February Updates, welcome back Aasiya, hello Elle Jones and goodbye Norma Jean

Welcome back all to my little piece of the internet.

Its been a bitterly cold month this month and still very little rain to show for itself. I fear this will mean more water shortages problems later in the year if we don't get any down pours soon.

Both Amy and I were in the studio twice this month and will be twice again in March, so its all go. We managed to fit in a second shoot with the lovely Aasiya Azeemali and a themed shoot session with the amazing Elle Jones. Both at The Boardroom Studio in Derby.

This month I have been planning a shoot to take place later in the year (June) in my parents garden when its at its best. I have chosen Maryna Sedin, the Ukrainian model I worked with last year to do the biddings on the day. So I really hope for good weather on the day. I know this goes against what I said in the previous paragraph, but on this day – No Rain Please !! we have other shoots coming up before then with some very lovely and colourful models to work with, some new, some returning for another go in front of the lens.

So that's a short round up for a short month … oh and it was me birthday this month. 21 …. again !

So hello Elle Jones and goodbye Norma Jean …. scroll down and see.

Enjoy the blog x

January Updates and welcome back for the New Year 2023.

Welcome back to Lujon Rael Portfolio, I do hope you had a great Christmas and New Year?

Amy and I spent some quality time with my Mum and Dad down at their place in Northamptonshire, so it was just nice to have a scene change and to see them both again.

Aside from that it has been fairly quiet this month. Mainly on account that its too bloody cold and everyone is skint after the Christmas binge. There has not even been a trip up to see all my friends (?) at Clinic 8 for a change, although I am now getting appointments to see me a few times this coming February. Oh what fun we shall have, I Can’t wait !! Better things to look forward to this coming February is another shoot with Aasiya Azeemali who we last snapped in November. This will be a head and shoulders beauty shots of Aasiya wearing a few different hijabs and makeup provided by Shadrine from Kavour Beauty.As well as this,a second shoot later in the month with new model to me Elle Jones will take place. The theme of this shoot is a nod to the late Norma Jean Baker in style. Both shoots will be held at The Boardroom Studio in Derby.

It only leaves me to say I hope you enjoy this months offerings

x

December Update Christmas and my continuing adventures at Clinic 8

Welcome back to the final blog update of 2022, and how the year has gone fast.

As of writing this blog, Christmas day (or Mariah Carey Day as I like to call it) is past and building up again for the a rival of the new year. I already have some shoots booked in for doing in February when things start to come alive again, as well as some appointments in Clinic 8 … a place where all your dreams do come true and of which I am a frequent flyer! At the start of the month I visited my favourite clinic to have laser done on my left eyeball. I have had it before and it is a drawn out procedure of some Doctor zapping you with his laser gun. This session I was stuck with a young Doctor who thought he was Roy Rogers or Quick on the draw Mcgraw He zapped my into oblivion, shooting from the hip. Now its safe to say I do not like laser any more than I like being at Clinic 8 in general. Laser is up there with root canal, colonoscopy, cervical smears (so I am reliably informed!) and the odious pleasure of having a small camera rammed down your knob! As perceive as it may sound, I actually prefer injections into my eyeballs as I am used to it and it is over very quickly. Unlike laser which is thirty or more minutes of agony and torture.I hate it and recoiled in pain when he would not stop zapping me after I told him it hurt, only then and after I gave him a string of experlatives did he finish inflicting pain on me. Saying that he guessed I did not like the procedure, top marks to that man for working that one out all by himself! So for the new year, my new years resolution will be a simple one …. NO MORE LASER !!! It should not be a hard one to keep.

Collected here on the website and blog are some much better things I have done this month, including getting to work with the lovely Mercybongo model She was a real treat and we got some great stuff to finish the year off with. I will be back in the studio come February 1st, for a second shoot I have planned with model Aasiya Azeemali. So roll on February.

Thanks then to Phil Lynam at the Boardroom Studio for his help. To Shadrine at Kavour Beauty for all her makeup work. To Chris and the ladies at Flowers To Yours and the Brambles Florist. A special thanks to my long suffering wife Amy, and to you all seasons greetings

.Enjoy the blog.

November Updates and Nikon Soup for one.

Welcome back to my little corner of the web.

This last month has been a busy one with two fashion shoots under my belt and a new phone to sort out!

I had the distinct pleasure of working with a lovely new Muslim model who is local to me named Aasiya. The weather was with us on the day and we took some snaps around town. I was pleasantly surprised with her and am looking forward to hopefully working with her again early in the new year and beyond. I also managed to fit in my old friend and champion boxer, the undefeated Nicolie Campbell (aka 'Pretty Boy Assassin') at the studio for his seventh shoot together. He just keeps getting better and is a genuinely nice and decent man. Which leads me on to my mobile phone …

A week or so ago I picked up my charged up Alcatel mobile phone to make a call and the damn thing fell in half in my hands. Just fell in two. I had not previously gone caveman on it or sent it into orbit around the room, so all I can think of is that it was just a cheap jack pile of pantihose waste! (I only got the thing because it was cheap and simple, calls and text only. For a truth be told, these new all singing and dancing smart phones have a way of intimidating me) On top of which if that was not bad enough, this came after the previous week when somehow I managed to drop my brand new Nikon D850 camera into the vegetable soup that Amy had just served up. I could not have made this up if I planned to ! But I must say that it added nothing to the taste of ASDA's own vegetable soup, nor put me off eating it. So no harm done there then.

So all in all it has been a memorable month (Amy did a sterling job in cleaning the soup off the camera with no harm done). I hope you enjoy this months collection of pictures and don't forget to come back next month in the festive season, or Mariah Carey season as I like to think of it.

x

October Updates and a warm farewell to Uncle .... a life worth remembering

Welcome back to Lujon Rael Portfolio this month.

We aim to please our viewers and friends, but must start this month off with some sad news of the passing of a dear Uncle. Ly Va Sinh (or Uncle as we affectionately refereed to him) passed away earlier this month with his family by his bedside when the end finally came. Originally from North Vietnam, he came with all of his family to the UK via Hong Kong back in the late 1970's. Which was no mean feet on a boat as they did then. Anyone old enough to remember the late 1970' and early 1980's would be aware of the 'Boat People' fleeing to safety back then. My wife included on that same boat as Uncle.

He was the mayor of his town in Vietnam and was always welcoming to Amy and myself whenever we would be in his house. Uncle had a warm smile that lit up his face when he was pleased about something and he also possessed a good sense of humour. I can remember once Uncle offering me some Chinese Rice Wine. I knocked the whole glass down straight and he paused to see my reaction. It was like having a red hot poker in your throat and Uncle thought it was so amusing to watch me flap my arms about like a demented chicken in a clumsy attempt to cool my mouth down. On another occasion Uncle laughed enthusiastically when I put some orange peel in my mouth cut to make them look like monkeys teeth. So what I am saying here is that Uncle was a very good and loving man. He leaves behind a very large extended family of several generations and all of whom love him and miss him. But he is with his beloved late wife and in a much better place now I believe. And in no more pain. The martial arts star Bruce Lee once said 'To reach true immortality, you must first lead a life worth remembering.' I think that applies here and it is no glib statement to say that Amy and I will both miss him. But we will remember him … and so I would like to dedicate this months blog to the memory of Uncle Ly Va Sinh.

For Uncle and the Ly family ... the love of the loved ... Safe journey home x

In other business, I had a great shoot this last month with Marie Jean Saxton at the Boardroom Studio in Derby, that went well. The results of which can be seen below, I am at loggerheads with Clinic 8 of my local Hospital again as they called me in for an appointment at 9am Sunday morning, only to be told they had cancelled it weeks ago and had not got around to telling me. They had also booked me in for an appointment today to have dye washed through my veins. Something I did not know about as nobody discussed it with me. This appointment was then cancelled later that day in a phone call from the hospital. They apologised as it was a mistake and they did not infact need to do this invasive procedure. Which was just as well. Because after yesterdays debacle, I had already made up my mind I was not going to turn up anyway, so there !

Clinic 8, a place where dreams do come true !

Hope you enjoy this months blog.

September Updates

Hello and welcome back to Lujon Rael Portfolio blog, I do hope you are all in good health.

Starting this months blog of on a positive note, Amy and I managed to do a long planned shoot in Nottingham Train Station one Wednesday afternoon this last month.

Everything went to plan – EVERYTHING !!!!

No late arrivals, no awkward travel passengers or station staff and we managed to do all the hair makeup and shooting within the two hour maximum we promised the station manager. And it was fun. Have a look over the results below and see for yourself what makeup artist Shadrine and two models Monalisa Moyo and Fern Thompson did together.

On a less positive note, Amy and I were due to travel down to see my parents and for me to accompany my Father to a long awaited concert with guitarist Steve Hackett at the Royal Derogate Theatre in Northampton. Sadly it turned out when we arrived at Nottingham Train Station that a student somewhere between Nottingham and London had decided to play the Mondo Death game of Student Verses Train with a predictable outcome and to a full on gory effect. Now while there are no right way to kill yourself … as its all bad and all sad ..,, but this very selfish way of removing yourself from the human gene pool has huge ramifications for lots of other innocent people. Obviously the friends and family of the student, but then there is the driver and staff of the train also. The passengers onboard the train and what ever plans they had being lost in this act of self destruction. The emergency services staff called out to attend the scene and the poor persons who had to clean all the blood and guts of the track. And to myself who could not get down to see my parents and attend the concert. My dad sat alone with a spare seat next to him that I should have taken, watching the show. But then I suppose its like what John Lennon once said that 'Life is what happens to you when your busy making plans.'

Still on a lighter note, be sure to come back next month as we have a shoot in the fabulous Boardroom Studio in Derby featuring the return of stunning Marie Jean Saxton.

Please enjoy this months picture offerings. x

August Updates

Welcome back to the Lujon Rael Portfolio blog. I hope you are all safe and in good health.

Let me start this month of with some birthday mentions. Firstly a happy birthday to my wife Amy who is still a young looking fifty something. Luv ya' x A happy birthday also to both Monalisa Moyo and Tyler Dyce who are both 29 respectively. Have a great day each ladies … dont get too hammered !

We haven't been going far this month as the weather has been so very warm, and I do not do well in the sweltering heat. Still Amy and I did manage to do a shoot at The Boardroom Studio with a new model to me. The lovely Supple Suki.

On a more sombre note, my vision is diminishing further, with my right eye now that gives me site like I am looking through the bottom of a dirty milk bottle. But you learn to live with it, and make the best of the hand God has dealt me. It still does not stop me from taking photographs, it is just that reading has become more of a challenge.

Looking forward to September we have a two model photo shoot on location in Nottingham Train Station. The shoot features my old friend Monalisa Moyo and a new model to me from Manchester Fern Thompson. So looking forward to that.

Thank you then to all involved with this months output and hope you enjoy the blog x

July Updates

Welcome back to this months (late) blog update.

Its been a slow month this month, with only one shoot under my belt, but then in parts this month has been too hot to do anything. I am old enough to remember the legendary, sweltering Summer of 1976 and that seemed to go on forever. I also keep telling myself that it was the Summer of 'Jaws' at the cinema and Queens 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was top of the charts. And all of which is wrong … that was infact the previous year in 1975 !. Oh well, whats in a year ! Dates, times and events distort and fade as you grow older.

Well done to the England Women's Football team for thrashing the Germans. Its a sad shame that our Prime minister Boris Johnson couldn't bring himself away from crying in his saucer of milk to drop down to Trafalgar Square and personally thank them for their victory. He only live around the corner from them ?

Enough politics …. Enjoy this months offering. x

June Updates

Thank you for dropping by my little corner of the web again.

It has been quite a busy month this month with a fashion shoot from Monalisa Moyo, a visit to my parents and shooting flowers in a couple of gardens. As well as the usual beautiful flowers provided by Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours.

This month I tried my hand at a bit of filming. Now I must point out that I know sweet F.A. About video, but it seems that that is a way to go and I wanted to give it a try with a 'Short' Behind the scenes video. It took a bit of working out and the results wont make Steven Spielberg sit up and think his days are numbered, but it was a first stab at it and I shall do more. Talking of future shoots I have a shoot coming up in July at the Boardroom Studio in Derby with a new model to me where we will be trying to do stuff in the style of French photographer Sarah Moon. Don miss that next month.

Enjoy the blog …..

May Updates

Welcome back to Lujon Rael online portfolio

As I sit here writing this months blog, I am thinking on ideas for future shoots and so far have come up with four ideas. It will be a chance to work again with some old favourites like Monalisa Moyo and some new faces both in the studio and on location. But talking of new faces, I got to work with the lovely Ukrainian model Maryna Sedin this month. She was awesome, but more about her and the shoot later.

As June is arriving, Amy and I are looking forward to visiting my parents for a few days and weather permitting, take some fresh images of the garden.

As well as to enjoy their company as well, better than looking at the same brick wall for a change.

On a sower note, has anybody tried getting in touch with the NHS recently? I received a snotty letter through the post telling me I have not contacted my local Podiatry service in a while and should do soon if I don't want to be referred back to my GP. Well this just is not true, as I tried and several occasions over several weeks to call them and they either say they are busy with an automated answering machine, or just don't pick up at all ! I have tried everything to get through just short of getting the Ouija board out and seeing if that works? Maybe I should cut off all my toes and send them to the hospital or better still serve them all up for tea like Harold the barrel? Oh well. I am sure I will survive.

Enjoy this months offerings and hopefully see you all again next month.

With or without my toes.

April Updates

Hello and welcome back to the Lujon Rael blog spot on the web.

Its been a quiet month really, with very little going on after the hectic of March. I was not going to do a fashion shoot this month, but the urge got the better of me and Monalisa Moyo was looking for something to do. So we did one. I purchased a new camera this month as my old Nikon D3X was getting tired, due to its ten years or more of loyal service. I don't get rid of my old cameras, that to me would be like selling your own granny for a few quid. I just retire them and keep them safe. And I have loads of old cameras to look after.

Anyway, I would like to thank Monalisa, Chris, Gail and Nina at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours … as well as Amy for her loyal support.

March Updates

Welcome back to the Lujon Rael blog update for March.

Its been a busy month with two fashion shoots and a visit to a local beauty spot to see if there is any good places to shoot. The World is still in a shitty way with Wars and conflict, lies and deceitfulness, yet things still go on and the Sun sets and rises again in the morning. We are never going to put all things right, and this is not the forum to try, but you can only do your bit to make it a slightly better place if you can make someone happy. So I would like to give a shout out to my friend Mark who I know drops by from time to time to see what I am up to on the blog. Thanks my friend.

Then thanks also to all those that help bring these pictures into being. Chris, Wendy and Nina at The Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours. To Phil Lynam at The Boardroom Studio in Derby and Shadrine at Kavour Beauty.

A mention also to Amy for all her love and support.

I hope you enjoy this months updates. x

February Updates and First Fashion Shoot of 2022

First off let me apologies for the lateness of the blog this month. I got bogged down with some editing and other stuff, but here it is and we kick off with a fashion shoot featuring new model (to me) Xenia Model and fan favourite Monalisa Moyo with some melanin magic.

I know its hard this month trying to be positive when there is an unnecessary and ugly, brutal war going on in the Ukraine at the present. But life still goes on and the World turns despite having the sword of Democles hanging over it.

A big thanks to all the usual subjects this month Chris and Wendy at Flowers To Yours and Brambles Florist. To Shadrine at Kavour Beauty and Phil Lynam at The Boardroom Studio in Derby. And not forgetting Amy for her help, ;love and support.

Enjoy this months blog

January Updates, Happy New Year and an unashamed plug for the 'Brutal' Architecture books and the work of Martin Dust photographer

Let me first say thank you for coming back to my blog and hope you are all having a great start to the New Year 2022.

There has been no fashion shoot this month, but that will be remedied soon with a double shoot on the 22nd / 23rd February with Monalisa Moyo and Russian model Xenia in the Boardroom Studio in Derby. I can not wait to get going with that but I first need to show some of the left over stuff from last year and new stuff from this month. As I mentioned in last months blog update we were taken to Rushden Lakes shopping complex were I managed to do some photography as well as some landscapes on another day. The results you will find featured here.

Before the end of last year I came across an advert on Instagram for a book of photographic work by a local photographer called Martin Dust. He lives in the Sheffield area and photographs what is known as 'Brutal' architecture. Things that a lot of people would feel hard pressed to love and find beauty in it. Least of all Prince Charles. I had already started my 'Architectural Metaphor' project some months before, so was taken to see his work. I purchased his 'Brutal Sheffield' book and follow up 'Brutal Yorkshire' book which are both excellent editions. The photography is amazing, but I suppose it would be fare to say, it might not be for everyones taste. However, if you have been enjoying my 'Architectural Metaphor' and 'Sound Of The Suburbs' projects you may just like Martin’s brilliant work.

Check out and support his work at the following

• Website: https://www.martindust.photography/

• Facebook: @MartinDustphotography

• Twitter: @MartinDustphoto

• Instagram; #martindustphotography

So it just leaves me to say a few thank yous to finish off. To Amy for her support. To Chris and Wendy at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours and to Karen and Carmen Ma Not forgetting Mum and Dad, it was just great to see you both again after so very long. x

December Updates and a belated seasons greetings.

I am writing this to you from a few days into the January New Year 2022. So not strictly up to date. I had wanted to complete this before I went away for the holidays with Amy, but got bogged down with other matters. So here it is Decembers blog … completely free to enjoy without Covid and with apologies if a bit late.

Starting the month of I would wish to say a big thanks to our friends Chris and Wendy at Flowers To Yours and Brambles Florist, without their help I could never get the monthly flower images done. They are an invaluable help, so thanks. It is only fair to give a mention also to Amy who is always at my side and joins in the fun of the shoots. We went away to my parents house over the New Year period where they very kindly took us out into the wilds of the countryside to do some landscape photography. As well as a trip to this brilliant magazine shop in Rushden Lakes shopping centre where I managed to capture some shots for next months 'Architectural Metaphor' page. I would like to thank them deeply and say how much Amy and I appreciate and love them both. You can see the results of our trip away later this January.

There was no model shoot in December and will not be one until the end of February, but there is a years review slide show to have a look over for the greatest hits of 2021.

Enjoy the show.

November Updates

Welcome back to the blog and web site of Lujon Rael.

Has everyone had or going to have their booster jab yet? Amy and I had ours last Sunday. All went well until the next day when I felt like a zombie and slept a full twenty four hours.

Amy’s arm just hurt a bit. !!

I can happily report that there have been no falls this month and I have been mostly busy watching re-runs of Star Trek 'Deep Space Nine' on the SyFi channel. That said, I did manage to get in a great shoot with new model to me Tasha Lawer. Which was great fun and the usual flower shoot I do with help from Amy and our friends, Chris and Wendy at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours at the end of the month.

We are getting into Christmas season now, or, Mariah Carey Season as I like to think of it. With only one more month to go before we watch 'The Guns of Navarone' and Morecambe and Wise 1973 Christmas Special on the BBC.... again !

So enjoy the blog and lets all stay safe this season.

October Updates and Happy Wedding Day to Shadrine ...

Welcome back to the Lujon Rael Portfolio blog update for October, I do hope you are all well and Covid free.

Before I begin I would like to wish my friend and work colleague Shadrine and her partner Mario, a happy Wedding Day this month from both Amy and I. I hope you are both blessed to have as many happy, loving years together as I have had spent with my wife. People often decry marriage, but I can say in all honesty its the best thing that ever happened to me My wife saved me ... and mostly from myself.

So technically speaking there has not been a fashion photoshoot this calendar month, but we have the results for last months shoot with amazing Monalisa Moyo in the hotel. An eventful shoot, we got the job done and we let out a sigh of relief on its completion before taking to this very comfortable, air conditioned luxury bedroom. I am pleased with the results and honoured to be working with such creatives as Monalisa, Shadrine and Amy.

I had a fall this month. I have had falls before, mostly on carpeted floor but this one was on hard concrete. The fall ripped my knees up a bit, but more than that it shook me up. For a good few days I felt shaky on my feet and found it hard to walk. More than I normally do. It all happened so fast. I got out of a taxi after visiting the florist and my legs went from under me. I tumbled like a bag of potatoes to the floor. But what do you do? You have to pick yourself up and dust yourself down and carry on. I know my weight does not help me. I know the nerve damage and muscle waistage to my right leg affects me also …. but bollocks to all that. I refuse to make excuses, or to feel sorry for myself and will survive … for another day at least !

Enough of that, please enjoy this months blog updates with thanks to all the generous people involved in its creation.

I would also like to put in a special thank you to my father for taking me to see a great concert in Nottingham by Ex Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. I loved every minute of it Dad. x

September Updates

Another month has rolled around and time to update the blog.

On the whole its been a quiet month with not much happening until this last week and it all kicked off. As mentioned in the August update I had planned to do two shoots this month, both I am happy to say went ahead eventually. I say that because the final shoot was a drama to behold and touch and go until the hour of shooting. But at the end of the day everyone turned up (if late) and we finally got the job done. I am in the process of editing those last pictures so they will not be available until next months blog update in October. But I do have the Nicolie Campbell pictures to show and they are a real treat. A genuinely nice man with a handsome look and lots of abs on show. But then what would expect from a boxer and athlete.

I woul just like to make mention of thanks to a few model I met through the drama of this week. So a shout out to Natasha Lawer, Elle Jones, Simone Stocks and Betty Malone All the ladies have been more than helpful to me this month and I shall not forget their kindness.

A thanks also to Chris and Wendy at Flowers To Yours and Brambles Florist Shadrine at Kavour Beauty for her MUA skills and Monalisa for being Monalisa !! .

And of course, not forgetting my dear wife Amy for always being there.

August Updates and an unashamed plug

Hello and welcome back to my blog this rainy August.

It has been a quiet month with again no model shoots, but I have been planning for two shoots in the same week at the end of September. The models then will be athlete and champion boxer Nicolie Campbell and then fashion model Monalsia Moyo. I have all the props ready, but have a small oily problem with one of the bits for Nicolies shoot. I intend to shoot him wearing chain-mail and managed to get some great gear from India. Unfortunately it has come smothered in axel oil and quite unusable. I purchased a grey backup but it is not as good as the oily black one. I was advised to wash it several times in hot soapy water, which I shall do … if not I am snookered !

I hope to bring you the pictures next month.

Now I don't normally highlight other photographers work on my blog, but I would like to draw your attention to a book soon to be released by a friend of mine. Amazing wildlife and native peoples photographer Scott Davis from California, is someone I friended on Instagram (#scottydavispics) and follow his work avidly, To me he is like the film maker David Lean of photography with his images and we often comment on each others work. Scott also takes extraordinary pictures of indigenous people from all over the world, from Brazil to Mongolia and the narrative on their portraits tells such a powerful narrative. Check them out on his Instagram or why not visit his website www.scottdavisimages.com

Anyway, he has a book coming out called 'The Science of hope: Eye to eye with our worlds wildlife' which he co-authored with Wiebke Finkler Ph.D. I am always impressed with his knowledge of his subjects, only bettered by Sir David Attenborough in that field.

The book is in the shops and online in the United Kingdom from 21st September. 2021

Visit these sellers for your pre-order copy:

Amazon UK

Ebay

WH Smith

Wordery

A great read

I put my money where my mouth is and have already pre-ordered my copy.

Thanks this month to Amy for all her support and to Chris and Wendy at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours. A special mention to Karen Ma … my biggest fan in the whole wide world !!!!

July Updates

Welcome back to July's blog updates.

There has not really been much happening this month except sitting in my front room with the fan on. I am not very good in sweltering hot weather, give me an Indian Summer any day ! So I have not been out very much, or moved far this month.

I mentioned last month that I have no shoots booked until the end of September when I then have two with Monalisa Moyo and boxer Nicolie Campbell which I am both looking forward too. So it is a bit of a bare month for model pictures I am sorry to say.

But I have managed to take the months scheduled flower images in the home studio, kindly provided by my friends Chris and Wendy at Flowers To Yours and Brambles Florist. I have also been digging up ancient images I have of flowers taken in a variety of gardens up and down the Country from London to Scotland and renovated the images for you to enjoy.

So now that I have some time down this coming August before the next flower shoot, I am taking the time to send of my digital camera off for a well overdue service with Nikon. These things never move fast, so I am feeling like my hands have been removed for the while. I shall have to take up knitting instead.

Enjoy this months offerings.