Vik: Warm Smiles & Slavic Charm

 

Vik is an aspiring model who saw my work and expressed an interest in shooting with me. She was looking to return to modelling after a break and sought to boost her confidence. Vik felt slightly constrained by studio settings and wanted to do something location-based. I suggested a mixture of spring fashion, headshots, and portraits, since the latter could be used in various professional contexts, modelling and otherwise. 

Vik was fairly local to me, but having not worked together previously, I was eager for her to choose a location she felt most secure and comfortable in. She also advised she would be bringing her husband as a chaperone. Chaperones are again, absolutely fine with ne, so long as they are an uninvasive, supportive influence. 

I had also urged her to bring "herself" as I like to capture someone's character and personality throughout the session. Upon meeting I learned she was originally from Slovakia and, having family from the former Eastern block we chatted about Slavic people, some of the cultural similarities and contrasts. I had always been very taken by their tremendous warmth that lay beneath a slightly austere exterior, shaped in no small part by the Soviet era where outward expression of emotion was frowned upon.  

Conversation flowed readily, her comfort and confidence grew progressively, and I clicked away unobtrusively bringing a mix of posed and candid captures. Vik was very self-aware and had a wonderful desire to learn and develop. At 5'9 (175cm) she is relatively tall and I was keen to capture this in the most flattering ways possible. We were mutually pleased with the results of our first two hours, and I hope to work with her in future.  These were taken using my trusty A6300 and 50mm 1.8 Sony prime lens. 

Blue: Tattooed Dancer

 

Blue has a dance background and approached me regarding shooting a range of themes, from lingerie to full-frontal nudes. Themes I am comfortable shooting, provided they tell a story and where appropriate, capture something of the model’s personality.

Blue was very personable, warm and engaging, which makes my job that bit easier, although I always make time to cultivate rapport before and during the shoot. I took these with a single lens-mounted reflector and using only window light.

Thankfully there was ample, negating need for slow shutter speeds and tripods, allowing me to weave about seamlessly taking frames while the conversation flowed, and Blue wasn’t overly aware of the camera- a technique I practiced while getting candid shots of people in industrial contexts. We achieved a pleasing amount well within the allotted two-hours and have agreed to shoot again at a mutually convenient time.  

Jen- A Cheeky Valentine

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Elle: Tall & Tattooed

 

I discovered Elle while having a wander around the portfolio hosting and networking sites. January, as most of us know can be a long, slow month, so I relish the opportunity to get creative. Alternative is one of those words, rather like Bohemian that has arguably been used to the point of losing its meaning.  

In a modelling context it refers to characteristics or features that arguably wouldn’t be of interest to high fashion and traditional model agencies. However, some highly experienced models can and do transition from the world of bridal and traditional modelling.  

Elle stands 5’10 tall, which certainly falls into the beautiful end sought by fashion houses and publications. She’d been modelling for a decade both here in the UK and Italy. We discussed themes and locations- neither of us shoot from our homes and for mutually appreciated reasons. Privacy and personal security being high up the list.  

Elle secured a hotel for our first meeting. We’d discussed some themes- bold and adventurous but without crossing into gratuitous nudity.  I was also keen to capture who Elle was and moreover, a comfortable model always produces better images. I always start a shoot with the emphasis upon clothed and then transitining slowly to nudity.  

Aside from establishing happy, comfortable rapport between both model and photographer, it allows me to see how someone stands, moves and evaluate how to pose them. I also make a point of letting the model lead, especially an experienced model such as Elle who knows her body and how to create flattering angles. During this phase ideas tend to flow seamlessly. Sometimes this translates beautifully in the final images, sometimes not but that’s all part of the creative process. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  

These were shot using natural light, alternating between 25mm and 50mm prime lenses.  

Third Trimester: Maternity with Teigan

 

Teigan got in touch, having seen that I'd worked with her sister, Rose back in August. Teigan was in her third trimester of pregnancy and was keen to capture this phase, while she still had the energy. We planned the shoot within a matter of hours on the 27th of December, arranging to shoot from her home on the 29th.  

Fog was our biggest challenge. It had barely lifted in seven days and while her home let in considerable amounts of natural light, I needed to reach for portable lighting, reflector and primarily rely on my 1.8 50mm Viltrox lens. Teigan had modelled in the past, along with their mother, so she posed very naturally and seamlessly, which makes the photographer’s job considerably easier.  

Georgia & The Storms

 

Georgia is an experienced model from Stoke on Trent. She’s also an experienced photographer, which can be incredibly helpful when setting up lighting, backdrops and conceptualising images. We discussed a mix of themes but when she remarked she doesn’t like being restricted by clothes, a tasteful nude set was the obvious route. I like to employ clothes and, other props to keep things interesting. There is a limit to the number of poses before things can become a little staid.  

Much of photography revolves around control of light but soft skills, such as rapport and effective communication before and during the shoot is similarly significant. An uncomfortable model is just as detrimental as a flat 1-, or 2-dimensional image. These were taken during storm Darragh using a mix of natural light and a single soft box, a 35mm F2 and 50mm 1.4.