First of all, I would like to point out that I love authenticity with photoshoots.
If I'm guna produce a photoshoot that has a theme or concept, I will do my absolute best to make it look as authentic/real as I can. I've never been a fan of the "Garage Pin up" portraits... the model is ALWAYS carrying a spanner that is WAY too big for the tiny nut or bolt she's supposedly going to undo/do up.
I like to bake, I love it. So I needed to set up the scene with at the very least some core ingredients in a vast majority of cakes haha. Even though our main intended prop for this shoot was flour!
The awesome thing about boudoir is the fact you can make your session completely your own.
You can bring any theme, any props, any suggestion to your session that you want. You are an individual, and individuals have different needs and requirements. Different things that make them happy. This was why I decided I really wanted to get into doing food boudoir. This shoot was my first attempt, and I'm pretty damn stoked with how it went.... I mean.... look at this action shot!
I count myself extremely lucky for the space I work out of... the space I call home. It's extremely private, which is not always the case for a house that boasts gorgeous natural light all day long. Though it was hard work getting there. My home was my sixth offer I'd placed over a year of looking. Not only did the abnormally large bedrooms (for a 70's home) and beautiful full sunlight suit my needs, but I fell in love with the kitchen instantly. Again, as a baker and someone who genuinely loves being in the kitchen, I need a practical space. Somewhere where everything is in the best space possible and is cleverly thought out. I'm not a big fan of butler pantries and the modern kitchen with islands in the middle. They always seem to put the dishwasher, sink and oven in the most annoying places! Part of what I love the most about my kitchen is the large window in the back, and the large "window" in the front. My kitchen actually has a wall with a servery window in between it and the lounge - this means when I'm in the kitchen I have a direct view of the front door, or can still be social with people in lounge while I'm cooking. It also means that they can't see if I accidentally make a mess or drop things on the floor ;) hahahaha
The first of the next four shots I was standing on a bench in the kitchen... the three afterwards were shot through the servery window.
You create yourself moment to moment. You are not born as a fixed entity, but only as a infinite potentiality.
Osho
My other space I'm particularly proud of, is my studio room.
I can keep the space empty, or fill it with furniture and props. For this flour shoot, I only had the two-seater couch in the room. I've always had a fondness for minimalistic work. But it mostly depends on the story you'd like to tell. For my other food boudoir shoots, I've set up the room like an actresses wardrobe. My own open wardrobe in the corner, plus a small table with some drinks and fruit. With Zoe, we were just working with flour so I needed the space with fewer distractions.
The room is fairly dark due to the colour I painted it - so I can really get some stunning silhouette effects and moody lighting.
If you'd like to give Zoe a follow or see more of her modelling work, you can find her on instagram under the handle @zoephillipsxoxo
