SWP Spotlight ~ MUA of the Month ~ Ruby Red Make-up

New Year, new features!  Since I've started offering make-up and hair services to my Suzi Worley Photography (SWP) clients, I thought I'd feature one a month so you could get to know them a bit better!  Since January is almost over, that means  I needed to get on the ball!   So without further adieu, I introduce you to my first featured Make-up Artist (MUA), Ruby of Ruby Red Make-up.  

Ruby and her dog Fify.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Hello! My name is Ruby Lopez Batres, I am Mexican and live with a dog named Fify. When I'm not doing makeup, I love to decorate my room. I spend most of my time online as well as finding other creative outlets. Someday I would love to learn how to decorate cakes, design flower arrangements and a bit of photography. My favorite food is Pizza, I can seriously have it for breakfast.



Ruby Red MUA

2. Why did you become a MUA? The reason that I became a Makeup Artist is because, I honestly got bored with doing my own makeup. After awhile, you start to figure out what compliments your skin-tone and what doesn't. I still enjoyed doing makeup so I just simply found more canvases and after that I was hooked with doing makeup on others. 
3. How long have you been in busin
   ess? I have been in business for almost three years! Surprising, I know. Ruby Red is still quite new but I feel very confident in our team and I know that we'll do great this wedding season. 
4. What’s your favorite make-up style? My absolutely favorite makeup style is the simple winged liner with light eye-shadow, contoured cheekbones with a beautiful highlight. A bit of peachy blush with the choice of a beautiful nude lip or a bright lip-color. I love this both on myself and on my clients. 
5. What’s your specialty?  I specialize in On-location Makeup and Hair for Weddings and Quinceañeras. I also teach makeup classes to anyone who is interested in improving their makeup skills. 



SWP Mother / Daughter Session





6. Where do you find inspiration? Most of my inspiration comes from the work of other artists, Pinterest, Google and random items. I take the quote: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and use it to see beauty in small things. I feel that once someone is inspired, it's hard to become uninspired. Open your mind and see the beauty in colors, nature and people you'll be surprised.
7. What’s something people might not know about you? I started doing makeup when I was 15, I joined a makeup team and I've been doing it ever since. I am also quite shy and a bit self-conscious, but all of that is gone when I get into my "zone". I am actually pretty talkative! 
8. What’s your favorite thing to do when not working? I really like to spend time with my family, we're all really close and we get together every so often. I'm an indoors type of girl, I love to read books on my iPad, wrapped up in a blanket with all of my candles lit. I also enjoy watching a good movie or my favorite shows, the only problem is I'm an avid talker and the only one that can deal with it is my boyfriend. Thank you hun. 



SWP Mother/Daughter Session





9. Do you have any make-up tips you’d like to share? Of course I do! Ladies! Tip #1 Stop pumping your mascara, by pumping your mascara your inserting air into it which causes it to dry out faster and grow bacteria. Tip 2# Do you ladies ever put on mascara on your lashes and
   when you look down to do your lower lashes, you find that the mascara got on your skin or eyeshadow? A quick fix actually doing your lower lashes first then your top lashes or rubbing off the excess mascara with a Q-Tip. 

   
   

   
   

10. What’s the #1 thing women should be doing to help them look youthful (or age gracefully) that they aren't? I absolutely insist that everyone starts to wear sunscreen! So many people overlook it, I used to until I figured out what UVA abd UVB meant. UVA stands for Ultra-Violet Aging Rays which cause you to age. UVB stands for Ultra-Violet Burning Rays which gives you a sunburn. Both rays penetrate your windshield, so imagine myself driving and aging while doing it. Get a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 but no more than 50. 
11. How can people get a hold of you? It's sure been nice talking to you all, if anyone needs to get a hold of me you can find me through: My Website   |  Email | Facebook  or you can call me: 408.641.8661

Thanks so much Ruby for taking the time to speak with us at Suzi Worley Photography.  It's always a pleasure working with you and I'm looking forward to more fun sessions in 2014!  

Clients, if you want to book Ruby during your session with SWP be sure to let me know!  Ruby is currently available on weekends and her calender tends to fill up quickly!

Every Little Thing You Do, I Do Adore ~ Teen Behind the Scenes

Today's my one-year anniversary of Suzi Worley Photography!  As luck would have it, we just wrapped up my Behind the Scenes video this morning!  I thought I would share it with you all here as well, as it includes quite a few of my images from the session.
I created this as a tool for my teens and graduates sessions, but since it shows the make-up and hair portion it also applies to the make-over sessions I do as well.  Plus most of my sessions end up being like this... we walk around a lot, change locations and outfits, have unexpected surprises (in this case a horse volunteered for a few shots),  and we have tons of fun in the process.

Behind the Scenes with Suzi Worley from Susan Worley on Vimeo.

I am so happy that I made it through my first year!  It has been great fun and such a learning experience on so many levels.  I have enjoyed making new friends, and can't wait to see what year two has in store.  Thanks to all of you who have helped make my dream become a reality!

XO XO

~ Suzi

An Adoption Story

One of the most rewarding things about my photography business, is helping others, and sometimes this help comes in ways I never imagined.

When I was contacted by a lovely couple to help take images for their birthmother letter I was over-the-moon thrilled to be a part of such an amazing journey.

I know of so many wonderful families that are currently going through the adoption process, and it's definitely not as easy as one might think!
Located in San Jose, they have the cutest dogs that love to go on walks either in their neighborhood or in one of the gorgeous parks that California has to offer.
(The pups love to play and can hardly contain themselves at the thought of a new family member to join in on the fun!)

Some of the best placements are those that are referred through networking. So this post not only shows some of the images I took during their session, but it is also a request for you to keep this lovely couple in mind if you come across someone who's pregnant and thinking about adoption.   So please share their story with you friends and family, and the next time you're at your doctor share their story with your OB/GYN, or family practitioner, as you never know who they might know, and it could be just the conversation that helps create a family!  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ If you want to read more about this wonderful couple, or wish to share their story, their "Dear Birthmother" letter can be found below.

Hopefully someday soon I'll be sharing their new baby photos with you!

A Great New Lunch Venue

If you follow me on Facebook you may have noticed a gorgeous salad and wrap I had at a new restaurant that's opening up in San Jose called Chef Mo's Cafe.

Some of you may recall I used to have my photo consultation meetings in her gorgeous victorian as well.

Now that it's open for lunch, my displays have changed, and are no longer samples of the different mediums I have for sale, but instead they will be gorgeous wall collages that are available for purchase.

The images in this collage were taken last July in Iowa. It was 104 degrees and humid that week, and absolutely miserable, which explains why you don't see anyone out walking.  I love all of the green hillsides and grasses, and was drawn to the railroad tracks.and rusty fence lines   These are the hillsides of my childhood and are what I think of when someone says Iowa, versus the endless flat stretches of corn most people experience from traveling I-80.  I am hoping the patrons of the restaurant will enjoy this glimpse of Northeast Iowa as well.

Of course, the hills of my adulthood are also displayed, this collage is of some of the gorgeous vineyards in Northern California.   The young grapes were captured in the Santa Cruz mountains, while the gorgeous fall colors were captured in Sonoma.  I even have a cluster or two featured from a Livermore vineyard.  I just love the colors and textures of the vines, and can't wait to see this on display!

The last collage I have created for the space consists of flowers from my garden.  (and a visiting ladybug too.)
I am looking forward to seeing these in their new home, and thought I would give you a sneak peak as well.  (These are all screen shots from my order.)

I hope you will find an excuse to stop by Chef Mo's for lunch, her food is amazing!

(The above is a massaged kale and mango salad with Indian spiced chicken salad, and ginger lemongrass tea.)

She's right next to Devine Grind Coffee shop on North Second and Devine. (Where I also have images displayed!)

I will be sure to let you know when my collages are up, but please don't let that stop you from stopping by! 

She's open Monday-Friday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, and be sure to let her know Suzi sent you!