Maryna...By the Marina

 

Maryna got in touch, inviting me to shoot with her, since she was in the region. She liked my ability to capture flattering images both in the studio and location. Flattered, I gladly accepted, and so pleased I did. Standing 5’9 she is very striking. Pre-shoot communications were very professional, and I gave her a free hand in terms of clothing choice and style. Wherever possible, I like to capture a model’s character and personality, although there are times, say in a commercial setting, where they have to be a canvas for the designer, makeup artist, hairdresser etc.  

Maryna is originally from Ukraine but began her modelling career in Germany in 2020. I wasn’t surprised to find her approach and subsequent communications ultra-professional and straightforward. We agreed on a two-hour shoot by the quayside- it was central, public, but had plenty of scope for uninterrupted shooting. She arrived promptly and immaculately prepared, ready to shoot. We started with the black and red theme, switching to the yellow and black. It was cool and blustery, but thankfully the rain forecast didn’t materialise.

Come the close of the second set, we’d been shooting for 1hour with nominal rest and sensing she was a little cold, I suggested we break in the warm. Twenty-five minutes and a change later, we were back in the quieter areas and shot for a further twenty minutes until I realised we'd gone over by five minutes. I closed at his point, since both had other appointments and didn’t want us to be rushed. These were shot at F2 using my A6300 body and equally trusty Sony 50mm 1.8 lens.       

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.