Jen- A Cheeky Valentine

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Elle: Tall & Tattooed

 

I discovered Elle while having a wander around the portfolio hosting and networking sites. January, as most of us know can be a long, slow month, so I relish the opportunity to get creative. Alternative is one of those words, rather like Bohemian that has arguably been used to the point of losing its meaning.  

In a modelling context it refers to characteristics or features that arguably wouldn’t be of interest to high fashion and traditional model agencies. However, some highly experienced models can and do transition from the world of bridal and traditional modelling.  

Elle stands 5’10 tall, which certainly falls into the beautiful end sought by fashion houses and publications. She’d been modelling for a decade both here in the UK and Italy. We discussed themes and locations- neither of us shoot from our homes and for mutually appreciated reasons. Privacy and personal security being high up the list.  

Elle secured a hotel for our first meeting. We’d discussed some themes- bold and adventurous but without crossing into gratuitous nudity.  I was also keen to capture who Elle was and moreover, a comfortable model always produces better images. I always start a shoot with the emphasis upon clothed and then transitining slowly to nudity.  

Aside from establishing happy, comfortable rapport between both model and photographer, it allows me to see how someone stands, moves and evaluate how to pose them. I also make a point of letting the model lead, especially an experienced model such as Elle who knows her body and how to create flattering angles. During this phase ideas tend to flow seamlessly. Sometimes this translates beautifully in the final images, sometimes not but that’s all part of the creative process. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  

These were shot using natural light, alternating between 25mm and 50mm prime lenses.  

Georgia & The Storms

 

Georgia is an experienced model from Stoke on Trent. She’s also an experienced photographer, which can be incredibly helpful when setting up lighting, backdrops and conceptualising images. We discussed a mix of themes but when she remarked she doesn’t like being restricted by clothes, a tasteful nude set was the obvious route. I like to employ clothes and, other props to keep things interesting. There is a limit to the number of poses before things can become a little staid.  

Much of photography revolves around control of light but soft skills, such as rapport and effective communication before and during the shoot is similarly significant. An uncomfortable model is just as detrimental as a flat 1-, or 2-dimensional image. These were taken during storm Darragh using a mix of natural light and a single soft box, a 35mm F2 and 50mm 1.4.  

    

Playing with Light: In the Studio with Kym

 

I do a lot of location work and lean toward natural light, but Kym invited me to come and shoot her in a studio context. We decided on a few themes ranging from elegant dresses through to art and implied nude. Being mindful of blanket statements but on a very technical level, photography is concerned with control of light.

Kym is of Chinese ethnicity, and we wanted to play with her skin tones. High-key images have their place, especially in the context of product photography but leave little to the imagination and we sought to bring some erotic mystery, including the portraits. I took these using my A7body set to F11 and 1/125 and 35mm third-party prime lens.

Rose

 

Rose is a very experienced model from a performing arts background. I’d seen her work and was very aware of her professionally for a few years. Serendipity and closer geographical proximity saw us arranging a shoot. This had to be rearranged on a couple of occasions, due to bereavement and other, unforeseeable events.  

We discussed themes beginning with boudoir and culminating with art nude.  

The graduation is part narrative but on a very practical level, respect for the model. While experienced photographers and models can quickly find rapport, especially if pre-shoot communication is of a high standard and conducted properly, gentle, tapered progression is always preferable. Basic decency and respect aside, it makes for a more comfortable, relaxed and fluid shoot-which ultimately tells in the images.  

Rapport quickly established; our shoot extended the two hours scheduled. I shot the mono images with my Fuji XT100 and 50mm 1.8 Viltrox lens. The colour were taken with my Sony A7 and 35mm 1.8 and A6300 with 23mm 1.4 Viltrox .