Have you ever met someone who you just know will be your friend for the rest of your life? Back in the nineties I did, her name was Shayna-lee. She was one of the most photographed Australian Glamour Models of her time and I was lucky enough to be her preferred photographer.
We had many adventures together that still make me laugh as I reminisce about those good old days when political correctness hadn’t got so crazy. So, this blog features Shayna-lee my dear friend and favorite ever model. I hope you all see the funny side of our political incorrectness. I can hear her saying as she reads this “f*** em if they don’t”.
When we first me she was the new girl on the books at an agency that regularly booked me to photograph their models. She really stood out from the crowd as being down to earth, all natural and a really nice person with a wicked sense of humor. She didn’t take herself or the glamour industry too seriously unlike many of the models around at the time. I liked her right from the start and went on to prefer her for my personal projects. She was so easy to work with.
Glamour magazines were huge in the nineties and noughties, they were my major source of income. Shayna was always happy to be featured without all the prima donna expectations of some I had the displeasure of working with. Within the first year of working together we’d nailed a number of the major men’s magazines which included some nude photo shoots. Needless to say we were both ok with nudity.
Shayna and I were in my studio working on our next project, another nude magazine, I was yakking away about a new publication I’d started shooting for. This was a very different nude mag, a nudist lifestyle magazine. All the photos were done on location at the nudist retreat, obviously everyone was naked including myself.
Shayna, all of a sudden stopped posing, she looked at me in utter horror saying “hang on back up a bit, were you naked”. I explained how everyone is, you’d feel out of place if you were the only person clothed. “For f*** sake” she announces “that’s so wrong” (meanwhile she’s standing nude in front of me). “Whys that”? I ask “you’re naked in front of me all the time”. “That’s different” she comes back with still looking horrified “I’m the model, you’re my photographer (emphasis on the my which made me start to giggle) you should have your clothes on”. “Bloody hell” she continues “don’t get your gear off when you’re photographing me, I couldn’t cope”. I’m now laughing so hard I have to put the camera down and take a break. Finally seeing the funny side she starts crying and laughing all at once. Thank heavens for waterproof makeup!
My clothes are on hers are off again, we’re on location at a motorcycle shop, shooting a custom Harley Davidson, for a popular bike mag that featured our shoot on the cover. It’s a closed set with a few of the bikers on guard around the shop. Somehow a customer unknowingly wandered onto our set. Not expecting to see a beautiful glamour model, scantly clad posing on a Harley, his eyes just about fell out of his head. He was very polite, apologizing profusely while explaining he just wanted to purchase some parts. Rounded up by staff he was escorted back to the front counter while Shayna and I got back to work.
Shayna’s married to Jeff a motorcycle mechanic who works at another shop across the other side of Sydney. He’s busy doing what he does when our set crasher comes into his shop sprouting fourth about the photo shoot he’d just accidently walked in on. Jeff is immediately on guard (he knows exactly where Shayna and I are shooting) waiting for a derogatory remark about his wife. He was however pleasantly surprised when he was given a blow by blow description of how beautiful the model was, perfect boobs, even more perfect body, blonde hair, etc. Jeff, always the joker, plays along agreeing how lucky his customer was. Jeff tells us “he was just so excited I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was my wife”.
Speedway racing ran a competition where the winner of the season was included in a glamour shoot for an international magazine. Once again Shayna was my model. She was a little nervous about this shoot, being international she was determined to do her best.
During some well deserved time off she sneaks away from Jeff to a quiet room in the house where she can have some privacy. Jeff noticing she’s gone AWOL decides to track her down (big mistake). He quietly opens the door to see Shayna posing and pouting in front of the mirror. Suddenly she notices him “f*** off” she hollers while throwing shoes, makeup, clothes, ornaments, anything not nailed down. Jeff makes a hasty retreat lucky not to be injured. “What were you doing?” of course I ask as she tells me the story”. “Practicing” came her very straight faced reply to which I lose my shit and have the best belly laugh. “Shut up” I’m told. Not wanting to cop a thrown shoe, I obey. We got the cover, I guess all that practicing paid off.
Travelling interstate for glamour work was a regular event. Coordinating models, hair stylists, locations and makeup artists was a true nightmare. We still advertised in newspapers to find talent so we were never really sure how experienced everyone was. Preparing for a few weeks in QLD, I still didn’t have hair or makeup sorted. With the date getting closer I was starting to worry when Shayna offered her services. By this stage she’d been in most of the glamour mags herself usually preferring to do her own styling. She certainly knew what we needed as well as being able to help the new models with their posing. Once again that practicing paying off.
Arriving at our apartment a few days early we decided to do some photos for our port folios. Surfers Paradise beach was conveniently located across the road. Shayna gathered up her swimsuits before we set off to find a quite patch of sand. Before too long our quite spot had become very popular with tourists, kids, surfers, people walking dogs, girls punching their boyfriends, even the local lifeguards had driven past a few times trying to have a perv on Shayna. Little did we know Shayna had been recognized.
Along drove the lifeguards again so I decided to put them to work. “Can we use your vehicle for some photos” I ask fully expecting to get a knock back. Out they all jump excitedly, one waving a men’s mag at me as he approaches. A shoot we’d done a few months prior had hit the newsagents that week. “That’s her isn’t it?” questioned one lifeguard. Having a closer look I confirmed he was right. What a bunch of lunatics, they all start slapping each other and laughing with delight while bickering about who told who so. Putting their gentleman hats back on they assist Shayna into position for one of the best shots taken over that entire trip. Shayna’s, hair was blowing in the wind, perched upon the bonnet, giggling happily as the lifeguards, clearly smitten, hung from every window.
Not all attention received from that men’s mag was complimentary. My dear old Dad was a Surfers Paradise resident. He hadn’t been too well of late ending up being admitted to hospital while we were there. Shayna accompanied me on a visit to the Gold Coast Hospital with a signed copy of our current mag for him. Naturally Dad was very pleased with himself, (he may of been old and sick but he wasn’t past appreciating pretty girls). Dad had collected every mag I’d ever been published in however this was the first time he’d been given an autographed copy by my model.
Dads proudly telling his room mate “my daughter took these pictures and her friend here is the model”. In walks the most abrupt, rude nurse. Looking down her nose in distaste at our photo shoot she declares “hmmppfff, I’d never do that”(emphasis on the never). My always supportive Dad replies” I don’t think you’ll ever have to worry about that”. I take up the charge adding” that’s right looking the way you do I’m sure no one will ever ask”. Shayna can’t help herself, with the sweetest smile topped with her acid tongue comments “laughing all the way to the bank honey; How much do you earn?” Politically incorrect I do agree, however maybe that nasty nurse will think twice before sharing her uncalled for opinions in the future.
Its a wrap, we’re done working, packed up and driving back to Sydney. Amusing ourselves on what used to be a tediously long, windy drive we notice a brown BMW that appears to be sticking pretty close. Thanking our lucky stars the driver is proficient and courteous, sticking to the left lane, using the right only for overtaking, we decide we’ll follow behind for a while. Vvvvrooommm, we’re all overtaken by a wanker in a bubble car, who nearly has a head on with an approaching truck. Our friend in the BMW hits the brakes as the wanker cuts back into the left lane just before them. There’s an overtaking lane in about 200 meters (like I already said a true wanker).
Clearly shaken, the BMW slows down for a breather while we utilize the overtaking lane to give our friend the thumbs up, checking they are ok. Shayna and the very attractive man driving the BMW give each other the nod as we take the lead along the notorious Pacific Highway. Both cars stop at the same petrol station, we all smile and nod at each other while fueling up. Shayna and I visit the ladies where I’m hurried along “hurry up” Shayna says “we can’t let him get away”. Of course this has nothing to do with the fact he’s gorgeous. Rushing back to our car we see Mr Hot Stuff driving off. “Quick we can’t lose him” Shayna declares. Seeing him a fair way ahead Shayna’s urging me to catch up. I put my foot down just a little to be rewarded with flashing lights and sirens. We look at each other, hang our heads in shame while I cop a fine for 5kms over the limit. “F****** men” Shayna says with venom, “always cause trouble”.
We continued working together until Shayna eventually retires from modelling fulfilling hers and Jeff’s dream of moving to Brisbane where they start their own business Wrench Devil Cycles and Clothing. Jeff builds and repairs custom motorbikes. He is undoubtedly the best around. Shayna handles the clothing store. Clothing can be purchased from their website. We still stay in touch, in fact she messaged me recently about another photo shoot. It’s been 25 years since our last one however I have no doubt it will be awesome.
