Is it September already? Seems like yesterday that the New Year fell upon us. 2009 started out a little slow and then, BAM, got a few gigs right in a row! But alas, as the the summer sizzled, my work fizzled!

Then, a strange thing happened to me - Craigslist! I started perusing the postings for musical gigs. While searching the GIGS section, I would come across other types of talent offerings. Sexy Models, Actors, New Photographer looking for Hot Ladies who look good in lingerie, and so on and so forth.

Well, there was this one ad that read: Looking for “Real People” for Photoshoot. Hmm, I says to myself, I says. I believe I might fit that category. It was about 2:00pm and they said they were holding auditions until 5:00pm that day. “What could it hurt?” I says, I says.

So, I get to the hotel and walked into the ballroom where they were holding the auditions. I checked in with Nicole and took a seat behind the 10 or so other children and adults who were waiting their turn to have a few cursory pictures taken. I was the oldest one there. I watched as the others took their turn smiling and laughing at the camera as the photographer prompted them. Then it was my turn.

The photographer and I shared a brief conversation and then he prompted me to give him my best laughing face. (Click) Then he prompted me to think of a very funny joke. (Click) And finally, he prodded me to just laugh. (Click) NEXT!

I wasn’t sure what just happened or what would happen next or even IF anything would happen. I was truly out of my comfort zone. I went home. I tried to talk to my inner self to say, “Eh, at least you gave it a try, no harm, no foul.” Forgot about it - chalked it up to experience. Got an email 2 weeks later which read, “You have been selected!”

Wha’?

Yes, I was selected by Images USA, which is a leading full-service, multicultural marketing communications agency that targets companies who motivate and influence African-American, Hispanic, and Asian consumers...

Wha’?

...And apparently Older Persons. Their client: AMTRAK.

I did a 2 day shoot on a real train at the Sanford, FL station. The first day was with another ‘Senior Lady’ and we played the part of 2 old gals traveling. The second day was with a different ‘Older Lady’ and we played the part of ‘Senior Caretaker w/ and w/o wheelchair. Guess which one of us was in the wheelchair. We shot part of the day in our pajamas. This was a VERY professional shoot I must say! They fed us (it was catered). They took care of makeup and wardrobe. They even PAID us! Woo Hoo!

So, I have been keeping a pretty close eye on Craigslist but I doubt that I would find something this Sweet again. I did however, do some Voice-over work for another client’s webpage. Who knew?

So lookout Craigslist, I am expanding my horizons!

Pleasant Journeys,

C. Diane

I couldn’t help poking fun at myself. Here is a montage from photos taken at the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI) Conference for which I had the privilege to perform. It has been a while since I had ‘candid’ pictures taken of me ever since I learned how to ‘camera smile.’

A friend interpreted the picture -
“The montage actually represents to me, an internal struggle that we all face.”

No need to over analyze - I just thing I make a bunch of goofy faces!

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! After an Air Force buddy of mine read my BIO and saw how seemingly distraught I was when recounting the story of how no one took a picture of me singing with Harry Chapin when he came to Torrejon AB, Spain to do a concert, she tells me she took pictures!!! Read More...

Tags: Harry Chapin