Models of Diversity – Choice Unlimited – SportDock, UEL, London
ON the 8th of July Models of Diversity were asked to support Choices Unlimited and UCiL at their event in Docklands, London. Models of Diversity are holding modelling workshops specifically for disabled people wanting to feel what its like to model in front of a camera in studio conditions. The workshops take place in Leicester on the 1st of August, 5th of September and 3rd of October 2015
Models of Diversity were there at the event in force with disabled models and some able-bodied too. With two catwalk shows and speeches from Jack Eyers and Elesha Turner, Models of Diversity gave an exciting introduction to modelling which inspired many to come up to the MoD area at the side of the catwalk to learn more.
Click on each of the three main images to view their galleries.
Models of Diversity – Choice Unlimited Show 1Models of Diversity – Choice Unlimited Show 2Models of Diversity – Fify-Fashion Is For You.
Jack Eyers appearing in The Independent 17th of July 2015
The Independent today carried an image of mine for an article discussing people with disabilities having sex lives and the attitude towards their sexual needs. The picture is of the inspirational Jack Eyers, taken as part of a Models of Diversity photoshoot in Jack’s early days of the campaign. I think this was one of the first shoots Jack had with Models of Diversity and he’s gone on to walk in many catwalk shows for them along with being the first disabled man to walk in New York Fashion Week. Thank you Angel Sinclair for getting this image published, and thanks to to Jack Eyers, who remains an inspiration to many of us.
The image was shot at Slaughter House Studios in Hoxton, London as part of a Models of Diversity Shoot to highlight the plight of disabled models and the fashion industry. Further image of mine using disabled models can be seen HERE
I.D.E.A.L. Front Cover (Individuals with Disabilities Express About Life)
Well here it is, my first front cover of the year. Really not sure about all the typography, but hey I’m a typographer under the skin. Really nice to see this image still has life in the pixels still.
This was the first proper shoot with Doubra on one of our Saturday shoots with Models of Diversity. I’d shot her a couple of weeks earlier at a test shoot where she outperformed the others by a mile.
Doubra was born with chorea-dyskenesia but she never lets that hold her back. In my series of disabled models Doubra is the youngest and very confident. She walks up in front of the camera give her some direction and off she goes, nailing each pose time after time.
Left is the main article published in The Voice this week along with a series of images and campaign poster below.
Credits: Photo: James Alexander Lyon Styling & Management: Angel Sinclair Hair & Makeup Karen Salandy
[singlepic id=297 w=200 h=150 float=left] [singlepic id=299 w=200 h=150 float=left][singlepic id=301 w=200 h=150 float=left] Another editorial spin-off from the billboard campaign, back in September during the Paralympics. Desirable Magazine in California kindly published our images (Models of Diversity and Me) and also wrote an article about the campaign. I’m so happy to see the campaign start to spread its wings and take our message out to the world.
This is the second time I have photographed the lovely and talented Faye Povey. From Liverpool, Faye and her father (Faye is a disabled model) commuted down to the London Studio and in no time she is in makeup and hair; and ready to shoot in under an hour. There is no messing with Faye, within two or three shots we are getting what we want and Faye always brings that little bit of magic with her.
For me it is really important to get the lighting right first. I don’t believe you can make major alterations in post to correct lighting errors. I use a stand-in whilst the model is getting made up. As soon as the model is ready, most of the lighting adjustments have been made, so it’s just a question of getting the balance right for the model’s skin tones. Saving time like this is not just good business sense, with disabled models you want them to feel relaxed and confident from the off. Sometimes holding a simple pose for an abled bodied model is not as easy as it looks for a disabled model, so time is of the essence!
Both of these images are shot with a single strobe and softbox, anything else would have made it look complicated. Client: Models of Diversity
Models of Diversity’s billboard campaign designed and conceived by Urban Curve, was published this week and can be seen at The Eye, Holborn, London until the end of Sunday (2nd of September). Designed and conceived to coincide with the London Paralympics and reputed to be ‘the first of its kind’ the billboard features a disabled model and two able-bodied models. Main campaign photography by James Alexander Lyon.
The idea was to heighten awareness of others (in this case models) who struggle to get work in an industry that is hard enough even if you are able-bodied.
Models of Diversity choose these three models as they represented the spirit of our Models of Diversity. Debbie van der Putten (centre, who appeared on BBC’s ‘Briton’s Missing Top Model’ with Kelly Knox) is already a model and long-time campaigner for disabled models both here in the UK her native Netherlands. The other two models Varina and Iga, who coincidentally are both mothers of young children, typify some of the wide-ranging and diverse models that Models of Diversity (MoD) aim to help.
Since she’s been the spokesperson for Models of Diversity Debbie has had some amazing opportunities to speak about the campaign, who MoD are and what they do.
She went on the US TV show called “You are the Supermodel” to talk about body diversity and disability which was a big success. Straight after, Models of Diversity received many emails from women all over the world who wanted to know more about the campaign!
There are some amazing, talented and very pretty models in the UK like Shannon Murray who did a campaign for Debenhams, Sophie Morgan recently featured in the Stella McCartney London 2012 campaign and Kelly Knox winner of Britain’s Missing Top Model but for some reasons, after one or two campaigns the British fashion world stopped using them.
Went to see and photograph the Models of Diversity billboard last night in Holborn. I have to say I was taken aback. It hadn’t really sunk in till I say it up there in all it’s glory. A special thanks to Grant at Outdoor Plus for letting us have the space until Sunday. If you are in London over the weekend please go and have a look its 1 minute’s walk from Holborn Tube Station….you won’t be disappointed!
Models of Diversity’s billboard campaign designed and conceived by Urban Curve, was published this week and can be seen at The Eye, Holborn, London until the end of Sunday (2nd of September). Designed and conceived to coincide with the London Paralympics and reputed to be ‘the first of its kind’the billboard features a disabled model and two able-bodied models. Main campaign photography by James Alexander Lyon.
