Karolina

 

I’d had a few postponements due to sickness and other unavoidable circumstances, and needed to tame the midwinter blues (not to mention a dental abscess) with some creativity. Enter Karolina, I’d noted she’d modelled in the recent past and was very striking.

We settled on a location-based winter fashion and portraiture theme. The port town was convenient and familiar to both of us. Standing 5’1 (155cm) she was petite. While this is considerably shorter than the traditional 5’7 (170cm) baseline for fashion models, there are other avenues to explore, and there’s more scope when it comes to posing and angles.

For example, by lying down, I can give a real sense of height. Doing the same with someone standing 6ft 2 (1m88) will make them look cartoonish- fine if you’re looking to recreate the “Attack of the 50ft Woman” vibe, but hardly flattering. We agreed on a 1400-1600 shoot, since this was most convenient for her and still allowed a decent amount of natural light.

Sunday was a similarly good fit, since there would be fewer people around. Experience says the public is generally respectful, but can also encroach and let well-intentioned curiosity get the better of them. Continuing this narrative, Karolina brought two outfits and accessories, allowing for variety and more convenient changes-an important consideration, especially in built up areas. 

I used whatever spoke to us in the immediate environment and some useful props, including this Kawasaki presented- Karolina proved very self-aware, posed fluidly, yet was very open to direction. She could also sense the Kawasaki’s draw for me and worked creatively around it. Light was beginning to fade come the close of our session, but no issue with a small reflector 50mm 1.8 and 33mm 1.4 lenses. I’m pleased with the results and look forward to working with her in future.                       

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.    

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.