Model Sarah returned to Hudcomm Studios in late February for her second shoot. We photographed Sarag in early December for the Grid Girls Secret Project and invited her back. While new to photographic modeling, we just loved Sarah’s enthusiasm and willingness to take direction. A few shots from our shoot with Sarah:

This is so true for a picture perfect sunset. In January I was planning a shoot with long time model and friend Sass, but with both our schedules being somewhat crazy, it’s always difficult.

With 4 hours notice Sass suggested a shoot late for afternoon which purely by chance we were able to fit in. And as you can see from the images, we did get that perfect sunset. The winds were onshore and high temperatures with little or no cloud cover required us to start shooting later than earlier, which meant in turn that we didn’t get t shoot all the outfits we wanted to. As the sun set we only had 15~20 minutes of shooting time to really nail the sunset shots and the results are below.

I was asked late in 2011 if I could make a bald women look sexy. I replied without giving it much thought, saying of course, yes I could do that. Then I was asked would I be able to do that even if the woman had cancer. Feeling a little more engaged in the conversation, I responded with of course, as it had not been the first time I had photographed a lady with cancer. What I didn’t realize was the person who was asking was the one with cancer.

I’ve known Tracey through Face Book for some time, but like many of our Face Book friends, we don’t really know from a day-to-day perspective what’s going on in their lives.

After some months Tracey organized a time to come to our studio and have her shoot. Tracey is a lady that looks amazing with or without hair, which I think is emphasised by her positive outlook on her health situation. She is a wife, a mother, a fighter and all women. I personally tend to use humor in situations or circumstances when I’m stressed or there are things I can’t influence. Tracey is no different. When asked did she shaved under her arms for the shoot she said there’s one benefit to chemo and glanced down to her legs as well.

On Tracey’s head was a scar that I found unusual. When I asked she told me that she was was diagnosed with breast cancer early in 2011, but two years earlier she’d a brain aneurism that required her to have immediate brain surgery and undergo a lengthy rehabilitation and recovery process. And now faced with breast cancer and more visits to hospital, as the cancer is now in her spine, Tracey still has the courage to have not only portraits, but glamour portraits, taken of her.

Last year on 14 February 2011, a friend and fellow photographer Richard Jones lost his battle to cancer. At a coffee get together in 2010 Richard told me of his illness but said everything was OK and he was on the road to recovery. In an email in late 2010 Richard cancelled a coffee catch-up we had planned saying his immune system was down and he had the flu but that was all nothing to worry about. I never got to see Richard again.

In the last month I had a model come for portraits only to find she was currently undergoing treatment for cervical cancer. Again a young women with a positive and contagious personality. A women determined to fight and win her battle and not complain about her circumstances. I am privileged to spend time with such people who share their stories and allow me to photograph them. Richard we sadly didn’t get to photograph as the afternoon we planned to meet in late January with several other of his friends he was to sick to travel and the opportunity didn’t prevail.

I read today a model complaining about her battle – a battle with her weight. This young lady, a beautiful person who is well grounded, smart and well liked is not unlike many other young women who battle with body image issues. If it’s not weight it’s height, breasts are too small or too big, their bum, their hips etc. I get it and totally understand how they feel, especially as a father of a teenage daughter.

However as I reflect on Richard, Tracey and others whose paths I’ve crossed while living my healthy and happy life, their stories help us put into perspective what’s really important. To each of us that will vary, but if I learned anything from Tracey’s encouragement it’s not to let the little things get you down. There are other people with bigger battles and we should be thankful for what we have. Remember it’s not what happens to you it’s what you do about it.

We hadn’t seen Georgie for more than 12 months. Previously, she modeled under the name of Summer and you can check out our previous blog posts with her from 2009.

She came back recently to Hudcomm Central and combined with the makeup of makeup-artist Lucy Carter, Georgie looked fantastic. Here are some images from our most recent shoot:

Samantha has had several modelling shoots previously and is building a portfolio of work to establish herself. She selected several Melbourne photographers that she calls Melbourne’s Finest to shoot with through the month of December. From there, she’ll launch her modelling by approaching the key promotional and print agencies.

Samantha is grounded, well researched and determined – and an absolutely pleasure to work with, being also highly professional in approach and attitude. We know that no matter what she does in the future, she will be successful.

Here are a few images from her shoot and we’d certainly recommend Samantha to any agency looking for a reliable and excellent model.

Samantha B was able to squeeze in for a shoot before Christmas with literally a few hours notice, due to a last minute cancellation.

She’d only had one shoot previously, but took to being in front of of the camera as if she’d been doing it for years. A natural, able to offer dozens of looks and emotions, we thought she’d make a great actress – and coincidentally, we heard from an associate she might even be making an on-film appearance sooner than you’d think.

She was great fun to work with and enjoyed herself so much she returned for a second shoot. These images are from both her first and second shoots with us.

We recently had the pleasure to shoot the wonderful Jasmine Rane once more. This time, we were back in a Melbourne city hotel.

Unlike the last time we shot Jasmine, this hotel room was far more suitable to shoot. There was a large bedroom, an awesome hallway, a small spa and massive large glass windows looking out over the city.

The series of images shown here are only a tiny number of several sets shot over a four hour period. Since my assistant, pack-horse and partner is six months pregnant, we didn’t take all the lighting equipment we otherwise would have liked – however, using small off-camera flashes as part of the Nikon CLS allows for quality lighting without missing your larger lights too much.

Jasmine had several outfits. One even gathered a crowd down at street level, as we were shooting up against the windows on the fourth floor. Large back-lit windows provide a great light source, not to mention the cityscape provides an excellent backdrop. We also took advantage of the double bed, the hallways and the large glass wall separating bedroom from spa.

Thanks Jasmine for another great shoot!

Nearly a year ago, Sheridan – a Ballarat based model and clothing designer www.onetrickpony.com.au – had an idea for a shoot in a night club. Many of the images we shot of her and fellow model friend Sarah turned out awesome – you  can see some of them here.

One shoot idea of the day – the DJ shoot – was left until the end, however, and we ran out of time to really nail it.

So after another 2 long days of shooting for Sheridan’s new clothing range, we decided we had enough time to try and reshoot it again. We achieved much better results this time – sometimes it’s simply better to leave an idea for another day and revisit it fresh, with renewed enthusiasm.

On Friday the 14th October, The Eternal played live at the Epsy’s Gershwin Room in front of some very loyal followers. The set included songs such as Collapse and Departure, from their new album, Under A New Sun.

It was a tight set, with awesome vocals from front man Mark Kelson and big Marty O’Shea on drums with his bright red goaty, belting out a deep beat.

Find out more about the band at www.the-eternal.com. Their album, Under A New Sun is available through iTunes.0

Despite a cold and wet early morning for the annual Victorian APICSA golf day, 14 teams set out at 8am on a shot gun start to play for the brag rights to hold the trophy for the next 12 months. This was the 12th annual golf day and proudly sponsored by OAMPS.

The competition of the day is a 4 Ball Ambrose Team Event, followed by a Gourmet BBQ lunch and presentation. Southern Golf Club always puts on a perfect course and perfect service. After four to five hours of golf, players and guests enjoyed a meal and continued networking and catching up with industry colleagues.

All  previous years we have been associated, we have had mostly picture perfect weather. So for next year, we hope APICSA (Australian Petroleum Institute Contractors Suppliers Association) has some better weather rolled out for us…