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ZoeFest 2009 Australia Mission Beach

Did it really have to end?

Of course I know it did but I’m sure I’m not the only one that wishes it didn’t. Last week would have to be one of the best weeks of my life and I wish I didn’t have to wait a whole year to do it all again. Never before have I had the opportunity to work with so many amazing models in such a short time as well as socialise with both models and photographers and develop what I hope will be life long friendships with some very talented people.

A big thanks must go to Zoe and Michael Marlborough for organising this event. We all owe you big time! Thanks also to all the models I shot with as it was your special talents and collaborative efforts that helped me get some really amazing images.

I guess now it is all over I do have time to post some more images so here is a selection from my remaining shoots with Candace, Rebecca, Stephanie Anne, Vassanta, Muse, Madame Bink and Ivory Flame.

Keep in touch everyone, I miss all of you already!

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ZoeFest 2009 Australia Mission Beach

The London Connection

After shooting with two young ladies from the US yesterday, this mornings shoot was with a lovely (tall) young lady from London. Joceline towers over most people and I was feeling quite tiny standing next to her on the beach at 5am this morning. She’s definitely a beautiful person both inside and obviously out and it was a real pleasure to shoot with her – I kind of have a soft spot for gorgeous ladies with English accents 🙂

Joceline and I had discussed what we were going to shoot prior to us arriving at Mission Beach but it wasn’t until I had met her and checked out the location that I decided what it would be exactly.

Here’s a few examples of what we came up with. There was also a second part to this shoot which I will show images from in another post.

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ZoeFest 2009 Australia Mission Beach

Candace & Stephanie

Yesterday was my first official shoot since OzFest started. After scouting around for some locations in the morning, Candace, Stephanie and I headed off to one of the spots I found for a late afternoon shoot. I’d shot with Candace once before on a previous trip to Oz she had late last year and I was looking forward to working with her again. I decided to invite Stephanie along as well as I thought the two of them would look great together and I was very surprised to find out that this was the very first time the two of them had worked together after knowing each other for years.

So it was my distinct pleasure to have two amazing models to shoot on my first official afternoon of OzFest.

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ZoeFest 2009 Australia Mission Beach

First days, first impressions.

After arriving in Cairns on Saturday morning, I did a bit of sighting seeing around town until I met Soph and James at the airport to give them a lift down to Mission Beach. Along the way we stopped at Babinda Boulders as I thought it might be a great location to do shoot. We weren’t disappointed and my first shoot was underway technically even before OzFest was to begin.

I’ve shot with Soph on two previous occasions and both times were fantastic and we achieved some really memorable images. This time was just as great and was a perfect way to kick off my week of shooting art nudes in tropical North Queensland.

Sunday was a fairly relaxing day spent checking out the local markets and looking for some shoot locations before the majority of the group arrived.

We had our meet and great BBQ Sunday evening and it was great to finally meet everyone who I had only met in cyberspace before. Considering this is my first Zoe Fest event, everyone has been super friendly to me and I can see why everyone loves to attend every year.

I get the feeling this will be a fantastic week and I’m sure this will not be my last Zoe Fest.

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ZoeFest 2009 Australia Mission Beach

Airports

Only 45 to go until I board the plane in Brisbane and my trip officially begins.
I’m now wishing I had been perhaps a little more ruthless with what gear I decided to leave behind considering I was just hit with a $210 excess baggage fee….ouch!

I just checked in and made my way through security so now I guess I can relax a little and thinking about good it’s going to be spending 3 weeks away from work with an amazing group of people all living and breathing photography.

Hurry up, let’s board the plane already!

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ZoeFest 2009 Australia Mission Beach

The packing begins.

36 hours before I’m due to leave BrisVegas (Brisbane, Aust for those non Aussies reading) and fly to tropical Cairns, I thought I had better start sorting all my gear.

Of course the camera gear gets sorted and packed first but unfortunately I’m one of those photographers that packs way more equipment than I will ever possibly need because, well, I might need it!

4 Nikon digital bodies, because you know, 3 might break down. 4 Nikon speedlights, 4 PocketWizards, 2 light stands, a soft box, an umbrella and a reflector all packed just in case the Nth Queensland light is terrible and I have to create my own studio! 3 hours later and I’m fairly certain all the photographic equipment is sorted and packed. Tomorrow night….clothes and computer gear!

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