and my Pin-up shoot - Red Leopard Photography

Red Leopard Photography

For my birthday this year, my family members got together and brought me a photo shoot from Red Leopard Photography. It was a complete surprise for me, but my sister knew I'd love it, and I did! Sarah's home studio is located in Busselton , just shy of 2 and a half hours south of Perth.

As part of the package, I received  full pin-up makeup and a hair-do to match. I then had access to her extensive wardrobe and fun props. A few days before my shoot, I was emailed a quick questionnaire to tell Sarah about what style I liked, as well as if I had skin problems, such as sensitivity, as well as some other general questions. This allowed for her to be ready for me.

When I arrived, Sarah showed me to the dressing room. The room is stocked with bits and bobs for the photo shoots. It was full of hats, dresses, old telephones, umbrellas, shoes and everything else you could think of for the perfect shoot. Sarah also allows you to bring your own props if you'd like them in the photos. I brought down some of my favourite pearl jewellery as well as some of my own shoes, which I wore for the photos.

After putting my hair in curlers she started with my make-up. The first theme was 50's housewife. Sarah told me she had some fun ideas, starting with my hair and a giant curl. When my make-up was done and my hair was up, she went to the cupboard and started pulling out dresses. Funnily enough, they were all red, which is both of our favourite colour.

The first dress was a cute red gingham dress with a fishtail and a frill at the back. I also had a sweet red flower in my hair. First up, was house work, which is always best with a drink in hand.

After all of that hard work I had to stop for a chat.

Then we moved onto a movies theme.

I then got hungry, so we moved onto a baking theme, which always turns into a mess.

I thought, before I started the photo shoot, that I would be nervous, but I wasn't. It was just me and her, oh and her adorable puppy Betty-Lou, in the studio. (Well Betty was out the back, peering through the window). What helped, in my opinion, is the time spent before the shoot. When Sarah was doing my make-up and hair we were just having a chat. A bit like when you are at the hairdressers. So when it came down to the modelling side of things I felt comfortable and had a lot of fun.

The next theme was 1940's glamour. So after a costume changes and some additional accessories, out came a beautiful black chair and a new set of props, as well as a different backdrop. This time I wore my pearls and one of Sara's vintage fascinators and a silky read dress.

Time for another phone call.

This next one was just a spur of the moment thing. We moved over to her curtains for a Hollywood silver screen look.

I absolutly loved wearing the gloves but there was a Wheels and Dollybaby cardigan that I just had to wear.

Before I even returned home I there was a sneakpeak on the Facebook page and not long after I was sent the proofs to look at. From which I agonised over until I found my favourite for her to touch up and send to me. When I was at my dads house, hair and make-up still done but in my own clothes, I showed him a photo of me from the shoot off of Facebook.  He stared at it but didn't pick it was me, even though I was still dolled up and standing there holding the phone showing him the picture. This is a real testament to her amazing talent that my dad was confused. Although she did not hide the real me, just made me into a character for the day.

I had an amazing day, and felt very spoil. I am so happy that my family brought me this gift for my birthday and I have already recommended it to friends. I also recommend it to everyone else!!!

Until next time.
Love, love Elle.

and Bell's Rapids - Perth

Bell's Rapids - Perth

Every year, Perth holds a white water race down the Avon River called the Avon Descent. The race is held for both motor boats and paddlers. The race starts in Northam and finishes at Bayswater, after the Avon River has changed to the Swan River. The event is held over 2 days and one of the best spectator locations along the route is at Bell's Rapids.

Last Saturday, my plus one and I headed to Bell's Rapids to take photos, and even though the race wasn't on, there were still kayaks in the water and the scenery was still spectacular.

I took my DSLR down to have a play. It is an old Olympus and is pretty bulky but still takes pretty good photos. My plus one has a newer Canon DSLR with filters and a tripod and a tonne of other things he left at home. So he was taking the fancy slow shutter speed photos and I was more using it as a point and shoot camera. All of these photos are mine.

When we first arrived it was raining a bit, so we headed out with our umbrellas. After about half an hour the rain ceased and we continued up the river towards the pedestrian bridge.

There was mist on the hills beyond which was really pretty and there were plenty of others out and about, either in the water or walking around, some taking photos.

One of the kayakers paddling thought the rapids.

Around Bell's Rapids is a walking trail which I would like to follow next time. On the other side of the bridge the landscape opens up a little into some fields. On a tree near by there are two swings and there were some sweet flowers by the bank of the river. If you love bird watching, this is a great location to see the Black Cockatoo as well as many other native birds.

I think this is a millipede.

So if you are looking for a nice walking trail or somewhere to take some photos of some beautiful scenery, try Bell's Rapids. There are also some companies which teach you to paddle down the rapids, if you are looking for something with a little more adrenaline. 

Until next time.

Love, love Elle.

and a 1950's inspired photo shoot picnic

and a 1950's inspired photo shoot picnic

Over the weekend myself and two of my friends went for a picnic in the park with a difference. We all love the 1950's style, so two of us dressed up in our favourite dresses while the other grabbed her camera, and we headed to Hyde Park in Highgate.

We had all made some picnic food and we set up for the picnic scene. None of us are professional models or photographers but we thought it would be a lot of fun and it was. It was a bit hard for our friend to direct us at the beginning and it was weird posing so much for the camera but as the day went on, we eased into it.

I started by wearing my 'I Heart You Frock' by Alannah Hill, my fascinator from Review and and my Lulu Pointelle Cardigan from Forever New.

How cute is the tea set? They are my friends.

We then changed to sparkling wine and OJ.

I then changed to less sensible shoes and removed the cardi my friend added a fascinator and heels as well.

One of my favourtite props was my parasol.

 I was given a few years back for my birthday.

Two photographers at once?

We then headed to Mueller Park in Subiaco.

Mueller Park has great paths to promenade down. I wish more people promenaded and perambulated.

This is one of my favourites.

Our final stop was Subiaco Common. Here we also did a costume change.

My next outfit comprised of my Bettie Page Alika Black Circle

dress with a white crinoline and my new sunnies

from Oh Henry! vintage store.

This dress was made to twirl!

We have many more ideas and a lot more outfits, so we are looking forward to doing it all again in a few months. I brought a new vintage rockabilly/western dress from the 1950's which I am dying to wear. So we will have to think of a location for that. We are also interested in doing a kitchen scene but that will be harder to work out how. all in good time!

Until next time.
Love, love Elle.