Photo-shoot for self initiated project

I was given the task to set my own self initiated project.  I was always a bit unsure of photography as I don't feel that it is one of my strong points.  For this reason I really wanted to push myself and set myself a task of creating a photo-shoot which was rich in colour and related to my previous work.

I have been looking into Religious iconic imagery and wanted this particular photo-shoot to represent the Mexican Guadalupe or Roman Catholic Virgin Mary.
I styled my model with some of my own jewellery and head-scarves which I thought would fit in well with the theme.
I had some old vintage beads and fabrics which I draped over my model.

I styled my model with dramatic make-up.  Bright red lips and thick eye-liner to give the photo-shoot a theatrical feel.

I took the photographs indoors, in my lounge at home.  My model lay on a raspberry coloured velvet sofa, surrounded by cushions and fake flowers.  I think the colors all fit very well together.

After I had taken the pictures I loaded them onto my computer.  I edited the photos on 'iphoto' by changing the contrast, saturation, brightness, shadows and colours.  I also added different effects such as the bright white around the edge.  I thought the white looks like a halo of light around the Virgin Mary.

Model: Lily Hollin

 

After looking at the photos I took I thought that the model also looks like a Russian Doll of a Gypsy.  I am going to use these ideas to further my work.