As I sit to write it's been just over two weeks since the internet blackout in Iran. There are a significant number of Iranians in Cyprus, including several friends and close friends.  It's a very difficult time for them, and for anyone that cares about basic human rights. Let's try to support each other however we can and I encourage you to keep talking about the issue and sharing on social media. 

So my year started with a shoot in the first few days of January,  incidently with an Iranian girl Shawdi I met last year at Geekfest working on a tattoo stand doing make up.  At the time I took a couple of photos and past my card.  I really liked her energy and grace.  Anyway more recently I sent her some ideas for a shoot and talked to her by text about the sort of things I wanted to do and we made plans and arrangements.

We talked about 80's inspired themes, and I had someideas about Noir headshots, plus some dungarees, and a silver blanket.  So I drove up to her home in Magusa, met her lovely boyfriend Cash who had agreed to help us, went out into odd locations before working with a black background inside.

We all got on really well, and they were very hospitable.  Before I left I had been fed buiscuits, Cash cooked chicken pasta and something like a Mocha and Shawdi gave me a healthy ginger shot she makes herself. 

Its was an amazingly productive day, and we all bonded well, and Shawdi was really veratile and natural.  She really is like a muse. 

Anyway, let's share from the Noir set first.  You can view all the sets Here or follow the links below.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

So I think Shawdi looks a lot like an 80's actress that was in Flashdance.  So we did a few different sets, inside and out, inspired by the film, the 80's and even David Bowie.  One of our destinations led to something a bit darker. 

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

80' Nostalgia

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

So Shawdi knew this odd ruin in the town center that had a shaft of light coming through the ceiling and lots of pigeons flying in and out.

I called this, "Something Wicked This Way Comes"  Take it as you will.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

So when we got back to their home, we got a little more creative after the initial Noir set.  I had the dungarees and they fit perfect, and Cash called us for food.  He is a good cook, and made a tasty Chicken Alfredo.  This gave us time to chat and between us we came up with the flash make up idea.  Shawdi is a tattoo artist, and is great with make up.  She also makes things, clothes, art, hats, costumes.  She loves Myths and Tarot and Atrology.  We are like two peas in a pod, and can't stop talking about this stuff.  We have since made other plans for the future, but for now have a few photos from one meaning of a lightning symbol.  High Voltage.  Add a emergency silver blanket for effect.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

The Second meaning of the bolt is taken from David Bowie, symbolising a split personality.  Shawdi was keen to try some long exposure and Cash helped.  The three of us crawled around the floor upstairs, in each other's way, with cats too, but it worked out.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

I end with a couple of photos from behind the scenes.  Thanks to them both for a wonderful day. Thanks to the cats too for welcoming me.  Full Albums HERE

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

Next up is my friend Kate.  She has been a busy bee since we saw each other last, with several parties and events with thrift clothing behind her.  Follow the link to the full album to find out more, here. Again incidently, the very sauve gentleman is Iranian and was filming for social media when I arrived.  We had a bit of a shaky start, the second group arrived and there were 3 or 4 extra people along and it got to the point where there were too many cooks in the kitchen.  I didn't handle it as well as I could have.  But it was a good shoot, very creative people.

The girl on the left is Alina, and she invited me along to a night she was putting on with friends at CineMiles in Girne.  I went along for an hour.  It was good to see people in their own scene having lots of fun.  They really didn't need me to document them, they were doing an excellent job thenselves.  They never stopped still for a minute.  I am not quite sure what some of the party goers made of me, but some were friendly,

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

Next up are two of the sea and sky.  You know it has to be pretty special for me to post these.

Next up is a nice family I met through Slimsauce.  This is his brother, and I had no idea the family was coming along, or that there even was a family.  But it was fun.  And the little boy, what a coool charachter.  Fantastic.

Next up is Korede Treasure

I call her Koko, which seems to fit. She has that french elegance. She moves like a hunter and I think she has the most amazing face.  Met up recently after seeing her pop up on social media with @enmodamagazine where she won the catwalk prize.  We met last year through instagram.

I made a standard modelling card for her which means no make up and we hung out and did some other photos after in the street. She has flawless skin anyway ;)

Her birthday was coming up the following week and we made plans for what became, Koko in Purple and Black and White. By then we had worked out many things about how Koko photographed and I think it shows in the set.  Find the full Album here.  I think these are stunning.

Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt© Photos by Sin Bozkurt©

Finally I reconnected with my cousin last night, and took a few photos of the cafe people at Soba

Thanks for reading.   Find the full album and links here

May we see a positive change soon.