Model Shoots

Aasiya Azeemali Second Shoot

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First shoot back in the studio after the new year break and a chance to do some serious portrait stuff with Aasiya Azeemali again. I had promised her a second shoot, with it a full makeup job as well. The lovely Aasiya has such a beautiful smooth completion it is hard to put a foot wrong and instead of seeing a hijab wearing model as a problem to photograph, but rather a challenge. Makeup was provided by Shadrine at Kavour Beauty and studio / lighting by Phil Lynam at The Boardroom Studio in Derby. Amy was on hand as always to help me. Big thanks to all involved on that day.


Elle Jones model in the style of Norma Jean Baker shoot

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During our last visit to see my parents I managed to watch a film on Netflix called 'Blondie.' I had previously heard some music from it and had downloaded it, so was curious to see the movie. It is a bio pic of the life of Norma Jean Baker (aka Marilyn Monroe). While not the greatest film I had ever seen it was not that bad either. This is despite the film getting a critical panning and a Golden Turkey award for its troubles. It did however contain some very sexually graphic and disturbing scenes that were both pertracted and uncomfortable to watch. Especially that is when your Mum is in the same room watching it with you !!! But it did show Norma Jean Baker as a very troubled and lonely woman bereft of a father figure in her life and early death. Very human with all our complications and far from the sex symbol and icon she has become today. So in the end it is quite a moving film in many ways. Norma Jean certainly did not deserve the abuse and treatment she got at the hands of the men in her life, Hollywood or the press. Sad.

Anyway, film critique aside, it did get me thinking of doing a shoot along the lines of some of her most iconic looks and pictures. And to this end I needed a model to pull this off … Enter fashion model Elle Jones.

Elle Jones and I had been contacting each other regarding doing something together in the studio for a long time. Since way before COVID came along, so I thought she would be perfect for the job. And she was. While not a blond like Marilyn, these images are not so much a carbon copy but rather a 'In the style of ….' look. Elle was brilliant and slayed the job completely. Shadrine at Kavour Beauty provided the hair and makeup and Phil Lynam provided the studio and lighting. Amy was as always my assistant. So I would like to give a big thank you to all there and for making these Elle Jones in the style of Norma Jean Baker pictures worth a second glance

Monalisa First Shoot of 2023 'Fashion 30

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There was not supposed to be a photo shoot this January as I needed a rest, but I got itchy fingers. No that does not mean I went out shoplifting, rather I called up my old fried Monalisa Moyo to see if she was up to an impromptu shoot at my house. And she was thankfully.

These pictures were taken in my sparse bathroom which is safe to say is not the parlay Ritz, but with some powdered milk in the bath water and on a cold day outside, we got the task done in one take. Thanks then to lovely fashion model, my friend, Monalisa Moyo for her time.


Mercybongo First Shoot (but not the last!)

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I finished of the year in the studio with a truly great model who is reasonably local to me and happy to have weird ideas run past her for shoots. Mercybongo is a lovely African lady who put herself to out of the way the day before the shoot and have her hair specially braided at Shadrines Beauty Salon This help enormously as on the day Shadrine could weave small pieces of rope into her hair.

Mercy was a pleasure to work with and we already have plans lined up for more shoots in the new year so I can not wait. The big rope was supplied by Phil Lynam at the excellent Boardroom Studio, so a big shout to him. As well as a thank you to both Mercy and at Kavour Beauty.


Nicolie Campbell – 'Paint It Black' Seventh Shoot

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I hooked up with champion boxer, Nicolie Campbell for our seventh shoot together and he was looking good after his recent fight. We were at The Boardroom Studio and used nearly all natural light for this session to some great results. He never fails to take a bad picture and always looks good. There are plans now to do a 'Tribal' look shoot next year before his next fight. So I am looking forward to that and will have to do my home work to think on some ideas and concepts.

Please enjoy the pictures?

Aasiya Azeemali – First Shoot

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Aasiya is a new model to me who contacted me through Instagram. A point to add here is that she is the first model to contact me through this platform that was an actual human and not a BOT created by a computer or a scammer in anyway, which makes a refreshing change on top of which she was lovely. She arranged to meet up with me and brought her Mum with her and we went out shooting in a few locations in town. Aasiya is a Muslim model and a hijab wearer, which was another first for me and we got some great pictures together.

I have asked if Aasiya would like to be my first model back in a February shoot next year at The Boardroom Studio on Derby with Shadrine my makeup artist from Kavour Beauty? She has agreed, so all looks good to go on that front.

I hope you enjoy our work together?

Marie Jean Saxton Second Fashion Shoot

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had planned to work with this months model a second time and the shoot was going ahead earlier this year – but then she got pregnant. Thankfully she is back now, and looking in great shape for this fashion shoot taken at The Boardroom Studio in Derby. Its always a joy and privileged to work with creatives like Marie and Shadrine my makeup artist. It makes all the difference to the shoot. So I hope the pictures speak for themselves. Thanks to Marie Jean Saxton for modelling. To Shadrine at Ka'Vour Beauty for all her hair and makeup work and to Phil Lynam at the brilliant Boardroom Studio for his valuable help and advice.

Monalisa Moyo – Nottingham Train Station Shoot.

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This was the only shoot we managed to do this month, but it was one I had longed to do. We got special permission from the boss of Nottingham Train Station to use a part of his station away from all the trains So thanks to him and to Shadrine who popped along to do the makeup for both models. Monalisa Moyo was first up with a short set and looking great in the very expensive 'Ballet Boots' I purchased from Amazon. Monalisa complained that they were impossible to stand up in and you can get a sense of that from the pictures. Yet they make for an interesting shoot. Monalisa was joined by a lovely model I had never worked with named Fern Thompson who came a distance for this shoot and I was very grateful for her being there.

Together they worked well. I hope you like the set?


Monalisa Moyo and Fern Thompson – Nottingham Train Station Shoot.

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Both melanin lovelys together on set. Thank you for Shadrine from Kavour for her makeup and Amy for helping with the lighting.

Fern Thompson – Nottingham Train Station Shoot

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Fern was great to work with and a true professional. Pregnant at the time of shooting, she turned up on time and was great. We did have an accident with the ballet boots when the heels dropped of, but that was more to do with the cheep and nasty way they were made than to Ferns moves on set. Like Monalisa, she found it near impossible to stand up let alone walk in them, but they make a great picture.

So thanks to Fern for all her hard work and hope to see you again in the New Year.