Yesterday i decided to do some location scouting for future shoots. There are so many beautiful places in Leeds however a lot of these areas have previously been explored by photographers prior to myself. I wanted to photograph models in areas that were fresh and new, places that could be considered ambiguous albeit rather beautiful.
Whilst searching for these areas, i was in the company of my partner. As i was brainstorming i chose to tell him about a conversation i had subjected myself to a few hours before. Within this conversation with two rather drunk women, i learned the existence of a swingers club by the name of ‘Quest’. Whilst recalling this story, i was given the suggestion of shooting within the club itself. I hadn’t thought of this prior to my conversation with Matt however it was rather genius. Thoughts of leather decorum and large steel furniture, embalmed with the smell of lube and sex, it all made sense.
I had had a model lined up for my shoot named Aisha, she had previously messaged me on instagram about the possibility of shooting with me. She expressed that she was impressed by my work and wanted me to help build her portfolio, therefore i obliged. I felt she may work well with the ideas i had for this shoot due to the clothing she wore on her instagram account. Items of clothing included fishnet bodystockings and sheer bodysuits. Of course this type of clothing would make sense in regards to the visual mood of the shoot.
I decided to give the swingers club a call, this was when i found that the managers were rather conservative about me shooting within their venue. I was given unreasonable time frames in which put me off working with the establishment. This was when i discovered Pandora. I called the manager from a number i had found lurking about on Google. His name was Peter and while rather strange, he agreed to meet up with me the next day so i could take a look around the grounds. I of course obliged.
I chose to take a friend with me in case of any unnerving mishaps that i could potentially face, we both took an Uber to the location and had a look around. The building in itself seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. It was a large, stone building that seemed very discreet for a swingers club, although i suppose they have to be that way in case of unnecessary complaints. The front door situation proved rather tricky as all the doors to the building were locked, this is when i called Peter and he eventually let us into the venue. What i was shown inside was something of a dream, everything i had imagined was thrown into my face, i was overjoyed. Leather mattresses, bondage rooms, neon lights, it seemed almost too perfect to comprehend.
In conclusion this location seems like the perfect place to shoot my editorial piece later in the month. It is something i am rather excited about!
(see imagery below).
ELL, FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY 