Shotcaller Magazine - "Nightlife"

Mastering Free Light

by Rio Azzurro Productions
p.22-23

Scouting Locations
by Mike Benkis
p.31

Trendy Thrifting
by Harley Corwin

p.57

Who is Missy Terry?
p.24-27

Local Ambition

Kevin Edwards
p.6-13

Photographer

Brad Prime and

Cover Models

Chelsi McKeal

Nikki Serenity

p.32-37



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Eleven women have been chosen as

contestants in the country's newest
reality modeling competition - Local

Ambition.

The cast thinks that posing is the only thing they
have to worry about - but they're wrong!

Alliances will be formed; rivalries will develop; and the
cast will have to question who they can trust. Last year's
winner, Nikki Serenity, has returned to Local Ambition to

serve as the show's host, but not everyone is happy to
see her. Chelsi, her former cast mate, has come back and

feels that she is "The Face of Local Ambition" and
deserves to be the host more than Nikki - and she's
willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants.

Chelsi (Chelsi McKeal) - Chelsi feels that she Brittney (Brittney Nickens) - Brittney lives life
should have won last year and felt that the winner’s blissfully unaware of the world around her. She’s so
title was taken from her. She’s come back to this absorbed in herself that she hasn’t bothered to learn a
year’s season and discovered that Nikki Serenity lot of things that everyone else knows. Despite her
was appointed host. To Chelsi, she felt like this was lack of knowledge, Brittney has a passion for modeling
another opportunity given to Nikki and taken from - and mayhem. She’s come to Local Ambition to win
her. Any shred of friendship they had has and, with her partner Mila, wreak as much havoc as
dissolved and Chelsi sees Nikki as an enemy and an possible in the process.
obstacle standing in her way. Tired of watching
Nikki get everything, Chelsi has decided to do Jaclyn (Jaclyn Tripp) - Jaclyn considers herself the
whatever it takes to take what she feels is rightfully “alpha” of this year’s cast. Smart, beautiful,
hers and show the world why she’s “The Face of determined, and dangerous, Jaclyn has all the tools she
Local Ambition.” needs to succeed - or so she thought. On the first day
of filming, Jaclyn discovers that she might have bitten
Nikki Serenity (Nikki Serenity) - After surviving a off a little more than she could chew with one of her
kidnapping and an attempted murder last season, cast mates. Her modeling skill and black belt in
you’d think that Nikki Serenity would want to stay as taekwondo might not be enough to keep her out of
far away from Local Ambition has possible. But, harm’s way.
she’s back and she’s looking forward to mentoring
the cast of the show’s newest season. She’s hoping Jamileigh (Jamileigh Nolen) - Jamileigh is the five-foot
to teach some of what helped her win last season to tall “Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell.” She’s left her home
the women this year. near the border of Missouri and Arkansas to come to
the big city in hopes of winning Local Ambition and
Sunni (Brandy Palmer) - It’s not easy being the first becoming a successful model. She quickly realizes
one eliminated, but Sunni didn’t let that stop her. that people in the city aren’t as kind as she would have
Her good nature and ambitious attitude have led hoped. Having come this far, Jamileigh is faced with a
her back to Local Ambition. Kevin Edwards, the difficult decision - turn the other cheek or fight back.
show’s creator, appointed Sunni, and Stormie, co-
directors. Together, it’s their job to make sure that Justine (Justine Valerio) - They say it’s the quiet ones
everything runs smoothly and keep the cast safe you have to watch out for - and in this case, that’s true.
from the danger we saw last season. With no Justine is a good listener - only so that she can use
directing experience, and a partner who doesn’t like information against her competition. She quickly
her, Sunni has her work cut out for her. aligns herself with Jaclyn - whom she calls her “best
friend.” Is Justine being used or is she using Jaclyn?
Ashley (Ashley Kinnear) - Life isn’t easy for Ashley.
Especially when you have an evil twin / career Kacy (Kacy Brzezinski) - She’s quirky, sarcastic, and
criminal named Mary-Kate who people mistake you when it comes to life, she’s “winging it.” Kacy wanted
for your whole life. Ashley’s sister kidnapped Nikki to be a model since she was a child, but never thought
and Chelsi last season and escaped before the that it was possible - until now. She’s joined Local
police arrived. Ashley has come to Local Ambition to Ambition in hopes of realizing her childhood dream,
apologize for what her sister did to Nikki and Chelsi but she finds out that she has to navigate through a
- and to compete. Having Ashley on the show sea of strange, and often dangerous, personalities in
makes a lot of people uneasy, because they know order to do so.
that if she’s around - danger’s not far behind.

Kacy (Kacy Brzezinski) - She’s quirky, sarcastic,
and when it comes to life, she’s “winging it.”
Kacy wanted to be a model since she was a child,
but never thought that it was possible - until
now. She’s joined Local Ambition in hopes of
realizing her childhood dream, but she finds out
that she has to navigate through a sea of strange,
and often dangerous, personalities in order to do
so.

Meagan (Meagan Ross) - Meagan is tasked with
interviewing the cast of Local Ambition and
getting the dirt on all the drama happening this
season. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to
get the job done - even if it means hurting
someone’s feelings.

Mila (Mila Williams) - Some people have
hobbies to occupy them when they’re bored.
Mila’s hobby is torturing people. Whenever she’s
bored, she picks on her cast mates or tricks her
hapless partner, Brittney, into believing just
about anything. Like Brittney, Mila is the center
of her own world and everyone around her is a
pawn or a toy to occupy her time.

Pamela (Pamela Jennings) - “Kind” and
“generous” are two words that can be used to
describe Pamela. Even though she’s competing
against ten other women, Pamela doesn’t have it
in her heart to talk ill of anyone or to be
underhanded. She would rather support
everyone around her instead of trying to hurt
them. This attitude may have served her well in
life, but it might not do her any favors on Local
Ambition.

Stormie (Stormie Parks) - They say, “Everyone
hates their boss” and in this situation - it’s true.
Unlike her co-director, Sunni, Stormie isn’t
concerned with anyone’s feelings and doesn’t
care if she offends them. To Stormie, she’s got a
job to do and she’s not going to let anyone ruin
this career opportunity for her - not even Sunni.

Stormie (Stormie Parks) - They say, “Everyone
hates their boss” and in this situation - it’s true.
Unlike her co-director, Sunni, Stormie isn’t
concerned with anyone’s feelings and doesn’t
care if she offends them. To Stormie, she’s got a
job to do and she’s not going to let anyone ruin
this career opportunity for her - not even Sunni.

Sydney (Sydney Hallett) - Sydney has always
dreamed of being a famous actress. She’s come
to Local Ambition in hopes of getting the right
exposure to land a big role in movies or
television. While she waits on her big break,
Sydney acts in local murder mystery dinner
theaters. After looking through countless casting
calls, she found “Alien Dad.” Believing that this
could be the film that catapults her into super
stardom, Sydney tries to rehearse her lines on set
whenever she can. With no modeling experience,
she needs to learn how to model in order to
survive in this competition. Can she balance her
acting aspirations and the competition at the
same time?

Yassah (Yassah Moten) - Not much is known
about Yassah - and she’d rather keep it that way.
Instead of socializing, Yassah prefers to sit in the
back of the room and listen to death metal when
she’s not shooting. Her tolerance for people is
thin and she finds her patience being tested on
her first day on set. Will she shed some of her
rough exterior and make friends? Or will she
lose her temper?

Supporting Cast
---------------------------------

Mileko Coopwood as “Mileko Constantino,
Attorney at Law”

Ciara Kennell as “Ciara Stone”

Jack Miller as “Cameron Cage”

Murphy Lee as “Murphy Lee”

Catherine Duc - Her remix of Paloma Rush’s
“Drive” will be featured on the show.
Murphy Lee - Formerly of the St. Lunatics
with Nelly. Like Nelly, Murphy has branched
out and started a solo career. Some of his
music will be featured on the show as well.

September 17

- Online Premiere @ www.
alwayslatetv.com.

Each Monday, a new episode will be
available. This season will have 8
episodes.

November 5

- Local Ambition Magazine goes on
sale. This is the first time we’ve ever
done this. The issue will be one-time
only. It will feature information about
the show; each of the cast members
and episodes; have never before seen
photos and artwork inside.

Director -Kevin Edwards

Writers - Kevin Edwards & Brandy

Palmer
Director of Photography - Kaleb Helle
Photographer - Brad Prime
Sound - Noah Kiernan & Nicholas Fisher
Producers - Dearra Johnson & Brandy
Palmer
Casting Director - Kevin Edwards
Casting - Brandy Pamer, Chelsi McKeal,
Brad Prime, Dearra Johnson, & Nikki
Serenity
Confessional Backdrop Designed by -
Kevin Edwards, Kacy Brzezinski, Sydney
Hallett, and (in spirit only) Nikki Serenity.
To be fair, Nikki sat on a beanbag all
night while the rest of us worked on the
backdrop.

Artwork by - @gooey.io & Len Kiraly
Final Stage Designer - Barbara Bultman

Sara Alexandra

Founder and Owner of

Shotcaller Magazine

Photographer
Jeff Dostalek

sara@shotcallermagazine.

Michelle

Debonis

Photographer

Victor Ortiz

Rakose

Photography

Angela & AJ

Photo by

Jace Jackson

BTaaylloarinJaansen

Dobos

MPPLhahoroitiksotagoergaKprBuhakeeprlihsnekris



Rachel

Moehr

Photographer

Chris Moehr

MUA

Danielle Alise



by Rio Azzurro Productions

In seven years, the majority of
my work, about 85 to 90 percent,

has been shot with source or
free light.

This has allowed for several things to occur in my career; Flexibility, I can

shoot anywhere without lugging equipment, or attracting attention. Manual Mode
usage, mastering this light source forces me to use M Mode, I've gotten adept at this
to the point I don't even know what I set my camera to and I have reduced the amount
of noise to practically none. Lighting techniques, okay I have a little bit of a cheat with this, I

learned lighting in a theater setting from someone with a Masters in scenic and lighting design, so
my eye is attuned to the way light acts, but I know where to put the subject in relation to the source
of light.

So, what is free or source light, photographers often call this natural light, and a majority of them
have no idea how to shoot a human subject without blowing out the highlights or casting the
subject in deep shadows using only this light source, so they choose to shoot with a Speedlight just
to get the shot.

In some areas this is a good idea, but here in lies another problem, many don't know how to properly use the
Speedlight and often blow out the subject or create flat light across the subject. Some photographers all they
do is use this light, many times for events, and they bounce the light off ceilings or walls, or diffuse directly.

Most photographers know that the golden hour is the best time for free light, but there are some that many
don't think of and depending on the look you want, you can shoot across any time of day in manual mode
without equipment.

Mornings and cloudy days have a softer light source and often times you can get away with shooting in this
light. The clouds act like a diffuser while the morning sun is a softer light and has a different light hue. I
would sit your ISO at 100 to 200 for these, and early morning just before sunrise I would go up as high as
400, and no further. Make sure you bump the ISO down as the light fills the sky.

Mid-morning and Mid-afternoon the light is sitting at about 75% brightness and the best way to shoot is with
the light diffused or reflected, like off a skyscraper or in an open-air veranda with a covered ceiling or roof. If
shooting in an urban setting you can shoot with reflected light and get amazing images. Stick with a 200 ISO.

High Noon light is best avoided when using directly. It's a harsh, usually straight above your subject and
prone to creating massive highlight blowouts for the inexperienced photographer, and usually if you don't
know manual mode, adjusting to reduce highlight blowouts you run into blowing out the background.

I have worked around this by shooting in parking garages, or open-air verandas. The light is diffused enough
to still get an image, occasionally I buck tradition and use this for a certain look. I am not saying don't shoot
in this light, just be prepare for an artistic look.

Just past Golden hour light, with the fading sun, and avoiding noise it's possibly to obtain photos with this
light. Bump your ISO to between 500 to 700. You could go as high as 800, but it’s pushing it unless you know
manual mode and are comfortable going higher.

To shoot with free light make sure your subject is well lit and use the most direct or fullest light possible,
often times a few steps forward or backward directly near the light by your subject will change the

brightness of light on them. Many times, this is your only light and so you can create dramatic shadows with
a single light.

Shooting in a space with a light source, like neon, fluorescent lights, sconces, LED lamps, require even more
ingenuity. Spaces that use these lights include enclosed spaces like underground walkways, underground
parking garages, subway platforms and other similar places, take on their own challenges such as the light
itself, which may create a massive amount of noise in the light spill, which is not direct light, or if they are LED
the lighting will be smooth. Shooting in these spaces I have found that the downcast of most lights is roughly
between 0 to 45 Degrees, so judge the height of the space in relations to the height of the subject and put
them right inside the edge of this cast to get perfect light.

Shooting source lights like these at night will sometimes recreate a black backdrop, with a single light, or give
you darker tone. Occasionally outdoor art sculptures are lit from above and these lights are perfect to use. Sit
your ISO between 700 and 900 and you should get the light perfect.

For night time shoots I favor the local university, 3 hours just after sunset. I also use the campus on Sunday
mornings and I have several places that I use on a consistent basis because the lighting is consistent, the
area is safe and is out of the way from high volume traffic.

To note use the white balance settings on DSLR Cameras to your advantage, which you can adjust to change
the color of the light, if you are unsure of which white balance setting to use, mess around with it. I have
used the K setting on mine and adjust to ether create a moody blue hue or a rich orange hue that changes
the feeling of your image. Or you bump it so that the subjects skin tone is close to their tone while still having
a bluish tint to the background.

Shooting at night in some areas is not a good idea for safety reason, and sometimes areas are patrolled by
security or the police, so the utmost discretion and understanding of the subject's safety is highly advised.

Also remember that shooting with free light is often times a privilege, so be courteous to the people and
area. Some places, while in the public, maybe private, if someone asks you to leave, do so without arguing or
causing a scene. No one likes the photographer who destroys a good spot because of their behavior.

If you like the lighting, ask how you can reach the owner and let the security know that it’s because you like
the light. Don’t count on it, but if security thinks your subject is pretty, they might tell you to leave before they
come back again. If they say this, shoot your image and leave, don’t hang around to test if they are serious.

Rio Azzurro

Productions

Missy is a Published

Natural Light
photographer. She began
her amazing journey in
photography in mid 2009
after the tragic loss of her
father, Joe. Her husband
Ashley, bought her first
Sony DSLR so she could
capture images of him with
her children and family
prior to his passing. For the
past 9 years, Missy has
been working hard to
create beautiful and
moving works of art, as
well as dabbling in
landscape, vehicle, and
family oriented
photography. She has
worked with many well
known and prestigious
models within the New
Mexico modeling
community and looks to
add new faces to her
portfolio within the coming
years. Concept
photography is definitely a
strong suit for Missy and
she is open to working with
models who might have
their own concepts. For
Missy, photography is a
great escape from daily life
where she can dream and
create beautiful works for
all walks of life to enjoy.

Elena is fairly new to the modeling

scene, however, her portfolio is very
strong. She wanted to create a fun and
whimsical carnival shoot and she did
just that. We walked around
experiencing a plethora of different
looks and reactions, but we pushed
forward and created magic! Nightlife at
the County Fair is full of so many
beautiful photographic opportunities
and Elena showcased them all.

Wardrobe is as follows:

Pink Sparkle Dress is by "As you Wish"
White Skirt and Yellow Sunglasses are
from "Dyvinne"
Yellow/Stripped Top is by "Love Culture"
out of Albuquerque
Watch is Michael Kors

Roosevelt County Fair





Photographer

Kim R Johnson

( KRJohnson Photography )

Jessica File

Photographer

Andrew Burnette



by Mike Benkis

There are a few things I look for when I scout
a location, one being the availability of shade,
and interesting backgrounds.

https://benkisphotography.com/

For city photography you look for buildings time to scout locations for shoots. Scouting is a
very vital part of doing photography. To me it says
that provide shade that have an interesting that the photography lacks the motivation to do
skyline or neat buildings behind them. If there their profession well, if they don't make time to
are no available shaded spots but the scout locations. Scouting for me begins with a
background is interesting, I check for the simple question. What scene am I looking for? Most
position of the sun for the time of day I shoot. of the time it is something natural, so I pull up
You will generally have an easier time google map and look at the places around me on
photographing your subject if you place the sun satellite. This way I can see on the map which way I
to their back. This creates even lighting on their would need to face in order to get that nice golden
face, they wont have to squint because the light light of sunset, or what direction the model would
isn't directly hitting their face, and creates a need to face depending on the time of day.
natural hair light, which will give their hair a Nebraska specifically has a number of other
resources like our Games and Parks website. They
Finding a location also requires some leg work. I've list out every park in the state by county, and they
was recently part of an online discussion about have a map feature that shows where the parks are.
photographers giving out their locations to people Take an hour (depending on the drive) out of your
and I am of the opinion that there are locations that I day and just explore what ever park you pull up and
just don't share. It's not to be mean or not to try and look for a few spots that look interesting. Bring your
prevent another photographer from one upping me. camera along, just to get an idea of what framing
It's simply because that photographer did nothing to would look like through your lens. Using this
find that location no matter how public it is. Some of method, I've found a wide variety of spots in
the excuses I read from people saying they don't Nebraska from sunflower fields to a beaches, and
have time to scout working a full time job. Well I can they are all on public land. Once you have scouted
tell you all that I work a full time job that provides out a few locations, don't be afraid to take different
me with benefits and 401k, but I also do photography angles once you start shooting. Shooting low can
full time. I still make time for my family and make create some unique looking shots, as can shooting
high.

Nikki Serenity

Cover Model

Nikki Serenity - Nikki is
from a small town
outside of St. Louis
called Belleville,
Illinois. Like Chelsi,
there’s not much
happening in her
town. Nikki developed
an interest for fashion
in high school. She
loved shopping; trying
on clothes; and posing
in front of the mirror.
This simple activity
boosted her
confidence and made
her want to pursue
modeling. From that
point on, she looked
at as many fashion
magazines as she
could. The models in
Vogue intrigued her
because of how
strange and dramatic
their poses were. She
would look at the
poses in the magazine
and imitate them at
home.

She tried out for Local Ambition, because
there aren’t many opportunities like it.
She knew that she would have a chance to
get her name out there and finally pursue
modeling (and acting) seriously.
Nikki’s favorite parts about the show are
making friends; being creative; competing;
making media appearances; and shooting
for magazines. “Local Ambition is all-
around an amazing opportunity,” she says.

Photographer

BRAD PRIME

Chelsi McKeal
Cover Model
Chelsi McKeal - Granite City

is known for producing steel - not
models. Chelsi is the exception.
She decided that she wanted to
become a model when she was
15 years old. She had picked up
photography as a hobby, but
discovered how good she was in
front of the camera. Her
modeling aspirations led her to
Local Ambition. She wanted to
get out of her shell and show the
world what she’s made of. It
wasn’t until she was filming last
year’s season that she decided
that she loved acting. Chelsi had
just finished filming the
kidnapping scene from Local
Ambition VI and looked at
director, Kevin Edwards, and said,
“That was so much fun!”

Since being on the show, Chelsi
has jumped head first into acting
and modeling. She says that the
best part about being on the
show is having the support of the
cast and crew. “The show has
built my confidence up so much.
I’ve always had low self esteem
and Local Ambition was the only
opportunity I found that doesn’t
judge people for how they look.
The only two things that matter
on the show are your personality
and professionalism.”

Photographer Despite her seniority, Chelsi is the
youngest cast member currently
Brad Prime on the show. She turns 21 in
October.

Photographer

BRAD PRIME













Shane Echternach
Jessica File

Photographer

David Ellis

Caleb Millon

Kristen Drake

Photographer

Tersur Orsar



Shannon Griffey

Photographer

Adam Flogstad



Gypsy: Shannon Donnelly-Loureiro
Female Model: Madeline Voss
Male Model: Frankie Ali

Photographer

Mike Benkis

Skyler Tucker

Maymie

Mitchell

Photographer

Corey Jones