By Marla Louise

Like many other girls, the idea of having a fashion photo of one's femme self is fascinating. After seeing a friend from Minnesota's Glamour Shot, I decided to get my own. So one morning, Marla got dressed up and went down to the local mall to Glamour Shots. With my birthday the next day, I figured it was a good rationalization to do it. So I walked up, inquired on their pricing (sitting fee is 1/2 that week although that's a minor part of the cost). They had an opening so I decided to do it then and there.

The first thing on everyone's mind I think is did I declare my gender status? The answer is no. I gave them Marla's name and at no time did anyone ever ask me about it! Note, that I do pass reasonably well and I keep getting better, but I cannot believe that once my makeup was off and the makeup artist was working on my face, I wasn't 'read'.

They ask that when you show up for a shooting, you have a two piece outfit (so you can change your top), clean hair and no makeup. I had makeup (obviously) on but they said I could wash it off in back.

So, first thing they had me do was change into a tube top and a cloth jacket/smock.

Actually, this is the first time I've ever worn a tube top (but not my last). So it was a good thing that I had my adhesives on for my breast!

Next, I had to remove all my makeup (scary time since I now become definitely 'readable').

Then was the hair. I have shoulder length hair that I wear as Marla sometimes. I mix this with a fall and wigs on occasion. In this case, I was wearing my fall with my natural hair.

Now, up to now, although I've been able to make my real hair look acceptable, I've never been able to do more than that. I sat down and the makeup artist asked if I wanted to use the fall. We decided to remove it so she just worked with my real hair. First, she started putting my hair up in hot curlers. Then working with a lot of hair spray and a hot iron, my hair came out better than I've ever seen it before. Now, if I can only learn to do that myself.

Next the makeup. As I said before, I should have been quite 'readable' at this juncture, but never heard a comment. And as the artist worked on my face, we had a pleasant conversation about all sorts of little things. One interesting aspect of putting on the makeup is that she used a marble tablet to mix the various concoctions before putting it on me. Just like a painters palette. The base makeup was very heavy so it did serve as a beard and pimple (yea, I just had a pimple attack) cover.

A choice of wardrobes is available for the shots. Four sets were chooseable, basically different tops. I chose a scarf tie, a fur, a sequined top and a leather jacket.

Then to the photographer. We did four shots of each wardrobe. There are apparently several standard (and awkward) poses that they use. And again, while shooting, I had a nice talk to the photographer (male) as well.

Afterwards comes pocket book time. They take a video shot with the photo shot so you can see the results instantly. You walk through the shots and then they sock it to you on buying the pictures. Basically, they measure every thing in units. For example 8 wallets are one unit, as are 4 3x5s, 2 5x7s or 1 8x10. The more units you buy, the cheaper each unit, for example 4 units was $110 but 8 units were $150. I went with 8 units. I spread my units around all the shots getting 4 different poses in the wallet sizes, one pose in the 5x7 and three poses in the 8x10s. They also tacked on an extra $15 to get the full set of proofs. Be also aware that although you can order prints later, they are at the expensive price of $35 a unit, so figure out what you need at the start. Also, if they will let you and you can survive the wait, ask to hold off on the order until you can see the proofs. There was a fair difference in detail between the video and the final photos.

As a side note, Marla tends to avoid Southwest Plaza because one of the managers of one of the stores is a friend/business acquaintance of mine. As such, when I went to glamour shots, I came in from the opposite direction as his store. Unfortunately, just as I was leaving Glamour Shots, who should walk by me in the other direction but that same manager. I kept my eyes straight ahead and sighed relief when it looked like he didn't even notice me.

The pictures were taken on a Friday, and were available the next Friday. I went in as Mark to pick them up. After looking at the prints, I asked for the manager. I could see the fear cross their eyes, I was going to complain about something. But no, I thanked the manager for the courtesy and consideration the staff had given me. Carrying the conversation a little further, I learned that they are quite happy having T* customers.

On the way out, I stopped by my friends store. The first thing he ask me is "Do I ever wear dresses?" So much for passing by him unnoticed! But he had no trouble with it. I showed him my new prints from Glamour Shots, and now I can visit Southwest Plaza without fear <grin>.