Rachel Nicholson: Backseat Hollywood

Rachel, the ever-wonderful make-up artist is modelling for me again. Hooray.

I mentioned to Rach about 3-4 months ago that I had a couple of ideas/shots I really wanted to try, if she would be so kind as to be my subject on a couple of evenings for some of them. All of these ideas are still yet to be executed as I haven’t had the time. I've got so many things in here *points to where brain should be* and I can't put them onto photo!

But as mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been incredibly photo-hungry of late. One idea I had was shooting beauty or fashion within in a car, but of course, for that to work, you need access to a nice car!!!

With that in mind, Rachel and her significant other, Simon, motor photographer (www.simonamphlett.co.uk) were due over for dinner on Friday 11^th May. So thinking of Simon and Rachel it suddenly hit me- Simon has a Jaguar s-type. Red leather and mahogany interior… it was too brilliant.

(this is his car in the dark)

(More of his photography can be found here: www.flickr.com/amphlett)

I texted Simon: “Simon, would you mind if I did a photoshoot with Rach in the back of your car?”… and then waited…

… for about 3 minutes and then as he didn’t respond (probably working), I texted Rach: “Rach, I want you in the back of Si’s car”…. She knew what I meant. Luckily, otherwise that friendship could have gotten mighty awkward.

So my impatience had caught the attention of one of them. Now to get the pictures taken tonight.

Rachel asks when.

I say "Tonight! Just kidding." (I wasn't kidding)

and then I say, "Well unless you CAN do it tonight?"

So she does. I love Rachel so much.

Comedy moment however is Simon texting back a bazillion hours later to say 'sure' and when was I thinking... Oops.

:D

So they got to us about 8pm. Martin was cooking dinner and Si pulled up to the kerb outside the house. Rach was dolled up with her stunning make-up done to perfection, in a lovely black evening dress... and her Converse pumps.

Hello, I didn't realise we were expecting Kristen Stewart for dinner?

Anyway, we got right on it while the boys talked about boy stuff.

Pushed the front seats right forwards (as far as they would go), set up one light in the window, naked, no softbox or honeycomb, and one up from the floor. Both with their modelling lights on full rather than using the flash as otherwise it was too bright. I did consider the softboxes but they're a lot of hassle for a quick shoot. We only had until dinner was ready! Eep!

I got all snap happy and Rachel chilled out in the backseat, looking all lovely.

I had a go with my amazing new portrait lens (Canon 50mm f/1.4 for those who missed it last time and might care... ) which got me my favourite shot, here:

And also the Tamron to get a bit more in.

Love this one!

I did also have some on which I did use the flash but I think you'll agree that the warmer colour (above) is better for these shots...

Get a load of those sapphire-blues though!

I still quite like these ones... Rachel being in them helps, 'cause she just looks this fantastic all the time. *jealous*



It's quite a common thing actually, that you get gorgeous make-up artists working with you that you think should be the model...


... but I think I've found the prettiest. :D \o/


Can't wait to do some more.