Six stylists had the experience of a lifetime when they were chosen to participate in a photo and video shoot for the JCPenney Salons. They are, from left: Karli (Karla) Mendez | @karli_haircraft, Master Stylist, El Paso, TX | Bayar Ameen, @sandiegohairstylist_b, El Cajon, CA | Brittnay Watson, @heyprettygirls_bristylesllc2, Chicago, IL | Candice Otis, @candi_cutz_stylez, Forestville, MD | Dariela Montaño, Eagle Pass, TX and Taylor Allison | @taywillcutyou, Frisco, TX
Working with clients in the salon is a gift that stylists cherish, but many pros dream of stretching their talents even further. For six JCPenney Salon hairdressers, that dream came true when they were chosen to participate in a professional photo and video shoot for the company.
Watch the JCPenney Salon artists in action on the set.
Daniela Montaño says being from a small town isn’t getting in the way of her big dreams.
Dariela Montaño, Bayer Ameen and four more stylists were charged with creating the looks on models that will be displayed in all of the JCPenney Salons.
Daniela Montaño says being from a small town isn’t getting in the way of her big dreams.
For Montaño, it was all about observing the professionalism of the entire team. “That was something I really admired on set,” she says. She also picked up tips and tricks for creating styles that are polished without appearing stiff, as well as insights into making the most of social media. “Social media was an important topic,” she reveals. “The team shared so much knowledge and we tried to be sponges and absorb as much as possible.”
By far for every stylist, the best part of the entire experience was the opportunity to learn new skills. Watson, for example, was able to work with a hair texture she had never experienced before. “Learning my model’s hair type and how to style it was a truly a teachable moment,” she says. “Jaimee and Brendnetta were so great and patient coaching me.”
Each stylist got the news that they had been chosen from their salon manager. “I was elated,” says Brittnay Watson, of the JCPenney Salon in Chicago.
One of the things that the stylists appreciated the most was the fact that it didn’t matter where they came from. “I couldn’t believe it,” says Dariela Montaño of the JCPenney Salon in Eagle Pass, TX. “I felt honored even being considered because I come from a small salon in a small town. But you’re never left out at jcp. This company always makes you feel included, seen and heard and there are always new opportunities to learn.”
Brittnay Watson learned how to adapt to working in front of a camera.
Watch an exclusive Modern Salon interview with JCPenney Salon Artist Brendnetta Ashley.
Karla Mendez of the JCPenney Salon in El Paso, TX came away with more faith in her own talent. “The biggest thing I learned at the shoot is to trust yourself in your craft,” she says. “We discovered we really do know what we’re doing; we are artists after all! So we should never let a new situation or setting cause us to forget all the knowledge we have.”
Montaño is eagerly looking to the future with her JCPenney Salon family. “When we started working on our models’ hair, the team was always there supporting us and ready to step in if we needed help,” she says. “After the photo shoot we did our video interviews and the crew made us feel so comfortable. I came away feeling so grateful just to be recognized by some of the best mentors in this company and I’m sure there will be many more opportunities for me and for all the stylists at the JCPenney salons!”
All of the attendees agreed—the experience was a confidence-booster in every sense. For Bayer Ameen of the JCPenney Salon in El Cajon, CA it was transformative to see her work come alive on camera. “I’ve even gone on to apply many of the things I learned from the platform artists to my work in the salon,” she says.
Karli Mendez of the JCPenney Salon in El Paso, TX came away with more faith in her own talent. “The biggest thing I learned at the shoot is to trust yourself in your craft,” she says. “We discovered we really do know what we’re doing; we are artists after all! So we should never let a new situation or setting cause us to forget all the knowledge we have.”
Montaño is eagerly looking to the future with her JCPenney Salon family. “When we started working on our models’ hair, the team was always there supporting us and ready to step in if we needed help,” she says. “After the photo shoot we did our video interviews and the crew made us feel so comfortable. I came away feeling so grateful just to be recognized by some of the best mentors in this company and I’m sure there will be many more opportunities for me and for all the stylists at the JCPenney salons!”
Are you ready to start making your own dreams come true? Start by exploring the opportunities that await at the JCPenney Salons.
For Six JCPenney Salon Hairstylists
A Dream Comes True
“I was elated!”
“We tried to be sponges”
“I learned to trust myself”
Learn More
The six were flown to the Evoke Studio in Madison, WI and spent two days preparing models and working on set, under the guidance of Jaimee Smith, Senior Manager, Education and Services and Brendnetta Ashley, Digital Content Manager. They also logged time in front of the cameras, posing for professional photos and sitting for video interviews. And throughout the entire experience, cameras were running, recording their every move for social media!
