Jane F

Jane is a professional, agency represented, mature model. She’s worked in commercial, fashion, editorial, catalogue and catwalk. Alongside this solid modelling career, she’d been a teacher for 28 years and has worked as an extra, in TV and film. She approached me in the context of portraiture and headshots.

She was very specific in her brief, and described herself as very critical. Not in a disparaging, or otherwise negative sense. Rather, she had high standards, and knew precisely what she wanted. These briefs may sound daunting but are often the easiest to fulfil.

There had been a lull in modelling commissions recently, although I have become increasingly particular regarding the models and commissions considered. I’ve had several approaches, but pre-shoot communications have ruled them out. 

Jane is based in Suffolk, so Walton On the Naze seemed a mutually convenient meeting point.  5 days beforehand, she emailed advising she’d been struck down with a heavy cold but hoped to have fully recovered by then. 

We agreed she’d confirm one way, or the other, 24hours beforehand. She did just that, I checked cameras and charged batteries. I knew of a few suitable backdrops along the town’s side streets. Public enough, from the perspective of personal safety but unlikely to attract unwelcome attention.

I was a little concerned that the school half-term holidays would present a few challenges. I’d been in Southend the weekend before and that was unusually busy. Several weeks of monsoon rains gave way to autumnal sun, bringing people out-myself included!

Wednesday’s conditions were dry and partly cloudy, which seemed ideal. However., a bracing coastal wind demanded efficiency. I plumped for primes. My 50mm 1.8 default and a 30mm 2.8 E mount Sigma.

I usually shoot between 11 am and 2, especially during autumn and winter. Ours shoot was between 2 and 4. Therefore, I hoped the light would hold out, at least until 3.30.  A 1.8 lens covers most bases and my preferred depth of field.

Pre-shoot communications are also a great way of establishing rapport, which helped in the speed stakes. Nonetheless, model and photographer need a little time to warm up. A set of weathered workshop doors proved the ideal backdrop for her first selection of clothes.

At Jane’s request, I shot a mix of headshots and ¾ length.  Having warmed up, we moved on to Walton’s pier, found some sheltered areas and after a quick change of clothing, continued shooting. This attracted a few onlookers, but everyone remained at a respectful distance.  90 minutes later, we retired to Revved Up Tea Bar  for coffee, shelter and a final review.  

Beach & Bullets

 

I hadn’t shot with Krystal for a few months. Only because our paths and projects hadn’t crossed. She fancied doing a beach shoot, to promote some of her new clothing range (Instagram kj_pretty_threads ). I reasoned a break from the keyboard would do me good. 

For the uninitiated, there’s an 80/20% rule. 80% should be promotion, 20% doing your trade. Not an easy balance to strike, at least, if self-promotion isn’t second nature. So, with the weather decidedly spring-like, we headed to Walton-On-The Naze. Finding a quiet space, on the beach was tricky, given the favourable weather, and school holidays.

Though no nudity was involved, we are always very conscious and respectful. Especially around families with young children.  Thankfully, this was uneventful, save for me testing the waterproof membrane of my boots, and almost losing a lens cap to the lusty waves.

After an hour and two changes, we made our way back to the car and stopped for another impromptu shoot at Revved Up Tea Bar. Plenty of riders and friendly faces there. Serendipity rather than intent, saw a congregation of Enfield owners. A friendly bunch, who were only too happy to chat, and encourage use of their machines.

We also drew a fair bit of attention from passers-by. No-one interfered; or threatened to test my liability cover. Boiled down to rubber-necking. Oh, and a husband’s lingering gaze incurring his wife’s wrath rather comically.

Enchanted Forests & Freezing Promenades

Despite the wind chill dragging the air temperature down to 2 degrees, Krystal approached me in the context of a forest shoot. I wasn’t expecting her to model a line of lingerie (!) but she posed effortlessly and without complaint. Though these conditions ran the cold gauntlet, they greatly reduced the probability of encountering (not to mention, offending) dog walkers and other passers-by.

We shot about 20 frames, in twenty minutes before deciding it was time to move on. I had intended to bring a large blanket with me, so Krystal could (a) Remain warm (b) Preserve her modesty, in the event of someone showing up.

However, she’d already brought a sizeable winter coat, leggings and dealer boots. Garments that could be quickly donned/dispensed with, as need arose.

We concluded the forest looked uniformly bland, given the time of year. Krystal took this opportunity, to change into her second outfit. I’d spotted some agricultural equipment, along an adjacent farm track, so we employed these, as our second backdrop.

I had also noticed a partially cannibalised Land Rover…Being as it was languishing on private property, I was not prepared to pitch up and start shooting. Professionalism aside, trespass is one of those things, which can take a darker turn.

Though signage may say “Trespassers will be prosecuted”; chances are, not for the crime of trespass, rather the more serious charge of criminal damage. I attempted to contact the landowner, but no-one was home, so we shot a few final frames, against these logs.

Three days later, KA with fresh MOT certificate, I was gifted some unexpectedly free time. Bracing coastal winds meant plucking my cowhide pilots’ jacket, gloves and thermal skull cap from hibernation. I headed out to Walton on the Naze and Revved up Tea Hut. Warm welcome, good ambience and a new range, of cold beating beanies and hoodies…If you were stuck for stocking fillers.  

All Revved Up

Krystal fancied doing something different and I suggested shooting at Revved Up. A biker’s café’/Tea bar spotted on a recent, weekend outing to Walton on the Naze.

This was one of our “on-spec” missions, which usually turn out favourably. I parked nearby, fed the meter and gathered our respective kit. Two minutes later, we were at Revved up’s counter and ordering some warm beverages. I wasted no time introducing ourselves, and explaining we’d like to use the café,’ as our centrepiece for a biker themed shoot.

Paul, the proprietor, paused for a moment, then graciously invited us to shoot wherever we liked. Within a few moments, the air thronged with the familiar rumble of V twin engines.

Krystal was invited to change in their back room, while I checked lenses and camera settings. In keeping with similar businesses, retail is a significant, second tier for Paul. Aside from a motorcycle frame and other biker iconography, there are rails of leathers, lids, boots, T shirts and other, reasonably priced motorcycle related apparel. I wasted no time thumbing through Paul's range of waistcoats.   

Biker’s haunts are traditionally very chatty, welcoming and informal. Word rapidly spread of our presence, prompting riders to approach us. Knowing the economic and sentimental value their machines hold, Krystal initially posed, tentatively against them. However, she was beckoned, positively urged aboard.

Frankly, I was deeply touched by how accommodating everyone was. Owners and customers were incredibly forthcoming- literally couldn’t do enough to assist.  After two hours of shooting, good humoured rapport and beverage slurping, we bid everyone a fond farewell.  ‘Till the next time. 

A selection of shots, printed on high quality canvases are available to purchase on my store:  https://michael-stenning.format.com/all-revved-up

Sincerest thanks go to Paul, and his customers at Revved up 133 High St, Walton on the Naze CO14 8AT