when I say Jesse McCartney what comes to mind?….hmmm…probably that sticky pop song ‘Beautiful Soul’ sung by a pre-pubescent 12 year old? Yea exactly….

I read an article in Envy Magazine the other day talking about his hibernation and the work it took to try to get him off his sophomore slump. In that business imagine how hard it could be to get someone to think that Jesse McCartney is more than just a teen-aged heart throb. Oh btw he co-wrote Bleeding Love…that sultry #1 song by Leona Lewis…I know that’s what I said.

So, his new single and video on you tube had had close to 4mil views. Crazy huh?

So what is this all about?….Check out his ‘Beautiful Soul‘ Video then check out his ‘Leavin’ video.

Huge difference right!???! Obviously enough you know they are selling more than a song and yes he’s older and his target audience has changed.

Anyway, what are my thoughts and why does all this matter…? Especially to me?

I’m always looking at this kind of stuff to see what kind of subtleties the bigwigs are pushing in terms of market perception and image. If you’d pay attention to it you’d realize its EVERYWHERE….It worked for Jesse McCartney didn’t it?
So, the video is saturated with sensuality of course, but how is it achieved? It’s the subtleties that make a HUGE difference. (Hand placement, body positioning, camera angles). Theres a sensual tension between the guy and girl right? It’s not what they explicitly say but what is left up to you to perceive.

In an engagement session it can be a bit tough to convey an intimate interactions. It’s my job to make people feel comfortable…Of course you probably can’t take it to this level many times but sometimes it works. It’s good to try it just to see what happens. If nothing else you might get some funny out takes when the couple burst out in hysterical laughter after trying something remotely sensual in front of a camera. No! I don’t mean dirty…I mean intimate. Get over it. It’s not a big deal. Take a few cues from the industry leaders. Clearly it makes for great visualization.

What I like about it: It’s the subtleties I’m crazy about. Not the overt sexual stuff of course…cause that is tacky…No bueno! I especially like the really quick, could have been sweet if it wasn’t for the whole half nakedness, scene where the girl has her head on his shoulder while sitting on those chairs…

Here’s a one of my faves from Sarah + Aldo’s Engagement Session about a month ago:

Till next time…

-J