Shoots of February 2014

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February actually feels like a million moons ago, a bus crashed into me at the end of January and I feel like my whole life has gone topsy turvy!

On the last day of January I did a shoot with the lovely Pete Copeland, I haven't shot with him for a couple of years. Last time our shoot was extremely stressful, it took months to arrange, this time again arranging the shoot was a nightmare and I think it reflected how I modelled. Still there were some nice ones and the shoot was worthwhile. He's a super nice chap, I just don't think we've got our best work yet!


I got to do a lovely shoot with two dynamite gals Janine Hocking and Metamorphic Unique Art. It was elements project and I got to be 'Earth' and our shoot was first. I was absolutely caked in all sorts and I got to be a very special kind of 'Ugly Pretty'! I think it's probably one of my favourite shoots to date, even though it took three showers to come off. Out of the four elements too, I kinda like mine the best, which makes me sound like a bit of a douche, but normally I am always looking for ways to favour other people over myself. I like the make up, and it was just one of those shoot where absolutely everyone fell into place just right.


I also had the luck of working with a photographer from London. I really like working with people outside of the area, that's one of the reasons I've missed having the car so much, I had shoots planned south way and I've had to cancel some of them. This photographer was called Carl Glancey, he specialises in weddings but likes to try out lighting techniques with model/fashion shots. We shot in Sunderland and it was a super windy day, I was getting blown about all over the place. Even getting changed was a struggle because the wind was battering me all over. I really love the images though, they are different and I really hope he shoots with me again when he is next up.


I also did a Hide Your Arms review for local T-shirt company 'Wear Brave'! Me and Nick went to our favourite alleyway in town to showcase them. Me and Nick don't shoot together very well anymore, we tend to argue and there's no sexual tension anymore because we have been together so long. It either goes super well and we get lots of good images or we argue and fight and the pics are terrible! I'm not really sure about the ones from this shoot!


I really want to do some more sexy black and white lingerie type stuff! Hopefully in April! :)

Didn't really get to shoot very much in February (or this month) due to lack of car! Hopefully next month will be better, although it is the Easter holidays so I will be being Mummy! :) Which I'm pretty excited about since I have started working all weekend every weekend.



What 2013 Taught Me About Hobbyist Modelling!

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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.


3. Don't travel too far for low paid shoots or tf

I travelled to Grimsby and Liverpool for shoots this year and they were both massively disappointing. I got paid for the Liverpool one but it was just a waste of time, I would of much rather just spent the weekend at home and I would of been better off by the time I'd paid for my petrol, hotel and food I would of been in minus numbers. The Grimsby one the photographer had a go at my husband for having a quick edit process and I have still only received 3 images from this shoot (and I only like one) and this was in April. Some people need to shoot less and edit more.

4. Make Up Artists 'MAKE' the shoot

I've been lucky enough to work with some extremely talented MUAs. Locally my favourites are Josephine Birkett and Metamorphic Unique Art. Even if I feel like absolute rubbish they work their magic and all of a sudden I am a model, I'm not just a full time working Mum of 2! They are essentially the difference between an average image and an awesome one and I'm truly thankful that any are happy to work with me.
Image one by Penny Jane Photography with Jo Birkett. Image two with Andy Green Photography and Metamorphic Unique Art.



5. There are people I can rely on!

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)










Latex with WKD Heart

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So I did a second shoot with Gregg and Sam of Wicked Heart Photography back end of last year, I am just so far behind in my blogs that it isn't even funny. I took only latex, so the only thing we shot was latex, at the lovely Mayfield Studio. My personal fave studio in Newcastle, also the most central one. I'm having the pleasure of shooting there with Hannah Todd at the weekend :)

I got through 3 outfits for this shoot firstly my wee black and gold set, which I have worn for a few shoots before. I don't generally feel comfortable just in my undies especially with any part of my tummy on show but Sam and Gregg always make sure you're comfortable and always make you feel good about yourself. I feel so hot it was stupid honestly! This is my fave shot from my first outfit, because they compliment their models so much it gives you the extra push to perform extra hard and this is what I got.


My second outfit was picked by Sam, I do love the super girly colour mix of the minty green with the barbie pink. Although I have lost quite a bit of weigh and now struggle to fill the top. So I was trying to effectively pose around my lack of breasts.


I picked my 'Katy Perry' esque ensemble for the last set of shots. I crazy Primark strapless bra which I stuck loads of misc stuff from Primark onto. It looks quite cool in pics though. The sky is also epic in this shot, I'm not sure how much of it was real and how much is photoshop though. I highly recommend Gregg and Sam to anyone, their images and banter are both second to none.




Popping Genuis!

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So Sam Corban was all 'There is studio slots free on Thursday' and I was like 'I'm free' and then Josephine Birkett was like 'I'm free also' and that is how this all began. I'd say this is probably by far my most favourite shoot of 2012 so far and may continue to be for a long while.

So after we established we were all free we passed some ideas around and because I am a massive fan of Pop Art, especially that of Roy Lichtenstein I suggested we plotted a shoot around that idea. My friend, Shepy, had also sent me an image feature mega garish make up a few weeks previously saying it reminded him of me and it stuck in my head.


Josephine practised on her sister a couple of times and the results on her pictures looked pretty cool but it didn't prepare me for how well it all worked at the shoot. It was one of those shoots that involved about 2 hours of make up and approximately 25 mins of shoot all in all but it just totally worked and the images are....I would go as far as to say powerful and a really excellent addition to my portfolio. I hope the other members of the gang feel the same.

I didn't really know what to wear for the shoot, I had decided however my normal black hair wasn't going to cut the mustard so I just took along my turquoise cosplay wig and it didn't look as ridiculous was I had first anticipated! Such an amazing shoot and I can't wait to work with both these amazing peeps again. It's just occurred to me how many of my favourite images in my port are actually taken by Sam now.




Fruity Fun with Shepy

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Couple of weeks ago I did a super fun and sticky shoot with Richard Shepherd, a photographer who I rate highly for his skills and also I consider him to be a genuine friend of mine. I always have a laugh with him, if he wasn't so busy I'd spend more time with him even if it just meant stalking his flat. So I had some epic Catalyst Latex items to model, 2 of which I had asked them to make because I <3 Neon and I also <3 Tartan!

Firstly I modelled my tartan dress, I'd found this Etsy shop in Hungary that makes plaid latex it can also create custom colours if it's required, I fell in love with it and asked Catalyst to make me a super foxy dress, I am really happy with the way it turned out and I'm glad I went for the Red/Blue colouring.


The second item I modelled was the gorgeous 'Dee La Blue' playsuit/romper! I'm so delighted to have a latex item named after me. Also onesies are especially good for me because they show off my bottom and my boobies and cover up the areas of my body that I'm not happy to have on display. There are also some very cute little Latex Riding Socks to match which are absolutely adorable! The whole ensemble is just very fun and very me and I am dying to shoot in it again sometime.


Ok, lastly here is where the fruit comes in. I LOVE Neon colours, no secret in that. My orange jumpsuit is amazing but I fancied dabbling with some lime, so I asked if it was possible to have a Neon Green swimsuit affair with lots of fruit all over it. Catalyst created something better than I thought possible. I took this to the shoot as well and squeezed lots of fruit over myself. Great fun but very messy.


If you're wanting any mental custom latex items, I highly recommend going to Catalyst first, the gals are great and they have went along with my mental ideas many a time. 





Shooting with Doug Durham

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Darn tootin' totally forgot about this shoot! Naughty naughty Dee! Last month I show with Doug Durham in the Studio of Light in Sunderland. It's an excellent varied studio, lots of sets, lots of props, only real complaint is that it's always freezing and the toilets are out of order, sure this will all be sorted in due course though. It's still an excellent place to shoot and the owners have always treated me with massive amount of respect.

I headed down to Sunderland one frosty December to shoot with Doug and the gorgeous foxy lady that is Sophie Land. She is an absolute stunner, sadly no pictures of us together where you can see our faces but take it from me she is an absolute fox. I didn't really head to the shoot with any specific images in my head that I wanted to get but Doug had some definite ideas. 

He is an awesome photographer, so enthusiastic and he brought a massive case of stuff for me and Sophie to have a rummage though. I found a stunning orange vintage bustier that fit me like a dream and Sophie found various items that made her knockers look fantastic. 


Doug specifically wanted to use natural light and use places in the studio that hadn't been use previously by other photographers for example a disused gents loo which is in the picture above. I think this is one of the first pictures of me that drew attention to the tattoo on my arm. 


Hopefully I will get to do a mother/daughter shoot with Doug sometime in the New Year, I'd also like to wish him and his lovely fiancée a huge 'Congratulations' as they got engaged over the festive period, in Paris! Romance x 1000! :)






My Top 10 of 2011

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Just thought I'd briefly blog my 10 favourite images of 2011. I have been so honoured to work with so many amazing people, and meet so many people and I have to say Catalyst Latex made my year, they're support of me has boosted my confidence and the work I have done for them has helped me become a better model. I have had many different hair colours, my weight has fluctuated as it always does. I'm going to try and not ramble too much so here we go, in no particular order....

1. This shot was taken by a lovely lady photographer Dawn Gilfillan at Mayfield Studio, she wanted to do some pin up shots of me so I just packed my case up with a massive selection of vintage style undies and got some fab shots. This is one of the best ones and this shot is also at the back of my current set of business cards.


2. This image was actually taken back in January by my friend and one of my favourite photographers, Richard Shepherd at Banana Studio. It was just after I'd dyed my hair blue and I hadn't really got the hang of it yet. The colours pop in this shot though and it was featured on the 'Hot Chicks in Star Wars T-shirts' blog.


3. In my purple haired phase, I did my very first shoot for Catalyst Latex with my partner Nicholas Gray, again at Mayfield Studio. It was all very rushed thanks to City Link who apparently can't read nor co-operate. However I love this shot and I felt really good about myself after these were edited and uploaded. Probably also helped by the fact we used a fabulous MUA, Alex Pretswell. 


4. This image was only taken last month by another fabulous photographer I have worked with many times Mr Jonathan Keys. It's not actually the most flattering picture of me, but I am enjoying the attitude and it's probably one of my favourite black and white images of myself.


5. I was lucky enough to do a proper bridal shoot with a real faux groom and everything, this was done in York, with wedding photographers Tux and Tales Photography and my husband was Pete Von Stanton, probably the best thing I have ever discovered on Model Mayhem, I don't think I have managed to get any other shoots through that site. The photographer really wanted to create an 'alternative feel' wedding and I think we succeeded. 


6. I finally got to work with a couple of photographers that I have appreciated from afar, well...online, for literally years. The first of these photographers is Sam and Gregg Jamieson of Wicked Heart Photography. They have shot amazing images off all the most well known North East burlesque artists and some of the nicest models. I have shot with them twice and they are such absolutely lovely people, they make me feel good about my posing and how I look and it gives you a high!


7. The second photographer who I hadn't really had a chance to shoot with mostly because our timetables never match up is Chris Harrison of Grime and Glamour. He is good craic, and I feel comfortable talking to him about what I want from images. I haven't yet done any studio shots with him but I would like to some time in the future. Our best images were from our first shoot on location got lots off odd looks from taxi drivers, I also got to meet Anthony Dorman who is a sterling chap and you should check out his photography also.


8. I did a super quick shoot with amazing photographer Brian James (aka Derk German) his images are powerful and he very much has his own style. It was a very enjoyable shoot although it last for about 20-25 mins top. Hopefully I can convince him to work with me again sometime preferably outdoors.


9. I have suddenly cracked out a few shoots with Sam Corban over the last few months, he's a cheeky wee scamp that boy, always singing, always dancing, always swinging a ring flash in your face. He didn't take many modelly shots at our group shoot at Banana Studio however he got this shot of me which I love and it's my main image on my Purestorm account and will remain that way until someone can top it.


10. Lastly but not leastly, I have enjoyed a couple of shoots with Meg of Spellbound Imagery. She is such a lovely gal and her family and pooches are fantabulous too. My favourite shot taken by her of me is probably one from the studio shoot in Banana, it shows off my tattoo really well and it looks like I am totally singing.










Popping my Wicked Heart Cherry

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So recently I got to work with someone I have been dying to work with for years now since I first saw their images of the likes of Madamoiselle Boo, Katy Kamikaze & of course Anna Fur Laxis, who am I talking about? Of course the wonderful and amazing Gregg and Sam of Wicked Heart Photography.

Their work is so clean and colourful, they make every woman look as stunning as each other (I haven't seen any images they have done of blokes but I'd imagine they make them look pretty hot too!). I actually shot with them on the 26th of September but I am getting a bit behind with my blogs. Again this was a shoot where I wasn't asked to bring anything specific just some 'Alt' gear which actually when I looked at the photos I failed to do.



We did this shoot at Mayfield Studio, shot there plenty of times now. By far the best rental studio in the North East. Most central and best owners. No drama. Also at the studio that day, Chris Harrison was shooting, I got to do some images with the lovely Loki Winters and I got to meet Derk German, I blogged my shoot with him last month.

Sam and Gregg pretty much work together, having constant laughs and they compliment you so much you feel virtually super human, I had such an amazing time shooting with them. It was very comfortable and very informal and I think the images pretty much speak for themselves. I am waiting for another set of images from them that are all bendy and latexy and I can't wait! :)







Groupshoot-gasm!

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Got to shoot with some lovely photographers at a shoot I arranged towards the back end of last month. Amazing film photography fanatic Jonathan Keys, all round funny man Sam Corban, stunning lovely lady Meg Franklin of Spellbound Imagery and my boyfriend Nicholas Gray.

We booked a four hour slot, three other models came too (Rosa La Rouge, Bronagh Todd and Princess Pandora). For the most part the mood was fun and upbeat and most people got to work with most people, and I'd like to think it was beneficial for everyone's portfolios.

This is probably my favourite image of the day, from Sam Corban, he was mostly there for the craic rather than to get images, he was very much doing a behind the scenes kind of deal but I am really happy that he got this shot of me, it's probably one of my favourite images from 2011.


I ended up shooting with Jonathan quite a bit too, sadly his film had got all soaked so he ended up shooting a lot of digital which isn't his fave. I like my moody facial expression in this shot it kinda looks like I am saying 'What of it???'.


Meg I have only really shot with once before. Me and Nick popped down to play around with her home studio but we didn't really do many pictures. They had an retro mic at Bananastudio so I decided to give it a bosh, I sang for about 5 seconds before I started to blush.


Lastly, shooting with Nick is always easy, we just bounce of each other. BAM! Got the shot what next. One of the best things of having a boyfriend as a photographer is the honesty, he can tell me if things are unflattering and tell me which way to move to make it better. However Nick wanted to take some corporate style images, I don't believable I look like the slutty bitch of the office. At least I tried.





College Time With Corban

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Few weeks ago I got to shoot with fabulous Mr Corban again, he's a top bloke, I wasn't on top form for this shoot however, I felt quite poorly and my wisdom tooth had been giving me jip for ages. It was quite nice and laid back though we had the college studio space to ourselves and there were very few people milling around. Gary Barrett hung about for a bit of craic though, which was nice and I'd worked with him a week or so earlier.

I didn't really know what I wanted, I was all bloaty and pre menstrual so I didn't feel to hot actually, I felt like I looked preggers. I did however have some cute panties from a company called Bunny Jump who deffo deserve some facebook likes, I also have a pair of Portal pants from them which I haven't had a chance to wear yet.

I also have this Doctor Who Tardis t-shirt from Threadless which I constantly go on about in my Hide Your Arms blogs, I already got a pic of it in a shoot with my Nicholas, but I enjoyed switching it up and wearing it with a mannequin in a pig mask with Sam Corban. Sadly you can totally see my bra.

My fave images of the day were probably some ones which make me look a little bit like a prostitute but who doesn't love a bit of red and latex.

Get to shoot with Sam again next weekend and I might get to assist him sometime in the week, I always look forward to having a laugh and bouncing about. He also sings and dances which is pretty much look for in a photographer!




That's The Difference Between You and Me and Brian

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Ok so my blog title is a bit bizarre, watch Spaced outtakes, listen to Vulva, then you will get it. I recently did a shoot with someone who is mega warm, approachable and on each occasion I've met him he's made me smile and giggle, these are good qualities for sure. I also feel I can be myself around him, I tend to talk surreal rubbish and filth and I can't get away with it with everyone.

Mr Derk German is working his way through Chris 'Mr Filthingham' Harrison's models in quite succession. He has his own style, and it sets him apart from other photographers I have worked with of late. The simplicity and originality is what I particularly appreciate from his images.

Our shoot was brief and done at the fabulously staffed Mayfield Studio in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In about 20 minutes we were done and I got some cracking images of one of my favourite latex dresses by Catalyst.

It was quite nice to get some direction for a change, I frequently do a kinda Bam, Bam, Bam posing pattern but with Derk it was like he pictured the images in his mind and encouraged me to make the correct shapes and look in a certain direction.

I have to say these are some of my favourite images of 2011 and I really hope that I will get to work with him again, hopefully outdoors!



My Shoots with Shepy!

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Every now and again when modeling quite a lot you meet people who you click with and it's just super awesome. Other than Nick the one other photographer I've felt a working connection with is Richard Shepherd. Every time we work together I get shots that I think are original and amazing and we always have great craic and laughs aplenty.

My most recent shoot with him we hopped in the car and scooted about various locations in Newcastle, it was fast paced but lots of fun, it was one of those shoots that was just arranged the day before too but I particularly enjoyed the shots I got in the pedestrian tyne tunnel, I didn't however enjoy going down the massive amount of steps with some ridiculously epic shoes on.

Our shoot before that we went to a derelict factory/mill something something in the middle of no-where. I was a blondie then and I took craploads of latex, I was actually just going through the set of images a few days ago and I saw loads that I liked that I had completely forgotten about. The location and the clothing just all worked together, this shoot was one of the most satisfying ones that I have done in 2011.

The shoot before that was in Studio 5000 in Sunderland (now scarily renamed Studio of Light which when you type Studio and Light into google it comes up with like a zillion results so you have to type in Sunderland). It was a group shoot, we wound up having 4 models and 2 togs because someone let me down, however me and Shepy kind just got straight down to business and it was comfortable, I don't feel he needs to give me much direction and I'm pretty sure he is used to me posing like a maniac.

My very first cherry popping shoot with Shepy was at allegedly 'World Famous' Bananastudio, it was my first shoot with blue hair and I hadn't really worked it out yet but I got some cute geeky pics with Shepy that were features on the Hot Chicks in Star Wars T-shirts blog. So that was awesome!

I highly recommend working with Shepy, he is a gentleman, he is a funny and recently he has been a great friend to me, providing emotional support for a crazy woman is a very selfless thing to do and I just wanted to tell everyone how class he is!




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