Client Spotlight: DOLLY TROLLEY
“Producers knew I was doing burlesque with my drag before I knew it myself…”
Back in the early months of this year, the tour de force, Drag / Burlesque & Variety artist Dolly Trolley slid into my enquiries to discuss shooting a portfolio of images showcasing three of their vibrant and varied looks.
Scroll down to learn a little more about the prep for this shoot and a Q&A with Dolly herself!
Dolly Trolley by Studio DeLite
These kind of photoshoots are often my favourites, for a few reasons. Firstly I love working with performers who are savvy about marketing their work and committed to producing a strong portfolio and Dolly is most certainly that! Secondly, creative discussion and collaboration with clients to work out what best reflects their brand and persona, by means of styling and set up, is one of the many joys this job brings me, and with Dolly I got to really scratch my brain in planning out a set up that would work for all three of their looks.
There was MUCH discussion, many voice notes and plenty of creative planning in preparation for this shoot which took place in March this year.
“On the day, it was so much fun. We were relaxed, having fun with it, I could really feel the bespoke care of how [Eliza] was shooting to match my style…” - Dolly Trolley
Go big or go home was the vibe - we did float the idea of switching from the draped set up to a more simple, paper backdrop for one of the looks, but ultimately, by going solely with the draped set up, I was able to be a little more flamboyant with my drapery, and designed a lighting set up that would work for every look we were shooting.
For those curious, Dolly booked in for one of my Portfolio shoot packages. This is the best option for clients looking for a bespoke, curated approach to their portrait shoot.
DOLLY TROLLEY: Q&A
In 3 words, how would you describe yourself as an artist & performer?
Stoopid duracell bunny
Tell us a little about how you arrived into the world of cabaret
Like with most performers, it was never the plan! Having always done some kind of performing as an extra-curricular activity while at school or university, when I moved to London in 2016 after graduating and getting a job in data, I was missing that outlet. I saw Michael Twait’s “Art of Drag” course, and gave that a go as a new hobby.
Following the showcase and my debut, where I did a 10 minute lipsync dance piece about Princess Leia’s renouncement of men with four shoe changes, handstands, inflatables and lightsabers, producers knew I was doing burlesque with my drag before I knew it myself. It snowballed from there, quit the data career in 2020, made cabaret my full-time focus, and now work across drag, cabaret, burlesque, fitness, festivals and all sorts of events and shows.
How would you describe the experience of shooting with Studio DeLite?
A dream! There was so much care put into every element from start to finish, to achieve the results I was hoping for, but to offer creativity and advice too. You can tell Eliza is a pro with lots of experience. She cares about the detail and has the eye and knowledge for it. Before the shoot, communication and conversation were fantastic and it made me feel really safe and secure. On the day, it was so much fun. We were relaxed, having fun with it, I could really feel the bespoke care of how she was shooting to match my style, and she was really helpful at directing and guiding me.
What advice would you give to someone who might be nervous about having a portrait shoot?
I get nervous about arranging shoots too, and the pressure to get it right. I’m the kind of person that works best when I have deadlines, so I enquired, booked ahead, and that gave me motivation to build some new looks for shooting and ultimately, has helped me elevate myself and grow. Eliza made everything feel so comfortable and I was well looked after, she was great for either a first-timer in a studio or the pro-model.
Any exciting things coming up in your diary that you’d like to share?
Yes! Saturday 11th July, Cabaret Sauvignon! It’s the deep & full-bodied draglesque variety show at Colours Hoxton. It’s a lineup cabaret show which I birthed in 2019, with a unique show of variety each time and I somehow manage to get the most sensational casts! Alongside myself hosting and performing, this show features Pandora Carnage, Lily Lustre, Tayris Mongardi, Trinket & The Prince, & Rhys’ Pieces (we’re making a new double act for it!). Tickets on Outsavvy, it’s a showcase of some of UK cabaret’s finest!
Dolly Trolley by Studio DeLite
You can follow Dolly Trolley on Instagram at @dollytrolley
Or Visit https://www.dollytrolleydrag.com
Cabaret Sauvignon Tickets: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/36053/cabaret-sauvignon-crmantdelacrme
