Parasol and Silhouette’s

Sometimes it's good to just play. We experimented with backlit semi-silhouettes and a Japanese parasol with professional dancer and choreographer Laura. I'm loving how the light just kisses the edges of her body and highlights her decolletage in these. I have some work to do on perfecting the background, but I am loving the effect. We concocted a make-shift screen with sheer voiles and placed my studio lights behind it.

Inspired by an image I'd seen on Pinterest I purchased a vintage Japanese parasol to add to our studio prop collection. We quickly learnt that if Laura was in-between the light and the parasol her shadow magnified. This wasn't flattering, so we concentrated on having the parasol behind her.

We followed on with the Japanese theme with our beautiful red kimono. I took full advantage of her elegant hand movements to compliment the sensual drape of the fabric.

While we were in the mood for trying something new, I had a go at firing the light through our wooden changing screen. This created interesting shadows on her body. I have always liked photographs with unusual patterns of light like this from lace, foliage, slatted blinds etc. Something I will be incorporating more into work if it suits the woman’s style.

Last of all I used a one light look, placed to the back right of her for a low key look. Definitely something I can incorporate more into my sessions.

With thanks to my model Laura, who absolutely rocked it!

“I loved working with Helen – her work epitomises women empowering other women!”