It is summer in Australia. Warm sunny days and blue, blue skies. All Aussies thoughts turn to beaches. White sand, blue foamy waves lapping at the shore, and mermaids, sitting on rocks on the seashore.

OK.. granted… not everybody thinks of mermaids on rocks, on the seashore. But photographers are a little outside the square. The thought popped into my head when I was planning a seascape shoot. What to do that makes it a bit different… hmmm …just add a mermaid or two.

I sourced their tails and wigs, added headbands. We chose a nice spot down Sandringham and arranged for a sunset time slot. Naturally, the sunset was extremely ordinary, a nice bit of colour but no clouds to bounce light off. However, being as I am not a purist, I am happy to swap skies out if it improves the image. I know, I’m a philistine.

Both our models, Jess Carolyn and Jess Garrett were awesome to work with. They had to shimmy and roll across the sand, as walking with that tail on, was out of the question. We photographed them on various rocks and on the seashore, before asking them to get into the water for the last half hour.

The water was cold. Very cold. But they were total professionals and troopers and got in the water. Gasped in shock as the cold water hit them. Then smiled for shots between the cold waves.

A huge thank you to both girls. You made an idea a reality and your cheerful personalities made it a fun night.

Blue Mermaid: Jess Carolyn aka Miss Fairyfloss

Pink Mermaid: Jess Garrett

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