work with you. i miss you honey!

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Azhia, I hope you visit Virginia soon! I need some photos and it sounds like everyone had a great time.

Kiyaana, My troupe and I are probably going to talk to Azhia and Cassie about a shoot at my place at some point. You should come up! You could do a shoot and then shop at the Belly Dance Store! ..g.:

Ooooh, keep me posted!

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Kiyaana, My troupe and I are probably going to talk to Azhia and Cassie about a shoot at my place at some point. You should come up! You could do a shoot and then shop at the Belly Dance Store! ..g.:

Oooh, Belly Dance Store AND Raq the Camera!!! Luscious! ;0)

I was just in Reston and Ballston areas before I went to Columbia, MD. We'll catch you next time for sure, Kiyaana.

Somehow I missed this!!!! Guess it wasn't meant to be - this time, anyway.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Oooh, Belly Dance Store AND Raq the Camera!!! Luscious! ;0)

I was just in Reston and Ballston areas before I went to Columbia, MD. We'll catch you next time for sure, Kiyaana.

Wait--Reston and Ballston?! Kiyaana, she was right down the road! How'd we miss that?

In future I will be keeping my eyes peeled at all times for a tiny, fast-moving, gorgeous person leaving trails of glitter in her wake. Hope to catch you next time!

I second what everyone else said. If you get a chance to Rak the Camera, do it. Azhia and Cassie were the best. They really made me feel comfortable and special in front of the camera. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

I just want to thank you all for making this event such a success! It was absolutely my pleasure to host Azhia and Cassie and all the wonderful dancers who came for the shoot and the others who just were hanging out enjoying the food, videos, music and sisterhood. Latifa, finally I get you to my house! At some point I need to share my Egypt photos and stuff with you and then reciprocate the visit! Please stay tuned as Azhia, Cassie and I have more fun events up our sleeves!

Originally Posted by Khaleela

Do any of you ladies plan on posting some pics when you get them back?

heeelllz yes!

may as well put it in swap meet purchases too, cuz i'm wearing stacylizette's eman i bought from her

Originally Posted by mianaja

I just want to thank you all for making this event such a success! It was absolutely my pleasure to host Azhia and Cassie and all the wonderful dancers who came for the shoot and the others who just were hanging out enjoying the food, videos, music and sisterhood. Latifa, finally I get you to my house! At some point I need to share my Egypt photos and stuff with you and then reciprocate the visit! Please stay tuned as Azhia, Cassie and I have more fun events up our sleeves!

to the hostess with the mostest! cheers!

Originally Posted by ruta21030

heeelllz yes!

may as well put it in swap meet purchases too, cuz i'm wearing stacylizette's eman i bought from her

I'm looking forward to seeing them Ruta. BTW how far away are you moving?

Originally Posted by Zana

Wait--Reston and Ballston?! Kiyaana, she was right down the road! How'd we miss that?

In future I will be keeping my eyes peeled at all times for a tiny, fast-moving, gorgeous person leaving trails of glitter in her wake. Hope to catch you next time!

..l;,

I did play Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

I can totally see that, and we haven't even met. ..l;,

Originally Posted by Khaleela

I'm looking forward to seeing them Ruta. BTW how far away are you moving?

not very, from baltimore county into pretty close to downtown in the city........maybe 10 miles, it's just a beeeyotch to pack n move.......haaaaaaate it!.......it'll be cool for folks who want to visit though..........walking distance from eeeeeeverything......can see folks at their gigs more often too!

and latifa.............and bellydancestore..............and workshops......hee hee

OMG the proofs look awesome, Ruta!!!

Excuse me, WHERE are the pics? We want to SEEEEEeeeeeeEEEEEeeeeEEEE!!

I was able to sneak a peak at the proofs too, and they're wonderful. My troupies are going to have trouble choosing!!

Hafta start thinking about hosting a Raq the Camera weekend. Local ladies, let me know if you're interested! (I'm near Annapolis, MD.)