The alarm starts buzzing for the 3rd time and I finally muster the strength to reach out and slap it into submission. It's just past six in the morning, at least it's the last time I'll be doing this for a few weeks. One more day of photo shoots and I can finally enjoy some rest over Christmas. Four photographers today, old friends and some people I've not met before, luckily Chris is letting me use the studio for free. Such a sweet guy, I might have to show him how thankful I am later on, a cheeky grin flashes across my tired face, still waking up. Memories of the last time I "thanked" him come quickly back to mind. I need to start getting ready though, no time for fantasising, can't leave the guys waiting for me at the studio. Not very professional of a model to show up to her own studio day late.
The morning flies by, I grab a quick breakfast, a banana and some granola. Not forgetting the large mug of coffee. Going to need the energy today. The two guys I've worked with before I know will get me up to all sorts of things, I'm going to need to be awake and ready for it. Not sure about this new guy, Freddie. He seems to have done some interesting work in the past and was willing to pay my full rate for some nude shots, so I can't complain too much.
The last photographer is going to be fun. Finally a girl photographer to work with! It's been ages since I worked with a girl, it's usually just a bunch of older men, bored of their wives and just wanting to see a pretty girl naked and create some "art". They're never creepy though, just like to hang around and chat with a pretty girl I guess. Maybe it brings back some fun memories for them. Or gets them going for when they get home to their wives. Ha, who knows. They pay well and they're fun to work with.
I quickly shower and put on some makeup, nothing too fussy this morning. Some of the guys like a specific look, but I know Graham, my first booking of the day prefers a more natural look. The trip to the studio is uneventful, roads are busy but I pass the time listening to a podcast about modelling. My friends Abbie and Jess started it a while ago to talk about the things models get up to in their spare time or what bothers them about the industry. It's got a loyal following now. I've been on once in the past. Just chatting with the girls about the more adult side of the work I do.
Out of my friends I'm one of the only girls that will do open leg shots and play with some toys for the camera. Mind you I charge for it and it's usually just for the guys pleasure. A couple of magazines have bought some images but it's not really gotten me anywhere yet. Maybe next year I'll push for it some more. For now the bookings I'm getting are enough to keep me going.
I pull up to the studio and Chris is already waiting outside. Seems a bit agitated, playing with the keys to the studio in his hand nervously. I get out of the car and stroll over to see what's up.
"Everything ok Chris?" I ask with a tilted expression.
"Not really Stef," he replies, clearly nervous about something. "Do you mind if I leave you at the studio today, on your own?
"I just got a call about a job. The photographer they booked ahead of me just called to say he couldn't make it and they've asked me to take over for the day. It's kind of a big deal and I'm running late so I'm a bit anxious already."
It's clearly a big deal, the poor boy is really shaking. He can't stand still.
"Of course! It's fine Chris. Give me the keys and get going," I quickly reassure him.
"Thanks Stef, I owe you. You sure you're going to be ok on your own today? You know where everything is in the studio. I stocked up the fridge yesterday so there's plenty of water and soft drinks. If you need anything just call," he trails off as we walk towards his car he gives me the keys to the studio.
"Yes, yes it's fine. I've been here enough to know what the deal is. Hurry up and get to your shoot, don't want you to be any later than you already are," I say, giving him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder as he gets into the car.
"What time should I expect you back?" I ask.
"Oh, umm, probably not today, I need to drive to Devon, and I won't be back till this evening. Do you mind locking up and I'll come by tomorrow and pick up the keys?" He says through the window of the car.
"Sure, no problem," I reply.
I've not really locked up before but how hard can it be. Don't want to cause him any more stress than he seems under right now. Best to let him get going if he has to drive all the way from South London to Devon for this shoot. It's clearly a big deal to him.
"Get going, and drive safe. Better to be late than not make it at all!" I tell him.
He smiles wanly, then reverses out of the parking space and drives off waving.
Right, well that wasn't exactly what I was expecting today. It's normally good to have Chris around when I'm doing nude shoots but the guys today shouldn't be a problem. The new guy is between Graham and Rob, so I can always ask Graham to hang around a bit to meet the new guy and Rob's usually early anyway. Nothing to worry about. And well, Jen the last photographer shouldn't cause any trouble!
I unlock the studio door and switch on the lights. The place is fairly tidy. A worn reception area greets you as you enter, the carpet's seen better days from all the comings and goings. The wallpaper is a grungy shade of grey and cream stripes, not exactly pleasant but it's definitely not where they've spent the money here. I walk through the entrance with a tiny kitchen on the left and through the reception to the main studio entrance. I always forget how big the room is. A high ceiling with four studio lights hung from runners. Softboxes dangling from the back wall and plenty of accessories and kit off to the sides. The white backdrop is extended to the floor, with the rolls of black, grey, green, and red rolled up to the ceiling. This is definitely where the money was spent here.
Dropping my bag of clothes and another for "accessories" for the shoot in the changing room in the corner, I switch on the lights and start laying out my makeup and checking my things. I'm still wearing sweatpants and a warm jumper while the studio heat takes its time warming up the place. I don't need to look "sexy" all the time. There's still a bit of time before Graham, the first photographer of the day should arrive so I potter about, make a coffee and just relax in the studio. The less time I spend in that dingy reception area the better. There's an office upstairs but I don't want to go up and disturb any of Chris's work.
The buzzer goes and I guess it's Graham arriving, 8:55 and the day is about to get started. Graham greets me with a huge hug at the door. He's a slightly portly guy in his mid-forties, short greying light brown hair on his head and a clean shaven face. He stands a little taller than me at about 5'10" I would guess. Such a lovely guy to hug, a little squeeze of soft flesh under his jacket. I grab one of his bags and take it through to the studio while he gets the rest of his things from the car.
"Here you go Stef! Got you a little something for the festive season," he says as he proffers me a gift bag of a bottle of something or other when he walks through into the studio. A big beaming smile on his face.
"Awww thank you Graham, you shouldn't have!" I blush as I take the bag from him. I pull a bottle of Moët from the bag, one of my favourites - let's be honest, all bubbly is my favourite, but I'll take the fancy stuff any day.
"I love it! Thank you so much," I say as I give the older man a big hug and a squeeze. So thoughtful. I'm really glad he could make it to my final studio day.
"You're more than welcome, it's been a fun year and I can't have my favourite girl go thirsty over Christmas." He gives me a wink and a smile as we part. Such a sweetie. I bounce through to the kitchen and put the bottle in the fridge, that might be a nice treat to end the day with.
"Where's Chris today? I didn't see his car outside," Graham shouts from the studio. "Did he run out for something?"
"No, he's had to go to a job at short notice, just me on my lonesome today," I reply as I walk back through to the studio.
"Ok, no worries. You ok with that today? Do you have many folk booked?" He asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
"I'll be fine Graham. I'm just seeing Rob later, and a girl I've not worked with before after lunch," I reply. "Although, I am seeing a new guy after you at 11. Would you mind hanging around a bit just to meet him when he gets here?" I ask.
"Of course Stef, no problem. You're the only plans I have today. Was just going to go home after here and edit the photos for you," he reassures me.
Great, so Graham will be here when Freddie arrives and Rob will arrive early so that's all taken care of. Phew.
Graham and I continue to make small talk while he sets up and has his customary cup of tea before we shoot. We discuss the shots he wants to do. Mostly lingerie today and some topless. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Graham says he's nearly ready to go so I slip into the dressing room to find something appropriate for the morning. Starting off with some black stockings and suspender belt, black lace 'cheeky' panties, and a black lace bra that's a little see through so you can just make out the piercing on my left nipple.
Strolling back out into the studio in my new outfit, Graham gives me a happy smile and picks up his camera.
"You're looking great as usual Stef," complimenting me still smiling. "Do you have some black heels to finish off the look?"
With a little smile back I grab my heels and slip them on. I've been doing this 4 or so years now and the eyes of a man on me in my lingerie still gives me a warm thrill. Even if this is meant to be a professional atmosphere it's still a huge turn on.
We go through some standard poses: bum out, chest out, one leg forward, side on, bent forward so he can get a good look down my cleavage. We have a laugh and chat away as we go. Some photographers are chatty like Graham, others are a bit more quiet and focused on what they're doing. As it's the first one of the day, I'm glad to have a chat, keeps me from getting too turned on too quickly. When I'm chatting it doesn't give me enough time to think about anything sexy.