Eyes of Alexa

Last Sunday I photographed Alexa Roodt in and around my uncle’s picturesque farm in Botha’s Hill.

After chatting with our model and looking through some of her Instagram photos, my assistant Rowan and I decided that an outdoor, bohemian style would be right up Alexa’s alley. I’ve learned that playing to the strengths and personality of the model almost always gives the best results. The discussion about wardrobe was very simple and quick, since Alexa already owns a variety of bohemian-style clothing.

We began shooting by a stream beside some massive boulders. Having never met Alexa before, I was impressed at how quickly the ice was broken, and at how swiftly we got into a photographic groove.

Besides her stunning blue-green eyes and photogenic looks, Alexa has a knack for owning her space in photographs, and coming up with poses on the fly.

On our way back from the stream, we noticed a rocky clearing among the bushes, and found that it made a surprisingly great backdrop. It’s amazing how simple backgrounds are almost always the best for making clean photos in which the subject stands out.

Next, we moved on to a forest of Autumn leaves across the street, which we decided would make a nice setting for a more fantasy-style, gypsy look.

Like me, Alexa is a big fan of flexibility and yoga, and I had asked her to bring her yoga gear. We chose a quiet road nearby to create the backdrop for some of her poses.

Just as we were wrapping up in the Autumn leaves area, we got chased away for trespassing on private property!

My uncle’s farm is full of picturesque settings, including a few dams, and we stopped by a particularly algae-filled one to take a few pictures.

We found a nearby pump house and got some glamorous shots, until Alexa and I started to feel a strange burning sensation, and she called out ‘It feels like I’m standing in fire!’. Then Rowan asks ‘do you mean, like, ash?’ She replies: ‘No – actual fire!’ Well it wasn’t actual fire, but it was actual stinging nettles... Ow

As is customary on many of my shoots, I asked Rowan to take over the camera for a few photos so I could pose with the model, and Alexa and I did a few headstands together. I’m not quite as elegant as Alexa is, but I’m getting there!

All in all, this was one of my favourite shoots of the year so far. Alexa is super easy to work with, looks great in every shot, and our mutual love of yoga made this a photo shoot to remember.

To book your photo shoot, email me on carrynvl87@gmail.com :)