TO BE OR NOT TO BE: Shanna is the question!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing with you some beautiful pictures of the intriguing Shanna Jackway from Pride Models. I always love my Adelaide adventures because there's a wealth of fabulous new faces to work with, some of which I'll be sharing with you shortly. You may recognise Shanna from her recent appearances in Australian Vogue, Russh and one of my personal favourites, Black Magazine.

I'd heard wonderful things about Shanna via kiwi photographer David Shields so when the opportunity came up to shoot together I setup a studio with the ever charming Becca Gilmartin on makeup and Ashleigh Janssen on styling. Shanna truly is a unique beauty who not only has massive potential, but the calm approach required to keep a steady focus in this somewhat chaotic business! And I think the final pictures speak for themselves!

FRESH FLOWERS: Arts & Crafts time...

Several months ago I sat down with Becca Gilmartin, the fabulously talented makeup and body artist, to have a brainstorm session with her. A particular brand had approached me about wanting me to create some unusual pictures and I thought it would be fun to incorporate her body art. We set a challenge to try and create movement within the visual illusion which we hadn't seen in body art photography before. So up we got at the crack of dawn to buy some fresh flowers, then back to the studio to paint the lovely Liliane Pearl who generously lent us her lovely long limbs. We started by painting her blue, then Becca etched this beautiful tree on her back with branches extending from each human arm. We then created a cap made out of real petals and proceeded to photograph Liliane holding the flowers from different angles whilst a wind machine blew the petals to create the movement. The final result is the visual puzzle you see before you. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. Sometimes it's fun to step away from the world of fashion!

PS: The birdy on the shoulder is real, courtesy of the pet shop!

PROUD AS PUNCH: It's Fresh Face Time!

Laura

Hello my lovelies! Sorry it's been so long since I posted... Everything got really REALLY busy there for a while with everything coming at once! I'm super keen to share with you all that I've been working on... My latest campaign has launched for Myer Miss Shop and Pedestrian TV, I've got an Alice McCall campaign which will be hitting the streets shortly and I'm finishing up my first film which has led me on an unusual personal journey over the last few months. I also have wonderful new representation which I will be sharing with you shortly. All in all, it's been one of the most challenging periods of my life, but also one of the most rewarding, as I've learnt that you discover a lot about yourself and those around you in the process of chasing your dreams. 

As always I've been travelling around the country and this time have ended up in Adelaide, working with a bevy of beauties from Pride Models. I've had an amazing time, being treated to some wonderful South Australian hospitality, and I'm excited to share with you some of the dynamic new faces that peaked my interest! Starting with these two beauties... Laura above and Sedale below. 

Laura reminds me of those cool eighties french beauties that you see in old school Vogue. At only 14, she already has a lot of international interest but there's no rush as she's in the development period and I'm a big believer in taking your time when it comes to modelling. 17 year old Sedale captivated me with her aboriginal heritage and her exquisite baby doll features. She moved beautifully in front of the camera, and I can't wait to share with you her other pictures. I think she's definitely one to keep an eye on! My partner in crime during this trip has been makeup artist Becca Gilmartin who provided these sensational beauty looks. Perth used to be known as the place to find amazing models, but with all the unique new faces emerging from Adelaide it looks like the game is beginning to change. And as I always say, there's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition! 

Sedale

DANGER DANGER: Nicole Pollard - high voltage!

When I first met the strikingly amazonian Nicole Pollard from Chic I got the distinct impression that she's quite the street wise beauty. Repped by Next in the big apple, she returned to our shores from an exceptional New York fashion week debut, booking twelve shows no less. A great response for someone dipping their toes in the international market. Beyond the hype though, you can see that her take on what seems to be a blossoming career is done with a steady focus and appreciation for all opportunities presented. You'll be seeing a lot more of Nicole over the next year, and hopefully so will I! In the meantime, here are a couple of snaps to get you in the mood. Styled by the uber talented Sarah Birchley, a rising style talent in her own right, and beauty by resident genius Lauren McCowan - the pictures reveal the fiery spark that Nicole delivers to the lens. Bam!

VIXEN EYES: Olivia Thornton - The New Heartbreaker

During the course of 2011, over many industry gossip sessions with my girlfriends, I was amazed by how many straight girls seemed to have a crush on Viviens face Olivia Thornton. She seems to be the thinking woman's beauty! That said though, I'm sure the same spell is cast over the various men who cross her path! I spotted her for the first time in the flesh working it at the Jaime Lee runway show at Sydney Fashion Week, then enjoyed reading her model diary for Pedestrian TV. 

Both of us are originally from Queensland, so when we managed to escape our various families over the silly season, we got together to take some pictures which I'm very happy with. I'm surprised she hasn't shot for Vogue or Harpers yet, but not surprised to discover that she's recently signed with DNA models in New York. 2012 will be your year Olivia - you are one very cool lady! A special thanks to Lauren McCowan for providing sensational hair and makeup as usual, and the uber lovely Sarah Birchley for styling! Make sure you follow all these talented babes on twitter - and add me while you're at it!

TORI TRIGG: My Beautiful Mystery

I think that if a young Jennifer Connelly and Brooke Shields were to have a love child - the final result would be something like the beautiful Tori Trigg. Originally hailing from the lovely land of Adelaide, Tori somehow bypassed Sydney all together, securing a global contract with IMG management. Whisked straight off to the fashion capital of Paris, Tori debuted with an impressive three couture shows (a seperate entity to the traditional Paris fashion week) which is mighty impressive for a fresh face. Her mother agency is Pride and her NZ agent is Red 11 - but its going to be hard task to track this one down as she`ll be based in New York as of the beginning of January. However, in true Thom Kerr fashion, I managed to track her down before she dissapeared! Hence this sneaky beauty shot with hair and makeup by the talented Stacy Lee Ghin... with more pictures on the way. Tori, like many aussie models, possesses a down to earth nature combined with an easy going personality. It also helps that she`s totally beautiful. Keep your eye out on this lovely lass, I see an interesting career ahoy!

CODIE YOUNG: Age of Aquarius!

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius! Age of Aquarius! Oh Yeah Baby! I don't know about you guys but I've had some major changes going on in my life over the last few months. A lot of my friends are having very similar experiences. My advice, you just got to roll with it! Life seems to be getting more and more exciting! The challenges get bigger, the risks get higher, the rewards become greater! My lovely friend Elliot Ward-Fear messaged me this morning to make sure that I send out positive affirmations to the universe today - as it's the 11th of the 11th of 2011. A whole lotta 11's! Whoaaaaa! So I've done mine, now it's your turn! Meanwhile, here is a psychedelic beauty outtake of Codie Young from the Elliot Ward-Fear campaign to get you into that free spirited frame of mind! I can't wait to show you our spread for Black Magazine - it's truly awesome. In the meantime, this should suffice!