An Afternoon with Alyssa

 

I’d been invited to work with Alyssa a year previously, but I gently declined on the basis my minimum model age is 21. This might seem odd to some people. However, while many things are perfectly legal at 18, they’re not always the best for us. That stipulation goes across the modelling board, not just boudoir, lingerie, or more explicit themes.

Some people are mature beyond their years, in the most positive sense and this was very palpable through her approach, and ultimately, the duration of our shoot.  Alyssa has been modelling for four years and this self-awareness, mental and physical was very apparent from the shutter’s very first click.

In common with other models, unless there is a very specific commission, or theme in mind, I like to leave clothing to the model’s taste during our first shoot. Garments they feel flattering and comfortable. This also allows me insight into who they are, which I like to feel tells in the final images.  I shot these in natural light using my full frame Sony A7 and A6300 with 40mm 2.5 and 3mm 1.8 Viltrox prime lenses.

Ethereal Themes

 

Krystal got in touch, initially wanting to do an ethereal-themed group shoot with other models. I liked the concept, and we agreed to undertake, once she’d found suitable and willing models. She fancied a solo session, so having agreed times, dates, and timescales, we shot by and indeed, in the streams before changing to a yellow dress and switching locations. I shot these using my A6300 and 50mm Sony prime lens, using only natural light.    

Carla: Spring Shoot by the sea

 

I’d been almost a year since I’d worked with Carla and I was immediately struck by how far her confidence had grown since then, though she had lost none of her humility, warmth, and charm. She’d approached me about a winter fashion shoot but then decided she fancied shooting in Spring when the weather was more temperate. She proposed a beach theme with a mix of dresses and swimwear, which was a little different from recent commissions, so an easy “yes” on my part.

After some discussion, we decided upon Walcott Beach in Norfolk and took a gamble on the weather. Despite being dry for several weeks, various forecasts were predicting rain, but that’s a calculated risk with location shoots and just calls for some forward planning and creativity. I took my trusty A6300, which has reasonable weather sealing along with my full frame A7 and 40mm lens.

Carla’s bikini hadn’t arrived, so she brought several dresses with denim shorts and crop top as contrast. Thankfully the weather held, and the strong tide offered some powerful, natural effect. Working on location also requires some sensitivity to those around you. I am particularly careful around children and families, but aside from the odd curious and decidedly soggy spaniel we had large areas of beach to ourselves. Oh, and the weather proved equally well-mannered.