References for Helen Saunders

JohnDuder

In the very best possible ways, Helen's a model from a different era...

In all sorts of ways, she's delightfully old-fashioned: the sort of sensible, getting-on-with-things woman that my mother enjoyed working with. And that is - in my book - high praise.

Delightfully clear and literate communication before the event, and flowing conversation as we shot, and between locations.

Well-prepared, and bringing everything she needed along with her, including drinks (it was a very warm day).

Posing naturally and flowingly, responding to the light and surroundings, Helen provide loads of lovely images.

And in line with all the other photographic desiderata, she accepts the passing of time with grace and even delight: making no concessions to the conventional demands of photography. I think her extensive experience as an artist's model is responsible, alongside her lovely personality and the common-sense I alluded to above.

Would I work with Helen again? Very definitely! A wonderful addition to my 'Models over 40' project. Even if you are bound by the conventions of Page 3, you should consider booking Helen, because she may change your perceptions of beauty.

Thank you, Helen. Wonderful work.

Johnny Rawlinson

Helen is very professional, easy to deal with and a splendid model. I can thoroughly recommend her. She has exceptional energy and a can-do attitude which is inspiring.

Far Forest Studio

We were pleased to welcome Helen to our studio for her first visit and we hope it will not be her last.

She was an absolute joy to have a a guest. A wonderful personality that shone through out her stay. It was obvious the photographer was very pleased with everything he had achieved and we were saddened that the visit had to end.

A perfect professional and person who would grace any studio.

Highly recommended to any studio or photographer.

Steve Mitchell

I responded to the casting call that Helen issued recently for her tour of Gloucestershire and surrounds, remembering a similar casting she issued the previous year that I regretted not responding to. Pre-shoot communications were prompt and succinct and Helen kindly agreed to travel just north of Gloucestershire to shoot at Far Forest Photographic studio in Worcestershire. Far Forest offers a great studio space together with extensive grounds and we jointly agreed that we would like to take advantage of both, depending on the weather which happened to be excellent on the day. Prior to the shoot we agreed on a range of styles and on the day we freestyled from there. An exceptional model and beautiful lady with a toned body. She has a very creative eye and through her still life modelling work is expert in shaping her body to pose expertly. She is also a great conversationalist and totally at ease in front of the camera. During our time together we covered a range of different styles and looks ranging from fashion to art nude; strong poses highlighting her wonderful toned physique to a more soft and gentle side. I can't wait for the opportunity to work with this lady again. Very highly recommended.

parafotos

Having seen some published images of this strikingly beautiful lady I was determined to work with her myself. Having made positive contact with Helen through PurplePort I was immediately impressed by her professionalism and we soon organised a shoot together on Salisbury Plain where I live. It was a perfect, warm, sunny day and Helen arrived after a two hour plus drive smack on time and looking amazing. Everything about the shoot itself was perfect. She was wonderfully enthusiastic and was totally on-side with the kind of images I was hoping we could create. And apart from all that she proved to be delightful company - she has a cracking sense of humour! The time simply sped by and the images we created are just awesome. Thank you Beautiful Lady - here's to the next time!

UWVision2

Helen stepped in at short notice, for my last underwater shoot, after a couple of other models proved unreliable. Helen is as always a delight to work with, and even up for some slightly more crazy costume ideas a little outside her "normal". The absolute consummate professional and everything you could ask for in a model. Next time I need a model for underwater I will be seeing if Helen is available first! Thank you Helen

MikeFFPhoto

Helen is a wonderful model. Very creative and artistic. She was extremely professional and kind from the moment we met. We created really great images together. I highly recommend Helen to any photographer out there looking for a talented and very professional model. Thank you Helen.

gregc

Helen and i had discussed todays shoot over the previous weeks with myself providing the briefest details of my ideas. Helen went away and gave much thought to how to interpret those ideas in the location we were going to use. She turned up with a pile of outfits and props, including down to cold tea and cake, olives and a false martini in a martini glass, all of which she apparently hates! the resulting images we achieved were wonderful! In short you get a wonderful looking model who goes the extra mile to produce great images. Highly Highly recommended.

matthegrinch

I attended a workshop in Folkestone at Studio Visage today and Helen was the model.

Very professional and enthusiastic, Helen arrived with a number of outfits for our group shoot.

Helen was wonderful at posing and no direction was required, this resulted in some great images.

I look forward to working with Helen in the future and would highly recommend.

LordSussex(Filshamstudio)

Lovely lady and model. Very professional, we sorted out what I was looking (poses wise), Helen was brilliant, calm, did not need direction, apart form small movements and angles. Highly recommended, will work again as soon as diary allows

Matt Stabeler

This is the second time I have met Helen, and yet again I was really impressed with her professionalism and skill. Her experience shows through her ability to form varied and wonderful poses.

This time, was fine art/concealed nude, and it was a huge success. This was a group studio session, and we all took something great away from the experience!

Thanks again Helen! :)

Matt Stabeler

Helen brought her professionalism and experience to our small group studio session, where we were practicing our portrait skills.

I really enjoyed working with her, and so did the other members of our group, and I am looking forward to working with her in the future!

Thanks Helen!

Obaris Images

Great shoot with a very good model and lovely person

Shot a couple of genres , made the most of the natural light and really pleased with with sets we captured

A complete professional I would recommend Helen to all togs

Johnny Rawlinson

Helen is an excellent, experienced model: well organised, friendly and easy to work with; her energy and sustained enthusiasm are admirable. She can hold a pose with quiet efficiency and stillness and without fuss and she’s prepared to be flexible and cooperative. I look forward to booking her again.

Poisonivee16

Beautiful both inside and out, and an absolute pleasure to model alongside. With vast amounts of experience compared to me, Helen never made me feel inadequate. We worked together well and had a tricky job to synchronise poses, but it felt as effortless as it could alongside Helen. 100% would work with her again if the opportunity arose. Thanks again x

Marco Bellimbusto

How many of Helens references were written by me? Regardless, here goes with another glowing report. Helen is a grafter. Pre shoot comms spot on. Turns up ready to work and work, then work some more. Underwater shoots are tough. Exhausting, both physically and mentally. Yet, this dynamo ends six hours working underwater with a workout rolling vinyl backdrops up out of the pool, and loading props and equipment. Stunning images come from every shoot with Helen. An absolute pro.

Irida

Had the pleasure of working alongside this incredible model today !

Helen is a joy to work with ! Full of positive energy and so extremely easy going and down to earth !

Her poses are effortlessly perfect!

A beautiful model inside and out and I’m very happy to highly recommend to all !

gregc

I was initially struggling for words for this reference, but having read the recent ones on here I feel more confident. Today was my second shoot with Helen and just to make it a bit more of a challenge I asked another model to take part and set them some vague concepts that I wanted them to meet working together. it was superb, they nailed it and they made it great fun despite the British weather and challenging underfoot conditions. Helen can produce "that" look and forget age, in her case it is only a number and it is 30 years younger. Her life modelling experience comes out in her poses and her fitness comes through to produce great images. put simply if you want a great model who will contribute ideas and poses to your shoot and is great company and fun while doing it put your assumptions aside and work with Helen.

Shaun Solent

When one hires a model who is closer to the age of 60 than 50, as a photographer one expects that leniency will be called for - lights that are somewhat softer, poses that are less demanding, and skin-friendly processing techniques. I was wrong. Dead wrong.

Helen Saunders took my studio by storm. Did we say 'less demanding' ? Well, she started on the hoop - that great leveler that separates the aerial exponents from the pretenders. The images popped.

What about a pair of thigh-high boots and a tiny top to frame the abs and derriere. My lighting was hard - it showed tight ripped musculature, the slimmest of waistlines, and nigh-perfect skin.

Time to dress in rags and play Miss Molly Malone - WOW ! Also, time to rope in Salient Lupus as one very lucky, although a somewhat badly-behaved fisherman. Let's just say that our Molly succeeded admirably in distracting the old salt from his net-mending chores . . .

You have to hire Helen. With that beautiful physique, she brings skill as well as a calmness and maturity you will not easily find in younger models. She is a pleasure to work with.

OFI

I’m so glad that Helen responded to my casting and I had the privilege of shooting with her in Kent. An extraordinary model, it is easy to recommend Helen in the highest.

Helen put great effort into styling our “outrageous fashion” theme, which I really appreciated, and worked hard covering a lot fo ground in a limited time. She has a truly exceptional ability to pose and adopt expressions, her life modelling experience paying dividends. Fun and great company too!

Quite unlike any other model in my portfolio, I hope we will find the chance to work together again. I highly recommend you do too.