Header photo: Nausicaa at the factory I by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

CalmNudes is a hobbyist photographer based in Oxford, United Kingdom, with more than 21 years of experience.  

After recently sharing their photoshoot (featuring NausicaaYami at The Factory) with the PurplePort community, CalmNudes generously gave us their time for a quick interview to go into more detail about the shoot.

Check out the fabulous images created during the photoshoot, and find out what inspired CalmNudes for the shoot, how they planned it, the camera gear they used, and more.

Someone confused " and ' by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

Nausicaa at the factory V by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

SHARE A SHOOT with PurplePort photographer CalmNudes

How did you come up with the concept? Did anything inspire you?

What’s the quote about “no plan survives past the first shot”?

My most successful shoots haven’t really had a firm concept. Here, an antique camera and a giant version of an Anglepoise desk lamp set gave me ideas for shots.

Anglepoise by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

On a lot of shoots, what a model brings along gives me ideas.

For our previous shoot, Elena (NausicaaYami) brought a leather jacket, and I’d been carrying some crazy sunglasses around. I just saw the jacket and went – that will go with these.

Things models bring, and the place and stuff in it give me most of my ideas.

Nausicaa at the factory II by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

What did you do to plan the shoot?

There’s another quote I like “I try to plan… but that isn't my basic mode, really. I improvise. It's my greatest talent. I prefer situations to plans, you see.”.

I’m not one of life’s planners, but I will go in knowing what that model likes to shoot and with a jumble of possible ideas for things where our interests overlap.

I’d worked with Elena before, so I knew she was a great person to develop ideas with, and that’s great when the ideas are still taking shape.

Nausicaa at the factory IV by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

Image by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

How did you arrange the shoot?

Through PurplePort, obviously!  

I think as 2022 was ending, I sent a few messages out to models saying, “Nice to have worked with you, and I was really happy with this thing we produced, so I hope to work with you again next year”, and that got us to put something in the diary for early 2023 - we had a bit of trouble finding a studio which would work.

Nausicaa at the factory III by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

What was it like shooting at that location?

The factory is on the wrong side of London for me. Otherwise, I would shoot there a lot.

It’s got lots of space. You can make it look like a home or a studio, there are inspirational props, and if you want to use natural light, it’s workable in the main space.

They just ask that you have a bit of thought about what might seen from outside.

Image by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

Tell us about the gear you used.

I’ve been using Pentax for more years than I care to think about, the last few their full frame K1.

Files are saved as RAW but with the preview as mono, emulating a yellow filter with a little toning.

I have their 85, 77, 43, and 21mm prime lenses, but at the time of this shoot, the 43 was in for repair, so I used the “nifty 50 f/1.4” that I bought used 20 years ago for about ¼ of the shots and the 85 for the rest.

Nausicaa at the factory VI by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

It changes!

One of the ones on the sofa (see below) has become my most successful image on PurplePort, and I remember being so excited when I saw it on the back of the camera!

Nausicaa at the factory I by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

If I had to pick one, it would probably be the antique camera (see below).

We tried some seated, and they weren’t quite right, but as soon as I said, “Pretend you’re shooting through the window with it”, Elena just produced a bit of magic – and even more excitement when I saw the preview.

Nausicaa with an antique camera by photographer CalmNudes and model NausicaaYami taken at studio The Factory

Thank you, CalmNudes, for sharing your creativity, experience and images with us. We loved learning all about your photoshoot with model NausicaaYami at The Factory!

We hope you all loved it, too. Don't forget to check out the links below to see more of CalmNudes' work!

Here's where you can find more of CalmNudes' work

PurplePort: CalmNudes 

Instagram: calmnudes 

What is PurplePort

PurplePort is a modelling website that brings models, photographers and other creatives together with one fantastic service. We provide the tools and help you need to get together and create amazing photos.

Established in 2010, PurplePort has grown from strength to strength and now has 40,000+ active members worldwide. With features such as integrated messaging, calendar, shoot plans, image albums, references, credited photos, busy member forums, hundreds of articles, and dedicated full-time staff to help you, it's easy finding the perfect creatives you need for your next photography project. It's a fresh, fast, and feature-rich alternative to ModelMayhem.

Join the fastest growing, most feature-rich service of its kind and start making magical photos a reality!

Follow us on social media 

We regularly post beautiful, dynamic and inspiring images from our talented community on social media.

Check out our blog on PurplePort and our social channels below so you can stay inspired anytime:

Join now and start networking

Join the community and start your modelling or photography career now.