I have been meaning to blog about this fantastic company for a while, and finally after a busy few months with moving house, working and being supermum throughout the summer holidays I’ve finally got the time to update my blog and let you know about P4 Events… typically the only time I seem to be able to update my blog is 10pm on a Saturday evening… how very rock and roll of me *grins*
Well I first met Mark from Passion 4 Events about 4 months ago and I’m more than happy to recommend Mark and also p4 to all my Brides.
I’m a big believer that Wedding organising should be as stress free as possible, but in reality that’s never the case as you can be overwhelmed by the choice of photographers, caterers, hair & beauty, florists and venues to name just a few things to be arranged for the big day.
This is where P4 Events step in like some magical Disney character and relieve all the stress, worry, and research you have to do so you’re left to look forward to your big day rather than trying to arrange everything like some possessed bride to be….*laughs* because we all know you have been there at some point…frazzled, stressed, or even overwhelmed not knowing where to even begin.
The thing I found so appealing about this company is that they offer bespoke packages so you can have all the wedding organised for you, or for example just the venue…what more could you want? 
You can find more information about P4 on their website.
Ooo talking of P4 Events, I was recentley booked by their sister company Cuffe & Taylor to provide the makeup service for the Lytham Proms… which I have to say was AMAAZZZINNNG!! Unfortunately I actually had a life that evening so I only managed to stay for the first hour of it, but it was lovely to be able to finish work, flipflop over to the VIP section, grab a glass of Moet and sit on my bottom enjoying the music…
Love & Blusher,
Sonara x
Links:
I would never have pictured myself in front of a classroom of school students with my chair but last week I found myself in that exact position.
Lytham High School had an enrichment week before the end of the summer term where groups of students were producing a fashion show, so you had a group of costume designers, a group of makeup artists, a group of models and a group of photographers (I think 90% of the boys must have been in that group) so one of the teachers from the school, who’s sister’s makeup I had done for her wedding, contacted me to see if I was available to come and do two workshops on Monday and Tuesday and be able to give a demo of some OTT catwalk makeup.
I have to say although I was really nervous on the drive up to the school, and my voice was a little bit wobbly at first and I must have dropped one of my brushes twice due to sweaty hands …I have to say I really enjoyed this experience and chance to inspire people to be creative.
I say nervous *chuckles* I was VERY nervous as I hadn’t stepped back in a school since the age of 18 and I had no experience of teaching school children….
Both Monday and Tuesday ‘s groups were wonderful, asking loads of questions, watching intently, and I have to thank the four school girls who agreed to be models as they were wonderful.
More pictures to come soon…. 
Love & Blusher,
Sonara x
Well I can’t not blog about this shoot, it’s been a year in the making…..*excited happy claps*
When Garazi and I shot the butterfly catcher inspired shoot last year we both realised that we had the same vintage flower swimming caps, and from that moment on we have wanted to shoot them together. …
So it’s a year later and I’m back in Garazi’s flat (which should have been her new spanky studio but it had to be closed temporarily) clutching my swimming cap and all excited for the days shoot.
We were doing three looks for the story , one being the swimming cap, one of the looks centered around Martins wig look, which he had to cut on the models head to ensure it was the exact cut he wanted.
As usual lots of behind the scenes pictures , you may recognise one of the models as she was recently on BNTM (Britain’s Next Top Model) and I was really looking forward to shooting with Nikki again as I had worked with her on an OTT makeup look with latex when I had first qualified.
Talking of first qualifying its quite a norm for most makeup artists to qualify and then want to stick a million sequins on the face and do crazy eyelashes…. Ok I still do “crazy creative” things as its good for the old soul but I don’t seem to do it as often any more…But yes I had last shot with Nikki on one of my first ever shoots when I was still in the “everything should be as OTT as possible phase”..
It’s funny how time changes you and although I still love my creative shoots and letting my ideas run wild, its very rare I let that gem sticking monster out of my imagination these days. And I’m ok with that…. Two to three crazy shoots as year is enough for me these days, as its expensive to make the headpieces and costumes and I seem to be going through a natural beauty phase, wanting to make everything as minimalist as possible…. As I type this I’m wondering if that’s a reflection on all the bridal work I have been doing recently.
For the swimming cap look I went really crazy and it was quite bizarre how much out of my comfort zone it felt putting LOADS of makeup on a model…. although I loved it, I was made aware of how long it had been seen my last over the top shoot….
I’m hoping to have some time to organise a Christmas themed creative shoot, as It’s been almost a year since I last made a headpiece… and to be honest i quite miss crafting until the early hours, getting wrapped in hair, sequins stuck everywhere or sticking myself to random materials by mistake…
Oh dear, its only September and I’ve already mentioned Christmas.. *slaps herself*
Well I can’t publish the full set from the day but here is a sneak peek image…*gleeee*
Love & Blusher,
Sonara x
X2 Studio in Blackpool is a fantastic compact studio that booked me for the amazing Phil Drinkwater’s lighting course (if I could do a little drum roll I would as the man deserves one) and oh what fun it was.
I love shoots like this, as when your working with friends it doesn’t feel like “work”, Phil was assisted with the super smashing greeeaat Tim from Mode1 Photography (watch this space for some offers from Mode1 & myself for photography/makeup packages) and the model for the course was the beautiful Sophie Suri who I’ve shot with quite a few times and its always an absolute pleasure, i think I giggled and gossiped more than I worked but shhhhh 
The course was a great success and its wonderful seeing amazing pictures pop up on facebook from the photographers who were on the course.
Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, just click the like button and then my facebook updates and new work will pop in your news feed, it doesn’t get easier than that to keep tabs on me! 
http://www.facebook.com/SonaraParker
Big thankyou to Paul Craig (Paul Craig on FB) who attenedted Phil’s course kindly sent some of his images from the day:
Love & Blusher,
Sonara x
Links:
Another day, another shoot, but this wasn’t just any shoot, it was another collaboration with Adrian Crook @ Arc Studio, Martin Bland (the hair genius), stylist Gemma Gorman and myself for Lab Magazine. Gemma, who travelled all the way from Peterborough to style the shoot, turned up with some amazing, mind blowing gowns (and I also fell in love with her betseyville handbag)
I was lucky enough to be working the beautiful Amy Finamore from Nemisis model agency. I have worked with Amy a few times (and am planning on attacking her face for beauty in the future….in a nice way of course) and each time it’s always a pleasure. She is always full of energy, sarcasm and fun and, well, she is soooo purdy with amazing skin that its quite easy to do her makeup and with quite a versatile look, she suits whatever look or style I paint her face with… lucky lady! But as you can see from the back stage photos, sometimes I need my own stilts and poor martin had to climb on the ladder to reach the top of Amy’s hair once she had the killer heels on!
We did a few looks and outfits change for the story, but I’m finding it really hard to pick my favourites as there are sooo many good images for this set , and I’m very proud to say not only did I do the makeup but I had the really job of being in charge of the smoke machine *giggles* Ooo I did feel important!
Gemma brought an array of shoes…I have to say I have never ever seen that many shoes, but they weren’t just to put on Amy’s feet… Adrian had built a set with little ledges to put loads of shoes on, although you can tell it was built by a man as the shelves were too thin to take the shoes, so it took lots of careful placement, patience, holding breath and blu tack and nails to attempt to get the shoes to stay on the set… at least you weren’t there to witness the cursing from the mouths of Gemma and I as we placed one shoe on a few times which caused the the 20 we had carefully placed all came tumbling down…
Anway enough of the waffling and on with the visual delight….
As you can tell I’m sooooooo behind on my blog posts as it is the season to get married…fa la la la la la laaaaa…..and I’m running around like a headless chicken, or a busy makeup artist from Hotel to Hotel and occasionally Brides homes…
Even though I’m super busy I love the summer weddings, all the love fluttering about in the air and the brides and bridesmaids butterflys in there stomachs joining in the flutter.
It always makes me chuckle the lengths I go to when I end up in a dark hotel room just to get near the window….
Lots of catch up blog posts coming soon when I have a minute to tap up all the behind the scenes pictures I’ve taken and all the adventures I’ve been on!
I have been meaning to blog about this fantastic shoot for about a month now, and I thought while I have escaped to Plymouth for a week of relaxing with my brother then I should sit and catch up on my blog, and that’s what I’m doing whilst trying not to get distracted with shabby chic sites
Cold & Sea Bound
The team for a day of beauty and bridal consisted of Photographer Phil Drinkwater, Assistant Tim Johnson, Hair stylist Martin Bland, Model Sophie Suri and me on charge of makeup brushes
We were shooting three different looks, a creative beauty set, a commercial fashion set and then the bridal gowns, which were stunning and luckily fit Sophie perfectly and because the creative beauty would take the longest we decided to shoot in the studio for the first half of the day and get the beauty set done first and then move onto the commercial looks. Then after dinner we were to brave the outdoors and shoot the bridal set on the beach
Hair Touchups
While we were shooting at X2 Studio in Blackpool the weather outside was the best we could have hoped for, it was still freezing and a little bit windy outside but the sun was shining and there was not a raindrop in the sky but by mid afternoon, just as the final touches to the bridal makeup and hair were over it started to drizzle a little and the wind picked up. There was no room to cancel this set so we jumped into our cars and headed towards St.Annes, hoping that the rain would stop and it would warm up a little….
The rain did stop thankfully but judging by the goosebumps on my arms it did not get any warmer, in fact I think the wind picked up with ever step we took on the beach, it was utterly freezing, and Sophie, wearing nothing but a wedding dress had to skip through the freezing Irish Sea looking carefree and happy for the photographs. Of course I was helpful and held Sophies warm layers for her while we shot, around my body *laughs*
I only have one picture from this set so far, which is why I have hung off posting this blog but hopefully I will have some more pictures from the day to share soon!
The beautiful Sophie:
Love & Blusher
Sonara
Links: x2 Studio, PD Wedding Photography, Martin Bland
Well its been a while since I managed to find the time to update, I’ve been so busy with bridal trials and being mum that finding just 60 mins to sit down without being distracted has been an impossible mission!
I thought I would share the latest shoot I took part in a few weeks ago , which was for the launch of TQ Style’s website.
We had a full on amazing team consisting of myself, hair dresser Martin Bland, photographer Adrian Crook, his assistant Edwin Black and another makeup artist Samantha Parker (not a relation I promise!) and the designer/art director Tahir Mahmood.
It was for the launch of their IPad Cases and Laptop bags and cases, and we got to play with the Ipad a few weeks before it is launched here which was cool, it just reminded me of my huuuuggee iphone, without it being a phone, but can see why its so popular among photographers, the display was fantastic and it was so easy to use.
The team did an amazing job, I’m always in awe of Martin’s hair skills, as although I do basic hair on shoots, it’s really not one of my strong points, I’d much rather have a makeup brush in my hand than a hairbrush! And Sam did a great job on the model Emma, and Ed (Ade’s assitant who we grabbed into model last minute lol)
As you can see from some of the backstage pictures, studio work is not glamorous at all, in fact sometimes its far from it. When you look at an amazing photograph no one thinks what goes on behind that photo, all those people that have gone into that one photograph; the makeup artist, the hair dresser, the photographer, the assistant, the stylist, the art director….. and sometimes theres even more people. I sometimes wonder what it’s like for the poor model with all our beady eyes on her, making sure the makeup is right, that there isn’t a hair out of place or that the dress is hanging correctly on her.
I’m really pleased with the finished results, and these should be on the new TQ Style website in the next few weeks If you fancy a new laptop case or a swanky new ipad case you should really go have a nosey at their website as they have some beautiful items on there, and I promise I’m not being biased, I still go to bed dreaming of the red one *laughs*
Love & Blusher
Sonara
Links: TQ Style, Arc Studios , Martin Bland
Once a month I’m offering my blog readers and facebook fans to win the chance of a freebie makeover for a special occasion, night out or just for the fun of it!
These makeovers will become a big feature in my blog so keep an eye out for upcoming posts with before and after pictures.
The lovely ladies who I made over in April, Barbara & Karen were an absolute pleasure to spend the afternoon with Unfortunately I don’t have a studio to work in and a talented photographer to take my before and after pictures, its just me, my makeup kit and the Nikon D70 (I’m sorry to all those canon photographers I work with lol)
I haven’t picked up the camera for ages, in fact its probably been over 6 months, and its not as easy as those point and click ones I can tell you, tooooo many options! I now appreciate photographers so so much more as I can’t believe how hard it is to try and take a portrait that shows the true makeup, even with really good natural daylight I struggled picking up the touch of highlights and different tones used. I think its time to start reading the book I got for Christmas, “DSLR Photography for Dummies”.
So considering I’m not a photographer, don’t really know what I’m doing I’m quite pleased with the pictures, and want to thank both Barbara and Karen for being soooo patient and such fab ladies to make over.
Barbara
Barbara Before
Barbara After (click to enlarge)
Karen
Karen Before
Karen After (click to enlarge)
Karen After (click to enlarge)
All the “After” pictures can be viewed in a larger size by clicking on them if you want to take a closer look at my fantastic *cough cough* photography
You can enter the May makeover madness competition by emailing a picture of yourself, and your details to mail@sonaraparker.com but please remember you must be within 20 miles of Blackpool to enter this competition!
Love & Blusher,
Sonara x
Emma Before
Well it was back to the studio for the Lab Mag Shoot after a week of bridal trials, for a fantastic editorial shoot for Lab Mag.
Emma's Makeup look #2
The team consisted of photographer Adrian Crook at Arc Studios, myself on makeup duties and the amazing Martin Bland on hair! Everyone knows that although I am fully qualified in hair after studying it for two years, I’d much rather be in front of the model’s head than behind, I just don’t get the same *glee* feeling and satisfaction that I do painting faces…. so having a hairdresser and an amazing one at that was absolutely fantastic!
Finished Result
The model for the day was the lovely bubbly Emma Terry, who looked fantastic in the two outfits for the set, the first was a fab split leggings and a military jacket number and a beautiful dress from all saints that I wish I could squeeze my bottom into for the second set.
Finished Result
Martin and I had discussed the shoot earlier in the week which always makes the day easier as we both walked through the studio doors knowing exactly what we were doing in what order and I had been looking forward to this all week as I had planned to really go ott on the eyeliner
The finished results were amazing and I can’t wait to see them printed. All the images can be enlarged by clicking on them, I didn’t take alot of pictures as I was using the camera to record the behind the scenes video which I will upload as soon as I have to edit it, and I have a feeling it may take me a while…
I’m so busy with bridal trials and wedding days! I’ll be whizzing to Preston, Manchester, Chorley and Southport all in the space of a week and I still have to learn how to use this video editing software!!
Love & Blusher,
Sonara
