With this set of images I set out to challenge traditional ‘Haute Couture’ photography by adding elements of alt culture, here with Ruth Mooney’s tattoos, piercings and shoes.

This first shot is a take on the classic dressing table shot, cheekily posed up with her feet on the table and showing off her skate shoes, ankle tattoo and tongue piercing. The composition works well with her body and head on the left 3rd line and her feet on the right, her expression (aided by my rubbish jokes, handy in the arsenal of any photographer) gives the cheeky / spoof feeling more power.

Settings: Canon 50D, Canon 50mm f/1.8 set to f/5.0 at 1/250s, ISO100, two Proline 180W flash heads, one each side in front of the model with translucent brolly (left of frame) and a softbox (right of frame).

This second shot is a take on the classic implied nude / topless. Ruth was fully clothed but dropped the sraps of her dress off of her shoulders. Nicola Pantazis, MUA, placed the diamontes on Ruth’s lip to look like piercings and with her hair up this shows more skin, making the shot more visually pleasing and tantilising to the eye.

Her tattoo makes a great element in the frame leading the eye up to her hair and this shot proves that beauty can include alternative elements, in this case it adds to the shot making it more interesting and all the more beautiful.

Settings: Canon 50D, Canon 50mm f/1.8 set to f/5.6 at 1/250s, ISO100, two Proline 180W flash heads, one each side in front of the model with translucent brolly (left of frame) and a softbox (right of frame).

Once again, thanks to Karen Herbert at The Whitehall Hotel, Broxted for the use of the Penthouse / Bridal suite, to Nicola Pantazis Makup Artist and to my beautiful assistant Judy for their help with this shoot.
Last but not least thanks to Ruth Mooney and Chloe Ruffell for giving up their time for this, it’s much appreciated.

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