Lana Thomas has been a boudoir photographer for 24 years. She said she works with clients of all ages, shapes, and sizes and helps to empower women. Lana joins Tess Maune to talk about the photo sessions at Voulez Vous.

Thursday, February 29th 2024, 5:43 am

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News On 6

TULSA, Okla. –

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Lana Thomas has been a boudoir photographer for 24 years. She said she works with clients of all ages, shapes, and sizes and helps to empower women.

Lana joins Tess Maune on the Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch to talk about the photo sessions at Voulez Vous.

The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is inviting the community to a special photography program on Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Honeywell Onondaga Lake Visitors Center. This event will showcase the stunning wildlife and habitats of Onondaga Lake through the lens of four local photographers who have documented the lake’s transformation. Attendees will hear the captivating stories behind each photograph and learn photography tips and techniques.

The program will feature discussions led by Joe Fratianni and Ed Guarente on photographic equipment, framing, and lighting, alongside a unique movie loop by Frank Valls from a kayak’s perspective, offering a rare view of the lake’s restoration efforts and wildlife. John DeNicola will also share his photography, emphasizing the importance of conservation work.

Registration is required for this insightful event, with a fee of $10 per person. Interested individuals can register online or contact the provided email and phone number for more details. This event not only highlights the beauty of Onondaga Lake but also supports the ongoing conservation projects and education programs of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.

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Keith Barraclough, a former photographer for National Geographic, admits that the project he and his wife Kate Lorenz created in 2013 was born by chance. They are not redheads; they have no redheaded children. “It was happenstance,” he tells me over a Zoom call from New York. “I was doing a corporate shoot and a guy came in wearing a white shirt. He was a redhead and had this presence about him. He looked as if he’d just stepped off a boat from Ireland at Ellis Island in 1880. I turned to my assistant and said: ‘I would love to get that guy in the studio and have some fun with him.’”

More than 10 years on, Barraclough has photographed more than 500 people for The Redhead Project. The main criterion is simple: the subjects must be natural redheads (although he does sometimes photograph an older person, who is no longer ginger, holding a photo of themselves from the past). Most of their subjects are found via social media, particularly Instagram, where the project has a strong footprint. “It isn’t enough for them to simply say: ‘I’m a redhead and I’d like to be part of the project,’” says Barraclough. “You have to be willing to share your story,” adds Lorenz, who does much of the organisation and social media. “We ask them which part of the project resonated. Then we have a back and forth to come up with possible ideas for the shoot.”

The photo shoots take place at Barraclough’s studio on Spring Street, in SoHo, New York, and usually last three hours or more. He asks his subjects to bring props to illustrate their personalities. Full disclosure here: as a now white-haired, but natural redhead, I took part in a shoot five years ago, with my wife, the writer Heather Macadam, and my niece. I had taken along a miniature globe, to highlight my love of travel, and Barraclough had me strike various poses with it (including balanced on my head). Heather and I were working on a book together at the time, and to illustrate the tensions Heather grabbed a knife off a magnetic strip in the kitchen and, roaring with laughter, held it to my throat as Barraclough snapped away.

“I like to push the limits,” he says. “So, if you like peanut butter, I might make you slather it on a piece of bread, then eat it, and even smoosh it all over your face. We’ve had bakers, so I’ll pour flour over them. We had a little girl from Chicago, who loved ranch dressing. So, we had her pour a bottle of it over her head.” He laughs. “I try to capture people’s personalities – peel back the layers to see who they are.”

When Covid struck, Barraclough found himself stranded at home like many photographers. Luckily, a developer created an app called CLOS, which allows remote shoots. “The first I did was with a lady in LA and I was in NYC. I shot it on my iPad. The subject has the app on their phone and we connect through the app, like on a FaceTime call. I had someone hold the camera in LA and I gave directions, like: ‘Hold the phone a bit lower or move back a bit.’ So, I was remotely directing the shoot. And this means we can now shoot subjects from all over the world. So far, we have done 52 remotely.”

I am curious as to how they monetise the project. “We don’t,” says Barraclough, with a grin. “It is just a personal shoot. We don’t charge for it and have not made any money on it. And I’d like to stress that we are not independently wealthy! I have got some advertising jobs because of it, but it is basically funded through my corporate and commercial work.” The photo archive can be seen at Barraclough’s website and on his Instagram feed.

In my day, redheads were teased. They were called “carrots”. These days supporters of the Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner come to his games brandishing bunches of carrots. “I think it has changed,” says Lorenz. “We see a lot more pride. But it depends on the person’s age. Older people seem to have more stories of prejudice. And I like to think our project creates a kind of community.”

Ginger snaps: portraits from the Redhead Project

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Savannah (Barbie)
“To say Savanah loves Barbie is an understatement. So, when it came time for the shoot in Atlanta, she brought her whole Barbie collection and dressed up as a Barbie with overdone hair and makeup. With the help of masking tape, she then made the Barbies even more ‘part’ of her.

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Ellen (True crime)
“Some of Ellen’s favourite books are human behaviour, psychology and true crime. To represent this, she brought Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood to the shoot. The props of magnifying glass, caution tape and fake blood were improvised, and not easy to combine!”

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David (Patton)
“Ten-year-old David has an encyclopedic knowledge of General Patton so this was a no-brainer. Emerging from the dressing room, he planted his feet with military precision and stared into the camera.”

Molly (Music) – main image
“Lugging a piano up the stairs to the SoHo studio would have been impossible,” says Barraclough. “So, Molly’s friends Genny and Jonny created this collar on the fly on set. This last-minute idea ended up perfectly fitting Molly, who has performed in a madrigal ensemble with Renaissance costumes.

The Redhead Project can be seen at keithbarraclough.com

Phil Clarkin first developed his love for photography as a kid with a manual advance Kodak film camera, running around in the woods near his family’s farm in the Kansas Flint Hills. What started as a hobby turned into a profession with Phil Clarkin Photography. 

His work has taken him across the country to legendary venues like Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks. He is the lead house photographer (under the name Phil Clarkin Photography) for BOK Center, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa Theater, Osage Casino and Guthrie Green. 

What makes you good at this job? I’m always willing to learn, and I hope to never stop evolving as a creative. I’m musically inclined, which helps with my ability to capture the feeling of a show and to anticipate what is about to happen. I’m also a people person. I love to meet all the wonderful and interesting folks that make this industry happen! 

What is the most challenging part of your work? Finding new clients and building the business side of my brand when all I really want to do is make cool stuff. Being a business owner is the hard part. Being a photographer and director is the rewarding part. 

Any thoughts on the Tulsa music scene? We’re so lucky to live in a place full of musicians who play on the level they do, while all trying to build each other up. This town has a beautiful dynamic you don’t see everywhere else.

Anitra Lavanhar is a Renaissance woman with a camera. In high school she says she loved the magic of the dark room and felt challenged by photography’s technical and competitive aspects.

“Wanting to be a successful photographer is a little like a guitar player wanting to be famous,” she says. “It’s pretty much a saturated field. And very difficult.”

A self-labeled anthro-photographer, she describes herself as being “fueled by a lifelong curiosity of the world around me, the people in it and their stories. My lens is wide.”

Lavanhar studied anthropology at Sarah Lawrence College and spent a year in India photographing women in a small fishing village. Later she worked in women’s health as a medical assistant and massage therapist. Then in 2015, thanks to the iPhone and walking on a spiritual pilgrimage in Spain, she had an “I can do this” moment. 

A Boston native, Lavanhar — pregnant with her first child — moved to Tulsa in 2000 with husband Marlin Lavanhar as he took the job as pastor of All Souls Unitarian Church.

“It was a big change and challenge,” she says, crediting her adjustment to photography. “It helped me appreciate where I was instead of missing what I didn’t have.”

In 2006, tragedy struck with the death of the couple’s 3-year-old daughter. “Out of these challenging things came amazing things,” Lavanhar reflects. She became a founder and staff member at Discovery Lab. She created the All Souls Acoustic Coffeehouse at the church. Family members established The Sienna Project, named in memory of her daughter, to build schools in Guatemala. 

“Walking the path, having the past grief, photography has helped me with my mental health. Seeing the beauty wherever I am. Even in the mundane,” she says. 

Lavanhar focuses on fine art and portraiture, and her signature technique is multiple exposures in nature and street scenes. She likes to shoot urban landscapes, street photography and macro nature. She tends to be drawn to that which isn’t traditionally photographed, like the detail and architecture of a parking garage rather than something like the Tulsa skyline. 

“It’s almost like cheating to take a photo of something already beautiful,” she says. 

“Painting adds to canvas; photography is the art of subtraction,” she continues. “What will you include in the frame and what will you leave out?” 

The COVID lockdown inspired two new portraiture concepts: “Doortraits,” which featured families on their front porches, and also exploring documentary family photography. “You’re like a journalist embedded with a family,” she says, “capturing authentic family life.” 

Lavanhar teaches photography through Philbrook Museum of Art’s Stay Gold sessions and will host some afternoon workshops at Oxley Nature Center March 9 and May 4. She is also an instructor of White Crane Silat, an Indonesian martial art. “It’s a practice I’ve been a part of and developed for 36 years,” she says. During a Silat retreat in Indonesia last summer she photographed older women, showcasing how beauty and strength increase with years.

Age and aging drive her now. Her children are 23 and 15. She’s 58. Following success with local shows and having her work in the government and office buildings, she looks ahead. 

“When I look at my goals, I very much want to pursue the fine arts even more,” she says.

This is the fourth consecutive year that OnePlus and IPA have collaborated to host the OPA

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 February 2024 – Global tech brand OnePlus today launched the 2024 OnePlus Photography Awards (OPA) in partnership with the International Photography Awards (IPA) — the global platform that encourages photographers to discover and share artistic creations — together bringing premium smartphone imaging experiences to more photography enthusiasts worldwide.

To provide an even more open platform for all mobile photography enthusiasts, Hasselblad ambassadors and Hasselblad masters will join the professional judges of OPA 2024 alongside OnePlus imaging product experts and the professional IPA jury team. This year, OnePlus is introducing even more exciting rewards including prize money of up to US$10,000 plus a complimentary OnePlus device for the winner of the Photo of the Year award to encourage photography enthusiasts around the globe to participate in OPA 2024.

“OnePlus believes that photography is more than simply passively documenting what exists in front of the lens; it must actively seek to create and capture moments that leave a lasting impact. Our goal is to empower users to transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary experiences through the art of photography,” said Emily Dai, Head of Global Brand and Marketing at OnePlus. “Building on our long-term collaboration with IPA, we are looking forward to working even more closely together to explore the future of professional photography on mobile phones. By co-hosting photography contests, we aim to enable more photography enthusiasts around the world to amplify their distinctive tone and unique emotion and elevate moments into unforgettable masterpieces on their mobile phones.”

“We are delighted to once again be partnering with OnePlus in 2024. Our collaboration has helped drive huge leaps in mobile photography over the past three years, and we are thrilled to continue working alongside an organization that puts creativity and quality so clearly at the forefront. OnePlus’ continued role as the Official Smartphone of IPA reinforces our shared passion for advancing the craft of photography through innovation,” said Hossein Farmani, President and Founder of the International Photography Awards. “OnePlus consistently pushes boundaries to reach for the impossible in mobile photography. Through its cutting-edge technology and commitment to providing its global community with the best possible products, OnePlus provides users with a platform for unlimited creative expression, and we look forward to taking this collaboration to new heights in 2024!”

As the Official Smartphone of IPA 2024, the OnePlus 12 is a photography master with a professional-grade camera system built on flagship hardware and advanced image processing algorithms developed in collaboration with Hasselblad. Featuring the 4th Gen Hasselblad Camera for Mobile, the OnePlus 12 is equipped with an industry-first Sony LYT-808 wide angle sensor, 64MP 3x periscope telephoto camera, 114° field of view 48MP ultra-wide camera, the latest RAW HDR algorithm, and the newly upgraded Hasselblad portrait mode. Together, these features deliver an effortless pro-level camera that forms the foundation for the best ever mobile photography experience.

For further details about OnePlus’s partnership with IPA in 2024 and OPA 2024, please visit the official OnePlus website.

Hashtag: #oneplus

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About IPA

The International Photography Awards™ conducts an annual competition for professional, amateur, and student photographers on a global scale, creating one of the most ambitious and comprehensive competitions in the photography world today.

For more information, please visit www.photoawards.com.

About OnePlus

OnePlus is a global mobile technology brand that challenges conventional concepts of technology. Founded on the “Never Settle” mantra, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high-performance hardware. OnePlus thrives on cultivating strong bonds and growing alongside its community of users and fans.

For more information, please visit OnePlus.com or follow us on:
Instagram – https://instagram.com/oneplus
Facebook – https://facebook.com/oneplus
Twitter – https://twitter.com/oneplus
LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/oneplus
YouTube – https://youtube.com/@oneplustech
TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@oneplus

On Thursday, February 29, from 7 to 9 p.m., the Longmont Museum will host ‘Picturing Longmont,’ an event offering a unique journey through the city’s history via a curated selection of photographs. Museum Director Erik Mason and Curator of History Elizabeth Beaudoin will guide attendees through a visual exploration of Longmont’s evolution, focusing on Main Street, outdoor recreation, and the growth of local businesses. This special showcase is part of the museum’s ongoing exhibition, ‘Picturing the West: Masterworks of American Landscape Photography.’

Unveiling Longmont’s Legacy

The ‘Picturing Longmont’ event aims to deepen the community’s connection to its history through powerful imagery. By presenting photographs from the museum’s extensive collection, Mason and Beaudoin will highlight significant moments and changes in Longmont’s landscape and society. The themes selected for the showcase are designed to resonate with attendees, showcasing the beauty and transformation of the city and its surrounding areas over time.

Expanding Audience Engagement

Recognizing the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, the Longmont Museum has made this event free to the public, though reservations are required. In an effort to reach a broader audience, the presentation will also be live-streamed across several platforms, including the museum’s Facebook page, Longmont Public Media’s website, the LPM Roku app, and local Channel 8/880 HD. This multi-platform approach allows individuals who cannot attend in person to participate virtually, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.

Reflecting on Broader Themes

Beyond celebrating Longmont’s history, the event ties into broader themes of landscape transformation and environmental impact, as seen in the museum’s current exhibition featuring Fazal Sheikh’s photography. Sheikh’s work on the Colorado Plateau, showcased in the exhibition ‘Fazal Sheikh: Thirst | Exposure | In Place,’ offers a poignant look at the consequences of extractive industries and climate change. This parallel invites attendees to contemplate not only the past but also the future of landscapes and communities affected by human activity.

Through ‘Picturing Longmont,’ the Longmont Museum fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the city’s heritage, while also encouraging reflection on the environmental and societal shifts shaping our world. By connecting local history with global challenges, the event promises to be an enlightening experience for all who participate, whether in person or online.