The exceptional #ProjectScouted judges – Shelley Buckle, not your typecast pageant queen

Shelley Buckle – now Shelley Ferreira, having been married fairly recently – is not a name unknown in Durban and even in South Africa. She has made a huge impact on the local modelling industry, especially in beauty pageantry, and has managed to remain genuine and steer clear of becoming a stereotypical pageant girl. Having lived in Umhlanga for all 24 years of her life, she currently still lives in the same area with her husband. Shelley describes herself as “humble, fun and generous” and it is easy to agree. Read more about this remarkable girl below, who is the final judge in our #ProjectScouted panel.

Lee Folkard Photography: What is Shelley’s life like? You currently work as a graphic designer, are newly married, and you also have your modelling career on the side.

Shelley: My life is hectically busy! I’m busy all the time, but I love it! It keeps my life interesting and fun. I look forward to seeing where I will be in 10 years time!

LFP: What inspired you to choose your career in graphic design?

Shelley: I’ve always been a creative individual, with my love of painting having started at the tender age of 6! I knew that my career would involve the creative industry, and so chose to pursue Graphic Design.

LFP: And how did the modelling begin?

Shelley: It actually started as a confidence-booster when I was 11 years old. My mom would enter me in small modelling competitions, hoping that it would help me to break out of my shell, and she was right! It has shaped me in so many ways, and has made me into the person I am today.

LFP: There have been so many highlights and achievements in your modelling career. Tell us what stands out for you.

Shelley: Winning Miss Deaf SA and being able to attend Miss Deaf World still stands out as a huge achievement for me. I still remember that exact moment being announced as the winner of MDSA on stage, and then being rushed off for a live TV interview straight after!

LFP: Now that you are focussing on your marriage and your career in graphic design, how does modelling fit in?

Shelley: My modelling comes after everything and when I have the time to do it, it happens. Otherwise, the love of my life comes first now.

LFP: It is quite rare to see someone so humble and sincere in the modelling and pageant industry. How do you remain grounded?

Shelley: I try not to let the little things bother me and to push through it all. I believe in taking negative situations and seeing the positive in of them.

LFP: What is the one thing you would like everyone to know about Shelley?

Shelley: I am an extremely hard-working individual and am passionate about the deaf community. I try to be involved as much as I can with charity initiatives. I believe we all have a part to play in giving back.

LFP: How did you hear about #ProjectScouted?

Shelley: I heard about #ProjectScouted when it first started last year, especially since it was gaining so much attention on social media. I think it’s a fantastic initiative and really showcases the hidden talent we have in Durban!

LFP: What motivated you to agree to be one of the judges for the Project?

Shelley: It’s an honour to be a part of such a well-established brand and it would have been very hard to say “no”! Because of its success and its aim to showcase Durban talent, it definitely influenced my decision to be a part of the judging panel.

LFP: Are you willing to share any of the criteria you will be basing your judging on?

Shelley: I’m looking for spontaneity and originality; anything that makes me say “WOW!” on the first impression.

LFP: Do you have any advice for the girls participating in the Project, or for girls in the beauty pageant and modelling industry in general?

Shelley: The best advice I can give is to just be yourself and let your qualities show. Don’t try to be someone you’re not, be the best version of you.

Now that you have been introduced to the exceptional judging panel of #ProjectScouted Cycle 2, all you have to do is stay updated on the Lee Folkard Photography Facebook page as well as on Instagram to see the girls that make it through each phase. Also follow Shelley on Instagram @shelley_ferreira to see her living her inspired and inspiring life.

The exceptional #ProjectScouted judges – Mary Lu, fashion blogger and lawyer extraordinaire

The #ProjectScouted judges will enter into the judging process from Phase Three onwards. The panel will consist of three exceptional people in their fields who will be judging the #ProjectScouted ladies based solely on their images; meaning that there could be no possibility of bias or subjectivity in their decisions. Our first judge to be revealed, Mary Lu, a fashion blogger at LoveMary Lu and a lawyer living in Johannesburg, has a pretty good idea of what composes a good image. Shooting on almost a daily basis for her blog, this stunning girl will be able to aptly judge whether the girls understand how they should portray themselves on camera based on the themes of the shoots and the way they have been styled.

1.    What inspired you to choose law as your career?

My dad always told me that I would make a great lawyer ever since I was in primary school but it wasn’t until I actually took Law courses at the University of Cape Town that I really got hooked onto Law. I actually studied both Psychology and Law so I was stuck in the middle when it came to choosing a post grad. But right up until my graduation, my end goal was to be an advocate. I just love how certain but also uncertain law can be, it makes work-life a little less mediocre.

2.    And how did your fashion blogging come about?

Actually, I started off as a beauty blogger because for as long as I can remember, I’ve always been obsessed with beauty products! I slowly incorporated fashion posts and pictures on my blog because I received a great response from my readers and, of course, I’ve always had an interest in beautiful outfits and clothing. 

3.    Although these are very different fields, they are both extremely demanding. How do you balance your blogging and your work as a lawyer?

Haha! Sometimes I think I don’t! It was almost impossible at first especially working in a big corporate law firm! But thank goodness for weekends and the help and support of my amazing man (his real job isn’t even photography!). 

4.    With the rise of fashion blogging, how do you make sure you stand out? What makes your brand different?

I must admit when I first started in 2011, there weren’t many South African bloggers at the time but now the industry has really grown and I’m really happy about it. It just shows that normal folks like us really have a say now and people out there are willing to listen, which is great! In order to “stand out” as a blogger, I think it’s really important to know yourself well and know who your target market is. I wouldn’t want to dress like someone other than myself but at the same time I wouldn’t post content that won’t interest my readers, that’s why it’s important to know your target market well. Honestly, I don’t think what I do and what other bloggers do is very different; the goal is the same. All bloggers enjoy blogging and want our readers to enjoy our content. But the difference lies in how we do it; how we promote a brand we like, how we dress the same pants or the same dress, how we spend our weekends, and how we tell our readers about it. 

5.    You grew up in Durban, studied in Cape Town, and now live in Johannesburg. What motivated these moves? What's the difference between all these cities?

Hmmm, I didn’t have a choice about living in Durban since my parents decided that one. But Durban is home home for me (that’s not a typo; there are two “homes” for me!).  I moved to Cape Town because the University of Cape Town is a world-renowned university and one of the best law schools on the continent. And now I am in Johannesburg because I feel it’s a natural occurrence, a lot of people move to the big city after graduation because that’s where all the work is. I think Jo’burg is a great place to kick-start your career. 

6.    You definitely are a globe-trotter. Where is the one place you would encourage people to visit?

Oh my gosh, this is such a difficult question for me to answer! My gut says that everyone should visit New York City at least once in their lives. It’s the one place where judgement is put aside and it opens your mind and your eyes a lot! If you think you’ve seen it all but haven’t been to NYC, then you really haven’t seen anything! And the fact that the man of my dreams proposed in Central Park is just an added plus as to why I love NYC!

7.    How did you hear about #ProjectScouted and what do you think about the Project?

How can anyone NOT hear about #ProjectScouted?! It’s everywhere! I think it’s an absolutely fabulous idea! The fact that it is open to the public (girls only, obviously!) and gives everyone a chance at the modelling game is awesome! It really puts the modelling industry to shame, with their requirements of stick-thin models and minimal height restrictions. I think photography is an art and art at its most modern and dynamic form so this Project is great to showcase that art and talent at the same time. 

8.    What motivated you to agree to be one of the judges for the Project?

As a blogger myself and having to pose in front of the camera day in and day out, I draw inspiration from magazines, editorials and other bloggers. And I can honestly say I’ve become very interested in photography myself! I often find myself ooh-ing and aah-ing at beautiful images so this opportunity to be a judge is an absolute honour.

9.    Will there be any criteria you will be basing your judging on?

I think individuality is a big one for me; knowing and embracing what you have and playing that up. I think the beautiful thing about photography is that emotion can be captured so well so being able to show emotion in a photograph is also key to a beautiful image.

As you can tell, Mary Lu is one hell of a girl and the #ProjectScouted ladies could not have asked for a more perceptive and apposite judge. Knowledgeable about the industry, appreciative of different types of beauty, and passionate about helping boost others’ careers; Mary Lu will definitely not be making any faux pas during the judging. Make sure to check out Mary’s blog, Love Mary Lu, at http://lovemarylu.com/, and follow her on Instagram @lovemarylu to see precisely why she is “not your average fashion-loving and globetrotting lawyer”.

Scout and behind-the-scenes photographer, Nilufer Yucel, turns guest judge for #ProjectScouted

If you've had the good sense to visit any of the #ProjectScouted events or photoshoots so far, chances are you've seen this pretty young lady with her camera earnestly but casually taking pics behind-the-scenes. Nilufer Yucel started off as a scout in the Project and although unfortunately none of the girls she had scouted have made it thus far, she is now the guest judge of #PhaseThree and will play a pivotal role in choosing the lucky ladies who will go on to be a part of the Shoelaced Clothingby Ryan Francis fashion show at the SMG Rocks Mini Showroom on 15 June for #PhaseFour of the Project. We got to know the girl behind the camera.

            Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Nilufer Yucel?

            Nilufer: When people ask me what my name is, they always end up saying "That's a strange name, where does it come from?" Well, I'm actually Turkish. I'm a first year student studying for a Higher Certificate in Business. I have studied Photography part-time and will probably lean towards a Degree in something design-related. I love my photography because one of the advantages are meeting and interacting with new people. I also love helping others out, I always care for other people before I do for myself. I also love travelling and hope to see many more places. I have this never-ending bucket list of things to do and places to go.

            LFP: How did you hear about Lee Folkard Photography and how did you become a scout in #ProjectScouted?

            Nilufer: Last year, Lee was a guest judge at one of my school functions. So like any other person would, I checked out his Facebook photography page and I started following his work. He also gave me a lot of great advice and motivated me to better my photography. I knew that I wanted to work with him at some point so when I got the opportunity to do so in the Project I jumped at it.

            LFP: How do you feel about now being a guest judge in #PhaseThree?

            Nilufer: I feel so honoured and excited to be a guest judge for the Project. It's also a great feeling for me to be exposed to this new aspect of having to look at the images in a different way. In terms of experience, it's also great because it will teach me to think more objectively.

            LFP: What has been the most enjoyable aspect of the Project so far?

            Nilufer: I think the best part for me would be meeting new people. I have made friends with many of the models as well as the other photographers involved. I really enjoy taking some of the behind-the-scenes images for #ProjectScouted too and am looking forward to the upcoming phases, especially the fashion show!

            LFP: You were a part of Project Trinity in 2013. Are you still interested in modelling? How did you become involved in modelling and how did that evolve to photography now?

            Nilufer: I found out about Project Trinity via Facebook. My friend and I decided to enter not knowing that we would actually make the Top 15. This was the first time I had been involved in modelling. It made me much more confident as a person and I would love to do something like it again. It was nice to be the person in front of the camera for a change too! I was actually involved in photography as a hobby before I entered Project Trinity and had done a few photoshoots of my own, so that Project helped me quite a bit when it was my turn in the spotlight. It was after Project Trinity that I became more interested in my photography and have decided to become more serious about it.

            LFP: How are you going to be approaching the judging? Is there anything that you will be looking for specifically in the girls' photographs?

            Nilufer: I believe that its not only about appearance. The girls have to be confident and one should be able to see their personalities come through in the images. They shouldn't look bored; I need to see that they're serious about what they're doing but are still enjoying themselves at the same time. I want to see emotion - lots of it!

            LFP: If you were stuck in any television show, which would it be?

            Nilufer: The first show that pops into my mind is Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Its so great to see people who work together get along so well (even though there might be a prank or two involved). I am really passionate about what I do but I like to have a good time while doing it - just like the people in the show do.

            As we head towards a major phase in the Project with the fashion extravaganza less than a week away, Nilufer along with the other regular judges Lee Folkard, Jerome Stoffels and Samantha Duckworth, all have their work cut out for them in choosing the 25 ladies that will go through. So watch this space.

See more images and work by Nilufer at: Nilufer Yucel Photography