When NewsTalk ZB radio presenter Ivanka Zonich hit like on one of my images on Instagram I was flattered to say the least. So, I sent a wee message, and we had a wee chat. The next thing you know, we are doing a studio session with full make up and wonderful outfits from acclaimed designer Cecilia Kang and I’ve got to say I rather like what we got ;)

Working with creative people is the most amazing part of my photographic journey. A good friend introduced me to Sinead from House of Makeup I knew we were going to make some magic together. She did the makeup on this shoot, and I think we can all agree that she smashed it out of the park again. Sinead is wonderful to work with, she never stops and is always happy to dive back in and make touchups as we shoot.

There’s a magical thing that happens when passionate creatives get together. There is a palpable energy in the room. You can feel that ideas are bubbling up and making new ideas out of old ones or merging ideas from different people in the room to make new stuff. It’s like a great big pot of creative goop that gets smashed together and then magic happens.

Ivanka was a dream to work with, very giving and open to try most things and just as importantly, to trust the process when it feels a bit weird. Her ability to show emotion and drama adds a sense of mood in these images that I really enjoy. I have shot many portraits over the past 10 years and every time I am struck by this. On the day it’s all a bit of a blur, I feel I’m rushing around moving lights and taking pictures. All of my set ideas and plans are still in there, but they are less conscious and more just like a guiding light.

When I look at this set of images, I am most struck by Ivanka’s hair. The way the light I have created pulls out so much texture and variation. Next, I look at her face, there are happy shots where you can see just how much she is enjoying being around fellow creatives, even with me redoing stuff or Sinead retouching the makeup. Then there are images where I catch a look and you can see that inner person, the one who is looking out at the world and responding to what’s happening. I feel we all do this; we see the world in our own unique way. When I shoot people, I always find that I see them in a new light. Even someone I have never met before (I met Ivanka, she went into the makeup chair and then we did these images).

I love these images and I am very much looking forward to working with Ivanka again.