Kareem Black
TIMES SQUARE! IT’S ON WITH ALEXA CHUNG!
My very first non television makeup job was two years ago doing grooming for an LRG campaign with photographer Kareem Black. It was an incredible experience, with one of the images from that shoot ending up on a billboard in Times Square. I would say that I’d always dreamed of having work in Times Square, but the truth is that everything happened so fast that I never really had a chance to think that far ahead. Two years later, I’ve got my second billboard with a promo for the MTV show ‘It’s on with Alexa Chung’
Nothing but lips for this – Which was so much fun! It was great to get to get a chance to experiment with different colors and textures – Especially since it’s not every day that I get a request to create something like an icy blue pucker.
Last week I took a trip to Times Square, and despite sitting on a cinderblock for 20 minutes while refusing to move out of the way so a newly married couple could take their wedding photos in front of the screen – I didn’t get to see the promo for myself. Allegedly it’s still running because Kareem has a video of himself standing in front of the jumbo tron (He also shot this billboard). I’m also told that you can also catch it during The Hills (Good looking out Jenni!).
Anyway, Kareem’s video is below. And all three promo’s can be viewed in the video section of this site 
MTV Alexa Chung Times SQ Billboard from kareem black on Vimeo.
MTV Alexa Chung Times SQ Billboard shot by Kareem Black
DYNASTY ELECTRIC!!!
DYNASTY ELECTRIC video directed by Kareem Black KAREEMBLACK.COM , styled by Valissa Yoe VALISSAYOE.COM , Make up by Jillian Villafane JILLIANVILAFANE.COM , Audio Sweetening by Kat Diehl for Meowmix Productions MEOWMIXPRODUCTIONS.COM
The New KareemBlack.com!
A year and a half ago when I decided I wanted to be an editorial make-up artist, hardly any of the good photographers would shoot with me. All of my previous experience had been in television, and not many photographers were willing to take a chance on me without knowing if I’d be versatile enough to transition from television to print. Kareem Black was one of those photographers.
I met him at a party, and for months I would ask him if he would work with me. The answer was always ‘I’ll think about it.’ It wasn’t until he approached me one day on IM asking if I had any recommendations for places he should send his book to, that he would actually consider using me for a shoot. When he posed that question to me, I LOST MY MIND and proceeded to explain to him that I knew NOTHING about the editorial world, and that I’d been the one asking him for a little help – So why should he bother asking me?
I guess he likes a little back talk, because a week later we were working together on a video spec he was directing for Kiser NY. Fast forward a year and a half later, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with him on shoots for Verizon, LRG, Interview Magazine, Bust Magazine, CITY, Big Shot Magazine – In addition to some really dope side projects.
This month he’s launching a brand new website, and I encourage all of you to check it out!
Lost Images: Arena Magazine
Back in October I had a shoot with photographer, Kareem Black, for Arena Magazine. It was a long day involving shooting in the city, Brooklyn and the Bronx…With Kareem taking multiple photos of me in a cab whilst twittering and proclaiming ‘THIS PHOTO-SHOOT IN THE CAB IS BANANAS!’
Anyway, that was almost 6 month’s go and I still haven’t seen any of the images (Including the images from the impromptu, gorilla shoot KB subjected me to on the way to the BX)…Until now.
Arena Magazine is a UK publication and by the time I found out that the story had gone to print, I couldn’t track down the issue here in the U.S….So until recently I had no idea how everything turned out. I’ve finally managed to get a glimpse of some of the images from that shoot, on Kareem Black’s recently updated website.
Not sure if these were the final images used for the story, or if these are just KB selects – Either way, I love them.
NEW LRG: Spring 09 ft. Pete Rock, Alchemist and Masters at Work!
I know I’ve said this before, but, I LOVE THIS JOB.
To be fair I’ve been really fortunate to have had many great experiences while shooting with a variety of clients. But, even with that said, LRG remains my favorite shoot of all.
There is no other job where I can get dropped on my head and still feel the love. There is no better place to be dragged across the floor by my ankles while protesting. All while still getting it done.
See?
There I am. Working. On the Alchemist.
…
DOPE.
<– Photo: Aly
Anyway, every season the ads get even better than the last. Seriously. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new ads which are already running in magazines (I spied one in Complex a few weeks ago).
Below are three of the new LRG ads for Spring 09 featuring: Pete Rock, Alchemist, and Masters at Work (Louie Vega and Kenny Dope).
Photos: The illustrious Kareem Black
New Year, New Work: BLOC PARTY
These guys have been on my short list of people I would kill to work with ever since I saw them at Coachella back in 2006.
I literally (and very painstakingly) re-arranged my schedule in order to make myself available for this shoot, and I have absolutely no regrets about it.
They are lovely. Seriously.
I’m not just saying that because I LOVE ‘Silent Alarm‘ and it might be my favorite album, ever. Yes, ever.
They really were a pleasure.
This photo is now one of my favorites – Isn’t it AMAZING???
Photo: Kareem Black
Top 10 of 2008
I’ve got so much to do today it’s ridiculous, and I kind of don’t have time to be blogging but I’m determined to take five minutes out of the day to post one final entry for 2008.
I’d come up with my own list for 08, but there are already so many that there really isn’t any point. Not to mention, if you read this site regularly you know I list my favorite products all the time…So, there wouldn’t be anything particularly special about a list I might compile.
I’ll leave you with two top 10 lists that have nothing to do with make-up. These lists are really different from anything you might normally find here – But, I think both are worth checking out.
Photographers Kareem Black and Mel D. Cole have lists up on the URB site…
Best of ‘08: Photog Mel D. Cole’s Top 10
Best of ‘08: Photog Kareem Black’s Top 10
Enjoy!
Behind the Scenes: LRG
Last Tuesday marked my 3rd time working an LRG shoot. Last year this was my first campaign – And it’s been an incredible journey ever since. Although this shoot was a whole lot quieter than the previous two, it still remains my favorite job of the year.
Thanks to photographer Kareem Black for thinking of me again – I heart you even if you insist on trying to drop me on my head
Visit Ally’s blog for more pictures.
Kareem Black x G-Shock x Complex
It’s all because of me that he looks so handsome in this video.
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