Canon KISS X4, w/Sigma 50mm lens
• umbrella, above camera center
So...as a hobbyist, the majority of the "models" in my portfolio end up being friends of mine, kind enough to accommodate me and let me shoot them. This particular friend of mine is a rather introverted architecture student... Despite her introverted nature, she agreed to let me shoot her, much to my surprise. On first look, people might think that I asked her to wear, what looks like, a costume for the shoot. In reality, although her regular day to day fashion is quite reserved, in private she is very much into a genre of Japanese sub-culture fashion called "lolita"--basically what you see here... Although our shoot started with just her regular clothes, it was pretty cool when she said that she'd also brought some of her "lolita" gear with her as well. I then quickly ran home and got the finishing touch prop--my son's old teddy bear...
As a final side note, Rie is not much of a make-up person, so rather than have her struggle at an attempt, I simply asked her to apply a basic foundation and clear gloss for her lips. Then, in post, I added eyeshadow, and lipstick digitally. It was a fun shoot and considering how shy my friend is, she did a great job...