Tag: Leah Hawker photography

The Collection: Stockings & Socks
#41- #44

Post author By Leah
Post date September 8, 2015
No Comments on The Collection: Stockings & Socks
#41- #44

(Please note: This is the “archive” of the collection of shoot props (generally lingerie/womens attire somehow) that I have gathered over the last 11 years of my career.
They are catalogued by number, and description for now as well as any other relevant information about their individual histories- how I came to have the items, what shoots they might have been used for, etc.
The style in which I document an item may vary according to the type of garment/object it is).

#41 – Stockings
Black, size medium, tyre-print stockings with gusset. This is the first time I’ve looked at these stockings in an image, they shoot really well and have a great and unusual design. They’ve been in my collection for at least 9 years and have never been used in a shoot till now.

#42 – Stockings
Pink, sheer cut off hold-up stockings. These were in a bunch that I was gifted from my aunt forever ago. I’ve used them in many shoots, especially in themed private “boudoir” shoots when I started out. The image included was shot about 9 years ago with a Johannesburg client.

#43 – Socks
Flesh tone and white ankle socks with floral and text print. These make me wonder who would have designed and manufactured them and why. Anyhow, I bought them at a train station Chinese supermarket while I was still studying and am yet to use them.

#44 – Socks
White cotton blend ankle socks with ribbing detail. These come from a sock and underwear wholesaler. They are the iconic school-girl socks obviously, I think I thought I’d use them during my years with Playboy but actually didn’t get the right opportunity.

Tags a collection of female attire, a collection of lingerie, a collection of underwear, a collection of womens attire, ankle socks, cape town photographer, cotton blend socks, Leah Hawker photography, legs in stockings, photoshoot, school girl socks, sheer pink stockings, socks, stocking product shoot, stockings, the softersex

The Collection: Stockings & Socks
#38- #40

Post author By Leah
Post date September 4, 2015
No Comments on The Collection: Stockings & Socks
#38- #40

#38 – Stockings
Lace black thigh-high stockings, size medium-large. These are beautiful to shoot with and were unusual to find in South Africa when I bought them 6 years ago at Woolies. The silicone-type grip the manufacturers use on these kinds of stockings are a disaster though,-they’re either far to tight and cut into the flesh creating an accentuated fat-roll in a very unflattering spot (especially if you can see this bumpiness through the skirt or dress) or they just don’t hold up at all and slide down your legs mid-stride. Almost 90% only for quick visual effect or photoshopped into mooi-ness.

#39 – Stockings
Baby-blue, ribbed semi-opacque thigh-high stockings with jewel detailing. I cut these stockings down to thigh highs in about 2008 for a theme party. They never ended up going but it was an interesting experiment in stocking re-decorating, be-dazzling and up-cycling.

#40 – Stockings
Hold-up, thigh-high “Mexican silver”, size M-L Escort brand stockings. I bought about 20 or so packs of these ages ago. They shoot well but the nylon textile that was used, supposedly having a “look and feel of real silk“, makes them sensually strange when worn; they have very little stretch, high shine and a kind of coarse texture which is very reminiscent of the era they were made in I suppose.

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A Collection of Female Attire

The Collection: Stockings & Socks
#34- #37

Post author By Leah
Post date August 25, 2015
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#34- #37

#34 – Stockings
Blue gusseted semi-opaque stockings. Rich deep blue stockings I was handed down by one of my aunts about 10 years ago. I’ve used them only a handful of times in shoots. Included is one of the images which I used where they feature,- shot in 2009 as part of the 9 Hotel Rooms project.

#35 – Stockings
Purple/lilac ribbed stockings. I think these were also a hand-me-down from a family member. I never shot with them but began transforming them into suspender-usable-stockings and then stopped half way. Now they just look bizarre…and kind of interesting.

#36 – Stockings
Almost invisible, nude thigh high stockings. I love these. They’re a 1980’s brand of stockings I bought years ago and shoot almost like they’re not there. I’ve shot with them a number of times. Below is probably one of my favorite pics with them, showing the incredibly beautiful Emelia Vermeulen, a South African model who might be one of my accidental muses since I first shot with her in 2011 for One Small Seed.

#37 – Stockings
Cream, size large, knitted and printed Winter stockings. These are totally homely but await the perfect shoot for which I haven’t had quite the right moment yet. They make me think of American Aparel’s brand which often plays on this kind of look.

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Women I've Shot

“The Housewives”, Private Commissions:
This is Amiyra

Post author By Leah
Post date August 6, 2015
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This is Amiyra

(Note: “The Housewives” was a term I fondly coined in 2006 after I started getting shoot requests from private, individual women who became my clients. Many of the women who contacted me were married and in their mid 30’s and were doing the shoots as gifts to their husbands. The folder in my archives is still called this and so I’ve stuck to it, in part just for the irony: most of these women are not “housewives” at all, but strong independent and forward thinking women who I have had the honour of documenting.

All are private commissions and the demographic has changed substantially over the years. Some I’m still in contact with, others I’ve totally lost contact with, some have become friends, some may wish not to have their real names used, others don’t mind, some may have their faces obscured for privacy reasons, others have generously shared their experiences of being photographed.)

I met Amiyra (name changed for privacy) during the time I was studying in 2003. She approached me to shoot a few years later and we shot in the photographic studio at Ruth Prowse which I had access to at the time.

I had put together a few reference ideas for the shoot; we went with two quite moody and low-key set-ups; one utilising a designer chair and lingerie as props and the other with only lighting to highlight the form of her body.

I asked her to bring along a selection of her own heels and lingerie. Even though I already had options for her from my own collection I’ve always found it sensible for clients to bring a selection of their own which could cover any gaps in taste preference and fit. Amiyra was also particularly petite; a pair of knee highs stockings worked as thigh-highs on her.

Amiyra was the only woman I’ve ever worked with who had piercings surprisingly. Notably only because this was during a time when genital or nipple piercing was pretty trendy in South Africa.

She struck me as someone who was self-contained, reserved yet uninhibited; with a strong sense of self. Her own perspective was then interesting to learn:

I considered myself to have a very plain appearance and even though I prefer to not stand out I needed a reminder of my sexy / provocative self. To some extent it was a confirmation to myself that this side of me exists.

Not having done a professional shoot prior to this, I do remember it being a very exhausting experience. Leah played a big part in making me feel as comfortable as possible and this discarded any fears I had of bearing myself in the manner in which I did.

Over the years and since the shoot I have grown emotionally and am now very comfortable with both my body and my appearance.

Even though I am pleased with the images it does hold two truths for me. It is not only a reminder of my insecurities at the time but is also a reminder of my personal growth since then and how much happier and confident I am within myself now.

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