Ella Rose: The Story

>This was such a fun shoot. Neil Snape‘s photography, specialising in fashion and beauty, is exquisite, and I admit I felt a bit nervous to be shooting with someone whose day job involves shooting world-renowned fashion models for world-renowned products and campaigns, but when in Paris…

Neil is so passionate and joyful about the possiblities of lighting in this mirror project, and was a delight to work with. He has since told me he is having trouble choosing final edits as they are all so special. *ego boost*!! Although a far cry from being a supermodel in height/measurements, apparently I’m alright… I’ve seen a couple more shots from this session already so far, but will post more another time, as soon as possible. Thanks Neil!

I just find this shot so stunning; the warmth and fiery glow, and the hunter pose…

>I’ve had a mad little day so far today, writing all morning then busy organising everything in the entire world ever (aka up and coming modelling trips to Germany, Holland, Scotland and now Dublin, since my postponed trip seems to have resurrected itself!). Flippin’ ‘eck, I feel like I spend most of my life on skyscanner.net. (In related news I am now the proud owner of a 4-wheel-drive suitcase, which means I will swivel marvellously through airports, in theory, and not get grumpy.) Off to zumba later (after a quick phone call later about another Paris visit that’s happening in June… I know, I’m just showing off now) and have also managed to get in an enquiry about a local life drawing class I’m thinking of trying out. I didn’t get to study art at school, since it clashed with music on the timetable, but I’ve always found drawing really relaxing on the rare occasion I’ve had a go. I wonder if I’d be any good at it – I really have no idea and could almost definitely be terrible, but I used to enjoy it a lot and I think it would be really fun to try. I’ve also never ever modelled for a life drawing class, only one-to-one when it comes to traditional-media artists, so it will be interesting to see what it all feels like.

Anyway, I modelled again for the brilliantly inventive Colin again recently. We had lots of fun trying out various projector themes on me. (I’ve written about his methods previously here.) I also suggested during the shoot that we try movement/motion blur, something I don’t think Colin had really worked on before, and it produced some really really cool (and surprising) effects, we thought, and required the invention of an alien zebra dance which amused me greatly. You feel off in your own world a bit when modelling for these projections; everything seems pitch black or blinding; with the heater on loudly as well, communication between photographer and model isn’t the easiest! Maybe I’ll be able to show some more movement-y ones at some point, but anyway, here are some good ‘uns to be getting on with! Thanks Colin!

>You never know what you’re going to get when an email from Rayment Kirby arrives in your inbox. I’m a bit in love with these. The first one casts me as an angelic, peace-giving Superhero (well, that’s my interpretation of it anyway!), gently administering good will and benevolence to all humanity below. Ha. This should probably be on my business cards (ya know, the ones I rarely remember to actually give out). Seriously though, I love this image! Thanks Rayment.

I love the second one too – so warming to look at in our current snowy conditions! I wonder what hot havoc I’m stirring up.

Finally, an irrelevant and unnecessary facial appearance from my cat, Sascha Tom, aka Mr Fluffy Bum/King Fluffalot/’my darling big boy’ (sometimes I address his highness as the latter in earshot of my not-quite-boyfriend, to freak him out for my own amusement), mostly due to his particular talent in the heft and fluff departments.

Well, I had to test out my new camera with a willing (lazy) subject, didn’t I? He has been following me around obsessively for the last few days, maintaining entire conversations with me around the subject of ‘Meeuugh’ and ‘Meeuh?’. He’s a rescue cat, and couldn’t purr for years (or perhaps he was hard to please and wanted us to earn the audible evidence of his pleasure), but now, I’m happy to say, he is an accomplished maker of the rumbling throat music. He also once tried to follow me into the bath (though changed his mind in mid-air and managed a sharp reverse). He’s cool. I love him a lot. Look at his lion face.

I’ve had so many dreams about Aslan appearing (only to stare at me, wisely; he doesn’t tend to say much, after all) in my backgarden. Those precious moments normally serve to punctuate the episodes of intense warfare where I (with bafflingly extensive abilities to be violent) have to single-handedly save the world or run and hide (usually through rivers or in caves; I think my unconcscious mind is a few centuries behind current events) from world-destroying bastards. It can go either way.

Sooo, I’m having a bit of a break from modelling now, not because I don’t like doing it anymore (I absolutely love it!), but because I need to take some time to gather my thoughts regarding a recent major change in my personal life – and focus on what I want. Hopefully I’ll be back sometime early next year, depending on what plans I make.

In the meantime, here’s a shot or two from a recent shoot I did with Silverlight (more on him later, as I’m sure I’ll do a proper blog post on it very soon – we did so many different sets and genres, and they looked amazing on the screen!). The first one here was just a bit of fun, and I was sent it very quickly to cheer up my inbox!

Meet Oliver (aka Zoolander):

>Sooo, I’m having a bit of a break from modelling now, not because I don’t like doing it anymore (I absolutely love it!), but because I need to take some time to gather my thoughts regarding a recent major change in my personal life – and focus on what I want. Hopefully I’ll be back sometime early next year, depending on what plans I make.

In the meantime, here’s a shot or two from a recent shoot I did with Silverlight (more on him later, as I’m sure I’ll do a proper blog post on it very soon – we did so many different sets and genres, and they looked amazing on the screen!). The first one here was just a bit of fun, and I was sent it very quickly to cheer up my inbox!

Meet Oliver (aka Zoolander):

It seems Ginge did make a final cut after all!!! And here he is, the stealthy thing, just before I notice his little face peering at me (thanks Richard!):

>It seems Ginge did make a final cut after all!!! And here he is, the stealthy thing, just before I notice his little face peering at me (thanks Richard!):

A quick post to share some latest images from working with Richard Lund in Karen‘s gorgeous country home (in which I always seem to get lost and forget which way I have entered when it comes to leaving, thus seeming like a madwoman looking for the front door). The theme (you’ve guessed it) was ‘kitchen’.

For the first set, I generally hung out at odds with gravity. Then I watched Karen throw flour over her face for the sake of art. Finally, we turfed Ginge, the cat, most ungraciously off the bed for the last set. Sadly, he didn’t make it into the final images (as far as I know). Next time, Ginge, next time… Really, though, the number of photographer pets I have (accidentally or otherwise) shared a frame with, it’s about time I had some portfolio evidence.

Anyway… here you are!

>A quick post to share some latest images from working with Richard Lund in Karen‘s gorgeous country home (in which I always seem to get lost and forget which way I have entered when it comes to leaving, thus seeming like a madwoman looking for the front door). The theme (you’ve guessed it) was ‘kitchen’.

For the first set, I generally hung out at odds with gravity. Then I watched Karen throw flour over her face for the sake of art. Finally, we turfed Ginge, the cat, most ungraciously off the bed for the last set. Sadly, he didn’t make it into the final images (as far as I know). Next time, Ginge, next time… Really, though, the number of photographer pets I have (accidentally or otherwise) shared a frame with, it’s about time I had some portfolio evidence.

Anyway… here you are!

I recently did a shoot with Karen Jones and Tony Nutley (both wonderful), which, amongst other things, involved a horse, a country house and a non-rider (me)! It was an amazing experience for me and totally new (as could be expected). I think we managed to entertain the residents of the house, one of whom appeared near the end, glass of wine in hand, and mentioned the opportunity to be in the local hunting weekly. I THINK he was joking, but thought it best to jump down his throat with my anti-hunting horror just in case. I love animals – Je suis une végetarienne. Hunting, no thank you. (I apologise for the occasional french phrases which seem to be popping up in this blog – it’s completely inexplicable and unnecessary.)

Anyway, here are some images. Let’s start with a log. (Photos by Karen)

Back at the stables:

Enter Otis, the horse (one more of Karen’s, then some from Tony Nutley):