Can you tell which of the shots are on film?  There are three.

So, last week, when I saw this tweet from @journalistSadie “Wanted: lovely lady 30s/40s, dress size 16-18 for glam photoshoot in London on Wed. Pls RT / DM me for details” I thought, 30s/40s yep, 16-18 yep, lovely lady THAT’S ME , glam photoshoot BRING IT ON!  I wrote a quick ‘tell me more’, pressed ‘send’ and then ‘eeeked’ and giggled with the thrill of having set a ball rolling.

Now, let me confess, I’m a curvy lady, and although I’m pretty cool with my body I am far, far happier being behind the camera than in front of it BUT I photograph people all the time and I encourage them to set aside their inhibitions and to be their gorgeous and handsome selves.  I thought it was about time to give it a go and see what it feels like on the other side of the lens!

That’s why, this morning, I ended up in a photography studio at a national newspaper, with beautiful make up and hair.  In support pants.  Oh yeah, did I mention that was the deal?  Glam photoshoot in SUPPORT PANTS!!  And here are the comfort zones I stepped out of:

1. being photographed, just me on my own, and not even having had one glass of wine

2. being photographed wearing an uber clingy dress without support underwear

2. being photographed to appear in the national press, so the entire nation will see my good curves AND all of my naughty, unruly ones

4. doing an interview about support underwear so the entire nation will know I love support pants

Yes, I was riding the wave of non-comfort zone and…… I LOVED IT!

I was photographed wearing two different dresses, both fairly clingy, from front and side on.  The first time, I was wearing ‘normal’ underwear and the second time wearing support underwear, which consisted of support shorts to smooth your thighs, a support body to smooth your bum, tummy and waist and a support corset to nip in my waistline.  I loved the corset and a curvier waistline, so that’s an item I may add to my wardrobe, but I would be very unlikely to wear all three items together though I think they did enhanced my shape.

The whole experience was scary (beforehand), fun and liberating.  Everyone was lovely, from Vicki (the other ‘model’ who was super slim and ‘given’ more curves using support wear), to Nina who did my makeup beautifully and my hair in glamorous curls, to Eliza the stylist (responsible for the support pants, clingy dress combo but I shan’t hold it against her),  India who took an interview and Lezli and Rose, the brilliant photographers, who gave me direction and totally made me feel at ease.

The article is out next week and I am nervous!  But heck, I am bashing comfort zones on the head so bring it on!  What’s the worst that can happen?

Being in front of the camera was great, I totally enjoyed myself and I highly recommend it! What’s more, I get to share the experience with you and a photo here on the blog (after publication).  In the meantime, I’m leaving you with this photograph of me taken by my friend Tina,  it’s one of the two photos I sent in so they could see if I was suitable for the article.

There is only one thing to do when the weather in England is against you, so Amanda bought the prettiest umbrella she could find, Steve packed the flippers and off we went…

I have to hand it to the pair of them because they were THE most fun to photograph and spend the day with, despite the continuous downpour. Such inclement weather meant thinking a little differently about how to shoot and once we’d all embraced getting drenched there was lots of hilarity which made for the most lovely shots.

Amanda & Steve chose Knole Park (& surrounds) as the location for their shoot because they are both really into keeping fit (Steve ran the Marathon des Sables last year – 6 day / 151 mile (243km) endurance race across the Sahara Desert) and they often run together around the grounds of the park.  It was a beautiful place to shoot, even in the rain, with the horizon shrouded in mist and the endless stretches of bright green ferns.  They ended up in their flippers for the final shots of the day, which was not only perfect for the weather but tied in beautifully with their wedding theme.   More to follow on that soon….

In the meantime, enjoy Amanda & Steve’s photos and please leave them some love and comments at the end of the post.  They really do deserve it!!

Shoot locations:

Ightham Mote gardens, Sevenoaks, Kent

The BucksHead Pub, Godden Green, Kent

Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent

As featured on OMG! I’m Getting Married

The more kindness and consideration you extend during a Water Dragon year, the more rewards you will reap. When you think in terms of what’s best for the group or most beneficial for a relationship, you’ll benefit greatly from all the prosperity this Chinese New Year has to offer. Anyone considering getting married or starting a business is in luck, and romances started during Dragon years are sudden, passionate and dramatic. The Year of the Water Dragon favors new endeavors of all kinds!  Excerpt from The Huffington Post.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Processed with a mix of my own LR presets & VSCO films

A note: I was born in the year of the rat.  This means I am ‘an intriguing conversationalist, amazingly charitable, supportive, loyal, observant, love to travel and ignite my curiosity and I can melt hearts with my smiles’!!  I am also ‘prudent and perceptive’ which might be why I’ve only told you the fabulous bits!

What year were you born in and how does your Chinese horoscope sum you up?

The room was full of hilarity, festive cheer and delicious food all afternoon.  Hela and Annie completely surprised everyone with a spontaneous gig from the busker they’d found performing on the streets of Portobello, who rocked the joint and had us all singing along and dancing.  Everyone ended up in the bar downstairs late into the night.  What a party!!

Thank you for inviting me fabulous ladies of Sister Snog and enjoy your photos!

(Sister Snog is a selective club. A tribe and a social network. Members are smart-sassy-brand-savvy business women).

Party hostesses with the mostesses: SisterSnog

Venue: First Floor Restaurant, Notting Hill

Balloon creations: Miss Ballooniverse (a portrait of Miss Ballooniverse)

Music: I didn’t get his name, which is a big shame because he really was great.  If anyone recognises him, let me know and I’ll credit him by name here

Check Miss Ballooniverse’s website and blog, like her on Facebook and leave her some fabulous comments below!