This is 'stand-alone' story however it seems to work its way into the 'The Nymphs' series of stories. I didn't mean it to but it just did. Clearly it must be a work of fiction from my fertile yet somewhat dirty mind. But I will have to admit to using elements from real life. Of course names and place have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.
Please note, the events depicted occur in Australia hence some of the unusual terminology for 'overseas readers'. Comments and suggestions are always gratefully received.
Copyright SBarak1 2017.
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It all started innocently enough. I was down at the pub chatting with a few mates over a beer or three. The conversation came around to me when Pete asked what I would be doing in the way of work after the holiday season as I had just finished with my last contract prior to Christmas. I mentioned I had a few irons in the fire however what I really wanted to try may hand at was some studio photography. My mates all knew I had been an avid amateur photographer for a long time and had most of the kit. I went on to tell them I had already started to set up a make-shift studio in my garage.
The boys all had a bit of a laugh and the common consensus was I didn't know a lot about professional photography and so the conversation moved on.
The next day I got a call from Pete, he asked if I was serious about this photography thing. I said I was, and he went on to give me details of a woman called Cynthia. She needed some portfolio shots 'real quick' for work and would phone me this afternoon. I tried to explain to Pete I wasn't properly set up yet, but he didn't listen to my protests and said I shouldn't worry.
"She's a friend of a friend," said Pete. "You will be doing her a favour, she's on a tight dead line and needs these photos quickly."
I reluctantly agreed to take her call.
Sure enough 2 hours later I received a call from Cynthia explaining she was in a real rush and needed some simple portrait shots of herself for an advertising folio for work. Could she drop around this afternoon? I explained it was early days for me and my set up was very basic. She pleaded with me to do the shots, so I agreed and she said could drop around at 5pm. I could tell she was relieved and agreed to be at my place at 5pm sharp.
True to her word Cynthia was standing on my door step at 5pm on the dot. I opened the door to find, what on first appearances appeared to be, a fairly plain looking brunette woman. She had her hair up and stood about 5'8" in her high heels. She was wearing a dark grey tailored jacket and skirt with a crisp white blouse underneath. I estimated her to be in her late 30's maybe 40. She was definitely on the curvey side and had the most amazing deep green eyes.
"Hello, you must be Alan. I'm Cynthia," she said holding out her hand.
I shook her hand. "Please come in," I replied. "Do you need a hand with anything?"
"No, I have everything here," she said bending down to pick up a bulky zippered cover on a hanger and a small bag.
Cynthia stepped through the door looking around.
"Nice place Alan," Cynthia commented as she placed her baggage down and turned to look at me. "Now when we have finished I will need you to send your invoice to my company. What I need is a series of portrait shots of me sitting and standing in the 3 outfits I have here. When we have finished this evening I need the shots sent through to my email address on the card." With that Cynthia handed me her business card.
"Right, OK then, that should be fine," I replied studying her business card.
I then ushered Cynthia to the guest bedroom and showed her where the bathroom was. I then went to the garage and may make-shift studio to make sure everything was set up and ready to go.
A few minutes later I heard Cynthia call out asking where I was. She followed my voice to the garage. As she walked in she was still wearing what she had on when she had arrived. She had freshened up her make-up and re-done her hair. I thought she looked very smart in a corporate kind of way. I led her to a position in front of the camera.
"OK then, let's do the standing shots first. When we are done with those I'll bring a chair over for the seated shots," I said as I directed Cynthia to the required position. "Are you ready?"
"I think so," responded Cynthia, suddenly looking uncertain. "Does my hair and make-up look OK?"
I moved around to stand behind the tripod mounted with my Nikon D500 and looked directly at her. "Just a sec," I said, as I looked through the camera. "Hmmm, just need some lighting adjustment."
I walked over to one of the lights and moved it to a better position. I then went back to the camera and had another look. I adjust the camera position as I looked it at Cynthia. "I think that's about right. Your hair and makeup are fine. Just straighten your left lapel. - Good - Looks great. - Ready now?"
"Uh OK," Cynthia replied looking back up at me after adjusting her lapel.
"I will take a number of shots and then you can have a look at them," I said starting immediately.
"That's good. - just lift your head a little. - Look directly into the lens. - great. - just a little smile," I continued, as I pressed the shutter release.
"That should be enough. Why don't you come over here and have a look," I asked, as I adjusted the camera to review the last 20 or so pictures.
Cynthia walked around and peered intently at the screen on the back of the camera as I slowly rolled through the pictures.
"I think I look a bit too serious in those first few," she commented. "But that's what I am after. Thank you."
"I'll pick out the best ones and send you a few of each pose anyway, so you will have a good selection when we are done. Let's do the seated shots," I said, moving back in front of the camera and placing a director's chair in position.
Cynthia sat down, crossed her legs and adjusted herself as I went back to the camera. I lowered the camera position on the tripod and framed the shot.
"Looking good. - just fold your hands in your lap and look directly at the lens," I asked and then proceeded to take another 10 or so pictures.
I then walked over to Cynthia and adjusted the chair to be offset from the line of the camera and walked back.
"Turn your head to look directly at the camera. Let's see how these turn out," I said, adjust the camera position and zoom then proceeded to take another 10 or so shots.
"OK then, let's see how this lot went. Please come around and have a look," I said.
Again Cynthia walked around next to me and we reviewed the pictures.
"I'm happy with those. How about I go and get changed into my next outfit?" she asked.
"Yeah sure, sounds good," I replied a little distractedly as I made some setting adjustments on the camera.
Cynthia came back 10 minutes later in a different outfit and we went through the whole procedure again. We went through the shots making sure we had something to work with. As she went off to change for the second time it struck me I wasn't being a very good host.
"Hey Cynthia, would you care for a glass of something?" I called down the hallway.