Of all my recent shoots, my collaboration with Courtney, a makeup artist from SweetFX, stands out. Courtney is building a career in film and television makeup and needed to grow her portfolio, so we planned an Adam Ant inspired shoot.
Adam Ant, or Stuart Leslie Goddard, is the English musician who fronted Adam and the Ants in the late 70s and early 80s. His flamboyant style, mixing historical, military, punk and Native American looks, was our starting point.
His best-known look used a white stripe of makeup from forehead to chin across the nose. We also drew on his wardrobe, from pirate frock coats, knee-high boots and frilly shirts to military jackets with gold buttons, braiding and epaulettes. It was theatrical where the era’s punk was minimal.
To model, we had Lauren, also known as the Goth Cowgirl, a blues and Americana singer I’d photographed before for her record cover. She is completely at ease in front of the camera, and with Courtney’s makeup the results blended Adam Ant’s style with a punk edge.
Courtney adapted the signature white stripe and built the look on Lauren, an echo of the 80s icon reworked for now. The moment Lauren stepped in front of the camera, each pose nodded to Ant’s theatricality while staying true to her own personality.
We shot this as headshot work at our studio near Woodbridge in Ipswich, Suffolk. The style stretched what a headshot can be, and it was a good reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere.
For a closer look, there’s a behind-the-scenes video of the shoot on YouTube.
You can see more of my portrait and creative photography. We’re always glad to take on a shoot with a bit of ambition to it, right here near Woodbridge.
Model portfolio photography
Building your modelling portfolio?
I photograph new and experienced models across Suffolk. Session details, pricing and booking are all on the aspiring models page.