P H O T O G R A P H Y - / / A L I E N - P A R T I

Hey guys!

I've been a right busy bee lately, I've been helping a young lady called Sophie Evans complete her final major project for her Fashion Promotion BA (Hons) degree. Sophie's magazine followed the theme of Extra Terrestrial - incorporating glossy textures, vibrant colours and interesting exteriors.

Here's part one of our 3 part fashion editorial.

THE ARRIVAL.

Model - Bethan White

Stylist & Art Director - Sophie Evans

Photographer - Stephanie Rose Railey

  

P H O T O G R A P H Y - / / B L U M M A G A Z I N E - F U L L E D I T O R I AL

Hey everyone!

I can now show you the full Market Place editorial that was featured in BLUM Magazine :D
Posted some previews back last year (along with a small shopping haul *Sneaky sneaky*) but I can now give you the real deal.
I can't wait to feel it in the flesh :D


I worked with a small, but very capable team;

Model : Zoe Sweeting (BASE MODELS)
Stylist : Lily Mae O'Hagan
Photographer : Stephanie Rose Railey

P H O T O G R A P H Y - / / N A T G R O U P B U S

As many of you know, I'm a photographer from South Wales. This morning, I woke up very exited because I knew my images were going to be displayed around Cardiff thanks to the help of NAT Group's buses and their latest bus adventures!

Only, after the response the campaign has received from the general public I'm left confused. The services that my images were featured on had been recalled within 5 hours of working. Disheartening me as a photographer, but also as a member of the general public.

Recently, NAT Group approached Future Model Management's agency founder Clair Rawlings in regards to supplying models to use for their campaign, Clair's a good friend of mine hence how I was introduced to the NAT team.

Nat provided us with their idea, of Calvin Klein style images, of young adults for the back of their buses. The reason behind this is purely because they wanted to offer something different to any other bus company within South Wales. The majority of buses often show images of those who are entitled to a free bus pass, with copy that states 'Now that I am 60, I can shop with my daughter for free!' and other slogans along the same lines.

Nat wanted to show that they are a force be a reckoned with. The idea of a sexual innuendo released within the campaign simply made the advertisement eye catching, which is surely the whole reason to any campaign? To grab attention to the company in order to make profit?


-Nat's Instagram



Many companies use this advertising strategy, like the saying goes 'sex sells'

The story has been featured on a number of media platforms, including News stories and social media.
I thought I'd share a few below for those who haven't seen what the fuss is all about.. allegedly. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cardiff-company-nat-group-shamed-for-sexist-ad-on-back-of-bus-showing-topless-woman-holding-ride-me-all-day-for-3-sign-10241121.html

The Independent has slammed the campaign by branding it 'Sexist', The definition of Sexism is 'prejudice or discrimination based on sex' The campaign contains images of men and women, so why is it the woman are being 'sexually exploited' and the men are hardly covered at all in the onslaught? The campaign is very equal. Each model is using the same pose and the text carries through every images. 

The Independent also states that the female models are topless, when inf act they are wearing strapless bras with their vests straps tucked in. I wouldn't feel comfortable without my clothes on, why would I expect any of the models I work with to feel uncomfortable?

All the models knew what the idea was for the campaign, all finding it very humorous and cracking jokes with each other. There is no exploitation included within the campaign. The majority of comments on social media are positive. 'Funny', 'It got my attention', and 'I'd ride that bus' - This is exactly what NAT Group wanted to do!

Here are other images not used in the campaign, but still photographed on the same day, with the same models, in the same clothes!

Personally, I find the images great! *and not because I photographed them myself* 

The campaign is unique, although inspired by Calvin Klein, I've never seen imagery like this on the back of a bus. The use of males and females gives an understanding into equality, yes the models are attractive, but in no way are the images sexist. 

The slogan reaches out to adults and young adults. The comments made in regards to children seeing the images can be thrown out the window. A child will simply see a model, with a sign in front of them, with a message telling them it costs £3 to use the bus. The text is purely a sexual innuendo for grown ups to have a giggle at. Sexual innuendos are everywhere. In almost every episode of The Simpsons if you really look into it too!

( Found at : http://collegetimes.com/2014/05/27/sexual-innuendo-you-might-have-missed-in-the-simpsons )

I find the images quite empowering! All the models look beautiful and their poses show character. I wouldn't describe their expressions as 'come to bed eyes' but instead suggest that they represent strong personalities. It really gets to me when the word 'sexist' is thrown out towards men. As a woman myself, I know how it feels to be in a position where I feel uncomfortable, I would not say this bus makes the models uncomfortable... the comments they are receiving through social media may. 

I'm very happy for everyone to have their own opinions, without debate the world would be a very boring place to live; but I just wanted to add my little two piece. I'm grateful to 95% of the comments the campaign have received. They're positive and everyone can see the fun side to the whole thing.

NAT group went above and beyond and I'm proud that we live in a society where it's acceptable to try something new. The media only post about the negative response, but if you dig deeper, you'll find the truth.

The truth is, the advert is only offensive if you find it offensive, children will not be effected by the imagery or the text, the MEN AND WOMAN are empowered through the images, they look good, and they know they do, and now all of South Wales *And people around the world thanks to social media* know how good they look. Nat bus has had a lot of free advertising and everyone will remember their name.

We had a lot of fun on this shoot, and are still amazed by the overall coverage we've received!

I will finish with an apology, an apology to anyone who was slightly offended to this campaign, but please do take it with a pinch of salt!

Lots of love from me and the team!

P H O T O G R A P H Y - / / T H E B R O A D C A S T S

I leave University in less than 5 months now, and I'm still stuck on what I'd like to do after... I'm not a big fan of the whole 9-5 routine... but it's hard to get work in the photo world with camera's going to be so affordable and everyone becoming a 'photographer'.

I'm trying to widen my horizon and become a jack of all trades within the photography feild, so I've decided to photograph more genres.. today I photographed Music. A few boys I know through Skateboarding are in a local (South Wales) rock band. I sent them a simple message asking if they wanted some FREE promotional photos and of course they said yes!

Who would say no to free photos? :P

The band is called The Broadcasts - https://twitter.com/TheBroadcasts - and here are a set of images I completed for them in a two hour session in the studio today.

What do you think?

F A S H I O N P H O T O G R A P H Y - / / E D I T O R I A L & M I N I H A U L

Oh hello sweets!
I've had a few crazy days lately in regards to photo shoots.
I've completed two editorials, two car photoshoots and also a fitness photoshoot with my good friend Nok over at http://crystalcosmicchic.blogspot.co.uk/ But we'll talk about that in a later post.

for today! I am going to show you some behind the scenes shots from my MARKET PLACE editorial.
I study in Newport, and will miss it when I graduate next year (Fingers crossed) so I wanted to use it in some of my editorial work to ensure that I have some memories to keep forever involving the place that changed my life.

The editorial was fun and colourful, but also had a bit of a darker side to mellow out to stop the editorial as a whole from hurting your eyes!
The model was Zoe Sweeting @ BASE Models. Zoe recently studied fashion designer at Newport University too, making it a perfect colab.
Stylist was Lily Mae O'Hagan, also another student at the university studying Fashion Promotion.

All three of us were linked to the location which makes it very personal for all of us!
and to round it all off Blūm Magazine have decided to include it within their March issue!

So keep an eye out for that aswell!

Here's some sneaky peaks!

Images @ LZ_ Instagram - Lily Mae O'Hagan.

One of the images from the editorial.

I cannot wait to show you the whole thing in print, I love seeing my work anywhere other than a computer screen so when Blum said they'd print it I was over the moon!

______________________________________________

Additionally, I had a little wait for my next bus back to Cardiff, so I did the tinyst ammount of shopping but enough to make me happy!

 My beautiful leather jacket from Primark, I find it makes my blue eyes really pop. It's faux leather, but doesn't feel as cold so I can wear it during the winer months too. The fit is slightly cropped but goes perfectly with my high waisted jeans. and for only £10, I really cannot complain!

I then went on to buy some lovely lady items! Primark had a sale on their panties, and I still stopped myself going over board!
The matching bra and pant sets (White and Black) were only £4 to begin with, but were discounted to £2 ! I couldn't leave them for £2 a set! I always hear people complain about Primark Bra's, but I find that Primark, and also ASDA bra's are the only ones that are comfortable with in! I've had plenty of their bra's for 1-2 years now and never had a problem. for £2 I wouldn't mind if I did!

The two seperate pants were £1 each, at normal price. Couldn't go wrong! I normally like to have matching pants, but because I bought black and white sets, every colour will match with them.
A win win!

A brilliant photoshoot that I'm very proud of and some new delicates! Who can complain!

xoxo.

F A S H I O N - / / H I D D E N F A S H I O N S H O E S !

Hey Guys!

I was just brosing through a few blogs I found on Twitter, and I came across a post about www.HIDDENFASHION.com.  I thought I'd give it a quick look around because; well hey, it's better than writing my dissertation or cleaning my room which I should be doing really...

After scrolling through pages and pages and pages of clothes, I naughty added 4 items to my shopping cart, and before you know it, I added another 4, and another 4. Sadly due to Christmas and Clothes Show Live tomorrow I couldn't buy them all... So I just stuck to the original 4, and left the other 8 for safe keeping! 

I'll do a bigger post soon about all the items I bought from Hidden Fashion.com, but I just really really really wanted to show you these beauties!

Look how beautiful and shiny and pink they are! They're just perfect for my sparkly personality.

Even though I live in Wales, and we have the worst weather almost alllllll year around, I couldn't help myself when these beauts were only £5!! 

(Like PRETTY much every thing at www.Hiddenfashion.com) 

Even when it rains, I have some cute waterproof motorbike socks that may come in handy!

Most items are £5 or Less, with the odd few at £7.99. Nothing is over £10 on the entire site!

The heel is super wide, and the stitching is very, very sturdy! I'm pretty rubbish when it comes to the art of walking in heels so I wanted something that would be easy to walk in and take care my poorly, beaten up, skateboarding ankles. I worn these around the house for about an hour annoying my boyfriend and mother in law saying over and over again 'Aren't they lush, I love them'

Think they actually might be my favourite shoes ever! and for £5 why didn't I ever get them before!

These are going to be my hint of wonderful less to my OOTD for tomorrow while I'm off photographing at Clothes Show Live as Press :)

A friend of mine, (Maya Mackay @ Models 1) is modelling at the designer catwalk, after being in London/Milan forever! So it'll be lovely to catch up with her too!

What do you think of www.hiddenfashion.com?

and what are your favourite pair of shoes?

XOXO