Portrait 4 - Megan "Vintage Lace"

The fourth portrait in my Personal Portrait Project is of Megan, whom I first saw model in a local competition, and whom I've since come to know and work with as the amazingly talented owner of Liebe Bluhm vintage fashion collection.

I've always loved the portrait "A Much Screened Lady" (Gloria Swanson by Edward Steichen) which I saw at the Vanity Fair exhibition.  Since I saw the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery this particular image has certainly been one of the (many beautiful) images that has stayed with me.  As part of this project I am taking the opportunity to do my own homage to some of my favourite portraits, and when I thought of Megans portrait, this image lept to the forefront of my mind.  The image was shot at Sovereign Studio (Kate Luke Photography headquarters!), using beautiful natural light.

Megan is a very beautiful, delicate woman, and like her Grandmothers lace scarf that she is photographed behind in this image, she is also full of character, charm and grace.

I originally pictured this image in black and white, like the original - but when the image was made I also loved it in colour.  Decisions aren't my forte - SO! here are both the colour & B&W versions of this beautiful image - I love them - I hope you do too!

Megan "Vintage Lace" Copyright Kate Luke Photography 2011

Megan "Vintage Lace" Copyright Kate Luke Photography 2011

BEAST - Studio Abstracts Project

Another project I've been exploring at Sovereign Studio is creating Animal Abstract images.  It's an ongoing process and one I'm still getting a feel for lighting-wise.  Here are a couple from a session yesterday exploring some different lighting (the last one is Percival trying to get back in the studio after his session :-)).

Portrait 3 - Self portrait "The Romantic" Sovereign Studio

As part of my Personal Portrait Project, I will be doing several self portraits. This one, "The Romantic" is first cab off the rank.

Was it painful. Yes it was. The challenge of trying to get the desired pose and emotional connection with oneself was quite an uphill battle!  Definitely a battle that requires a long term commitment - as it's an important one - it is SO important to put yourself in the place of your subjects, and experience what they do.  As such I'm committed to doing several more of these during this project.

On to the meaning!  I have come to realise over the years, even though I never thought of myself as a mushy, sentimental romantic, that I am nothing short of that.  I love love, and I love that I am able to be involved in so much of it as part of my job.  So here's to LOVE! (and having the first self portrait done!)

(It didn't kill me, so it must have made me stronger!)

Sovereign Studio - Perfection, Light, Life.

After nearly a year of planning, earthworks and construction, our studio is now built and will be OPEN for business early in 2011!

The studio has been named "Sovereign Studio" and has adopted the Fleur de Lys symbol as its emblem, representing Perfection, Light and Life - three things that some up what photography is all about to us!

I'm very excited about the images that will unveil themselves during 2011 for my clients in this space - contact me for bookings or more details at mail@katelukephotography.com.au

A sneak peak inside the newly completed "Sovereign Studio"