Yesterday I was doing a photo shoot with Marie Claire for a portrait to accompany an essay I wrote for the magazine (I’ll let you know when it’s time to buy my issue). As you may have noticed, I’m always very smiley in photos, but the magazine wanted a “serious” look. I thought I had finally composed myself, but after the photographer and photo editor studied the Polaroids, they told me my eyes were still smiling.
Tyra would heart me!Maybe America’s Next Top Model will hire me to give smiling eye lessons to the girls! Or maybe I can just win ANTM! Sure, I’m 40 and 5’4″ but it seems the main qualification for the show is “would never make it as a model in the real world” so I will fit right in. At least my eyes smile, dammit!
I eventually was able to get my eyes under control, even though I had a laugh attack when the photographer told me to “go to your dark place.” I will probably get in trouble if I post one of the Polaroids they gave me, even though the particular look isn’t going to be used because I looked “too Asian,” which was a problem only because I’m not Asian. (Maybe that would be an asset on ANTM: “is believable as other races.”) Instead, here is a rare non-smiling picture from 2003.
WendyB: “I’m secretly smiling.” Gigi: “I don’t like her sweater.”
The 2003 photo was taken by my gorgeous (she really WAS a model!) and talented friend Cristina Khuly, who is the director of the documentary film Shoot Down.
WendyB and Cristina in 2007Click here to find out what Shoot Down is about. You’ll learn something!
UPDATED TO ADD: See how the shoot turned out here!
Ty-Ty would be proud of both you and Gigi in that picture.
that’s a great pic of you and your dog. i have the opposite problem. people tell me i look too angry in photos and i need to smile more. haha
“Go to your dark place”! Ha!
Yes, let us know when your issue is coming out!
When will smiling (and subsequently, smiling eyes) become stylish again?
Sad.
Rock on with your gorgeous grinnin’ self.
Marie Claire? That’s so cool!
I really need to get that issue.
I have quite the opposite problem when it comes to being photographed – I really can’t smile or even look straight at the camera.
Every time I try I end up looking psychotic.
“go to your dark place” cracks me up. i love that you have smiling eyes. i can’t wait to read your article!
After spending waaay too much time at photoshop disasters, I’m now convinced that photo of Tyra didn’t actually include her legs & they photoshopped some in. They look like plastic and are scaring me.
OK – I was so not imagining the glamorousness of your life. I say, why write at a high-profile mag when you can be the subject matter!! I cannot wait to see the issue and cart it around in my bag and tell people I “virtually” know you 🙂
OMG!!! Congrats on Marie Claire. My friend brought me one of your necklaces and I love it. I just found out about your blog and read some entries. They are great. Would it be ok if we link each others blogs?
I totally see you on “Project Runway” not ANTM.
I totally see you on “Project Runway” not ANTM.
How exciting that you’ll be in Marie Claire! I will most definitely pick up the issue. And I hope you keep smiling because your smile is just so cute!
Love that ‘non-smiling’ pic of yours, but the eyes were smiling indeed!
Congrates on being a feature of Marie Claire, I’ll definitely pick up that issue, just don’t forget to tell us which one!
Lexie, what necklace do you have?!?
Peeps, my essay is scheduled for the June issue. I wasn’t trying to be mysterious, but it has been bumped back a couple of times so I didn’t want to be saying “Look for me in June!” when it could be delayed again. Hopefully I’ll know soon if it’s really going to make it into that issue.
Can’t wait for the essay! And the photo, naturally. And you’ll be the second person I know who’s written an article for Marie Claire–my friend Casey Parks who now writes for The Oregonian is the other talented woman.
Hey, thanks for that like to Dye Hard! Enticing stuff there.
Thanks for the link to the Shoot Down site. Your beautiful friend did a wonderful thing.
Lynette, I will pass along your kind comment to Cristina! And I will ask my editor at Marie Claire to send me Casey’s article.
Wendy, you could stick your finger up your nose and cover your right eye in duct tape and still look fab.
I have the Apple Necklace, from the Eden Collection. I love it. It’s super cute.
^^ OMG, I’m so psyched! 🙂
everthing you said about top model is so true, you look so different in photos when your not smiling, still very pretty though. Oh and are you sure ur 40? your one of the only people i’ve seen that looks like their in their 20s when there not.
I am so going to use the “dark place” phrase from here on out. That and the Asian one, which will amuse my (Japanese) father-in-law to no end. (I love showing off my blue eyed, blond haired baby and saying “Yes! He’s JAPANESE!’ so funny!)
That photo with Gigi is gorgeous. 🙂
Congrats on Marie Claire…I need to put a reminder on my calendar so I get that issue.
Alright! Way to go Wendy! (on the Marie Claire issue – if that wasnt obvious)
you’re so photogenic, the smiling eyes would add a twinkle to all your pictures, like how in the movies whenever someone would wink or when prince charming would dazzle everyone with his smile they would add a little star glint. i would be proud of it, and i wonder why the photographer would try to cover up that quality.
*jealous*
I’ll be first to the newsstand to pick up the issue with you in it. I looked over that “Shoot Down” synopsis, and it sounds like your friend did some really hard work.
i don’t read marie claire but i hope that issue makes it here because i can’t wait to check it out!
A very belated CONGRATULATIONS is in order for your Marie Claire piece. I can’t wait to buy it and show some love for my fellow blogger pal. xoxo.
Etoilee8, I hope we should all live so long and be healthy, like my grandmother says. The magazine might be pushing my story back AGAIN. This has been going on, on a monthly basis, since January. Possibly before that, I’m losing track. I’m getting a little tired of their asses.
Ohhhhhh, I can’t wait to receive your issue. I subscribe to that lovely rag. Congrats!!!