Fashion photos

Working on the fashion portfolio so organised a few shoots.

One in Bangkok with my gorgeous lady friend Keaw.  Also her friend JoJo.  Asked them to pose in my shoes - ninja sandals.   Planning on importing them to Dubai and UK and maybe LA as everyone always asks where they're from!  Watch this space!
Shot using the 5d mark 2 in natural light in a football changing room (yes really!  grassy walls amazing)  and at a local coffee shop.  Was 2pm so far too much sun, but found some shade eventually, sweltering Thai heat!

 Back in Dubai I photographed Daria.  She's only 13 but so mature and such a beaut!  Helped her with some head shots for her new modeling portfolio and some fashion style too.  Shot using natural light with some reflection, at about 5pm on the Palm.

When in UK, I shot with the fabulous hair and makeup artist - Nicola Gibson.   Asked new model Verity Anderson to pose for us :)
Decided on a rural shoot - clean, natural hair and makeup.  Out into the English countryside.  Then a contrasted urban shoot. 

Photographer Joanne Tolner .  MUA Nicola Gibson.  Model Verity Anderson.

Photographer Joanne Tolner .  MUA Nicola Gibson.  Model Verity Anderson.

www.joannetolner.com

The Sole Project

 In April I flew to Thailand (AGAIN)  to bring to life a new project I had been working on.
The Sole Project.  A non-profit to help unfortunate kids out in a school just north of Bangkok.  I got the idea from a dear Thai friend who went to visit a school nearby and really brought to attention how unfortunate they are there.  Some kids said they're parents earned less than £2 a week; just shocking.  I definitely feel like I owe a lot to Thailand after all the people that took care of me when I lived there.

The plan was to put some money aside, which I was originally going to buy a watch with (!) and also raise some, from asking friends and family, to be able to buy all these kiddies some shoes.  I thought with going for something simple, yet something we all take for granted.  Mission was: get 83 pupils, 83 pairs of shoes.  Not so easy as one might think!

Managed to raise over £700 through facebook and a website:
www.wix.com/joannetolner/thesoleproject
Hopped over to BKK to find out the school closed in 4 days for the summer so had to get things together before then.  A rush around to get the shoes (all in the right colours and sizes)  went all out and bought socks, backpacks, pens paper, toothbrushes and paste too!  Why not eh.  All majorly helped by my friends Chat and Chosita.  We all traveled up north together and had a big donation day.
Was the best day of my life so far, for sure.  AMAZING.  These kids were so grateful and appreciative.  Would love to do this every year if possible. 

Here are some pictures from the day.  If you are interested in helping towards the next trip.  Please get in touch. :)




www.joannetolner.com

Baby Sister.

Dad and Anna had a baby girl.  I now have a sister - Evelina.  Precious.

www.joannetolner.com

Xmas in England

I went home for Christmas - back to Bucks to see mum & family.  Was quite a trip back - the snow storms in England meant I almost couldn't get on the plane... I was one of the super lucky ones that was booked on the first flight to land that morning at Heathrow - Phew!  Had to get a bus from the airport though as mum was snowed in!  All an adventure.  Joey planned a surprise and turned up on Xmas eve!  Exciting.  And we drove up to Cambridge on the 25th.  Big family joys of wii dancing and the like.  Love Christmas in England - I just gorge several times a day and it's ok because it's freezing.

Icicles off my window

Home sweet home

Cambridge round church.

Family Cambridge outing

We all went into Cambridge City centre on boxing day for a snowy wander and shopping.  First time Joey and I have been into Cambridge, so was a good sightseeing trip.  Also while he was here we went into London a couple times for shopping and wandering.  Went to Bank and did a long walk along the river, stopping at The Tate, McDonalds and finished at The White Horse on Carneby Street.

Big Ben Love!

London Eye

London Streets

London Streets

St Pauls Cathedral

Celebrated New year with some good friends - a lovely dinner party, lots of champagne!  Joey flew back to LA and I spent another week in England with Mother Bean.   Back to Dubai early Jan - loaded with boxes ready for baby sisters arrival!

Jo Bean & Gili Bean

www.joannetolner.com

End of 2010 in Dubai

Dubai in December was super fun.

Wifey and I

Leena came back through Dubai on her way home to Finland.  There was still some chocolate left magically, which we devoured in the few days she was here.  I think Finnish chocolate is the most delicious.  Lots more catching up and shop shopping.  FYI - DO NOT buy faux ipod nanos from Carrefour.  Big error.  They are £20 for a reason.

View of Dubai Mosque from the metro

Front row on the metro

 We rode the metro for fun through the city - got some great shots.  From the Mall of the emirates to Karama area and back. Definitely recommend it.  Very clean and fast.  We got a gold pass so we could ride up front and take some photos.

 Leena and I also went to the Bastikiya for the evening - one of my favourite places in Dubai.  It's so magical at night - here are some of the snaps I took.  I gave them a black and white eerie feel.

Bastikiya

An outdoor exhibition - dangling photos.  Love it!

Beautiful Leena

Admiring the art!

The light hits the walls.

Had more work coming in for family portraits and hopefully this will lead to more contacts after the holidays.  I'm hoping to set up a photography studio type business here eventually.  I had a really fun shoot of 4 brothers.  All completely different personalities, hilarious and so so cute.  They ended up buying one for grandma and one huge one for their entrance hall. 

No Dubai week will be complete without some beach time!

Gangster Nick on the Palm

Crabby

Beach time!

Home sweet home :)

 
www.joannetolner.com

UAE day and desert camping trip

 Hello!
Another busy week.  Went to Cavalli club with papa and anna for dinner - and a few others.  Fancy indeed!  Delicious food though I have to say - and really funky inside.  Furry walls and what not!
 An exhibition at the bastikiya - one of my favourite places in Dubai.  Very old school and mystycal.  I've decided this is where I want to have my exhibition so I'm going to meet with some galleries and go from there.  One place had a spot outside you could create your own pictures with candle wax in the emirates flag colours for UAE day!  Meggy is going to put up her cute heart picture in her new home!

UAE day was immense - all the cars here were kitted out with stickers, decals, flags, glitter - the whole thing.  Lots of beeping and cheering down Jumeirah Beach Road.  Silly string to the face!  We showed our support with carrefour scarves and a horn.

This weekend we went on a camping trip to the desert. A convo of maybe 6 cars... very fun.  Off-roading and dune bashing!  I was scared I'm not gonna lie.  We got stuck once but someone pulled us out.  I thought we were going to roll over!!  Trick is to drive super fast at a steady speed (or get pro driver James Horsman to take over.)   Then bbq's, sing songs by the campfire and photo taking play time.  All fun.  No sleep from the freezing desert... I was not prepared for this!  Wake up early and drive home with a cheeky stop and dunkin' donuts...

Cavalli club

love painting

bastikiya

UAE day parade!

Camels!

www.joannetolner.com