Thank You for Waiting

Hi everyone!  It's been quite a while since I last posted some stuff.  I've been taking a sort of career break for personal reasons, including a family bereavement.  On 1 March 2012, my beloved mother sadly passed away in London.  She was only 79.  Being an only child and mum single-handedly bringing me up since I was 12, we had our good and bad days like any mother-daughter relationships.  But she meant the world to me, and she always will.  Not a day goes by when I think of her and try holding my tears back.  

As you can imagine, I was not in the mood to do any modelling at all.  I needed time to get settled with the aftermath and wait till am emotionally ready.  While the grief will still continue for some time, I am now coming to terms with the loss.  I need to be strong and move on although mum will always be in my heart.  

Much of my work will now be based in the Netherlands.  With mum gone, I have very little reason to be in the UK.  That said, a "UK Tour" is being considered once I am better settled.  Meanwhile, I would like to start networking even more out here and expand further into the Continent.  I am due to be in Japan in July for a few weeks so would definitely like to pick up where I left off, too.

I have surely a big of a backlog of entries I like to post up.  You will hence be hearing from me more soon!  Meanwhile it now takes getting used to this new format of posting blogs although I must say it's more streamlined and user-friendlier.  Just to let you know, too, my Flickr account has become "restricted" viewing as opposed to "safe" so if you want to browse through it, you have to sign in but it's free.  I am also considering creating my own Flickr-style website which incorporates a wide range of images. At least no one can tell me to flag the images!

The above photograph was taken in the upscale shopping district of Ginza in Tokyo.  It was taken back in September 2011.  The photographer wishes to retain anonymity for professional reasons but whoever you are, thank you for producing this wonderful work for us!

Hey, It's the Naked Tourist!

I so had to share this series. It was actually taken at the "Near Horsham" group shoot on 28 August 2012. The photographer was Maidstone-based British photographer Paul Crusier. Initially I was to pose in a skimpy red bikini and matching red stilettos donning a Red Star Mao Tse-tung cap for a "Chairman Miu" theme. The venue was a beautiful vast garden of this huge private estate of some wealthy people near Horsham, West Sussex. So vast it was we even had to hop onto Paul's 4x4 to get around!

So what is there to do on this beautiful day in the beautiful English countryside? Strip off of course! Paul had this ingenious idea of doing a nude shoot after I was done with the bikini. How could I refuse? We grabbed my small rolling luggage and off I went with nothing on but my red stilettos meandering around the path pretending not to notice the camera...

And what a hit it was! I uploaded the image on Flickr and within minutes, favorites and comments started pouring in. A lot of viewers thought the scenery was a park! And I must say I loved the way Paul captured my strutting very well. The composition is also well thought out. Well done, Paul! You're an awesome photographer with crazy ideas. I love crazy people...! Thank you so much, and I look forward to working with you soon!!

You can see more of these crazy pictures on my Flickr Page!

Last Summer...

Well...it wasn't much of a summer in Amsterdam if you remember. Nevertheless, it was still warm enough to shoot outside when it wasn't horrible and raining as it had been much of the summer. Though not as much as we had hoped, there were quite a few sunny days when I jumped at the chance to sunbathe (naked too!) in our private garden and show off my tan. On August 15 2011, I had the opportunity to shoot with Bart Sluiter again. Remember him? He was the in-house photographer for Dutch clubwear brand Unzipped based in Amsterdam with which I had been featured in their website catalog.

When I visited the shop last Spring, I was offered to model their bikini bottoms for their catalog Apparently, I had the perfect backside for it! The part when to someone else however, some female body builder from the U.S., which I was disappointed about. It turned out for the better though as I got to shoot in even nicer outfits which would certainly enhance my portfolio. I also learned, too, that Bart used to design latex clothing for some years which he does now from time to time. Once I save up some money, it may be an idea to have some custom-made latex stuff as I find the pret-à-porter stuff never fit me correctly. Plus many designers ask for such obscene mark up!

And if I couldn't be featured this time in a catalog in bikini bottoms (albeit faceless), at least Unzipped saved for me the BEST outfit of all. Their exclusive Swarovski crystal bikini!!! It was designed by Artur, the partner behind Unzipped. I love it. Thankfully, I managed to maintain my tan which was perfect for the outfit. This beautiful and delicate "bikini" fit me quite well too I must admit. Shame I didn't get to keep it though! We shot in a black background after discovering that a white background wouldn't work. There were some grey fabric being suspended from the ceiling from which I was to twist and tug to give some "bondage" effect.

I was as such pleasantly surprised to notice that Bart's photography interest lies in fetish-style. Requested to bring a corset with me, I changed into a cheap and cheerful gold one I had purchased some time ago at Amsterdam's red light district and paired it with fishnet tights, black shorts and pair of black platform boots. Cheap and cheerful the corset was, but it certainly looked a million dollars on the pictures, as Bart chose a white background and shoot it quite high key.

Another highlight was being captured in one of the latex corsets Bart had designed! A black and red one (first pic). And people are right about latex being like a second skin. It sure felt so! I again paired that with fishnet tights and matching latex shorts with the same boots. Then came the matching latex headgear! At first we shot indoors but we found the images turned out better outside in the bushy veranda with all the greenery. Then we noticed that my tights ripped as I sat on the ground. Well what better way to deal with it than pretend that I was ripping them myself? I think Bart sensed how attached I was to the corset and how it fitted me so well that he let me keep it! I think I may well wear that to some fetish events in Tokyo when am there at the end of the month...

Finally we thought about doing something summery. You guessed, a skimpy swimwear shoot. And on the rooftop of his apartment! Bart loaned me an aubergine bikini from Unzipped. The rooftops in his neighbourhood are quite open but then being Amsterdam, everyone seems to mind their own business so it didn't seem so odd getting pictures taken out in public half-dressed. I borrowed Bart's sunglasses and pretended I was sunbathing on the rooftop. Whilst I was to look stern and scary in the first three sets of today's shoot, I quickly changed to happy and smiling. I love working with variety.

I was very pleased to work with Bart again and look forward to working with him more. Being a single father of two kids, I realise how busy he is at times. I also need to visit Unzipped more and say hi to everyone, now that I'll be able to spend more time out in Amsterdam and feel better settled. I love their outfits and being photographed in them. If only I could get a chance to go out in them soon! Thanks, Bart, for all your time and wonderful corset, and thanks too, Unzipped, for providing me with the sexy outfits!!

More pictures from this shoot can be seen on Flickr!!

ENTER THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! But oh no, what a way to start the year. I meant to be wishing everyone a happy new year and before I know it, it's 10 January already! My excuse? We were in the UK throughout New Year, as we finally closed the sale to our house there. My home for the last 13 lucky years. But it was all the last minute clearing up. contacting utility and insurance companies and generally doing the finishing touches to our final exodus out of Horsham! I'm glad to get it all off my shoulders. So less time now spent in planes, trains and long car rides, no more figuring out where I left what outfit and no more living in suitcases... but still I can't help feel a little sad and sentimental. We gotta move on though!

I had quite a lot of shoots in December which I have yet to blog about. There's one from Leon Schroeder from whom I've got the complete set of pics from our shoot, then Gerd Jan whom I really need to poke and prod as I haven't even got ONE pic from him (!) and Rene Elger from whom I'm still awaiting more pics too. He's sent me a few beautiful ones though. Oh and don't forget Chris Morley with whom I had the honour to be featured in his Xmas greetings card! Well with the Xmas and New Years going on am sure we've all been pre-occupied. But it's almost the middle of the month so no more excuses!!

I'm also pleased to announce that a few changes have taken place. I was able to maintain my Flickr account despite cancelling my BT Broadband with whom I had a free Pro account. I now have to pay like $24 a year for it, but it's worth it!!! So now to adding more and more pics. I also revamped my Official Website by changing the design and adding quality stuff. Added a section on published work. I decided to change my URL to minimiumodel.com as I don't like that name miuportfolio.com anymore. And I have just launched my FB Fan Page to promote my image without having to divulge my personal life!

So it's the Year of the Dragon. I was born on the Year of the Dragon myself so it damn well better be a good year for me. Given that 2011 was mediocre in namely the first half, I'm looking forward to seeing some improvements in health, wealth and luck. Hope it will be the same for all of you... HAVE A HEALTHY PROSPEROUS 2012!!!

Swept by the Arashi with Robin de Goede

Now that I've moved permanently to the Netherlands, I've increasingly discovered a wonderful network of great local photographers. One of them is Robin de Goede who is based in den Haag (The Hague). Hooking up on Model Mayhem during the summer, we became friends on Facebook and began corresponding and chasing each other for doing a shoot together. After months of either one of us traveling to Japan in different times, we decided on 14 December 2011.

Armed with a degree from the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Robin is not just a photographer but also an artist. He has produced quite a few beautiful drawings as seen in his website, whilst gradually progressing into photography to develop his talents. Like his artwork, his photography work clearly reflects profound appreciation of places, objects and people whilst managing to touch our minds and emotions. Not surprising!

Also not surprising Robin's fascination for tatoos. And we're not talking about the small odd one on the arm but an extensive masterpiece on practically the whole body! Over the years, Robin has come to know quite a few good tattoo artists and spends time in Japan every year, photographing this body art, even getting acquainted with the Yakuza who are famous for their elaborate tatoos. Thus, when I saw his images, I was not sure how to react when he offered to work with me! If he were brave enough to hang out with the Yakuza, one can only imagine that he must be a pretty scary guy, right? Wrong!

When Robin picked me up from Den Haag HS station, he was quite the opposite of what I had imagined. So mild-mannered with a kind face and speaking with a gentletone of voice despite his muscular build that you'd find it hard to believe he's also a bouncer at a local nightclub! Having a keen interest in Japanese culture, Robin adapts a more "zen" approach towards dealing with trouble makers, he told me. It was a five minute or so walk to his apartment in which he converted his living room into a studio.... equipped with a tatami mat!!

Over coffee, he showed me his work and shared his experience during his Japan trip. Many were fascinating, others were quite sad as he showed me some photos during his trip to tsunami-stricken Fukushima as a volunteer. The photos of the orphaned children nearly brought tears in my eyes. Had I not been there for a photoshoot, I think I would've burst out crying. On a more happier scale, the photos he took of the Yakuza in tatoos were fascinating. Am not so keen on tatoos myself but the patterns were just amazing.

Robin is involved in a sort of project on nude women he calls "Anomie". Anomie is a sociological term used to describe lack of social norms or breakdown between individual and social norms. Thus, the concept of nudity being a disconnection from what is expected from "normal" society. Quite profound! I was more than happy to volunteer. His work of nude women was quite unique, even abstract I must say. He focuses on the eyes of the model rather than the body. Or focuses on one part of the body. The use of various lenses such as wide angled ones and capturing the subject from unusual angles make the images look quite surreal. I couldn't wait to become involved!

We began with a warm-up shoot. I brought over with me a green kimono which I had purchased at a charity shop when I was last in Japan. Slipped it on and as I'm rather clueless about how to properly fasten it all on properly with an Obi, I disguised my embarrassing ignorance and just let it hang open while I sat demurely on the tatami mat. Gradually, I lay down on the mat. I decided that as it's an "anomie" theme, I am not to smile or pout (who the hell pouts wearing a kimono anyway!) but look quite subservient and vulnerable. Thought it would also be "cute" to add that doe-eyed vacant but frightened stare for a more "manga" effect without looking silly!

Then off went the Kimono and we moved to nudes. From the charity shop in Japan, I also bought an assortment of Japanese-silk strips of cloths which were scraps produced during the making of various Kimono. I had the idea to scatter it all over my nude body whilst lying down on the tatami. Robin himself had this cool idea of wetting my hair with a water spray and making my hair all stringy and randomly settling on my face,. Then I had my body oiled with baby oil for the extra sheen. First thing that came to mind for this look was being swept by a vicious rain storm which in Japanese is known as Arashi (嵐).

I like experimenting with props too. Great way to add some vavavoom to nude images! Robin produced a small round convexed mirror he put on the floor for me to look into while I am kneeling on the mat. This time I wanted to add a little humour in it by making faces to the mirror. And I love the scary one Robin produced in which I am going nuts, tearing my hair out!

Next, Robin placed another mirror on the floor. It was a rectangle one on which I was to stand on the sides of it with my legs apart! However, there is a logo or printed pattern in the middle of the mirror so my "bits" are concealed. Then we used a mini Noh mask (Japanese theatrical mask). I sat on the tatami with my legs apart but having the mask in front of me so you can't see. The sky's the limit when it comes to props! The next time I shoot with him, I would like to bring along some simple Japanese ornament or object. In fact for a while, I did regret bringing along a Hello Kitty soft toy, thinking it would be quite Japanese... clutching it like a lost child.

We called it a day, but we were both happy with the shoot. It was very relaxed, no rushing and I got to also see the results on screen. They were beautiful! As Robin is a skilled photographer, not much editing was necessary except for the odd cropping. He even holds the record for turning all the images around and sending them to me the very next day! Unfortunately I was very busy those weeks and couldn't share them sooner. I am in the middle of uploading them on Flickr and will be adding much more as soon as possible.

Thank you so much, Robin, for this enjoyable shoot. I would definitely like to work with you again when I'm back from Japan in mid-March. By then, we'll have more inspiration when I'm freshly back from there. Look forward to it!!

For more beautiful work of Robin de Goede, click onto his website!!
More pics available on Flickr

"Open White" Shoot with Antonio Taccone

I still do visit the U.K. from time to time since shifting my residence to the Netherlands. Becoming exhausted with traveling extensively around the country like I used to (getting too old!), I now shoot in London only, where I go every month to visit my mother. I was therefore very lucky that my schedule happened to coincide with that of Antonio Taccone, a professional photographer visiting from Italy for work! Antonio contacted me out of the blue on Model Mayhem and invited me to shoot with him. Apart from capturing beautiful images with the most gorgeous models, he also works for the world's major photo and press agencies. Impressed with his credentials and his wonderful work, I was most chuffed he wanted to collaborate with me!

The main thrust of the shoot was his project called Open White. Involving the use of high-key lighting and infinite white background, the images would all be in black and white but with soft textures. Antonio's inspiration evolved from a film called "Open Water" in which two submarines were abandoned in the middle of a sea. Just as the subs themselves were lost in the blue, the models were to be lost in the white. He imaginatively described the project as: "the body is present, visible but there is only a feeling; the most important is the look and the face of the model. An elegant, intimate portrait." The Open White theme was to be primarily nude but involving one item with which we could use as a prop. Taking a look at some of his samples, I couldn't wait to pursue this! We agreed to shoot on 2 December 2011.

Prior to the shoot, Antonio briefed me on the preparation. I was instructed to bring a favorite item with which we could use as prop as well as some black lingerie. I chose a long string of pearls which would blend perfectly with the soft mood. As we were doing a high-key lit B&W shoot, I was advised to wear light make-up, more precisely sky-blue or crystal-violet eyeshadow and magenta lipstick. No reds or yellows, I was told, as this would make it difficult to adjust the color tones of the images without affecting the skin tone during the editing process. Even as a trained make-up artist, I never knew this. Wow, you do learn a new thing everyday!

Antonio picked me up from Wembley Park tube station in London. Despite his professional experience, he was a very unassuming, hospitable and a warm-hearted gentleman and I immediately felt at ease. We chatted about Italy as I shared some of my travelling experience there. We walked to his hotel, whilst shopping by Tesco's on the way to pick up some snacks. Once we arrived there, we had some bite to eat whilst preparing the set. We used the two single beds which we pushed together to make a big one, all covered with white sheets and scattered with huge white pillows. Then Antonio initiated an "introductory" warm-up shoot to help me loosen up as well as for him to get an idea of of my natural expressions and from which angle to best capture me.

I admired the way in which Antonio was direct and precise in his directions. It shows he knows what he wants out of the images and his determination to create the best quality. Whilst shooting we also experimented on me posing from various angles from the light and different distances from the camera. Antonio, in the middle of a set, also downloaded the images on his laptop from which we would assess what sort of images worked and how we could improve on them. Plus I get to see how well the results turn out! I also had a lot of fun observing how he cropped the images and manipulated the lighting on photoshop which didn't need much doing anyhow. Most importantly, he emphasized on blurring out the "explicit bits" to create a subtly erotic mood with facial expressions being the main focus.

We worked on various nude images with single props being used to add some accent. The feeling of being "lost" in the white and clutching onto the one item we treasure. First was the pearl necklace. Then I had a pair of stilettos which I used to take on and off, as if I were "undressing" in the nude. I also had a black faux-fur scarf which I cuddled in. We even worked with my mobile phone (along with the bling-bling Hello Kitty cover) with which I had to pretend to be taking photos of myself whilst pulling my panties to one side and teasingly exposing myself little.

It was very ingenious of Antonio to suggest doing the lingerie sets at the end of the shoots. Most of the time, it is the other way around as we feel the need to build comfort and rapport covered up initially before stripping off. However the disadvantage is that tighter clothing, especially bras or fishnet hosiery, leave pressed marks onto the skin, taking hours to fade.

We called it a day after 3 productive hours. Although the shoot was so intense which left me exhausted, it was worth every minute. We hit it off really well and, in fact, I must've made quite an impression on him as he text me the following day and asked me if I wanted to shoot with him on Sunday too! It was of course an offer I couldn't refuse so I went along. As I was already accustomed to Antonio already, I felt more relaxed for this second shoot. This time, I brought a pretty Japanese folding fan. Although he asked me to bring a corset, I didn't have one with me in London, so I brought along a pair of stockings with suspenders.

On both occasions, I thoroughly enjoyed working with Antonio. From what he had shown me, I am very pleased with the results. He has given me a couple of edited images right after the shoot, and I look forward to receiving more. I hope to be working with him again when he is visiting London next. Thanks so much, Antonio, for your time and for creating some beautiful images!

For more of Antonio's work, have a look at his website!

Kinbaku Experience in Tokyo

As they say, when in Rome do as the Romans do. So I took the opportunity whilst in Japan in October to indulge in the ultimate Kinbaku experience. I'm not always certain whether Kinbaku or Shibari would be more appropriate to use, but Wikipedia suggests that Kinbaku literally means "tight binding" and that Kinbaku-bi means "the beauty/art of tight binding", whereas Shibari was a word coined in the West in the 1990s to merely mean "(to) tie". Thus from now on, I should really be referring Japanese rope bondage as "Kinbaku".

I got in touch with the rigger from Fetlife. He is known as Nuitdetokyo, a very well-mannered and intelligent Frenchman who has been living in Japan for decades. We got in touch through Fetlife when I was announcing my arrival to Tokyo to seek social events and make some new friends. Nuitdetokyo practises Kinbaku as a pastime and works closely with well-known Kinbaku-shi (riggers) in Japan.

With the Kinbaku experience of course came the photoshoot. Nuitdetokyo was very kind to arrange one with a young but experienced German photographer called Thomas who was living in Tokyo, and the date was set for Sunday 2 October 2011 at Nuitdetokyo's studio. He picked me up at Akebonobashi subway station. Just as in our correspondence on Fetlife, he was a very pleasant gentleman. He even bought us all some delicious take-away sushi

and Japanese sweets (wa-gashi) we can all have for lunch which was most generous of him.

Arriving at his place, which was a spacious Japanese-style house, I was introduced to his friend who helped me. I was to choose an outfit from the closet, and naturally I chose a yukata. We had some coffee and some food and was ready to roll!

After discussions over lighting and scenery, we found a perfect spot. It was the tokonoma, or an alcove few inches above ground typically found in Japanese rooms to display ornaments and scrolls of caligraphy paintings. Nuitdetokyo proceeded in tying me up with the rope. I was most impressed at his skill at doing it at quick succession with one frame of tying after another, while Thomas captured the images from various angles.

I have to say I noticed a difference how things are done in Japan. For instance, I was surprised to see how in Japan the ropework looks more haphazard and uneven at times whereas in say Europe it tends to be more symetrical, some involving meticulous weaving or coloured ropes! I believe this is because in Japan, focus is made more on the bondage rather than trying to create effect through pretty patterns or the artwork of the tying. In Japan, it's more about the bondage itself and the whole picture which creates the art.

We did about three sets in total. After the tokonoma set, we did a floor series where I'd be sitting down and getting tied up on the floor and then ending up lying down (first picture) with my hands bound from behind and gagged with both knees bent and tied up which is known as futo-momo (thick thighs).

The final one was me eventually getting suspended. It was a bit of a challenge for me as I was being suspended from behind whilst still standing and with one leg further being further bound in futo-momo style. In the past, much of the suspension involved me lying down either on my back or my side which tends to even out the weight and hence be more comfortable. At some point, I might have moved my right arm which caused the rope to get displaced and poke into my radial nerve and cause it to numb.

A few sessions with the local accupunturist and positive attitude helped heal the trapped nerve. In fact,

when I clicked my hand suddenly whilst practicing with a whip for fun, the nerve somewhat "snapped into place" accelerating the healing. It only took a few weeks for the hand to recover completely but this is the risk one takes when doing rope bondage. Nuitdetokyo was very kind and sympathetic when I voiced my concerns and in fact took his time to analyse the injury through the pictures taken. The next time I become involved in Kinbaku, we need to be more observant!

Despite this, I was very pleased with the results of the photoshoot. Thomas captured the images so effectively by shooting from different and the correct angles. He knew exactly what is expected from a Kinbaku session in which he must get the lighting right from the start and be very quick to snap the photos. All the photos he processed came out so beautifully. Many thanks to both of them for this challenging experience!

Although Thomas has returned to Germany, I do look forward to catching up with Nuitdetokyo again when I'm in Tokyo next.

For more photos of this wonderful shoot, please click on to my Flickr page