Portrayal of the Beautiful - The Flowers of Yamani Islands
Good day to you my delightful reader. I beg your pardon for this belated update but I had a lot of things to do such as journeys to Paris, Oxford, Birmingham, London, Reading and the beautiful beaches of Devon. (I'm a traveller at heart). However may I present you another chapter of Portayal of the Beautiful.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing in 10 minutes. Please fasten your seat belts and make sure any tables, leg rests, luggage and televisions are stowed away. We thank you for flying with us today."
I stared out the window to see the once familiar landscape of the Yamani Islands; we were about to land on the outskirts of the metropolitan capital city of the Islands. Lalasa was sat on my other side who packed away a large folder with all the information, tickets and letters we needed for the trip.
Four of the other models who are involved in this job are with us. The rest of them had other work to do before they would fly to the Islands in the next morning; this included Joren which made me feel relieved. The lighting and camera assistants are sat around the spacious business class seats, obviously excited about the abroad business trip. It was to be a very exciting trip indeed.
After a slightly chaotic journey to the hotel, we soon set off for a small park I found on the internet. According to my guess, it was sakura time. The time when cheery blossoms blooms to its finest and the Yamani's celebrate this as a sign of spring with lots of picnics under these beautiful trees.
When we got there with a trailer and mini bus, I was taken away by the rich hues of pinks and brown in front of me. Everyone got out of the bus and promptly set to work with taking out lighting equipment or hair and makeup. Lalasa stood next to me with her clipboard out and ready.
"It's very beautiful Kel." I nodded in agreement.
"It's also going to be beautiful to take shoots in." I said with a grin. "Let's get everything set up as soon as possible." I turned to check on the trailer, the models that are here today sat patiently as four stylists got on with their brushes to make them as beautiful as possible.
I chose a clear spot in the park that was surrounded by trees. The first model, Natasha had finished her hair and makeup and came out of the trailer in one of Versace's blouses and ruffled skirts. We chatted a bit; she was a very genuine girl. She asked me if I could get her at an angle where her new tattoo on her wrist doesn't show. I told her I'd look out for it.
To be very honest, I thought a bit of tattoo wouldn't hurt. Pardon the pun there, but it seems like models have more and more tattoos on them and their hair seems to get shorter and shorter. Fashion changes quickly, but tattoos and short hair had been a no in the fashion world for such a long time. I'm not too self-conscious about what fashions I should wear but to work in this industry means I am very much aware of what happens and its evolution.
The shoot was fun to do, at some point I had an idea which involved an element of surprise. I threw some cherry blossom leaves in the air and the girls squealed in delight. That was when I think I captured a beautiful photo. Some of the crew members began to tell dirty jokes to everyone and it brought smiles to everyone's face. By the time I called it a wrap, most of us needed stitches.
We went out for dinner together at the red-light district. It's a common misunderstanding that the red-light district is a seedy area, but actually it's a food district full of restaurants, stalls bursting with delicious food. It's called the red-light district simply because of the red lanterns that line the streets to indicate that the stalls are open.
I was sat between Natasha and another model named Karen in a ramen noodle stall. The chef, who made the ramen for us, kept staring at the two girls sat beside me. I'm sure he thought I was one lucky person. We talked a bit until the mention of other models came up.
"Kel, you are one of the best photographers in this business and everyone cares about you so I hope you don't mind me asking. What is happening between Joren and you?" asked Natasha. I frowned.
"What do you mean what is happening between him and me?" I didn't know why but my heart probably skipped a beat, I didn't let it show.
"Well there are rumours going around that there is a relationship going on. I don't believe it for a second since you are so professional." Oh gossip, how much I hate the gossip mill.
"Honestly sweetheart, do you really think I have the capacity to date a top male model as busy as Joren?" I looked at her with a blank face, she looked somewhat relieved.
"I understand, I mean I have been to four countries this month already. I miss my family with all this working and travelling. I don't think I could have a relationship with someone right now." I put a hand on her slender arm for reassurance.
"I can tell you that at some point your priorities will change and that you will have a great relationship with someone. When you do and get married, make sure you send me an invitation." Natasha giggled and somehow the conversation went to the hottest band of the moment – Queenscove and how Karen managed to get VIP tickets to one of their gigs since her boyfriend was friends with them. Yet I couldn't help to think that maybe my priorities will change too and perhaps I will meet someone who I want to have a relationship with.
Early next morning, we parked a trailer outside the temple and I stood by the large doors, avoiding all the stares I received as my crew carried one by one the equipment we needed for the day. The models were in the trailer being made up by Yuki and the makeup artist sent by Versace to create the look of the season.
But my right ear was glued to the phone as I was constantly put through to Joren's voicemail for the millionth time. "Hello this is Joren Male Model Extraordinaire..." I hung up and tried again. The phone rang once and then someone picked it up.
"Hello Kel." Joren greeted.
"Where the hell are you?! You are late and this is very unprofessional of you. I would report this is Jon as soon as I hang up."
Someone tapped me on the shoulder and when I spun round I found myself too close for comfort to the person I was on the phone to. He pressed the red button to end the phone call.
"I'm sorry I'm late. My flight was seriously delayed and I could not contact you." He said calmly, as the lightest touch from his hand over mine made me fired up. He closed the phone in my hand and the feel of his fingers lingered on my skin.
I crossed my arms defensively, whilst I took a step back to look at him properly. "Did it consider to you that you could have called Jon whilst you were at the airport so he could have made the appropriate call on your behalf."
If looks could kill, then Joren would have been charged with attempted murder. He glared daggers at me before he gripped me hard on the shoulder and pulled me in close. He leant in and whispered in my ear. "I already explained myself and if you refuse to take my apology then you are even more stubborn than I thought. I've been nothing than professional but it seems like you are the one who has made this business relationship of ours far too personal."
He let go quickly and walked past me towards the trailer as I gathered my own thoughts. I wasn't sure by what he meant when he said I think about what we have on a personal level. I thought back to the times I worked with him, when I only spoke to him when we worked and if we saw each other, we would greet each other. Apart from that other time when he drove me home, I couldn't think of anything that was too personal with my actions. Maybe you want it to be personal, a voice in my head suggested. I gazed at the peaceful temple as calmness washed over my mind. It wouldn't do to have such ridiculous thoughts when I had important work to do.
It became steadily more hot and humid in the afternoon. We finished that particular shoot quickly and moved to the outskirts of the city to the old palace gardens. The tranquillity of the place was soothing. The quaint ponds bursting with goldfishes and flowing with blooming water lilies made it almost too perfect as the set. Joren didn't really say much to me since he had hair and makeup done. Needless to say, he charmed away Natasha and Karen.
An idea blossomed in my mind, after some thought and quick planning. I decided to put it into action. I took my camera and walked away from the bustle of the crew and the models. Soon I found the pond I wanted, it was calm with not a goldfish in site and the lilies are about to bloom.
"Joren, Natasha can you come here please?" I gestured them over and they came fluttering towards me, Natasha trotting in her silk high heels.
"Joren can you stand over here please?" I pointed to a spot right in front of the low wooden fence that sectioned off the pond. Joren wordlessly stood next to the fence and slouched in a particular way so his abs were emphasised.
"Actually, can you be on the other side of that fence?"
He frowned. "Is that safe at all?"
"Yes it is! I'm asking you to stand on a piece of solid slab. It won't crumble." I reassured him. He stepped over the fence and shifted his weight to secure himself. I could tell that he looked nervous; I lifted up my camera and took a picture.
"Ok, Joren, just look at Natasha and just reach out for her to join you." I clicked the shutter again.
"Natasha can you just step one step back from the camera." Natasha let go of Joren's hand and stepped back. I walked over to them as they looked at me quizzically.
"Smile for the camera." I said before I pushed Joren really hard into the lake. He fell in as Natasha shrieked. Everyone else looked towards us in complete confusion, but I took the photographs I needed. Joren came up from the water; he pulled his blonde hair back and swore in the most undignified manner. The crew began to laugh and the other models joined in. I continued to take photos of everything. The models, who laughed, pointed and offered a hand at Joren as he flicked water off himself. Joren who laughed at himself, when the sunlight reflected of the water on his chest and an air of boyish reckless radiated off him. In a world where perfection and ultimate beauty can be achieved artificially. These photos are part of a breed where perfection and beauty should appear natural.
I hope you enjoyed this latest installment and if you did - leave a review. If you didn't like it, leave a review as well but include your name and address so I can post nasty things to you. Only joking I'm quite civilised; so instead I'll sue you for harrassment. Yet again I'm joking.