I first worked with Natasha Jervis back in 2013, our first set being 17 May that year.
A tall, angular, art nude model, Natasha was friendly, yet on camera, looked intense. I think she learned to smile later.
She was arty and intelligent and we got along very well as I was learning my trade in my new converted home studio.
We ventured outside that day, exploring the bluebells in the woods too. I’ll post those shots soon.
I went on to photograph her a total of nine times to date.
From being an artist’s model in 2013, Natasha began modelling mainstream on sites I believe that I introduced her to. Until then she was modelling for sculptors and art classes.
From going mainstream, then she began working in serious porn! I couldn’t afford her rates any more – we shot eight times in four years and then it was three more years before I photographed her again.
She became so used to modelling for adult style shoots that she found it a little strange when I took a more artistic approach and said to me at the conclusion of our ninth shoot, “I’d forgotten there were still a few good ones out there.”
I took that as rather a compliment. When the photographer is in a small hotel room with you, and yet never touches you or becomes suggestive, I suppose that’s a meagre positive, but it is the least one should expect.
Now, Natasha seems to have vanished which is a great shame. She can be found on archive You Tube footage in the first series of Naked Attraction, with a woman I almost photographed (and am glad I didn’t).
She did keep up an artistic second life even as her primary one was quite adult, working in dance and ballet and live performances in London and on tour elsewhere internationally.
I miss her being around on the scene, we got along like the proverbial house on fire, but when she began adult modelling I think her world spiralled a little, triggering some changes, and it may have led to her having this break.
You can only ever hope such people are well and looking after themselves.
My work with Natasha is something in the Featured album and the older sets are starting to appear on the Delve album. I have a good deal that I have not yet shown – I took more than 6,000 image of her – as we head closer to 2023.