Torn: Self Portrait

It has been a while. And seem to be a perpetual cycle.

I am torn, tied up, broken.

And I will rebuild.

BTS and Editorial: Beautiful Boys

Looking through the endless number of folders I had completely forgot to upload this. I thought I had but apparently not. My Beautiful Boys editorial was meant to have been published, perhaps it was last year and after waiting and waiting and waiting and countless emails to the editor and wondering whether an volcano had blown up the magazine office, I gave up. These things happen.

I don’t shoot male models as often as I should. As a young lady of healthy persuasions you would think I’d take every opportunity too, that is if I’m not muttering incomprehensibly behind the camera about how the light -just- doesn’t -quite- hit the rights spots correctly and why do guys just -don’t- move in quite the same way as girls do.  And then self despair wallows me up while I figure out why I am -just- so crap and will never amount to -anything-. And young men really do not like being painted on. Which I what I like to do best, hovering over makeup artists brandishing open their lovely shiny palettes and saying ‘how about we try them ALL?’ Cue dramatic emo curtains and musical self pity. Us photographers are fragile little things. Moving on…

So the joys associated with drinking copious amount of tea from big cups and dressing in ludicrous items of clothing because they’re lying around, I love photo shoots. They’re the most exhausting, sometimes wrenching things ever, but ah, the satisfaction. Especially with young beautiful men in leather pants, adorned with spikes and collars and furs.

With me were fashion stylist Krissie Cao, makeup artist extraordinaire Justine Bruers, models David W and Dan B from Chadwick and of course my awesome tea making friend and roped in assistant Anna.

And boys ARE gorgeous. They model even when they’re not modeling. Maybe I should be shooting more of them.

Love.

BTS: Tinsel Town

Right before I left for my 6 month sojourn from Melbourne, I did a gorgeous shoot with some gorgeous young faces (Paris and Alex) from London Management. The very talented Victoria Martin joined us for hair and makeup for some of the most glitterastic looks I’ve ever encountered. Who doesn’t love glitter??

Here are some behind the scenes shots!

I love working with really passionate people who love what they do and enjoy it. It’s really evident in their faces and the quality of their work and always remind me that all the hard effort is worth it especially at the end of the day when we feel so drained and overwhelmed.

And the results:-

And some of my favorite outtakes:-

Enjoy!

 

Big Brother to the Family and a Story of Annoyance

After much blood, sweat and tears….oh wait, no that wasn’t it…..

After nine months of much anticipation….

I introduced a new baby into the family. That’s right. He’s beautiful, big and healthy and we couldn’t be happier. His name is Damien and he’s my brand new Canon 5DmarkIII. He even has a new pet already- the 100mm Macro IS lens. It’s beautiful. They’re beautiful. I am beaming with joy.

But before my little bundle of joy, there were the pain, the heartbreak and the requisite screaming. All because of a jackass camera salesman.

I don’t why I sometimes encounter this sort of arrogance whenever I enter a camera store. All I want to do is buy my camera (or to look at them, fondle them, drool over them) and in any case, whatever happened to making the customer happy?

So I walk into the store, asked if they had the 5dmIII in stock, met with a yes, and then asked if I could see it and have a bit of a play before I purchased it. I was told instantly and insistently no. Urm, no? He wouldn’t even let me see the model, instead handing me the 5dmII still in its full plastic covering and saying ‘it’s the same thing’.

No, it’s not the same thing. If I wanted the older model, I would’ve asked for it. I wanted to see the new model. I wanted to touch it, hold it and give the controls a whirl. Instead I get looked up and down and told I can’t do that, and was given some bullshit spiel about shutter counts. I get told that the ‘lovely’ salesman is a photographer and that the camera is for professionals. Gee. I guess I’m just a shutter clicker.

If so I’m darn proud of it. I’m happy with the work I’ve done with my trusty little 1000D. I’ve shot my own personal projects, I’ve shot published editorials, I’ve even shot at fashion week. I’d be quite content to continue doing so if my current camera would click as much as it whirrs. After four years it’s breaking down on me and it’s time to let it rest as a spare. I don’t need to be made to feel inferior, or to be disregarded, or to be told I’m not good enough for a ‘pro’ camera. Way to get a returning customer…not.

So imagine I was quite annoyed walking out of there. I’d like to say it was a one off experience, but unfortunately I’ve come across similar attitudes at other camera stores.

Moving on to better things, here are some images =D

Isn’t that the most delicious sight ever?! Utter love.

I’ll be back in Melbourne soon, ready to test these babies out! Call me Maybe!

Block Beauty

Color blocking is so 2011, so how does it look like as a makeup trend? With us are international models Renata and Elle who showed us how to pull off the looks effortlessly.

The concept called for super fine sleek lustrous hair crafted by Vanessa Barney and bold matte makeup carefully put together by Kate McCleary with some very creative styling by Steph Margaret.

And the result? Voila…