William Bichara Photographs Actor JR Martinez

William Bichara, the renowned Dallas fashion and celebrity photographer has a distinctive talent at delving into the depths of his subjects and bringing to life their innermost self. On top of being distinctive and captivating, his end photographs are tasteful and true to character. Every personality, artist or otherwise, who has been photographed by William Bichara was nothing less than overly pleased by the experience of working with William the person, and enjoying the product of William the photographer. The lasting working relationships and often personal friendships that are forged by fashion and celebrity photographer William Bichara with every new shooting experience, make him one of the most unique and sought after photographers in Dallas.

In a recent event for Smiles Charity in McKinney, TX, William had a brief yet valuable one-on-one photo session with a very unique personality who has been described by executive producer of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning daytime drama, ‘All My Children’, as representing the “best of the human spirit”. JR Martinez, a celebrated actor on the show and also a soldier and a motivational speaker is an inspiration to anyone who crosses paths with him. Having been injured and experienced severe burns to over 40 percent of his body while serving as a United States Army infantryman in Iraq, JR has found an exceptional power to turn his tragedy into hope. During his time in recovery, JR had the opportunity to discover the positive impact he had on his fellow patients and decided to use his experience to help others. Since then, JR Martinez has travelled the country, sharing his experience and spreading the message of resilience and hope, thereby becoming one of the highly sought after motivational speakers in the country.

More recently, Martinez’s life journey took him in a new direction as he joined the cast of “All My Children” where he brilliantly plays the character Brot Monroe, a US army soldier injured in combat and battling the implied fate of his love. Since then, he’s been featured in the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, PEOPLE magazine, the New York Times, and New York Daily News, has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, The View, CNN, Inside Edition, FOX News, Good Morning America, Univision, along with other major national news outlets.

Touched by JR’s journey, and inspired by his charm and zeal for life, William Bichara quickly saw beyond the wounds and let his camera do the work of capturing JR’s wonderful spirit. In a series of images very telling of what JR Martinez stands for, William Bichara yet again came through as a photographer with the very unique talent of connecting with his photographed characters on a very deep level and translating his treasured discoveries into images that tell a captivating yet very true version of the character’s story – in this case the inspiring story of the brilliant JR Martinez.

Recently, JR joined Season 13’s contestants on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Shining brighter than ever, JR performed brilliantly throughout the season and was able to dance his way to the Mirror Ball alongside his partner Karina Smirnoff. Congratulations JR! We are very proud of you.

Live your True Life by Ashley Berges

Dabbling with writings in philosophy, poetry and scribbles on social values since her elementary and middle school years, and standing out as a strong debater in high school and as a Hugh O’Brian youth leader after that, Ashley Berges has turned every experience in her life into a building block that shaped her into a seasoned modern times philosopher with a mission. Her mission – guiding people along the path of self discovery and social survival. Her tool – practical philosophy.
 
The name “practical Philosophy” is Ashley’s own depiction of her sensible yet inspiring brand of social principles, all revealed in her newly released book “Live Your True Life”, and summed up in three words – Truth, individuality and presence.
 
Meet Ashley in person, and you’ll see her philosophy come to life. Ashley Berges is a happy, outgoing woman who exudes confidence. Trust the ice to break seconds into your first encounter with her, and if you’re even slightly open to new personal connections,  know that you’ll walk away from your encounter with a tiny seed of a promising friendship in your pocket.
 
Capturing the essence of Ashley’s vibrant yet temperate character for her latest book launch campaign was a photographer no less intense and passionate himself. Fashion and celebrity photographer, William Bichara of Dallas, has recently photographed Ashley Berges and produced portraits most reflective of Ashley’s depth and spirit. Known and valued for the deep connections that he so quickly and effortlessly forges with his clients, William sought to know and deeply appreciate Ashley’s character and philosophy prior to their photography project. The result was an image so captivating and so telling of Ashley Berges’s depth and style that in itself spoke volumes of who she is and what she stands for.
 
William Bichara has a distinctive talent at delving into the depths of his subjects and bringing to life their innermost self. On top of being glamorous and enchanting, his end photographs are tasteful and true to character. Every client, artist or otherwise, who has booked William Bichara Photography to capture his or her personal images has been nothing less than overly pleased by the experience of working with William the person, and enjoying the product of William the photographer. The lasting working relationships and often personal friendships that are forged by fashion and celebrity photographer William Bichara with every new booking, make him one of the most unique and sought after photographers in Dallas.
 

Lina Bichara

The Beautiful Bailey

I had the pleasure to capture some amazing pictures of the beautiful 5'10" model Bailey, who has been working extensively in Milan and Germany as well as Dallas and NY. We shot many rolls, and when looking at them, Bailey actually delivered lots of charm in front of my lens in every single exposure.

Stylist: Candy Eye
Hair: Ali Hasan
Make-Up: Shilpa Koshy
Model: Bailey

The young, handsome American Tenor

The most handsome tenor of this age: JAMES VALENTI, photographed by William Bichara

"appears like model, but on top of that sings wonderfully well..."

Dallas' Rising Star Designer....PRASHE!

Dallas' Rising Star Designer....PRASHE!

OK Fashionistas if you missed the Prashe fashion show last night produced by Jan Strimple here is a brief rundown of the festivities of the magical evening!

The Red Carpet lead you into the modern warehouse where the event was held at the Dallas Contemporary in the Design District in Dallas! Luxurious white sheer drapery and red lighting were surrounding the venue. Hostesses Fashionista’s Heidi Dillon and Terri Provencal of Provencal Consulting wore beautiful saris designed by Prashe.

First down the runway was Prashi’s Society Language collection. Boho chic silhouettes, bold patterns, and silk charmeuse which brought together a collection of fabulous frocks, tops, and skirts designed with ethnic embellishments such as tone-on-tone embroidery and beading. Indian American designer, Prashi Shah created the line to encourage American women to try fashion influences from other cultures. Combining elements from her original couture label with Society Language allows all women to experience the beauty of Indian designs without being intimidated. You could wear this line more everyday. She says, “Diversity cultivates fashion! “.

Next down the runway was her eclectic elegant yet steeped in tradition collection, Prashe, which features hand-embroidery and unique adornments like Swarovski crystals and Indian Zari work on fine silks, brocades and tulle. Prashe is the brand which earned designer Prashi Shah the Fashion Group International Fashion Design Award. Prashe is the leading couturier Indian women seek for their most special occasions but appeals to women of every culture. The line includes a children and bridal collection along with party wear.

The grand finale came when four men carried out a carriage with a beautiful women dressed in a sari down the runway, adorable little girls wearing her designs, a sari clad woman in green with a parrot on her shoulder and finally Prashi Shah herself.
Oh and did you want to know what was in the “SWAGG” Bag??? First of all it was a beautiful hand made bag all of different patterns with a sheer pink ribbon, very cute! My favorites in the bag were the Kiehl products and best of all was a beautiful gold Prashe Indian bracelet with beautiful stones of red and green, I‘m wearing it now!


By: Elizabeth Humphreys for SWAGG Magazine Dallas


Designer of Prashe

Great show! Well Done!

Visit The Prashe Showroom at 13645 Welch Rd, Dallas
972-980-4438

SPECIAL THANKS TO SWAGG'S WONDERFUL AND TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER FRIENDS:

WILLIAM BICHARA OF http://www.williambichara.com/
&
QG CONG OF http://www.qccongphotography.net/

Endorsements

"With the masses having access to high tech cameras and even cameras on cell phones, the title 'photographer' seems to have been diluted in the world of art. As a recording artist and model, I have the great opportunity to work with photographers all around the world. But the tastefulness and elegance that your work exudes will always make you my favorite. When I look at your archives, I am always moved to want to know more about the person you photographed. I think that is what makes your work so distinctive. Your photos stir the emotions and make the viewer want to take action in some way. When we look at your art, we are not just looking at a photo. We are seeing it. I feel that I get to experience a glimmer of the subject's soul when I look at your work. Whether it is the beauty in the delicate lines and battle wounds from a gentleman's face or the simple glow of a woman's body, you are able to translate your perception of beauty into an image. Today, a beautiful picture is just not enough and I love that you really believe that. Your portraits capture intensity, grace, elegance, strength and beauty into timeless images. Ansel Adams said that there are always two people in every photo; the photographer and the viewer. I'm so honored to have had the opportunity to work with such a gifted photographer.

Thank you for embracing all of the challenges and sharing your creativity and passion with the world. " -Mina Chang, Artist, Model

Endorsements

"Why does a photograph have such a powerful effect on our emotions? We can be transported thru an image into our imaginations to stories that convey deep messages of happiness, sadness, triumphs, or distant lands or even the exotic, grotesque, and the all too expected simple beauty.

William Bichara's photographs wonderfully capture emotion, and you cannot help but wonder: what is on his mind when he looks thru his lens? What takes over his thoughts and grabs his spirit to press away at the shutter? There is no doubt that his sentiment is portrayed and his message is clear.

All photography captures a moment, but Bichara not only captures moments but the spirit of the subjects he photographs, it may be a living or a still life, but it becomes emotional and thus we become a part of his subjects.

I had the privilege of being captured by his keen eye and sensibility with his camera. The truth is that it was a photo session with no aesthetic direction except a beautiful, Indian saree that I wore. It was simply the mood and romance of the moment that was to be photographed. I was just the carrier of that mood. He was briefed on the sentiment , and he captured what he felt and his reaction of those feelings. The results are stunning, poetic, and beautiful. The story is told, and once again without fail the emotions are conveyed. Bichara proves to be an artist and his medium: the camera." Leticia Alaniz, Actor, Writer, Photographer