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. 

Vik: Warm Smiles & Slavic Charm

 

Vik is an aspiring model who saw my work and expressed an interest in shooting with me. She was looking to return to modelling after a break and sought to boost her confidence. Vik felt slightly constrained by studio settings and wanted to do something location-based. I suggested a mixture of spring fashion, headshots, and portraits, since the latter could be used in various professional contexts, modelling and otherwise. 

Vik was fairly local to me, but having not worked together previously, I was eager for her to choose a location she felt most secure and comfortable in. She also advised she would be bringing her husband as a chaperone. Chaperones are again, absolutely fine with ne, so long as they are an uninvasive, supportive influence. 

I had also urged her to bring "herself" as I like to capture someone's character and personality throughout the session. Upon meeting I learned she was originally from Slovakia and, having family from the former Eastern block we chatted about Slavic people, some of the cultural similarities and contrasts. I had always been very taken by their tremendous warmth that lay beneath a slightly austere exterior, shaped in no small part by the Soviet era where outward expression of emotion was frowned upon.  

Conversation flowed readily, her comfort and confidence grew progressively, and I clicked away unobtrusively bringing a mix of posed and candid captures. Vik was very self-aware and had a wonderful desire to learn and develop. At 5'9 (175cm) she is relatively tall and I was keen to capture this in the most flattering ways possible. We were mutually pleased with the results of our first two hours, and I hope to work with her in future.  These were taken using my trusty A6300 and 50mm 1.8 Sony prime lens.