Last time I was at home in Dublin, about 2 weeks ago, I had the chance to shoot with photographer Gareth Byrd. I've been a huge fan of his work for a long time so was thrilled when we started corresponding regarding working together. The shoot took place on an unused dairy farm in North Co. Dublin. It was fantastic! The place was full or interesting nooks and crannies, brightly painted rooms that had fallen into glorious decay, old barns stacked to the roof with wooden crates, and artfully mould-dappled walls. I found some pretty cool creepy crawlies too, including a zebra-striped spider eating a fly, and an abandoned butterfly caccoon that I took with me to show to my 4-year-old nephew.

The location

"Zebra" spider eating lunch 

Insects, spiders and other bugs have always fascinated me, ever since I was little. As a child, I hated that I was a girl and went out of my way to be a boyish as possible. That included shunning dolls and girly toys of all kinds (except Polly Pockets, they were too much fun), loving anything to do with insects and dinosaurs, demanding my hair be cut short,  and wearing dungarees and little Dr Martens constantly. My Mam likes reminding me how anytime she tried to put me in a dress I'd get sick all over it so I wouldn't have to wear it!! What a delightful child I was!

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Gareth had a lighting assistant on hand for the day named Michelle who was an absolute dote and even brought along a picnic for us :) 

Yummy

We got a huge amount done in a very short amount of time. We had about 3 hours to prep and shoot as everyone was quite restricted timewise, but we got an impressive amount of poses, looks and locations shot. Gareth used a combination of natural and artificial light, to wonderful effect. I kept my makeup simple and natural to start with as the focus was on the posing and composition, and then added red lipstick and dark eye makeup later on for some portrait shots. I am so delighted with what we managed to achieve, and absolutely adore the results. Gareth was fantastic to work with, encouraging, relaxed, knowledgeable and fun. Michelle was a complete sweetheart and I hope I get the chance to work with both of them again in the future. 

Here are the shots, can't choose a favourite!

I am VERY excited. I have finally come to a decision that could change my life forever. I am going to follow my dream. I mean actually follow my dream. None of this famous actress/singer/whatever nonsense. I'm going to return to college in 2013, study zoology for 4 years and perhaps after a Masters or doctorate I will get to do what I have wanted to do since I was a little girl - research, study and maybe even live among penguins!! I am obsessed, OBSESSED with penguins and everything about them. I believe they are the most wonderful creatures on earth. I'm going to apply to a number of the better universities in Ireland and as I'll be a mature student I won't have to enter through the points system. I'm leaning mostly towards NUIG, and maybe UCC as I've heard their Zoology departments are excellent. I know I'm looking really far into the future with the whole thing but I am so excited about getting started. I've been thinking about doing it for a while but only in the past few days have I given the idea proper consideration. I've been feeling completely unmotivated the past year or so, like I've come to a dead end. I'm working in a clothes shop full time and though the people are lovely and the work is generally okay, I want to do something different and more fulfilling with my life. I'm so delighted with the prospect of going back to college too. This time around I'm older and wiser and will be a lot more focused and dedicated, especially because I have something to aim for, not just a degree for the sake of a degree! I'm going to do it. I'm going to fucking do it!! :D :D :D

Also, I might as well post some pictures while I'm at it. These shots are by the incredible Stefano Brunesci, who literally reeks of awesome!! They were taken during the same weekend that myself and Madame Bink shot together a few months ago. They're definitely some of my favourite photos taken of me ever!

A few months ago I took a trip up to London to shoot with Terry Johnson for the second time. I had so much fun! He's such a creative soul. I guess as a high profile playwright and director it comes with the territory :p He also has a great artistic and photographic eye, and that really comes across in his work. We shot a combination of natural light nudes, bubbly bath shots and japanese rope bondage, a first for me. I guess you could say he took by bondage virginity, and boy was it fun! I think it's something that I'm going to try and do a lot more of in future. I can definitely understand why so many people have such a fetish for it. Anyway, here's my pick of the bunch:

Our first shoot earlier in the year was fantastic. I had seen his work in other models' portfolios and completely fell in love with his style. Somehow, through a combination of lighting, composition and location, he manages to make his images appear timeless, like they could come from any time. I especially loved getting to play around in his vintage tin bath. I wanted to take it home! Anyway here is a selection of my favourite images from that first shoot.