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. 

Carla

Carla is an aspiring model and had clearly gained confidence through a series of earlier shoots. She had also received good mentoring from photographers and a model I’ve had a long-standing professional relationship with. Carla had noted my relatively close regional proximity and got in touch, asking to shoot. Her manner of approach, existing portfolio and location held my attention and we quickly thrashed out some dates and themes.  

Being as we’d not worked together, I suggested we do two hours of fashion-based work and she should bring herself i.e., garments she felt comfortable and empowered in; while presenting an opportunity for her to model something she hadn’t been able to. We decided upon a forest/woodland backdrop.  

I knew a good public space but one where we weren't likely to be interrupted frequently.  She brought along a large bag and three changes, which was perfect. The first a light summery sheer dress and pale denim jacket, a pale blue “Alice in wonderland” style tea dress and a button-down, figure-hugging denim dress.  

I began with my traditional ice-breaker headshots and candid portraiture and from there, the shoot flowed very seamlessly. There were lots of sheltered areas making it relatively easy to achieve a uniform, even light and on another practical note, plenty of trees and foliage to change discretely behind. We did have the occasional speeding Spaniel but otherwise passers-by remained at a very respectful distance. 

There had also been rain forecast but we had bright sunshine and temperatures in the early 20s. I had brought an umbrella, in case of a heavy shower, which coupled with the 6300 body (which has weather sealing) would’ve made for some dramatic effects. Either way, we accomplished a decent amount in the two hours, Carla was pleased with the results, and we’ve agreed to shoot again in future. 

There's Something About Mary...

Mary had never modelled before but had a background in cosplay and making her own costumes, coupled with some acting experience. Being her first shoot and not having worked together in the past, we agreed on a fairly simple theme and set in a very public, park-based location of her choosing. She was initially a little nervous but relaxed considerably as the shoot progressed, Nothing new there. 

Model and photographer tend to produce their best work towards the end of the shoot when rapport and synchronicity is hopefully at its best. I was also keen to produce images that she could use in other commercial/professional contexts. Hence the portraiture. The  Cosplay dress she wanted to model had the potential for slippage and potentially exposure, so something best suited to a studio. 

Hence, our decision to err towards something more fluid and relaxed. For portraiture-based sessions, I go for a relaxed, conversational style, which sets the model at ease, thus letting their personality come through. I also factor regular breaks to review, rest, and reflect upon where we have been and the next frames. Mary was very pleased with the results of this two- hour session and we’re at the discussion stage of a second shoot.

Jess in the Studio

I had worked with Jess back in August 2022. It was a Blade Runner-inspired shoot, which proved very successful. This time round, we’d decided upon a studio-based implied nude theme. I’ve shot nudes outside but this has been through the height and heat of summer. November calls for a temperate studio setting.  Jess knew a studio she was comfortable with and relatively close to both of us.  Our initial shoot was postponed due to Storm Ciaran and the related chaos caused by flooding.

 

What Are You Implying

 

Implied, as with other genres is open to interpretation and means different things to different people. Glamour is a case in point. The genre in Poland is closest to 1940s film noir and worlds apart from the Page3 it's synonymous with, here in the UK. 

Implied is best thought of as the suggestion of nudity but with concealment at key areas-breasts, genitals etc. At the more extreme end, there’s some blurring of the lines between implied and glamour.  Another key reason why models and photographers need to have a proper, open discussion-before shooting and not on the day. On the day, it's also best to recap and check both are still comfortable with the detail and themes.

 

I prefer to let a model lead, setting the pace, especially where these and higher levels are involved.  Following this principle, I was delighted to leave Jess to start with her selection of clothing for the first hour and then gradually moving to more revealing themes, first with my corduroy jacket and later, my distressed leather waistcoat. Photographer and model typically warm up. Just like a welder’s first bead of the day isn’t comparable with that 90 minutes into a shift and this was no exception. 

Communication, confidence, and rapport are paramount, flanked by trust and professionalism. We chatted about a wealth of things but the theme of some photographers almost viewing shoots as dates held sway for a while. 

 She wasn’t the first model to say photographers had suggested, during pre-shoot communications that they should go for a meal, then shoot. The last thing I’d want to do is model, or shoot on a full stomach and besides, a shoot is a professional setting- both parties come together to achieve a set, agreed aim. 

I can also understand how strong professional bonds can strike but there are some photographers who seem seduced by the slightly outdated concept of a muse and with darker motivations. I must feel comfortable and enjoy the company of someone during a shoot, and hopefully that’s reciprocal but that’s where the line is drawn.

 

Ultimately, we were happy with the results and will doubtless work together later down the line.

Darcy

 

Darcy is a plus-size model, returning to the industry after a break. She caught my attention having posted a casting on a networking site. I tend to make my approach and if my style of work appeals, the model and I will discuss themes and date(s) from there. Darcy was keen on some headshots, portraits, and autumnal/winter fashion and the close of October seemed the best fit.  

I hadn’t been to Southend on Sea since the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns struck.  Changeable weather also requires lots of forward planning and I was a little disheartened to discover the heavens opening along the A127- I'd been scouring the online forecasts and all suggested dry until at least1300hrs and we were shooting outdoors for two hours- from 11 onward.  

Despite some initial drizzle, the weather held, and the cloudy skies added further mood to the images. The beach and deserted beach huts were an obvious, though very welcome backdrop, ditto some of the shuttered, seasonal vendors nearby. Darcy was originally spotted at a car show on the South Coast and helped by an interest in classic cars, things developed from there.  

She has a degree in Graphic Design and secured work in this field, post-graduation. In common with a lot of models, she’s had a few challenges too, and testament to her character that she’d overcome them and kept a warm, positive outlook. I thoroughly enjoyed our shoot and would happily work with her again. These images were taken using the faithful A6000 and A6300 tag team coupled with 33mm 1.4 and 60mm 2.8 prime lenses.    

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.