Diva Cafe

Boudoir for Boys

2008-08-09T09:06:00.007+01:00

I have thought about shooting some sexy boy shots for well ... a very long time. My model needed some coaxing for well...a very long time. He is none other than my sickeningly good looking and fit other half. He hates as most blokes do getting his picture taken and so the ever so gentle but proudly female art of manipulation began. I showed him some shots of Matthew McConaughy and said " Boy you look just like him...I then moved onto the Armani campaign with David Beckham and said " Seriously sweetie you could so pull off this style of shot". A glint of a twinkle and a smirk developed and he said " Okay I'll do it"

The rest is history and ....he liked it, loved the shots and I loved shooting him.

Roll on Boudoir for the Boys

Time for some Free Feel Good Factor

2008-07-11T12:15:00.004+01:00

We are on the brink of a doom and gloom recession, the british summer is so depressing so I decided to hair pin turn it on its head and share some free "wont be affected by the oil prices" love and happiness.

Thanks Dawn Sheilds for posting this on your xanga blog, it's an all time pick me upper!

Thanks to Bob Proctor for sharing this also, it isnt a fake video for the band , this guy Juan Mann actually goes out onto the streets and gives free hugs.
From Bob's insight of the day the condensed version of this video story goes..
Shimon Moore, the lead singer of "The Sick Puppies" happened to see Juan. They hugged and became friends. Moore borrowed a video camera and filmed Juan giving hugs. When Mann's grandmother died, Moore put the video together with his band's song called, "All The Same" and posted the video on "YouTube" with the following caption:"Sometimes, a hug is all we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, a man whose sole purpose mission was to reach out and hug a stranger, to brighten up their lives."The video was a hit. It spread around the world. Juan has appeared on Oprah and several other major television shows. His idea continues to gain support and grow.

Enjoy life, Hug, Dance & Be Happy!

Krazy, Kooky, Kool Inspiration from LMC Students

2008-04-14T09:30:00.013+01:00

MARCH 2008

I have some great friends with awesome talent, My best friend Tracie (a hair, make up and photography lecturer at Lancaster & Morecambe College) allowed me to hang out and shoot her level 3 students work this year for their huge catwalk fashion Finale "Revival"
It always astounds me how incredibily creative these students are-I love how they think out of the box and pretty much anything goes. We had a very basic studio set up 2 x Bowen 250w strobes and a white sheet for a back drop. A little post production art work and we got some fantastic images. Heres a few of my favourites... what do you think of my new logo?

This is a new idea I'm playing around with, a sort of vintage mounted polaroid with a relevant Quote added

In Search of My Style

2008-01-25T21:18:00.000Z

I have pondered and wandered through the massive archive I have established and it struck me there are only a few images that I really really like. Bingo- theres a connection surely, the images that I'm most drawn to must reflect what my emotional perspective is and therefore in some instinctive way my style.I know technically and creatively that I will evolve and definitely need to, but there does seem to be a deeper psychological reason that all photographers have for wanting to capture images in their own unique way.

If your a photographer reading this post then I encourage you to do just that, look at the underlying theme that your favourite images have. It will be there and ask yourself "what does the way I see, say about me"Heres just a sample of my favourites that I'm drawn to what do you think it says about me and my style...I'm curious so feel free to comment. I know what I think I'm discovering and I'll share that in my next post, along with a few more insightful images.

Diva Fever 2008

2008-01-25T20:18:00.000Z

A new year and so as always a new perspective. It's funny how as people we have this desire to reflect and redefine who we are and what our purpose is at the end of one year and the start of another (I wonder who came up with the idea of New Years Resolutions?)
So what are your goals for 2008?
Have you set some..or have they gone by the wayside already.
The thing is you need to have something to aim for otherwise we all just bumble about never getting anywhere, being stuck in a rut and muddling through life with no real purpose.
So go forth and set your goals for 2008, make sure they mean something and you are without question passionate about them. If there's no passion , then your goals won't be achieved, no matter how extreme or bizarre your passions and dreams may seem, if it gets you excited your on your way.
Life is meant to be exciting, an adventure so get the Diva Fever pitch running high and follow your dreams.
I will set the ball rolling and am happy to share mine for 2008, check back to see how I progress

Diva Goals 2008

Grow my business through new and exciting projects
Improve my health and energy
Travel to a new destination
Connect with more like minded people
Live each day with gratitude and passion
Commit to develop and find my photography style