When Darrianne Donnely of BGM Models invites you to spend the day at her Pyrmont apartment otherwise known as BGM HQ, you go. I was offered the opportunity to go behind the scenes during the ‘final five’ photo shoot for the Simone Perele & BGM Models Plus Size Model Search back in November last year. Things got pretty crazy with PSFWA straight after but I really want to share my day with you.
Darrianne and Natalie Wakeling were already working hard by the time I arrived with Aidan. Yes, you heard right I took Aidan along with me. He’s really good on set so I wasn’t too worried and everyone thought he was adorable. I do get a little distracted but it’s nice that I’m able to share my world with him. It also helped that Aidan was instantly smitten with Natalie and clung to her or chatted to her at every opportunity.
Hair and make up had been going on for hours and two of the girls had already finished their sets by the time we arrived. The atmosphere was calm yet you could tell the girls were nervous and excited.
Eleanor was the first set I got to watch. She had a beautiful slender figure, toned and absolutely gorgeous. To me she looked how a lingerie model should look, the fact that she was considered plus size by the industry made me feel ill. Beyond all that I thought Eleanor was a classic beauty.
Utterly Gorgeous
As the girls took turns in front of the camera they also took time out to get to know each other, chat about the industry and boobs… there was a lot of talk about boobs. How could there not be when you have fancy lingerie specialists from Simone Perele in the room, even I asked for a fitting whilst I was there!
The girls thought it would be a total crack up to take photos posing with treats. They were all so down to earth and nice, I mean really nice. I’d share a cookie with them again any day.
Meanwhile Aidan took some time out from having his cheeks pinched and spread out on the couch watching 101 Dalmatians on my laptop. He sat there quietly and ate his lunch, played on his ipad and pushed his toy cars around. I love that he can entertain himself, that he enjoys meeting new people and experiencing new places… I got lucky.
Next up was Elena, a few final touches and she was ready. By now Aidan was a little more settled so I was able to concentrate on capturing some of the smaller moments and watch the professional photographer at work.
The “studio” was the dining area of BGM HQ which made perfect sense thanks to all the lovely filtered light in the harbour view apartment, I wish I could test shoot there all time. It was interesting to watch how the girls posed and to listen to the photographers direction.
These ladies were all so confident, even when wearing almost nothing at all.
As Elena lay there we all commented that she looked a lot like Kate Moss… she blushed.
The make up and the mayhem.
Cregan was the last one on set. As she sat there quietly getting her make up done I was insanely jealous of her gorgeous golden tresses.
I kept my look pretty casual that day, skinny jeans, a black tank top and my SWAK poncho with a big statement necklace. When I’m shooting I like to keep my hair out of my face so I did some quick soft curls and pinned it back a little. By complete accident I’d dressed Aidan almost exactly the same… outfit fail.
Aidan wore skinny jean shorts and a green button up shirt. Of course I didn’t realise we were matching until after we got out of the car upon arrival. Aidan had been watching the models do their thing and when they had a break Aidan jumped up on the chair and asked for his photo to be taken too. He’s sitting EXACTLY the same as the last photo had been set up, crossed ankles, arm on the armrest and everything.
Out of all the models Belma was Aidan’s favourite so when she asked for a cuddle he couldn’t resist. Jacklyn and Elena got in on the photo too and it’s the cutest, most awkward yet equally awesome group photo Aidan’s ever been apart of… definitely one for his 21st birthday.
That wasn’t all, Jacklyn gave him a big kiss on the cheek and Aidan couldn’t stop looking at it in the mirror and giggling, to be honest neither could I. I know how much he likes it when I do it to him. He was very proud of his kiss and showed Steve as soon as he got home.
Once all the silliness was over it was time to get serious. Aidan got set up with his iPad and Cregan started to do her thing. Suddenly I had an overwhelming urge to go blonde and get a tan.
Absolutely Stunning
Cregan was named the winner in the weeks after and won a 12 month contract with BGM Models, she became the star of Simone Perele and more. I was so excited to hear that she’d won, not only because she’s gorgeous but because she was nice, sweet, smart, athletic, out going and confident. I could see her as a great role model. All the ladies were lovely but there was just something about her which is obviously something the judges were aware of too.
Then it was time for the final group shot.
By this stage Aidan had started to take is own photos of the girls on my iPhone and then run up to Natalie to show her his pictures, it was insanely cute and everyone couldn’t stop gushing at how adorable he was. My assistant for the day was definitely a cute distraction.
The finalist photo: Eleanor, Belma, Cregan, Elena & Jacklyn.
The shoot is over… but not before some interviews!
Here are the final images from the day… credit
It was a fun day and I can’t thank Darianne enough for inviting Aidan and I along to spend the day on set and for the Simone Perele team for answering so many of my questions. I feel blessed to be a part of an industry that understands what I’m trying to do (even with a toddler in tow) and the message I try to bring to the women who read my blog everyday. I love getting the opportunity to shed some light on the often undocumented things going on behind the scenes for plus size models and I hope you love it too.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Amazing! everything. Amazing.
Jeanie recently posted..Aussie Curves – Nature
What a group of stunningly beautiful women!
Though it must be said… I’m pretty sure Aidan was the star of the show. He’s grown up so much since the days he was toddling around Rouse Hill.
xo
I find it really rather depressing though that they are considered “plus size” in the fashion/modelling world. In my eyes there’s nothing big about these ladies.
According to their stats on the BGM website only 6 of their models would be able to fit into plus size clothing and five of that six would need the smallest size in the range. This is why it really does my head in as a “real” plus size woman, to know that the world sees these svelte, toned bodies as plus sized.
And of course they are absolutely stunning :)
I get the same feeling. I know it’s a move in the right direction to start using models that are sizes 12 and 14, but as a size 18 it’s hard to think of them as plus size since most/all shops sell clothes/lingerie in their size.
They are stunning but I wish clothing lines would show what clothes/lingerie looked like on a myriad of different sizes from ‘normal’ model sizes to 18+.
wow what an awesome day and beautiful models!
I wish that more lingerie models looked like these girls.
Aidan certainly is a little cutie :)
Kt (SpijkerKat) recently posted..OOTD Volume 3
Thank you for sharing your experience. you lead an interesting life. It is beyond awesome that Aidan can sometimes be a part of it. Who can imagine the insight he is getting into what it really means to be you.
Love your photos especially of Aidan’s cheek.
Interesting the amount of photoshop they did to the images too. I am jealous that you can take Aidan to these things, there is no way I could my son anywhere lol.
Such a great opportunity! I love seeing behind the scenes of things, thanks for sharing! That picture of Aiden with the ladies is SO GOOD! The look on his face is priceless!
Natalie recently posted..Valentines Day!
Beautiful images but I have to say, NONE of those models are plus sized. Plus sized is at least size 18 and upwards, a size 14 does not make you plus sized. Like Emma above, it actually offends me that the “industry” and “society” to some extent as well, see these average sized women as plus sized because they just aren’t, in fact they’re not even close.
I still can’t work out, why we can’t have actual plus sized women modelling plus sized clothing? I mean, what’s so hard about that? Designers say that they use thin models because the clothes hand better on them, which is fine but using the same argument, plus sized clothing would look better [and probably sell more product] on actual plus sized women – if women can see what a piece of clothing may look like on them, then they’re much more likely to buy it and say a plus sized woman of size 22, isn’t going to look at a size 14 woman wearing something and be able to necessarily see herself in it.
Rach aka Stinkb0mb recently posted..The Hardest Love.
*hang better on them, obviously not hand *sigh* I think I hear bed calling!
Rach aka Stinkb0mb recently posted..The Hardest Love.
I have two daughters. One would be considered “plus sized” in the modelling industry. She wears a size 10F bra. But I have to say that I love that the two of us can go shopping to Simone Perele and both get beautiful lingerie for ourselves. Both can get matching underwear. We can even get the same bra in different sizes. She loves it as much as I do.
Thanks Danni for posting the behind the scenes. It was lovely to see how the models are real people. Aidan is so gorgeous. What a blessing
Martina recently posted..Aussie Curves: the swimsuit edition
Gorgeous photos, sounds like a great day. I feel a little sick that this is ‘plus sized’ in the fashion industry though.
I’m just feeling so proud and happy for you, Dan. You’re doing amazing things andI love that it’s getting noticed, outside of the blogging world. You’re on your way to becoming a great fashion photographer! You’ll be run off your feet with shoots. :)
Melissa Mitchell recently posted..For now..
I always wonder how the plus size models can look so beautiful and sexy with the amazing lingerie. I would want something for me