Camera Club
Sophia and Archie
This is the latest story from us. You may like to read about our adventures in California to get the background to our lives but it's not essential. This story, about a little adventure we had after we'd discovered ourselves on the west coast, stands on its own.
Archie
Sophia and I have run a camera club in our small town for several years. We don't have many members, probably about twenty, all ages and both sexes. We meet every month to talk about ideas for pictures and then compare and review each other's efforts and come up with ideas and themes for future projects. It's very competitive.
Sophia never had much of an interest in photography, but from the outset she wanted to be involved in the club. She is now the secretary and treasurer and organises just about every event we have. If we come up with an idea for a visit somewhere to take pictures, she'll research the place and come up with lots of ideas and then make any bookings we need. I don't know how we would function without her as I'm hopeless with these things.
Last year we decided on a visit to New England in the fall. Sophia booked all the hotels and transport and it went off brilliantly. The area looked stunning in all its vibrant colours and we returned with some great pictures.
Our last meeting was only attended by five members other than myself and Sophia. Al, Nick, John, Ralph and Nigel were the only ones to turn up. We were reviewing pictures we'd taken of clouds, sunsets and sunrises. Most were really good.
Al, or 'big Al' as he is known (on account of his 6' 2" height but also rumoured to be big in other areas according to his ex-wife) was moaning about the subjects we photographed.
'We always take pictures of nature as the women in the club see it.' he bemoaned.
'Well what would you suggest?' asked John.
'What about people?' he suggested.
'People? What sort of people.? Asked Nigel.
Al was looking at the floor.
'Come on Al,' I said, 'What do you mean?'
I looked at Al, who was now looking sheepishly at my wife. She smiled at him.
'I think I know what sort of people Al's talking about.' she said, looking straight at him.
So it was that we decided to get a female model in to take some 'artistic' pictures.
The boys were all in agreement. We'd never have got it through if all the members had been there. We have seven female photographers and they would never have allowed it.
Sophia said she would check around and see if we could get a 'life class' model like they use in the evening art classes.
'It would be tasteful.' Al insisted. 'We would be well behaved and take pictures as if we were painting her.'
Sophia
I said I was ok with it and managed to book a female 'life class' model who was willing to have some 'artistic' pictures taken, as I knew that this is what the chaps were really wanted to do. I arranged for the model to come to our house for the afternoon session and as it was a warm afternoon, we all took a beer in the garden to wait for Sarah, who was going to be our model for the afternoon.
I told the guys, now only five in number, as John couldn't make it, that they didn't need to worry about how Sarah would stand or pose, as she knew what they wanted. I also said that if any of them get cheeky or silly and make her feel uncomfortable, I would call and end to the session.
Archie
Sophia disappeared into the kitchen to get beers. A few minutes later she emerged with her phone to her ear.
She looked concerned as she spoke to the caller.
'Oh. OK.' she said sadly. 'Sorry to hear that. I hope she recovers soon. Thanks for letting me know.' She hung up and looked at us.
'That was Sarah's mother. I'm afraid she has a bad migraine and won't be able to make it today.'
The guys looked crestfallen.
'Sorry guys, we'll just have to rearrange for another day.' I said, packing my camera and lenses away.
'Let's have a beer.' said Sophia, disappearing back into the kitchen. 'Cheer you poor boys up. Take a seat in the garden and I'll bring them out to you.'
We trudged out onto the decking and sat. A few minutes later, Sophia emerged with a tray of Buds and crisps.
We all clinked bottles and took a long swig. No one spoke for some minutes.
'It's a damn shame Sarah couldn't come.' said Ralph. 'I was looking forward to it.'
They all muttered agreement.
Sophia
They all looked so disappointed as I handed out the beers,
'Here's one to cheer you up.' I said and turned to Archie with that smile on my face that said I had a little something up my sleeve.
As they finished their drinks I stood up and told them that all was not lost and there was an alternative, all five looked up at me and their smiles were back,
'There is?' Ralph said excitedly, just as Archie glanced my way and winked back, he knew what I was going to suggest. He knew me so well!
'Well, I'm no model and no model's body but I am female and willing and available, what do you think boys?' Al rushed over and hugged me, which I soon put a stop to as I am sure I felt a bulge in his shorts!
The boys agreed that if I was willing, they loved the idea that I would be their model. Archie then asked me if I would go naked. Well, the thought had crossed my mind but I didn't want to ruin a good friendship with the boys as members of the Camera Club, so I said I would go topless at first and then see where the afternoon took us. However, I insisted that I would be in charge and when I said enough was enough, that was it and they would have to stop!
Archie
The guys were now looking at me, almost pleading.
'We have taken time out to come down.' said Al. 'It would be a shame not to.'