This is my second year to enter NAHA. This is my experience.

What is NAHA? The North American Hairstyling Awards is one of the most prestigious hair photography competitions. There are 14 categories including Avant Garde, Make-up Artist of the year, Student, Texture etc… This annual contest has been going on since 1993. Pictured below are a couple of hairstylists that are very aspirational to me. Local Stylist, Allen Ruiz, won Best hairstylist of the year of 2013. His salon, Jackson Ruiz, is right down the street from mine. Also, Matt Swinney, has won in the past. I look up to him as well because he is the Artistic Director for L’ANZA haircare. The award show is held in Vegas in July where they will announce the winners. The submissions were due in early February and preparation began several months ahead of time.

Two of many NAHA Winners of 2013 Paired with an Sample of their Work

My 2014 Avant Garde Entry

North American Hairstyling Awards 2014
Entered in the Avant Garde Catagory
Photographer Steve Wampler
Model Lexi Solon
Make-up Gracie Silvas
Hair Rachael Dunn

North American Hairstyling Awards 2014
Entered in the Avant Garde Catagory
Photographer Steve Wampler
Model Leo Salvador
Make-up Gracie Silvas
Hair Rachael Dunn

North American Hairstyling Awards 2014
Entered in the Avant Garde Catagory
Photographer Steve Wampler
Model Bethany Bond
Make-up Gracie Silvas
Hair Rachael Dunn

A Few Examples of the actual NAHA Finalists…

My 2014 Competition

My Story

It is a dream of mine to win this contest one day. I am yet to be a finalist but I plan on entering every year until I do. I could not have done this without the support of my salon. Bella has provided a roof over my head, food budgets, opened early and stayed open late. My colleagues have helped me develop ideas, done makeup for my models, and lifted me up during the hard times. Much love to my friends at Bella! Here are some behind the scenes footage of the making of the hair pieces, the run throughs and the final photo shoots. The materials used were a lot of $3.99 bags of synthetic hair from a local wig shop, fabric stiffener, Super Quick Grip Spray Adhesive, and jewelry wire. The tools I used were an iron and ironing board, parchment paper, exact-o knives, cutting boards, and graph paper. The inspiration was laser cut outs, like the ones in leather skirts. The day of the shoot, I styled the models’ hair normally and then attached the hair pieces with hair pins.

Special thanks to:

Models Bethany Bond, Lexi Solon, and Leo Salvador

Photographer Steve Wampler http://www.stevewamplerphotography.com

Make up artist Gracie Silvas http://www.beautylovegrace.com

This was my 2013 submission in the Avant grade Category. This photo was recognized by Oribe and published in Modern Salon Magazine in December of 2013. Not bad for my first year entering. Even when you don’t win you get to add to your portfolio and someone just might notice!

Modern Salon December 2013 Publication
North American Hairstyling Awards 2013 Entry
Avant Garde
Photographer Steve Wampler
Model Brigid Clare Flanagan
Makeup Jessica Timko
Hair Rachael Dunn