Stuart Martin

My first shoot of 2010 with Mr Carter and i set him a little challenge; to do something out of his comfort zone! Leigh is not the biggest fan of body hair – Unfortunately for me, i’m covered in the stuff and often find myself running from the keepers of London Zoo.

Admittedly as i am getting older, i have learnt that its a part of me and something i have to accept i cant change. (we wont talk about the 72 weeks of not-so-sucessful laser) One good thing that has come of it is my ‘designer beard’. No boys and girls, nature didnt give me a perfectly curved edge.  You can thank the girls at the skin clinic that had to laser it by hand with me watching like a hawk *goes red*

It was fantastic to catch up with Leigh and see how he is getting on and the projects that he has got coming up. I would thoroughly recommend working with this gentleman – He has that fantastic ability of making you feel comfortable as soon as you meet him, communication and direction is great and i’m always impressed with the final product.

Make a book Leigh!

Posted in Studio Shoot

Things have really been up in the air in recent months – Following my ‘not quite’ emigration to the USA to deal with the relocation of our New York office, i have stayed put with the right incentives to do so and back on track with my modelling.

I took part in an exciting shoot for Gay times a couple of weeks ago for their health and fitness sections so be sure to look out for them in upcoming issues. Lets just say free-weights are not my forte so I’m a little more confident about how the images will turn out for the health section, haha.

This weekend i have the pleasure to be doing my first shoot for 2010 with the amazing Leigh Carter – The photographer who really got my modelling to take off. His mission for this weekend is to do something that is out of both of our comfort zones which I’m really looking forward to – think wet, fur, and even a bit of leather thrown in for good measure *smirks*.

I also have my 2nd shoot with both Chris Jepson and Pics By Gaz in coming weeks. Following a Skype call with Gaz yesterday, we have already come up with an ‘interesting’ theme that should look fantastic in both of our portfolios.

There is some great work in the pipeline so stay tuned and as always, your thoughts and comments are always appreciated.

Posted in Studio Shoot

‘Drum roll please?!’ Yes, it’s finally happened. After months of fiddling around with various ideas for an online portfolio, i decided that ‘less is more’ and have gone for a simple yet effective concept. I still have a bit of work to do such adding some hyperlinks to my other content on the web, but overall – i’m pretty happy with it!

I will keep this updated going forward, with some of my favourite work. As always, let me know what you think.

Posted in Marketing

Last month I had a fantastic, if not long overdue shoot with the infamous Chris Jepson – A portrait and lifestyle photographer, known for his running around under the cover of darkness to take photos at pretty much every venue in London (all in one night!) London Clubland is one of the most comprehensive websites of editorial photos and reviews of the London gay clubbing scene, which Chris runs completely on his own whilst juggling the HUGE calendar of graphic design,website design and seemingly endless number of photo shoots. In all honesty I don’t know how he does it but I have a huge respect for someone who is as passionate about their work as he is.

Chris used a plain backdrop whilst focusing on lighting and positioning. I on the other hand was in my element rummaging through his costume box…. *grins*

Posted in Studio Shoot

Posted in Studio Shoot

One of the great things about branching out and working with different photographers is that they all have their own unique styles and visions for the finished images. I had a fantastic shoot up in London with Pics By Gaz and we focused on the ‘Natural Stuart’ look. We used simple yet effective backdrops and worked on getting some bold profile and head-shots. They are a fantastic addition to my portfolio and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Definitely looking forward to shooting with him again.

Posted in Studio Shoot

I find that it’s important to know that you have all bases covered, at least a good few days before you have a photo shoot. Pencilling in a conversation or two with the photographer so that expectations are clear for both parties is essential so that you can discuss those little things that can slip your mind, which actually make the world of difference.

A good example of one of these for me is body hair; the bane of my existence.  All photographers have different ideals and this from my perspective is something that I essentially need to ask. I remember turning up to a shoot once after clean shaving my face and chest – I just remember seeing the horror on the photographers face because all of his ideas were based around the idea of me having body hair. In the end we had to improvise and try different concepts on the day, but a simple conversation before I attacked my body hair with the clippers would have saved the embarrassment. For my shoot tomorrow, the photographer has asked for me to keep my chest and facial hair for the ideas he has in mind

I tend to pack my bag of clothes the night before, just so I don’t end up running around like a headless chicken in the morning, searching for something I really wanted to take with me. Always take gel as well if you are as particular about your hair as I am – I can remember countless times where my hair has had to be ‘trashed’ for one reason or another and you never feel as comfortable without that handful of hair product rubbed in, do you? The photographer will normally make suggestions of certain things to bring along so be sure to ask if he doesn’t prompt you.

As for healthy living, we all now and then indulge in eating what we want to eat and having one too many alcoholic beverages. I tend to try and behave myself in the week running up to a shoot by eating sensibly and trying not to touch alcohol whatsoever. I’m pretty proud of myself that I have been heading to the gym regularly in recent weeks and hopefully I can continue this trend and bulk up so I can get into different areas of modelling. My arms and chest are still aching from yesterday’s workout which is a good sign, or so I’ve been told!

I best start packing my bag with all the bits and pieces I have been purchasing like a squirrel. I’m already excited to see the results from tomorrow so keep tuning in and letting me know what you think.

Posted in Studio Shoot

I have the fantastic opportunity of working with two photographers who I have been keen to work with for some time now- both of which are extremely busy and talented guys. Im already looking forward to the ideas that we come up with and seeing the outcome.

Pics By Gaz

Gaz is a London based photographer whose infamous style has found its way into many glossy magazine covers, exhibitions and campaigns both in the UK and internationally. It is almost a certainty that his work will have been on your coffee table at one point or another. I have been a secret fan of Gaz’s work for some time now and have always enjoyed following the distinct images produced. He’s definitely created a brand for himself. We are planning to work together in the next two weeks!

Paul Reiffer

Paul is also a London based photographer with a difference. He has a unique background as an agency represented model and has now found himself behind the lens. From any models perspective, this is an added advantage since he has been in your shoes and knows exactly how a shoot should work. He has a fantastic eye for detail which shows throughout his portfolio with some really beautiful and detailed concepts – A welcomed addition to my portfolio and we are working together at the end of this month!

Posted in Studio Shoot

Happy New year! After a fantastic 5 week break to focus on family, friends and not forgetting Christmas, its time to jump back on the modelling wagon!

Of course, I have not just been hibernating. I have started dialogue with some very exciting photographers that I will be working with in coming weeks and months so keep watching this space for projects I am working on. I have also been planning the building of my new website which should hopefully (touch wood…. no pun intended) go live in the next week or so. Below is a little sneak peak of the flash template that we are working on. Me being me, it had to be all ’singing and dancing’ with flashing lights and pretty colours or it just wouldn’t keep me quiet. Hopefully you will love the results as much as I do.

I have also decided to adapt how I update this blog and the content I put up. Rather than specifically showcasing the photoshoots I have been attending and the tutorials I have provided, I want to make it more about the processes I go through,  the photographers I am speaking to / wanting to work with in the future and most importantly; being transparent about my experiences of modelling; the opinions, the anxieties and the general thoughts and feelings that would normally be self-censored. That is what will make this blog stand out.

Keep tuning in

Posted in Marketing