Alternative fun with Amy

Amy contacted me, interested in my style of photography and inviting me to refresh her port-folio. She also happened to be very local, which was another incentive to shoot. Given the present pandemic and accelerating infection rates here in the UK, I am sticking to location work. Having discussed a theme of portraiture and headshots, we talked in terms of woodland backdrops but ultimately, ditched these in favour of a canal and graffiti underpass. A relaxed, though focused two hours followed, with mutually pleasing results.  
 

Apocalyptic Weather, Adaptable Team

Bank holidays are notorious for bandit weather and this Saturday’s second shoot with Silvai was no exception. She wanted to do another location shoot with blossom and other Spring backdrops.  

I had come prepared for this, bringing an umbrella, fleecy towel, and snacks. Conditions turned from hazy sunshine and moderate warmth to torrential rain during my hour-long drive to our destination.  

As before, Silvai was immaculately prepared and determined to make the very best of our time together. Her self-awareness and my relatively fast shooting meant we were able to cheat the weather. Results were mutually pleasing.  

Silvai prefers very subtle editing in terms of colours and contrasts. Given her present hair colour, I fancied something a little bolder, so I gave her what she wanted while taking a more mix n’ match approach for mine.   

These were captured using natural light, my Sony A6000 and A6300, defaulting to the 50mm 1.8, with the occasional switch to 35mm 2.8 lenses and a small, hand-held reflector.   

   

Winter Fashion in The Woods with Emma

Emma reached out to me in the context of a winter fashion shoot. She had plenty of ideas and having thrashed out the finer details, I knew just the location. This was mutually convenient, and according to forecasts, conditions were favourable. Cloudy and 11 degrees. In practice, it was decidedly overcast and felt closer to 7/8 degrees, when windchill was factored into the equation.  

This meant we reviewed our work, from the relative comfort of my car and in between clothing changes. I went for 50mm 1.8 and 60mm 2.8 lenses, Sony A65 and A7 bodies respectively. I also packed my hand-held “Light sabre” LED light, in case we needed a tune able light source, to compliment the reflector.

  

However, a few test shots confirmed this would be unnecessary. Umbrellas were also packed, just in case the weather turned. They’d also double as useful props.  

Standing 5’9 Emma’s height and build favours editorial and fashion commissions. She can also apply makeup to a flattering standard and is very self-ware. The latter helps in the context of posing, although, like all good models, she readily accepts direction.  

Relative seclusion meant we could work, and she could change, without interruption, or unwelcome introspection. Two and a half hours later, pleased with the in camera results, we concluded our shoot and I went home to post-process.   

William

William is an aspiring model, who wanted some help with his portfolio. Standing 6ft tall and weighing 11stone, he has promise for commercial, editorial and fashion work.

He had a very clear idea of his objectives, and what would flatter him. Given December has been decidedly wet, a studio setting might’ve been a more obvious choice. However, the weather forecast was favourable, and William had some specific backdrops in mind.

We shot for two hours and I was impressed with his quiet determination, willingness to learn, and receive constructive criticism. He was due to meet with some  agencies this week, and I’m hoping he got signed.

Pin Up! Vintage Fun With Patricia

Patricia approached me, in the context of a 1940s/50’s pin up theme. Knowing how methodical and hardworking she is, I wasn’t fazed by the relatively short notice.

True to form, she was punctual and meticulous. Hair, makeup and dress were flawless. However, for absolute authenticity, she’d sought the services of a professional stylist.

Saturday 26th October marked the start, of a much-hyped cold snap. Though the air temperature wasn’t wildly unseasonal, wind chill was cutting. We started our shoot in a relatively secluded, private car park. Patricia came prepared with a hoodie and quilted jacket, to retain warmth between shooting.

Though it is widely accepted, that model and photographer need to arrive, equipped for changing conditions, I am very conscious of model comfort.

Therefore, fast shooting and more frequent breaks were imperative. Despite the bracing wind, Patricia posed seamlessly and remained stoical throughout. After 45 minutes, or so, we sook shelter (not to mention heating) in my mighty MK1 KA.

As we thawed out, reviewed the images and chatted about modelling/related matters, a flash of inspiration struck. We decided to ask Yaxley hair and beauty, if they would mind us shooting the final frames, in their salon. http://www.yaxleyhairandbeauty.com/

We were taking a gamble, given it was a Saturday morning. However, Phillipa, http://www.yaxleyhairandbeauty.com/the-team graciously agreed. In common with Paul at Revved Up https://stenningphotographic.blogspot.com/2018/10/all-revved-up.html   , she was also incredibly accommodating, clearing space/equipment-without request, or prompting.

Fifteen minutes later, we were finished. Patricia had another shoot, and admin demanded my attention.

Sincerest thanks go to all the team, at Yaxley Hair & Beauty, for accommodating us at such a busy period, and on spec.

    

On The Waterfront...With Aurora Ray

 No, not the iconic film with Marlon Brando. I’m referring to an evening quayside shoot with Aurora Ray, in Ipswich. I responded to a casting call and we corresponded for a few weeks.  Ideas, concepts and possible locations floated and pondered.

Ipswich is approximately an hour or so’s drive from me, but a town I hadn’t visited for almost three decades. Even then, I was only familiar with the Portman Road area, home to the football club and infamously, a red-light district.

Thankfully, Aurora had excellent local knowledge, which complemented her creative vision.

Little surprise that I leaped at the suggestion of Graffiti and disused quayside buildings…Sunset this time of year, is around 18.45, so we arranged to meet an hour beforehand.

Having successfully orbited the town centre systems during rush hour, I was relieved to discover a car park within easy reach of the quayside. We’d agreed to meet by the University, opposite. Chances were, we’d be wrapped up within an hour or so. However, I’ve an aversion to fines, so fed the meter a little more.

This early in the academic year, you could feel a real sense of anticipation and a generally positive atmosphere from the halls of residence. One that certainly resonated with me, some 26 years since I arrived in London’s East End, fresh faced and decidedly green.

There’s always one student who stands out. In this instance, one losing command of his trousers, while exiting his car. Shortly afterward, a text arrived-Aurora saying she was a few minutes away. She materialised carrying a cluster of red helium balloons and extruding enthusiasm.

Camera bag, reflector and energy-boosting bananas grasped, I locked the KA and Aurora led me along the waterside, with its eclectic mix of bars and restaurants. Their neon signage more intense, as the golden hour loomed. Our first location was a long disused and very derelict factory.

Several stories high, ground floor access points had been sealed and the usual warnings emblazomed across the boards.  She switched from her light summer dress and I fired a few tester shots. The alley, though clearly a street drinker’s refuge, was also moderately trafficked and relatively well lit, which was ideal, in every respect.

One man had my senses screaming with alarm. I was concerned he might attempt to snatch one, or both of our bags. Luckily, he quickly lost interest and shuffled through, without further interaction.  

Aurora has a classic model figure and knew her body well, thus created and moved seamlessly between poses, making the very most of available time and light. Checking the area for broken glass and other sharps, she posed on the pallets, which accentuated her poise and willowy figure.

The next street had these corrugated shutters. I was pleasantly surprised by driver cooperation and sensitivity. Many stopping and seemingly alarmed that they’d interrupted us. Not something you’d experience in a major city, or provincial towns for that matter.

A skate park fired our imaginations, but we opted in favour of a towpath, which also had some very striking and genuinely beautifully crafted murals. The sort so revered, they are left unmolested, by taggers and local authority environmental teams alike. 15 minutes later and the golden hour was almost gone but by this point, we had 80 shots. A short but successful evening…

Gena Rose & Graffiti

Gena approached me via a purpleport www.purpleport.com and expressed an interest in organising a shoot. Pre-shoot communications were excellent, and quickly established direction(s) she was looking to take her modelling.

She’d seen some recent shoots with Krystal and wanted to create something along similar lines. She had some locations in mind, including an abandoned police station. Despite genuine potential, further research and closer scrutiny demanded a rethink.

We eventually settled on Southend on Sea and combining beach, with more urban/alternative themes. Time, location and structure agreed, my second-shooter (Spare camera body for location work) decided to expire, without any warning. This was while doing some fetish themed work.

An expensive weekend, given my car had succumbed to a grumbling CV joint. One which had also formed a seemingly permanent union with the driveshaft. Meanting that too, needed replacing.

On Sunday, I switched to my CSC and 30mm prime lens. Great for street photography but not my first choice for photoshoots. Though attitudes are changing, models tend to be sceptical and perceive them as inferior to SLRs. Models, regardless of experience need to feel confident in a photographer’s abilities.

I was familiar with the area and had taken a drive down during the August bank holiday. Primarily to do some street photography, with a quick bit of location scouting for good measure.

Having met up, we weaved through the side streets, where it was theoretically quieter and warmed up with some headshots/portraits. In common with many town centres, street homelessness is widespread and very apparent.

Affording people dignity and respect goes a long way to averting potentially awkward/dangerous situations. However, hunger, substance misuse and poor mental health can prove a volatile mix.  

We attracted the attentions of passers-by but most people were extremely considerate. Nonetheless, although all publicity is good…We didn’t want an audience and after twenty minutes, headed to the beach.

With the tide long gone and unlikely to return for seven hours, we were forced to abandon our concept of her emerging from the water. Holiday season done, we made good use of an essentially empty beach. Gena stands 5’2 and I often shoot shorter models, while lying down, which suggests they are much taller.   

Ninety minutes in, reserves were flagging, which is not great for creativity. So, we found a suitably clean café’. Conversation flowed easily as we refuelled, relaxed and reviewed the .

Bill settled, we headed out to Westcliff-roughly a mile away, stopping at various points to shoot. This beautifully restored VW fired our imaginations, particularly Gena’s (She’d studied car mechanics).

Wanting to avoid introspection and potential confrontation, we sauntered along the side streets and to some distressed warehouse doors. The dilapidated remains of a car dealership were our last backdrop of the day but won’t be our last collaboration...