Alex Barakat photographed “Comfort of a Stranger” fashion editorial, featuring Karen Brauns as the Mannequin, and Danielle Duvale as the Stranger. The fashion editorial was styled by Nia Dennis, makeup by Inara Lopetaite-Akin, Agnes Rulinskaite, and hair by Justyn Niwa.

Photographed by Ash Gupta for 838 Media Group
Model – Mila Kali
Makeup/Hair – Inara Lopetaite-Akin, Jyoti Nair, Vanessa Venancio, Janelle Wright
Post Production – Hanne Clarke
Style – Jordan Swain, NAILA Styling (Natalia Diakova)

Our July/August Face of the Month walks in looking like any other young woman in Southern California. But as she talks, her bright smile punctuates a focus, determination, and passion for being in front of the camera. We sat down on one of those oppressively hot, summertime days to learn more about Shayda Shivaei.

It was an energy-filled day when Oleander band members Thomas Flowers, Doug Eldridge, Ric Ivanisevich, Rich Mouser, and Steve Brown showed up at Ash Gupta’s studio while they took a break from recording their new CD, Something Beautiful.

“Jeff’s Jacket” Fashion Editorial (Photo: Ash Gupta)With more than just a hint of sexuality, this titillating fashion spread with distressed knitted coverings will leave very little to your imagination.

Our Face of the Month Olivia Fox grew up in Los Angeles but describes her origins as “French, Italian, Russian, and Galactic.” Talking with her, one gets the impression that space—both outer and inner—is a common theme in her life.

Our Face of the Month Erica Cisneros grew up in the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado.

“I emailed my info and pics to a local agency in Denver,” she explains, “and they soon helped me get interviews with great agencies.” After signing with LA Models, Erica relocated to Los Angeles and embarked on her career as a model.

For the Mission model Jordan Swain wears a series of “animalistic” head pieces created by G Designs and photographer Alex Barakat of 838 Media captures this collection of head pieces aggressively. Check out the editorial entitled “Animalistic” by clicking on the image below.

Elle Evans October 2012 Face of the Month Ash Gupta’s October Face of the Month comes all the way from Paris, Paris, Texas, that is. Born in Texas, and raised in Louisiana, Elle Evans launched her fashion modeling career earlier this year. “Being from a small town,” she explains, “I had much bigger dreams to get out and see the world. LA seemed to be the perfect place to start!”

Having a difficult childhood plagued with a learning disability (dyslexia, which was unknown at the time as a disorder), Michael Levine struggled throughout his early years, but managed to find his way to becoming the founder of a prominent Hollywood PR firm (LCO – Levine Communications Office), author of a best-selling international book (Guerilla Marketing), and author of 19 books total sold internationally.