Ding ding! Ding ding!, goes my alarm. Oh god, I open one eye and look at the time. Shit! I have an hour to get to Bank to do my first shoot. It was starting at 8am.
I take a rain check on the shower, and run out with a collection of stuff, stuffed (literally) into my small bag; on wheels may I add! The first thing I ever learnt from modelling is bring as many props, accessories, jewellery, shoes, and changes of clothes as you can possibly manage to heave up London underground escalators. The reason being, is to increase your heart-rate, and therefore, burn more calories and lose more weight! Only joking, the official reason is because the sun may shine on your yellow shoes better than black, or that lovely flowery hairpiece may compliment the grass, in a c'est mervieaux way.
So, after sitting in the body-odour busy tube, (thinking to myself I need to discuss with my agent why I don't have a limo waiting, HA I wish) I arrive! I meet the photographer with no problems, obviously he is the guy with all the reflectors, lenses, camera, and general photographer equipment. If this wasn't the case, it would be obvious to distinguish by the older guy with glasses, standing at angles and admiring the graffiti whilst cupping his thumbs and first fingers in a way that he is viewing through a camera.
I walk up introducing myself, and we set off to the location, which turns out to be in and around bank. After deciding what of his clothes, and mine, that we're too use, we through together the finished look, hoping it looks edgy rather than ' I just bundled a load of items together in the hope people think I'm an artist'. Hair and make up was kept natural, well, as natural as possible apart from the fact my huge puffs and red sleep deprived eyes, needed to be covered up with copious amounts of concealer.
Finally, time to shoot. We found lots of stone walls and this was to be our shooting location. I got straight into it, ignoring my yawns and tiredness. The shoot went smoothly and lasted for 2 hours, slightly longer than expected. We stopped for a 5 minute break in this time, so I was getting a little achy.
After a successful shoot with Alan, we called it a day! Both of us were happy with the shoot and finished product.
Yay, I now had 3 hours until my next shoot. I arranged to meet up with someone, and persuaded him it would be a good idea to buy vodka and drink on a step near Hyde park, on a summers day, at lunch time.After relaxing, I was feeling much happier and livelier for my afternoon, and perhaps just a little tipsy.
3pm struck! I met the photographers; Ravi and Sachin, by Hyde park. At the time, it was Nicole; another model and me. We had our hair styled, and make up done, we got changed. To both Nicole and my horror, the only changing facility was Hyde park toilets, nice!
I started the shoot with a white dress, back brushed hair, with a plait running across the front. It was a lovely summers afternoon, so Nicole and I switched to model, and mine was intermittent with sunbathing.
After a hour or this another model called Jack arrived. The photographers concentrated on giving Jack some close ups, and full lengths, which left Nicole and me time to discuss previous experiences, shoots, and industry related stuff. Of course, we were sitting on a rail, and naturally posing, so it didn't surprise us when we hear 'click, click, click..' Us being confident we stood up on the rail and posed against the lamp-post. The photographers went crazy over it taking countless photos from all angels, and we see Jack laughing at it.
It was then time for a group picnic shoot. After having the sun moving position we decided to go to the next location; a tree. The tree had amazing branches and ground height. The props included a guitar.
This is when Nikhil arrived. Ravi and Sachin concentrated on shooting the men for a while, so Nicole and me ate our body weight through her bread, snacks, dips, and mini-bites.
" Wow, you girls are hungry"
Says the photographer. We decided to stop binging and get behind the camera. Again, they switched between individual and group shots. All the way through the shoot Jack decided to provide music on his guitar, which features La Bamba, by Ritche Valence ( check it out, it sets the mood), wow I love my job.
The time was now 7pm; it got late very quickly. We set off to the main path in Hyde Park, and the third outfit change. The photographers set up the equipment and reflectors and sheets. All our previous locations has been more discrete, so here we faced the problem or interruptions:
" Can I have your autograph"
" Who is this shoot for"
" Oh my God, someone famous, quick camera! (snap snap)"
After ignoring countless people trying to talk we were in full swing, despite hunger settling in. We walked, we posed, we did absolutely everything, and achieved great results.
At 8.30, after signing release forms talking about future shoots we headed off in our different directions.
I haven't ever worked with such fun people and such a lovely group that got on really well. I've met up with them since, and will carry on doing so. It was a great shoot and look forward to working with them again.
Finally I arrive home! I was aching everywhere from the posing, and really hungry. I had a shower and a bite to eat, and fell into deep well-earned sleep.
Ciao people.
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