Darcy

 

Darcy is a plus-size model, returning to the industry after a break. She caught my attention having posted a casting on a networking site. I tend to make my approach and if my style of work appeals, the model and I will discuss themes and date(s) from there. Darcy was keen on some headshots, portraits, and autumnal/winter fashion and the close of October seemed the best fit.  

I hadn’t been to Southend on Sea since the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns struck.  Changeable weather also requires lots of forward planning and I was a little disheartened to discover the heavens opening along the A127- I'd been scouring the online forecasts and all suggested dry until at least1300hrs and we were shooting outdoors for two hours- from 11 onward.  

Despite some initial drizzle, the weather held, and the cloudy skies added further mood to the images. The beach and deserted beach huts were an obvious, though very welcome backdrop, ditto some of the shuttered, seasonal vendors nearby. Darcy was originally spotted at a car show on the South Coast and helped by an interest in classic cars, things developed from there.  

She has a degree in Graphic Design and secured work in this field, post-graduation. In common with a lot of models, she’s had a few challenges too, and testament to her character that she’d overcome them and kept a warm, positive outlook. I thoroughly enjoyed our shoot and would happily work with her again. These images were taken using the faithful A6000 and A6300 tag team coupled with 33mm 1.4 and 60mm 2.8 prime lenses.    

Shooting with Sam

Sam is a novice model, who wanted to cultivate a strong port-folio. While modelling has certainly become less prescriptive, male models seeking editorial and fashion assignments should stand at least 1m80 tall. 

Sam stands 1m90 and weighs a commensurate 86kilos. He is looking toward fashion and lifestyle but very keen to avoid nude, implied, or similarly provocative style. Genres which might compromise his career prospects, beyond modelling.

Based in Chelmsford, Southend was within easy reach for both of us, and offers a decent mix of backdrops.

Having met by Southend Central Station, I took him to a favourite row of murals and shot a few frames to warm up, gauge camera settings and put him at ease. Several large retail outlets had folded, their premises shuttered and seemingly derelict. However, street homelessness was less apparent than September, when I shot with Gena Rose.

I didn’t want to reuse those backdrops, so we moved to London Rd. An alleyway, behind a row of derelict shops, to be precise. I was looking for a wrought iron/similarly industrial looking staircase.

These would provide a slightly edgier feel, while accentuating his height and build. Though seemingly deserted, being the alley was a dead end we needed to shoot quickly.

I switched to my Samsung NX3000 and 30mm f2 lens.

Discarded cans of lager, baby baths and a decomposing sludge also prompted more careful risk assessment.  Despite the heightened sense of alert, we progressed, uninterrupted and at a calm, purposeful pace for fifteen minutes.  

Next destination was a coin operated (and seemingly) self-service, Launderette.

Aside from two women (who later revealed they were hoping Sam was going to re-enact the iconic 1985 Levi’s 501 commercial) we were left in peace, to tweak settings, retouch hair, and thaw out a little.

Our audience was gracious but neither of us fancied a long, potentially difficult explanation, with an attendant, or owner. So, we smiled, nodded and moved to more salubrious, residential side streets. I’d parked along one, and clocked some garage doors, with peeling paint. Perfect.

Being private property, I knocked at the house. No-one was home, or at least, willing to engage. Therefore, being in full view of passers-by I directed Sam for several frames, and a total of ten minutes. By this point, (a good 90 minutes in) I decided we’d earned lunch, and a break.   

Re-fuelled, we headed to the Kursaal, and to our final set, since more wintry weather and low cloud were beginning to encroach. The old Grosvenor rock factory, and shuttered arcades proved perfect backdrops.

Heading back towards the station, we were approached by a young man, begging for money. I will buy food/coffee/similar but don’t give cash, since it is often used to fuel an addiction.

Something that became very apparent, when the man’s trouser leg lifted, revealing a badly ulcerated calf and foot, complete with track marks…All too prevalent in the once proud, and bustling seaside towns.  

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...