Dodging Puddles

So much testing lately! But it keeps me on my toes so that’s a good thing. A few agencies have been keeping me busy with model portfolio updates, and I really enjoy working with different talent. I also love getting out on location to shoot- it gets me away from the studio and the computer for a while. Those who know me will also know that I hate looking at screens (yup, I’m in the wrong industry, I know!), but unfortunately there is so much back end and admin work when you freelance, that spending a long time in front of my computer is inevitable. So as I was saying, I embrace the opportunity to work with a model on location, especially if the natural light it working in my favour. Whilst I love my flash, sometimes I just want to streamline the process and not have to worry about positioning the light or deciding how I want to blend it with the ambient. It’s faster just to spin myself or my subject around, or find a great patch of golden sunlight to work with.

For this reason, I have been getting back to using natural light when doing test shoots on location. Aside from being quicker, I also allows me to work solo and not have to worry about an assistant or bringing a huge pile of gear. It also keeps me reactive, as I have to find the best light around, no matter what the weather is doing.

Shooting with Chloe, recently signed with GTR, provided a lighting challenge for me. We had planned to shoot on a Sunday, as Chloe is still studying, but the weather wasn’t looking the driest.. Huge clouds hung in the sky, and it would occasionally pour with rain. Still, I met Chloe and her mum at the meeting spot and hoped that the rain would hold off.

As you can probably see from the shots, the rain did subside, and the clouds acted as a huge softbox, which actually worked in our favour. I was really impressed with how Chloe moved, especially being so young. She didn’t need any warming up and just got straight into it. She seemed really aware of her body and the shapes she could make, and took direction well too.

I styled the shoot myself (something I have recently started doing, and that I am loving!) and I loved the colour palette of the garments I had chosen. I think they suited Chloe well too. The tough bit was not keeping everything, as some of the pieces were super cute (I’m looking at you blue and white shorts…)

When we were shooting our last shot, a friendly walker stopped to comment that “the model had arrived” (referring to himself.) I played along, asking him to get in the shot and pose, which he completely didn’t expect. I think he loved it though. Haha.

Thanks Chloe for a fabulous shoot, looking forward to working with you again soon!

Chloe is represented by GTR.

 

Fresh Face: Sam Kieseker

 

I always love working with new faces, especially when there isn’t an elaborate concept behind the shoot. I find that this really allows me to develop the expressions of the talent, and get them feeling more comfortable in front of the camera. Because there is no background or context, the model’s ability to emote and have something going on in their eyes is really important.

A few weeks ago, I had Sam come in to the studio for some new folio images. He had recently been signed with GTR, and was even off to Hong Kong the following week. Sam was a little nervous at first, but really enthusiastic and willing to try anything I threw at him. He took direction well, which I think is particularly important for new faces.

As the shoot developed, Sam became more comfortable in front of the camera and relaxed a lot. This meant that I was able to capture a range of emotions, both light and serious, which added extra diversity to his book.

A quick venture outside the studio ended the shoot- I never tire of the textures and shades of the walls nearby the studio, but I think I’m going to have to come up with some new locations soon so that my folio doesn’t look too repetitive!

Thanks Sam for coming down to the studio, and best of luck in HK!

Sam is represented by Greg Tyshing.

 

Testing With Marlon

On a cold, wet, miserable day, I had a shoot scheduled with Marlon, a new recruit signed with GTR. Poor Marlon is from the more northern shores of Australia, and was down in Melbourne for only a few days, so the cold was probably a shock to the system. In any case, he was such a trooper, and a pleasure to shoot. I’d photographed his sister earlier in the year, and his father is an ex model too, so it must run in the family!

This was Marlon’s first test, but you wouldn’t know it by watching him. He moved really well, and wasn’t afraid to try out a few different poses and techniques. He also took direction well, which can be hard for newer models.

We both ended up getting really soggy by the end of the shoot, but the overcast weather created excellent light for photographing, and so I was pleased with the results. Marlon’s new agent was also thrilled, instantly sharing the images all over social media. I don’t think this is the last time I’ll see Marlon- if he wants to continue modelling I have no doubt he will go places!

^ My favourite image from the shoot – the colour of Marlon’s eyes really shines here.

Snap Snap Braid

Behind the scenes of a test with Lara de Koster. This amazing hair was done by the ever-talented Marlene Olsson. What did we do with this look? You’ll have to wait and see :)

S xx

The Boy Next Door

I have been shooting a lot of tests lately, which has been brilliant for the soul! February has been off to a crazy crazy start, filled with corporates, retouching, teaching and events, so its been really nice to be able to shoot loosely and fluidly as well.

On Tuesday I worked with Thomas, who has newly been signed with Scene Model Management. This was his first studio shoot, and I was really impressed with how good he was! Having only ‘officially’ become a model a few days before, Tom was a little unsure at first, but he quickly warmed up and was nailing ‘the look’ in no time.

The beauty of working with fresh faces is that they don’t have a lot (if any) of images in their books yet, so there is a lot of creative freedom. I initially thought that Tom would look great with quite strong, structured images- bold posing, intense expressions, and well cut garments. This is the mood board that I made for the shoot…

We got started with studio lights, with a white shirt and some dark pants. It was when Tom put on the jacket that he started to stand more comfortably, and I noticed that he seemed to move better when he was feeling more comfortable. The next look, we went for overalls with no shirt underneath.

And bang!

Instant comfort zone.

From there, the shoot changed direction totally from the mood board. Because it was a test, it was totally fine for it to evolve and move fluidly, and I felt that the look and feel that we developed really worked for Thomas.

We also went outside, to my favourite ‘wasteland’ looking location. Unfortunately this place is going to be built up soon, so I’m trying to do as many tests there as I can whilst I can still get in. I love the metal structure and the random plants growing everywhere.

This is one of my favourite from the shoot, but I was torn between the left and the right image. Which one do you prefer?

Thomas was fabulous to work with, and a great guy too. He took on direction well, and I think he is going to be a big name in the industry soon!