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.                       

Emily

Emily got in touch, looking to work with me, on a fashion themed commission. Her communication was excellent, and she had a very clear (though not inflexible) idea of what she was seeking to achieve.

Well-travelled and articulate, she’d modelled in the not too distant past but wanted to refresh her portfolio. She was visiting family, so Colchester seemed the obvious meeting point.

Some of the grittier backdrops had gone-replaced by student housing. Thankfully I’d discovered a few hidden gems, while on other, recent business visits. I’d brought my workhorse SLR but predominantly shot using my Sony A6000 and 35mm Sigma 2.8 lens. A  slightly nimbler choice given these contexts.

We’d agreed to shoot for three hours (allowing for comfort breaks and review) and she’d come fully prepared with three outfits. I led her to a Greenway, where we shot a few frames against an electricity substation, before moving towards a railway bridge, with graffiti, for a slightly grittier feel. 

At this point, we decided to switch to a floral print dress, prompting her to change in a wooded clearing, while I stood watch, my back to her. We ventured back along the Greenway to a derelict, fire-damaged building. Fired a few frames there, before walking along East Hill and to what was once an antiques shop. I recall it being a café and second-hand bookshop back in the late 90s.

A good model knows her own body and which angles flatter her. Emily also poses well, with minimal direction, although is very receptive to this, and we were able to move quickly. Location work can be great fun, but public places can be very unpredictable. We chose Castle Park as our next backdrop.

We were conscious of another photographer, who had by the look of it, been doing some landscape/similar work. He lingered, firing a few frames, before my gaze indicated he wasn’t welcome. Thankfully, he took the hint and left. I have no problem with people being curious, for a minute or two and from a respectful distance. Longer and it becomes intrusive.

We were interrupted by another person, while using a weathered gate along Eld Lane. Just as I was about to press the shutter, a man announced, “Do they work?” He was referring to my dual sided, lens mounted reflector. Mildly irritated, I politely quipped “Yes, the best £2 I’ve spent in a very long time”.

Emily patiently adjusted her pose and I fired a few further frames, before moving on. Both of us were tolerantly amused by his interruption and felt it prompted a natural break. Time for beverages and a progress review.

After twenty minutes and some reflection, we decided on another print dress and some subway backdrops. We’d initially planned to begin shooting there but a flurry of overwhelmed mothers and police presence ruled this out.

 A cluster of Community Support Officers remained, but they didn’t pose any problems. Left to our own devices, we captured some nice images here, and by the station. One final review of our work, the three hours were up. She caught the train and I headed home to post-process.