The Brissett Brothers - Durban's Infamous Identical Twins to be a part of Phase Twelve

Chad and Keelan Brissett are probably the most well-known identical twins in Durban. Their modelling career has rocketed in just a few short years and this is no doubt thanks to their relationship with one another that has evolved into the #BrissettTwins brand.

            We got to know the brothers ahead of the #ProjectScouted Phase Twelve shoot where the twins will be posing with our Top 5 beauties in the "Day of the Dead" concept shoot shot by Jerome Stoffels.

            Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Chad Brissett without his twin brother?

            Chad: Chad Brissett is a young career-driven guy who enjoys the world of fashion as well as nature and all things beautiful. He is someone who enjoys all spheres of life and enjoys experiencing new things that he isn’t accustomed too.

            Lee Folkard Photography: Who is Keelan Brissett wirhout his twin brother?

            Keelan: Well,  I'd say that I'm a very driven person who loves to keep busy and excel in everything that I do. I really love fashion and not just because I model but I just want to feel good all the time and quality clothing does it for me. I'm generally a very chilled, laid-back guy but I do have a wild, fun side which comes out every so often.

            LFP: What do you think about the "Day of the Dead" concept for the #ProjectScouted Top 5 shoot?

            Chad: I personally am a guy who enjoys more of the happy, fun style of shooting which is complete opposite to this shoot. But I believe it’s awesome to broaden your horizons so I think the shoot will be really fun and it’s always nice to try something different.

            LFP: How did you become involved in the #ProjectScouted Top 5 shoot?

            Keelan: #ProjectScouted has been trending everywhere and luckily enough I've had the privilege to meet and spend time with the talented Lee Folkard. I've seen him at all the big events and he is often with many friends that I know so it was bound to happen that we’d work together. I'm very happy to be able to take part in #ProjectScouted, it’s also an ego-booster to have Lee Folkard want to work with us.

            LFP: What's it like being an identical twin?

            Chad: It’s honestly the most amazing thing ever! People always say there’s nothing like a mother’s love for her child but I would say a twin's love is beyond the boundaries of love; it’s a connection that is unbreakable. My twin brother is my best friend, barber, stylist, psychologist, etc.

            LFP: What's the worst thing about being an identical twin?

       Keelan: In all honesty, there's not much I dislike about being a twin but the worst thing I'd say is if there's something available and there's only one of it, then Chad and I would have to fight over it which tends to happen more than I'd like.

            LFP: How did you form your own identity when you have an identical twin?

            Chad: It’s quite hard for us as we are both so closely linked. But we do have different personalities as much as they are similar and I think once people have taken the initiative to get to know us they will realize we are different and do portray our own identities.

            LFP: Do you think that you and your brother will be able to carry the #BrissettTwins brand forward until you're much older?

            Keelan: I really do believe we will, we’ve just started building the #BrissettTwins brand and we have so many ideas and goals we want to achieve and that means pushing it through even until we’re older. The brand and name can never disappear as long as we’re alive so I'm almost certain we’d find away to get the #BrissettTwins trending through the ages

            LFP: How did you begin modelling and how did the decision happen to market you and your brother as the #BrissettTwins?

            Chad: We started modeling about 3 years ago which we really loved. We created a strong bond with our former agent who helped catapult our career in the modeling world. We basically realized that us together was not just a team, but that we are a label which can be used to be marketed to the world. And people seem to be loving it so far!

            LFP: Is there any jealousy or sibling rivalry between you two?

       Keelan: We don’t have jealousy or rivalry at all actually, we are however competitive with each other and want to beat each other when it comes to sport to campus marks, etc. This competitive nature is actually good because it keeps us pushing at a high intensity and grows us as people together.

            LFP: How are you and your brother different?

            Chad:  We are really not so different at all. I would say in terms of physical attributes, I am a bit taller and I have a beauty spot on my nose. But in other aspects I would say he is more of a neat freak as opposed to myself.

            LFP: Have you guys ever pulled a prank on someone or fooled someone?

            Keelan: Many times, but more so in our younger days. I remember we pulled an infamous twin-prank on a girl where we swapped clothes and she had no idea. The details I would have to share in person, though.

            LFP: What's the funniest/weirdest thing that has ever happened to you guys because you're twins?

            Chad: Well, we had exams and we wrote for each other before and it was awesome as we could study for one test less. Also when we get stopped by the police while driving, we sometimes use each other's license. (LFP: These guys definitely have a naughty streak!)

            LFP: What do you want the world to remember about you?

       Keelan: My humble nature and respect I have for all people.

            LFP: What's the one thing you want people to know about you?

            Chad: I'm just a really humble guy.

            There is no doubt that these guys, combined with our beautiful Top 5 models and Jerome's photography skills, are going to make our Phase Twelve shoot all the more memorable as #ProjectScouted draws to a close.

#ProjectScouted – The First Phase

18 Windermere Road was abuzz with a bevy of beauties this Saturday, the 10^th of May, as the first photoshoot for Lee Folkard Photography’s 2014 project, Project Scouted, took place at the uber trendy hotspot, Hashtag. The restaurant’s cool and casual setting provided the perfect atmosphere for the kick-off of Phase One in the project and although the morning was a chilly one, the energy and excitement was tangible. Hashtag also treated the girls and their parents to coffee while they waited for their spot in front of the cameras, with The-Wiz, Dj Alleyne Morton, on the decks keeping the awesome vibe.

The girls who fit the criteria that the scouts were on the lookout for were instructed to dress in a way that portrayed who they are. Some girls went for a more natural and subtle look, to suit their personalities, but some also went all out for dramatic and striking looks. There was an array of different styles and tastes on show for the morning with every girl working it in their own unique way.

The girls scouted ranged from high school pupils to university students and some even employed. Previous years’ projects seemed to serve as a reliable reference point for those parents who wanted to check out the brand. Parents, mostly mums, who arrived with their daughters weren’t at all sceptical about the shoot as the Lee Folkard Photography name has become an established one in Durban with a strong social, as well as print, media presence.

There were a few surprises on the day too. The Clown, who has become a regular feature in the Project photoshoots, made an appearance and was also roped in for countless pics. Durban-based photographer who will be a part of the Project at a later stage, Jerome Stoffels, also stopped by to take some of his famous behind-the-scenes iPhone pics along with Nilufer Yucel, who is also one of the scouts. Ryan Francis of Shoelaced by Pow, a loyal and much-loved sponsor involved in a Project for the second time, also came by.

The first two photographers who had the talent to be scouted in their own way to be a part of this first phase were Simphiwe Simz Makhwanazi and Jessica “Van.Go” Goeverden. Simphiwe took the “selfie” to a whole other level, with the first shot of each girl being taken in the “Selfie Zone” at Hashtag, capturing the reflection of each girl in a full-length mirror, while Jessica photographed the girls in classic head-and-shoulders shots with whatever pose – or facial expression – that displayed their personalities.

This first phase of judging is going to prove to be extremely difficult. Be on the lookout for the images from this awesome morning at Hashtag soon to be uploaded onto the Lee Folkard Photography Facebook page. Also check out Twitter and Instagram as Project Scouted is taking over social media in a big way. The project has officially now begun.

The very hot and very new Vamp Magazine

There isn’t, by any measure, a dearth of fashion and beauty publications around the world but there aren’t very many objections to hot new magazines being put to print either.

The latest American edition to the newsstands is Vamp Magazine from the founders of Hercules, another fashion magazine. The new magazine’s ethos is based on the focus of featuring profiles of strong and prolific women as well as fashion and beauty spreads shot by the latest and hottest photographic talent. Their aesthetic vision is to emulate the fashion prints from the 70s and 80s.

The magazine went all out for its premiere issue featuring some of the hottest models at the moment all on six separate covers. Models Emily DiDonato, Andreea Diaconu, Liya Kebede, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Karmen Pedaru and Carolyn Murphy all look stunning in their respective covers; photographed by Paola Kudacki, Giampaolo Sgura, and Santiago and Mauricio Sierra.

The magazine is definitely off to a good start with beauties like these headlining their opening edition. And the spreads within the magazine don’t disappoint either. Its brilliant photography and dazzling concepts. And although all the models are breathtaking, Emily DiDonato is definitely a stand out from the others with her sublime images.

The magazine seeks to inspire women by showcasing other women who have made it to the top in their respective fields. According to its creators, it’s a magazine for women determined to succeed and be taken seriously but who also happen to love fashion and beauty.

Kate Upton goes zero-gravity for Sports Illustrated

Kate Upton is only 21 years old but she has quickly become a highly-demanded and talked-about top model. Managed by IMG Models, Kate has only been in the business since 2008 but since then has appeared on several magazine covers such as Vogue Italia, British Vogue, Cosmopolitan, French ELLE, GQ, and Esquire; but she is most loved for her appearances in Sports Illustrated.

Kate’s fans already think she’s something other-worldly; but in her recent shoot for Sports Illustrated where she defies gravity in a zero-gravity environment wearing nothing but tiny bikinis, she’s gone to a whole new level.

The images were used in the magazine’s 50^th anniversary edition and were a once-off execution. Kate managed to look graceful and still amazingly sexy while floating around the zero-gravity plane, the “G-Force One”, at the Space Coast Regional Airport at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Kate looked completely at ease in the conditions originally designed for astronauts to be trained for their missions into space. The idea is original and has been pulled off extremely well, and Kate’s aplomb has had a lot to do with that. Any other publication that attempts to replicate this will have a difficult standard to live up to.

The magazine was released on the 18^th of February, and features models Chrissy Teigen, Lily Aldridge, and Nina Agdal on the front cover while Kate appears solo on the back cover following her cover girl spot over the last 2 years.

Who are those girls?

I'm pretty sure by now, you've seen Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines music video.

And, since you have, surely you've noticed the three stunning girls prancing in the background in nothing but nude-colored underwear and white sneakers. They are (in no particular order):

Elle Evans

Elle is 23, Texas born and Louisiana bred. She models and acts in NYC, LA and Miami.
She used to date Deadmau5.



Jessi M'Bengue

Twitter: @Jessimbengue
Jessi (Jessika) is a model, an actress and a recording artist. She was born in Southern France to an Ivorian-Senegalese father and an Algerian mother.
She is ageless as far as we can tell...


And my fav: Emily Ratajkowski

Twitter: @realemrata
Emily is 21, a London-born Californian of Polish-Israeli background who's been modeling since the age of 14. Before "Blurred Lines" came out, she appeared in campaigns for Forever 21, Nordstrom, and various swimwear and lingerie lines.

And there you have it! Now you know.

Photographer: Mario Testino

One of fashion's most sought-after snappers, Mario Testino was born in 1954 in Lima, Peru. He came to London in 1976, took a flat in an abandoned hospital near Trafalgar Square, and began selling portfolios (for £25, including hair and make-up) to wannabe models.

Today he is best known for his highly polished, exotically bright ad campaigns and his exquisitely styled photographs of the couture scene all of which carry a deceptive air of nonchalance.

Now at the top of his profession, Testino has shot Madonna for Versace as well as photographing the late Diana, Princess of Wales for her famous Vanity Fair cover in 1997.

His popularity with designers and fashion editors stems as much from his professionalism and good nature as his unerring ability to take beautiful pictures which sell clothes.

Some of Mario's work;

First Shoot Advice (for Models)

Models often ask for tips before their first shoot… things like, “what do I do beforehand?” and “how do I behave?”. So here’s some first shoot advice for new models.

Before the shoot
Discuss everything with the photographer in advance, including your limits (if any), and, if it's a trade shoot, how many shots you’ll be getting back, how you’ll receive them, and when you can expect them. If you're getting paid, ask about compensation, how you'll be paid (cash or check), and when you can expect to receive full payment. If you are hiring the photographer, find out exactly what the money you're paying covers: number of looks, number of edited images, styling team, etc. Also, be sure to figure out wardrobe, location, shoot length, and start time in advance. Work out if there will be a MUA on set, who is in charge of setting up the MUA, and the MUA’s payment.

Make sure you get a phone number you can reach the photographer at the day of the shoot in case, for example, you get lost on the way there. An email address is helpful as well, in case the site you’re using to communicate with goes down. There is no reason you should be afraid to give someone your phone number or email address, or, for that matter, talk to them on the phone in advance.

Some models like to see copies of releases they are going to be signing prior to shooting. It is perfectly acceptable to ask the photographer to email or fax you a copy to look over. This is helpful if you have any questions or want to ask if any changes can be made (not always something that gets agreed to, but you can still ask).

The day before
Confirm with the photographer. Send a quick note that says something to the effect of, “Hi Photographer, I’m just confirming our [style] shoot on [date] at [time]. I’ll be bringing [wardrobe items] and will come [ready for shooting/ready for makeup]. Again, my cell number is [123.456.7890]. Looking forward to working with you!” It might also be helpful to confirm the location address and directions if you’re not sure of where you’re going.

Get stuff together for shoots the night before. It means less frantic running around in the morning (and lessens the chance of forgetting something). Make a list of what you want to bring well in advance, and pack your suitcase the night before. Also make sure to print out directions in advance, get the photographer’s number into your phone, and print out any shot/pose ideas you have to bring along.

A good nights’ sleep means not looking tired on the shoot, but also having the energy to shoot all day.

Another thing you need to make sure you have is a copy of your photo ID. Many of us who drive don't leave home without our driver's license, but if you are bringing a different form of ID with you, make sure it is in your modeling bag so that, if asked, you can present it to the photographer. Some photographers make photocopies of IDs or take photos of models with their IDs, to have on record. This is perfectly acceptable (and for some kinds of work, required), so be prepared for this.

Showing up
Show up when the photographer asks you to, or slightly early (10-15 min max). Generally, it’s best to leave about 30 min extra when driving to a location in case you get lost, have to find parking, or have a delay (such as getting tied up with a car accident) on the road. It's better to be early than to be late!

How to act
Have a conversation with the photographer. It’s perfectly fine to joke, laugh, or otherwise have fun, but remember to stay professional. Steer away from discussing or joking about hot-button topics like sex, religion and politics. Be polite and courteous, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have any.

Keep your energy up
Bring a small snack and drink with, double if it’s going to be a long shoot. Not all photographers provide food and drinks, and it’s helpful to have something on hand should you find yourself parched. Passing out from hunger or dehydration is a bad thing.

If, for whatever reason, you feel like you need to take a break, ask to do so. Being tired, faint, hungry, bored, uncomfortable, or anything but into the shoot will show on the resulting shots, and they likely won’t be usable. So if you need to sit down, stretch, get out of the lights, take a drink, warm up, whatever, ask the photographer.

After the shoot
Chances are, after you shoot the photographer will ask you to sign a release. Be sure to carefully read the release before signing it. If a photographer needs to make a copy of your ID, they may do so now as well. If money is exchanging hands, it is common for it to happen after the shoot.

Before you leave
Before you leave the shoot, make sure you have everything you came with, and that anything you may have borrowed from the photographer or studio is back where you got it from. Make sure any garbage you've left behind (from makeup application or any snacks you brought) has been thrown away or properly recycled. And most definitely make sure that you've left the changing area as neat as (or neater than) you found it. You want to be invited back, or at the very least you want the photographer to know you didn't accidentally take something or leave a big mess for him to clean up.

Once you're ready to leave, be sure to thank the photographer for his time. A smile and a thank you goes a long way, and will help you build a reputation as a professional who appreciates others.

Article tweaked and made more S.A friendly. And Lee Folkard Photography friendly.

Safety Tips for 'Models'

Safety is a major concern for female models, particularly if you are a freelance model working online. The Internet allows anyone to portray themselves in any manner they choose with virtual anonymity. Many profit from the dreams and aspirations of naive young women. Sometimes their motives are not as presented.

 

 

An amateur photographer can pose as a prominent professional or a guy working out of his basement with an elaborate website can claim to be an agency or model management company. Many of these individuals will offer models high pay, free photos with unrestricted use, free websites, paid travel etc...Due to the intimate nature of this business, some of these individuals may also have other motives than creating beautiful images or helping models succeed. Legitimate photographers or companies rarely offer amateur models anything for free, except perhaps a test photo shoot if they believe they have real potential.

 

  

Regarding both on and offline ads seeking female models. Anybody can publish those ads and pretend to be a photographer or agency. Often, these ads offer high pay with "no experience necessary" to lure unsuspecting young women into posing for explicit hardcore pictures. Some of these ads are legitimate and posted by companies in the adult film industry.

 

  

Below are some safety tips that may, if strictly followed and accompanied by common sense, help you as a freelance model avoid a dangerous situation.

 

Don't let anybody intimidate you into making a compromise. Follow these model safety tips every time.

 

• When looking for a photographer, if the individual or company has an online presence, check to see what kind of modeling they represent and how professional their work looks.

• Always ask for and check professional references.

 

• Be suspicious of extravagant claims that promise great pay with no experience necessary.

 

• If meeting for the first time, make sure it's in a neutral public location and notify a friend or family member of where you are going.

 

• ALWAYS bring a chaperone with you to all non-public meetings.

 

• Do not give out personal information or accept a friend request on your social networking profile until you have determined the legitimacy of the individual or company.

 

• Do not be persuaded into posing in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable no matter how great the money is.

 

• Prior to the photo shoot you may be asked to sign a model release. This is common and required for most photo shoots. Make sure that you understand what you are signing and don't be afraid to negotiate and ask questions. If you're uncomfortable, ask that it be amended or don't do the photo shoot. You should review the model release during the initial meeting with the photographer.

  

 

Don't be discouraged from pursuing your modeling aspirations. Many photographers, whether advertising online or in the local newspaper, are legitimate and conduct themselves professionally. The above model safety tips will help you determine which photographers or companies to consider.