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Mr Mockle - History and Philosophy |
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This section has been written to answer some of the many questions asked of me in the past regarding my website, photographs and love for fur.
You can read about my past history and the origins of Mr Mockle, find out more about my modelling shoots and discover my thoughts regarding future updates to the website by clicking one of the links here.
Past History - Origins of my fur appreciation - Development of my fur appreciation - Fur contacts - First photoshoot (pre Mr Mockle) - Creation of Mr Mockle - First photoshoot (as Mr Mockle) Present Day - Personal life - Personal fur collection - Fur Models - Typical studio shoot - Typical location shoot Future Ideas - Forthcoming fur purchases - Forthcoming photoshoots - Final thanks Past HistoryOrigins of my fur appreciationMy first memory of fur comes from my primary school days. I remember that two of our female teachers had gorgeous long dark musquash coats which they wore during the winter. I thought that they looked so beautiful in their furs and enjoyed seeing them during the outdoor play breaks. Although I don't recall doing so, I must have touched their furs on occasion if I wasn't too embarrassed to do so; if so, these would have been incredible moments.During the following years I started to notice more women wearing furs on the streets, in church gatherings and on television. Television shows such as Dallas and Dynasty were just starting and I remember watching them secretly, expectantly waiting for the scenes of Linda Gray, Linda Evans, Joan Collins and other celebrities wearing their stunning furs. In my teenage years I began to collect whatever fur information and images that I could find; I recorded video clips of furs on television and collected cuttings from magazines and newspapers. However, except the inital contact in the school playground, I had yet to feel a fur and had little idea about the different types of fur. Development of my fur appreciationMy collection of fur video clips and magazine cuttings was growing, but at some stage I would have to buy a fur of my own. I acquired my first fur shortly before my eighteenth birthday; a largish black coney jacket, second hand but in good condition. I bought it from a local market stall for £20 and I remember being so nervous when approaching the lady to buy it, but the relief of having done so was incredible. I rushed home, smuggling it in past my parents, and remember spending much of the rest of the day touching it, stroking it and, I have to admit, being sexually aroused by it. I spent many quiet moments in my life alone with my fur; it became a sort of comfort device and a means to relieve the frustrations of school and work.However it wasn't long before I had the desire to own more furs, and within a few months I had bought five other furs. I bought a long black fake fur coat from Selfridges for £225 which was truely gorgeous and had a great design, swing and feel to it and I also bought a black fake fur jacket and a small grey leopard print fake fur coat. I also started visiting furriers now, one of which is still open and I still shop in, and enjoyed looking at their bargain rails - not only because of the furs there and their relatively cheap prices, but also because of the chance to see female customers trying on other furs in the store. From one of these furriers I bought a small blue fox jacket and an afghan fox jacket - which I featured in my earlier photoshoots - for £50 each. I was happy with my collection then given my restricted finances, but hoped that I would be able to buy more luxurious furs in later life. Fur contactsAlthough I had started to buy furs and collect fur scenes and cuttings, I still believed that I was the only person in the world with such a passion for furs! It never occured to me that although there must be women in the world with a large number of furs - the growing number of my Joan Collins clippings showed that she must have several furs - there must be other people who felt the same as me about furs. Shortly before I started university I decided that I might need a place to store my furs in case space or privacy was limited in my lodgings. So in an effort to find a suitable storage option for them, I placed an advert in a contact magazine looking for people with an interest in furs.I received only a few replies, but one was from a guy who lived very near to my university and was to become a very good friend. He told me that he also loved furs and thought he might be the only one who felt that way. He also mentioned his fur collection; at the time this consisted of about 300 furs!! This total did not include the 150 other furs he owned before his ex wife forced him to throw them out!!! I was shocked to hear that anyone could have that many furs, especially as he wouldn't wear many of them in public, but some photos included in the letter showed me some of his collection and I was very impressed. We exchanged details about our feelings for fur over several letters and finally met up during my first week on campus. I saw his collection in his flat, then rather haphazardly stored, and while it mostly consisted of coney, musquash and coney coats and jackets, he did have a handful fox jackets. He explained to me what he new about the different fur types and even lent me some while I was studying - fortunately, I did have the privacy and space for my furs! While I did not buy any more furs while at university, my new friend continued to acquire numerous furs, mostly of similar types to his collection but I recall special ones in particular: a huge ranch mink bomber jacket, a large soft golden island fox chubby jacket, a breathtaking soft thick black fox chubby jacket and a huge silver fox coat with a big tuxedo collar. At university also I started to use the internet and quickly found the various fur sites and communities of the time. I made many fur contacts across the world via email and newsgroups and in the years since returning from university I have had the pleasure of meeting a number of them personally. First photoshoot (pre Mr Mockle)My first attempt at fur photography was done while at university. I started a relationship with a wonderful and very beautiful young woman but at first was very hesitant to tell her about my feelings for furs. Fortunately, during a conversation before we started dating she had mentioned how she loved going in the fur salon when she visted Harrods as a child, so I knew that she wasn't against furs. During a late night cuddle we began talking about fantasies we had and I told her about furs. She was a little surprised but agreed to wear furs for me on occasion when in private. We used the furs during our lovemaking on numerous occasions and, for those of you that have not tried it, I can confirm that making love on a bed of furs is incredible!It was always great to see her wearing furs although the only fur she wore in public was my long black Selfridges fake fur coat. But I wanted a way to remember how good she looked in furs when she was out of town, so I asked her if she would pose for a few fashion pictures in the furs. She agreed to do this so we planned a special night in and I managed to borrow some furs from my fur friend, including his big black fox chubby. I took a roll of photos of her in the furs and, although techincally my camerawork was awful, my girlfriend looked sensational, especially in the black fox. Our relationship ended before I finished university but I can still remember how stunning she looked in those prints. If she happens to read this story, then I can confirm that I have destroyed those prints and that I wish her every happiness in the world! Creation of Mr MockleIt was a series of photographs taken by one of fur contacts that inspired me to take up photography. The images featured the lovely Teresa May standing in a library posing in a huge thick black fox coat with a silver fox collar. When I saw these images I wrote to the photgrapher to ask him about the pictures and the experience. He told me about the session and gave me some suggestions about how to arrange such shoots. As I had wanted to see my fur models modelled again as my former girlfriend had done, but this time with an experienced professional model. I finally contacted HB Studios to organise a shoot for early October 1999, selected Tracey Coleman as the model I wanted and, after confirming via the studio that she would be happy to pose in furs, I confirmed the booking. There was no turning back now!First photoshoot (as Mr Mockle)I took six of my furs to the studio, which was not easy on public transport, and fortunately arrived there on time. I decided on the backdrop for the shoot and was helped with setting up the lighting and scene by the studio manager, before unpacking my furs and waiting for Tracey to finish her previous shoot. I was extremely nervous when meeting Tracey, who looks even more beautiful in person, but she was so friendly and helpful that I quickly felt more comfortable about the session. We selected a dark business skirt suit for the outfit and with the furs over it, she looked sensational!The shoot lasted for two hours and the time raced by. I shot 15 rolls of film during the session and enjoyed chatting with Tracey about modelling, furs and our backgrounds. Spending such a time in the company of a beautiful and charming woman in furs is an incredible experience and it was a shame for that session to end. But we said our goodbyes and I paid the manager for the shoot and struggled home with my furs. The photgraphs that shot during that first shoot were not too special, because of my nerves, lack of familiarity with my camera and the nuance of the experience: was I actually photographing one of the UK's top glamour models in my furs? However I had such a good time that I started looking at other local studios and models and arranged two more shoots that month, one of which featuring the wonderful Lana Cox became the first update to my website. Once I had performed a fourth shoot, with Claudia Casali, I had enough material to start developing my website and scanning the best of my images. Present DayPersonal LifeAs those of you who share a love for furs might believe, I am very happy with my life at the moment. I have a reasonable job - no, photography is not my profession but a hobby - which gives me a modest but comfortable living. I have a good number of friends inside and outside the online fur community but I like to keep my groups of friends separate, so that I can take a break from some of my hobbies when I need to. I also have a wonderful and loving girlfriend who, while not as passionate about furs as I am, enjoys wearing furs during the winter months. I do not arrange as many fur photoshoots as I would like to due to time and finances, but though my shoots tend to occur in batches I try to keep in touch with the models and studios to examine options for future shoots. I buy furs from a number of sources including local furriers and online auctions, but usually have to choose between buying a new fur or arranging a new photoshoot.Personal fur collectionMy personal fur collection currently numbers 53 items: 39 real fur items and 14 fake fur items.My real fur items include ten coats (beige coney, black coney, black mink with silver fox cuffs/collar, blue fox, mahogany mink, mahogany mink with crystal fox sleeves/collar, platino fox, red fox, violet mink with blue fox sleeves/collar, one as-yet unidentified type), eleven jackets (afghan fox, black coney, black fox, burgundy coney, crystal fox, grey coney, lynx, mahogany mink, pink coney, raccoon, silver fox), two stoles (blue fox, mahogany mink), two boas (black fox, silver fox), two hats (lynx, silver fox), a crystal fox headband, three pairs of cuffs (black fox, black mink, chinchilla), a black fox collar, a pair of platino fox mittens and six fur scrunchies (two mink, two fox, two coney). My fake fur items include three coats (black sheared beaver, chinchilla, lynx), four jackets (black sheared beaver, black mink, blue fox, white hooded sheared beaver), three stoles (two brown mink, black mink), two hats (black sheared beaver, lynx) and two fake fur throws (red fox, wolf). While I love the furs that I currently own and love most types of fur including fake fur, my favourite type is mink, especially black mink. I find something enthralling about black mink; the way it shines and draws the attention is magical. Fur ModelsI mostly use established professional glamour models for my website but have worked with amateur models and those new to modelling. Working with models who have the experience means that I don't have to direct them too much but can just provide ideas for a look or pose to help the shoot move along. Their modelling rates are reasonable too and, although they tend to charge more than the amateur models, it is worth paying for their knowledge.I have enjoyed all of my photoshoots to date, although some have been more memorable than others. Meeting the models is always a pleasure but the freedom of a whole day location shoot gives far more time to chat with the models about wider issues than the shoot in hand. Getting to know the person behind the photograph is a great aspect of my hobby and friendly conversation helps the shoots bubble along. The models I have met have always been friendly and charming as well as looking stunning in the furs and I hope that they have all enjoyed their time with me and would be happy to work with me again. Some final points. Firstly, the women I have photographed are models and my sessions with them are strictly for modelling purposes. While I enjoy my time with the models I use, I do not indulge in sexual activity with them. Secondly, I would advise anyone thinking of doing such shoots to check that the model will pose in furs. Some people are offended by the idea of furs and you should always check with the models before the day of the shoot. While I always do this before my sessions, I have contacted some models who were happy to model fake furs but not real ones. Of course if you are happy with that then all well and good, but now that I have a few good quality real furs I would prefer to feature them. Thirdly, if the photographs you take are not just for your personal use you should check whether the model will sign a model release form for the session. This is essential if you are intending to make money from the images for personal or commercial gain, or even if you intend to display your images to others on a website like this one. The models have their image and earning rights to protect and may refuse to attend be photographed unless they are happy with the intentions for the final images. Typical studio shootAs briefly described in my Past History page, a typical studio photoshoot for my website will use one or two hours studio time. This is usually spent alone with the model, although the less experienced models like to have a chaperone present for new photographers. The staff at the studio will be able to help setting up the lighting, backdrops, secenry and props for the shoot, and can often do this while you are chatting to the model about possible outfits to feature. A one hour shoot doesn't give any time to change the stage for the shoot except maybe tweaking the lighting, so I try to pick a neutral backdrop and keep props and scenery to a minimum.If just concentrating on fashion work, one hour might allow for one costume change for the model but often I select one that suits the look I want to achieve. I usually have six or so furs with me, so finding something that will suit all the furs I have brought for the shoot is essential. I use a lowish specification 35mm SLR stills camera for my photography and I usually get through five or six rolls of 36 exposure film per hour of studio time. Many people ask me why I do not use a digital camera but I enjoy the pleasure of flicking through a book of my fur photographs, and often take a selection of my latest prints to show to the models during shoots. In financial terms, a one hour shoot with a model can cost between £100 and £150 although this does depend on the level of nudity you require, the studio facilities and whether the model requires a model release form. This cost from my perspective includes the raw cost of the film for the shoot, the model and studio hire charges, the film development costs and a model release form if required. For more accurate costings please visit one of the studios featured on my Links page. All of the professional models I have used were initially contacted by arranging a shoot at a studio they visit on a regular basis. Typical location shootA location shoot is usually a collaboration between one or more of my contacts and I combining our financial and furry resources to invite a model or two for a whole day of fur work. Such shoots usually start at mid morning and end during the early evening, providing a better variety of work and more time to get the right look and feel to the shoot. We will usually break the day into two or three shorter sections, changing the scenery or using an outdoor location where possible, to provide a wider range of images. We also have plenty of breaks for refreshments and a lunch break, where the model and photographers can relax away from the lights and flashes, but not always away from the furs.Such days are more expensive to fund and take longer to arrange, but they are more satisfying to do. I will forever remember Lana Cox's reaction when she first saw the piles of furs we had available for our March 2000 location shoot! It was priceless! They are best arranged directly with the models or through their agent or website, although often the model will need certain reassurances before agreeing to such shoots and may bring a chaperone if they have not met the photographers before. Several of you have asked about the Furrier location used in some of my longer shoots. I can confirm that it is not a real store but is constructed from a wonderfully lavish private fur collection. I should also tell you that none of those furs are currently for sale, although a number of the models who have posed in them have been very reluctant to take them off and have asked about being paid for their work in furs! Future IdeasForthcoming fur purchasesI hope to expand my fur collection although I do not yet know what I will get. While my personal preference would be for black fox or black mink, black fox is fairly rare to find and black mink is expensive. I will probably buy one or two more fox items to add to my collection for my girlfriend to wear. I will also be looking out for fox hats and some more fur accessories.Forthcoming photoshootsI have no new photoshoots planned and am unlikely to resume my professional/paid shoots; currently I have little time and money to do so and recently, less motivation. There are still a couple of photography options that I am considering but these will be to assist other websites (not related to other fur websites) with photo projects rather than fund my own; these may or may not be fur-themed and those that are are likely to be of more niche appeal. If you would like my involvement or assistance with any photoshoot projects, please email me at mrmockle@ntlworld.comFinal thanksI would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in my photoshoots. Many thanks of course to the models who have graced my shoots and charmed so many of you and me over the years: in no particular order, Katarina Nikita, Teresa May, Katie-Ann Day, Naomi K, Claudia Casali, Christy McNicol, Alana, Tasha and Talia but a special thank you to both Lana Cox and Tracey Coleman for their regular appearances in my shoots. Thanks also to the studio owners and staff and to those other fur fans who helped with furs, locations or even just joined in for the experience: Paul, Paul, Richard and especially to Mike. But my primary thanks goes to my beloved Ms Mockle - soon to be Mrs Mockle - for her support and tolerance of my passions.To the rest of you - many thanks for all of your help, support and praise for my website and photographs. Rest assured that this decision was reached alone without external influence; my feelings towards furs and seeing beautiful people wearing them and my contribution to this and other fur forums will not be affected by this decision. |