Meet SL Photographer: Lara Ubert

by Leda Carter on January 8, 2012 · 2 comments

in Introducing SL Artists,Meet SL Photographers,Photography,SL Artist Profile

It comes to you as no surprise that I spend a fair amount of time looking through Flickr streams. Last year, on one of those late nights, a photograph stopped me in my tracks. It expressed a feeling of serenity, and if you have ever tried snapping any kind of picture in SL you know that it is one of the harder aspects of SL photography – to capture a moment, a feeling. As you might have already guessed, I marked the stream and started following the photographer who is no other than the lady of spunk: Lara Ubert.

Lara Ubert, SL Photographer

Recently, I called on Lara to request her joining our Meet SL Photographer Series. She could not have been more kind and gracious. You won’t be surprised to know that she, like most artists, has an avatar that stands out – not just because she is beautiful (which she is) but because the beauty is hers and has her own voice. You can pick her out from a crowd. She asked me what kind of portrait we should aim for, and I told her she has free reign. This is the only way this series would make sense to me: to be a free creative outlet for the artist.

I showed up to the appointment wearing the hair I most often wear – yes, if you have ever run into me in-world, you know what I am talking about. This hair is a photographer’s nightmare; it has a mind of its own, it is everywhere, and I love it. I told Lara that we could drop the hair, since no one ever wants to photograph me with it, and that I would understand. Lara laughed and said she would take on the challenge.

Leda Carter: It is great to meet you, Lara. Your pictures are always simple, sexy, with a touch of mysterious. How long have you been an SL Photographer?
Lara Ubert: I found out about SL by searching online. I saw some pictures and decided to join in 2009. I started photography in October of 2009, which was a few months after joining SL. I wanted to discover something new in SL. At first, it was just for fun. I would take snaps for myself and for friends with a little edit. After a while, I decided to take it to the next level and start earning some lindens. I searched for a photography studio, and got a job immediately.

Leda: Were you already familiar with editing tools?
Lara: I did not know what Photoshop was, until after I was exploring in SL. 9 months after joining second life, I decided to get Photoshop and learn the magic. Tutorials are very helpful. Now, I’ve been learning PS by myself for years. I always practice, and still am learning new techniques. The best way is to try and never give up!

Leda: What was that first job you got?
Lara: It was the only job I have had in SL. I t was right after I learned Photoshop and got used to how SL works. I found a job in a studio called Touch Of Glamor. I started there with very little experience in PS, but later I became a lead, and a well known photographer. After that job, I decided to work alone.

Leda: What are some of the challenges of being a photographer, and working alone?
Lara: One of the challenges is to make sure that you understand your client and their taste in pictures. Their personality must be the hero in the picture that I’ll be working on. Another challenge is to be unique, creative and to give the picture its own identity.

Leda: Could you give our readers a few tips on how they can take better pictures?
Lara: What I would start with is, when you are in SL snapping your client, turn your graphics as high as you can and try to take snaps with different angles. Always Practice, watch tutorials, but take a break to load in new ideas & inspirations.

Leda: Where does *your* inspiration come from?
Lara: Everywhere. I love exploring new places in SL. I always end up posing and snapping around. My other inspirations are music, videos, SL/RL experiences, friends and other photographers from flickr, of course!

Leda: I think I am most attracted to your close-ups and romantic photography. I assume that might be typical among your clients?
Lara: Yes, most people say that. *smiles* You know, when I first started photography I hated doing close-ups. I thought that I didn’t do them well, and that those were the worst! I felt that they were too simple, and didn’t need much work. But, now, they are my favorite to do, and I spend around two hours on each.

I still get commissioned to do romantics too. Although, lately I have not had a lot of couple requests, but clients who want profile pictures or half-body shots.

Leda: I notice that often good romance photographers are those who are somewhat romantic themselves.
Lara: Yeah, that’s true. I am very romantic and want the one that I love to share that quality. And, I try very hard to show it in my works. I live in the moment as they say. *laughs*

Leda: Have you always been interested in photography?
Lara: Yes, I’ve always been interested in RL photography, but it has been nothing more than a hobby. I did not know that I could be a photographer in SL, or even exist in it. But, after 9 months of being here, I decided to work on my skills and give PS a chance.

Leda: Has this experience resulted in more RL photography?
Lara: No, less! *laughs* That’s because I spend most of my time in SL, except when I take pictures in parties or for special occasions. I work on some of my RL friend’s pictures now.

Leda: It sounds like your RL profession is not related to photography.
Lara: No, not at all, although I have been involved with computers a lot, mostly on the design side. I work in a kindergarten, with one year old toddlers. The oldest one under my care is 19 months.

Leda: Wow, teeny weeny ones! What attracted you to the job?
Lara: I don’t know. I love kids so much. I found it natural to be around them, and they seem to feel the same. I do get some nice shots from them sometimes, hehe.

Leda: Do you any of your own? Who is Lara’s typist?
Lara: No, not yet. I am engaged though. *smiles*

I’m pretty much the same in SL as in RL – a simple person, far from perfect. I dislike drama everywhere, even in SL and I do my best to avoid it. Lara Ubert is the the same Lara in RL, except with brown hair! *winks*


Leda Through Lara’s Eyes

Leda: What do you enjoy most about SL, besides photography?
Lara: What I love about SL is that it gives us the freedom to express ourselves in many ways, whatever we want to do or become. For example, everybody can dance in SL. This place brings friendship,confidence, and can even teach us life lessons.
Leda: Thank you so much for your time, Lara. It has been a true pleasure to meet you and talk about your work.

Tagged as: Photography

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Azul: Formal Defined by Mami Jewell

by Leda Carter on November 9, 2011 · 4 comments

in AvatarStyle Announcements

Mami Jewell: Creator of Azul designs
Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

In the far far  distances of my SL memory, I remember looking for a formal gown and complaining to anyone who would listen that I did not want to look like a shuttlecock blown across the dance floor. One reason I was in a determined search of a gown is that Franks Place would have hostesses hovering around you and complaining if your skirt went above your knees.  Yes, these are ancient times we are talking about. Now, walk in showing more skin and you are loved more. Go figure. But, I digress. As always.  Back to my search story: a friend, who is, sadly, long since gone, told me “I know just the place” and took me to (perhaps the very first) Azul store. I doubt there are any of you who would argue with the fact that Azul defines formal in SL. And, it comes as no surprise to you that many of MVW candidates have dresses and outfits designed by the one, and only, Mami Jewell.

Mami has just opened a new flagship Azul store, which is certainly worth a re-visit. The new store has open spaces that make shopping more fun than ought to be legal. The store also offers some limited editions that are always a treat to have. This new opening was a perfect excuse for me to hunt down Mami Jewell for a chat.

Mami has an elegantly beautiful avatar, as you would expect from her designs. She showed up to our appointment in a beautiful gown that she made for BOSL Fashion Week. Mami is not one of those SL successes who simply expect you to see them as great. She is frank and authentic in her approach and unbelievably sweet.

If I had to pick the top two reasons I like an Azul gown, one would be the beautiful lines of the designs. I wanted to know if design had been an RL passion for Mami as well, because it seems to be such an organic part of her creation.

Leda Carter: Have you always been interested in designing?
Mami Jewell: First, thank you so much for giving me a chance to tell you about AZUL and about myself. I graduated from the Art University, majoring in Graphic Design. But, after graduation, I went to work as an architectural designer, and never did fashion. For some time, I designed apartments, houses, and resort hotels. However, in Japan, I cannot legally be an architectural designer if I have not graduated from a school of architecture. I did have a number of good designs, and even won competitions, but my boss was always the one who was awarded, because I do not have the right licence.

Dress: Azul J.e. in green; Hair: Truth, Maddy; Ring: Zaara, Kashiti Bobble ring; other Jewelry: Donna Flora, Elisa;
Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Finally, I gave up being an architect. Then, I started to study English by myself in order to be able to work with English-speaking clients. I worked for a trading company for almost 10 years. It was fun, because I got the opportunity to go to many places for a few weeks here and there. But, when the company asked me to work in the US, after having been in Miami for a while, I had to quit. I have only my mother in my family, and I did not want to leave her alone. Currently, I am focusing on my SL business.

Leda: Maybe you could tell us a little something about Mami Jewell besides her educational background. Who is Mami?
Mami: I am a pessimist, but also an optimist, difficult, yet simple. I can think que sera sera, and can think seriously & worry & worry at the same time. I guess I have both positive and negative ways of thinking. I have two sides to think through things, and the two sides are always far from each other. I feel I have extremes in my character. But, basically, I am a serious person, a hard worker, and a person who is easy to talk to.

I have lived in Tokyo since birth, and don’t have a driver’s license *laughing*. My favorite artists to listen to, when I use  Photoshop, are Radiohead, Calm, Natural Calamity, Chouchou, and so on. I love to keep my place clean – maybe too much! What I do after waking up everyday is to clean my place. Oh, and I drink 2 litres of coffee everyday.

Dress: Azul, Dailey in white; Fur Stole: MohnaLisa; Hair: Vita, Sweet Iris; Jewelry: Donna Flora, Angels;
Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Leda: Is that how you found your way to SL, in the midst of cleaning and coffee-drinking?
Mami: I heard about SL from a friend in Brazil, in early 2007. It sounded very interesting that I could create something in a virtual world. At the beginning, it was quite hard to understand what SL is, how to play it, or what I could do, because, at that time, I couldn’t find the right answers on the Internet in Japanese. I tried to find the answers one by one, with frequent tries. But, I never thought to stop, because SL was so FUN!

Leda: It sounds like you learned the technical aspects of the job on your own. Was that challenging?
Mami: I have been learning to draw textures in Photoshop by myself since I came to SL. The only way for me to run this business is to ‘think’ it and then just ‘do it’. To be a designer is not challenging for me, yet every new creation is a new challenge. The best thing in SL is to be able to create something new. My main challenges have been using English and getting used to new viewers when SL makes that change.

 Dress: Azul, Lolita in turquoise, Hair: Maitreya, Zoe; Fur Necklace and Glove: Rozoregalia, Bouhachi;
Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Leda Carter: You were a fast learner. You came to SL in 2007, and opened Azul the same year?
Mami: I started by creating something simple for myself, and occasionally for friends to give as gifts. I came to SL in March of 2007. I came to SL for the purpose of creation, but I didn’t want to spend RL money because I was not expecting this to be my RL job. So, I started by getting some money by camping in order to be able to upload textures. My avatar was the default for the first few months – you can imagine what the ‘default’ avatar looked like in 2007! *laughing*

I was looking at my old blog yesterday, and saw that SL was soooo simple at that time. Anyhow, I needed to learn how to use Photoshop better. I spent some time learning how to do things. After a while, I made a skin for myself. Frankly, it was horrible, but the experience helped me a lot towards creating outfits.

 Dress: Azul, Laeticia in gold; Hair: PurpleMoon, Exa; Jewelry: Paper couture, Stone set;
Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

I opened the very first Azul shop in November 2007. For a while I was a designer in Styles of Edo, and closed Azul from summer to November of 2008, re-opening it in December 2008. When I reopened the new Azul, I was very busy handling the whole business by myself. One part of the difficulty was to find someone who could speak Japanese and English both, plus someone whom I could trust. Finally, I hired Poohta Bailey to be my manager. I have known her from when I was new to SL, and she is not only helping me a lot with the business, but she is very sweet and reliable.

Leda: Does this success motivate you to start designing in RL?
Mami: Not really. We know SL has limitations for creation, but RL has them too. I have never made any clothes in RL, and don’t know the rules or details about fashion in RL. However, I know what I want to make, what I want to wear, and I can make them in SL. I don’t own the type of clothes I make in SL. In other words, I don’t have the elegant fashionable gowns in RL, but, as a woman, I have the desire to wear them. I can buy and wear casual clothes in RL, so I do the elegant formal line in SL.

 Dress: Azul, Serene in white;
Hair: Maitreya, Zoe; Zaara, Kashiti Bobble ring in turquoise; other Jewelry: Alienbear, Zivanit set;
Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Leda: Does this mean that your designs reflect your personal taste more than customer demand?
Mami: What I make in SL is what I want to wear. I guess many designers are the same.  I can not design without the influence of my own taste. I still add my flavor when I make gowns for special orders, otherwise it would be painful for me to create.

Leda: Do you even try to keep SL and RL separate anymore?
Mami: To be a designer and running my SL business has become my RL job now. my SL = RL *smiling*
I do love the creation in SL, to see people enjoy my work.

Leda: Have you considered having a more casual Azul line?
Mami: I had the ‘Azul basic’ line 2 years ago, but I started to focus on formal because one of my goals was for people to understand that ‘formal is AZUL’ (i.e., not ‘AZUL is formal’).

Leda: And you have achieved that it seems. I think you do set a standard in formal design.
Mami: Oh, I don’t know *smiling*. That’s something for other people to judge. There are so many great designers.

Leda: There are, I agree. and it is great to have new blood coming in. It keeps everyone on their toes and keeps their designs fresh. But, I think you have created a design house that has an impact.
Mami: Ahh, thank you so much! Now, I feel like I want to make more casual lines, simple, easy cocktail lines. Like I said, I’m not a designer in RL, but I have loved to draw, to design, and to create since I was a kid. Everything I see and hear inspires me in some way. I always have full images in my head, but I can not create them all, with my current skill and time.

Dress: Azul, Olga in red; Hair: Truth, Orchid; N-Core, Prelude XtremeHeel; Earrings: DonnaFlora, Bettina;
Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Leda: We will look forward to seeing the images in your head actualized. It was truly a pleasure to meet you, Mami-san.
Mami: Same here, Leda-san.

{ 4 comments }

Winner of October Photo Contest!

by Leda Carter on October 22, 2011 · 2 comments

in AvatarStyle Announcements

We are pleased to announce the winner of “Pumpkin” Photo Contest, sponsored by Opulent Magazine & Avatar Style: Sway Dench!

The judges (details here) were impressed with many of the pictures submitted. What impressed us most about Sway’s work was her attention to details and her sense of color and context. Her work is crisp and clear, and the scene is real enough for you to want to join in the carving activity. Congratulations for a well-deserved win, Sway!

While Sway is not a professional photographer in RL, she does enjoy it as a hobby. In SL, she enjoys the opportunity to make photographs that are not possible in RL, as well as building.  Sway started her Second Life with a fluke.  She came to the community to check it out for a friend.  The friend wanted to use SL as a platform to advertise his business. While SL turned out not to be the right choice for the friend, it piqued Sway’s curiosity and, lucky for us, she was hooked.

While she enjoys SL as a venue to meet people from all over the world & make new friends, Sway particularly enjoys the learning opportunities in SL that offer her something new everyday and the opportunity to be creative.  She confesses that she cannot live without being creative, and she has the evidence to prove it. She has a shop called Sway’s.  The store, like most new things that come to life, was born out of need.  In her early SLife, she had bought a beach and a hut, but had no furniture.  So, she started building some for herself.  As with many budding artists in SL, friends started making requests.  While she was happy to offer furniture to friends, when strangers began asking for her objects, she decided to start a shop.  Make sure you check out her store, particularly if (like me) you like quirky and unique furniture, decorations, poses, clothing, and….Cookie Bears!

Congratulations to Sway Dench!

P.S. yes, I have already invited her to be a guest photographer on a near-future project. Stay Tuned!

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Leda Recommends for Fall ’11

by Leda Carter on October 16, 2011 · 0 comments

in AvatarStyle Announcements,AvatarStyle Loves,Fashion

If you have read me in the past, you know that not only do I not write promotional reports in general, but I also do not promote *seasonal* collections. The main reason is that I don’t see why we should be bound by the limitations of the real world. But, this fall has brought with it some items that an female avatar cannot do without. I had to think long and hard about what I would pick as my top 5 for this fall. This has been a good year, and this is all without even bringing mesh to it. I know, I know, and y’all know that it is out there, it has some great features, and it is new. I have left it out for now, for reasons that will become apparent in a couple of weeks.

Rain Boots by Vita
I have always been a serious fan of rain boots. They are some of the most fun pieces to own. And then you add to that the fact that Vita made these. I remember a long time ago when I discovered Vita. I had a chat with her about how I was in heaven in her store.  You can confirm that by seeing that my Vita folder is probably the largest folder in my inventory.  So, if you are a fan of either of those, I have good news for you. First, Vita has a full collection of rain boots – one more adorable than the next. Second, this will not be the last time you will hear me report on rain boots.

Frankly, if money were no object, I probably would buy these boots in every pattern and color. However, as it is, I had to decide. *coughs* It took me a while, but I picked these red boots with lady bugs on them – partially because I have an affinity for the name games and the possibility of a word play with Leda Bug. And they just go so perfectly with one of my Halloween outfits.  The frosting on the cake? The size is scripted, which is always a plus in my book.

Rain boots: Vita, Lady Bird; Dress: Lelutka (Lel.Ultra), Emperatriz Black; Umbrella: Gothic & Lolita, Psyco Umbrella; Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Wool Jackets by Gizza
Don’t you just love fall clothes? October is one of the most fun months of the year if you ask me. It has enough holiday feeling in it to make it happily full of parties & fun-filled events, and yet there is just little enough sense of holiday in it not to bring with it the typical holiday stress. But, I digress. Again. The point is that one reason I like October is that it is that it is just the start of layering season. And that means a tiny bit of shopping, of course!

Recently, Haven and I have been on a couple of shopping trips. One place we stopped by, and I was secretly grinning because I introduced her to it & if any of you know her, you do know that the variety and style in her closet is nothing to sneeze at. Anyhow, we found some of the best fall jackets designed by the very lovely Giz Seorn. I am wearing the Woolen Coat outfit. Here is something Giz does so well: not only are her outfits completely accessorized – as you see below – but the pieces are also versatile and for mix&match junkies a heaven-sent.

I struggled with deciding between whether to show you how many things I can match pieces of this outfit with, and to show it to you as is. It all goes so well together I decided you had to see as Giz had visualized it. Haven’s outfit is another one of those great outfits. The fur is so well done, it makes you want to reach in and touch. The boots are a fantastic finisher to this outfit, as well as just a great pair of boots in your closet to wear with almost anything. To me, these two outfits give your closet the big fall boost.

On Leda: Outfit: Gizza, Woolen Coat Outfit; Hair: Truth, Kitty – On Haven: Jacket, purse, and boots: Gizza, La-Di-Da Champagne; Pants: Ydea, Claudia; Hair: Tukinowaguma, Gingko; Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Furs by Bliss
Speaking of furs, this fall has been the season for furs, which means every girl needs one in her closet. I mentioned Gizza’s La-Di-Da above with the fur trimming. But, another piece that you cannot live without this season is a fur jacket. Amutey Decuir has created some of the most exciting pieces on the grid. If I had a full-of-L$ bank account, I would probably own every single fur piece she has made. However, deciding the piece that I could not live without was more challenging. I settled on Lecker.  Here is why. I could throw this top over my shoulder when in a formal gown, as well as wear it with jeans and make a fashion statement.

With Halloween around the corner, I decided to match it with these flare jeans – yes, my new favorite jeans from Bliss – and carry a pumpkin basket full of candy on my belt. Now, I cannot imagine my closet without Lecker.

Fur: Bliss, Lecker Fur Crop Top; Pants: Bliss, Flare Jeans Black; Belt: Catnip, Skellington Belt; Hair: Vita, Sweet Iris; Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Feather skirt by Baiastice
While furs are one of the must-haves on this season, there is another kind of fluff that I have to tell you about this season: Alexander by Sissy Pessoa. Now, I am neither a pink girl nor a fluff one. But, this skirt manages to make me want to wear it without making me feel like a total fluff. I mean who wants to be a pure fluff after all?  This dress is a flirty witty kind of fluff. The feathery text bounces off nicely as you walk, and again another one of those pieces that will be a great addition to your closet whether you like to wear it as is, or to play with it in a styling game. Wear it to an evening out and bounce around in it, or wear it with a pair of boots and go shopping with a divatude.

Dress: Baiastice: Alexander white/pink; Shoes: *GF*, Flower Pumps Eve, Smoky Pink; Hair: W&Y, New 75; Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

Skirt by Chantkare
The last, but not the least, essential piece of the season is this skirt by Chantkare. It is part of the Country outfit, which means it has an adorable jacket that ones with it. Nevertheless, I wanted to feature the skirt alone, because it is a gorgeous design. The texture is so silky and yet so full. I want this skirt in RL. I mean it. How could you pass on this skirt?

The color is so rich: just pick any other color and you can wear it with this skirt. Put on a turtleneck with it – you’re good to go. Try a sexy jacket on top – a yummy dish, no doubt. Wear a wool jacket with it and put on a hat – yup, that’s what we call a fashion statement. Wear it with a tank top and cover your chest in various long chains – an attitude to carry around. You see what I am getting at? I had to show the skirt on it’s own because it almost doesn’t matter what else you wear. This skirt is like a super star in a movie. In a sense, it does not matter who else is in the movie because it is the super star’s show. If you buy one full skirt this season, I cannot imagine any other piece.

Skirt: Chantkare, Country skirt; Hair: Baiastice, Invasion; Ring: Rozoregalia, Bouhachi; Photograph: courtesy of CKDexter Howley

In conclusion, I have to admit that I badly wanted to have jewelry on this list too. But, get real. I had given myself only 5 spots. And I am a girl after all, as hard as that might be too believe. So, 5 items takes no time to fill, and then takes all the time in the world to pick! But, no worries. A jewelry list is in the works. It will be out just about the time when your friends will be looking for Christmas gifts for you – which means you will have a link to send them to pick through!

Tagged as: Baiastice, Bliss, Gizza, Vita

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Meet SL Photographer: Cala Rossini

It is no secret that one of the privileges of writing is that I get a chance to not only write about fashion and life style, but also to meet creative and inspiring artists. One of my recent gems was a chat and photo shoot with the talented Cala Rossini. One thing I have noticed [...]

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October Photo Contest with Opulent Magazine and AvatarStyle!

Ever want to be on the cover of a magazine, how about TWO??? Now’s your chance! Opulent Magazine AND AvatarStyle are sponsoring a photo contest for their fall issues and if you WIN, your photo will appear on the cover of the October issue of Opulent and on the home page of AvatarStyle.net the entire week [...]

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