Prom Night

I'm not sure I like all this '51st State' shananigans we're importing from over the pond: MacDonalds is bad enough, but now our traditional qualifying dances (well that's what they were when I was a boy) have been usurped by 'Prom Nights'; complete with dress and floral wrist corsage.

Well, OK, I admit, I do love it really (though i'd like my reluctance noted for posterity); the gowns are simply spectacular and, in full dressage, the girls who wear these gorgeous creations assume all the singular aspect of walking works of art.

So, it should come as no surprise that I jumped at the chance to shoot a little prom Dress series for a local Dress Shop.

The lighting was pretty simple: two softboxes at 45 degrees camera left (f/8) and right (f/5) and a hair light, camera right (f/8), behind the girls.

The backdrop was purchased for an earlier shoot at a charity event. It doesn't look like much when it's hanging, but with light on it, it magically changes. I added a couple of curtains and tie-backs and the little stand with flowers for what, I hope, is a nice effect - considering the constraints of the studio.

The models - Caitlin, Metja, Sam, Charlie and Nicola were all courtesy of www.firststepmodels.co.uk Make-up by Nicola. Hair by Allyson.

Sam

Don't you just love working with beautiful girls?

Being a photographer has it's down moments, but then girls like Sam walk through the door and you realise that fashion photography is one of the most exciting of all art forms.

Of course, it does help if you can get on with the subject of your 'focus'; Sam was a dream to work with though; a young, shapely blonde with lots of verve and vitality, complete with that magic formula of having a good ear for direction and a determination to shine in front of the camera. And eyes - did I mention eyes? Eyes that burn like glacial fire and, and, and .....well, you have to look into their depths to understand :-))

This was only Sam's second experience of being photographed, but she took to it like the proverbial fish to water. And perhaps just as well, as this pretty youngster is going to be the subject of a lot of attention shortly as she has entered the Miss West Lothian 2011 competition.

Sam has also just signed to First Step Models in an effort to further her interest in modelling. Check out Sam's profile and get in touch with FSM if you'd like to work with this feisty young blonde.