Prologue
When Alec had first clawed his way into commercial fashion photography (which wasn't at all flashy, but paid real money) he was grateful for one client in particular who gave him steady, repeat business and a predictable income stream. Alec was starting over in midlife with nothing to lose, but still needed to pay rent. The client was a local Christian fashion brand which produced "ethical, demure, Christian" designer clothes for girls in their teens and early twenties. It was mostly "hip" t-shirts with slogans about Jesus, and jeans with faux-ripped knees.
The client wanted to ensure their success, and so was willing to invest in the cost of genuine talent from the local branch of a large, reputable modelling agency. But they still had a limit to their budget. That was how Sheba became their official "face."
At 5'4", she was under-height for big fashion, but she was a blonde with a perfect smile, she was affordable, and she fit the client's vision. She was 16 years old, shy, but perfectly photogenic. Alec worked with her and the Christian clothing brand for the next two years, and he enjoyed a career success he hadn't savoured in a long time. Sheba made good money too, but her parents, who dropped her off, co-signed her model releases, and picked her up from her shoots, put all her earnings in a trust fund.
That's why it made for an awkward conversation the day Sheba came in for the client's fall clothing line shoot, one month before her 18th birthday, with no parents, and tried to sign the release by herself.
"Hey Sheba, what's up. Where's Mom? I still need her signature," said Alec cheerfully but with one eyebrow raised.
"You don't anymore," she said, smiling shyly.
"I do sweetie, you're still 17 yet."
"Nope. I'm emancipated now."
"Sorry?"
"I'm legally emancipated from my parents."
"I totally don't understand."
Sheba explained the concept to Alec while he listened incredulously. "It took me a while but I got a declaration from the court to remove my parents as legal guardians and take control of my trust fund."
"Man, this sounds heavy," he said. "What happened?"
"That's a long story. My family's Jehovah's Witness, but I don't want to be JW anymore. That caused a lot of trouble, and eventually I was disfellowshipped. So I applied for emancipation, and I got myself out of the stupid all-girls private Christian school I was at."
"What's disfellowshipped mean?"
"Basically kicked out of the JW community. I can't see my family anymore or the JW community, and they can't see me."
Alec sat silently for a moment, trying to wrap his head around her story. "This all sounds really heavy," he said after a pause. Sheba nodded, and for a brief moment her face twitched. She cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders.
"Anyway it's all for the best. I'm here, I'm ready to work. I want to keep this gig. And now that I can do what I want, I also want other fashion gigs that aren't Christian. No more Christian clothing lines. In fact, I'm reading this big book that's full of tips and information about real fashion modelling." Sheba pulled a thick book out of her bag about high fashion modelling.
Alec decided not to remind her about her shorter height.
"Okay, fair enough," he simply said. "There's certainly a lot to know about fashion beyond this small-potatoes catalog stuff."
She nodded and continued. "Also, Alec: I want to try glamour modelling. Do you do glamour shoots like Maxim and stuff? My parents would have never let me try glamour modelling, but I can do whatever I want now, and I'm curious."
Alec raised an eyebrow again. "Actually, you have to be 18 for that, Miss. Come back to me in a month when you've turned 18 and then we'll talk. I'm not sure you actually know what glamour's all about."
"Well, fine then. Let's make it my birthday present. Because I don't have any plans for my 18th birthday."
"You're kidding. Why not?"
"Well, I can't see any of my JW friends, and I'm not in the private school anymore. So yeah, those would be all the people I'd celebrate with and they're gone."
"Awe jeez, Sheba," said Alec. "I'm really sorry. Alright, let's do that then. But I have to figure out this stuff with your release now."
"Yeah I'm allowed to sign contracts and stuff."
"I still have to clear this with the client and the agency, miss. I'm sorry, I just don't get this emancipation stuff."
Alec spent about an hour on the phone with the client and modelling agency before everyone was confident that Sheba could sign her own release with no legal issues, and they got on with the shoot for the fall clothing line. At the conclusion of the shoot, they scheduled Sheba's birthday shoot one day after her 18th birthday, because Alec was booked the previous day. He assured Sheba he would take care of everything.
Sheba's Glamour Shoot
Alec had marked Sheba's 18th birthday on his appointment calendar, and their glamour shoot the following day. On her 18th birthday, Alec's client shoot ended early and so he decided to head out and pull wardrobe for Sheba. He knew her measurements by memory and he realized with a thrill that this would be an exciting shoot. He'd watched her mature from a shy, quiet teen into a shy, quiet eighteen year-old, her breasts swelling out and her hips becoming sensuously curvy. He had never seen Sheba wearing anything that wasn't completely demure, and he realized this was an opportunity to change that. He also ordered a small birthday cake for her with "Happy 18th Sheba," written on it. It was waiting in the studio when Sheba showed up with her hair and makeup done. She was always amazing at doing her own hair and makeup.
"Wowz thank you Alec!" she squealed and threw her arms around him. She was wearing a Jesus t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, because she got her clothes free from their shoots. Alec could feel her breasts pressing into his chest as they hugged. They felt really good. They had some cake and chatted. Alec had her favourite music playing on the studio system.
"You've been so good to me these past years," she said. "You're like an uncle to me. I'm so glad I have someone cool to spend my 18th with."
"Awe," Alec said, giving her a quick side-hug. "You're a sweetie. It's been wonderful watching you grow up and become your own person. You've been through a lot, and you're a brave girl."
"I'm almost finished my fashion book!" she said. "Did you know real fashion models never wear any underwear underneath their outfits?" Her eyes were wide and solemn.
Alec almost choked on cake.
"Well, I don't know about that..." he started.
"Yes it's true. It's to prevent VPN. Visible Panty Line."
"But Photoshop..." Alec said, his voice trailing off. Then he shrugged. "What do I know."
Sheba didn't seem to hear him as she walked over to the dressing room and kicked off her shoes into her bare feet before taking a deep breath. "Okay let's do this. What do I wear?"
Alec took a deep breath. "Okay, let's try these." He led her over to a wardrobe rack on which he'd hung his purchases after giving them a quick steam. First he took an off-white, stretchy, Henley top with a daring, plunging v-neck that ended with three buttons below that. He handed it to her and she held it up.
"Interesting," she said quietly and nodded slowly. "What do I wear with this?"
Alec handed her the mini skirt. It was a very light pink. And it was short. And cute, with pleats, giving it a flare, especially in the back. Sheba held it up and inspected it silently.
"Glamour..." Alec said tentatively. He could feel the new direction they had turned towards, and his chest felt tense.