Feeling Blue

Not sure what it is...the weather, stressful times planning a wedding, the modeling industry, work at the salon, relocating the salon, M.E flaring up again, fallout with the other half...not sure, but I'm feeling pretty blue today.

Is that the right saying? Feeling blue? It sounded right saying it but not sure it looks right after typing it..anyway, I'm having a down day. Everyone gets them every now and again - today in mine. I refused to climb out of bed this morning and curled up under the covers for an extra hour in tears this morning, sometimes everything just gets a little too much and you need a release.

One thing that cheered me up yesterday was seeing KatyT posted a comment on my blog, it's lovely to know someone so inspirational to me is taking her time to read about ME. Unbelievable.

The above image is one from JohnH. Our latest shoot was basically just the two of us playing around for a few hours and seeing what we can come up with. I really like this shot, it captures how I'm feeling today very well. Thanks John.

It's also snowing again up here in Scotland, it's very wet though and I have cold feet...I hate having cold feet. Grrr I'm in such a rubbish mood today, sorry guys.

Here's to a cheerier post next time,
Kirst xxx

Will you be my valentine?

I always love Valentines Day, as much as it's a totally commericalised occasion it's still nice to receive a card telling you how much someone loves you.

I was woken on Sunday morning by Craig with a big box of yummy chocolates and a card. He also said he had a surprise for me in the afternoon. After swapping cards and sitting on the couch in my PJ's watching Hollyoaks Craig told me to go and get ready because we had to leave the house.
I waas super intrigued but went and had a shower, done my hair, made my self look super gorgeous for him and put on a new day dress I got a while back. We got in the car and hit the road. It was raining when we left but Craig kept driving until we were out of the rain and into the sunshine. We ended up way up North on a little stoney beach by a loch with a picnic basket full of yummy treats and a big blanket to put round us to keep us warm. As soon as we got there the dog jumped out the boot and was straight in the water splashing about as Craig and I sat and cuddled on the beach. It was so romantic, so peaceful and so calm we just forgot everything and spent the afternoon sharing stories and talking about our wishes for our future together. It's moments like this I realise why I'm marrying him in 4 months time.

The above image is by Simon James Hayhow, we shot at Contrast last week. It was only Simon's second studio shoot so I helped out a little with the lighting, well tried to. I really like the above image, it's something different for me and I got to wear the new shirt I bought while I was in Glasgow. I've got a few more lovely images from this shoot, just waiting on them being edited. Simon done really well in the studio and should be proud of the images he created, his confidence is really growing and it's nice to be in the company of someone as they blossom.

I shot with JohnH at Contrast too, just awaiting some edits to post so keep an eye out for them,

Kirsty xxx

Broken Angel

I received some images back from a shoot I done in August last year with the very talented Natasha DiPasquale. The idea for the shoot was to use the angel wings Natasha had then for the last few sets I put my make-up skills to the test to create a "broken angel". I love the above shot, it's my favourite from the shoot. I feel the image tells a thousand stories and sums up a lot of what I've been through in 2009. This last set of the shoot was very quick but I'm proud I managed to show such emotion, particularly in this shot.

Not exactly sure why but these shots remind me of my dad, who is now my guardian angel up there in the sky. They make me think I am trying to spread my angel wings but not quite managing to get to him. I'm super proud of my dad and I know he'll be proud of me (maybe not the fact I'm nude though!)

Natasha let me know when she sent these images over she is going to try to edit out the staps in due course but everything has just been a little hectic with her at the moment. I know the straps aren't to everyone's taste but I quite like them, I think the images might look a little fake without them.

I remember telling the story in a previous post about how a feather appears in my life from time to time. It's always after I have been thinking about my dad. I always look up to him for guidance and many times over the last few years, after I have been looking up to the sky for answers a feather appears in my path somewhere. It first happened the night my dad was snatched away from this cruel world, a single feather fell from the sky in front of my mum. Since then many feathers have made an appearance in my life. The other day when I was at my salon working away I had something playing on my mind and subconsciously asked my dad to send me a sign if I was doing the right thing, as I turned around there was a huge grey feather at my feet.

Thank you dad.

Kirsty xxx

True Beauty of Nature

I shot with a lovely gentleman on Saturday afternoon - Ian Paterson. We had to postpone the shoot to this Saturday as last Saturday the weather was rubbish, lighting was pretty flat as the sky was filled with rain clouds and I had a nasty sickness bug.

Ian told me in our communications he had not shot art nude before and asked if I was okay with being his first....I was more than happy. I love shooting with new photographers and experienced photographers who are new to a particular genre. I feel there is so much to learn from eachother and lots of knowledge to share.

I feel as an art nude virgin Ian done exceptionally well, I absolutely love the above image. The rain ended up making an appearance as you can see from the raindrops in the water, it did get rather cold but I feel the true beauty of nature comes across in the images. There's something beautiful about being nude out in natural surroundings when the rain is gently falling from the sky.

Big thanks to Ian for the above image, it's my favourite from what I've seen so far but I'm looking forward to seeing the rest!

Lotsaluv, (something my mum used to write to me when I was little)
Kirsty x

A little bit of lingerie

I got some lingerie shots back from Russel during the week. I've not shot lingerie in a while, I think it's because sometimes I feel the images can have a slightly "glamour" edge to them, which I'm trying to stay away from. It's amazing how many photographers try to push me into glamour nude work when I say I'm only happy doing up to art nude. I don't know if it's the blonde hair or what...


Anyway, I really like these images from Russel, I think they are classy and elegant. The colour one is my favourite, I'm not keen on my hand in the first but still like the image. I like my facial expression in these and the lighting which was created by using a homemade cardboard thingy.



Much love,
Kirsty x x x

Serenity

Yesterday I had the pleasure of shooting with Han again at Bent Brae Studio. We were accompanied by RusselD who took some lovely images of us. These are only from one of the many sets but I feel the one above really shows how close Han and I have become over the few months we have known eachother. I really am so fond of this beautiful girl and I feel we have captured a unique emotion in our images together which is sometimes difficult to capture if you don't know the other model too well.


It was great fun shooting with Russ again. We shot a few of his ideas first (which involved a sword!) then he let Han and I play around a bit with some ideas and some figure nudes. He also got a stunning lingerie shot of me which I can't wait to see! I just want to say Russ, please don't think about puting your camera down too soon, you have taken some stunning images recently (even if a lot of them have been of me!)

These are just a couple of the results from yesterday, I'm really excited about seeing the rest.

Kirsty x

Weekend At Lochcarron

I went to visit Alex Ingram at the weekend and we ventured out into the snow to shoot. It has always been an ambition of mine to shoot with Alex, I know I'm not the only one who sees Alex's work as very inspirational. If I'm honest, looking at his work and achievements was one factor which encouraged me to venture into the nude side of modeling. I'd just like to take the time to say thank you to Alex for all that he has done, both with me at the weekend and in the past with other models. In my eyes he is a true Scottish legend!

We kicked off the weekend by venturing out and exploring the area. Craig accompanied me on this trip with our little pooch Cody. Alex took us all out in the car and explained about the history of the area, some locations he would like to shoot at, general logistics of the area etc. We shot in a few areas on the Saturday but the light wasn't ideal and the snow was making me extremely cold so we headed back to chill out at the house and talk about our ideas for the evening.

After some of my home made fajitas and Alex's special way of warming up my frozen tootsies, Craig fell asleep with Cody and Alex and I got down to shooting some bodyscapes. I'd tried this on a few occasions but never managed to get the result I was looking for. With Alex, I found it.

After this image was taken we tried out some bodyscapes with Cody...Alex mentioned he was definitely the hairiest model he had shot! Once I'd woken Craig up (who apologise for sleeping but Alex didn't mind) we headed back to our lovely little guest house next door to Alex. The family run guest house was absolutely stunning, the couple were lovely and their children and dog were adorable! As soon as my head hit the pillow I was in the land of nod for hours!

After a nice hot shower and a lovely breakfast we headed back out into the snow with the intention of visiting Applecross. I had heard of the area and was keen to shoot there but the road was closed due to the snow. Instead we shot the first image on this entry and played around in the snow with some more ideas.

I honestly can't thank Alex enough for having us for the weekend. It was my New Year's resolution to work with him and not only did I manage that, I also produced my best images so far. I'm super proud of all I achieved this weekend and the fact I have the pictures to show my achievement. Alex has inspired me so much, not only to do with my modeling career but also my personal life. I can't wait until I next go up to visit, I promised him a shoot in the sunshine!

How's that for the first post of 2010!

Kirsty xxx