ICELAND ADVENTURE
DESTINATION
We literally filled the plane with everyone heading to Iceland. Photographers, models, parents. The excitement started right away. When we arrived in Iceland, we made our way to our first Bed and Breakfast. Located in Selfoss Iceland. We noticed the landscape immediately. It’s very different in Iceland, than here in Ohio. You can see for miles and miles. There just aren’t too many trees in Iceland. There is, however, a Volcano. A volcano that looks like a mountain, but you still KNOW it’s a volcano. Lots of open space. Our B&B was basically a small cabin on a vast pilot of land. It was adorable, complete with horses and puppies running in the open fields. We spent the first day resting and acclimating to the time change and our new environment. We even enjoyed the Hot Tub, which in Iceland means a Tub of hot water :) it doesn’t bubble, it means water in tub that’s hot!
Once in Iceland, we could start coordinating our plans better and disperse the details to everyone. The plan was, we’ll shoot the next day at a beautiful canyon. A canyon we referred to as Farfignugan Canyon, cus good luck pronouncing the names of anything in Iceland. This canyon was about a half hour away. Models began having their hair and makeup put together by the fabulous Soto team, at their B&B, and then heading to the photo shoot location. We drove along the coastline, through the city of Vic, past these really cool lava rocks covered in moss that take 80 years to grow. A place we then knew we had to stop at as well, to take additional photos. Now these are national parks so we are very respectful of the beauty that is their country.
The girls were unbelievable champs. It was cold, we worked quickly, but EVERYONE worked as this amazing well oiled machine to get as many beautiful photos as possible. Moms grabbed lighting equipment, Hair and Makeup jumped in between snaps of the camera to fix anything that may have fallen out of place. Coats were thrown back of the girls between photos, to keep them as comfortable as possible. Everyone was pitching in, helping wherever it was needed. Everything needs to happen quickly, because you have the elements to worry about. After the canyon we went back to the Lava Rocks. We knocked them out BING BANG BOOM!. Somewhere in the lava rocks I lost my phone :) never fear, it was found!!!! Then it started to RAIN! Of course it started to rain, why would everything go as planned. But this is what these destination shoots are about. Things happen, plans may need to change, and we have to be ready to make adjustments.
45 minutes later we arrived at The Black Sands Beach, and we were fortunate the rain had almost completely stopped. This is where the Soto team showed their super powers. The Beach is obviously on the ocean, winds coming in from the North Atlantic Ocean with Icebergs floating in the waves. They threw the models hair up into these gorgeous up-dos, that looked like they were heading to a glamorous event, in record time. The girls changed into dresses supplied by Blue by Atlas, in a Vic restaurant, and as they got ready, they started to head out to the beach. This beach is crazy pretty. White crashing waves coming into a jet black sand beach. Towering Black cliff lines, chiseled into a hard squared off rock face. It looked like the ice castle from Superman, but black. I wanted some shots of the waves crashing into the shore with the contrasting black cliffs. It was probably one of the prettiest places Ive ever seen in real life. One of the coldest, but one of the more stunning. This was the end of a very long and productive day.
The next day we had to push our photo shoot back a day, because of weather. SO we decided to do a little sight seeing instead. That was the plan anyway, but we got th great idea to grab some photos at a waterfall. We actually threw it out to the models and a few of them absolutely wanted to do it. No high end makeup, just throw on the dress and go!. It was sooooo windy. The wind was kicking up mist from the waterfall constantly. With rain coming down. The girls could walk right up to this stunning waterfall. A waterfall they’ve used in movies and music videos. Packed with tourists. Each girl wold run out on to outcropping while I quickly wiped my lens clean and snapped a photo. After while I had nothing dry to wipe the lens. It was crazy, but one of my favorite photos from this entire adventure came at this location. It was just this unplanned waterfall shoot and it was awesome!!
time to be a tourist
Our last stop was the Capital City. We stayed in an old church that was converted to a Bed & Breakfast. Another unique location to stay. That morning I wandered out into the town, and found a cute pastry shop that had some of the best sweet rolls I’ve ever had in my life. Reykjavík is this picturesque old European town you imagine it to be. It was a work of art. They had murals, old stone buildings, sidewalk paintings, shops painted in crazy designs. So much to look at everywhere. It was very artistic and cool. The girls had all kinds of bright colorful, patterned clothes that absolutely fit the feel of the city. You could really capture the energy and fun of the city. We wanted every photo to look like they were in Europe, not Toledo. It was so easy to do so, cus it’s absolutely NOT Ohio.
You know you want to see the final photos. They're all
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The amazing hair and makeup team
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I currently work in the spa at Soto
Signature Salon and Spa in
Perrysburg, Ohio. One of my
favorite professional memories was doing makeup in Iceland and I look forward to traveling within my career more often!
Lauren Updike
Esthetician and Professional
Makeup Artist
Lauren.updike03@gmail.com
Instagram- laurenupmakeup
In almost ten years in the
beauty i industry I’ve been
fortunate enough to have some amazing experiences. I’ve worked New York Bridal Fashion Week with Reem Acra, and JLM Couture. Traveled the world with inspiring photographers to destinations out of a dream, and in my spare time I travel to salons all across the U.S. sharing education with salon companies for Pureology.
However, most days I can be found right in Perrysburg Ohio, at Soto Signature Salon & Spa, where helping my guests see the absolute best in themselves is my top priority.
Frank Goforth
Stylist & National Educator
for Pureology
Instagram: Frank Goforth
Facebook: Frank Goforth
Email: fr.goforth@gmail.com
In 2015, Delilah graduated from
Summit Salon Academy as a
cosmetologist and has been
employed at Soto Signature
Salon and Spa since 2014 (Perrysburg, OH). She loves co-creating looks with her clients and assisting brides in planning one of the most important days of their lives. When she’s not behind the chair, she can usually be found traveling with her family or volunteering at her local community theatre on and off stage.
“The Iceland shoot gave me the opportunity to tap into my artistic and theatrical roots, while seeing the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”
I have been an artist my whole
life. I am currently a full time
student at Bowling Green
State University, working
towards myBachelor Degree in Fine Arts. In addition to being a student, I run my own online store forming connections with some seriously amazing clients and taking on wonderful commission work. As much as I love painting, makeup has always been one of my favorite ways to express myself. No matter what, I always find the time to throw on some makeup and try out some new ideas.
Jennifer has been the co owner
of Soto for the 12 years, and
has working with hair for 20 years in
all aspects of the beauty industry. From Fashion Week to publications in magazines. Education is her 1st passion. It started in the salon mentoring new teammates. She also works on an editorial team based in NYC called Tearsheet. She's taught other salon professionals for Redken in salons and on main stages of Las Vegas. She loves making people feel beautiful.
Based out of Sylvania, OH at
Salon Rae! I love that my work
allows me to travel and make people beautiful! Iceland was such a blast and one of the best times in my career!
Nicole Urbanski
Hairstylist & Makeup Artist
Instagram: nicoleurbanski_beauty
Email: nicoleurbanskii@gmail.com
I have been in the business of
hair and beauty since 2006. I
love to take risks, try new things, and am always up for a challenge. I believe those personal attributes have helped elevate my skill set for hair, whether it be in my salon, on set for a fashion show, a photo shoot, or a facilitator of hair education. You can find me at Soto Signature Salon in Perrysburg, Ohio. When I’m not at the salon, I travel nationally for Redken 5th Ave NYC to teach the hair industry about the new innovative techniques, and skills in hair and fashion.
Molly Getz
Colorist, Designer, Stylist,
and Educator
Instagram @mollygetz
Facebook @Molly Getz Redken Artist
I’ve been a professional
makeup artist and hairstylist
for a little under 5 years now .
Although I’m still new in my career I’ve had so many once in a life time opportunities to work in amazing places with incredible people. From Iceland to local theaters, to my every day clients right here at Soto signature Salon & Spa right here in Perrysburg Ohio I Get to spend everyday doing something I love. I’m incredibly passionate about my career and I pour that passion into everything I do! I’m Looking forward to many more experiences and encounters in this wonderful field.
Alexandria Cordero
Makeup Artist and Hairstylist
Insta : @Alexandria_cordero
Facebook : Alexandria Cordero
Holly Omlor Photography is a professional High School Senior Portrait photography company who services Ann Arbor, Michigan; Milan, Michigan; Saline, Michigan; Plymouth, Michigan; Canton, Michigan, Northville, Michigan and surrounding areas. Holly Omlor Photography offers a one of a kind senior experience exclusive to Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit, Michigan. Holly Omlor is a nationally published, and featured photographer, specializing in unique High School Senior Portraits and specialized themed, concept, photo shoots. Serving Ann Arbor Michigan and the greater Metro Detroit area, and offering unique Teen and High School Senior Portraits. Garden City High School in Garden City, Michigan, Divine Child High School in Dearborn, Michigan, Plymouth High School in Plymouth, Michigan, Huron Twp., Michigan. Ann Arbor Michigan Senior Photographer, Ann Arbor Michigan High School Senior Photographers, Senior Pictures, Senior Photos, Photography, Photographer, Senior Portraits, Senior, High School Senior Ann Arbor, Michigan; Milan, Michigan; Saline, Michigan; Plymouth, Michigan; Canton, Michigan, Northville, Michigan. Detroit Michigan, Birmingham, Michigan; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Franklin, Michigan; Northville, Michigan; West Bloomfield, Michigan; Huntington Woods, Michigan; Grosse Pointe, Michigan; Oakland, Michigan; Toledo Ohio High School Senior Photographers, Senior Pictures, Senior Photos, Photography, Photographer, Senior Portraits, Senior, High School Senior, Maumee High School Senior Photographer, Northwest Ohio , Perrysburg, Toledo School for the Arts, Anthony Wayne, Springfield, Ottawa Hills, St. Ursula Academy, Notre Dame Academy, St. Johns, St Francis, Bowsher, Central Catholic, Maumee Valley Country Day School, Bedford High School, Sylvania Northview, Sylvania Southview