Addie's Second Photo Shoot
-Written by Manny Siverio
-Behind the Scene Photos by Manny Siverio
-Professional Photos by Damian Achilles

In late 1999, Addie Diaz had completed her first photo shoot to help accompany her instructional video on NY Ladies Styling. We now fast forward to two years later and Addie was back in front of the camera for her second shoot. The first video had been so well received by the general public that it was finally decided to green-light further installments of her video series. This 2nd photo shoot was to be the first pre-production step in producing these new installments. Damian Achilles, the photographer of the first shoot, was flown into New York to capture Addie in her natural environment (New York City). Once in New York, Damian and I did a location scout to a couple different locations around the metro area. We finally decided to use this one spot right under the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge. The location had a beautiful view of the East River, the Lower Manhattan Skyline , The South Street Seaport and the FDR Drive. We even had a beautiful view of the World Trade Center. Little did any of us know that because of the events of 9/11, this would be the last time we would see these proud twin peaks standing.

The shoot date was set for August 16, 2001. It was a beautiful bright, "HOT" and sunny day (did we forget to mention that it was hot). With the help of Make-up Artist Desiree DiCupe and myself (functioning as a jack-of-all-trades), our little crew was able to help Damian capture several memorable moments of Addie. Damian who not only is an excellent photographer in the traditional sense of the word, but also a computer graphic designer, decided to create several different "color tints" of Addie's prints. In a matter of speaking he gave us several different "SHADES of Miss TUDE" (several of which have been included on this page). People who have seen Addie perform know that she is an explosive entertainer who lights up the stage with her radiant smile. These images capture some of that fun "Addie-tude"  gracefulness, style and smile which has made her Ladies Styling workshops so popular both in and outside of the United States.

Writer's Note:
Currently Addie is in the pre-production stage of her next videos. Please stay tune to the Addie-tude Home page or Addie-tude Video Home page for further updates.

Behind the Scenes of the 2nd Shoot

The Main Man Behind the Lens

Shoot Photographer Damian Achilles framing a shot of Addie by the East River, just under the Brooklyn Bridge

Honda Passport: Our Staging Area
Desiree applying make up on Addie before getting into wardrobe. Since it was a desolate location, we used my Honda Passport SUV, to carry equipment, people, food, drinks etc. It even served as a make shift changing area for Addie once Damian and I covered it with a huge blue tarp. As a matter of fact, because we had the air conditioning running, it was probably the most comfortable spot to be in during the entire shoot.

Producer: Jack of all trades
Here I am (Manny Siverio), standing with an umbrella 
to provide shade and protection from the heat 
over Addie as Desiree applies make-up . I thought 
that being the producer of a shoot was suppose to be 
a little more dignified. Little did I know that the job 
entailed becoming a human tree, equipment carrier, 
waterboy, lighting assistant and driver. That's Show 
business I guess.

By the River

The last photo segment of the day was shot on the cobble stone area directly under the Brooklyn Bridge. Even though we were losing the light (natural light, it was beginning to get dark), Damian managed to jury-rig a silver reflector (using me) to bounce available light upward and toward Addie's face. These pictures were taken by me with my right hand as I squatted down and aimed the reflector toward Addie with my left (I did say I was a jack-of-all trades didn't I?).

By the Staging Area
Addie stands under a umbrella (for shade) as 
she get ready to go shoot the last photo 
segment for the day.  The blue tarp used to 
cover the Honda Passport SUV is seen in the 
background.

Professional Stills of the day

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New! Addie-tude Ladies Styling
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