Bikinis for Charity:High Fashion Photographer Chris Kilkus and Liberian Model Telena Cassell.

May 30, 2008 - PRLog -- Picture Perfect; Miss Liberia and her Swimsuit Charity Calendar Shoot

Telena J. Cassell, leading Liberian model, is back from representing Liberia in China and is charging full stream into her charity calendar project. Photographer Chris Kilkus photographed her on April 14th earlier this year a week before her trip to Beijing.Producer Barry Wayne was on hand to assist.

Their shoot was a hectic one; starting in the wee hours of the morning and ending  late at night.  Telena is photographed exclusively in the Ashley Paige Swimwear Collection and Ashley Paige for Girls Gone Wild Swimwear. Marilyn Kentz, and Nancy Owen contributed acessories from their collections.

Telena has modeled internationally and has worn the title Miss Liberia in several international pageants.  She was also officially appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the Republic of Gambia in February 2008, though she has been serving as an ambassador since June 2007.

Tell us a little about the charity calendar?

"The Charity Calendar is a project that is very dear to me and I am so excited to have had the opportunity to have partnered with so many talented professionals to create this calendar. I am very thankful to the people at Ashley Paige for lending me their support. Ashley Paige is a very big name in the swimwear industry and her line has graced the covers and pages of Swimsuit Illustrated for years. I think a lot of people will really enjoy the calendar. It is very tastefully done and I am very satisfied with Chris Kilkus’s work. He is an awesome photographer and he worked hard to make sure each month has a totally different feel. We had a great team of celebrity stylists and it really made a difference. Look out for the promo video on youtube next month. The promo video was shot by Scott Moore and has footage from the whole shoot, including interviews with members of the production team."

What was the hardest part of the shoot?

"I think the hardest part of the shoot was the physical toll it took on me. I was pretty relaxed when I arrived but we all put in a lot of effort into an all-day shoot. At around 10 pm I found myself laying in a custom made pool of steaming water flat on my back in an awkward position. Beyond that I was tired and the steam from the water only intensified it. At one point ,Barry who was assisting Chris at the shoot could tell I was uncomfortable and kept laughing. It was definitely a comical moment as I struggled to keep a straight face. Chris just shook his head at us while trying not to smile. He really kept me focused and on target."

The Charity Calendar will be available online and in selected bookstores. The calendar is a collectible art photography compilation that will be available in limited numbers. A photo gallery exhibit will be held later this year to showcase Chris Kilkus’ work on this project. Proceeds will go to charity projects in Liberia and the Republic of Gambia.The website for the calendar www.thecharitycalendar.com will be launched late June.

The Team
Photographer: Chris Kilkus at The Rex Agency
Producer: Barry Wayne
Hair Stylist: Randy Stodghill at Exclusive Artis Management
Stylist: Vanessa Gelbach at Rex Agency
Make up Artist: Autumn Moultrie at Exclusive Artist Management
Assistant Stylist:Marilyn Kentz
Videographer:Scott Moore (606media)
Acessories:Marilyn Kentz and Nancy Owen

Please fax press inquiries or request for interviews to Black Cat PR at 310 644 5637.

Photographer Backstory:
Chris Kilkus is a talented photographer represented by the Rex agency. His Clients include GAP, Macy's, Mervyn's Billabong, Herve Leger, BCBG Max Azria, Banana Republic, Stuff Magazine, Vogue Magazine, Hampton's Magazine and many others.