Jane

 Jane had a successful career as a glamour model, and this was very apparent in so many ways. Aside from her very professional pre-shoot communications and military precise preparation/timekeeping, it was immediately obvious she knew how to pose and moreover, in ways that as most flattering to her physique. She also had an equally comprehensive and flattering wardrobe.  

No less than I’d expect from a professional, but it does illustrate the difference between aspirational models and those with successful careers. Aside from bouncing ideas between each other, we spent much of the shoot talking about business and strange experiences during shoots.  

This inevitably covered the topic of GWCs (Guy With Camera). Jane began her career when film was the dominant medium. She recalls posing for camera clubs and believed some “enthusiasts” had no film in their cameras, judging by the sheer number of frames they were taking-without replenishing.  

Again, you’d expect a change every 24, or 36 frames. This also highlights the point about some folks (men specifically) using the camera as a means of getting access to models. Conversely, there were also the young woman being cajoled by their boyfriends and partners into modelling and specifically at the higher levels. We’re talking nude, open-leg, and similar, not referring to fashion, or the upper industry. 

Two hours evaporated and crucially we had a lot to show for our time together.  As usual, these were shot with my trusty Sony A6000 and A6300 with 23 and 33mm 1.4 Viltrox lenses and Godox flashgun. 

Change of pace: Two hours with Kym

I’d been wanting to add something different to my own portfolio and while pondering what this might be, Kym got in touch. We discussed a blend of sheer, implied, boudoir, and fine art nude. All genres I am familiar with and well within my comfort zone.  

Good pre-shoot communications are imperative to ensure all parties are clear on themes and boundaries are not accidentally overstepped or misunderstood. There are, of course, those who have no respect for other's boundaries, as I have discussed in a previous post. Intuition and emotional intelligence are useful tools in this process, and I had a particularly good feeling from Kym. I’d recently indulged in a mint Fuji X-T100 bundle with an extremely low shutter count. It was at the right price (and the catalyst for shifting some old but still serviceable camera bodies and kit lenses).  

However, there’s a golden rule of not running unfamiliar equipment-same goes for motor/cycle racing or any event where reliability takes precedence. I brought my hand-held “Light wand” for some additional, tunable lighting, trusty Sony A6000 and A6300 bodies, spare batteries, memory cards, and  Viltrox 1.4 lenses to counter problems associated with low light. Retrospectively, the lighter of my tripods might’ve been helpful, too. 

 

No sooner had I headed out on the motorway, rains of biblical proportions struck, and, while sandwiched between two HGVs, a tidal wave of water threatened to spell the end of KA and I. Waterlogged surfaces were also making traction difficult, despite decent tyres. At one stage, the little car’s engine began to misfire, so I pulled onto the hard shoulder, left the engine running and we recomposed ourselves.  

I eventually arrived with 4 minutes to spare (despite almost doubling the time suggested by Google and Sat Nav alike). Against this backdrop, I was determined and focused. Kym was extremely welcoming, with an infectious curiosity and enthusiasm. As an experienced model, I wasn’t surprised to find her very self-aware and while collaboration and ideas flowed seamlessly between us, she needed minimal direction.