Ellie Star

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  • Roller Skates And Fringe In The Studio

    Roller Skates And Fringe In The Studio

    Full retro-disco energy for this one and I had way too much fun. Clean studio backdrop, roller skates with the light-up wheels, orange knee socks pulled high, cropped jeans, and a fringed top that moved every time I did. Arms up, hips out, the whole seventies playbook.

    The fringe was the star, honestly. Every little shift sent it swinging, so the trick was to keep finding a pose where it hung just right without me freezing like a statue. Skating on a polished studio floor while trying to look effortless is its own extreme sport, by the way.

    We were going for playful and a bit cheeky rather than polished, and I think we nailed it. This is the kind of shoot that reminds me why I started. Pure joy on wheels.

    #retro #studioshoot

  • Pink On The Cliffs Above The Sea

    Pink On The Cliffs Above The Sea

    This is the shot I flew for. Up on the cliffs with that famous rock rising out of the water behind me, the whole Mediterranean going silver in the sun, and me draped across warm stone in the brightest pink dress you’ve ever seen.

    We timed it for late afternoon so the light came in low and golden. Barefoot, daisies in my hair, one hand shielding my eyes, trying very hard to look serene while the wind had absolutely other plans for the skirt.

    Campaign brief was “summer, freedom, a little bit reckless” and standing on the edge of a cliff in couture felt about right. My legs were shaking the whole time, not going to lie, but you’d never know it. Sometimes the calm is the performance.

    #summercampaign #pink

  • Ironwork And A Slow Afternoon

    Ironwork And A Slow Afternoon

    We found this old cast-iron railing on a riverfront walk and I basically claimed it as my set for the day. I sat right down on the stone kerb, leaned my back into the wall, and let the light do the moody thing it does when the sky can’t decide on rain.

    Head-to-toe white here: a little ribbed crop and soft wide-leg trousers, daisies still tucked through my hair from the morning look. It’s such a quiet outfit, which is exactly why I loved it against all that heavy black scrollwork behind me.

    Honestly some of my favourite frames come from the in-between moments, when I stop posing and just sit and think. The photographer caught this one mid-thought and it might be the pick of the set.

    #streetstyle #modellife

  • Red Dress On The Marble Steps

    Red Dress On The Marble Steps

    There’s something about a scarlet dress against cold grey marble that just does the work for you. We shot this one right on the entrance steps of an old stone building, orchids painted on the glass behind me, and I honestly didn’t want to move once I found the light.

    The brief was “bold but soft,” so we kept my hair loose and wild with the little daisy chain woven through it. Fitted red, bare shoulders, one tiny pendant, and that was the whole story. No props, no fuss.

    I love a look that argues with its background. The dress wants to shout, the stone wants to stay serious, and I get to stand right in the middle of it and smile like I know a secret. Full frame coming to the portfolio soon.

    #reddress #editorial

  • Windows down, wherever the road goes

    Windows down, wherever the road goes

    Behind the wheel with the sun pouring in and absolutely no idea where I am headed. Mirrored shades, daisies threaded all the way down my hair, a printed dress and my chunky cuff, one hand pushing my hair back because the light was too good not to.

    There is a particular freedom in a little car on a bright day, warm streets rolling by, nothing on the schedule but the drive itself. I love this one, the open window kind of day where the playlist is loud and the plan is loose.

    Caught this at a red light before I pulled away. Sunglasses on, heart open, foot ready. See you at the beach, or wherever this road decides to take me.

  • Board day in candy pink

    Board day in candy pink

    Skate check. Found this dreamy wall of pastel tiles and blue breeze blocks and had to park my board right against it. Pink beanie, pink leggings, pink Nikes, tattoos on show, resting between runs and pretending I am much cooler than I feel.

    I am still very much learning, more bruises than tricks if I am honest, but there is nothing like the rattle of wheels on concrete and the little jolt of fear before you push off. Daisies tucked behind my ear because a girl can be soft and still eat pavement.

    Sat here catching my breath, watch buzzing, sun warm on the tiles. One more run before I call it. Maybe two.

  • Golden hour at the water’s edge

    Golden hour at the water’s edge

    Some sunsets you photograph, some you just stand still inside of. This one stopped me cold. I was down by the water in my comfiest hoodie, flowers still in my hair, and the whole sky went to fire and honey behind the city.

    That sharp white building sloping into the harbour, the sun melting into the water, a bit of cool air off the sea. I did not say much. I just watched it burn down slow and tried to hold onto it.

    Travelling for work is a gift, but moments like this remind me why I really do it. Not the call sheets or the deadlines, just the chance to stand somewhere new and let a sunset knock the wind out of me.

  • Hi from the floor of my room

    Hi from the floor of my room

    Peak comfort achieved. Pink hoodie, grey leggings, fresh white sneakers, sat cross legged on the fluffy rug in my room waving at the camera like a total dork. Fairy lights and a little candle going, my photo wall behind me, plants doing their best in the corner.

    These are my favourite kind of days. No glam, no schedule, just cosy clothes and the room I have slowly made my own, one printed photo and thrifted basket at a time. I could stay right here on this rug for hours.

    Waving hi to everyone reading this. Hope your day is soft and slow and a little bit cosy too. Come say hello.

  • A quiet word with the mirror

    A quiet word with the mirror

    Caught myself in the hallway mirror this morning and just stopped for a second. Soft grey tee, flowers still woven through my hair, my crystal on its cord. No makeup chair, no lighting crew, just me and my reflection having a little moment.

    I do this more than I admit, pause and actually look, not to critique but to check in. Are you okay? Are you being kind to yourself? Today the answer felt like yes, and that is not nothing.

    There is a version of me in that glass who is still figuring it all out, and I am learning to be gentle with her. Twirling a bit of hair, half a smile, and off into the day.

  • Not every photo needs to be pretty

    Not every photo needs to be pretty

    For every posed shot there are about forty of these. Eyes rolled back, tongue out, daisies clinging on for dear life. My photographer caught me mid nonsense and of course it is the one I actually want to keep.

    I think people forget that behind the glossy pictures there is a very silly human who pulls faces the second the shutter stops. This is closer to the real me than any careful portrait, freckles and all, crystal pendant swinging, laughing at something dumb off camera.

    Consider this your reminder to be a bit ridiculous today. Take the ugly photo. Keep the ugly photo. It ages better than you think.