Natalie captured the cover of this year's Ben-Gals calendar.
For fans of the Cincinnati-based NFL cheerleaders for the Bengals, the long wait is over. The Ben-Gals' 2009-2010 calendar has been released. Each month features one of the beautiful women who earned a place on this year's squad.
Kenneth R. Collopy, artistic director for Perfections Salon, the official salon of the Ben-Gals, said at the calendar unveiling party, "These women are some of the most beautiful, talented and sweet girls you'd ever want to meet. We take care of their hair year-round, but the photo shoot for the calendar is one of the highlights of our year. After 50 years of doing hair for editorial shoots, you'd think I'd be tired of it by now, but I always look forward to this calendar shoot."
According to Collopy, this is the seventh year the Ben-Gals have published a calendar. The photography for the calendar takes about six or seven day-long photo shoots across four or five weeks, he said. Because the nearly 30 cheerleaders have full-time careers, scheduling can be difficult. "Thankfully, we don't do the scheduling. All my team has to do is show up and make sure the women are beautiful and their hair is perfect for the camera!" Collopy said. "This is the third year we have styled their hair for the annual calendar."
The images are shot against various backdrops throughout Cincinnati. Jim Stouffer of Columbus-based Stouffer's Photography and Visations.com handles the photography and the design of the calendar.
"This year, Jim and Ben-Gals' Director Charlotte Jacobs wanted a softer look for their hair," Collopy said. "We are at arms' length from the girls throughout the shoot, following Jim's direction, making suggestions and making sure the hair stays just right."
Perfections' Color Director Angela Gatrell handled both the hair color and extension work. Drycutting Artist Cheyenne Wright assisted Collopy and worked solo on three of the models. Makeup was by Chenese Bean and Haneen Farhan. Photos of a day in the shoot itself are available on Perfections' website (www.perfectionssalon.com)
Ben-Gals' calendars may be ordered by contacting director Charlotte Jacobs at charlotte.jacobs@
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
