Black paint, reflections and waterfall!

 Offt I feel like I'm "getting there" with the backlog now, you guys probably seen these images weeks ago but I never posted them on my blog so here they are.

The first lot was actually not "planned" at all, I had kind of thought about using body paint around the neck but was aiming for a clean line - almost like it was to be a scarf but water ran down creating a drip so I thought "ach lets just make that look intentional" and I'm kind of glad I did because I like it more with the drips.

I really loved these pictures, honestly its rare for me to get proper excited about images (maybe I shouldn't admit that) but when you do the same things over and over again you can appreciate they are nice pictures but they don't make you proper excited. I think it helps that when I work with Rory I can have quite a heavy influence on how I envisage the final image, I can even edit them myself so its nice to have that power to really get the best final image possible.

I know.. very "cliched" with the frame here, rory looked disgusted when I picked it up but he took a picture anyway :D

Mirror mirror, these images were shot when we were over at the dakota hotel. We only had about 10 minutes to do a quick shoot and I was super happy with these, I guess its because they are very natural - no makeup/ no hair styling - just me. You can even see freckles!

Horray for pretty natural light shots.

I've added a couple of shots fresh out of the camera from a shoot I had earlier today with John Mcnairn, we were actually scouting this location for a shoot next month but took a few shots while we were there. Its maybe a little out of the way for the shoot we have in September though which is a shame but still at least we had a little shoot so the location didn't go to waste!!

Anyhow that is all for now!

My next updates will be from my shoots with Artemis from while she was up. I can finally see light at the end of the blogspot tunnel.

I'm going to be fairly busy next month which is super exciting and I'm working with some really talented people :D

Nite all

xxx

Anti Lairds!

Well I'm still behind... and its getting even worse :D

Here is some shots from a little shoot I had with Rory recently, he had the week off work so we went to explore a location which is fairly close (although takes a good few hours to get around).

I've had the beautiful Artemis staying with me recently while she was on tour up in Scotland, we had a wicked time and got to work with each other this time around HURRAY!

Such a talented/ beautiful and super lovely person :D Can't wait till her next visit.

Oh and seeing as I am here and attempting to get rid of the backlog here is some shots I took of myself (assisted by Rory holding a fan).

I know lots of people probably wont like them (or perhaps I am doubting myself) but ya'know what, they came out exactly as I imagined so I'm super happy with them.

Phew I can't believe how warm its been this week in Scotland, seriously. I was in the sea on Friday and standing under a heavy fresh water waterfall yesterday and it felt amazing :D

xxxx

Wowzers its almost been a month...

Since I last updated my blog *slaps own wrists*.

My only excuse is I have been quite busy  - I guess thats a decent enough excuse.

I have one tab open with my last blog update to see where I'm up to. Not helping overly much because I feel like the last set of images were taken months ago when in reality it was only a few weeks ago.

I had quite a fun shoot last week, one of my old friends got in touch asking us to come down and take some images for him (he is a personal trainer).. He done so much for me in years gone by the only answer was "yes". I have to admit the evening before the shoot Rory and I had went on a 6 hour shoot/walk (I will eventually edit some images from it and post them up at somepoint soon) and I was shattered, I looked in all my clothing drawers/wardrobes and couldn't really find anything that looked like I was a "gym" person.. Infact I had only ever visited a gym once before, and that didn't count because all I did was walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes while browsing Facebook.

So I had my female "hissy fit/ diva" attitude where everything I tried on looked shit and then I decided I was a big shit and not any use as a fitness model because of my shitty'ness. I remember the last time I had a similar "huff" before going to work with mum a few years ago, my hair looked shit/ my makeup looked shit - then I started crying for no reason which meant my makeup looked even more shit. The only thing which pulled me out of my mood was the strange noises which were coming out my mouth I actually sounded just like a child having a temper tantrum which made me laugh then pull myself together and get my arse to work. Thankfully the pre fitness shitty feeling didn't elicit quite as much of a tantrum as my previous one.

I'm pleased to say I had a wonderful time and Gary was superb at showing me the equipment and how best to use it. I always thought I was quite strong but really my puny arms are pathetic at lifting things and my coordination is appalling. I did feel quite good after it though, that might have been because I had a fun day and got to catch up with Gary rather than the after effects of the gym.


I think you can tell which shots were the "outtakes" :D

The first shot is actually one of the last shots of the day! what a commercial expression.

After our time at the gym we popped over to see Valentina Velvet and her little family. Jaxon was adorable, I'm not getting all broody but kids are kind of cool I guess. I still prefer cats though :-P

I have just realised I really need to get my editing fingers out my backside, I also have a few batches of images sent to me from some kind photographers but 1 set is still on a disk, the others all need re-sized so I will leave them for another day.

xxxxx

Sunshine and Smiles

During the winter months I will always hope for better weather, a bit of warmth from the sun or a less harsh wind. Then when the summer comes I hope for a cool breeze or a sudden downpour. I'm never really happy :D

The pros to nice weather -
People seem genuinely more happy and friendly, last week on an outing to the beach I think we spoke to about 5 different people/groups of people. I could visit the beach all winter and not come across that many friendly people on one outing.

My skin is warm, its amazing to actually feel warm on a shoot.

The water is warmer, This is probably the best thing about summer - warm*er water. It means I can actually stand in it without fearing for my wellbeing. Nothing worse than standing in a stream  with water which has just come down from the snowy mountains above. Not cool - freezing.

The days last so much longer, a sunrise shoot is early enough for you to be "brave" with the locations.

The cons -

Harsh sunlight during the day - less interesting clouds and colours in the sky (apart from in the evening because i have seen some gorgeous sunsets this past few weeks).

Additional things to carry - bottles or water and sun lotion.

Sunlotion - Its something I NEED. I couldn't go out without it on and in my bag, my skin burns so easily. Plus I was reading an interesting skincare book and now know the damage that the sun does to us all, even in the winter. It kind of made me want to find a cave to live in so I could forever be youthful. Sunlotion leaves my skin a little tacky so if I lean against a wall or lay on a bit of grass then its all stuck to me pretty quickly. So I wipe it off and have to re-apply the lotion.

Bugs and bees - I really hate bees and things buzzing around, its so distracting. Feeling them land on your leg but trying to stay composed to get the picture is like mental tortue. The minute I have heard the click I jump up and down like a big baby. I was bit almost 2 weeks ago on my back and I can still see there the bugger got me.

The warmth - walking miles upon miles is something i'm used to, and I quite like walking around trying to find the next location. It means we get something different/special but also it gives me a good opportunity to get to know the people I'm working with and I can find out about their lives which is always interesting to me.

I could probably add to this because I've no doubt forgotten loads since starting this thread.

All the images in this blog are from a shoot I had earlier in the week with my buddy John Mcnairn.

Cx

Congratulations!

Well only a day after our Rachaels wedding my other buddy Sarah aka Valentina Velvet welcomed her little bundle (Jaxon) into the world. All the best to them both, can't wait to go down and see the little man and get a cuddle :D

Here are some shots by John Mcnairn from a shoot we had earlier this month, only just realised I hadn't posted them up on here yet... Silly me!

Rory and I had booked into a pretty hotel over the weekend for Rachaels wedding. We literally only had about a 10 minute shoot but its "easier" when you are in the right location. I had just got out the shower, no makeup on. We did another set which was nude with my reflection in the mirror which were my favourites but there was about 5 I really liked so I'm going to wait until the others are edited and post them in a blog of their own!.

Now its defiantly bed time!

Shoot with Lauren

I know most people who follow my blog will know me well enough to know that I occasionally take photos.. Or if you didn't then you will do after reading this blog!

I had been speaking to a local model for quite some time about arranging a shoot.. Despite being quite organised when it comes to modelling I'm the opposite when it comes to doing photography! Anyway the weather gods were kind to us last week and I thought that it would be a great opportunity to get this shoot sorted out.

A few days before the shoot we were discussing where to meet up, and it turned out that Laurens dad was my dads best man back in 1977 at my parents wedding. So our dads were best friends and grew up together. How cool is that?! We met up and I got out my parents wedding album and we had a giggle at how mental our parental figures hair looked, not to forget the crazy flared trousers.

Might sound kind of daft but I get really nervous before shooting a model, Its maybe partially down to confidence. I've been part of literally hundreds of shoots in the past but I find it pretty "easy" to model - not in the sense that its an easy task, just that I know what I'm doing and am confident that I will do what is needed.

I have to say Lauren was awesome to work with in that we got on so well it was just like a day out with a friend, she also took what direction I was able to give and came up with a few cool ideas herself which is always a bonus.

Its very strange/ but nice actually being in control of a picture and being able to focus on the photography. When I do self portraits at home it usually goes something like this -

Do hair and makeup - 30 mins- 1 hour
Clean or tidy up shooting space/ move lights into the right room/ find camera and all the bits I need - 20 minutes.
Decide which outfit (or nudity will work) - 15 minutes of trying on everything I own - whilst making more of a mess.
Set camera and lights up - including the composition I want
Then  I take about a 30-40 practice shots and move the lights about and twiddle with the camera until it produces something I'm happy with - 8 times out of 10 I struggle with this part and end up giving up. I lack the patience I need when working with myself, as a model I occasionally work with "faffers" and I 'm always really glad they are putting the effort in to ensure the shot turns out as well as it possibly can.


Have to say Rory and I had an awesome day at Rachaels wedding on Sunday, the weather was about as beautiful as Rachael! Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Cameron!

xxx

Changes!

 Thought I would post a blog with these pictures before I run out the door to attend the gorgeous Rachael Lyons wedding - for anybody who doesn't remember this stunning model here is a shot of us from when we were away on tour together back in 2011. By Steve Gabbit in Leeds! I hope she has a fantabulous day, the sun is shining which is usually a good thing but I wont be envious with her having to wear such a big dress on a day like today!!

So massive congrats/good luck and all the best vibes in the world <3 p="">
Its amazing how much happens in lives in such a short space of time, the other beautiful model we were away with - Valentina Velvet (as pictured below)...

Currently looks much like this - 

She is having a baby!

So much excitement in these chicks lives right now :-)

Just mad thinking we were all "carefree" girls such a short time ago (I kinda still am hooray). But its amazing how much changes in lives, I still count our tour as one of the funnest things I've done while modelling/ with my life. Going off with 2 almost strangers and spending a week together travelling around was amazing. I will always love them both!

Anyway back to "normal" - here are some nudes by the talented Paul Hirst from a shoot we had recently at a location close to me. The sky was so blue that day :D I love these shots, so thanks to Paul for sending them over to me.

Right now time to make myself pretty.. I know I'm going to be covered in sweat before I even get to the car!!