Sneak peek.. Behind the scenes from the Isola 2011 photoshoot!
Well, having been in front of the camera countless times for photo shoots, it was quite the experience to be on the flipside! Co-ordinating the crew, shopping for snacks and supplies, styling, directing hair and make-up, conversing with the photographer in regards to how to set up the shot, running in to bundle up the model while she’s freezing her butt off (which I know first hand is ALWAYS appreciated!) I was quite the multi-tasker on the day… and it wasn’t easy!
We shot the Isola 2011 campaign in the amazing sand dunes just off Stockton Beach in Newcastle, NSW. The weather forecast for that entire week was not good, but it was the only day we could shoot, so we had to make the most of it, no matter what. We started our day at 4am.. yes that’s right, 4AM!!! That was the cruel but necessary time I needed my very brave model Ilona to begin hair and make-up and luckily I had a pro on hand to perform this task, which was the very talented Jody Oliver (see my “Friends” page for more detail on Jodes.)
So we set off at 5.30am towards our very stunning, but very windy location. Ahhh.. Mother Nature. You beautiful, but unpredictable creature! The wind was not just cold.. It was ICY! I, of course, did not bring enough layers or clothes as it was the last thing on my mind while preparing for this shoot. My priority was the swimwear, therefore I froze the entire day! But, then there was poor Ilona… In a swimsuit! Ouch! But there was no time for sitting around whinging about how cold it was. We just had to get on with it and thank god I had a model that was a true professional and didn’t complain once all day!
The weather went from a beautiful sunrise, with windy conditions, to overcast, to stormy, to downright miserable in a matter of hours and at one point, of the 8 hrs we had allocated to shoot, 2 of those hours were spent in the location van, just waiting out the storm. I had a thought that the whole thing was going to end in disaster, but luckily I had a very talented photographer leading my team.
Nick Leary (also featured on my “Friends” page) has the ability to find beauty in any situation and is also very optimistic. Once the rain eased, we started to find ways to shoot Ilona that may not have been the initial way we had thought to shoot her, but it still worked and she looked stunning. And then, once we started shooting again, the sun magically reappeared. Thank god!
All in all it was a productive day, Ilona looked beautiful, the swimwear looked fantastic on her (even if I say so myself!) and the crew, even though they were exhausted, were absolute champions for working their butts off for me all day.
Thanks guys, you know who you are. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Love Megan x
Responses: (15 so far)
Pat says…
Wow! All I can say I think all boys should get their ladies some of these gathers. Yes they may not look like Megan but still very hot!
Megan says…
Hey Pat,
Thanks for the comments.
My swimwear is definitely not designed just for models! I start at a size 8 and go up to a 16DD so that’s quite broad
and there are a lot of different styles within the range with a view to constantly expand.
You should get your lady some ;-) Or a special lady in your life (Mum, sister, Aunty, niece???)
All the best,
Megan x
LauraAustralia1 says…
Megan, being in my 40s, I just love all your new beachwear designs…they are most flattering, stylish, TIMELESS and elegant especially for women in my age group …thank you!
Megan says…
Hi Laura,
It’s so great to hear that you love Isola and that all the designs appeal to you!
It’s reassuring for me to know that women are loving the range and that I have a market and customer base out there.
New styles will continue to be delivered until the end of the year, so keep your eyes peeled!
Love Megan x
James says…
Hey Megan,
I love your swimwear.
I’m looking to get into modeling, what are some good agency’s?
Thanks
James
Megan says…
Hi James,
It depends where you are located.
If in Sydney, Chic, Chadwick or Viviens are all good and the last 2 have agencies in Perth and Melbourne.
Good Luck with it all!
Love Megan x
Marlene says…
Hello Megan,
I saw you and Alex Perry on the Kerri-Anne show.
I was very happy about the idea of visiting David Jones for a check-up because I really do feel for those people suffering from breast cancer.
Keep up the great work!
Marlene xx
Megan says…
Hi Marlene,
Yes it was great to be able to go on Kerri Anne and spread the word to people and hopefully yesterday we
got a lot of people in store to shop for a good cause.
David Jones are very passionate about this initiative as am I and also Alex.
We hope that it will grow to be more successful year to year.
Thanks for your support!
Love Megan x
Diana says…
Hi Megan.
Just wondering where the mustard colored skirt you wore on the Kerri-Ann show is from? Looked gorgeous on you! So was the Isola collection!
Alll the best
Diana
Megan says…
Hi Diana,
It was a Lisa Ho skirt and is available at David Jones.
Hope you find it!
Love Megan x
Melanie says…
Hi Megan,
Not sure if i am going to be able to choose! They are all beautiful…
I have been holding out to go shopping for a bathing suit for my Cook Islands Honeymoon ( xoMissMellyxo on Twitter is me! )
I have planned to go this Friday, but wanted to get your advice, i am quite short and size 10, i wonder what style would suit me best? Being short i never know what to go for.….
Love the work you do..
ps: my Fiance is sitting here shaking his head at me and telling me to get over it…hahaha…i am taking buying a bathing suit too seriously! argg oh well.
Mel xxxx
Brianna says…
Hi Megan,
I just wanted to say that the bathers look beautiful! I love all your work and consider you as an idol!
I have just started modelling and love it!
Brianna xx
Megan says…
Hi Melanie,
It’s great to hear how enthusiastic you are about swimsuit shopping!
Of course you’re excited — it’s your honeymoon!
Look, I think the best thing is to actually go and try things on, one pieces and bikinis.
It’s so hard to tell just by looking at things in photos.
Happy shopping though and let me know which one you get!
Love Megan x
Barbara says…
Hi Megan
First of all absolutely love your swim wear range. But i have a slight problem.
I have had a partial Mastectomy quite some time ago
and have never found any nice swimwear or bra’s to suit my lopsided breast.
I think people tend to think that because we have half or no breast we want to cover up. I still looove beautiful lingerie
but just cant find any to suit my breast. Where can i go and have you designed anything to suit?
Thank you
Barbara
Megan says…
Hi Barbara,
Firstly thank you for your feedback and sorry to hear that you have had problems finding appropriate garments.
As it is only my second collection with Isola I am still refining current styles and cups and getting that perfect.
Not to say that customers who have had mastectomies should be forgotten about at all, but I know that Seafolly, who is a massive
company (much bigger than Isola) and have been in business for over 35 years, have had many requests such as yours in recent years and they have still found it
hard to develop the right top for women who have had mastectomies and they have a much larger knowledge and development department than I do.
That said, I do think it is a valid point though and if we manage to develop something like this, rest assured you will hear about it.
Thank you for visiting the site and all the best for Christmas and the New Year,
Much love,
Megan x