Jenny Wren’s dramatic jewellery had to really sparkle for the cover of our Spring/Summer issue of Vale Life and Martin Phillips Photography was the perfect choice. Martin’s innovative style and professional expertise made an ideal match with the talents of make-up artist Karen of Papillon Rose and the inimitable Lance of Fich and Ramous.

LIFE COVER

When I met maddie through a mutual friend I was struck by her beauty and personality. She is an all round stunner, with good posture, a positive outlook and is articulate and well mannered.

The first cover shot with Jenny Wren Jewellery required someone very special to encompass style, glamour and quality and I knew that I had found that in Maddie. The idea for the shot came to mind almost instantly and Maddie must have thought I was slightly mad when we were together as I couldn’t stop staring at her, imagining the jewellery draped over her face.

What struck me about Maddie was the fact that her eyes are different colours, one blue and one brown. Because Maddie is so striking I had to play down the make-up a little so that it didn’t detract from the jewellery. My first rule on a shoot is to concentrate on what is being promoted - everything else is a prop. Instead of defining Maddie’s eyes I simply built up a natural glow to her features using metallic eye shadows. Her lips were nude to start, then finished with a gold tinged lip colour. The look was completed with bronzer and a light dusting of sparkle all over. You never know if an idea will work until you’re in front of the camera so I was very pleased when the jewellery arrived and it lit up her face instantly.

The idea for Maddie to hold a jewel in her mouth gave her the direction she needed and she responded brilliantly. Jenny Wren jewellery is exciting and deserved a spectacular image to do the gems justice so I was particularly pleased that my idea worked so well on the day. Maddie couldn’t have been a better model - she turned out to be a natural on her debut! Karen Hughes

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Our cover shot model is 21 year old Madeleine Cuthew of Cowbridge. Here we find out about how she became involved in the photoshoot and her hopes for the future.

How did you come to be involved in the cover shoot?
I was working at Papillon Rose and Karen Hughes, make up artist, asked me if I would like to be involved in the photo shoot.

Have you ever done any modelling before this?
No

What career would you like?
Anything to do with the fashion industry e.g. production,make up,fashion journalism and modelling

What did you think of the day at the studio?
Absolutley amazing! A fabulous opportunity to work with professionals in the industry and with such beautiful jewellery.

Hopefully it may provide an opening to other fantastic opportunities, it’s a proud moment in my life I can look back on.



Thank you for a fantastic day!

“I’m always looking for future models of all ages, male and female, who live in the Vale. If you think you’ve got what it takes, please send a picture together with a brief description of yourself.” Karen Hughes Karen Hughes, Vale Life, Cardiff House Cardiff Road CF63 2AW or email jennifer@valelife.co.uk Any modelling work undertaken for Vale Life magazine is purely on a voluntary basis but you never know where it may lead!

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“It’s a real privilege to work with such a talented and creative team of professionals.”
Jennifer Hobbs Roberts, Editor



The cover shoot was inspiring and although our young model Maddie was not experienced, she rapidly gained confidence in the relaxed surroundings of the studio. Maddie literally shone in her beautiful golden makeup!

Here at Martin Phillips Photography we offer the same fabulous makeover and photoshoot service to Vale Life readers. Commercial clients are also encouraged to arrange a visit for a free and full consultation at their premises or at our studio/café.

I’m proud to have won a number of awards for my portrait photography and I’m also lucky enough to work for a wide variety of commercial clients including a major pension company, a clothing company, a safety-wear supplier, a bespoke wedding dress designer, a furniture manufacturer and an award-winning kitchen design company. I also provide a comprehensive location service for architects and interior designers.

The Martin Phillips Photography studio is located in the Station Hill precinct of Porthcawl at the popular Art Café.

Martin Phillips Photography Art Café, 32 New Road Station Hill Precinct, Porthcawl 01656 771525 info@martinphillipsphotography.com www.martinphillipsphotography.com

“As a team, we all wanted to create a strong, dynamic look for the first face of Vale Life.”



When we were asked to help create the front cover of Vale Life with Karen and Martin we had no hesitation in participating, particularly when the brief was to create a style to complement the exquisite jewellery of Jenny Wren.

Fortunately, our cover model Maddie had lovely long, thick hair which gave us plenty of scope to produce a look suitable for the front cover of any quality fashion magazine. After discussing several possibilites of how to style Maddie’s hair, we arrived at the winning formula. We wanted to create a canvas, a backdrop for presenting Jenny Wren’s beautiful pieces whilst also showcasing Lance’s work as a hairdresser.

As a team, we all wanted to create a strong, dynamic look for the first face of Vale Life magazine. This is a departure from the usual cover format and we truly believe that we’ve achieved our goal which was to feature someone who was both local and new to the world of modelling. Maddie’s snarling expression worked naturally and effortlessly to display the jewellery and exceeded all of our expectations!

When working with professional creative people who are confident in their abilities, ideas flow, evolve and develop. Rigid boundaries are not needed, just a spark of inspiration to ignite the creative fire, the results are hot, as you can see! Claire and Lance