UjENA Jam Day 2 Report

Reported by Laura Dayton
Photographs by Steve Manente, Alex Uzal

MONDAY, AUGUST 25

Following several weeks of thunderclouds and showers the sky above Puerto Vallarta cleared and the Jam woke up this morning to blue skis and wonderful, image-loving sunshine. It also lowered the tropical humidity, putting big smiles on the faces of the models and makeup artists.

"The humidity is really terrible," said Laura, a competing model here with her girlfriend and fellow contestant Erika, and both from San Bernardino. "A lot of the girls are wearing false eyelashes and their falling off."

"The other day," chimed in Erika, "I spent more than an hour curling my hair and as soon as I got outside it just went flat. I felt like why bother?"

Makeup artists extraordinaire, Luis and Roberto from Costa Rica, were busy keep models looking fresh-faced in the hot sun and high humidity.

Contestants continued to arrive, but official kick off is still a day away. At any given minute at least three model-photographer teams can be spied from the central commons of Crown Paradise, our host hotel. It's hard to believe that more than 100 contestants have yet to arrive!

Contestants take advantage of the morning light. Joey is shooting Allie from New Jersey, while Allie from California looks for next suit.

This morning's sun created perfect light for some of the best images to come out of the Jam so far. "This is my third year competing in PV and this is the best morning sun," said Mark from Philadelphia.

Staff photographer Ed said it was the "best sun we're ever had."

 

Steve, who has covered the Ujena Jams for nearly 20 years, countered the claim, "Last year, the day before the Jam started, that was the best sun ever. But you're right, for Day 2, this is the best."

Staff photographer Ed Alexander discussed the many styles of editorial and catalog photography.

Mid-morning was filled with the first of several days of workshops on photography, modeling and makeup. Bob Anderson presented the first workshop on photo editing, followed by Catherine Cross's very informative workshop on makeup for print. Staff photographer Ed Alexander uses the overhead to discuss editorial style photography. All the workshops were well attended.

Steve Manente took advantage of the beautiful sunset shooting Adrean at the Vallarta Gardens location.

Later in the afternoon the staff took off to Vallarta Gardens, a beautiful new development just a few miles north of Puerto Vallarta. In the days waiting for all the contestants to arrive, Ujena's staff makes sure they get catalog shots for all the suits and dresses in the current line. This shoot went particularly well because of the light and the many settings to choose. It was non-stop from the time they stepped off the bus until they gathered for their group shot.

The Vallarta Gardens staff poses for one final group shot before returning to the hotel.

Day 2 finished off with a party at Carlos O'Brian's where the staff models put on a colorful fashion show for contestants and others. The evening was filled with more networking, fun and laughs then back to the hotel to rest up for the 7:30 am shoots of Day 3.

Day One Report