Kybele

While I was finalizing my itinerary for Europe, an idea suddenly popped up – a fashion / model photo shoot. I showed Kat my portfolio and asked her to help me find model(s) who will be interested in posing in front of me. She found a very much willing and interested Kybele. Her portfolio opens with “ “Hi. I’m Kybele and I am awesome” and with that I immediately contacted her and presented the concepts I had in mind. It’ all about COLORS! Her excellent port is consistently on the dark side so I thought it would be a good chance to add some vibrancy. 

   

inkpot's now empty
colored blood stains forever
a part of one's soul

On my very first day in Copenhagen, not minding the jetlag, we had the photo shoot. Armed with the never-been-used-2-day-old Nikon D7000, I met Kybele at the train station and off we went to the beach. That day was particularly cold and I was feeling guilty of having her wore the sexy-asian dress I brought. She said she was doin’ fine. Secretly, it was I who was shaking!

 

 

The first part of the shoot was doing well until the rain started pouring. Kybele maintained her composure and was a real professional. No time was wasted that even the comfort room turned into an instant venue.

   

   

As soon as the drizzle stopped, we walked our way to an abandoned building. As we marched towards the next location, I got a chance to know more about Kybele, and how did she get involved with modeling. Quoting her own words.

I never intended to be a model, but about four or five years ago, I met my good friend Thomas. He was specializing in candid and street portraiture, and the pictures he took of me playing with his two children (who are sort of my pseudo-nephews) were some of the very first pictures of myself I actually liked. Two years ago Thomas wanted to get into model photography and I was sort of the only young female in his group of friends, so it seemed natural that I should step in.

 

I was shaking, self-conscious and deathly afraid of letting him down at our first real shoot. It was freezing, but we managed to get some OK pictures out at Sydhavnen, an area mainly consisting of docks and industrial warehouses. I have loathed my body my entire life. Modeling has changed that completely. It is wonderful to feel like my body isn’t completely useless; that maybe I’ll never run a marathon, but that I am able to create shapes and feelings and perhaps have an impact on someone once in a while. 

I am very much interested in deserted buildings. And shooting inside it was just pure bliss. She was kind enough to give me instructions to greet the locals who are also inside. I scanned the area and couldn’t help but admire the graffiti and vandals all around. A perfect location.

   

She surprised me with lots of clothing, accessories and stuff. She was well prepared while I, on the other, wrestled with the camera settings. I chose the spots as Kybele enthusiastically flaunted her model persona. She was very serious with the craft but easy to photograph. I think all photographers would like to have a client like hers.

 

 

She works as a part secretary and part tattoo model at Meatshop Tattoo. That explains her skin arts. Meatshop Tattoo is one of the physically largest tattoo shops in Copenhagen and aims to be a place where people can hang out without necessarily getting tattooed the moment you walk in the door. All tattoos are drawn freehand and we tattoo with both machines and handpoking.

   

It was all natural lighting, as I am not and will never be a fan of flash photography. I made sure she knew it beforehand. She knows what kind of model she is and what field she wants to focus on. And I admire her for that. I hope the 4 hours shoot produced shots that could add flavor and diversity on her already amazing portfolio. Check Kybele on Facebook. On Modelmayhem. On Deviantart

   

 And if someday, I will be given the chance to shoot her again, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.

   

She’s Kybele. She’s awesome.

 /totomai 

2011/12/17