Before Christmas in 2009 I did a quickie test shoot with a new (to me) London model called: Azzi Kalili. Azzi is an Aussie in London, freelancing as a model and writer. I found Azzi while networking and searching for models on Model Mayhem, my go to site for finding fresh faces and new models to work with.

The entire shoot consisted of a few clothing changes, some props and a shoot time of only 1.5 hours!! I’m incredibly impressed to get such a range of photos from such a short shoot.

We started the shoot with the ‘headshot’ style photograph. I wanted this so that I could update my portfolio to increase the amount of industry standard shots that are required of models, muscians, dancers and actors that are used within casting calls.

Azzi is beautiful and a rare find: she knows how to do an engaging natural smile on demand!

One of the themes of photography that I really have fun playing and prepping for are the ‘clone’ shots. Where mutliple photographs are merged into a setting. I was inspired by a photo in a magazine book where the model was lounging in her seat, feet proped up onto a wall .. well I tried those shots and while I like the results, I loved the result that you see with one I dub the zebra print dress. Its so clean, bold and fresh.

 

This one I call the Fierce Fashion Clones. I had originally wanted to have it posed like the slow motion capture from Matrix where you see the agents split into multiple angles when avoiding bullets. Well I wanted a fierce fashion moment and this is a good capture of fluid movement.

 

We the moved onwards and had a fun time wrapping up ‘n playing with my red / pink cloth panels. Which are from IKEA and cost very little money. They are actually room panel dividers but I use them as alternate colour backdrops and to wrap models in!

In addition I have a large sheet of white semi transparent muslin to play with .. its just not quite transparent enough to have light shining onto and still see Azzi’s features, so this draping and posing was 100% Azzi. In fact, I rarely have to direct Azzi beyond sharing the initial idea .. it free’s me up to concentrate on lighting and ensuring the capture is as technically perfect as I can get it.

Plus we also played with some fiery red room divider fabric from IKEA! Swanky I know, but the results were great.

One of the fun aspects about modelling (which I revel in particularly with self portraits) is to be a chameleon. Different clothes, hair styles, make up and lighting to highlight different aspects can really change a person looks. This entire shoot demonstrates this.

Azzi has a chameleon quality that is very useful in a model, she is no one trick pony look but a lovable clown of versatile expressions.

 

 

Thank you Azzi, for working with me and becoming a new friend in the process.

Up next are a couple of shoots with some male models .. oh la la!

– CathieGraphy, a London Portrait Photographer.