Shoots of January 2014! So far so good....

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Well January was a pretty horrid month. I lost my car and my children have been poorly because of how damp our house is so I am feeling guilt to the 1000th percent. Luckily the car accident wasn't my fault and it should be sorted I'm just waiting. 

My first shoot in January, I included in my last blog. It was with my lovely friend Meg at Spellbound Imagery, unfortunately I haven't got to see Meg since this shoot and I had started going to visit her every week for a chat on a relax on her massive couch with her massive doggies! This shoot was so cold, the wind and hail battered against my face and my boobs. The shot was great though and also gave me a chance to use my Christmas Day dress.


My next shoot of 2014 was with the epically talented and beardy BURNOUTBRIGHT, he was so much fun, I love his unique and dark style and I'm going to be shooting with him indoors for the first time next week (maybes). I think these images looks almost cinematic and considering were were only shooting for an hour, and I got changed in and out of 4 outfits I'd say this was an awesome success!


I had my first shoot with Anthony Simpson and the lovely April Miele did my make up and I shot in one of Chris Niari's dresses. I was something completely different and I rarely get the chance of having someone skilful getting their hands on my hair. We shot in an old quarry type place in the centre of town. It was a chance to do something where I looked powerful and almost regal which was a nice change for me.


It was my husband and I's first Wedding Anniversary in January. At the risk of sounding soppy I never in my wildest dreams imagined I couldn't find someone as utterly perfect, beautiful and soulmate flavoured as my gorgeous Nicholas. I hate being apart from him, if he comes to meet me from work I have to run towards him and hold him and smell him. It's such an amazing experience to find someone that you can gel so well with, I'm so lucky! However we got our good friend Jonathan Keys to do some portraits of us on film, I really want to get all the square ones printed and put into a frame, they are capturing lots of little smooches and us just surrounded by the city.


Next shoot is with a team I have been dying to work with again for ages, our last shoot was a Pop Art shoot which was a massive success. Josephine Birkett did such an amazing job of my gold and black make up and Sam Corban did an class job of capturing my face and how amazing Jo had made my skin look. I love catching up with them both though although I don't think I was on top form mostly because of my car nonsense. I always look forward to seeing their new work though, they are both super talented! I think this might be one of my favourite images of me ever. 



I got to work with a brand new female photographer! Brand new to me anyway, we did a quick shoot on a super cold morning in town. I got to wear my little minty frock that I got for my Christmas party and I was concerned that I looked stupid. The lovely lady photographer was Tena Gibson, and I got some super fresh and natural portraits and I'm excited about the prospect of shooting with her again.


I did do one more shoot in January but I didn't get the images until February so I'm going to whack them in my next blog! I have an insane amount of cosplay shoots to do, I really need to get on it! :) lots planned I think 2014 is going to be a creative and colourful year!

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)










Bless me father for I have sinned....

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Feels very odd to finally be blogging this, it was actually a project I was involved in last year at about this time, infact I did this particular photo shoot the day after my birthday, so March the 17th 2011! I also performed at a burlesque event this day, and my daughter who at the time was 3 came along to this shoot which didn't particularly help with my expressions or anything.

So what was it all about? A designer called Jennifer Johnson and her partner, photographer Michael Daglish, showcasing their skills along with a poet/story teller with the theme of the '7 Sins'. So this involved 7 dresses, 7 photo shoots, 7 models (Constance Peach, Jenny Johnson, Trixie D Licious, Nicola Michelle, Katrina Darling, Betty D'Light and myself) and poems about all of the sins which was then published in a book. I wasn't able to release my set of the images until after the book launch which ended up being in January

My sin was 'Gluttony', this didn't bother me in the slightest. I think the only time this sin has been relevant to me however was when I was pregnant with my son. I suffered terribly from hyperemesis gravidarum, which is a severe form of morning sickness but because I was being sick so frequently (approx 8 times a day) I was still hungry and then filling my face. I struggled to stop doing this until after my son was born.

My frock was amazing, so much detail, and I actually adore the colour orange, along with purple they are probably my favourite colours. My shoot also featured some pretty rotten fruit which I had the joy of squishing into my hands. Anyway I just thought I'd share a couple of my images and I highly recommend hunting down everyone else's for a gander.




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.










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!




Like a Record Baby..

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Had a shoot a couple of weeks ago with lovely chap and excellent photographer Richard Hanley, who also lives in the same village where I live! The outlook of this shoot was instantly improved by the attendance of MUA Josephine Birkett who was an absolute star she knew exactly what I was after which all worked so well with the location.

Ah hah, the location was a record shop in Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre called Steel Wheels. It is completely different to how I remembered, it was relocated and downsized a lot, downloadable music probably to blame. I still had an amazing time and it was one of my favourite shoots to date. There wasn't really a lot to work with but I had a lot of fun and I am very very impressed with the images. Probably the first time I have seen any Dani in images that weren't taken by my boyfriend.

Here are a couple of my faves.


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