Brooklyn-based beauty and fashion photographer Wendy Hope was recently awarded first place in the beauty category of Photo District News' "The Look" contest. Beauty and fashion experts judged the contest for Photo District News in both editorial and advertising. Moreover, Wendy's winning image made the December 2013 cover of Scratch Magazine. The winning image - "Onyx Blue Electric Spike" - is from Wendy's series, The Tao of Wu, an artistic endeavor conceptualized and photographed by Wendy.

The winning image along with the rest of the series received an unprecedented response and was published both in Fault Magazine online as well as Scratch Magazine as both a cover and a full inside feature story.

Scratch Magazine Cover
"Onyx Blue Electric Spike" from the series "The Tao of Wu"
Kleen Color in Metallic Blue
Shiny top coat is Honey's Own Secret

Wendy's creative beauty shoot contrasted black makeup with very specific lighting that gave her control of the highlights and shadows. This created a blank canvas so as to make the nails the focus and the main 'accessory' of the shoot. Wendy worked with makeup artist Margina Dennis to create the dramatic look that had black glitter finishes, and manicurist Honey (of Nailz by Honey) was responsible for the vivid nail art.

The result is a striking series of unconventional beauty portraits, accessorized with dramatic nails that were responsible for the naming of each image in the series. The looks included Onyx Blue Electric Spike, Matte Black Chanel, Metallic Snakeskin, and Camouflage. For Metallic Snakeskin, Wendy used her own pet iguana, Godzilla's, shedding skin to paint on!

"Metallic Snakeskin" from the series "The Tao of Wu"
Kleen Color in Metallic Red, Metallic Orange and Metallic Green
Shiny top coat is Honey's Own Secret

The shoot really distinguishes Wendy as a versatile, multi-faceted photographer and visual artist, and displays her expertise in creating new, dramatic, and exciting looks in beauty. Wendy's use of lighting and shine in this series is truly remarkable.

"Matte Black Chanel" from the series "The Tao of Wu"
Black Fudging Ugly by Manglaze

It just shows the extraordinary creativity that can come about when the right model, makeup artist, manicurist, and a visual artist like Wendy Hope work together. Wendy's first place win is well deserved.

"Camouflage" from the series "The Tao of Wu"
Wasabi Green, Swampthing Green, Black Dahlia, and Tarred by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics