Model:Martina Goodman-Withers Make-up: Andrea Perry-Bevan

“Skilful retouching is an art formin its own right, so it’s about time we claimed the credit for our work.”

ensemble. I remember, Iwas shooting lingerie model Abbey Clancy sliding through a shark pool in a tunnel. The results were stunning. The lighting was spot on – and that

first

experience was enough for me. I placed an order for a range of Bowens heads and accessories and returned the hire gear. Now Bowens and I are joined at the hip.”

And she’s never afraid to put Bowens to the test: “A little while ago I was shooting on a beach near Liverpool at 5am. I had an assistant in the water with me holding a Bowens head and Travelpak above the waves as we photographed a freezing, bikini-clad model on the shore. I can’t imagine any other kit would be robust enough

to balance against a rising sun in those conditions - and still make Liverpool look like L.A in sunset.”

She adds: “I’ve been on some very messy shoots too. My lights have been splattered with paint, banana milkshake, baby oil, very fine glitter, mud, grass and rain and are still in perfect health.”

And she ignores the golden rule. Never work with animals or children. “This may be a strange reason to evangelise Bowens lighting, but I often include untrained animals on my shoots. My models have posed with lambs, piglets, frogs, wolves, birds and others. The Bowens lights never spook them.”

Admittedly the odd disaster strikes: “I recently shot a portrait of actor Elliott Tittensor on the set of the TV-hit show Shameless. As I was packing up I made the schoolgirl error of taking the sandbag weight off

the stand before

dismantling the light. The umbrella caught a gust of wind and it came crashing to the ground. It’s slightly bent now, but it’s still in full working order.”

Shirlaine boasts an impressive clientele of the musically gifted, including Ian Brown, Lady Gaga, Dizzee Rascal and Fun Lovin’ Criminals. She

photographed

Morrissey’s 50th birthday party for his own personal collection, and

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