What is beauty to you?
Beauty to me the effect you have on others. Many forms of beauty exist such as beautiful bodily features, beautiful styling of clothing, beautiful mannerisms. Beauty is whatever you connect with and leaves a lasting positive effect. Beauty is also in someones energy - how they make you feel to be around them.
How would you prepare for a photoshoot?
Drink lots of water a few days beforehand to hydrate skin, but also to stop water retention. I choose my outfits a day or two before, and create a mood board either on my phone or in my head of how I want the shoot to look and feel. I get up earlier and take my time to get ready, as being stressed & flustered on a shoot isn’t a good look!
How do you feel when you are photographed?
Being photographed is a journey of ups and downs - there’s the first stage of nerves and apprehension, but also excitement.. followed by a little insecurity (I hope my hair looks ok, my legs don’t look fat etc you know that voice we all try so hard to ignore!) Then it moves into a hell yeah I got this! You see some of the images with Helen and its like, wow is that even me? I always experience these waves of different emotions when being photographed - its very insightful.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone who is nervous about having their photograph taken?
Relax, play your favourite empowering music & don’t worry about imperfections - they make you, you! And after a few mins take a quick look back at the work you’ve created and see how wonderful you are! This will spur on the next stage of your shoot.
Have you picked up any good tips during photoshoots?
Turn your face towards the light, try and be candid, be natural - the natural you, is the best you! Have props if you are nervous or feeling awkward. If you are not sure what to do with your hands then fiddle with something - your hair, shirt collar, prop of some sort. This will relax you and also give a nice candid feel to a photograph.
What has been your favourite photoshoot and why?
My favourite shoot was in Bali - I found the photographer on Instagram. I was lucky that he was in the same area as me and willing to work with me. It was such a dreamy day exploring out on the moped together, finding cool back drops and interesting colours etc. I even got naked on the beach for some shots, which felt great! I absolutely adore the photos - I look happy and glowing.
You are a highly experienced yoga teacher with years of teaching. What is the practice of yoga to you? What does it mean to you?
Yoga for me has changed from a physical practice, to a way of life. Yoga brings you closer to your true self. I try very hard each day to do the things that bring me to my true self, which is an expression of love and joy. Yoga helps me to be in every moment with presence and curiousity. The breath and mediation practice is more powerful to me these days with stretches to condition myself after all the ‘outdoorsy’ things I do now. My teaching has changed a lot since moving to Suffolk and becoming winter. I really enjoy the transitional periods my teaching style goes through - it flows with the currents of the time.
Do you think yoga can help people deal with the daily stresses that life can through at us? What changes could we see to our mind & bodies?
It effects every body differently and you will get out of it exactly what you need and more. On a scientific level is calms the parasympathetic nervous system, which is your stress response mode. Instantly, you will feel physically and mentally more relaxed, with lots of other benefits like better sleep and digestion, weight loss etc.
How could yoga & meditation be beneficial to someone before a photoshoot?
It could help to calm nerves and also help to visualise the outcome of the shoot through mediation. Yoga will provide better posture and help to relax the body, which will give a more natural look to your photographs.
BEHIND THE SHOOT: MAKEUP ARTIST
What is beauty to you?
Beauty comes from someone’s personal spirit. Our physical presence is only a small part of our beauty.
What do you love most about makeup?
It’s an enhancement tool, so it’s great to add and elaborate on what someone has already. It’s like the cherry on top!
Why is makeup important for a photo shoot - even if you want a ‘natural' look?
It is like an airbrushing tool to smooth out, add colour , texture and/or depth to the face & eyes. To create an interesting version of someone that, of course, they will like because it is an enhanced version of themselves.
What is the best advice you could give to someone who is nervous about having their photo taken?
It’s just an experience and even if they are nervous, to try to learn something about themselves from it. It’s interesting to put yourself out of your comfort zone once in a while - no one is going to die (!) so try to keep it in perspective.
Have you picked up any good tips from clients or photographers during a shoot?
Sometimes fiddling with your cuff or jewellery whilst being photographed occupies the mind and is captured as a moment in time that’s private. This can work lovely as a picture.
How should people prepare their skin before a photo shoot & what would be your favourite skincare product(s)? Freshly washed, natural and clean. It’s a shame if people arrive with make up on because you have to take it off to start and their face could be irritated & red. I like British organic skincare like Votary or Oskia
If someone is applying their own makeup for a branding shoot or family shoot for example, what advice do you have?
Anything is fine, just keep it light, with fresh skin. No hard lines or heavy black eyes. A nice blended and soft approach.
In your opinion, what are the most common hair/make up mistakes?
To much!! Hard lines, heavy handed and to much lipliner well over the lip line.
Who is your favourite person you have worked with on a photoshoot & why?
To many to say, but it’s a pleasure to watch women of any age who are really comfortable in their own skin, completely at ease in front of the camera and who totally understand the creative process.
How do you feel when you are photographed yourself? I have had to learn over the years to just get on with it and I don’t make a fuss. I’m not confident with my looks and am always a bit disappointed - not with the photo, but with the way I look - in my head I’m way better looking (laughs), but I have learnt to rationalise this and see it as a healthy part of self discovery.