Monday night saw my take to the streets of Bristol’s Stokes Croft area with a latex-clad model to complete a shoot for Leeds-based designers Fetasia Latex.

I was acting as a stand-in as another photographer wasn’t available and I arranged the shoot with model and Burlesque star Ally Katte that morning.

With little time to select equipment on what was to be a guerrilla-style shoot, I slung some basic kit into a bag and headed out – Canon 5D and 24-70 F2.8 lens, a couple of hotshoe-type flashguns and two small light stands with compact umbrellas.

The first location was a cosy-looking fireplace situated into a popular Stokes Croft pub, the Pipe and Slippers. The juxtaposition of futuristic latex-wear and vintage-styled fireplace looked fantastic. Monday night saw the bar quiet and they were happy to let us shoot. Surprisingly, the few chilled-out punters there barely batted an eyelid at the fact a latex-clad beauty was being photographed a few feet away as they sipped their drinks – that’s Bristol for you.

Ally Katte in Fetasia Latex at The Social Bar, Stokes Croft, Bristol.

I decided not to bother with a fill light, mounting a Canon 580ex flash with a Westcott ‘soft-silver’ folding umbrella, which gives a crisp and dramatic look, yet remains pretty soft and flattering. The flash was adjusted manually and triggered with my ever-reliable PocketWizards.

The next stop was the Social Club, a large bar with plenty of relaxing leather sofas. We hadn’t pre-arranged to shoot here but checked with the bar staff and they were cool with us using their space. With only a few drinkers around, all our little shoot was doing was making their bar look a little more vibrant and interesting on a quiet Monday night. We identified a just-for-show vintage record player and worked with this as well as a pleasingly beat-up sofa.

Ally Katte at the Pipe and Slippers pub, Stokes Croft, Bristol wearing latext dress by Fetasia.

Ally Katte

After a drink and a chill we were all done!

Fetasia Latex is a Leeds-based company specialising in original latex clothing. The brand creates ready-to-wear latex dressed that you won’t find on the high street. They also offer bespoke designs.

The Fetasia website can be found here:

http://www.fetasialatex.com/

Ally Katte is often to be found on the South West burlesque circuit and beyond. Check out her Facebook page here:

http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=122004303987#!/pages/Ally-Katte/95648264020