Modelling.
I was just leaving a clothes shop when from nowhere I was approached by a man with a business card. Made me slightly nervous if I'm honest.
He told me he was a keen amateur photographer and wondered if I'd like to model for him, apparently he would cover any expenditure. My initial thought was a cheesy chat up line and though he was nice, but not my type. I politely said no, but took the card and went home.
About a week later I stumbled across the business card in the bottom of a carrier bag, not sure why but I kept it. The same evening curiosity made me look up his website and sure enough there was lots of pictures ranging from still life, to men and women in various attire. So perhaps he is genuine then I thought?
Then a feeling of guilt rushed over me I could have been a bit nicer to him.
After further investigations I established that he was a genuine and respected photographer so one evening I called him. His studio wasn't that far away and he said any travelling costs he would pay, but essentially turn up with a selection of clothes and he would create a portfolio for me with only a cost if I intended to use it.
Arrangements made for one Saturday afternoon and I immediately started to think what to take!
On the arranged Saturday I arrived in good time to a house and was met by Simon the photographer, he was a genuinely lovely person and immediately offered me money to cover my travelling costs.
After a discussion as to what would happen we moved to a room in his house and he took pictures of me in various "poses", quite enjoyed it once the nerves had disappeared.
Two days later I received an email from Simon with a link to my portfolio. Blimey was that really me? I emailed him back to thank him and said I would consider buying it.
The next day my friend Sara popped over and she looked at the online portfolio. She isn't one to mince her words, nor to massage my ego, she looked and said "stunning Sophie, simply stunning", that was a positive then!
A day or so later I was about to send Simon an email when I saw I had one waiting from him. In a very apologetic manner he said that another photographer was very interested in me , would I model for him? I would be paid. I telephoned Simon (who I swear thought he was in trouble) to enquire more, once he realised it was a friendly call he explained that £350.00 was available which he would like to keep £100 and the rest for me.
I was astonished, not that he wanted to keep some money but someone would pay that much!