This blog post has been several months in the making. I organised my first professional henna photo shoot ever in November 2015 with Louise Rayner Photography, with an ambitious plan in mind…
The concept began at the end of 2014 when I saw viral images of a distinctive black ink tattoo of wings. Striking and effective, it was quickly added to my bucket list of henna designs to accomplish.
Next came the model: Sensei Mohsin Adeeb. A regular at my Ju-Jitsu club and a supportive compatriot in my personal journey in accomplishing my black belt in Ju-Jitsu (July 2015). Adeeb has been a long time supporter of my henna journey and has worn the ‘Bruce Lee’ henna to great effect!
We scheduled the henna to be applied on Monday morning in my temporary studio space in Shipley.
An extra heater was brought into the room and placed in front of Adeeb (it was November after all and Autumn was swiftly making way for Winter!). Also, henna really works much better under dry, WARM conditions.
Keeping Adeeb seated upright and fixed, I kept his posture as close to its natural standing position as possible to ensure that the design did not distort after application.
I moved around him to apply the design and frequently scooted from one side to the other to check on symmetry and details.
He really sat like a champion for the process which took just under an hour and a half – great muscle control, patience and stillness – Everything you could ask for in a henna model!
Once complete, the entire design was sealed and Adeeb was under strict instructions to diligently follow all my aftercare guidance. As a henna artist, my job is to ensure the freshest henna paste, conscientious application and adequate sealing. Once the henna design has left the building there is little more I can do to ensure a rich stain as the aftercare process comes down to the work of the henna wearer. Aftercare alone is the largest influence over the depth of your henna stain. Put simply: Better and more diligent aftercare = Deeper and richer henna stain.
For an adventurous photo shoot like this, the wait is a nerve-wracking process for all involved! We scheduled an outdoor photo shoot two days later – penciled in for Baildon Moor…. brrrr!! This was when true appreciation for Adeeb’s dedication came in – modelling back henna, on the Moors, in November early Winter conditions?!
Did we manage it?
Watch this space for the update!
[…] on from the studio shoot and after an agonising two-day wait for mature henna stain development, lots of henna aftercare […]