Seattle model Corey W was recently featured on the innovative Ben Trovato fashion blog, an online showcase that highlights “the works of some of the most promising talents in fashion photography.” Photographer Kyle Goldie and stylist Gabriel Aguayo worked with Corey to create Mutiny, a fashion editorial inspired by the sea captains of 1930’s Alaska. In a park outside Seattle, rugged landscapes and chilly waters set the tone for each shot—but even near-freezing temperatures couldn’t stop the model and crew from having fun. As our Seattle model noted, there was plenty of reason to stay positive. “The chemistry between the crew and photographer was phenomenal,” says Corey of the friendly attitudes and smiling faces. “Plus, we got some really hilarious looks! People came out all bundled up, only to see this bearded man being photographed in his underwear.” Yeah, that might draw some attention. Here’s just a sampling of the gorgeous spread:
Seattle Model Corey W
Seattle Model Corey W
Seattle Model Corey W
Seattle Model Corey W
Check out the full editorial here. Thanks, Ben Trovato!
Do you need local Seattle models for your next project? How about Portland? LA? NYC? You name the city, and we can get some local talent to you. Just give us a call at our headquarters in Portland for a specialized submission! (503) 227-3449.
Our offices have been hopping the past few days, and it’s no wonder! With one of the busiest months ever drawing to a close in this holiday season, we decided it was high time to celebrate. Both the LA and Portland offices hosted this year’s Holiday Talent Happy Hour, and the turnout was incredible. Models and talent from all over came to mix, mingle and spread holiday cheer with food bank donations and fantastic prizes. Here’s a sampling of the festivities at our Portland office:
Our LA event was just as lively, as you can see from this little teaser:
Want to see the rest of the excitement? Check out the albums on our Facebook page!
Thanks so much to all who attended! Happy Holidays from the SLU Team!
Check out SLU Fitness Model Jermaine S on the front page of the Business section in last Friday’s Oregonian! He’s showing off the body-scanning technology Nike utilizes to develop form-fitting apparel for their athletes, one of the many pieces of technology the article highlights. Jermaine himself is a successful athlete as well as a fitness model, advanced in football, running, and weight training.
Fitness Model Jermaine Smith in Nike's body scanner
What project are you working on this week? Call SLU today to book skilled, professional fitness models who can meet your specific production needs! (503) 227.3449
“People, places, and stories of coastal regions that inspire us” are all featured in Nautica’s Ocean2Ocean campaign, and SLU sports model and photographer Richard H is certainly inspiring. Here he’s featured discussing–and showcasing–his love for the Gorge and all sports aquatic. As Nautica shows us, Richard is a sports model with highly authentic skills that are a long-held passion playing a part in his everyday life.
Do you need sports models who can deliver advanced skill sets, experience, and expertise? Call our office today for a personalized submission free of charge or obligation.
One of our newest fitness models, Kylie L, brought Brazil’s very own Carnival to Nike campus, modeling a dress flown all the way from Rio and actually used for the famous festival. “It took 30 minutes just to get me fully dressed with an entourage of 4 people helping,” says the good-natured fit model. We can see why!
Fit model Kylie shows off a Carnival dress for Nike
“The hardest part was simply standing for those few hours–the dress was so heavy!” Kylie exclaims. But stand she did, and her positive attitude never faltered. “I felt like a princess,” says the fit model with a smile.
Fit model Kylie in full Carnival make-up
Do you need professional fit models for your next presentation or project? Don’t hesitate to call our offices or click on the “Request Talent” button on the top right of your screen. We look forward to hearing from you!
For the grand opening of Athleta’s new store at the Grove in Los Angeles, SLU fitness model and yoga instructor Drisana Carey led a group of excited shoppers in some celebratory yoga flow. Afterwards, Drisana was interviewed by none other than Mario Lopez for EXTRA’s “Workout Wednesday”–check it out tonight at 7 pm!
Mario Lopez interviews SLU fitness model Drisana
Drisana poses with Mario Lopez after her EXTRA interview
Drisana led a yoga class for the opening of Athleta
Thanks to Mario Lopez and Athleta! And way to go, Drisana!
In an incredible journey through grief, heartache, injury, and growth, Sonya’s story shows us that hope is always possible. We’re proud of you, Sonya, and honored to work with such an amazing woman. Everyone else–read up!
Our girls rocked an extensive shoot out in New Zealand, proving once again that SLU models are fit, fresh, and have mad skills. Keep up the good work, girls! And many thanks to Athleta for a wonderful time. Check out athleta.gap.com to see more of the SLU models in action!
You’re invited to the Step into Fashion event benefiting Second Step Housing. They work to end homelessness in the Vancouver, Washington community. They help to reunite families torn apart by addiction or domestic violence by providing safe, affordable housing and help residents reach their goals for personal and professional success. Learn more about their mission at www.secondstephousing.org. Come show your support and see our models work the runway!
What: Step into Fashion runway show, dinner and silent auction to benefit Second Step Housing
When: Wednesday, September 7, 2011
5:30 pm – Silent Auction
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Fashion Show/Makeover Reveal
Where: The Hilton Vancouver, Discovery Ballroom, 302 W. 6th Street
Tickets: $40 – Contact events@secondstephousing.org or 360-993-5301
Lets be real. Photography is addicting. It’s an intoxicating craftiness that truly has limitless potential for those that crave the art. It is in its own world of ever-changing possibilities and is constantly evolving. [FRAMED] is a free, weekly broadcast that captivates as well as educates. Every week they bring different photographic talents to viewers and share a piece of their wisdom, their work, their process, and their art.
In this episode of [FRAMED] photographer Charles Chesnut and his team take us to Beaverton, OR, home of Nike headquarters, where he and his team share the mechanics of a large studio shoot with three Sports + Lifestyle Unlimited models on set.
But these aren’t your average models, these are real athletes…with muscles.
As a commercial photographer, Charles Chesnut has opened eyes around the world with his product, people, and location photography. Charles has worked with all kinds of products, athletes, models and corporate honchos. He spent more than 5 years as senior photographer for Nike and 17 years in commercial photography and visual communications.
The 1st Annual Kuséwera benefit at the W Hollywood was a success! The stars came out to the red carpet, Cary Brothers and Aqualung performed, all in support of SLU Agent, Karen Osborn’s foundation, Kuséwera, a foundation that empowers children in African Orphanages through active and productive play. Sports + Lifestyle Unlimited sponsored the event, with all proceeds going to the foundation. We couldn’t have done it without the help of volunteers like SLU talent Jennifer Widerstrom, Michelle Chapman, Heather Storm, Sharmila Sahni and Tenley Molzahn, and SLU’s Ali Cernich and Sophia Recalde, among many others.
Kuséwera also provides humanitarian service trips so that volunteers can personally help implement the Kuséwera program in Africa. For more information on the foundation, go to www.kusewera.org.
Just who are those people featured in the Portland Timbers Billboard Campaign? SLU’s very own Katie!
SLU's Katie - The Oregonian - Photo by Benjamin Brink
Come spring, don’t look for Dober’s bicycle in the racks during Timbers games at PGE Park. The 25-year-old drives a 3/4 ton, silver Chevy Silverado when she comes in from Gales Creek, near Forest Grove, where she was born, lives and works.
Her family has roots in real timber: Her grandfather owned a sawmill, her uncle logs and her dad’s construction company (her place of employment) builds logging roads. “They do some logging; but there’s no yard, so no big logging jobs,” says Dober, an experienced handler of the bucksaw she grips in her billboard.
Get this look: “(The Photographer) said give us strong – not mean – but your best tough look. ‘Smile through your eyes, but look strong.’ ”
The Message she’s aiming to project: “We’re standing here, we’re ready for you, bring it on.”
How long before we see a female professional women’s soccer player on a billboard? “The Women’s World Cup starts this June,” says Dober, who has played soccer since she was 7, and coached youth and high school soccer teams. “So I think pretty soon.”
Description of organization: Founded in 1991, SLU is a sports and lifestyle talent agency that provides skilled sports talent and lifestyle models to the advertising, entertainment, and marketing industries.
The company’s headquarters is in Portland, with an additional office in Los Angeles.
Professional background: Before founding SLU, 11 years as a commercial talent and sports model for companies like Nike, Columbia Sportswear, REI and Adidas. Worked as a fit model for Nike for 10 years.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Black Hills State University in South Dakota.
Residence: Southwest Portland.
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
Essential business philosophy: Understand what makes us unique and special and capitalize on it.
Best way to keep competitive: Never stand still, always be open to making adjustments. Appreciate what your competitors bring to the table.
Guiding principles: Do everything with integrity, work hard to earn our clients trust, always strive to over-deliver.
Yardstick of success: Every time our valued clients choose to re-engage us.
Goal yet to be achieved: Having a physical presence on the East Coast.
JUDGEMENT CALLS
Best business decision: Bringing in our partner Paul Herschell. Paul brings invaluable skills to chart strategy, keep us focused and grow the business.
Worst business decision: Opening our original Los Angeles office just before the Screen Actors Guild strike in 2000.
Toughest business decision: Making an adjustment in our branding. It has also been one of the most positive decisions we have made.
Biggest missed opportunity: Under-communicating our ability to compete against the traditional fashion-orientated agencies in the commercial modeling market, until our recent re-positioning of our Sports Talent and Lifestyle Models divisions.
Mentors: A number of close advisers.
Word that best describes you: Honest.
TRUE CONFESSIONS
Like best about the job: Working with sports and active lifestyle talent. By nature, they are high achievers, competitive, and very passionate individuals. We get to live vicariously through our talent.
Like least about the job: Navigating uncertain times.
Pet peeves: Pettiness.
Most important lesson learned: Taking responsibility for your actions. Learn to strengthen relationships through trying situations.
Person most interested in meeting: Neil Armstrong. How cool to be the first person to step foot on the moon.
Most respected competitor: All of them.
Greatest passions: Besides my kids, cars.
First choice for a new career: Collecting and restoring classic autos.
PREDILECTIONS
Favorite quote: “I believe in the law of compensation — when things are most challenging, keep a positive attitude and you will be repaid in threefold.”
Most influential book: “The Magic of Positive Thinking.”
Favorite websites: Anything related to classic cars.
Favorite cause: Boys and Girls Aid, Special Olympics, Kusewera.
Favorite movie: “Saving Private Ryan.” I can relate. My dad had five brothers in World War II at the same time.
Music: Varies depending on my mood.
Treasured possession: Family, health.
Favorite restaurant: Chez Jose.
Favorite vacation spot: Costa Rica.
Favorite way to spend free time: Watching my three teenage kids play sports.
Sports Unlimited’s Sr. Booking Agent and LA office manager, Karen Osborn and 3-time Olympian, Tracy Evans, teamed up to create Kids Play Int’l.
KPI is a non-profit organization, providing Volunteer Trips to help implement an After-School Sports Program that will promote the importance of education, empowerment of girls and women, sportsmanship, healthy living, and gender equality to kids in orphanages in Malawi & Rwanda, Africa. You can donate to this great charity with a 100% tax deductible donation or register for a trip and make a difference in the lives of these kids!
SU’s newest, freshest faces… Welcome Aboard!
Sports Unlimited’s Sr. Booking Agent and LA office manager, Karen Osborn and 3-time Olympian, Tracy Evans, teamed up to create Kids Play Int’l.