Barb, Chains & Blood...

Today started much the same as any other shoot I've left for in the past, leaving at 8am to pick up my friend and model Anita and then having a good catch up on the 40 minute drive to the studio.  We were welcomed by the amazing Iain Burton-Legge of Circle Creatif, looking positively ecstatic about the day that lay ahead and the wonderful Clare Louise, Photographer Extraordinaire!

This is much where the day changed.... It wasn't the moment I was told I had to 'get changed' (Undressed would of been more accurate! LOL) into the tiniest of posing briefs - Lets face it, having material at all to wear is somewhat of a novelty to me these days! - but when I was then coated in a white paste from HAIR to toe which was made up of some chemicals I can't for the life of me recall the name of now I'm writing this.

Anita was soon to the share the same fate... Whilst I was then taken off to be nailed to a 10ft cross! not literally I may add!  It was expertly handled with the nails deceptively placed and 'very real' barbed wire wrapped around my arms and the horizontal of the cross.  It was also the coldest of environments to work in until the industrial heater arrived and turned the place into a sauna in what felt like a heartbeat! Next on the agenda was to apply my 'crown of thorns' or in this case... Barbed wired! Thankfully not real except for in it's appearance and actually very comfortable considering. Finally... The blood, which was selectively placed in the appropriate spots and due to its tailored texture dripped in the exact right way as it heated up.

The shoot itself actually went very quickly due to Clare's clear vision of what she wanted and an eclectic soundtrack of music which we all went away wanting a copy of! On a personal note I loved this type of shoot as it allowed me to flex my acting muscles to capture the exact right mood of sadness and betrayal that was required for the shot. Next up was a very white Anita, whom at a glance resembled 'The Joker' due to the crazy hair and prominent lips contrasting her statuesque flesh.  She was given the pleasurable task of holding a pigs heart doused in 'fake' blood and stunning results emerged! To finish, Anita was then shot on her knees in full chained leash and collar, dominated by me - though your forgiven for not recognising me from just my legs - to capture the 'slave to love' vision Clare desired. Then the great Ian Hencher who I haven't seen since 'Wig Party' joined us for the same treatment where he portrayed an angel in a similar styling.

The photo's are part of an ongoing collection of Clare's work entitled 'Love Hurts' which I personally can't wait to see more of.  It was a pleasure to be part of such an incredible project and I look forward to working with her again very soon as she really allows you to stretch yourself creatively.  It was also great working with Iain Burton Legge again in what also felt like a rehearsal for the upcoming IMATS shows I will be involved with on the 4th-5th February in London. So do come along and support us and be part of a weekend that is going to be nothing short of immense!

Finally came the moment to say our goodbyes and leave... Myself instead opting to hold out for a shower when I got back home where I could really wind down.  So I left in full make-up, wearing my dressing gown and boots. Not a bad idea I thought given I literally only had to get in and out the car either end before I was shower bound. Or so I thought...  Typically upon leaving I quickly realised I needed petrol and so had the surreal moment of filling up my car on the forecourt in white body-paint, my dressing gown and boots! Thankfully my good friend Anita saved me the embarrassment of having to actually go in the shop and pay! LOL ;) - Thanx mate! :oD

So in all a great day with stunning imagery produced and lots of fun making it. Thank you to all involved... It really was a pleasure working with you as always.

A Look Back... Then Forth

With 2012 now firmly in place and requests from peeps that I start to Blog my movements in Modelling and Acting from here on in I feel it appropriate first and foremost to take a look back over the last 12 months that was 2011. Not only will this be a nostalgic and reflective look back for me it will bring everyone else up-to-speed with my awesome experiences so far and nicely surmise how I actually got here before sharing a few exciting upcoming projects and thoughts for the future with you.

The year started with another art nude shoot, this time with model Karen Whittingham and fantastic Photographers Paul Silver and Carsten Dieterich where we produced a series of beautiful and abstract images.

Shortly afterwards followed a shoot for 'Prowler' with photographer Joshua Sallon where I modelled a range of underwear including 'Armani' for instore and online promotion which was a great experience. This was followed by the 'Miss Coventry 2011' Swimwear Shoot where I got to model with all of the beautiful entrants over a period 2 days (It's a hard life!).

March saw me involved in a varied range of projects including a 'Punk' shoot for Comic Relief, an NSLVIP Fashion Show modelling a range of designers clothes, a shoot on a cold FREEEEEEEEEZING bridge in Wolves for ASOS modelling the awesome Tamara Joseph collection and a surreal shoot which consisted of 'The Crow', 'Clockwork Orange' and 'Ventriloquist's Dummy' themes with stunning model Laura Polson, the one and only MD MUA and Angelis Photography. Next came an 'Apocalyptic' style shoot in the Beautiful Ribble Valley again with (A frozen bikini clad) Laura, thanks to tailored designs by the awesome C La Rouge, talented Photographer and friend Kumar Chan, Hair Stylist Sophia Qayyum, and Make-up- artist Sadia Hussain on one of the windiest days I care to remember!

Of the April my hair was restyled and shot for Toni & Guy's promotions and Easter saw my involvement in the Shaka Zulu Fashion Show (London) – which was the brainchild of the fabulous Nichola Gigli – with choreography by Reuben P Joseph and collections by C La Rouge and Danish Wakeel, and an array of beautiful and striking models far too plentiful to list here. Shortly after I was privileged to work with extroadinary body artist Secondskin MUA and my 4th outing with the wonderful Paul Silver and Carsten Dieterich on photography duties. We produced an Alien/Animal hybrid character with unique and stunning results.

Next I was asked to Model in and Choreograph the 'Baddesley Academy' Fashion Show, hosted by Mr England 2010 Vaughn Bailey which was a great experience and fun to be involved with as was being approached at the BodyPower Expo and signed up by Model Agency Homme-age after being placed 4th in the 'Face of BodyPower' contest by Jordan's ex Alex Reid. I also modelled Ben Ramsden's 'Pant's to Poverty' in Saima Aiwan's 2nd Couture Conscience Fashion show in London and at the Capital's Gay Pride which was an eye opening a pant-dropping experience to say the least! 

Then came modelling at the Versace Mansion for their annual high profile event, followed by 'The Fall of Rome' ball (London) which called upon me to be a real life Greek Statue for the night and resulted in me appearing in 'OK Magazine of the August. Ben & Jerry's festival (Manchester) and Camp Bestival (Dorset) followed, with 'Pants To Poverty' where I was again modelling the brands range of colourful Pants to the masses! Meeting comedian Marcus Brigstocke at the latter event was a personal highlight for me being a long standing fan! 

The annual Elton John 'Wig Party' saw me as one of 4 faces fronting the 2011 campaign for the event in London courtesy of Circle Creatif's Iain Burton-Legge and photographer Scott Harrision-Jones. The end of August saw me on location in Wales with art nude model Leila Alexandra for our second shoot together, which captured some beautifully erotic imagery courtesy of Photographer David Morley and Hair Stylist and MUA Jean Rhema. Then I was back in London once again for Reuben Jospeh's 'Warriors & Princesses' at the Notting Hill Carnival with some wonderful models including the fabulous Norith La Torre.

September saw me involved in a Zombie shoot promoting Dudley Canal's Halloween tour, Modelling at Liverpool Fashion Week and shooting a 'Cancer Research UK' charity Calendar, supported by Gok Wan. October 1st came the 'Wig Party' extroadenaire which I modelled at as the character of Hades. The month followed with a HotSnapz/Simon Barnes shoot for a range of publications and a part in Sky Living's 'Battle of The Brides' as a 'Gondolier Model'.

Next came the highlight of my year to date... Working at Pinewood Studio's on the new Universal Pictures film 'Snow White and the Huntsman' over a duration of almost 3 months. I had to temporarily dye my hair brown to play 2 background characters in the film amongst a cast that boasted Kristen Stewart (Twilight), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Charlize Theron (Monster), Nick Frost (Shaun of The Dead), Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Toby Jones, Bob Hoskins, Eddie Marsan and Dave Legano! I can say little about my time there other than it was one of the most happy, insightful and life changing experiences of my life and where I was fortunate to meet fellow actor, top bloke and all round amazing friend Darren Kent.

During this period I was also flattered to be one of 5 approached for the role as James Bond's body double in the new film Skyfall. Sadly I was pipped to the post after being narrowed down to the final few but have the unrivalled pleasure of knowing how close I came and the consolation of keeping my long blonde locks which I am admittedly happy about! Shortly afterwards I was even chosen for another 'blonde' double role in Bond 23, this time with long hair but unfortunately had to decline the offer as it clashed with my last few days on Snow White which I could not be released from and for which my hair was still brown sadly.

After also being a part of the successful 'Pants To Poverty' Guinness World Records attempt in November and filming at Pinewood wrapping in December, 2011 was finally bought to a close with my 2nd shoot with photographer Adam Speedie, who I was eager to work with again since the infamous 'powder' shot we produced in 2010. This time beautiful model Laetitia Malingo joined us to create a variety of tribal looking images using only hand prints and our imaginations. It was an inspirational shoot and a great note to end the year on with promise of future beautiful creations in our minds for 2012.

So what does 2012 hold? Firstly it is my intention to pursue acting roles and develop my experience further as an actor as this is an industry I am completely in my element with. The environment feels like home and I am passionately inspired and more in touch with myself than I have ever felt before, when I am on set. I know my future starts here, this is where I am meant to be and will be at my happiest going forward. 

Modelling wise my year ahead is beginning to read like a wish list I am fulfilling as I will be working with models, photographers and creatives I truly admire and have wanted to work with since very first starting out in this industry. My first shoot is with the awesome Claire Louise on a series of high profile pieces throughout the coming months which I can't say too much about at this stage. Then in February, I shall be working with the legendary John Farrar on a set of themes I am beyond excited about. On from that I am looking forward to modelling for Gary Holmes and HotSnapz again, finally shooting with John Davis Body Artist and teaming up with the incredible Madame Bink for boudoir and art nude work. Studio days are in the pipeline, can't wait to share images with you!

So an eventful 12 months on from my humble beginnings in the industry in 2010 and a future I am positively ecstatic about! I am looking forward to sharing my exciting journey with you all...