Lucy Vixen Shoot

I'm currently in the process of updating my portfolio and have been wanting to shoot something a little different. When the opportunity arose to shoot glamour model Lucy Vixen, I jumped at the chance to try and recreate the old fashioned feel of glamour photography that seems to have been lost and instead replaced with this 'lad-mag' image. I've been wanting to work with Lucy for a while and as a close friend to my boyfriend's family, I was lucky enough to get her on her own and in front of my camera.

I decided on a 1950's feel. I knew this was a look Lucy would be able to pull off well, with her gorgeous curvy figure lending itself perfectly to this theme. I put some ideas together and spent the next couple of nights sleeping restlessly as I'd wake up every half hour having thought of another fabulous idea for the shoot. I wanted to keep things simple, so I worked on the styling of garments myself.

Concept Board

The location was decided pretty much straight away. A couple of years ago when I was just starting out, I shot an image at this run down car wash at the dodgy end of my hometown and have since been waiting for the right time to revisit and create some more 'professionally advanced' images.

I collaborated with Harriet Franklin who worked on Lucy's hair and makeup. I can’t even begin to describe how impressed I was with her work. It can sometimes be a bit hit and miss when you work with another creative for the first time, but 20 minutes in with Harriet and I just knew I could trust her decisions and that the quality would be top. We sort of clicked to the point that now when I am in need of someone local, shes my go-to MUA and hair stylist. Thanks again to whoistesting.com for making that link - anyone looking for reputable photographers, stylists, MUA's and hair stylists should definitely check this website out.

Hair and Makeup Board

Lucy is such a dream to work with, as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. I'll admit I was a little nervous about shooting a glamour girl in a more fashion forward editorial style, but I really shouldn't have worried. As soon as that camera was in front of my face, Lucy transformed herself and I literally had to give next to nothing in terms of direction. Unbelievable!

The day was forecast to rain, but true to British forecast reliability it did the opposite and kept clear. The sun even graced us with its presence for a short period of time! The cloudy day gave a perfect soft diffused light and I really got away with using nothing but a reflector when necessary. I love natural light, it's definitely a case of 'less is more' and keeping it simple.

I used my Canon 550D and my 50mm lens for the shoot. I shot at an ISO of 200 to give a slight grain finish appropriate to the 50's style of photography we were creating. All in all, a very successful shoot, I've had SO many compliments and it's been refreshing to create something a little different from the norm. Enjoy!