Model Portfolio: In The Dunes

Last week I was lucky enough to be involved in a fantastic shoot that was initiated by Jonathan Dear of Vibrant Photography of the Southern Highlands. We met at a seminar last year and planned to get together for a shoot at some stage and that happened to be on the sand dunes of Stockton Beach.

The entire shoot ended up being a collaboration between models Sarah Boulazeris and Rebecca Frith, makeup artist Danielle Hampton, dress designer Kel-Leigh, Jonathan and I. Basically, everyone gave up their time and wares for each others benefit and we all walk away with some stunning images to be used for promotions, advertising and experience.

If anyone thinks the life on a fashion shoot is glamorous – read on! The girls all arrived early for hair and make up before heading over to the sand dunes where we car pooled along a dodgy and sandy 4wd track in our two wheel drives. I think it was two minutes later I was bogged. After some pushing and deft reversing I was back out and safely at our drop off point. From here it was all hands on deck to carry all of Jonathan’s gear and my one bag through the mozzi infested “jungle” up a 30m vertical sand dune to our destination. A return to the car for more gear and we were ready to assemble the change rooms and equipment.

This was my first time at Stockton and after cresting that initial dune, the sight was breath taking and surreal – it felt like we had been dropped off in the middle of a desert. I couldn’t wait to get shooting. And the sun was finally coming out after a dodgy looking morning that threatened to spoil the shoot.

Needless to say, we had a terrific time with heaps of laughs, some fantastic images and new friends. I can’t recommend the girls highly enough and the makeup was just perfect, I can’t wait to do it all over again at another location that is already in the planning. A special thanks to Kel from Kel-Leigh Couture for the loan of her stunning dresses, you really are a talent!

For any photographers reading this post, professional or amateur – I can’t convey the importance of shooting for yourself enough. Days like these that can be put together with a little organising and planning will see you improve your craft, let you practice and try new techniques, posing and lighting. And to not be rushed or thinking about deadlines or clients wishes just makes the day so refreshing and revitalising. You have to shoot for yourself at least occasionally – it’s invigorating.

Feel free to email or call me if you’d like the contact details of the models, Sarah or Rebecca and you can click on the links to check out the work of Danielle and Kel-Leigh. If you require a photographer, South of Sydney, make sure you give Jonathan a call and if you live further north, call me at Impact Images.

Below are a few of my favourites images from the shoot.

The “glamorous” change rooms and some of the camera equipment we lugged up the hill. And that’s Jonathan taking things seriously.

The gorgeous Rebecca “workin it”

I love this shot of Rebecca – very surreal

Sarah is a natural beauty and just looked exquisite in this Kel-Leigh designed dress

Blue skies, sand dunes, a white dress and Sarah – it was hard to go wrong

After photographing the wedding dresses we grabbed a few “fashion” style shots

Jonathan is available to model for your shoot and can be contacted at….

It was seriously like being in the middle of a desert out here.