Glamour in Demand As Irish Strip Inhibitions

Ireland's first-ever nude and glamour model agency has opened for business, marking another milestone in the country's sexual revolution.

Just over a decade ago glamour adult magazines like Playboy and Penthouse were banned from sale in the Republic. Now with Irish people more open about sex than ever, a Belfast studio that specialises in nude and glamour photography is appealing for models from both sides of the border.

Tucked away on a sprawling industrial estate at the city's Loughside, it already has more than 30 Irish glamour models on its books.

Paul Crawford, a professional wedding photographer who founded the Belfast Studio, said he wants even more Irish women to join his agency.

'I'm looking for them from all over Ireland,' he said as his assistant Gavin Millar photographed two Belfast models in skimpy underwear lying over a bed.

'The time was right for us to open this business because the climate on the island has changed. There is more of a live-and-let live attitude these days although I'm certain we can't please everyone.

'Ten years ago it would have been unthinkable to establish an open glamour and art nude photography business anywhere in Northern Ireland or the Republic. It's a sign of changing times that we can do something that would be unremarkable in England here on this island.'

The 33-year-old businessman rejected charges that the glamour and nude side of the industry was sleazy or that his models were exploited. Amateur photographers are invited to pay to take pictures of the women on the agency's books as well as famous UK glamour and nude models who visit Northern Ireland.

'This studio is designed to protect our models. There is closed-circuit television installed throughout the building to ensure their safety and that all shoots are done with respect. There is nothing sleazy about it at all. And we only accept models who are 18 and over. The other week a woman came to this studio with her 16-year-old daughter and told us she wanted to become a famous glamour model. I had to turn her away because we are strict about the age requirement.'

Crawford said there is a huge hidden market in Ireland among married couples for their partners to be photographed in sexy poses.

'I recently had a shoot involving a woman whose wedding I photographed several years ago. She heard that we had a sideline business in glamour photography and she asked if we could take a picture of her in lingerie for her husband.'

Crawford said his aim was to discover local glamour models that would end up in Penthouse or Playboy, as well as the British lads' magazines.

Posing at the foot of the bed was 18-year-old Yolanda Porter, who was recovering from a hangover after celebrating A-level exams success the night before. Although her ambition is to study management at Queen's University Belfast she said she also wanted to become a famous glamour model.

'I would love to be photographed for one of the lads' magazines like FHM or Loaded. I love doing this work because it makes me feel really sexy.'

Only six out of Crawford's 30 models are prepared to do full nude shots but he believes there are more models out there.

'I would love to have models as far away as Cork and Galway joining us. There is a big market out there for Irish glamour models because they're seen as having a bit of class.'