References for Belle Noire aka Black Beauty

Joe Moer Foto

I had the privilege of shooting with Illy last year. What can one say about this amazing lady that so many other people haven't already said?!

She is an amazing model - one of the best I have ever worked with! She moves effortlessly and almost anticipated how I wanted her to pose without me even having to say anything. She flows from one pose to the next with ease. And her facial expressions match her amazing repertoire of poses with amazing accuracy.

She has a professional but friendly personality and the hours spent capturing her beauty just flew by.

She comes highly recommended and I can't wait to work with this vibrant lady again!

DaveEd

I'm delighted to be giving Beauty her 500th reference here on PP. We had another fabulous shoot together on Monday at her lovely home. I've worked with Illy a number of times over the past two years and she never disappoints. Always great fun, always full of energy and enthusiasm, always friendly, professional and organised. Her previous references say it all. There's little that I can add that hasn't already been said. She is as good as everyone says she is, probably even better. The lady loves doing what she does and she does it brilliantly. I can't recommendation her highly enough and I'm already looking forward to our next adventure.

If you haven't worked with this remarkable lady you're really missing out. Don't hesitate, don't think twice. Book a shoot with her now. I promise you'll be so happy that that you did.

Thanks again Illy :-)

Till next time xx

Dobie Gray

Arranged a shoot with Illy at her home, which has some great rooms with plenty of natural light and they're big, allowing or plenty of space to move around in, providing lots of options for some great images. Illy is very friendly, fun and bubbly, as I was a bit nervy meeting a new model on only my second shoot since returning, this really helped and I relaxed very quickly. Illy is very professional and a natural, so poses come easily, although took my direction when required to get the images that I planned for. We got some great images on a difficult day, being very dull due to the rain, and Illy was very patient as I eased myself into using flash on location. I would highly recommend Illy to any photographer, beginner or experienced, you will not be disappointed, and look forward to our next shoot together.

Ste Shaw

Really enjoyed our 4th shoot together, after a long wait with what is going on in the world today.

As ever you always look stunning! :) always give 100% I always leave the shoot only wanting more.

You've always been my favourite model to work with. :)

If anyone hasn't had a shoot with Black Beauty, yet. Then what are you waiting for? You will go back for another shoot, after the first one. I gaurantee!

Thanks for a wonderful shoot, Illy, see you soon!

harrtsmith

Everyone is going through hard times because the Corona virus and I guess that being a full time model has had been worst time to be in that profession. However, now that restrictions have been lifted slightly, it gave me a chance to do a shoot with my old pal BlackBeauty. As I could not shoot my normal style, I wanted to shoot bendy poses. Anyone who has worked with BB knows that she can do this with out even knowing she is doing it.So how did I get on? Well, I know that even through BB is good at her job and very friendly, she is also very professional. We shoot at BB house, plenty of parking, and was asked that if did not feel well on day that not to show up. As the size of BB house is quite large, living room an incredible 10 meters and one of the bedrooms was an impressive 7 meters. These dimensions are perfect to shoot in during present conditions. Not only could I keep my distance from BB but also talk to her and get some excellent shots in. Even though it was a bit strange not being able give a hug or handshake I was still looked after, BB made me a hot drink and I sat in the conservatoire and she in the next room and could have a conversation with out shouting. It was a great day, had some nice shots to edit. So there we have it guys, it is still possible to shoot just might have to use that zoom a bit more but as the saying goes, there is nothing like a challenge to bring out the best. Please fellow togs if you can shoot be do so now as many models like BB are having it bad. This is your time to make that little bit of a difference. Like to thank BlackBeauty for just being her and making sure we kept the distance and for making my first social distancing shoot.

sepiashots

Illy is a bundle of energy and a straight talking 'lass' which made me feel comfortable very quickly. Despite a very long drive she arrived fresh and well prepared for the day. Ultra friendly and bonkers funny, she literally had me in stitches on any number of occasions whilst we chatted throughout the day. We got some great images, despite me talking way too much. One of the funniest and best models I've worked with.

Daniel Kallinyn

I met Illy at her home, hoping to shoot videos for two pop songs.

The experience could easily have been a disappointment and a struggle, given that it is not in my nature to take charge of situations, and also given the fact that Illy is only the second model I've worked with.

Illy was lovely, her friendly and forthright character soon minimising my doubts and anxieties. It is true that she is an energised force of nature, but Illy took time to listen and to coax ideas out of me, and gave me breathing space to think when I needed it. Once I'd communicated the general idea of what I wanted, Illy took the lead, and posed with purpose and passion. Having said that, at no point did I feel ignored or overwhelmed. I feel our two very different personalities combined well.

I am really pleased with the results from the shoot. It's great to have videos for a couple of my songs, and I hope to work with Illy again. A memorable day.

pip k newman

This was a leap year visit ! My 1st visit, which was well arranged and communications good. Spend a good time chatting and enjoying many topics and had fun with a wrongly sized bullet bra - my fault! BB was easy to direct and responsive to the ideas and style asked for. I enjoyed our time and the result are great, so thanks.

Dag Nammett

In a nutshell, Illy is a bundle of energy with a fluid posing style, a disarming smile, and a cracking sense of humour. I booked an hour with her on her studio day at Sandon Studio, and honestly I could have shot for hours more. Illy is a wonderful mixing of grace, athleticism, talent and fun, she gives 100% to every shot whilst engaging you in great conversation - you come away from the shoot with a memory card full of potential, and having had a truly enjoyable time. Fully recommended!

JPea

I had a shoot with Illy about four months ago which was brilliant and so I felt that I was recovered enough to venture another.

So I asked her if she would come to my place for a four hour shoot and that is what happened today.

She is a bundle of free creative energy....I desperately trot along behind trying to keep up... and shooting with her is pure creative delight.

We got some wonderful, odd , interestingly lit images.

Illy is one of those models who have so much to give that you know you can shoot time and time again without it ever being stale...if she will have me that is!

You will gather that I suggest that if you haven't shot with her, you should get on and arrange it now.

Totally recommended by me to all photographers

beeman

After enjoying many images of Black Beauty over the years I was delighted to be able to book a shoot with her when she visited my neck of the woods and it really was the best thing I have done in a long time.Not only is she a stunningly beautiful model who produces pose after pose with the ease of someone who is at the top of their profession but she is the most wonderful company,intelligent,articulate and interesting,a pleasure to spend time with.

The three hours I had booked for stretched to three and a half but passed so quickly it seemed like five minutes,I look forward to spending more time with Illy as soon as possible,if you have the chance to work with this young lady,do your self a favour and book her,you wont regret it.A great big thank you Illy your very special and I am a devoted fan

Somersetman

It's not often that I meet a new model and we're on exactly the same wavelength in under a minute - but that happened yesterday, when the whirlwind of energy, confidence, grace and athleticism that is Black Beauty came to my studio!

Here's a model at the top of her game, whose vast depth of experience shines through in her preparation and her posing, and yet she also brings a creative playfulness and originality to every set as if it's the very first time. Truly a joy to work with. Add plenty of tea, some great conversation and a lot laughter and that was one fabulous shoot. I'm looking through my images now, and my only complaint is that there are too many good ones :-).

Very highly recommended. We're planning out next shoot already - enough said!

ArtHeart

For a long time I have wanted to work with Illy and at last the opportunity occurred.

'Black Beauty' is a breath of fresh air with such an infectious zest for life and unrivalled enthusiasm it creates exactly the environment required for shooting beautiful work.

Long, lean,with striking looks all fused together in one individual is a recipe for perfect harmonious creative art. Communication spot on and always up to date.like all professional models she is meticulous in her preparation and turns up ready to shoot immediately upon arrival.

Illy accepts direction and poses naturally in the most inventive unique style which is her trademark. She is also able to inject ideas and let a shoot develop organically which is my favoured method of working.

Not an ounce of superficiality or bull shite she genuinely is precisely as it says on the tin and I will most definitely ask her to return to AH for many more arty farty conceptual sessions.

A true role model !

Austin77

Had a shoot with Blackbeauty today at the Two wei location. Blackbeauty poses effortlessly and flows from one pose to the next.

Would definitely recommend to any photographer.

Thanks for a great shoot.

AndyB

I'd shot with Illy a few years back and it was great to have the opportunity to shoot with her again. She's highly professional and dedicated; she's very easy to work with, poses effortlessly and looks fantastic. I shot her at her home, which turned out to be very flexible - and I ended up with a great variety of looks.

I have no hesitation in recommending her - thank you Illy!

Alastair65

What an amazing model!! She approaches her role with professionalism and good humour. She poses fluidly and inspirationally and her relaxed approach is motivating. Any shoot is going to produce wonderful results. Do book a shoot it will be a revelation.

Iain Geddes

I'll start at wow! As this ball of energy just doesn't stop. Charming, funny, friendly, engaging and retaining a professional approach too. This was my first shoot with her. Great model at a very well equipped and flexible venue, what more can you wish for? This lady has a flexibility like she's molten at times and that's quite a skill. I'm happy to recommend and I'm hoping we'll shoot again.

DaveEd

I had another amazing Home shoot with Illy yesterday, and as she always does, She absolutely "smashed it". Great fun, as it always is with Illy and she delivers every time. Amazing poses, creative and inventive ideas, fabulous results and wonderful images captured.

As i may have mentioned before, Illy is an incredible model to work with and an absolute pleasure to spend time with. She knows exactly what she's doing and she does it remarkably well. Look at her portfolio, read some of the 480+ positive references that she has and book a shoot with her. You'll be so very glad that you did. Can't recommend her highly enough.

Thanks again Illy, another wonderful shoot.

Till next time xxx.

Adam_takes_pictures

Had my first shoot with black beauty today and got some amazing images. Easy to get on with and has a great range of poses

Old Owl

Had a great shoot at Illy's home. Excellent location and fabulous model. Illy is full of energy and puts a lot of effort into her work. She has fantastic poses, be prepared for an explosion of limbs! Highly recommend you arrange a shoot soon.