My Photoshoot with Shannon Swift Photography

Back in February I did a photoshoot with the wonderful Shannon Swift Photography. I'd been speaking to her online for a little while and when the chance came to have my photo taken by her I was all over it. I absolutely adore her work, her lighting in particular is just something else, but more importantly, Shannon is a truly incredible human being. She's political and vocal and always fighting for what is right, and I admire her so much.

I was pretty nervous in the run up to the shoot. I've been taking photos of people for 10 years, but bar for my blog, no one has ever really taken photos of me. Seeing myself how someone else sees me, rather than being 100% in control of my image was terrifying, but I couldn't think of anyone I trusted more to do something amazing with my awkwardness than Shannon. And I was so so right. From the moment I met her I was 100% comfortable, changing outfits in front of her no problem, and doing my best to take direction to get the shot. As it turns out, I suck at not smiling in photos, so if I do this again (which I hope to) I will be practising my expressions before I go! I have Botox, so my face isn't exactly the most movable or expressive, and this is the first time I've really noticed that. (If you want to know more about why I have Botox, read this blog)

We shot several different outfits, all of which I'm utterly in love with. These photos in my mega Plus Equals jacket are definitely my favourite though. The whole look just worked perfectly with Shannon's style and I mean look at me. Even I'm obsessed.

I'm not going to share all the photos from the shoot in this post because I've blogged each outfit individually, but I will share a couple more favourites, because how could I not?

I'm not a show your lingerie off sort of a gal because I do get a bit nervous about my smaller bust (I've written about this in more detail here), but instant comfort with Shannon meant  I just kept undoing those buttons!

And the last look we shot in public, in a busy park no less. Something that should have had my anxiety in over drive, because I was posing and clearly having my photo taken in front of dozens of strangers. And you know what, I didn't care at all and did my best to do my own awkward blogger version of modelling. I could not have done that with just anyone!

Finaalllly met this beauty today, ive admired her work for YEARS and i can't wait to go visit her for a shoot swap!

A post shared by Photographer, Artist & Model (@lady.swift) on Feb 4, 2017 at 11:19am PST

Can we talk about how sweet this is?! I was blown away to find out that Shannon even really knew my work as a photographer. And she's such a fox, look at her!

Shannon often offers studio days and I highly recommend booking her. She's so unbelievably talented and her work is stellar, she'll give you something truly different for your blog. She loves working with plus size babes and women of colour and I encourage you to go see her out and book her.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

A Curly Girl Update : Photoshop and Bloggers

Disclaimer : This post contains some Photoshop, my skin is not that perfect!

The Plus Equals Jacket of Dreams

Back in February it was my birthday, and when my Mum and Dad asked me what I wanted, I knew. I had been eyeing something up since the moment it was released and I had to have it. My Mum was... baffled to say the least when she saw what I'd requested, but they are awesome parents and understand my love of unique fashion. And so I came to be the proud owner of the jacket of my dreams, the Plus Equals Leni Kimoni in purple and silver.

You know that amazing sequin fabric that you rub one way and it's one colour, and rub the other way and it's another? This entire jacket is made of that fabric! It's just wow. It has a purple faux fur collar and it is the coolest thing I have ever owned!

It's super long, it sits about knee length on my and I'm 5ft 11. I felt like I was about to do my best Ric Flair walk into a wrestling ring! I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

I wore it with my favourite Alice & You mesh dress for this photoshoot that I did with the unbelievably brilliant Shannon Swift Photography. I mean you guys, just look how good she made me look?! She runs studio days that I would highly advise booking in for, I'll post more about the actual experience of being photographed soon, usually I'm on the other side of the lens but it was so much fun.

Plus Equals keep posting teases of new fabrics that have this sort of two tone effect and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Dreaming of Pleather Jackets : The Curly Girl Method

Photoshoot with Felis

I've photographed the lovely Felis twice before, and was happy for a chance for a third shoot. She's a Suicide Girl and also models for Zivity which is what I photograph her for.

First up, we just had to shoot something cute. These adorable fox ears from Crown & Glory were just perfect with Felis' orange hair! Add a crop top and shorts and you have adorable.

Second we moved to a bed set up I like to use, but stripped back to a raw mattress. Lacy lingerie and a relaxed look was the way to go for this set.

How sweet is that bralet? I wish there was more stuff like that in plus sizes.

Next up, floortraits! I can't resist them lately. I love a good hardwood floor and it's good fun to shoot something from a totally different perspective.

Felis is the cutest!

Sorry for the censorship, but my blog isn't adult rated!The gorgeous golden flower crown is from Liv Free Creations and was a birthday gift for me from Alivya. With Felis's pale skin and hair the gold was the perfect compliment for her.

Our final set was something totally different! My Mum had some lilies that she let me sacrifice in the name of art, and I am so glad she did! We went for art nudes in the bath, so here are just a couple of the shots I can share.

Did you know that lily pollen stains something terrible? Even your skin. Poor Felis had yellow stains all over her by the time we'd finished this set. Oops. Sorry!

We shot a behind the scenes vlog during the shoot which you can check out on my YouTube channel!

Much love,

Kitty xxxxx

Photoshoot with Paigey Christie : Roswell Ivory Adventures

PS. Don't forget to check out my latest YouTube video!

Dee Dixon Photoshoot II

For the second time this year, I worked with the gorgeous Dee Dixon. We had great fun the first time and got on really well, so when Dee let me know she was coming down my way again I leapt at the chance to work with her again. Last time she had blonde hair and rocked it straight, this time I was super excited to see her new blue and purple hair! All of our photoshoots are for Zivity, so check it out for the full sets.

In the winter I can never resist shooting sets with blue tones to them. I love a glamorous icy queen. With blue eyes, blue hair, a blue bed, this was perfect for a blue toned set.

This was actually the first set we shot, I wanted it to feel really retro and eighties with the bright colours. The pink lipstick, bright yellows, it's not the sort of bright I usually shoot but I love it!

Dee wanted to shoot some floortraits. Portraits on the floor... yeah I know. I'm terrible. I was more than happy to oblige! This Transformers leotard was perfect for these casual rolling around type photos.

These are just lit with two soft boxes from above, I really love how the light worked out. Dee has the prettiest pale skin.

I always love shooting on this bed set up, and this pink harness style lingerie was perfect for it. The mixture of pinks, with the flash of blue hair is perfect.

I can never resist a bath set! I mentioned shooting in the bath, and Dee brought along this mint bikini which was ideal. Her hair turned the water a lilac colour and she looked like a gorgeous pastel mermaid.

Those eyes. What a babe!

Post-bath, a slick haired fashion set was in order. The bra top is from Malice who I love, and the shiny skirt begged for the blue tones.

I love shooting with Dee, and hopefully we will again in the new year. 

Much love,

Kitty

Check out our last photoshoot together here.

ps. Don't forget to check out my most recent YouTube video!

Photoshoot with Indie Fox

I hardly ever put out casting calls on PurplePort, but I did recently and was totally thrilled when the gorgeous Indie Fox responded to it. I love shooting plus size models, and I really try hard to have as much diversity in my portfolio as I can. I think it is so important to showcase all the different kinds of beauty, and believe it is one of my responsibilities as a photographer. We worked together to produce a bunch of different sets for Zivity, a paysite I shoot for. I love Zivity because it is body positive and so inclusive.

First up we shot a simple set with this fab Killstar tshirt. I love a mix of casual and sexy!

Next up we shot some classic black and white lingerie photos. Hasn't Indie got the most beautiful face?!

We had so much fun working together. I clicked with Indie really well and we nattered while we worked.

Just look at that face!

You know I couldn't not shoot this amazing leopard print ensemble! I think the blue of this location, combined with the leopard print and Indie's red hair look so good together.

I don't do much in photoshop, just some colour adjustments. Indie has great skin and posed her butt off.

I fell in love with this velvet dress! It's like, something teenage Wednesday Addams would wear. Love it!

Sometimes I like to do a bit more of an unusual edit, and with the pleather corset I thought this red look would work so well. Fetish glam!

For our final set of the day I had a rather.... unusual concept in mind. I proposed it, and got a yes! I always love when models are up for something crazy. I went out in the garden to prepare the concept while Indie got ready.

How many models would get naked in a bath full of autumn leaves for you?

I absolutely LOVED shooting with Indie, and I really hope we get to work together again soon.

I also filmed a little behind the scenes vlog!

Much love,

Kitty xxxxx

Check out my last photoshoot blog here.

Roswell Ivory & Alivya V Free Photoshoot

I was recently lucky enough to spend the day shooting with both Roswell Ivory and Alivya V Free. What a treat! Two of my favourite babes in one day was always going to be an amazing day.

We were incredibly lucky to be given access to a beautiful swimming pool for our first location, and I was so excited. I loved shooting models in water, and a photo shoot in a swimming pool has been a dream for a long time!

It was such a wonderful experience. The pool wasn't heated, so props seriously go to Roswell and Alivya for being so brave and posing like rock stars even in freezing cold temperatures!

Alivya bought this white dress with her, and some chiffon material, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect concept!

Roswell sported some gorgeous lace latex by Lady Allura's Latex and went for a totally different look, with a more pin up theme.

And of course, they had to pose together, like two beautiful mermaids.

Sorry it was so cold! Forgive me!

Next up, I took them both back for hot shower and hot chocolates to warm up! Then Roswell donned a Lady Allura's Latex top for some moody head shots with still wet hair.

Alivya had some incredible latex from Kaori's Latex Dreams, and this lip print dress was my favourite. The lips are 3D rubber! So incredible. Kaori is amazing.

As Roswell and Alivya are a similar dress size, Roswell also slipped into some Kaori's Latex Dreams for some portraits together. Miaw!

Roswell had some beautiful lingerie by Louise Ferdinand to wear, so we decided to shoot something very different for us. Super simple makeup, hair down, and very natural.

Alivya then wore the pink Kaori's Latex Dreams dress, and oozed Hollywood glamour! I spent a lot of time with serious hair envy around these two.

Alivya is also an incredible designer, her company is Creations by Liv Free. She had this stunning piece with her and I had to shoot both models in it. Alivya is making my veil for my wedding next year, can't wait!

And finally, Alivya modelled this beautiful corset by Serinde Corsets. I adore the colours of this! Deep jade green with pale skin is always a winner.

I am so lucky to shoot with such inspiring people. I actually shot a behind the scenes video this day, so you can get an idea of how goofy we all are. Photo shoots look so glamorous... I assure you they are not!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Dee Dixon Photoshoot

I've chatted to the lovely Dee Dixon online for years on and off, but we never quite managed to get around to actually shooting together till recently. Thankfully we finally got our butts in gear and spent a fantastic day working together! About time, and certainly not the only time.

Harness from Twilight Siren

I shoot from my parent's house, which is round the corner from my house, as quite simply, it's way bigger and much more shoot friendly. They've been decorating recently, and in one of the bedrooms they had the doors off the fitted wardrobes, which left this interesting space that Dee eyed up and wanted to pose in. I'm always happy to experiment and work in a different space!

How amazing does Dee look in blue? I love her curves in this lingerie. I find blue so hard to wear, so seeing Dee look so good in it makes me want to try it more.

I have seen this lingerie set in so many photoshoots. All on very slim, petite, small breasted women. So when Dee showed me that she owned it, I knew she would rock it! She wanted to show a different, curvier body type in it, and I was so happy to help. She looks incredible!

Dee fell totally in love with my pooch Ashen, and he got in on the posing action with some cheesy grins. What a pair of cuties!

I love bralets, and this lace one was lovely! Models with great lingerie are my faves. Dee hadn't shot much lingerie recently, so I was really honoured to shoot her exclusively in her pants all day. I try so hard to promote body positivity and to show different bodies in my work, and it means the world to me that people trust me to photograph them. I don't photoshop figures, or take out scars or cellulite or stretchmarks or birthmarks, because I believe these are all the things that make us individuals, so what I present in my work is reality. The beautiful reality of gorgeous people!

And finally, a new set up, a blue room and bed. With Dee's blue eyes, there was no way I wasn't going to shoot her in it. All natural sunlight was perfect for showing off her pale skin and eyes.

Dee was a total pleasure to shoot with, and hopefully we will work together again.

I am always looking to shoot more different and beautiful babes, so please don't be afraid to get in touch! I love shooting other plus size babes in particular.

Much love,

Kitty xxx