Asian model Yoo Yoo first look in a two girl shoot with Supple Suki. Solo Images.

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Yoo Yoo came all the way up from London to do this shoot with me at the studio and I am glad she did. She first contacted me through a model/photographers web site asking about bookings and possible shoot. A native of China, she was great and really worked well with Suki, but these are her solo images. Thanks then to Yoo Yoo for coming all that way, I hope it was worth it and look forward to a second shoot sometime in Autumn time.


March Flower Updates

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We had another great selection of flowers to snap from our friends at The Brmbles Florist and Flowers To Yours. Including a lily that stunk the house out … in a nice way of course. I know the month has come to an end when I take flower images and a visit to the florist on the final friday of the month. Thanks then to Chris and his staff at The Bramble Florist and Flowers To Yours. A shout also to my wife Amy for her assistance on the shoot.

Thats it for this month, be sure to drop by at the end of April for more. X


February Updates, welcome back Aasiya, hello Elle Jones and goodbye Norma Jean

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Welcome back all to my little piece of the internet.

Its been a bitterly cold month this month and still very little rain to show for itself. I fear this will mean more water shortages problems later in the year if we don't get any down pours soon.

Both Amy and I were in the studio twice this month and will be twice again in March, so its all go. We managed to fit in a second shoot with the lovely Aasiya Azeemali and a themed shoot session with the amazing Elle Jones. Both at The Boardroom Studio in Derby.

This month I have been planning a shoot to take place later in the year (June) in my parents garden when its at its best. I have chosen Maryna Sedin, the Ukrainian model I worked with last year to do the biddings on the day. So I really hope for good weather on the day. I know this goes against what I said in the previous paragraph, but on this day – No Rain Please !! we have other shoots coming up before then with some very lovely and colourful models to work with, some new, some returning for another go in front of the lens.

So that's a short round up for a short month … oh and it was me birthday this month. 21 …. again !

So hello Elle Jones and goodbye Norma Jean …. scroll down and see.

Enjoy the blog x

An hour in the life cycle of BBC News 24

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I was bored one day, something that does not happen very often as when I do feel bored, I just go to sleep. End of problem. But this time I grabbed my camera and tasked myself to find things of interest on BBC News 24 channel in one hour. Surprisingly I found and a variety of different things including Rihanna at the Super Bowl, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Government select committees, Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, The war in the Ukraine.weather reports, and Boris Johnsons financial shenanigans. Not bad for one hours worth of news? And highlighting the fact that I either have nothing better to do with my time, or too much time on my hands. You decide.


Project – 'Noir et Blanc' Update

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Just a few random things I photographed this month like hard boiled eggs and a cheap Coca Cola novelty camera from America to add to the project. There is no rhyme or rhythm about doing these, they were just there and available so I snapped them. Although I do have an idea to see if I am allowed to do a few snaps of an old greasy spoon cafe in town that might be interesting. We will see. Watch this space

Aasiya Azeemali Second Shoot.- Specials

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Just a few special images that have had the extra frequency separation Photoshop process done on them and a slightly different colouring palette to finish them off.

Aasiya Azeemali Second Shoot

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First shoot back in the studio after the new year break and a chance to do some serious portrait stuff with Aasiya Azeemali again. I had promised her a second shoot, with it a full makeup job as well. The lovely Aasiya has such a beautiful smooth completion it is hard to put a foot wrong and instead of seeing a hijab wearing model as a problem to photograph, but rather a challenge. Makeup was provided by Shadrine at Kavour Beauty and studio / lighting by Phil Lynam at The Boardroom Studio in Derby. Amy was on hand as always to help me. Big thanks to all involved on that day.


Elle Jones model in the style of Norma Jean Baker shoot

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During our last visit to see my parents I managed to watch a film on Netflix called 'Blondie.' I had previously heard some music from it and had downloaded it, so was curious to see the movie. It is a bio pic of the life of Norma Jean Baker (aka Marilyn Monroe). While not the greatest film I had ever seen it was not that bad either. This is despite the film getting a critical panning and a Golden Turkey award for its troubles. It did however contain some very sexually graphic and disturbing scenes that were both pertracted and uncomfortable to watch. Especially that is when your Mum is in the same room watching it with you !!! But it did show Norma Jean Baker as a very troubled and lonely woman bereft of a father figure in her life and early death. Very human with all our complications and far from the sex symbol and icon she has become today. So in the end it is quite a moving film in many ways. Norma Jean certainly did not deserve the abuse and treatment she got at the hands of the men in her life, Hollywood or the press. Sad.

Anyway, film critique aside, it did get me thinking of doing a shoot along the lines of some of her most iconic looks and pictures. And to this end I needed a model to pull this off … Enter fashion model Elle Jones.

Elle Jones and I had been contacting each other regarding doing something together in the studio for a long time. Since way before COVID came along, so I thought she would be perfect for the job. And she was. While not a blond like Marilyn, these images are not so much a carbon copy but rather a 'In the style of ….' look. Elle was brilliant and slayed the job completely. Shadrine at Kavour Beauty provided the hair and makeup and Phil Lynam provided the studio and lighting. Amy was as always my assistant. So I would like to give a big thank you to all there and for making these Elle Jones in the style of Norma Jean Baker pictures worth a second glance

February Flower Update

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Here are some flower pictures Amy and I created this month after visiting The Brambles Florist a few days before. We got to shoot a tulip flower this month which is a sign to me that spring is around the corner and with it a good variety of beautiful flowers to come. Thanks as always to our friends in the Brambles Florist, and Flowers To Yours, Chris and the ladies. Thanks also to Amy for her help.

That's it for this month. I hope you enjoyed it and come back again soon.

X

January Updates and welcome back for the New Year 2023.

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Welcome back to Lujon Rael Portfolio, I do hope you had a great Christmas and New Year?

Amy and I spent some quality time with my Mum and Dad down at their place in Northamptonshire, so it was just nice to have a scene change and to see them both again.

Aside from that it has been fairly quiet this month. Mainly on account that its too bloody cold and everyone is skint after the Christmas binge. There has not even been a trip up to see all my friends (?) at Clinic 8 for a change, although I am now getting appointments to see me a few times this coming February. Oh what fun we shall have, I Can’t wait !! Better things to look forward to this coming February is another shoot with Aasiya Azeemali who we last snapped in November. This will be a head and shoulders beauty shots of Aasiya wearing a few different hijabs and makeup provided by Shadrine from Kavour Beauty.As well as this,a second shoot later in the month with new model to me Elle Jones will take place. The theme of this shoot is a nod to the late Norma Jean Baker in style. Both shoots will be held at The Boardroom Studio in Derby.

It only leaves me to say I hope you enjoy this months offerings

x

Commercial Update

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This January I got out and about to photograph some bouquets of flowers for Valentines day on location at Brambles Florist. It was great fun. If a bit cold, but nice to get out for a change. Thanks then to Chris and the ladies at Brambles Florist for their help and cups of tea on the job.

Still Life Update

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Just a little something new taken back at the very end of December in my desktop light tent. A very high key still life in blue. There was only one of it so not a huge amount of stuff to show here this month, but I am pleased with the outcome.

Monalisa First Shoot of 2023 'Fashion 30

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There was not supposed to be a photo shoot this January as I needed a rest, but I got itchy fingers. No that does not mean I went out shoplifting, rather I called up my old fried Monalisa Moyo to see if she was up to an impromptu shoot at my house. And she was thankfully.

These pictures were taken in my sparse bathroom which is safe to say is not the parlay Ritz, but with some powdered milk in the bath water and on a cold day outside, we got the task done in one take. Thanks then to lovely fashion model, my friend, Monalisa Moyo for her time.


Project – 'Noir et Blanc' Update

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In a town called Rushden, there is a great shopping complex called 'Rushden Lakes.' I love going there as there is this shop called magazine heaven or something like that and its the only one in the whole of the UK. Its packed to the gunnels with magazines of all types. I normally buy a few fashion pieces (of which there is a lot the choose from) for future shoot inspiration. Needless to say, it great there. They also have a little cafe on the first floor that serves up teas and coffees as well as food. The cafe has an ambiance and charm all of its own that I tried to capture here in this section, from the counter to the lighting and tea pots.

So another thanks to my parents for introducing us to the shop. X


Project – 'Lujon Fressonique' Update

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I had intended to do some more of these styled images at the December shoot with model Mercybongo, but never got around to it. So its back on the flowers again for this time and a new cream background, rather than the old sandpaper I photographed it against in previous sessions.


Project - Abstract' Update

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On the abstract theme again, I snapped some things around my parents house like their kitchen blinds and clothes bin because of there patterns and abstractness. Since that time I have not done any more, but I shall remedy that I hope this February. So more to come I hope.