January 2008
26/01/08 - Last week I was browsing TV Chix and came across the profile of a Tgirl called Nikki. She had the usual sort of information you find on these pages. But what caught my eye was a link to her makeover and phoot-shoot site, Trans Femme based in Swindon.
Although Swindon is about 160 miles from where I live I was curious because I've been looking to do a photo-shoot for over a year. Last year was a very significant birthday (oh, OK, 50 - OUCH!). Problem was the cost. I didn't have £400-500 to blow on what is strictly speaking a non-essential luxury.
But, to be honest, I took a look at Nikki's prices and thought they were ridiculously cheap. Next stop, the galleries. If they weren't any good I'd have to keep looking. I needn't have worried. The simplicity of the shots, the plain backgrounds, really helped to focus in on the models - and the models did look glamourous. I decided to contact Nikki through the TV Chix email system.
The reply came back within a few hours, when would I like to come and please could I suggest a few dates as they're quite busy. We settled on yesterday.
The trip took three hours and finding their place in Swindon old town was a piece of cake (god bless sat-nav).
Nik greeted me at the door. Let me explain, it's either Nik or Nikki depending on dress mode - Nik did say later that you may find him as Nik or Nikki as the mood takes him. Nik is very friendly and I felt really at ease the moment I stepped through the door.
Tracey was there in the kitchen and the first thing she did was to offer me a drink. Now, being in business myself, I always offer clients a drink before we get started, but when I visit them I'm amazed at how long it is, very often, before I get offered one - if at all. So I immediately mentally awarded Tracey 10/10 on that score.
We spent the next 10-15 minutes getting to know each other a bit and discussing what I was looking for out of the photoshoot. I explained that I'd originally thought I would do my own make-up, but as their service offered a makeover as well I was up for Tracey doing it. I said I'd brought a few outfits and would like to try some different wigs. Other than that I just said I'd be guided by them. With that we went through to the makeover room and studio.
My reason for wanting to try different wigs was because while I was at the BNO Christmas Dinner last month one of the other Tgirls commented that I'd have looked better with a longer hair style. The comment was relayed back to me and I'm sure it wasn't said in a bitchy way, plus I'm always grateful for constructive criticism.
Tracey went through how she would do the makeover, leaving the selection of wigs 'til after the face was done, but before painting my nails so I didn't end up with fingers stuck to the wig!
It's so nice to have someone else do your make-up so I left Tracey to get on with it. Tracey explained what she was doing as she went along and if I had any questions (stupid or otherwise) she always explained very clearly. I really got the impression that she loves doing these makeovers. One first was her using a liquid which plumps up the lips. She warned me first it would tingle a bit, and she was right! But it wasn't unpleasant.
I got some lovely compliments about my high cheekbones and long lashes - I was getting to like these two more and more! Nik was in the studio chatting as well.
Now the momentarily scary bit. Tracey finished the makeover and I gave it the onceover in the mirror. Oh my god, I thought, I look like a drag queen! Just what I hadn't wanted. I seriously thought about saying so there and then. I didn't. Instead, I felt I should let them take a few shots and then ask to see them - easy enough with a digital SLR. Thank god they were OK, in fact they were more than OK I was delighted. So I kept my mouth shut and let them get on with it.
[When I came to write this I discovered an email from Nikki explaining how they do the make-up and it specifically says that it would be heavier than normal make-up. Unfortunately, although it was sent last Thursday I didn't see it 'til this morning. It seems they think of everything!]
Nik was fabulous. To start with he took a few shots, made some camera and studio light adjustments and all the time was gently guiding me as to what sort of positions I should pose in. And every so often he would show me a shot on the camera back. This really boosted my confidence and I started relaxing and coming up with different expressions and poses myself.
Nik was always up for trying new things, but where needed made suggestions if the pose could be improved. So between us we fed off each other. I was so getting into this.
Tracey took some shots of me too to add a variety of styles - photographers see things with different eyes and by doing this I think it adds to the whole experience. It also took me a while to realise Tracey was nipping into their office to transfer images from the camera card onto a CD for me. This all helped to get the maximum amount of shooting time out of the session.
Tracey was also on hand to make adjustments to wig, clothes and make-up when necessary. God, did I feel like I was it! This was becoming an experience beyond what I had dared to imagine. I was on a high.
As I mentioned, I'd been keen to try on different wigs, because I was looking to change my style and both Tracey and Nik gave me their honest opinions, which was so helpful. Upshot is I can get away with blonde provided it's not the peroxide or ash blonde variety, but the aubourn one, they felt, was what really did it for me. And that's something that's so useful, because until you're dressed up with all your make-up on it's so difficult to make the right decision.
Being cheeky, I did ask if they could order the aubourn one for me and without any hesitation they said they would.
And now the catsuit. I came out of the changing room and although I didn't spot any facial changes an unmistakable glint came into Nik's eyes. Does he have a soft spot for PVC? I think so.
We had a lot of fun with the catsuit shots. In fact the whole shoot had turned into such a fun event. I just loved every second of it.
The shoot came to an end and then I admitted to them my horror at seeing the make-up in the mirror first off, but also how relieved I was when I saw how the pictures had turned out. They just said wait 'til you see them on a proper screen. And with that they asked if I wanted to view them now or just take them home on disc. Of course I wanted to see them. Now, now, now!
I don't want to exaggerate the experience of seeing those images for the first time, but I had to turn my head and wipe more than a tear or two away more than once or twice.
After the viewing was over I told them how I'd expected to have given them a really hard time because I felt I was the most un-photogenic person on the planet. But with their skill, enthusiasm and friendliness I think I've cracked it!
The whole process took four hours from start to finish so the cost was £70.00, add on my fuel costs and it came to £105.00. The value to me? Priceless would actually be an understatement.
But you can judge for yourself by going to my flickr collection. I decided to put all the images in the collection. A few didn't work. With over 400 taken is that surprising? Some where my expression was, shall we say, questionable and others where Nik was pushing the boundaries. But that's good because that way his shots remain creative and fun. One thing though, I am going to go through and mark up those ones with comments, just so you know I'm not totally delusional!
As you can probably tell, the morning after and I'm still on a high. My ego is through the roof and I'm so looking forward to the next one. Of course this is going to mean new outfits so it may be a couple of months, but I will be back!
I was so impressed with the way Nik and Tracey ran the whole shoot, all the little touches, that I asked if they'd be prepared to do a short interview before I left. I know it was putting them on the spot a bit but they were happy to do it.
I've been meaning to get round to doing interviews with trans related, businesses and celebs, but you know how it is. Now I'm so pleased to have Trans Femme to kick start this new part of my site. Go read the Trans Femme Interview