Pin Up Perfection – Shooting with Helen McLean
Oh boy have I been looking forward to showing you this post! The other weekend I had the opportunity to shoot with Helen McLean – Pinup Photographer extraordinare! I met Helen at the launch of Femme Fatale magazine (which she graced as cover girl herself), and have been talking all things Cheesecake ever since!
Based here in Melbourne, Helen offers Pinup Photography packages that are simply divine. There are all sorts of themed shoots you can do and she even has a big wardrobe selection on hand, which means that you can either bring your own outfits or choose from the selection on hand.
Helen and I first started organising our day over email, throwing around concepts for what we wanted to achieve, artistic references and any ideas we both wanted to incorporate. Just planning something like this is a tonne of fun! Given that I was doing this shoot just for myself and not for any other label meant that I could wear what I wanted and have some playtime doing what I love to do.
The morning of the shoot I packed up my car with dresses and jewellery I wanted to use to compliment what Helen had already told me she had. I was even able to pack a few special props to add to our theme.
Apples, Cherries, Fancy Dresses Galore!
More scarves and hair flowers than you can poke a stick at! And see those.. RED COWBOY BOOTS with SPURS! You know what I want to wear!
Even old school Coke bottles and extra boobs should you need them. 
After being treated to champagne, we talked through how we wanted to shoot each look for the day. We considered hair and makeup, what order we needed to do everything in and started piecing together the perfect outfits. Helen is fantastic at creating beautiful hair and makeup looks for her girls, but because we were trying to fit lots and lots into one afternoon, I came pre-done to save time.
So once we were all together the fun began. In fits of laughter and to the strains of Julie London in the background, I commenced posing it up in true Pin Up fashion.
I’m thrilled to tell you that Helen McLean Photography has come on board as a Key Sponsor for Super Kawaii Mama – which means a bonus just for you my readers! All you have to do when booking your own Pin Up Package with Helen is mention the code SKM to get 10% off the total booking price! The offer is running until December 2010, and provide you secure your booking by then you can shoot later.
What I love so much about doing something like this is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. You’ll have a ball playing around and doing the shoot, you get to live a fantasy, take home some amazing pictures and have presents for your par amour to keep on their desk! You can do it by yourself, with friends, or even organise it as a special present for someone you love.
No matter where you’re coming from Helen can organise a special shoot for you, you don’t have to be Melbourne based. You could be coming from anywhere in Australia or even overseas. In fact, if you’re flying in she’ll even pick you up from the airport to save you having to hire a car or pay for cabs, and even serve you champagne to set the mood!
So how did my day turn out? I am OVER THE MOON with these!
Yes, it is as much fun as it looks, so head on over and check out Helen’s page to find out all about how you can live your pin up dreams for the day!
Oh I just LOVE the cowgirl shot. You look amazing as usual! xoxoxoxo Mrs Vicki
Oh, I loooove it!!! This is something I’ve always wanted to do!!! Maybe one day when I get back to Melbourne
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Gorgeous pics Ms Candice! Love them all – Helen’s got a great eye for creating the desired look, that’s for sure, and I love all the accessories too.
You make a great cowgirl girl…Annie Oakley who?
One Word……Gorgeous!
Hiya! Here via a friend of a friend of a friend sorta fing–Blame the lovely proprietress of Circa up there, Miss Nicole. Know her through The Brents, via the Devilbunnies folks.
Whew. Long winded intro, I know, but I just wanted to say that you are a stunning model, with one of the best camera presences I’ve enjoyed in a while. Any time you’re in Yosemite National Park, do look me up, I’d love to meet you in person.
I especially love the noir image–great use of black and white. Kudos to you and Helen for a great session!
All the best,
Edie
Edie: LOL, that was quite the introduction! And thank you for such a lovely compliment. I think what I love about these is that you can really see who I am, rather than just being a general ‘model / blank canvas’ type. Helen does a great job in capturing your essence. I’d love to come visit should I ever be in your neck of the woods. I’m hoping to do a big US odyssey next year some time so you never know. xx
They look amazing! I would love to get some of these someday!
I Loooove the film noir shot! So glamorous, so sexy! beautiful!
Oooh those photos look amazing!
I would so love to have a pin up shoot.
Oh, I say.
Sorry, intended to write more than that but its all gone out of my head.
Albi: You have an amazing capacity to give great compliments with so few words.
Wow this looks great! I would love a shoot like this! If only i were in Melbourne!
Also I’d like to invite you and your readers to enter the competition I’m hosting on my blog!
http://emmaaime.blogspot.com/2010/07/birthday-giveaway.html
Emma: Hey, if and when you get here I know Helen will make you welcome.
And yes, I’ll come and visit the blog for your special birthday posts too.. Sorry I am so behind on my reading and commenting these days. xx
These are all amazing, but the gingham shot is my favourite (though the cowgirl is uber kawaii!)
Penny Dreadful: I love that people love that dress – My Mum made that for me when I was 14!!
You look fabulous, I love the Film Noir shot you look smoking!
I would love to do a pin-up shoot one day, it looks like such fun xoxo
like I said on fb – lush! Even on my phone last night these pictures looked stunning, now I see them in their full glory, they looks even better!
Nope, not jealous. Who said that?:P
Helen McLean is a talented lady too, I really should come to your hemisphere at some point to experience all the fabulousness for myself
xx
Miz: Absolutely! I perfect reason to add Melbourne to the list of Australian travels when you get here.
I love the film noir photo in *almost* black & white – superb!
Trashtastika: I’d love to see you do a technicolour version of some of these shots with your amazing look!
YOU LOOK SO AMAZING! Your first shot should be on a poster somwhere promoting… apples!
XXASAB
ASAB: Oh thanks Angela! I wonder if I should send it to the Tasmania Apple Farmer’s…. LOL
Wow those are fantastic! Amazing job on both ends
Perfection! You’re a wonderful model, and the photographer is super at capturing the pin-up style. I’m really in awe and feeling inspired to get some pin-up shots of my own done now, shame that I’m on the other side of the world from Helen’s expertise!!
Miss P xx
http://www.vintageburlesque.blogspot.com
woww absolutely loooove the clothes and i think those pics are aweeesome !!!
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time (you taught me how to do pincurls
) and I have to say that you look absolutely stunning in these photos! You look stunning anyway, but these are fantastic!
[...] modelling, photographer, pin up No Comments » I just got back a couple more pics from Helen McLean from our shoot the other week and WOW! Yes, they deserve their own post cause they are just so brilliant (if I do say so [...]
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[...] Pin Up Perfection – Shooting with Helen McLean | Super Kawaii Mama [...]
Simply gorgeous! …and you’re really amazing in those out fits.
[...] when I spent the day with Helen and she shot these of [...]