Luke Shot Me, While I Was Shooting Sonny, Who Was Shooting Annabella Barber At The Time

And the sign said

That’s right, kids.

It’s another jocular-laden account of what goes on behind the scenes of a photo shoot.

9th January, this year was really, bloody hot.

Just like last time I took behind the scenes pictures with Michael Azzolini styling up a storm, at Stockton sand dunes.

Just like that day , too, we had a pre-dawn start for a long drive, with the Pix location van in tow – it was carrying the equipment, and the clothes.

Bleary-eyed (some more than others, but I won’t mention any names, Michael), we all headed for the hills – Michelle driving the Pix van and assisting Sonny, Luke Davis from DLM doing hair, Liz Kelsh from 2c Management doing make-up, and Annabella Barber from (my old stomping ground) Priscillas as our gorgeous and super-cooperative model for the day. Once we got to the hills – the Blue Mountains – we kept going.

Windamere Dam is about 90km past Lithgow, on the way to Mudgee, so even with such an early start, by the time we got there, hair and make-up were done, Annabella was dressed and first location chosen, it was midday before Sonny could take his first shot.

Cudgegong Waters Park is a caravan and camping ground on the banks of the river/dam. We had a cabin to use for the day, and the managers helped us out with boats when we needed them.

It has the best campsite bathroom I have ever seen. Look. Flowers, a waiting chair, even magazines to read!

But back to the business of fashion

Outdoor steam-room. The machine was almost superfluous with the heat of the day.

Michael puts tape on the soles of the shoes to protect them, so they can go back to the shop…

… while Sonny chooses locations

Those scouts are either pretty tough, or quite scary.

The cruel irony of the glamorous world of a fashion model is that you will invariably be wearing the winter clothes in summer and the bikinis in the depths of winter…

…add to that, 8 inch heels, and trees in water to balance on, and it’s no wonder that Annabella is now popping up in absolutely every magazine you open. She just dived right in and did it all; boiling hot, uncomfortable, balancing precariously and no complaints! That girl rocked.

Sonny sets up, ready for 1st Shot

Quick look at those pictures…

…then it’s back to the van…

…to get ready for Shot #2

Again with eyes to match the legs

Sonny shows us his idea.

Bella does her version of it, but the pink dress, the water, just makes me think of Nick Cave’s song, Where The Wild Roses Grow. Annabella would be Kylie Minogue in it.