Erotic Shibari Shoot with David Rodriguez Toro

With Shibari artist Miyagi-san

Finally my first blog entry since arriving in Japan!  Despite my busy schedule out here, I’ve been managing to scatter photoshoots here and there.  However, putting priority on personal and family affairs have been preventing me from fully concentrating on modelling work let alone catching up on my blog for which I have quite a backlog!  Never mind.  Now that I have more spare time since last week till I leave in January end, I could now focus more on creating quality work.  And what better place for an authentic Japanese bondage Shibari shoot by a proper Japanese rope artist than Japan itself!

Well, I have done a number of shibari shoots in the past but with Western rope artists.  Being picky and working only through recommendation, I have been lucky enough to have worked in the UK with wonderful riggers like Wykd Dave and Rod McDonald as well as in Japan with Nuitdetokyo who is French.  However, I have always wanted to work with a Japanese rope artist to fully experience the native way.  Thus on 14 November 2012, I had the opportunity to shoot with Spanish photographer David Rodriguez Toro with whom I worked with many times before.  We have been talking about doing a Shibari shoot for some time and through corresponding on Facebook, David was able to find a reliable and experienced Shibari artist.  Enter Jun Miyagi!

We all met up at Meguro station around 10 am.  Along with David and Miyagi-san came another Spanish photographer, David Solanes, who was assisting that day, and also a graphic illustrator known as Zwanhg who is also from Spain.  The latter is a friend of David and was interested in creating a few “gore” illustrations through photos of me being tied up in rope.  Now, that sounds very inspiring and I look forward to seeing his work!

Miyagi-san was a very pleasant, polite and unassuming gentleman.  He took his time to describe what sort of ropework he was going to do for each set, whilst listening to David’s ideas.  When I told him about the radial nerve injury and subsequent trauma I had faced last year from a suspended position I did, he was most concerned.  He explained this is typically the result of having the middle of the bicep area sharply compressed for a long time, since the area hits the radial nerve.  Throughout the shoot, Miyagi-san kept asking me whether or not I was comfortable and insisted that I tell him if the ropes were too tight.   Apart from being skilled with the ropes, he clearly knew what he was doing!  I would definitely like to work with him again in future and of course would very much recommend this wonderfully talented artist.

Once again, David is never short of quirky ideas!  Being the exhibitionist I am and open-minded compared to the models out here in Japan, I enjoy capturing the daring and experimenting with concepts that may “shock” yet leave to the viewer’s imagination.  This Shibari shoot was one of them.  Likewise, David seems pleased to be able to work with someone like me, as I’m not afraid to explore provided I am comfortable with it. 

David is still working on some of the photos but I thought I would share my favorite one as above.  It features Miyagi-san as the “master” and really represents Japanese erotic photography though in milder terms.  The vulnerable image of me slightly exposed and loosely-wrapped in yukata secured by the ropes and the tattoos on Miyagi-san’s arm, as well as the gloomy black & white colouring of the photograph, strongly depict the mood.  I must also add that my apartment in Tokyo has a small “Japanese room” complete with 4.5 tatami mats, a tokonoma corner, paper oshiire closets and shoji with wooden frames.  Last winter was especially a cold one which caused the paper on the shoji to tear, leaving holes between the wooden frames.  I have not gotten around to repairing that but it came as a blessing for this shoot because as Miyagi-san suggested, it added to the eerie atmosphere typical in Japanese erotic images. 

I would like to thank all four of the guys for taking their time to come over and making this wonderful shoot possible.  For more information about David’s work, check out his website and blog.    I look forward to working with both of you again!

Hoping to receive the uncensored version soonest!

Two Weeks in Amsterdam with Dmitri Reyer

My apologies for this one-month gap in my blogging.  I had a few personal issues to sort out, which gave me limited time to shoot let alone catch up with blogs.  Besides, I’m in the midst of revamping my image and have been pondering over my direction in my modelling career as I’m aiming to develop it to the more artistic and "age-defying" side, namely by focusing in fetish and nude.

That said, I had a very pleasant spur-of-the moment visit from a top photographer in Tokyo.  Yep you guessed it, Dmitri Reyer!  Although I myself was scheduled to be in Tokyo in early November (I am on the airplane as I write this), he decided at the last minute to visit to Amsterdam for two weeks between 18 October to 1 November 2012 as he discovered how cheap flights were during the period.   He had originally planned on nipping off to L.A. to shoot models for building his portfolio but due to logistic and economical reasons he changed his mind.   So I was most chuffed he opted to come see me in Europe instead!  The last time he was here in Amsterdam was during the Stockholm Tour in August when he had just a few hours to spare before catching his connecting flight back to Tokyo.  And he fell in love with the city so much he wanted to come back!

Apart from shooting with me, Dmitri had also arranged to work with some models locally.  We also planned on a trip to Belgium for a few days to shoot in derelict sites which are prevalent there.  Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out as models, with the exception of one, started flaking, had tight schedule or demanded to be paid rather collaborate.  The weather was also too cold and wet to do any decent shoots in outdoors in view that we were planning some nude images.  Next time we will know what to expect and hopefully when the weather is warmer things will work out for the better.  And what can I say about the other models:  If they see his work now, they really will be kicking themselves!  And yes, on the brighter side of things, I was able to have Dmitri all to myself, which allowed us to “practice” on each other and hence develop our talents further.

We worked with each other almost daily.  Outdoors as well as in and around my new penthouse apartment.  Luckily we are both striving for similar things in our portfolios so it was good fun! Dmitri is a very dedicated photographer and a perfectionist as he kept giving me critical yet constructive directions in my posing.  Nevertheless, I learned a lot from the experience and by looking at results began taking note of which poses or directions flatter me most.  Both of wanted so much out of it so it was a lot of hard work which certainly paid off.  Most of all, we are so familiar with each other outside work and are best mates so we work as a team very comfortably.

And you should see the results!  We were both very pleased with them though we do admit we need to develop further.  As always, he manages to add class and elegance to my images and quite rightly discourages me from the cheesy cheap glamour model look.  The lingerie shots were very beautifully captured and brought out sensuality with so much refinement, putting any Agent Provocateur brochure to shame.  With lingerie, too, we also experimented with pin-up styles using my new baby Pink SMEG fridge as prop which came out so wonderfully.  And another highlight of the shoot was of me in pin-up style lingerie wearing an old orange lampshade on my head as Dmitri plonked himself on an armchair reading a newspaper.  It was a concept inspired by photographer Eric Kroll and took all our friends by storm.  

Dmitri also brought with him from Tokyo some silk cloths as props.  They were so versatile!  It was designed for models to drape around body or toss and spin around in the air for a dynamic effect.  Did you see the ones he took of me in the canal in my corset?  And some of me in nude?  Speaking of nudes, we also shot a number of them around the apartment.  I especially love the black and white ones he did of me around the balcony.  

Another area we are wishing develop is fetish photography.  Dmitri is rather new to this area but luckily as I have experience I most certainly welcome churning out some quality photos especially with latex fashion.  It especially gives me a great excuse for shopping for cool outfits!  One evening, we did a shopping trip to Damask in Amsterdam to get some latex gear particularly keeping the then-upcoming Japan Fetish Ball in mind.  A tight black skirt with suspenders, an open-cut bra top along with a neck corset with suspender clips for some arm-length gloves!  And, by the way, this outfit was a real hit at the Ball.  So I’ve yet to see the retouched photos of myself shot in that!  

Besides shooting models, may I also add that Dmitri has outstanding talent in landscape photography.  With a lot of passion as well.  Whilst in Amsterdam, he took so many photos of this beautiful city, both day and night.  I had the honour of accompanying him and showing him around, and whilst he was snapping away I realised how much I was taking for granted my own neighbourhood.  Even the nearest bridge on the canal in front of my own place looks so beautiful now.  And yes I was freezing my ass off at times when he wanted to stop and shoot, but even I surprised myself by being genuinely patient and supportive.  All I can say that I am always chuffed to see him so happy pursuing his passion with so much pride.  So keep up the excellent work and never give it up!

Before I forget.  I also want to thank the wonderful make-up artist Katie Larcombe for doing the make-up and hair on the Saturday’s outdoors shoot.  All of us worked so well and although I am quite capable of doing my own stuff, I am planning to hire her again for future shoots in Amsterdam should I require a different image to look more professional.

Dmitri has plans to visit Amsterdam soon.  Perhaps in the summer time but we shall see.  And for any models out there wishing to work with him, here is your chance.  As I say over and over again, you better catch him before he becomes too famous…. but hopefully not too big for his boots!

For more on Dmitri’s outstanding work, please check out his Facebook page!

Girls, Guns and Roses… with Roscos Photography

Go Ahead... Make My Day

Apologies for not keeping up with my blog for some weeks.  Things have been hectic on the personal front, not to mention two photoshoots last week and a day of exhibiting photographs at the annual KamaSutra erotic exhibition in Utrecht last weekend. 

And now to catch up on my blog.  Another awesome photographer with whom I worked in Dublin was Ross from Roscos Photography.  He was also introduced to me by my friend Clover.  Initially I sent a message to him on Fetlife back in August but as I hardly use the site, I forgot about it, and just on the day of my departure to Dublin I only noticed he had replied when I happened to log back on.  Luckily he gave me his proper email address so I was able to ask if he was still available, whilst apologising profusely.  And he was!  I was most relieved and chuffed and quickly threw in a pair of thigh high boots, a collar and a pair of black American Apparel shorts in my suitcase.

Combat Time

A few days into Dublin, Ross picked me up at the hotel lobby where I was staying.  This was on Tuesday 11 September 2012.  Previous to our meeting, he had sent me a picture of himself so I’d recognise him. I would say he looked like a typical “artist,” and as I imagined, he was such a genuine, pleasant and laid-back person with no pretension.  We took a tram for a few stops to his place, a trendy area in Dublin.  It was a quick but productive one-hour or so shoot but both of us knew what we wanted from the images as he showed me his work.  Like Hector, Ross photographs at burlesque events but also shoots alternative images which are quite dramatic. 

And to hell with cars and chicks… guns and girls rock!  The first set involved posing with weapons.  And we’re talking about real and heavy duty ones!  Clad in a black bra, shorts and a pair of thigh high boots, one sub-set involved me hoisting a huge machine gun complete with combat vest and an ammunition belt over my shoulder.  And they were really heavy!  I often wonder how soldiers fight carrying all that.  Then another involved me clutching two pistols in each hand looking mean.  Trying to avoid a glamour model "Bikini Bandits" look, the images were intended for a more a moody and even edgy twist to it, yet very sexy. Had I not have to go out for dinner that evening, we would have made it even more powerful by soiling my face with mud and body splashed in fake blood!   Maybe next time…

Captivity

The second set involved light bondage.  I donned on my metallic metal collar and leash.  As Ross had a few hooks nailed on one of his doors, he hung a pair of heavy-duty chains in which I stood between in nude and was to pull down from each side, looking oppressed.  So the previous set was of me looking scary and in this one, I was to look scared!  Perhaps the story could be that I was that tough soldier that got captured as P.O.W., then stripped and leashed?

Ross has a policy of not showing his models the photos he takes on the camera viewfinder. He further informed me that he does minimal editing on his images such as making some photos black and white.  In other words, what you shoot is what you get!   So I was rather curious to see how the images all turned out.  A few days later, he sent them to me by email and I must say I was pleasantly surprised!  I am well pleased.

Thank you, Ross, for your time and especially for agreeing to shoot at the last minute.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and as suggested next time we do some location ones outdoors.  Look forward to it!

To find out more about Ross, please check out his Facebook page!

My First Shoot in Ireland: Hector Heathwood

Chained Up

I am most certainly enjoying all this jet-setting around Europe as a model!  A week after my trip to Sweden I took off for a 4-day break to Ireland where I happened to shoot with two wonderful photographers kindly introduced to me by an Irish model and photographer friend in England called Clover.  One of them was Hector Heathwood whom I contacted after having looked at his impressive portfolio.  After a short email to him, he replied promptly which was unexpected but even more unexpected was that he was keen to work with me as well!  He seemed a very pleasant gentleman with a great sense of humour, and I’m proud to announce that I’ve scored some brownie points with him as he praised my spelling and grammar on the first e-mail I had sent him.  Well you know what they say about first impressions!

I couldn’t wait to work with Hector.  The photoshoot was scheduled for 10 September 2012.  Much of his work is focused on burlesque which I figured would add some interesting vavavoom to my portfolio.  That said, he also does quite a few figure nudes focusing on effective lighting techniques to create state of the art images.  I also noticed some fetish-style work such as use of fishnet hosiery, spiky heels and chains which he captures so creatively.  Then I found out later that he is a lecturer at a local college in Dublin teaching photography.  Now that figures!

White Night

Hector’s studio was located at the college where he works.  A short 10 minutes walk from the hotel, he greeted me and he was just as I expected.  Laid back and friendly yet methodical and professional.  After a chatting a bit over a cup of coffee and biscuits, we got cracking.  We started with nudes.   And now, that’s a smart idea!  One would think to start with clothed or lingerie to “warm up”, then as we get comfortable gradually go topless until completely nude.   However, clothes, especially tight-fitting lingerie like bras, basques and of course corsets leave marks on the skin!  And it takes hours for them to fade.  As I’m already comfortable with nudity from the start, I was happy to start with that. 

We captured some beautiful low-key nude images.  First Hector used one strong light on one side and gold reflectors on the other to create some warmth as I posed.   We then experimented with a white chiffon material wrapped around my body which complimented well with my tan.  And then I was adorned in a gorgeous bright jade green one lying down on the floor, followed by a vibrant violet one with which we focused on my back.   Then back to no material, I was made to lie down on the ground which was merely covered with a sheet.  Although I had to keep getting up and down as I was freezing each time I touched the ground, it was all well worth it!  Hector managed to create an illusion of extending my legs through shooting from clever angles.  I also loved how the low-key lighting emphasized the silouette of my curves as well as muscle definition.  Those sessions in the gym have certainly helped!

I soon got accustomed to lying down on the cold floor.  But now it was time for me to lay some chains on my naked body!  I was to wear nothing but a pair of very high PVC platform boots and very high PVC gloves which practically reached my armpits, whilst gripping and wrapping the chain around me.  Normally, Hector “warms” the chain up on the radiator but had apparently forgotten or overestimated the day’s temperature but oh well, it was still fun!  It is the end effect which counts and it certainly turned out well with the low key lighting.

Bending Back

The final set was a more lively one.  At the beginning of the shoot, we rummaged through the dressing room finding what sort of outfits would be interesting and “burlequey.”  I liked the red military peaked cap with the matching cute black Napoleonic bolero.  Hector suggested that the outfit went well with a pair of red velvet waist-high knickers for a quaint 1950s effect.  And he was right!  So here I was back to smiling again in front of the cameras with higher keyed lighting.  This time, though, it was not for the cheesy glamour model look but for a more refined pin-up girl appearance.  And I really loved the results!  Perhaps this is something I might like to explore along with my numerous basques, suspenders & stockings and corsets I own which are sitting in my drawers waiting to be worn.

We decided to call it the evening, as I had to meet friends for dinner.  It was such a fun shoot, and we didn’t realize time had gone by so quickly.  I know I will be back in Dublin soon and when I do, I will definitely look Hector up.  And for those happening to be there for the odd few days or so, I would recommend working with him.  Whilst friendly yet professional and with sound knowledge with lighting, he also produced the images within a few days which I was very pleased about.  The clothed and implied photos are available on Facebook. 

Thank you so much, Hector, for your time and the beautiful images we produced.  I look forward to working with you again soon!

Hello There!

To find out more about Hector Heathwood and his awesome work, check out his website: www.hectorheathwood.com

Sweden Tour Trilogy – The Ultimate Diva

Runaway bride

Last instalment of my Sweden Tour blog!  By now, you will have seen the many gorgeous work of Tokyo photographer Dmitri Reyer.  First outdoors nude with breathtaking landscape then indoors for the more gloomy moody erotica and fetish stuff.  It certainly goes without saying about working with someone just as lively, positive, versatile and open-minded as me:  we collaborate as a team and have so much fun shooting together which reflects on the photographs.  Whilst Dmitri took every opportunity to snap randomly at home with family and in town and was one of the few official photographers at Pole Art 2012, I was most honoured to be his model throughout the trip! 

Our third and last photoshoot during the Tour was another wonderful experience.  Or should I say quite a Diva experience?  This time, we had a make-up artist and hairstylist! Katherina Nikolitsti Andersson is a friend of Dmitri out here in Sweden.  Not only is she very skilled at her stuff but she’s also a sweet and lovely person.  We shot at her place, a beautiful home in Rotebro near Stockholm with plenty of space and natural light from all the huge windows.   And what a perfect venue! Normally, I do my own make-up and hair as I trained in them many years ago, but I realise now what a rut I’ve been in with the same old style.  One gets too comfortable!  It was refreshing to have a change:  Smoky silver/grey eyes with big thick lashes, pale lipstick and voluminous hair.  Simple but stunning with this retro-60s finish, the era I adore so much.

Debutante

One of my now-favorite portrait images was taken then.  Both Katherina and her father design also jewelry, and it was such an honour to be able to don them on.   I wore a beautiful silver necklace and matching dangly earrings. Dmitri took some headshots which turned out oh so “wow” which got over 30 likes on FB alone!  Makes me realise I should use skilled make-up artists and hairstylists more often.  It looks more polished as well as professional.  So if anyone out there can recommend one in Amsterdam, do give me a holler!

Then of course we also shot some nude images.  How can we omit that? A perfectionist at lighting, Dmitri expertly shot quite some classy nude shots by the huge window.   In one of them, I was posing inside one the four panes, and it looked as if I was a miniature doll trying to escape, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland.  We also shot some beautiful nude images in front of the fireplace from an angle which made my legs look as if they’d grown a foot longer.  Then there is that impromptu bodyscape one, as he told me to stop and pose because the light from the window was at the right place when I was sitting under the dining room table during my silly moments. 

Fireplace

Lastly we worked on a bridal theme.  We also wanted to showcase Katherina’s jewelry so I was lying down on the sofa loosely draped in a white lace material which was apparently a sample from her bridal gown and adorned with some of the beaded necklaces which Katherina had created.   I’ve yet to see the results of that one!  We of course captured some bridal headshots of me looking so young and innocent (!) and look forward to seeing the results of that too.  Then Katherina had to nip out for a while to pick up her daughter from childcare so Dmitri and I got up to some mischief by sneaking in some shots of me making silly faces and doing some naughty “legs exposed” poses in my bridal outfit.  Well we must say one of them turned out unexpectedly “OMG that’s so beautiful” and even classy enough for the fashion pages in Vogue. Amazing what a bit of unplanning can do!

There is another thing that made the day’s shoot so much fun.  Katherina was being model too!  As rather new to it herself as her mainstay is make-up and hair, it was so lovely to see someone blossom and radiate in front of the camera.  I too had so much fun observing as third-party and even playing Dmitri’s assistant as I held the reflectors and learnt quite a bit about lighting.  Katherina was posing for a pin-up look and with her beautiful smile and lively personality, I think she pulled it off quite well.  So keep smiling, girl!

So that concludes our Sweden Tour!  One of the wonderful things about working with Dmitri is that though he takes his photography seriously and could be candid when directing, he is such a good laugh and makes photoshoots so fun. In fact, when I took some months off from modelling and seriously considered packing it all in, it was through his moral support and seeing the results from our early shoots that I decided to give it another go.  So don’t let his perfectionist ways and immaculately presented work put you off.   Thanks, Dmitri, it was such a great pleasure working with you in Sweden, and I certainly look forward to more when am in Japan next!

Window Dressing

Dmitri is busy perfecting his portfolio and working on his own gallery site but meanwhile, you can catch him and his work on his Facebook Page.

Stockholm Tour Trilogy - Window Display

The Bitch

In addition to classic nudes, I am looking to extend my fetish portfolio and explore erotica.  Unlike glamour or fashion modelling, they have no age limit if well pulled off.  It’s all about the art of making a statement and leaving the viewer with awe.  Fetish involves role playing to one’s fixations and fantasies, and thus, I find the idea of being in control wearing latex and boots just as exciting as being subject to the beautiful art of rope bondage.  Erotica aims to provoke and tease without the “in your face” vulgarity.   Not to be confused with pornography, it means exposing yourself elegantly and looking refreshingly sensual as opposed to overtly sexual.  The purpose is to leave the viewer imagining with the wow factor.

I was lucky to be able to capture a few such images during my trip.  Dmitri Reyer, the photographer with whom I was travelling in Sweden, has also been looking to explore the more outrageous.  So we decided to shoot some discreetly naughty yet subtly classy images in the living room using the natural light from the window.  We wanted to capture this “home” feel for a more spontaneous effect.  Again all the images were nude but it was about projecting a statement and focussing on the emotions.  The first set I was to assume a submissive role.  I wore nothing but a collar and leash, tugging at it whilst staring aimlessly out the window.  I really liked this image because it captured helplessness and despair without any exaggerated facial expressions of fear.   Relying on the natural light coming in from the window further enhanced the calm but gloomy mood.

In Waiting

And now for some role reversal and some truly bitchy stuff!  Dmitri cleared the dining table and had me sit on it.   Then had me wear nothing but my infamous pair of über-high Perspex platform sandals embellished with “BITCH” spelt loud and clearly across the side in diamante.  I sat and propped my legs and knees up to enhance the shoes which clearly required posing rather indecently.  To top it all, I had this  “don’t think you can f*** with me” smirk on my face.  And you’d think the image would turn out vulgar?  Wrong!  With clever lighting, correct facial expression and making the image black and white, the result came out very tastefully.   Even our parents would have been proud!

Another highlight to this shoot was an even more daring pose.  This time, I lay down on the table facing the window with my legs sprawed out.  Yep clearly for all the passer-by’s outside to see!  I must admit that even I was a little apprehensive but thought what the heck, is anyone really going to notice?  Besides, at that time of the day on a weekday in a quiet Stockholm suburb, there was not a soul in sight.  Dmitri took the photo from behind me.  And wow, the result was so stunning!  You can clearly see me with my legs wide open but the image was cleverly taken from an angle so that my chest was obstructing the area between my legs.  Being black and white further made the image look more serious and aesthetically pleasant.  Something that would be perfect for a Taschen photography book!

It is always great fun shooting with Dmitri and experimenting with different concepts.  This time there was a fetish and erotica element to them by being more daring.  The images nevertheless came out so tastefully and elegantly with immaculate lighting, interesting angles and perfect composition.  And he is right, I should stick to being photographed doing more artistic stuff as they suit me best.  It’s wonderful to be reminded that I can still manage to pull off looking exquisite and elegant when I’m nude and even assuming a risqué pose.  I definitely should exploit that.  Thanks so much, Dmitiri, for believing in me.  I look forward to shooting more of these with you again soon!

Exhibitionism

Again, for more of Dmitri's great work, please check out his Facebook Page!!!

Stockholm Tour Trilogy - Outdoors Nude

BEAUTIFUL LAKE!  Love the reflection...

So you may be asking, why Sweden of all places?  Well, I thought this would be a great chance for me to capture some awesome shots with one of Tokyo’s top photographers, Dmitri Reyer, who happened to be on home leave to visit his folks in Stockholm and photograph for the annual pole-dance competition, Pole Art.  I had the honour of working with him in Tokyo last June, where he currently resides, but although some of the images turned out well, we wanted to develop our creative ideas further and come up with even better ones!  Besides, Stockholm is only a two-hour plane ride from Amsterdam so I thought, why not? We spent nearly two weeks between 19 August to 1 September 2012 in the edge of Stockholm chilling and hanging out with his family and friends, whilst scattering photoshoots here and there. 

We shot quite a lot during the fortnight.  However as they are too numerous to write about in one go, I will be focussing on outdoors nudes now.   One of the good things about working with a series of serious and talented photographers like Dmitri is that one discovers a few things.  After years of modelling and wondering why I have been in a rut or lacking direction, I realize the time has come to transforming my style from that cheesy shallow "hello boys" glamour to the more elegant and classy  “coffee table book” artwork.  I myself have done quite a lot of outdoors nudes over the years, but a lot of it tended to focus more on me being naked in a public place for the sake of it with little regard for composition and light.  And where else would be an ideal location than Sweden which boasts one of the most scenic landscapes such as lakes and forests!

By the Rocks

Thus, one morning we got up about 5am to shoot by a lake.  I was told that the natural light would be ideal for the kind of mood we are trying to create and that there would be little breeze or ideally none to enhance the reflection from the water.  It was to be a one-hour bus ride to where Dmitri wanted to shoot but whilst waiting, the bus never turned up!  With both of us being so determined to make things happen, he came up with a contingency plan and suggested another lake within a 15-minutes walking distance.  When we arrived there by foot armed with cameras, I was amazed by the serenity of the area despite being just outside Stockholm. 

We firstly shot by the cliffs.  The morning was quite cool and crispy but did I mind taking my kit off?  Never!  In fact, I had so much fun and struggled very little with treading through the rocks although at times they were slippery.  I was to look as if I was climbing the rock.  It was also hard avoiding smiling which I tend to do in nude shoots as the atmosphere we were trying to create was about subtlety.    Although there was some graffiti on the rocks, it was not so obvious.  The ground was also littered with rubbish, and Dmitri remarked that there was little space to manoeuvre when shooting without falling over the cliffs.  Despite these limitations, though, we managed to capture a couple of beautiful images from the natural light and interesting texture of the rocks. 

Then we proceeded to the lake, more precisely on the tiny dock.  The scenery was just so still, quiet and picturesque, the water being clear and greenery so green.  Accustomed to being photographed nude in the cold and being the exhibitionist I am, I had no hesitation stripping off and running off excitedly to the end of the dock like a child to pose.  In fact, nothing felt so good as to feel the fresh but slight breeze on my naked body.  Dmitri shot me from behind, as I was standing tall at the edge of the dock looking as though I were saluting to the vastly amazing scenery in front of me.   After a while, though, a man on his kayak pulled up!   Of course, neither of us were a least bit bothered, and all he did was look away, whilst I didn’t even bother covering myself… yep, that’s Sweden for you!  Just like Holland, people don’t make a big deal about nudity even in public.

Last set we did was just behind a small wooden shed right by the water.  I was much tempted to jump in the water to get some cool shots but decided against it after dipping my toes in.  We nevertheless managed to capture some images with me standing by the water with the greenery in the background.  Dmitri tried to capture a few shots of me lying down on the boardwalk but apparently they didn’t work out as what he was looking for.  By then, too, the breeze was getting stronger and hence I was feeling the cold.  So we called it a morning!

We were hoping to shoot another day at the location we had originally planned on going.  Unfortunately it didn’t happen for one reason or another, namely due to bad weather.  Gutted.  It always happened to rain on the days we had nothing planned which is so typical!  We nevertheless got to shoot at other occasions and for different themes besides outdoors nudes, which provided both of us with a diversity of images.  Most important is that we are both happy with the stuff we had already done by the lake, so what more can we ask for!  Besides, we anticipate on doing more outdoors nudes when am in Japan which will be quite exciting as Dmitri knows a few hidden areas.   Now I look forward to that!

Wanna see more of Dmitri’s awesome work?  Check out his Facebook Page!

Next instalment:  Fetish and erotica shoot at home!! 

Forest, Fetish and Fun

Since being back and settled in the Netherlands, I’ve been trying to get myself known out here too.  This involves travelling around the country quite a bit but it’s certainly worth it!   One of the most memorable is on the Dutch-German border called Terborg, almost 2 hours away from Amsterdam, where photographer Bjorn Hijink is based.   As usual, I somewhat got acquainted with him on Facebook through mutual photographer friends.  So impressed with his work and his friendliness, I didn’t mind the long travel, and besides, it is the part of the Netherlands I have not yet explored.  We set the date of the shoot for 30 July 2012.

Bjorn picked me up from the station and those few minutes or so were quite an adventure. I had no idea we were going to drive across the border into Germany where he lived!  I was greeted by his wife, Marion, who is also a model but was assisting the shoot that day.  And what a wonderful couple they were!  Very hospitable and unassuming, they immediately made me feel at home.

Typical of the area, the weather was changeable.  First it was beautiful and sunny so after an introductory coffee and chat, we drove to the nearby forest to capture some nude shots as well as some skimpy PVC outfits such as the blue shorts and collar from Unzipped and the white top and bottom from Webers, both in Amsterdam.  Within an hour or so it started raining but luckily we had more than enough images to keep us happy.  

We returned to Bjorn and Marion’s beautiful home and continued shooting.  This time we used a semi-outdoors venue which was a staircase from the garden to the basement utility room hence providing natural light from above in a narrow confinement.  We thought that black PVC number from Weber’s in Amsterdam would be ideal, combined with a pair of thigh high boots to provide a dungeon atmosphere.

Our final venue was indoors in the bedroom for some low-key images.  I donned a red fishnet bodysuit I got in Tokyo and posed by the mirrored dressing table.  The red was so beautifully emphasized.  Then I proceeded posing nude wearing these super-high perspect stripper heels on the bed looking “come hither”.  I loved the way these heels stood out like lights.

And the day went by so quickly!  Although exhausted in the end we were very pleased with the outcome.  Bjorn has been rather quick in turning around the images despite having gone on holidays a few days after the shoot.  After having received the final batch a few days ago, I must say I am pleased with all the images and can’t wait to upload them soon!  I will share a few of my favorites here.

Thank you so much, Bjorn and Marion for this wonderful day.  I thoroughly enjoyed this photoshoot.  Let’s definitely do it again!

Cute, Cosplay and Kink

Cute yet naughty being collared in school uniform

These days I’ve been tempted to ask all photographers this.  If they want to collaborate with me that they include one set with a Hello Kitty theme!  So far I’ve had the guts to ask a few photographers who know me quite well already, and all are more than happy to accommodate.  Many of them do find it quite cute!  Enter Robert, otherwise known as “Nyan Nyan Ferris” from Germany.

Robert and I somewhat got acquainted on Fet Life about a year ago.  Both of us have similar interests, namely in Japan and things Japanese (his wife is Japanese) and share the same fascination for Cosplay, namely uniforms such as schoolgirls and nurses.  And let us not forget… we both adore Hello Kitty!  And hence we decided to get together and shoot here in Amsterdam during the weekend of 15 July 2012. 

Robert, based near Dusseldorf, drove out to Amsterdam and spent the weekend with us.  It was wonderful to meet him at last!  After loads of exchanges on Facebook, I was curious as to what to expect of him.  And what a nice and easy-going guy he was!  He had the honour of being the first photographer to shoot in my top flat which I was originally going to rent out as a photography studio.

 

Kitty-chan ate my popcorn!

Throughout the weekend, the main theme of the shoot was of me playing a submissive role.  Me all collared and leashed most of the time.  Some pet-girl play which I enjoyed doing, going down on all fours and pretending to be a little kitten and a naughty one at that!  One image I like to share is of me wearing nothing but a white Hello Kitty hairband with a red ribbon, a collar and a leash crawling on the  wooden floor.  In front of me is a small bowl of my favorite snack, popcorn.  A Hello Kitty toy is set on the floor too as if she and I are fighting over it.  Or, perhaps she is looking with bewilderment as I gobble it all up with my mouth.  Or she is just being so sweet and wants to share her snack with me?

We shot a couple of uniform shoots too.  With the school uniform fetish in mind, I changed into a hybrid sera-fuku, a Japanese school uniform.  A few pictures of me crawling on the floor in collar and leash as if being punished for being naughty.  And naughty I was, as later on, we’d take a few shots of me squatting down on the garden patio with my white knickers down!  Tsk tsk…  Then another strange but cute shot of me in a PINK nurse’s outfit wearing bunny ears but being very sexy in my fishnet holdups and black stilettos!

Punished and left out in the rain...

Unfortunately the weather was not to our favor during the weekend.  One minute it poured, next minute sunny and then raining again.  But we were so keen on doing an outdoors shoot in the garden.  So we came up with a brilliant idea.  Getting myself all starkers, ball-gagged, leashed and getting punished... by being left out in the rain!  And it gets better.  I then went on all fours on the grass and got drenched with a hosepipe all over my back.  Now that’s a real submissive!  And boy was that fun.  I was freezing my ass off alright but like many crazy photoshoots I do, I knew that had I chickened out, I would have regretted it.  And I'm glad I went ahead with it!  

What an awesome weekend it was!  The next time we will know what else we could work on and develop, now that we are more familiar with each other.  Perhaps plan it more, but of course spontaneity is fun too!  Nevertheless, we churned out a lot of cute and cheerful images as well as tons of crazy ones.  We plan on working together again for sure.  Robert has been diligently sending me images in batches, a few of which I am proud of sharing.  I look forward to getting more!!!

Thank you so much, Robert, for travelling all the way from Germany and for producing such fun images.  For more crazy photos, please click onto my Flickr site.