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!