Emma

 Traditionally, female editorial/fashion models should be 5’9 to 6ft tall, with a 33-inch bust 23-inch waist, and 33-inch hips. This is not the only criterion; agencies tend to recruit on a more rounded basis and the modeling industry has much broader horizons. 

I am genuinely curious when photographing people, eager to explore their ideas, lives, experiences, and backstories. Every person is unique not only in their thoughts and beliefs but in the way they move.  

Professional/established models aside, I tend to spend a good deal of the shoot just talking with the model, capturing them naturally and unaware. My shoot with Emma is a prime example of this.  

She and I discussed a two-hour boudoir/lingerie theme. I was keen to use natural light for a soft, reflective effect. Thankfully there was an abundance on the day and the majority of these were taken with my Sony A6000 and 35mm f1.4 prime. Posing the model according to their shape and size is paramount. The difference between boudoir and a straight lingerie shoot is, in my view the focus. It's more about mood and the sensual effect, rather than objectifying the model, which glamour does.  

Emma has a G cup bust, so I opted to have her sitting upright kneeling, or laying at an angle to flatter her curves. Poses that would flatter someone with an A, or B cup would be deeply unflattering, possibly demeaning to someone with a bigger bust  

Continuing the soft, reflective narrative, I encouraged her to look toward the light, slightly away from the lens. The smiles you see were not coaxed, rather spontaneous, as rapport and conversation flowed.  

Catching up With Krystal: Boho Dresses & Borrowed Bicycles

 It had been a good while since Krystal, and I worked together. She had retired from modeling, wanting to concentrate on mentoring new models and the fashion/clothing side of the business.   

Out of the blue she emailed, saying she wanted to shoot with some dresses and a traditional “roadster” bicycle complete with panniers, dynamo and basket.  Given COVID is still very prevalent, I am being very careful about who and where I will work. Presently, studios are off but I’m agreeable to open, sparsely populated locations, theme allowing. 

We met at the location and enjoyed a very relaxed shoot, much of our conversation revolving around the business, and comparing notes regarding new models we had worked with. The good, the bad, and the downright bizarre. One common narrative was their desire (and expectation) for instant recognition.  

Some aspiring models have expected to be snapped up and agency represented within a week. Constructive tempering of expectations is met with defensive disgust and quite often, tirades on social media. However, we also discussed some very good debutants who were personable, willing to learn and looking toward building a solid career. I was also touched to learn she recommends me to new models she feels show promise.   

Long story short, it was lovely to work and catch up with Krystal again and I'm pleased she was happy with the results.  

Body Art : Amy &MuA

 

I’d been approached by a makeup artist/body painter, via a portfolio hosting/networking site. His standard of work is very high, and I was flattered to learn he’d been keen to work with me for a while. Networking sites are a useful means of connecting with models, photographers and related professionals. Referencing and other important records are there, making shoots much smoother and safer.    

With this in mind, I gently swerved recommending specific models, since the very nature of bodypainting/makeup is a very intimate process. Any recipient needs to be completely comfortable with the artist, beforehand.  

As luck would have it, he had been talking with Amy Jade, prior to lockdown, so with restrictions being progressively relaxed, they mutually agreed to Thursday evening. This suited me, since extended hours of daylight were conducive to location shooting-public decency permitting.  

Some last-minute correspondence confirmed this was a comfortable proposition for all parties. The shoot itself was relatively short, about an hour, which was also the artist’s timescale for undertaking the design. Amy has tattoos, although these aren’t extensive, which also shortens preparation time, since additional coverage isn’t required.  

Ultimately model and MUA are happy with my work, and I enjoyed the experience.   

Crop Tops & Corsets: Some more Frames with Silvai

 Silvai reached out, inviting me to do another portfolio building shoot while conditions remained conducive to a summery, location-based theme. 

Silvai is both quirky and enigmatic. Going with the flow and letting her lead seems to reap best rewards, although any shoot requires planning and I need some basic outline beforehand.  

Aside from selecting suitable equipment, I can make an informed choice from which to accept or decline a commission. For example, I will not shoot nudes with anyone under 21. Yes, it’s perfectly legal at 18 but while something might be legal, it's not necessarily best.  I prefer models to have more life experience and recognise the potential implications, before going this route.      

Corsets, Crop Tops and Biker Jackets were her themes and we shot across two locations. She wanted me to emphasise her height. She’s 5’9 (1m 75) which is favourable for general modelling. The Corset shots were taken with me laying on the ground using my Sony 6300 and 35mm lens at F3.2. Biker jacket and crop top using my Sony A7 and 50mm at 1.8. 

Second Helpings : More Fun With Michelle

 Michelle invited me to shoot at her cottage and though I’m not doing any studio shoots, given the pandemic is continuing to present a very real risk to health, location nudes are practical, given temperatures are presently around 23 degrees.

 We’d thrashed out a shoot plan a week or so beforehand and tweaked this to reflect the sudden hike in temperature. Given Michelle’s experience within the glamour and nude genres, it will come as little surprise this formed the primary framework, with a mix of implied and old school “glamour” thrown in for good measure.  

I always suggest a mix of implied, lingerie/swimwear, since there is a limit of fine art poses and I don’t want a shoot going stale for either party and sometimes both. We have always had an excellent rapport, so our session was very relaxed and conversational, which for me ensured the best results, seemingly effortlessly. 

I shot these alternating between my full-frame Sony A7 with 50mm 1.8 and the 6300 with 35mm 2.8, set to 3.2 in this instance. Much of our conversation was about the industry and some names within it. Some I had reservations about, and she affirmed my gut feelings.  

Sunglasses: Shoot 3 with Silvai

Silvai approached me with two fashion concepts, which we decided to roll into one session. She wanted to do a summer dress shoot with beach and rural backdrops and a slightly racier red swimsuit and sunglasses theme. This concept would also work on the beach but a lack of changing facilities and families with small children meant this was inappropriate.      

Despite suffering a small but painful injury a couple of days previously, she was impeccably prepared, coordinated, and ready to shoot. As before, she had lots of ideas and knew precisely how she would execute them.  

She poses intuitively and works tirelessly to achieve the desired results. Not that I needed to give any input really, which is very unusual unless I’m working with very experienced models. I also shoot more efficiently, with fewer frames but solid results every time. 

 

I usually show models a series at various intervals so we can evaluate progress. However, she politely declined, saying she had complete faith in my abilities, which was very flattering. I also get the impression she also enjoys the element of surprise/excitement like film processing, when images appear in the darkroom.