Ramblings of a Model, Mother and Outspoken Weirdo

It was a year full of ups and downs. Had quite a lot of work stress which meant that I haven't got to shoot as much as I would of liked. I work weekends now which I thought would cause issue but I have got more shoots booked up to February than I ever have!

Here are a few lessons I learned from shooting in 2013

1. I enjoy cosplay shoots!

I have always loved to dress up I just didn't realise quite how much. I clocked up quite a few cosplay shoots last year ranging from Disney, to Scooby Doo, Superheroes, Dexter! I had so much fun doing it. I also went to a convention as April O'Neil and loads of people commented on how cool my costume was. I'm such a geek at heart, I'm kinda rubbish at computer games thought unfortunately, but this gives me an outlet for my geekery. I'm going to share my image with Graham Kenneth Short in this blog, it took quite a bit of planning and he is such an epic photoshop whiz that this image packs a real punch. I'm looking to work with him again for a Psylocke shot next month!


2. Sometimes shoot arranged a day in advance are the best

In November I got a random message from Richard Hanley, photographer who just lives round the corner in Delaval. He basically asked if the weather was ok could we shoot the next day. I said yes, we didn't travel far maybe just a couple of miles down the road, we shot for maybe half an hour tops, most of which was catching up and putting the world to rights and I was really happy with how the pics turned out. Sometimes you can plan and plan and plan and shoots just don't work but sometimes you do it on the fly and it just clicks.




I think it's fair to say I have made two extremely firm photographer friends. Meg from Spellbound Imagery and Shepy of Richard Shepherd Photography are always there to pick me up when I am down, talk through ideas, make me feel better about myself and not only this but they are both extremely talented photographers. I have had a crazy 3 or 4 years and they have been with me through the duration. I never tire of shooting with them and spending time with them.
Image one by Spellbound Imagery. Image two by Richard Shepherd.



6. My body isn't too bad!

I am 27 with two kids. I really need to stop comparing myself to those who are almost ten years younger than me who don't have a single stretch mark on their ridiculous hot bods. I don't over indulge, I exercise a bit. I get what I pay for. I don't feel sick when I look in the mirror (unless I'm completely naked)! Image by Spellbound Imagery.


7. I should work with more models

This kinda ties in with the one above. One of the reasons I don't work with other people is my own insecurity. After shooting in the summer with Scott Henderson, modeling with Fifi Galore and Anastacia Taline it was such a blast. I had such a giggle, I think it taught me a valuable lesson with regards to being threatened by other women. It should be more of a sisterhood!
Image by Scott Henderson


8. Work with new people.

One of my favourite shoots this year was with a lovely young Hartlepool chap called Michael J Smalley. No one I'd know had worked with him but I contacted him on Purple port and it ended up giving me some of my favourite images from this year. I looked young, fresh and happy and he photographed my movement perfectly.
Image by Michael J Smalley


9. I still love latex.

Although I haven't modelled as much of it this year. I've had some cosplay pieces and a few bits from here and there. Fave companies are still Catalyst Latex, Fetasia Latex and Violaceous Latex. I'm not sure whether I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for it all though! Got to grow up sometime, maybe 2015!
Image by Richard Shepherd


10. I should blog more!

I used to blog every shoot I did but this stopped when I started working full time. I'm attempting to do one shoot per week this year (on average) so I'm going to try and blog at least once a month. Even if I blog a months shoots in one go.

Thank you so much for reading (if you got this far!)
Final Image by Stu Glen (one of the most talented photographers I've ever worked with)

Ages ago I got asked to review amazing costume website www.joke.co.uk. This is a website I have used many a time for costumes for photo shoots and burlesque bits and bobs. Also for stuff for the kids too. Their selection is massive. I agreed to do the review before I started my current job at the RVI in Newcastle, but by the time it had all been finalised I'd started doing days where I got up at 5:30am and I don't get to sit down until 8pm so I've had little time nor energy for blogging. my own personal blog has taken a nosedive which is a shame because it was something I genuinely used to enjoy.

At the beginning of this year I planned to do a 2013 Dee La Beau Geek and Gamer Calender but sadly that has taken a back seat too and it is more likely that this will be a project I see into 2014 instead. I did however get two images for my calender using epic costumes from www.joke.co.uk. My next purchase from them will be their 80's Official Street Figther Chun Li costume, as it is perfect for my calender and also a little bit suggestive!

I did a shoot with friend and awesome photographer Richard Shepherd at local Mayfield Studio for my calender using Joke's Secret Wishes Ghostbuster costume. At £34.99 this is a fab way to look like a foxy Ghostbuster gal for your Halloween party. The fabric of the costume is awesome and soft, my only real complaint is that this wouldn't be suitable for anyone who has no bust and also the armbands were very very tight so if I wear it again I will probably need to snip them to loosen them and I don't think myself to have particularly fat arms.

So on account of a lot of spamming and panicking and fussing over the last few weeks a lot of people will be aware that I am doing a charity event next week called 'Help for Her'. This variety show is on the 5th of October at As You Like It, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

I just thought I would briefly blog about why I am doing it and why it means so much to me. Last year I volunteered for the Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre, it was a big deal for me, the training aspect was an up and down emotional roller coaster and I really got to learn how emotionally taxing the work done by the volunteers at the charity is. I am currently unable to volunteer because I am kinda split between my kids, maintaining my long distance relationship and my ex's shifts. I hope I can do it again in the future though as I feel it was good for me and seriously aided in my healing process.

The people performing are mostly people who I regard as close friends, people who I have immense respect for and the few people I trust in the burlesque world. I went for a Superhero theme for this event because of the way I had coped with what had happened to me, Nick once referred to me as 'some kind of Superhero' and I was very much touched by this. Here is the superhero-esque poster he designed for the event.

So this is now the title of my Katy Perry act, shame as I had SO much fun getting it sorted, doing my costume, buying props, getting my poster printed (by epic Dave Dent) designed by my partner Nicholas Gray and image taken by Sam Corban. I am quite proud of it and I have to admit to having a 23x23 inch print of myself on my wall just because I got a spare.



So I finally got to perform this at Dixie's Dollshouse on St Patricks Day, I had had a shoot earlier in the day, so I kept my make up on, I'd met my mate for tea and I was feeling nervous but confident nonetheless. I got up on stage and done the first verse and chorus of my act absolutely fine until I took of my first bra (yes, this act has two) and both my nipple tassels both fell off. I still had 3 mins of the track to go but I just continued, trying to make up and keep my boobs covered at all times. I think about 30% didn't notice and 70% saw my nipples. Bad times!

I am performing this again on Friday at The Shadow Gallery in Sunderland this Friday the 8th of April. Along with a mega cheesy 80's act. I am trying to fashion myself a mullet.

Last night was the debut of my Tequila act at The Shadow Gallery, Sunderland, I was pretty nervous about it but it all came good in the end. The idea behind my act was a Mexican housewife who gradually gets a bit tipsy on tequila. I wore my Viv of Holloway frock and a stunning apron made by my friend Cat who has just opened her etsy shop.

I did my act to the song Tequila by Terrorvision and my lingerie was from my personal favourite Lilly Wiggler, you must check this website out absolutely idea for original costumes. I got an amazing tweed and cord set from there. Also had another pair of latex hot pants and my self customised Daisy Stays corset. My hair flower was from the lovely Miss Sweets Boutique highly recommend visiting Miss Sweet if you are after custom too she is a diamond!

I foolishly thought I would not get drunk drinking 4 tequila shots in 3 minutes I was kinda wrong, however after some cokes, a lift and some fresh air I was right as rain and no hangover this morning.

Here is my favourite photo of act taken by the lovely Nicholas Smith


My next performance will be on the 27th of November 2010 at La Maison de Peche, Peoples Theatre Arts Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Another brand new act which its a lot more slower paced and I am quite nervous about!

If you have a minute you should check out the Gallery of all the images from the Daisy Stays group shoot which took place in County Durham mid August shot by Richard Shepherd. It had been planned months in advance and there had been a lot of expectation on the day. I had to get up really early to get the metro from Sunderland up to Sharon's place to get all dolled up!

I got to rock two items of delight! One black and white underbust corset and an Oriental styley one which I am in love with and very keen to use for another shoot. I am currently customizing my black corset for my burlesque debut in Sunderland on the 15th of October, shall bore you with the details in a later blog! :)

There was some also quality candid shots taken on the day! Gonna show some love for my homegirl Ellen, one where I am doing some amateur MUAing on her purdy face and another when it looks kinda like I am bumming her! Couldn't have got through 2010 without her, she had administered both hugs and slaps when I have needed them.

I have that vintage shoot tomorrow going to have a practice with my hair today and then I get to visit the the love of my life on Friday, everything is tickety boo.

Ok! I am three shoots behind on my blog and I am getting all confuzzled! Will probably blog and bore you on the next couple of days too.

Anyway! Still while I was at Nick's for two weeks in the beginning of August, on the same day as I did the shoot in Steel Wheels with Richard Hanley, I headed to Studio 5000 to do a shoot with a photographer called Rob Mackins. He was an amazingly funny guy, I was dancing, laughing and joking and it was a mega comfortable shoot. I wore about a zillion outfits.

Here are a few of my favourite images from the shoot.

I am currently customising my Daisy Stays black corset for my burlesqueness. The Daisy Stays shoot is another one I need to blog about, need to steal some pictures from her site :) My 'Poison' costume consists of sparklness, latex, amazing pasties from this fantastic US based etsy shop. Hoping I can get it all together and get my loverman to take a picture at the weekend, he currently poorly and I wish I was able to nurse him better.

Two shoots lined up this week, one with the kids, will be nice to have some family pics with us three together as I am normally the one taking the pics with me being a 'single' mum. The other is a vintagey shoot I have borrowed some amazing stuff from a vintage shop in Newcastle, the lady Gena is absolutely lovely. Able Grable might sneak in on Thursdays shoot too!

Aww had a fab day, the kids went to a party and got all dressed up! I went as a pirate but my husband takes rubbish photos!