Say Cheese
Winter 2011 Issue One!
Exclusive interview With the bodypainter John Davies ! Read our Interview with Ed Godden Models go all Day of the Dead on us ! Neverpictures! before seen
ÂŁ8.99
Contents Page Pages 6 - 14: Read all about the team of Say Cheese!
Pages 16 - 19: Read our exclusive interview with body painter John Davis. Pages 22 - 31: Our main feature shoot of ‘Day of the Dead’. Pages 32-33: Is it time to star t your own business? Pages 34-37: Check out our interview with photographer Ed Godden! Pages 38-41: Spotlights! Pages: 42-43: Read what our resident model gets up to when shes not modelling. Pages 45-47: Make sure to read our Editor-in-chief’s ar ticle on star ting out. Pages 48-49: What does happen on Kitie Smith’s shoot? Pages 50-54: Interview with the model Pixie Suicide.
On The Cover! Photography by Kitie Smith Make Up by Louise Morgan Hair Styling by Melanie Davies Model Stephanie Jones
A Note From The Editor Hey there! And welcome to the first issue of Say Cheese! An inspiring magazine for new models, photographers, make up artists, designers and stylists to get involved in. I created this magazine along with a few friends in order to offer the opportunity for new creative people to get featured, interviewed and have their work showcased. Along with a great team of creative minds I wanted to create a magazine that allows you to be free with creativity and inspiration, create what you want and allow the world to see just how talented you are. The magazine will be seasonal and will feature a number of themes. We will have many features that draw attention to the talented new photographers and models out there in the world. In this months issue you will be giving a tour of who is on the magazine team. A look into some of our writers lives when they aren’t in front or behind a camera, some tips on how to get promoted and how to start a business and of course our featured shoot. We are often looking for new contributors who would like to write something for the magazine and we are always on the look out for new people to interview so make sure to check out our contact page on how to get involved! So have fun! Enjoy the show! And remember, be inspired.
Melanie Davies
The Say Cheese Team! EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & OWNER Melanie Davies CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katie Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stephanie Jones Tanaz Genki Lauren Jenkins CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAHERS Katie Smith Louise Morgan Melanie Davies
A big thank you goes out to all the photographers, stylists, models, writers, make up artists, designers and other creativing individuals who got involved in this months issue! We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of you! Thank you.
Editor-In-Chief Melanie Davies
Hello there lovely readers! First off let me just say thank you again for buying Say Cheese! And a big warm welcome to our first issue! Now, let me take the time to introduce myself and give you some insights about my background. Firstly, my name is Melanie Davies, I am twenty years old, proud to be welsh and live in the oh so sunny Cardiff, Wales. The best thing I learnt about photography was just ‘Go with the flow’. I have never followed all the rules you are taught if you take a photography course, I’ve learnt you need to push the boundaries, break the rules, be creative and do what you do best. Photography to me is a way of capturing life at its greatest moment, be that the morning due on a flower or shooting a model just as she’s dancing to music and not really paying attention to you.
Image By: Lillian Charlotte
I can’t really explain to you why I started photography, its just something that called to me. Like the saying ‘If you wake up and all you can think about is singing, then you’re a singer’. It’s the same for me with photography, I wish to create! I want to breathe life into something! And show people how beautiful this world really is.
Most people think I’m a model turned photographer, no that’s incorrect. I still don’t class myself as really a model as I only started doing it so I could teach new models how to do certain poses, help them out with things and of course it’s such great fun and a confidence boost! What was my first shoot like do you ask, well honestly and truly I can’t really remember. It was most likely with a friend or two where we were just messing around with my first point and shoot camera. I first started taking pictures of my niece and nephew, then moved on to friends and then finally my older sister started modelling and I picked up a lot of skills from her teaching me certain sayings, phases and poses I could ask models to do. My first major shoot however was back in 2010, I was at the time working for a local shop when a customer over heard me talking to my colleague about photography. She simply asked me if I was a photographer and would I be interested in working for UWIC one day in the next two weeks or so. At first I didn’t believe what she was saying to me until she explained that UWIC’s girl sports team were making a calendar and they needed a local photographer. I snapped up the chance! And a week later I was in UWIC’s gym taking photographers of around twelve beautiful girls. I have never looked back since that day, even if I wasn’t being paid for what I was doing it was the fact I was doing what I loved. Most people feel that sometimes they need to put up their hat and camera away for a break or just give up altogether. I haven’t felt any of those feelings in over two years. Like all artists I felt at one time or another that what I was doing was going nowhere, I wasn’t making any money what so ever and my portfolio wasn’t improving. It got me really down but eventually my family picked me back up and pushed me to do more work, brush myself off, plan and work hard and to this day I am still grateful for that. Of course I get the odd day where I can’t be bothered but as soon as I get going, I’m in my element and its wonderful. I often take a month or two break during the year to catch up on life, but even then my camera still ends up being in my hands.
My family have inspired me to keep on moving, my mother especially. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive person in my life, granted she has to put up with all the names under the sun, people wandering in and out of the house and my endless moaning about my computer hating me, she still manages to smile and remind me to keep going. I never thought this is what I would be doing for the rest of my life back when I was younger, I never thought the amount of friends I have now would come from something so creative and magical. I still believe if you can push yourself, make yourself stronger and feel the confidence you create for yourself you will go far. This is something I was born to do.
Melanie Davies www.meldavies.com
facebook.com/mdaviesphotos
Creative Director! Katie Smith Hello there, my name is Katie Smith and I’m the creative director of Say Cheese! I am a 24 year old, female freelance artistic/experimental Photographer from Cardiff. I started professional photography about over 2 years ago and I have loved every second. I’ve always been interested in photography, but it wasn’t until I got inspired by a few photos from an exhibition did I think I wanted to do this as a career. I always took my camera with me where ever I went and took pictures of pretty much anything, like spiders on a leaf in my back garden or my sister reading by the window. So seeing someone taking beautifully outstanding pictures of objects as simple as a chair or a pile of books and have them displayed made me think, ‘I can do that’. So from that day I was inspired to take the best possible pictures of everything and anything. Everything inspires me. I approach every project as an artist and I consider concepts, symbolism and the clients/models ideas and imaginations as a very important part of my work. The majority of my photographs are inspired by fairytales, dreams, mystery and the imagination of the model/client and myself. I did art for A Level and have grown up with a family that does everything themselves and always went to art fairs and my sister and I were put into art summer schools every summer! So I have a very diverse artistic background and enjoy designing/drawing and coming up with new ideas. I sometimes believe this artistic skill I inherited and developed over my younger years helps me picture every shoot and what the images will look like. Anything is possible. I am inspired by many things, I love black and white, vintage and soft and delicate themes. I love children’s photography and would love to take that further. I believe I capture the child’s imagination when I photograph them and that picture will set memories for the parents and if they tell a story, it’s even better. When people look at my pictures, I want them to go, ‘Wow, what is going through her mind, the models mind? How did she do that?’ or ‘That is amazing’ ‘Beautiful’ or just to make them feel something, maybe even the same feeling I felt when I glanced at those pictures that first inspired me. I have moments when I look back on my pictures from over a year ago and think ‘why did I think that was amazing?’. However, I have come to realize that I have improved tremendously over the past year alone that I know I am going to get better and better and that in itself encourages me to carry on. I have of course had that wobble moment when I have seen another photographers work and think mine are terrible, which I think every single person who chooses art as a profession will go through, but I believe making loads of friends in the business really helps. I have made loads of friends since I started and I believe it helped me through my ‘wobble’ moments. Without my partner James I wouldn’t have the knowledge I have now (or most of my equipment). He has pushed me through every stage and always encouraged me to better myself and always believed I was good at what I did. My very first photo shoot I asked my friend to help me with. She wasn’t a model, and didn’t have any experience, but she was willing to pose for me so I could see what I could do. I only had the small SLR to start, a white sheet as a backdrop (which was duck taped to my living room wall) and an editing program which was already on my laptop when I bought it. The experience was inspiring! Every time I took a picture I would get more ideas for her to pose, do different angles to see how they would come out. The pictures that I edited at the time were amazing, considering I had no training and wasn’t much sure with what I was doing. I look back on them now and smile. It just shows how far I have come and what a little determination can do. I never lost faith in myself. I always knew I would get better and to do that I had to keep going. Even when I had those moments when other peoples pictures were better than mine, I would endeavour to do better!
My advice to others starting out as a photographer, you have to WANT to do it. Your passion is your key. Doing research is a must! Looking what’s out there, what other people are doing and building a ‘pictures that inspire me’ folder is also a good idea. For anybody who is starting out, photographer, model or make up artist, networking, making friends and talking to others in the same business is the best step you could do. Everyone starts from the bottom and help from others who are willing to give it helps get you just that little bit further up the ladder. There will be times when you think, ‘oh god I don’t want to do it today’ but when you go there, even if you don’t have fun on a few shoots, the results are the best part. Every opportunity takes you where you want to go and you will improve.
Katie Smith
facebook.com/kittykemsphotography
Resident Model & Reviewer Stephanie Jones Hey there! My names Little Miss Violence, although all my friends call me Steph, I am 21 years old and am originally from Wrexham. I am currently based in Cardiff, South Wales. I first began modelling back in January 2011. I remember looking at one of my friends modelling profiles on Facebook and thinking how strong, beautiful and confident she looked. During an online conversation I asked her how she initially got into it, she told me how she did it and encouraged me to try it out! After all, I had nothing to lose really. So I set up a very amateur looking Purestorm profile there and then. Within two hours I had been booked for three shoots, one of which was paid, and I have never looked back.
Image By KJC Photography
My first official shoot was with a fabulous, Newport based photographer named Tony Lenan. As it was my first modelling engagement, I was both extremely excited and nervous about shooting. The shoot was on a TFP (time for prints) basis and it lasted about four hours.
Tony was fabulous. He made me feel very comfortable and relaxed, which is a very important quality that needs to be in place between a photographer and model, and he even made me dinner! We did some gothic shots and some alternative fashion, and finished with a bit of fetish and implied work. I was quite shocked at my own confidence when I suggested we try fetish and implied work on my first shoot! It was that confidence that has made me carry on with modelling. It’s made me feel great, allowed me to meet new people and also has brought me a bit of extra cash, which every struggling student needs! I’ve not ever wanted, or felt a need to give up at all. I’ve come to realize that the modelling industry is a lot more malicious than it is made out to be, but you can’t let comments like that get you down. Not everyone will like your work or approve of what you do. At the end of the day you have to do what’s best for yourself. Models are often stereotyped as stupid, arrogant and materialistic, but the majority of times this isn’t the case. Most of the models I have had the privilege of working with are the most down to earth and the most decent human beings I have ever met, and in some cases, they have become some of my closest friends. What keeps me going with my modelling is achieving the ideas and themes I have for different shoots and knowing that I’m almost certain to meet new and lovely creative’s! I love every minute of what I do and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Taking that first step by setting up my Purestorm profile is definitely one of the best moves I’ve ever made. What interests me most about modelling is definitely the creative and experimental side of it. Too many models these days just have photos taken of themselves wearing pretty clothes and wearing way too much make up. That’s not what it’s about really. Photography is an art form, so art should be the end product of any photo shoot. For me, if an image doesn’t grab my attention and tell me a story within the first few moments, something isn’t right with it. Images on right by: KittyKEMSPhotography Avatar Photography Digital Glow Photography Pixel Perfect Photography
My main influences are a collection of very powerful and striking women. My primary inspirational figure is most definitely Dita Von Teese. I think I actually love the woman. Her elegance and beauty is far beyond that of any other woman on the planet and her performance work is just pure perfection. I am also involved with various types of performance, the main ones being pole dancing and singing, so I take her confidence and her performance style as a source of massive inspiration. My other influences include the fabulous Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy and Alissa White-Gluz of The Agonist. I do have some advice for any people out there who want to try modelling and that would be just…GO FOR IT! The amount of confidence and the fabulous new friends it has brought me is simply incredible. A few months before I started modelling I went through a break up with a long term boyfriend, which dented my confidence a lot. As soon as I started shooting I got my confidence back! Also, if you do decide to go for it (which you should!) don’t go into it expecting to make loads of money. Do it for fun, and get as much time for (TF) shoots as you possibly can in the beginning. After a while you’ll find that you’ll be offered more and more paid shoot as time goes on and as your portfolio gets stronger. So good luck!
Stephanie Jones facebook.com/MissViolence
Resident Business Women Tanaz Genki
Hello, my name is Tanaz, although now mainly known as MissGenki and I am a Jewellery and Bag designer. I’m 27 years old but if anyone else asks I am still 21. And I live in the lovely place of Cardiff, Wales.
These days I am known as MissGenki by even my close friends. MissGenki is my interpretation of how fashion jewellery should be and has been inspired by what I saw of the Japanese fashion scene. I was truly inspired by most people I saw as the Japanese have fun with their fashion. I think fashion in general is taken too seriously these days, from what to wear to show off the most or competing. True fashion is one that represents us and not what everyone else is wearing or how much it costs. We forget that fashion is about experimenting styles and having fun with it. So what was the reason I started MissGenki? Well when I came back from Japan I missed their sense of fun and fashion. So after trying to find accessories and jewellery I soon gave up and started my own thing. I think a part of me also wanted to keep a part of Japan alive, not just as a memory of a life I once lived but also something I would have in my life for good. Passion is what drives us and it is essential in our lives and since most of our days is spent working, it is most essential to have great passion in what we do for a living. I hope to be doing what I do for as long as I can purely because I love what I do and I feel happy to be where I am. As much as I love MissGenki there has been moments that I have thought it won’t work or felt scared of failure. Then I remember all things worth having don’t come easy. I work 24/7 and still don’t make enough money but I also know a business is not just about having an idea or doing what you enjoy. It takes time, effort and lots & lots of marketing. So would I give up? No. But I am however lowering the risk by following other ideas. So although MissGenki will be the ultimate goal there is now less pressure. The first time I sold anything was like a someone had turned on the light switch. I had been thinking about starting and most people around me had little faith in me. However I have learned that it is faith in yourself that’s most important. I had nothing to lose by trying it out so I went for it, but it wasn’t until my first craft fair at Milgi café that I realised that just maybe it could work. I did very well that day and most people shared my passion for what I sold. That day MissGenki was born. Still whenever I sell anything I get that same feeling of excitement and just get a buzz out of it. I think my biggest inspiration is Japan. This is not just their fashion but I also love their culture and the people. After the tsunami hit Japan I was devastated as it will always be my second home. Though how everyone dealt with this disaster was inspiring. People did their best to get back to normal and instead of complaining, they helped each other. I think that’s inspiring to not just think of yourself and to go through the worst moments of your life and still keep going. Designers don’t tend to be people I look up to although one is CoCo Chanel just because she dressed as she pleased and I love the mix of masculine/feminine fashion which she started. I am inspired by people who make their dreams a reality and do what they are passionate about.
Images on right by: Mel Davies Photography
Believe it or not the art world was never what I pursued. Growing up I was very good at Maths and Science. They just came easy to me and I was always told that is what I wanted to do. As much as I did enjoy it, I never had the passion I have for my jewellery/accessory business. Since it wasn’t until two or so years ago that I found my true passion my life was only about science. I studied science at university, to be more precise Forensic Science and worked at a pharmaceutical laboratory. I got paid a good wage but none of it felt like it was enough and now my earnings are far less but I feel satisfied and just happy. The best advice I was given for starting a business or just starting out anything was to not quit your day job. Being coming into the creative world or starting out in anything it is best to keep risks at minimum. I started and carried on with MissGenki whilst earning a full time wage. That way I got to see if it was what I wanted to do or if it can work. With anything you start with it rarely works straight away so especially if it is what you want to make a living out of it. So just do what you do and try it out. If and when you think you are making enough money or have the potential to then take the plunge. It does take time though so you have to give it time, learn all you need to learn and look out for all the help you can get to start out. Always save up for a few months worth of wages before you do so you won’t worry about making ends meet. Finally, just do what makes you happy. Listen to your heart and follow it. Life is too short to not pursue your dreams so just do it. You have nothing to lose if you follow my advice.
Tanaz Genki
facebook.com/missgenkijewellery
Resident Make Up Ar tist Louise Morgan Heyloo! The name’s Louise Morgan or to most people, it’s Lou! I’m 20 years old from Cardiff, UK and I am both a photographer and make up artist. I studied National Diploma in Photography & Digital Imaging for 2 years at Coleg Glan Hafren, as well as a course before it and another after photography, a total of 4 years in college. I did stop Photography after finishing the course though as I needed a break but a few months after a very close friend convinced me to get back Photography! And I haven’t stopped since and now I am learning to do make up and body painting. My first shoot involved corsets, tutus and wings. We decided to give her two looks, a dark fairy and then she lost her wigs. This shoot was done with the lovely Little Miss Violence, one of the magazines writers and I am still in love with the end results, especially for my first Image by Andy Pixels shoot with a professional model. Sometimes, like everyone else I get the feeling I’m not good enough, but I’ve found I always have people who are ready to pick me back up and believe in me. Photography is not my only skill mind, our lovely editor-in-chef often calls the multi talented one as I find I am very creative. I like drawing and designing all sorts of things. I do random doodles every now and then, thing’s that suddenly pop into my head and need to be put down onto paper right away. I believe this is what has caused me to start body painting. I am currently designing my own clothing line, along with tutu’s, so make sure to watch this space! I enjoy my body painting the most, although I am still learning, teaching myself, enjoying every moment of it, I hope to one day be apart of the great long list of body painters. A little advice I’ve learnt this year is if you want to be a photographer, sometimes college and uni can’t always give you the best experience, I believe I’m learning more now rather then when I was in college. Doesn’t matter if this is either a hobby or career, just get out there and do what you love!
Louise Morgan
facebook.com/LouMPhotography
And the wizard of odd says... After much begging and poking around until he would finally come out of his hiding place, I managed to grab John Davis world famous body painter for a few minutes so he could answer a couple of our questions before he retreated back into his hidey-hole to plot more painty’ness secrets. Many would describe John as a great loving and caring friend whos got a few screws loose, others mention him as the don of body painters in Wales, personally I have some up with my own way of describing him. ‘A strange creature living deep within the world of painty’ness, lives on chocolate chip cookies and coffee. Approach with caution as you may be dragged into its painting darkness and come out as a monster.’ But despite all that, I hope you enjoy reading through his questions and take a look at the featued photographs! Make sure you check out each model and photographer showcased here as we have some pure talent on show! Do you still remember what your first body painting was? And do you have a photograph to show our readers? Sorry don’t have a photograph from it just a copy from the local paper, bit of a baptism of fire painting for a local charity event, needless to say the clients were happy but I really think the caption should have read ‘’should try harder ‘’. What was your first body painting shoot like? Other than the above one, the first proper shoot was a real learning curve again everyone was happy except for me lol, though I am rarely happy with anything I do as I am constantly looking to improve. The actual shoot was enjoyable if a little nerve wracking, although the things I learnt on that day have stood me in good stance from then on. What is the best lesson you learnt when it comes to body painting? Make your model feel at ease, doesn’t matter how much time and effort you put into a bodypaint if your model isn’t at ease and happy then you are not going to get any results in the camera. How did you get involved in it? I started out face painting at children’s parties at the suggestion of my daughter, so went on a course to learn to do it properly, not long after realized I didn’t like painting children’s faces that much but did enjoy the larger canvas’s of back pieces so with the permission of my wife again went on a proper bodypainting course to learn to do it properly. Do you get offended if people refer to you as a make up artist with paint? Not at all, in fact I think it would be the makeup artists who would be offended as I am not a makeup artist, I am solely a bodypainter and SFX artist, I don’t do conventional makeup and have very little if any interest in it for myself, although I do admire those that have turned it into something of an art form. Do you have your own studio or do you use other peoples? I do have my own studio now, although it is very new and has yet to be used although it won’t be long before it is in full swing I hope, I use studios all over the country as I travel to where the work is or to teach at various colleges etc. What is your favorite subject to paint? People!!, lol, although the vast majority of my work tends to be in the realm of fantasy it is were I feel more comfortable , creating creatures and monsters alongside some interesting different veins of work, I like the freedom of creating something/ someone rather than just painting a picture onto a body . Favorite location and favorite colour? Location would be, stood in front of a model getting ready to paint them where ever that may be. And favorite colour, is a bit of a silly question to someone who works in colour , but I suppose if I had to pick one colour that I couldn’t be without in my kit and that would be Black, so my real favorite colour is lack of colour .
Photography By Paul Trask, Bodypaint By John Davis Bodyartist, Model is Charley Ford . Is your house painted in bright colours or is it just people? Every room bar one in the house is painted white, lots of pictures etc around but I only live there, my wife chooses all of that kind of thing although the studio is painted white and black, with purple and gold silk ceiling if that helps. Do you listen to music when you paint? I like too, although I do enjoy a range of music if I can’t find common ground with the model one choice I will tend to sing until they give in and we have my choice on. Would you ever be interested in photography so you can shoot your own work? I have shot my own work on a number of occasions and now with the studio of my own will be doing so on more occasions although it wont stop me working with others and collaborating to produce something special. What is one accessory you couldn’t live without? Air, everything else is easy enough to work around Who is your biggest photographic influence? To be honest I don’t really have one, I think if the question had been ‘’What is your biggest photographic influence ‘’ then it would be easy as that would be the fact that it is all so diverse, I can paint on studio days and see 6 or 7 photographers taking pictures of the same bodypaint and all turning out totally different results which to me is awesome.
Photography By Mel Davies Bodypaint By John Davis Bodyartist Paint From Diamond FX Faceart. Teeth Made By Steve Bosworth HFx. Model is Kitie Smith
Who is the photographer you most admire? And why? I really do admire so many , and for totally different reasons, some for their vision, some for their ability, some for their lighting, some for the way they work the model, some with their versions of post production, I could never narrow it down to be honest. Are you influenced by any other body painters? Influenced ! to some extent, yes, I admire an awful lot of other peoples work I have a great respect for a lot of other body painters and some are not even the ‘’big’’ names in the industry, I enjoy looking at other peoples work and seeing how they interpreted different things and the constant browsing is bound to have some kind of influence on what I produce whether it be consciously or not. Having said that Alex Hansen has been the single most influentional person on my work as a teacher, mentor, and great personal friend.
(Image to the left) Photography By Steve Avatar-Photography, Bodypaint By John Davis Bodyartist, Model is Marie Hill.
What are your top three favorite photographers featuring your work? I can’t and won’t answer that one, a very simple reason is that to be honest I have so many fond memories from each and every shoot for different reasons that it would be unfair to even try and narrow it down to the top 25 or so. Do you have any big plans for the future? I have plans, of various sizes, some big in a production sort of way, some big in time scale to get them finished sort of way , I have to get work done and finished for the books I have been asked to do, will be continuing teaching and also working on a film or two next year as well so things could be very busy for me, or knowing this industry I could fall out of favor overnight and be a sad old basket case sat rocking in a doorway drinking filtered shoe polish who knows we can make plans and just hope through sheer hard work and determination something comes from it Do you have any tips for new body painters? Work hard at it, practice, plan, and never lose sight of what you are doing, try to paint with others and learn from them, even the newest of painters can bring something fresh to the table, and never turn down the chance of training with someone you either admire or someone that can really teach you what you want to learn, and never never ever try to be the ‘’next’’ whoever just be the first you. And lastly remember it is quite a small industry so keep that in mind, it is an industry were reputation counts as much if not more than ability.
Day of The Dead Photography by Katie Smith Hair by Melanie Davies Make Up by Louise Morgan Jewellery by MissGenki Jewellery and Mortiis M. Models are Becky Wright; Stephanie Jones; Bethan Davies & Morgan Davies Post-Production: Melanie Davies
Thank you To Katie Smith, and Louise Morgan for the following featured photographs. Thank you also goes to Louise Morgan for taking the four hours of her time to paint all four models. Working with children was an exprience and Say Cheese are forever grateful to Bethan and Morgan Davies who played models for the day. And also a big thank you to MissGenki Jewellery and Mortiis M for letting us feature some of their jewellery line.
Is it time to star t your own business?
By Tanaz Genki
With the recent economy going from bad to worse, it appears to be the worst time to start your own business and to become self-employed. Or is it? With the economic uncertainty being employed is not guaranteed, so is it less risky to follow your heart and try self-employment over being an employee? Of course the fact that less people have money to spend and tight budgeting, businesses are crashing all around us. Therefore starting anything is of a huge risk. On the other hand most of us have lost a job or cannot find employment. Here is my advice and what I have found on my route to becoming a trader as well as trying my hands on self-employment. First advice anyone will give you and rightly so is to not quit your day job. So if you do have a job no matter how much you think your idea will work and you can make it a success, do not quit. It is surprising how much you can do in your spare time to get the wheels in motion. Hence you decrease your risks and earn money while you are in the planning process. I also found that because of not liking my job I was so much more determined to make it work and had real drive. There is nothing more motivating than being in a job you want to leave. The next thing you should do before quitting the day job and for those whom are in search of a job I would say carry on doing so. The pressure of having to make something work without a clear plan and when you need to pay those bills, takes the fun out of your dream. So whilst you are not changing your life yet as I said you are setting the wheels in motion. What you now need is a business plan. The business plan is what anyone needs in order to have a set plan of what to do, how much things will cost, etc. I used “Business in Focus” to help me with my business plan. They also run courses but they are based in Wales, so if you do not live in Wales do not worry, I have more information to follow. What I did before even writing a business plan was to contact “The Prince’s Trust”. They are an amazing charity set-up by Prince Charles. They offer a programme to young people up to the age of 30 to start their own business and it’s called “Prince’s trust Enterprise Programme”. They offer a course same as one of Business in Focus and offer many online things such as Business plan template which they run through the course. These courses are all free and also a great way of meeting others whom just like you, want to become self-employed. Another great thing about them is that it is UK wide so you will find one local to you. Other great organisations are “Ventre Wales” (Wales only) as well as “Bright Ideas Trust” which is solely for Greater London. They are all fantastic so just contact them as you get so much help and support. It is less likely to be able to succeed if you go it alone so just ask for help and have all the knowledge you need before starting. Why struggle when you have all this help available to you for free. The websites are at the end of the article. The next step is to try out your idea. If you do use the “Prince’s trust” they give you a small grant to test your idea and also get a mentor to help you along. They are also great at informing you about other organisations local to you. At this point you can test and try your idea with virtually no risk. Also you need to research your market; again these are things you will learn on the course. Once you do decide to take that leap and go for it full time you should consider a few things. Most people try and save and put money aside to pay bills for a few months. This would allow you to concentrate on making what you do into a success instead of worrying about paying rent or bills. I have heard of some people setting aside money for 6months of bills and rent. This allowed them to not give up if things didn’t go well straight away. Businesses don’t always start making money straight away and most make a loss the first year or so.
The next advice I could give you to have a separate bank account for your business, but don’t get a business account until your business has started to make big money. This is because business banking will cost you where as a normal bank account will not. This can highlight how much is going out and coming in hence workout if you do start making a profit. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and go for it. Do not listen to the people around you who do not understand why you are quitting a perfectly good job to pursue self-employment. As long as you get all the advice from the right people and they believe in your idea then other people’s opinion is irrelevant. Do not get disheartened if things don’t work out and just give it time. This is why you should have had some savings to pay for everyday things so you can have a real go of the business as I said things don’t always work out straight away. Finally good luck with pursuing your dreams and wish you all the best. You will have plenty of obstacles along the way but it will be worth it in the end. You actually wakeup in the morning wanting to go to work and no matter how many hours you have to work none of it will feel like work.
Good luck!
Tanaz Genki http://www.businessinfocus.co.uk www.princes-trust.org.uk www.venturewales.com/ www.brightideastrust.com/
A Word with Ed Godden When you get the opportunity to interview one of your favourite photographers who is also known throughout the world, your brain tends to explode with excitement. So make sure you enjoy this interview, read all about Ed’s life behind the camera and the tips he shares with new and inspiring photographers. Tell us a bit about yourself (Max of 50 words) I’m 33 years old, originally from a tiny village near Swindon on the Wiltshire/Berkshire border. I’ve been a Pro snapper since I was 17 and spent the first 13 years of my career as a press and sports photographer. I’ve been shooting model portfolios for over 3 years now. I get just as much a buzz from photography now as I did when I first started. When did you first get involved in Photography and what sparked your interest? I got my first SLR, a Pentax K1000 when I was about 14 from my dad. But had always had cameras from a young age. My main first interest was photographing landscapes when I was a kid. When you’re not shooting, what do you do in your spare time? Err.... edit the images ;) What is the craziest job you’ve ever done? I did a latex shoot once which over ran... meaning the model had to run to the train station wearing the rather revealing outfit! And high heels! Do you have any professional qualifications or are you self-taught? I got a B in GCSE photography at college, but quit college halfway through my A level media studies course and started working professionally as an assistant at a advertising photographers when I was 17. What is in your camera bag right now? D7000, D200, 2 x Fuji INSTAX cameras, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 10.5mm, 28-105,, Ringflash and an SB-900 flashgun. What is your most over-used lens? I love my 50mm f1.4. There’s no better effect for portraits than shooting wide open and getting amazing depth of field. Besides your camera, what is a must have you take with you on shoots? My Lastolite gold/silver reflector... perfect for creating light! What is your favourite type of theme to shoot? Its no secret that I love shooting models with tattoos... despite not having one tattoo on my body... I find models with tattoos to be so great to work with and instantly interesting to look at.
Who are your top three favourite photographers? Bob Carlos Clarke Henri Cartier-Bresson David Bailey What inspires you the most? Seeing original images in magazines or online... wishing i had taken them... then trying to put a spin on them by creating something different myself! On average how many pictures do you take on a normal modelling shoot? Anything between 300 and 1500. List 3 things you wish you had done sooner in your business. Not been afraid of learning how to use studio lights. Not waited so long before using prime lenses.... used to rely on zoom lenses all the time. Wish I had the confidence I have now (at 33) when I was 20. How is your work different to any other photographer? I’d like to think that people look at my images and can tell they’re mine by the models appearing relaxed, having fun.... or hopefully BOTH!
If someone gave you £10,000 today to spend on photography equipment, what would you buy? Nikon D3X... and the rest on instant film! If you could have lunch with someone famous, who would that be? Mick Jagger... but only if he let me take his photo at the end of the meal. What is the best advice you were given when you were just starting out? Use prime lenses because they force you to think more about composition and move around your subject.... rather than staying in one place and just zooming in and out. Do you have any tips for our readers who wish to get into model photography? Join a modelling network site such as Model Mayhem and contact local photographer working to TF. But be careful and sensible about who you shoot with. Always insist on taking a chaperone with you when you start out. What is your favourite quote of all time? “If you can make a girl smile... you can make her do anything!” - Marilyn Monroe http://www.edgoddenphotography.co.uk http://www.edgoddenphotography.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ed-Godden-Photography/456991540369 http://www.modelmayhem.com/1068231
Spotlights Each issue a lucky 15 photographers, models, stylists and artists will be chosen to feature in our spotlights spread! If you wish to get involved and be picked please email a high res 300dpi jepg image to info@saycheesemagazine.co.uk Remember to give us 10 words max about yourself, a couple of words as to why you picked that photograph and the camera/settings you used during that day. Any credit and weblinks you may have. Enjoy our first spotlights!
Andy Pixels. Photographer from Cardiff. Happily married and always ready with camera in hand. “This photograph I when having a walk along southerdown earlier this year. What I like about this, the boy in question had a medical condition called Autism, the one where they are good at something but can be frightened easily. The one thing this boy loved to do was to play with water, hence the name water boy. The Lens used was aSigma 150-500, settings 1/1600 sec, F/7.1, ISO/400 and was taken on the smaller one of my cameras Nikon D5000.”
I am Chris Yates aka ChrisY Photography. Based just outside of Milton Keynes, have been pretty busy over the last 12 months working with various models and studios. “I picked this images because its a combination of my favourite watch brand and creating a commercial advertisement from my own concept.” Model Karolina Bil - Camera ChrisY. CameraCanon EOS 5D Mark II, Focal Length59 mm, Shutter Speed1/125 sec, Aperture10, ISO/Film100.
Dani Riot is a London based Fashion Photographer who brings creativity and energy to all that I produce, from idea mapping through to post production. www.daniriot.com “I mainly chose this image as it was created to explore reflections. Shot on a Canon 5DmkII, using the following settings; ISO:100, F:4.5,1/160”
Jas Stephenson lives in Manchester, 23 year old graduated Ba(hons) Photography student who loves nothing more then to be behind the camera. www.photographyjas.webs.com “I chose the images simply because its the one I love from this year. Camera use - Nikon D60 Iso - 100 F/10”
My names John Fitch, I’m a southwest based Portrait and Fashion photographer, inspired by the photography style and processing of the 90’s, and bringing it up to date with current trends. “I had a lot of images I could look through but when asked to pick out just 1 image I had to settle on this, I love the contrast between the location and the styling. I love the colors, and the team that I worked with that day were just wonderful. The muted tones and slight processing shift really represent my style.” Photographer: John Fitch - Model: Charlotte Make Up: LM Hair: Elbie - Styling: Krishan Camera settings: 50mm on Canon 24-105L lens. f5.0, 1/800, ISO640, No flash (Reflector Only)
Stephanie Railey. Eighteen years old. Fashion and Portrait Photographer. Canon 550D. “I chose this image because I feel it represents me the best.It consists of my favourite model Jess Williams... shot at my favourite location in the rain and wind with not one word of complete off Jess.The top I made myself, and this photo was only the second of the day!”
Names Jonas I’m 26, My love of photography came about through my love of abandoned buildings and old architecture, I’ve now worked as an events & commercial photographer now for about 3 years and I never stop learning. “This was taken during a Hospitality drum & bass event at the Great Hall last November, I choose it as it reminds me of all the good times I’ve had as a live events photographer.” Tech info; EOS1000D, f/4, 1/40sec, ISO200, 17mm focal. Ceri Vale has been taking photographers professional for 8 years and he is based in the Cardiff area. “I chose this image because I captured exactly what I was aiming for. 1/80th - f2.0 - ISO 1250” www.vale-images.co.uk
www.facebook.com/Jonas.Photography. UK
Darkslide Photography is owned and Maintained by Professional Photographer, Andy Simon, 34, from Aldridge, in the West Midlands, and Happily married with 2 wonderful children. In 2010 Andy was awarded first prize in the National City and Guilds yearly photographic
I’m Jemma Merrony from South Wales, I have modelled on and off for a few years. I have been published in EM Models Magazine, and do a lot of work for Pictage Studios. These photos was taken by Nick Perry from Haverfordwest in South West Wales. I like the composition in the third one.
www.wix.com/jemmamerrony/model
Photography by Mon Gracia-Photography Kat Tolley, 17 model from Swansea. I’m fun, outgoing, good work ethic, patient, enthusiastic and witty. I chose this image as I feel the photographer has captured my emotional expression and mood.
Rebecca-Louise. 18 year old eccentric, quirky and generally happy Swansea based freelance photographer. “I chose this photo of Flora Kerridge as I think the colours are stunning and add a brightness and happiness to the image. They emphasize her as a person and lead the eye towards her. I also adore the dreamy expression in her eyes, it’s a candid style shot as she isn’t looking directly into the camera. The flowers frame the image quite well and make people do a double take to look at the image in more detail.” I used a Sony A290 with a manual function setting.
http://rebeccalouisephotography.carbonmade.com/
My name is Kahla Delahay and I used the studios at University of Wales, Newport and a Canon EOS 5Dmk2 to create this image. “This is my favourite shot of the month, and possibly ever! It’s only a test shoot, but the project revolves around the idea of young women being forced into fashion and being unable to escape or feel comfortable without it.” www.facebook.com/kdphotodesign
Stephanie Beswick. 17. Cardiff. Photography & Digital Imaging year 2 student. “I picked this image because it was my first proper professional photo shoot, with a model and an MUA. Also, it is one of my images that I am most proud of. It was one of my first manually shot shoots, so that is another thing I am proud of.” I used a Canon 1100D. It was shot manually. ISO - 800. Aperture - 5.6. I edited the levels slightly to brighten up the image.
Photography by Benjamin Robinson I picked this picture of a recent shoot as it was done early in the morning when the sun was rising, althouh was freezing cold it was worth every minute especially how we captured the sun light.
ConfIdence and Chrome: The Wonderful World of Pole Dancing
Pole dancing can be described as a form of performing art, combining both gymnastics and dance. A great form of physical fitness, it builds muscle strength, flexibility and, best of all, confidence. It is less about lust, sex, and strip clubs, and more about exercise, self-confidence and wellbeing.
When the two words ‘pole’ and ‘dance’ are put together, a negative connotation is formed and thoughts of lap dancing clubs and strippers are formed. It agitates the media and society, giving a false preconception. The common delusion of pole dancing being a sleazy form of seduction and way of making money, confined only to dark gentlemen’s clubs, is very far from reality. Worldwide thousands of women are taking to the pole, and all for the same reasons: for fitness, for fun and to build confidence! Many people I know do pole dancing in gentleman’s clubs, and that is absolutely fine. It demonstrates their confidence, forms an income for them and shows their ability to perform on the pole in front of a crowd, which a lot of people (including myself) find terrifying. This article is not aimed at putting dancers who work in clubs in a negative light. It is merely highlighting the fitness side of the dance form “J”. I started pole dancing in September of 2010 under the instruction of Sminxie at Passion, Cardiff. Not knowing what to expect, I was understandably very nervous and intimidated by the almost guaranteed prospect that I was going to make a complete fool out of myself. It didn’t take me long though to see that everyone was in the same boat, so this anxiety was quickly set aside. After my first lesson I had learnt a number of spinning and static moves, as well as how to walk around, and hold the pole, properly. I felt great, and even though my entire body was aching, my confidence levels hit the roof for the first time in months.
I am now using more and more performance elements in my dancing, forging routines and using elements of burlesque dancing to enhance them. I offer paid pole dancing work and have already been booked for many parties and events. So as well as it being a hobby and an incredible form of fitness it also makes me a few extra pounds to put in the bank! Even though I know that I still have a very long way to go before I will be really good and classed as ‘professional’ I still love every single minute of it and am constantly striving to learn new and more difficult moves (even if I am really scared of them!). Putting the fear factor to one side is something I find extremely difficult to do, both in my dancing and in other aspects of my life. You have to trust yourself and believe you can do things. If you don’t trust and believe in yourself, no one else will do it for you. Coupled with my modelling work, pole dancing has given me an outstanding level of confidence, as well as helped me to loose weight and tone up. Any advice I would give to any girls (or guys!) out there considering it would be to try it out. You’ll soon see the positive effects it will have on you, both on the inside and outside.
“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” – Matt Hardy Each women today has a certain manner to uphold, they must be full of grace and charm, beauty should come naturally to them, however when you’re a model all that becomes heightened and not only is all that expected of you, you have to bring so much more to the table. In this article, I will talk about the fact that today’s models have to look a certain way, be a certain size and act a certain way. Among all of that I will be giving tips to newbie’s and what I have learnt in the last year of modelling myself. You will get the point of view of a photographer and model all in one. How do you start out? Staring out is normally pretty simple, you want to be able to always get noticed, show people you are versatile and give enough information. My first tip for starting out would be to see if there are any willing photographers in your area who are up for a time for shoot with you. This means they give you their time for free as do you and you can either get a CD back with the edited images on or a few prints. However, you may find that the photographer may also be a newbie as well as you, so don’t expect to get glits and glamour right away, after all people have to start somewhere.
If you can’t find a willing photographer to work with for free, maybe look into hiring someone for a certain price. Some photographers offer modelling portfolios for a nice price, you can normally get ten pictures or prints out of the shoot as well. Don’t be fooled by the ‘win a photoshoot’ competitions as there is often a fine print about having to pay huge amounts of money for your images. Next, once you’ve got a few photos under your belt, it’s time to make a model mayhem page, a purestorm or netmodel portfolio account. There are lots of places out there but I find those three to be the top of the list, as you can speak to other models about how to improve, contact photographers who are willing to do time for shoots and of course arrange casting calls, post on forums and just receive good feedback about your work. Often enough these places ask for you to put up a few images so they can accept you so make sure you’ve got your images ready to upload. What are the pros of modelling? For one it’s a major confidence boost! You will never feel as good about yourself as you do when you’ve got a photographer saying “Oh you look great in this shot!” that is always great to hear as you are being told what you’re doing is good and you look great! Another one is you get to meet so many wonderful people, some of my closest friends are part of the photographer, model, stylist community. You get to learn more about yourself, be with people who are in the same line of work with you and there is always the chance of being picked up by a top agency.
What about the negatives of modelling? You are always going to have negatives thrown against something you enjoy; after all it wouldn’t be life if that didn’t happen. In the last year I have learnt not everyone is going to enjoy what you do, people will always find a way to try and knock you down and sometimes this can be due to jealousy of how confident you might show yourself to be, other times it can be down to spite. But never forget you do what you want to do, never let anyone’s opinion make you feel poorly about yourself. Remember an opinion is like an asshole, everyone’s got one. How can I deal with criticism? Criticism can come in two ways, there is the good kind of criticism which can help you improve your modelling, give you advice or tips and make you feel good about the stuff you are doing. Then there is bad criticism that like the negatives before, someone can just want to be hurtful and cause you issues and to rethink of what you enjoy doing. Always take this type as a pinch of salt, often enough you will find they are done to hurt your work, the photographers or the whole teams work and your feelings. Of course some constructive criticism can be handy as it’ll allow you to push yourself, improve more and learn from your mistakes. I often tell myself to lift my head up a bit more, widen my eyes and relax my shoulders as I learnt that these were my mistakes while modelling. You will always pick up things as you go along and if you do at least three or four shoots a month, you will improve greatly. Which is best, studio or location?
Personally, there is a 50/50 opinion on studio’s vs. locations; after all it depends on what the photographer does best and where. Personally, I love a location shoot however there are always going to be issues with the ever changing weather, people coming to watch you work, where you get changed, the temperature or even the police being called to move you along. Whereas a studio, you are in a nice safe environment with constant light, heating, toilets and you don’t have to worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A studio can be your playground. I would always suggest having both options in your portfolio, it will help showcase that you can work in a place where you are going to be surrounded by people who will ask you questions about what you’re doing and also show that you can come up with great ideas and results in a studio.
Do you bring a chaperone? Now this subject is really touch and go here. Chaperone’s can be two things, a family member who has to come along with you as you are under the age of eighteen or a close friend who is there as a witness and also someone just to watch and keep an eye. My opinion on chaperone’s is never bring your partner, other half or whatever you wish to call them, it causes more issues than it’s worth and sometimes the photographer will even call the shoot off half way through because the chaperone is getting in the way or making you or the photographer awkward. Of course if you’re partner just sits in a corner reading or is in another room, that is fine but you must remember ho w you act in front of the camera because that then will portray in your pictures, so if you’re nervous or feeling awkward because your other half is at the shoot the best bet is to just ask them not to come to the shoot and get a friend if you really need someone to be there. Always check references! This is important and Always contacts some models the photographers worked with! You don’t want to get to a shoot after speaking to the photographer to find something it’s not. A Final Word... Always take care of yourself first! Never mind disappointing someone just because you don’t want to get undressed in front of them, photographers understand that sometimes you just don’t feel all that comfortable stripping off and they should respect your levels of modelling. As I said above, please always check references and never act like a diva who demands something before, during or after the shoot, of course you can ask politely about something but never demand. People talk and if you turn out to be over the top then other people will find out. Be calm, cool and comfortable. If you don’t like what’s happening, stop it there and then, don’t carry on doing what you feel is wrong and complain afterwards. The photographer and you work as a team, so take care of one another and respect each other. Good Luck!
Melanie Davies
Arranging shoots and what happens on them, By Katie Smith Arranging a shoot is fairly simple. Even if you are completely starting out (meaning all you have is your camera and your inspiration) all you have to do is ask! You have to understand that being shy in this business is a big problem. You mustn’t be scared to email models. All they’ll do is either say yes or no, simple! A lot of models these days will do time for photos (TF) if they believe it will positively add to their portfolio. But at this point, I assume you have no images to lure a model in, so finding a model who is also starting out is good or then again I’m sure you will have a friend who is extremely willing to help! My very first photoshoot was with my friend and I got fantastic pictures from them, which I could use to start my portfolio. You will find models mainly on Facebook and Model Mayhem. But Model Mayhem is something to try when you have more pictures. Facebook is the best networking site out there to start with. Even if you have a few pictures and create a page for your photography, people will start liking and you will get more new models. Reading forums about modelling and photography is also good as sometimes they put up links to good websites and pictures for inspiration, like Tumblr. When you have someone, friend or model willing to pose for you then you need to find a location. You may have already had one in mind before you asked someone to model, but there are so many places to go that you should never feel limited! Though remember, when you do pick a place, if it’s somewhere like Dyffryn Gardens or St. Fagans, sometimes you may have to ask, but the grounds are so big that no one will notice you :-) But if you want to take pictures somewhere inside you WILL have to ask and you will more than likely be caught as some places charge to use their homes and buildings. You can go to a park, even your back garden! Anywhere is good, if you frame the picture perfectly you can get a fantastic shot! Research is a very important part of organizing a shoot. You can’t go blazing in there with your camera and tell someone to sit down and look pretty! You’ll get much better pictures if you already have an idea of what you want to do in your mind! You can go anywhere to get inspiration! I have a habit of buying fashion magazines and ripping out ANY picture I like or love and sticking them in a scrap book for later. You don’t have to do this, going onto Google images and saving pictures in a file on your computer is just as good! If you see a picture of a, for example, red head model and love the picture, google more images like it. Look at other photographers work and see what they have done. Ok, so you have your model and your location, done your research, you have arranged it all and what time.
At this point make sure your model knows what their in for. Do this every single shoot, even if it is just a friend or family member you are taking pictures of! You don’t want someone turning up at a shoot without make-up on expecting a make-up artist! So make sure you say, simple make-up/dark/fake eyelashes or har up, hair down, curled, straight...you get the picture. What ever idea you had for the shoot, make sure the model knows! Even if there are some positions you would like to see them in, forward them pictures or if not, try and describe what you are looking for! The model always needs to know everything! Obviously you will have a few inspirational moments on the shoot, like see some part of the location you want to use or the model puts herself into some position that you weren’t expecting and fall in love it and make the poor soul do it again and again. Remember, NOTHING GOES TO PLAN. Something always changes. SO don’t get frustrated or annoyed when something doesn’t work! Something is always guaranteed to go wrong! Especially on location as the weather may change, the wind may pick up, it may start pouring down with rain (in this instance always check the met office website for the weather, their normally 90% right, but if it says passing showers, don’t bother doing any shoots on that day cause you don’t know what times its going to bucket down) Even in the studio! A bulb will go, flash is not doing what it was doing yesterday, “but I had it perfect yesterday...” It’s all very annoying. So always keep calm and expect the un-expected! When on the shoot never expect the model to know what they are doing! Unless they have been doing it for a few years and you have told them what your looking for, then most models go off and do their thing without much direction. In this example, it’s your first shoot and you may not be using an experienced model, so you must learn to direct. Never be embarrassed about telling the model what to do, at the end of the day you have asked them to model for you and you know what you want! You don’t want to stay quiet the entire time and then not get the pictures you wanted at the end of it. This is way research is so important. Look at other pictures and see how they have their arms, their chins, the way their body is positioned. Its all important. Even if you have to go up to them and position them yourself to get the shot you want then so be it! A hair may be out or their dress/t-shirt may be up on one side, don’t be afraid to go up and adjust it! Sometimes this is good point to have an assistant, then they can go over and fix the little things for you so you don’t loose your place, but that is normally better used on larger shoots. Remember to check your lighting! Even if the model is standing in the same position for about 5 minutes so you can get it right, it doesn’t matter, you want to get the best picture possible! Do not go around taken pictures thinking “I can fix that on Photoshop”. Well yes you probably can, but you don’t want to start thinking that with every picture you take! You want to try and get it right the first time round so you don’t have to change EVERY picture when you get home. I try not to use any editing programs unless I have to, I try and get the image the way I want it on the shoot and I believe it makes for a better picture. I’m not saying I’m perfect as some pictures do sometimes look better on the small screen of the camera than they do on a larger monitor on your home computer. But I want to make sure, when I go to edit pictures, all I have to do is brighten it slightly and then do the effects I wanted. I am a more natural photographer, but there are photographer’s out there who specialise in Photoshop photography. It’s just not me. Unless the model asks me to remove a spot or have asked if I can remove some winkles (which has happened on a few occasions) then I try not to edit at all. If you get it right first time, you build yourself to be a better photographer. If you think about it we didn’t have all this digital photography and programs to adjust our image years ago, so they had to get the position and lighting of the picture right first time as they couldn’t change it later. I find myself very lucky that I can take 20 pictures of one image and I can choice from them later on! Some photo shoots can take from one hour to all day! It all depends what you ave planned and how well the model has responded to your direction! I had one model who did everything I told her to do and I got the pictures I wanted within an hour! And wonderful pictures they were as well! If you just have one model and no clothes changes it can easily take two hours, you’ll be surprised where the day goes. When doing larger shoots with more people, obviously it requires more planning, but maybe I should take about that next time :-) Remember : Check the weather two days before, make sure you know what you want out of the shoot, Charge your batteries the night before (dumb I know, but yes I have done it), and take snacks and drinks cause you don’t know what’s going to happen!
An Interview with Pixie Suicide
What is your name/nickname? My real name is Emma Kennedy and my nickname/modelling name is Pixie Suicide. How old are you? I’m 21, 22 next month. Where are you from? Originally from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.
Where are you based? I’m currently based in Newmarket in Suffolk where I live with my boyfriend but I also go to university in Reading where I’m studying History and English Literature so I spend a good deal of my time there as well. Measurements: Short hair, currently blonde, it’s naturally dark brown. Ugh. Blue / Green eyes; it honestly depends on how they feel that day! I’m 5ft 1, got 34B boobies, 29’’ waist, 34’’ hips, 4.5 shoe and my dress size is 10-12. I’ve got 4 tattoos and 6 piercings. What are your hobbies? Amateur dramatics, making cakes, customising clothes, nattering, reading, shoes. I love going to gigs, going to as many as possible – I spend a fortune on tickets! And love urban exploration, which is basically going and looking at derelict stuff. What’s your favourite music and who are your favourite bands? Favourite music would be rock, punk, metal – that kind of genre. My favourite bands? Gosh there are so many...My favourite band is Papa Roach, without a doubt, but closely followed by Motley Crue, My Darkest Days, Avenged Sevenfold, Halestorm, Alter Bridge, Sixx A.M., Buckcherry, Hinder, I could go on forever! What are your top 10 favourite Movies: These are in no particular order, I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite! Batman: The Dark Knight, Candy, Role Models, From Hell, Arthur, Hot Fuzz, Chicago, Inception and Minority Report. What are your top 5 favourite Books: Again in no particular order: The Heroin Diaries and This Is Gonna Hurt by Nikki Sixx, Russell Brand’s Booky Wook, The Harry Potter books and the Georgia Nicholson Diaries. But my favourite book of all time without a shadow of a doubt is Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks which I would suggest to everybody to go and read because it’s, ugh, just amazing! Who is your biggest hero and why? It’s a cliche, but my mum. She’s the strongest woman I know, she doesn’t take any crap from anybody and she’s passed that on to me. She juggled bringing me and my sister up and a full time job, supporting us and raising us and teaching us to be decent human beings all whilst battling depression. I’m quite proud of the way I turned out, I consider myself to be quite a well rounded individual and I owe who I am to my mum. Other than that I would say my biggest inspiration is Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue. He’s just such a down to earth guy despite all the fame, the drug problems, etc and his photography absolutely blows me away. What is your style of Modelling and why?: My style of modelling is ‘alternative’ to put it in its widest genre, but I suppose I’m more of a punk than anything. Why? Because i fell into that category really! There’s a lot of goth models, a lot of retro, rockabilly’s, steam punks, there’s a lot of gore and horror but there didn’t really seem to be that many little punks so i just kind of slotted into it nicely.
It’s a genre and a label that i enjoy, it’s not something that i feel I’ve outdone yet so it’s something that I’m going to continue to do for a while at least. That said I’m still more than happy to explore other things and do other things as well.
Tell us a bit about yourself: I’m Pixie! I like cats, I like fairy cakes, I like going to music festivals and crappy budget horror movies. I like old books, guy liner, intelligent conversation, glitter, leather and rock music. I think that’s the best description you’re ever going to get of me!! Do you have any goals? If so what are they?: My main goal is to stay alive on this crazy train of life. I live life on a day to day basis really. I’ve done a ton of incredible stuff. I’ve ridden elephants, cuddled tigers, met some dead famous people who are really lovely, I’ve been put in a trance by Derren Brown, the list goes on! So life for me really is about topping those things! I’m always chasing the next high. My current goal at the moment is to raise enough money to drive from New York to LA in one month taking in all the Southern States, e.g. Mississippi, Texas, Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Mojave Desert, New Orleans, Memphis; you get the idea!! Hopefully I’ll be able to do that this time this year. Have you had one specific shoot which you’d class as your favourite?: I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite! I enjoy them all so much, I think the great thing about my work is that I make so many new friends all the time. I’m constantly meeting fabulous new people, i love it. I really enjoy the shoots I do with my boyfriend, we always have a lot of fun on those. But no, as a whole i’m afraid I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite. If you could pick anywhere on earth to do a photoshoot where would it be and why? It would probably be one of the old deserted ghost towns in the US. They have such an appeal to me. The whole tumbleweed rolling on through and the saloon doors swinging shut, I don’t know why, i just love it! What style of shoot would you do there? I would do a shoot based on Pink’s ‘Trouble’ video. The saloon bar, the horse, the county jail, I love the whole video. It’s something I’ve wanted to recreate for a very long time and what better place to do it!?
Do you have any tips for girls wanting to get into your style of modelling? I’ve actually written an article about this which can be seen at http://pixiesmodel.tumblr.com. But in a nutshell, in general, be safe is the number one thing. Anybody who says they can make you famous can’t. It’s about hard work, it’s about dedication, it’s about networking. So yeah be safe. Be smart, enjoy it and have a thick skin. There’s always going to be people who don’t like what you’re doing and to be honest if no-one’s criticising you, you’re probably not doing it right! Do you have any other on-going projects that you want to discuss with us or is there any project (be it a large shoot or climbed a mountain) that you’re particularly proud of?: Yes I have several, I am the creator, and I run Vicious Kittens which is a group of alternative female models. Check us out on Facebook, I think we speak for ourselves really. We’re a group of girls that look out for each other, support each other, vote for each other in competitions, all alternative female models. It’s difficult to say anything about it without talking endlessly and rambling because it’s my baby and i’m super proud of it but yeah, check us out on facebook, give us a like and let us know what you think! I’m also involved in clothing customisation, I have a small company called Pixie Stitch. It’s not much but I love it. Every single item of clothing that i make is totally different and specifically tailor made for the individual. I’m currently involved in making a sleeveless denim jacket for Sal Costa, the lead guitarist from Canadian rock band My Darkest Days which I am so super excited about, So yeah, keep a watch out for that and go check him out on Facebook because he’s an incredible guy The other thing is that I have a small photography company called Miss Photo. I love getting out there with my camera, unfortunately I don’t get round to doing it that much anymore as I have so much on but it’s definitely something I love to do and want to make an effort to do more! Are there any models/photographers you’ve not yet worked with who you are longing to shoot with? God, do you know what, there are so many! Due to Vicious Kittens i’ve met and spoken to a lot of people on Facebook who i now consider to be friends of mine despite never having actually met them! Luckily I get the pleasure of working with a lot of them very soon and these include such gorgeous girlies as Alice Cat, Lady Noctis, Midnight Bliss, Charli Stevens, Devil’s Squaw, it’s all very exciting! As far as photographers go, I’d love to work with Ange Harper, Gina Soden, Stef Culley, Morbidly Inclined, Twisted Pix, Choas Engineers, Black Orchard, there are just so, so many! e-mail address: pixiesuicide@live.co.uk You can contact me here regarding anything to do with my modelling, Vicious Kittens, Miss Photo and Pixie Stitch. Links: Official Website: http://pixiesuicide.webs.com/ Facebook Links: Pixie Suicide: http://www.facebook.com/PixieSModel Purestorm - http://www.purestorm.com/profile.aspx?id=Pixie_Suicide ModelMayhem - http://www.modelmayhem.com/2197351 Tumblr - http://pixiesmodel.tumblr.com/