I had a fantastic shoot with Sam (S L Photography) last week.

It was my first shoot using just natural light and it was killer! I had a bag full of clothes and accessories and was a wee bit worried about where I was going to change half the time but it worked out fine (thanks to the backseat of my car!)

Sam lives in Aberdeen and doesn't know the burg too well so it was up to me to find locations (oh dear!). It was a week day so I figured Dean Gallery would be quiet enough so we went down there...how wrong could I be, it was mobbed! Felt a bit silly wondering around in various states of undress (at one point I was sure I'd get done for public indeceny!) but I'm fine with looking like a prat if it means we get some good shots at the end of it! The usual disapproving stares from women etc but it didn't put me off, it was a beautiful day and the gardens and paths around Dean Gallery are just gorgeous so it was hard to get disheartened- I knew we were going to get some amazing shots for our ports!

After about an hour at the Dean Gallery we drove down to Dean Village and took some photos there. I'm always worried about searching for locations for photographers as I know diddley squat about lighting etc (something I really will have to rectify) but luckily there were some parts of the Village we could shoot in. There's something so magical about this little village hidden under the city, I love all the different textures of brick and the countryside vibe it has (despite being in the heart of the city!) I used to live down there and I still miss it !

By this point, we had both relaxed and were really getting into it. I've found that posing comes much easier to me on location and it was just one of those shoots where everything flowed perfectly. We got so lucky with the weather and, considering I did my own hair and makeup and all wardrobe changes took place in the backseat of my car, we had no real problems.

We then drove back to my house, had a quick change into a pair of casual jeans and a strippy top and had a walk around my area for the last hour. I'm not the type of model who necessarily needs to follow or work to a strict regime when shooting, and, provided the chemistry is right with the photographer, I find that that kind of spontaneity can work really well. We walked down a little path and found, to Sam's delight, a row of old and tatty looking garages so we took a couple of shots there- for some reason they turned out quite 'summer holiday-ish'!

We then picked heaps of flowers and took some shots with them on the grassy fields next to Stewart Melvilles. I'd always loved the idea of taking headshots of me lying amongst beautiful flowers so I was excited but it was difficult for me to keep my eyes open (they're watering just thinking about it!) due to the sun, something we didn't take into consideration, y'know what it's like when you get swept up in an idea- all practicalities go out of the window! We spent a good 20 mins moving around trying to figure out a spot where I could pose properly. Sam was so good and patient during my diva moment, arranging then re-arranging the flowers in my hair! We took a couple of good ones but it was just too sunny and after about half an hour my eyes were just too sore so we had to abandon the idea Oh, well, we'll get them at some point, Sam!

We were both exhausted by this point and Sam had to catch her train back to the Deen so we made our way back to my house. All in all, it was definitely one of my favourite shoots so far. We couldn't stop laughing at how lucky we got with the weather!

Sam is just adorable and amazing at what she does, I was so happy with the results of our day and can't wait to shoot with her again (we're already in the process of planning it!) Sam wants to do a beach shoot but whether it will be in Edinburgh or Aberdeen we don't know....we also can't predict whether it will be a lovely sunny beach shoot or a dreary, ghostly and miserable beach shoot (if I was a gambling woman I'd opt for the latter, Scottish weather being what it is!) but that's half of the fun in my opinion!

Thanks so much for making the trip and doing such an amazing job, Sam, really apprciate it!

Much love,

Sara xxx