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)










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. 





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.










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.





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