lexeleven

 As most of you know, I've recently been focused much more on my photography than modelling. Not saying I'm leaving modelling behind for good, but I have more energy and enthusiasm for the other side of the lens at the moment. I have been thinking of making another blog that is more photography orientated....too many blogs and websites to keep up with!

I am a total beginner/amateur/whatever and other than an tips and help from friends I have never had any 'proper' training in photography or editing, I prefer to try things out, play around and see what happens. So my technique is not very polished, but I do feel I have improved in the time I've been doing it, and I'm growing in confidence. Sometimes I look at other people's work and I'm so amazed by it and wonder how they possibly have so much skill and talent, but I guess they had to start somewhere!

So, below are some of my personal favourite photos I've taken. From top left: Gemini Rayne, Violet Noir, Gemini Rayne, Ally Katte, Victoria Lindsay Coutts, Hannah Finch, Me, Vicky Coutts. 









I've left out the nudey ones (and also the landscape ones and the portrait shots fitted together so well!), but you can see more of my photos on my flickr here . Like I said, I'm building up more confidence to approach models and try out things. I think the images I'm happiest with (although there are always lucky accidents) and ones where I had quite a clear concept or idea beforehand, so I want to work on planning things more and creating something really striking. 

I am finding my background in modelling has definitely helped. I guess part of it is that I don't have a dodgy reputation/no reputation at all (I hope!) and I can help with posing. I like to think that what I lack in professional know-how I can make up in being friendly and laid-back so it isn't too intimidating for a new model. All the people I've had round have been so lovely and great to work with, I feel very lucky!

I was recently asked to explain what the difference is between the kind of modelling I do and the kind of modelling people tend to be more familiar with, with involves fashion agencies. I thought I'd write a little bit of an explanation from my point of view. Obviously this is more aimed at people not working the the modelling/photography industry and is only my opinion, so I'm sure other people will disagree with me!

When most people think of a model, they think of a Kate Moss type figure, a size zero long-legged creature who jets around the world shooting for designers and magazines such as Vogue in amazing locations and doing catwalk shows. These kind of models work for big agencies such as Storm or Models One. These agencies select models who have the look they are after and are strict about who they take on. They book work for the models and send them to castings (like auditions). The agency takes a cut of the fee paid to the model. This tends to be how modelling works for 'high fashion'.


the soul-destroying experience of castings...

Other agencies exist, such as specialised agencies for black models, Asian models, glamour models, plus-size models etc. Sometimes agencies specialise in 'commercial work'. When you see a model in something like a bank advert or a newspaper photo, quite often the model will be from a commercial agency. These agencies are less strict about the height and clothes sizes of models but they are still very selective.

'Character' agencies also exist that specialise in more unusual models. If a client wants a dwarf, elderly man, heavily tattooed woman, amputee etc they will often go to an agency that specialises in character models.


Being on an agency's books increases a model's chance of getting higher profile and better paid work. However, it is possible to model without being taken on by an agency. Websites such as Model Mayhem, Purestorm and Net-Model enable aspiring models to make a profile page and add some photos. They're kind of like facebook or myspace but modelling-photography related. The model has an online portfolio of a few photos and types some details about the sort of work she is interested in. It is possible to browse and message other photographers and models to arrange to shoot with them. Often there are forums where people will advertise if they are looking for a model as well as people offering critique and advice. Anyone can join one of these websites, you just need to have a few photos of yourself.

Models who shoot work in genres such as artistic nude, alternative or fetish often work outside of agencies and book the majority of their work through websites such as the ones I have mentioned. A shoot can be organised by replying to an advert looking for models, being contacts by an interested photographer or messaging them directly. Some websites have a reference system (a bit like ebay feedback!) where photographers and models can leave comments on someone they have worked with, recommending them or otherwise.

These websites can be a really good way of networking and finding people to work with. As a new model it is difficult to get paid work until you have a good portfolio with a variety of images. Using a website a model can get in touch with photographers to work on a TF (time for) basis. This means that the photographer gives the model images from the shoot that they can use in their portfolio but there is no financial payment.

There are a lot of great points to modelling independently from an agency. You get to call the shots (no pun intended!), organise your own work and put yourself across exactly was you want, and when you're paid there's no one taking a cut. You discuss your own fees and arrangements and set your own rules. Models who do not fit the look that agencies are after (for example, shorter, curvier, more unusual look) can find their own work this way. Indeed, if you're looking to do nude or fetish work, agencies do not tend to cater for this! I know models who make their full-time living booking their work independently. The websites are usually free to join and if you're new to modelling they are a great place to start. If you're travelling or looking for someone local it can be easy to bring up a list of people in that area and get in touch. As a photographer it's so easy, if I want a model I have a browse though local people, look at their portfolio then message someone I like. If they reply we can discuss putting a shoot together, simple!

However, there are also downsides. As I've said, anyone can make a profile and call themselves a 'model' or 'photographer'. People may fib about their experience, or indeed what they look like! There's little in the way of vetting or quality control. The sites are welcome to amateurs but they may also attract people who are uninformed and unprofessional. 'GWC' is a phrase used (guy with camera) to refer to men who have worked out that having a camera means they can get girls to take their clothes off and don't necessarily have professional interests! There are always risks associated with being in touch with people online and as a new model it may be heard to work out who is the real deal and who is best avoided. Also, (as I often find), modelling freelance can mean spending hours and hours replying to emails, searching forums and casting lists for jobs, and people don't always reply to their messages. Flaky behaviours seems common with these online websites, where a shoot can be organised with a pretty low level of commitment.

Personally I think these online modelling sites, though annoying at times, are really great. They give a platform to people who want to model but don't necessarily fit the look or style that agencies are after, and give you the opportunity to network with a wide variety of creative people all around the world as well as learn a lot from other people. Although there are wannabe and unprofessional people on these sites, there are also very many highly skilled and professional people on them. I've met and worked with some fantastic individuals and I definitely recommend these sites to people who have thinking of modelling or want to photograph modes.

I've had a few requests to have some more blogs about modelling and photography and my thoughts on them. I've been a bit lax about posting so I thought this might be a good time to get into it. In the last 6 months I've been doing more photography and it's definitely eye-opening being on the other side and seeing the kind of issues faced by photographers that I didn't really consider when I was modelling.
 

Third left is the face I make when people no-show on me.


As this is something on my mind at the moment I thought I'd start with no-showers. Last week I had a shoot planned with a local model. She had left me a message a couple of months previously expressing an interest to work with me. We messages back and forth about ideas and picked a date a little way off. I wrote it in my diary and left it until a little nearer the time. The week before the shoot I messaged her to confirm timings and talk about what she needed to bring with her. No reply. I messaged her the day before the shoot and again got no reply. Unsurprisingly she didn't show up the next day.

 

Luckily I hadn't booked a studio, MUA or got a lot of props in advance, so I wasn't out of pocket but it really annoyed me as I could have booked someone else in to that time. And it's just downright rude. If she had got in touch, even the day before to let me know she wasn't going to make it, that would have been better than nothing. It just smacks of disrespect and unprofessional behaviour. I have a shoot booked tomorrow, I've emailed the model shoot plans and tried to confirm our starting time and haven't yet had a reply, I'm worried this will go the same way.

Models no-showing is something I hear a lot of photographers complaining about, it seems to happen such a lot. I'm aware that as an amateur photographer starting out I'm more likely to get it than more experienced people, especially as I'm often working with new or less experienced models. But why do people do it?

I can think of a few reasons why a model might not turn up to a shoot:

• she has had a better offer (i.e. paid work or a more interesting shoot)

• she has changed her mind about the shoot or photographers

• something about the shoot/photographer has made her feel uncomfortable or unsafe

• new boyfriend has told her not to model any more (I do hear about this happening)

• she's ill

• she went out last night and is hungover

• her computer/phone is dead and she didn't get her messages

• she completely forgot/didn't write it in her diary

• she did not book her transport in advance and has left it too late

• she looks absolutely nothing like the photos in her portfolio and is embarrassed to be seen and outed

• she signed up to the modelling site for a bit of a laugh and hasn't really taken it seriously

• she has suddenly been taken into hospital/prison/hiding

• she is rude and unprofessional

 

Really I don't mind if people cancel, even if it is because they don't like my work or my ideas of think I'm a bit of a perv. They don't have to tell me why, but I'd rather they just let me know so I'm not waiting around, twiddling my thumbs. Sites such as Purestorm and Net-Model allow you to leave feedback in an ebay-style about models, so this can be a good place to make a comment if a model doesn't show up without any excuse. I tend to be wary of this as I don't want them to come back and slag me off and start some kind of internet-based argument. But people should do it so that other photographers don't get messed around either.

Rant over! x

Last month I shot with Julian, whose work I've admired for a while. He tends to shoot alternative models in couture latex, very much from a high fashion perspective. His shots are all studio based with bright colours and immaculate styling. I was a little nervous about how shooting with him would pan out as I'm not experienced in shooting fashion (well...with clothes on) and I'm rather curvier than his usual girls, but I was thrilled when he said he'd work with me.
The entire shoot felt very different from what I've done before, involving quite a few quick (or as quick as if possible in latex) outfit changes and changes of hair and make-up, it definitely wasn't as relaxed as doing nudes! I enjoyed playing dress up and Penny, the make-up artist, created some really amazing looks. I'm really happy with the photos, they're definitely quite different from the rest of my portfolio and it's something I'd like to do more of in the future (I love beautiful outfits but I seem to rarely get any clothes for my photoshoots, why is that?). There was a bit of a nightmare with co-ordinating the designers for the outfits, but it all fell into place in the end. We shot outfits from Adixxtion Designs, Kitty Creme, Darkfall Design and Hello Dolly Latex.



MUA and hair - Penny Grimley
Corset and fascinator by Adixxtion Design
I shot these very soon after changing my hair colour, it looks so bright under the lights. I'm happy to be back to being ginger!

( more under the cut inc. latex )

It's been an awfully long time since I updated! Life has got in the way rather. Under the cut are some of my best photos from the last few months (they are mostly nakedy so they're under the cut to protect poor innocent eyes). I'm taking a bit of a break from modelling currently.

These are by Garteh Iwan Jones, hair and make-up by Heather Talbot. Gareth wanted to do a couple of sets that were more 'commercial', he had the idea of a stylised shoe advertisment. Though we may have strayed from that!



( more under the cut )

 I'm conscious of having been particularly rubbish at keeping this blog up to date. My website too is massively in need of an update. It's been a really hectic summer and I've spent a lot of it with very limited internet access. I'm currently in the process of moving house. I'm staying in Bristol but moving to a bigger, nicer place. The catch with this new place is that it needs a lot of work done, so that's what's been occupying me! I have been modelling, but it's kind of had to take a backseat while all of these other things have been going on. 

I've been learning a bit of photography myself, (I got my first SLR second-hand earlier this year and have been playing around with it), I'm getting a lot more interested in taking photos rather than being in them! I'll do a quick run through of some of the highlights of the summer and photos 

( photos below the cut, mostly nsfw )

 a couple of weeks ago I went up to london to do a show at Festival of Sins. I'm getting to really like FoS, it's an alternative/fetish club without the cliquey-ness of other fet nights but still with a great dress-up and show-off vibe. People are really friendly, the music is AWESOME (lots of heavy electro filth, my favourite) and they get some great acts in for entertainment. It's not that expensive either. all in all, a great night out!

June's sin was gluttony, so we were doing a very messy show involving a lot of cake! I was modelling for Nikita Sablier and had a cute black and white pencil dress by Betty Page clothing and a medical mask from Freyagushi. I got to come on stage to Warrant's Cherry Pie (Yes!) and smother my friend Graham in sticky, sugary fun. (We tried not to get too much cake on the outfits). It was a really good night, I got to catch up with quite a lot of my model/photographer/etc friends who I hadn't seen in a while. I think I'll be down for the next one!

 There's a video from the show but the website's being screwy atm so I'll add it in later.


Me, possibly a little drunk with Miss Anita De Bauch and Ivory Flame. 


Kissing a Bink.

Oops, it's been absolutely ages since I updated this thing! Bad me.
Not too sure where to start. I've been pretty busy over the last couple of months with non-modelling related things but I've also had some good shoots.

Over the last few months I've been collaborating with a local photographer (he really is local, I can walk to his from mine) who works under the name Eroticalia. I really love his photos and we seemed to click pretty well. Most of his work is quite erotic in nature but it's often quite dark, strange or surreal but also very natural. Everytime I've got photos back from working with him I've been completely wowed, it kinda makes me wonder why I bother working with lots of other people! It's great when you find someone you're very comfortable with and you can put your ideas into creating something fantastic.

Some of my favourite shots from shoots I've done with him this year under the cut. On the whole they're pretty naughty and NSFW, so you have been warned!



( eroticalia )