Model Shoots

Lujon Rael Portfolio 2024, A Year In Review Slideshow

As its the end of the year its a chance to have a quick look back at what we have achieved this past year in shoots. Slightly less shoots than we did the year prior, but quantity never trumps quality so I hope I have hit the mark this year. Just as little foot note the music I have used for this slideshow for a track by The Patti Smith Group called 'Because The Night' and it was the first record I purchased as a young teen in Kettering many decades ago. It still sounds good even now. Enjoy.

Models: Various

Music: 'Because The Night' - The Patti Smith Group

Mercybongo & Munira Model Shoot

Mercybongo was the star of Novembers shoot and s once again the star of this Christmas shoot, but bringing with her the equally amazing Munira Model. This sensual pair of models work well together and compliment each other. They are also lovely to work with. The clothing supplied by TEMU online shop we did two sets with one being an urban feel, camouflaged type clothing and the other more classic in red hooded ,maxi dresses. Assistance on the day and thanks go to both Shadrine at Kavour Beauty and Phil at The Boardroom Studio, Derby. help was invaluable

It was all in all a great way to finish off the year on a high and as an extra bonus my old friend Monalisa Moyo dropped in to say Hi!. We will be seeing more of these models in the new year.

Until then ….

Mercybongo Shoot at the studio. 'GOLD'

Its always a good shoot when Mercybongo rides into town. She is such a great model and genuinely happy person to work with. This is our ninth shot together and the theme this shoot was gold. Shadine was on hand to add a gold flaky texture to her face using Vaseline and gold makeup. I thought we might not get a lot done this shoot as it is very time consuming, but it turned out good timewise. It was also Mercybongos first time attending the shoot without Carl and driving herself. Well done … you can do it, nothing to worry about.

We will be seeing Mercy again in December when she does a two model fashion shoot with Munira Model. Needless to say I am looking forward to that. So thank you then to everyone there. To Mercy. To Shadrine at Kavour Beauty and Phil at The Boardroom Studio, Derby. Although Amy was not there she provided the food so another thanks to her.

Eva Mengling Pu First Shoot

I wanted to work with someone new to me and was approached by oriental model Eva Mengling Pu to do a shoot together. She travelled a long way to attend the shoot, so only thought it fair to put her up in a hotel for the night. So come the shoot day, she was full of life and eager to get involved with the day in front. Eva was great and a pleasure to work with. Getting some almost Halloween ish sets done, although that was not the original aim of the set. There are as well as some Art Deco inspired theme shoots. Thanks then to all involved with the shoot. To Shadrine at Kavour Beauty for all the hair and beauty. To Phil Lynam and his studio at at The Boardroom Studio in Derby. And to Amy for her help and sourcing the materials. Thank you all.

Munira Model Third Shoot

Coming close to the end of the month for a shoot we were blessed to have lovely Indian model Munira in the studio with us. This is our third shoot together and was based on inspiration from the Paul Weller song called 'Amongst Butterflies' which I hope you have just listened to on the slide show above. The butterflies are not real of course, but they are colourful and with hair and makeup by Shadrine at Kavour Beauty they look great. Thanks then to all there that day at The Boardroom Studio in Derby.. Munira will be back again in December for a two model fashion shoot with Mercybongo. Cant wait !!!

Model Sin Yu Chan Photo shoot

This month I went for a couple of hours for a shoot with lovely Asian model Sin Yu Chan who had popped up for a shoot at the Boardroom Studio in Derby. I had none of the team with me that day so it was a one man show. Originally from Hong Kong I believe, Sin Yu Chan was great, with some professional moves that set the shoot apart from just a simple stand and smile job. I would be happy to work with her again, and hope that she might come to a shoot at my parents house next Summer (If they permit it!!). So please enjoy these shots from our session together.

Model Mercybongo 8th Photo shoot

Can you believe its our eight shoot together? I know Mercy has some way to catch up with Monalisa at thirty photo shoots or Tyler Dyce at fifty six shoots, but she is on her way with two more set before the close of the year.

This month we all went on location at the tunnel and an old Victorian mill factory site. It was an itty bitty day with the weather, but in-between showers we got some positive work done. Yes I know I have used the locations before, but there is a certain amount of repartition in any photography project you do when you have been at it over thirty years as I have been doing. But they are good locations, and worth another go when the weather is allowing.

So thanks then to Mercybongo and Carl for putting themselves out on the Sunday as well as a big shout to Amy for her help.

Model Maryna Sedin 3rd Photoshoot

Its always good when awsome supermodel Maryna Sedin drops by the studio for a shoot. She is so natural. Point the camera and off she goes making magic.

So this shoot I would try to have made on the day a paper dress. Not something made out of old newspaper, but rather out of the paper that bunches of flowers come wrapped in. I put this idea to Chris at https://flowerstoyours.com/eco-friendly-flowers and https://www.bramblesflowers.com/ and see if it could be done. He provided me with two rolls of paper, one plain and the other with pink dots on it. And it worked. Maryna wore a simple grey dress underneath as the paper was wrapped around her by Shadrine and Amy pinning it up at the back … and it looked great.!

We also created an all red effect with a red hijab, long red coat, shoes (red of course) and leggings to create an androginous look.. Through in a big red beach ball and red umbrella and you get the idea. Maryna also came with her own clothes that were checkerd black and white. So with some half / half balck and white makeup another look was created on the spot. Thanks then to everyone involved with the shoot. To Chris at https://flowerstoyours.com/eco-friendly-flowers and https://www.bramblesflowers.com/ to Shadrine at https://www.facebook.com/Kavourbeauty/ for her hair and makeup. To Phil Lynam at https://www.theboardroom.studio/ to Amy for her asssistance and of course the lovely Maryna Sedin whithout whom it all would not have been possible.

Model Mercybongo Photoshoot

Can you believe it this is Mercybongos seventh shoot with us at the studio and this month we have a bit of an Audrey Hepburn and Janet Jackson feel to it. Taken at, and with thanks to the brilliant https://www.theboardroom.studio/ This shoot features Mercybongo in a different style than we have previously done. The model wears what I call her Naomi Campbell long straight wig with black trousers and a pair of fishnet tights with the feet cut off over her top half and bra. This is an old trick I picked up decades ago and it creates a very edgy and strong (Janet Jackson) look. Its also cheap as you can get a simple pair of fishnets from Primark for about four quid. Mercy is also wearing a long black dress with white collar. Her hair is up with a tiara in it and some fancy pants lighting behind her. This I hope gives a classic Audrey Hepburn 'Breakfast at Tiffanys' look. There is also a third more spanish inspired look that is light, bright and orange / yellow..Thanks then to Shadrine at https://www.facebook.com/Kavourbeauty/ for her hair and makeup. To Phil Lynam at https://www.theboardroom.studio/ and a nod to my lovely wife Amy for her help.

I hope you enjoy them?

Munira Model on her second shoot with us

We were more than happy to get back in the studio the amazing Indian beauty Munira for a second shoot. In this shoot she was asked to wear a pair of the ballet boots. These boots are great to photograph as they add style and lift to the model, but impossible to walk in. Why anyone would want to wear them out for a night is beyond me ? But they do look great.

Munira is such a great model to work with. She is always both punctual and polite and throws herself into the project. I am planning on getting her back for a third shoot in August and to do the Christmas slot with Mercybongo. Thanks then to all there at the shoot, to Shadrine at Kavour Beauty. Phil Lynam at The Boardroom in Derby. A thanks also to Amy for her help and food.

There are also some behind the scenes shots from this shoot featuring Munira, Shadrine and Amy.


Model Marie Jean Saxton Shoot

It is always good to work with Marie Jean Saxton when she rides into town. She has such a great face and knows how to pose that I just let her get on with it. I did some more blurred images this shoot. Some with a Batman mask on for effect. It was a quick two hour affair shoot so not as abundant in images as the normal four hours would produce, but then its quality rather than quantity that we are after here.