Three Model Fashion Shoot.

in

Now this was something different and took a bit of organising.

Originally the idea of my makeup artist Shadrine from Kavour Beauty, it was based on a Royalty theme. We looked into getting a throne for hire to use, but that worked out very expensive for what amounted to four hours use. So we got three models in, Mercybongo, Yoo Yoo and new model to us Munira Model. All of the models wearing and representing their ethnic backgrounds in clothing and jewellery worked well and the models were a dream to work with. Shadrine provided all of the makeup and the hospitality and cups of tea were provided by Phil Lynam at his amazing Boardroom Studio in Derby have not published all of the images here on the blog as there are simply too many to show, so here are the edited highlights that you can see in the slide-show above. Thanks them to all involved .

Project – 'Lujon Fressonique' Update

in

Here are some images I actually made several months ago and never got around to editing for one reason or another. They are of model Marie Jean Saxton and again the Sunflower from last months batch of flowers. The fressonique style of editing is quite intense, so lucky for me I made a point of writing it all down and follow the instructions each time for consistency. All images taken using the plastic fantastic cheap lens Amy made. As crude and as simple as it can be, but still look reasonable quality. I hope you enjoy them?

September Flower Updates

in

Something a little different for this months flower pictures, in that there are no flowers. I thought that might be a problem when I realised this fact after visiting the Brambles Florist, but actually it turned out good. So there are no gerberas or roses this month, more shapes and textures like oak leaves and poppy heads. Thank then to Chris and the ladies at The Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours. A thanks also to Amy for all her help.

Well that is it for this month. I hope to see you back here at the end of October …. so see you soon x

Augusts Updates and 'Well he would say that, wouldn't he? '

in

Welcome back to my blog and little piece of the web that is mine. Good to have you back and hope you enjoy this months offerings?

It was going to be a quite month as opposed to July, with no model shoots at all Yet back in July I was contacted about shooting with a new model Lydia Clifford and I just jumped at the opportunity. We also squeezed another new shoot in with favourite Monalisa Moyo, back again in-front of the lens. So aside from them its been an peaceful, uneventful month. I would like to add a thank you to all those who like and watch my blog. With a special mention to my father who wrote a really lovely email to me saying how he enjoyed the pictures. I do not often get a lot of comments and often met with indifference because I think people have an expectation of a certain quality of work so don't mention when they get it. I put images up on Instagram and the such which sometimes go on to get two likes- WORLDWIDE!! Now I am not fishing for compliments, applause or feeling sorry for myself, but it is always good to get feedback (good or bad). So at least you know where your going wrong or getting something right? Now I know what you might be thinking, so his father said something encouraging to him and to use the Mandy Rice - Davies quote 'Well he would say that, wouldn't he? ' But it took me back a bit in a pleasant way and it felt good. Feedback, suggestion, requests and even constructive criticism, is better than silent indifference people. Nuff said ….…...

September is shaping up to be a busy month with a three model shoot at the Boardroom Studio in Derby, organised Shadrine my makeup artist at Kavour Beauty. Get well Shadrine, we need you fit and active on the day.

Please enjoy this months blog

x


So please enjoy this months blog

Project – 'Architectural Metaphor' Update

in

We only managed one project update this month, but we made it a good one. Getting up early one Sunday morning we took a lift to a local college to snap away at its new facia and architectural delight. The building there used to be quite drab in its 1979s style of building, but since the face lift I personally think it is a whole lot better. There was nobody around … not a soul … not even a student, so we had the place to ourselves. I strongly hope we captured its design beauty, to show it at its best? With thanks to Amy.

Lydia Clifford – Girl On Fire RED Shoot

in

Like I mentioned earlier I was not intending to do any shoots in August, but then this lovely fashion model and redhead Lydia Clifford (Girl On Fire) contacted me and I could not say no. Amy and I worked with Lydia down at the Boardroom Studio in Derby for two hours with the theme being RED.

And She was amazing ! She does dropped into posses with little need for direction, all natural and I think we got some great images of her. I would definitely like to do another shoot at a later date with Lydia again sometime, so thank her for her input. Thanks also to Phil Lynam at the Boardroom Studio and birthday girl on that day, my wife Amy.

Monalisa Moyo – On Location #2 Shoot

in

It was lovely to see and work with my old friend and longest serving model Monalisa Moyo again. These images were taken on location again on what was her 30th Birthday (I first worked with Monalisa when she was nineteen!!) We have not seen Monalisa since she kick started the year for me with a January shoot in my grotty bathroom if you can all remember? So here she is on the suspension bridge and against the pink wall. I would like to tell you they were taken in an exotic country, but the reality is they were in somewhere not quite so glamorous and around the corner from me. Still they turned out nice and Monalisa looked great in her kaftan and blue dress.

August Flower Updates

in

Its the end of Summer flower shoot in the home studio this month, with autumnal weather being dominant all season long. I have mixed feelings on that as I am not keen with scorching hot Summers, but we have not had a solid week of warm weather this year. Maybe we might be in for an Indian Summer I hope?

A big thanks then to our friends in the Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours. to Chris and the ladies for all their help and assistance in beginning this months flowers to you. A mention also to my wife Amy for all her help at taking the images. It could not be done without all of you.

So that is it for this month,. See you back at the end of September for the next chapter in the adventures in photography with Lujon Rael.

x

See you next month x

July Updates, what turned out to be a very busy month and a lesson never to send parcels to Romania !

in

Welcome back to my little corner of the web.

There were two shoots this month and a shoot taken on the last day of June (so technically for all sakes and purposes this month) Blessed with four great models to work with Mercybongo and Carl Tilson. Maryna Sedin and Marie Jean Saxton, they have kept me busy snapping and editing.

We also managed to travel to my parents home and see them which is always good. Not just to get away from our house, but to spend quality time with them is worth the journey. I managed to do one of the shoots on location in my Fathers lush garden as well as them taking us to Rushden Lakes for some magazine shopping and photo taking around the buildings. It was fun,Amy and I loved it, So thank you greatly to Mum and Dad x

Now here is a word of caution …. if your thinking of sending anything to another country (in this case Romania) you might want to think again about it. I sent an old camera to a man in Romania who could chip the camera so as to make it take Infrared images only. I know I already have a camera that does that, but I wanted a higher spec and it made use of my trusted old Nikon D3. So I sent it via the post office carrier (I shall not mention their name here!) at the princely sum of £50.00 only for the empty box coming back to me a few weeks later! Apparently it got as far as Bucharest and customs did not like it and sent it back, but between there and my front door some thieving turd helped themselves to it. Returning the empty box like trying to rub my nose in it! The Royal Mail recommended I call the Romania Customs and ask what happened to the camera? but that is as futile an effort as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest! Taking the piss obviously, I think they just said that to get rid of me. It worked. Although I have put a claim in, I have still not heard anything from the carriage company, and don't hold out much hope. Oh well, I guess some things just were not meant to be and I shall not do that again. Lesson learned.

Hope you enjoy this bumper month of pictures to make up for last months lacklustre offering.

x

Project – 'Architectural Metaphor' Update

in

These Architectural pictures for the Architectural Metaphor project were all taken at a shopping area called Rushden Lakes. Its got some great modern design there with interesting features. I even found the back of the shops interesting as they almost looked like they were from a different planet.

There is also a really brilliant magazine shop there that sells just about every magazine that gets published, I wish I lived closer as I would visit it weekly. There are a few candid shots of my local hospital, who get really touchy about photographing the place. But I did it anyway when they were not looking and besides this might sound like a false sense of entitlement, but after all the things they have stuck in me over the years – they owe me that!.Anyway, here are the architecture pictures for that day.

Project – 'Landscapes' Update

in

While being at my parents home, they very kindly took Amy and I into the Northamptonshire (Flat) countryside for some landscape shots. It was highly rewarding, if possibly a bit dull for everyone else. My favourite shots from the day were of a broken gate laying in the overgrown hedgerow and moody sky above it. Yes the sky was really that threatening, but again no rain. We also went to walk around the lakes of Rushden Lakes shopping complex and got some great pictures of the water and skies. It was fun.

Maryna Sedin – Second Shoot – In The Garden

in

Here was a shoot planned many months ago and would always be at the mercy of the British weather. Lucky for us it did not rain that day until we were done. So this the second outing for amazing Maryna Sedin took place in and around my Fathers garden, on the last day of June 2023.

I had help from a great MUA from Northampton called Kerry Claire, who did a wonderful job on the lovely Ukrainian model Maryna Sedin, which went a good way to making this shoot so memorable. I must also mention my Mother for making some lovely nibbles for us all to eat at half time and of course Dad for making his garden accessible, neat and tidy for the shoot. My wife Amy cannot be left out as she was the lighting woman on every set, so thanks to her in no small way.

I do hope you all enjoy the results from this shoot?

Mercybongo – Third Shoot with Carl Tilson

in

This is Mercybongo's second shoot this year with us and there are still two more to come before the year is out. However, this shoot was based on the video of 'Shock the monkey,' by Peter Gabriel complete with tribal makeup and match suits for both her and her partner Carl. The idea was to make both models look androgynous in white clothing and white background. I have actually used the alternative blue versions here as I think they look better. Thanks then to Mercybongo and Carl for their input and assistance. To Shadrine, at Kavour Beauty for here great makeup. To Phil Lynam at the boardroom studio for his help and of course Amy for being there.

Marie Jean Saxton – Third Shoot

in

Welcoming back the lovely Marie Jean Saxton for this unplanned two hour shoot at the Boardroom Studio in Derby this month. Most of the images were deliberately blurred and for another web site, but there was enough clear (normal ones) to go to print here on my site. It was lovely to work with Marie again in this simple stripped down, no thrills shoot.

Project – Infrared' Update

in

This is a mixture of random grabbed photos taken using the Infrared camera of my Father garden, the Northampton countryside, Rushden lakes walk and the M1 journey home. It would have been nice to use the camera I sent off to be converted in Romania, but alas that was not meant to be. Please enjoy the gallery/