Elbow Beach Cycles - hybrid electric bicycles making an eco debut!

I am a huge fan of anything eco and saving the planet, in whatever big or small way each of us can contribute, be it using the washing line instead of the dryer, or taking a reusable bag to the shops, buying in bulk to save on packaging or using more environmentally friendly products in the home and garden - it all makes a difference. So when I was contacted by Elbow Beach Cycles to do a commercial shoot with a creative flair to promote their new line of environmentally friendly hybrid bicycles, I was thrilled to be a part of it.

Visitors and locals alike can now cruise Bermuda on these whisper quiet, easy to operate eco hybrid bikes and not only see the Island at a wonderful easy pace, but also know they are making a difference to the planet at the same time.

The cycle company was on a tight deadline with their official launch approaching so they didn't have time to source models. Luckily, I had recently met the fabulous Sara and Dom and knew they would be perfect for the shoot. Dudley, who runs the cycle shop with his mother, was on site to help style the couple and I love love the Euro chic flair he brought to the session - the sunglasses and scarves really gave the images a glamourous quality to the biking exploration. 

I adore that this hybrid line of the Freedom electric bicycles allows the rider to operate in various modes from pedal only or power magnification mode in which the bike provides enough power to help the rider pedal more easily, and if the rider is not pedaling at all, the power shuts off to save on battery usage. Assistance levels of low, medium and high can be selected, depending on the need, and there is also a power on demand mode in which the cycles offer a separate throttle that turns on the power and it can run with no pedaling at all. Now that is my kind of bike!

Depending on how much power is used, the Freedom bicycles can run for up to 64 kilometres in one charge. And with rentals starting as low as $29 a day or even for locals, there are monthly rental charges, they will be a valuable addition to tourists' and locals' exploration opportunities.

On hybrid electric bikes, riders get all the advantages of a regular bicycle including fun, exercise and zero emissions, but when they want a boost, the Freedom bikes provide the extra power needed to make the ride comfortable and fly up even the most steep of Bermuda's slopes. Hybrid electric bikes are great fora ll ages and a perfect way for visitors, groups, wedding and honeymoon parties alike to tak in the island at a same and sedated pace.

 

The scooter rental agency has added 40 of these brand new hybrid electric bicycles to their already extensive fleet. As the only company offering these Generation 5 Freedom bikes, the environmentally conscious public can now enjoy an alternative to noisy mopeds when exploring the island.

The company was started by third generation Bermudian, Dudley Alexander "Buddy" Thomas in 1944. He wanted to do things differently and believed customer service was as key as engine reliability. The modern shop is run by his wife, Dolores Thomas, affectionately known as Mrs T and it is her friendly voice and steady hand new and return clients turn to when they visit Bermuda and are looking to get around in a fun and safe way. Mrs T works with her sons and a dedicated team of mechanics. One of her sons, Dudley Thomas, is the Director-At-Large and VP Business Development and he was the brain child behind our fun shoot.

Thank you Dudley and Mrs T for the opportunity to capture your magnificent new bikes in such a beautiful setting - I know they will be a wonderful addition to Bermuda's tourism experience and better for our sweet blue planet too so thank you thank you for making a difference!

For more information, check out Elbow Beach Cycles' website and book your rides today! xx

Ava

Ava is fabulous. She loves to hang out with close friends, and those with whom she can have a really good conversation. She is smitten with Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Joan Jett, music and grunge. She also loves playing the piano, tennis and horse riding. As you can see, she is also utterly gorgeous - 5' 10", blonde with the most swoonable brown eyes. One of her ambitions is to be on the cover of Vogue, her favourite magazine. So since she is interested in getting into modeling, Ava wanted to do a shoot to help get her started. After having seen some of my work, she decided to trust me entirely and went for the Sacha Surprise. We tried to incorporate as much of her as possible in the shoot so that she can look back on these photos and see so much of what made her who she is.

Ava loves bohemian, vintage and grunge styles so we tried to pull in an element of all three for the shoot. She adores her bedroom and is proud of what she has made it into so we thought bringing some elements into the shoot would be ideal. From her Buddha statues, because they make her happy (she is very interested in Buddhism) to her Union Jack bed covers, which remind her of her family and her roots, we put together her own little day dreaming bedroom together outside. She also brought along some photos, including one of her very glamourous grand mother taken when she was young, and some of her fave magazines.

I loved how the set up was not only funky looking, but really told a story of who Ava is by surrounding her with what she loves. The fact that her favourite colour is red was just the icing on the cake.

Ava actually still has her braces on so we did the whole shoot without a single smile, though I was hoping I would be hilarious enough that she would crack a smile at some point. But she was a true professional and knew what she wanted and varied her looks all the time.

Hello heavenly hair!!

These are Ava's most fave shoes ever - she adores her shiny red Dr Martens and they made for such a fun look - loved what she chose to wear and all her accessories.

Couldn't decide between these two versions of this image so thought I would share both!

Ava's second look was more of a dreamy bohemian look. So glad I won't ever let anyone cut the foliage in this corner of my garden - makes for a dreamy spot for photos!

Ava had come over before the shoot so we could narrow down some looks and I loaned her a bunch of things. I sent her home with this dress but she decided it wasn't her. But when we had captured all we needed with the other two looks, and still had a little time left, I decided that since it was a Sacha Surprise, I would choose the next outfit and setup. So glad I did - how divine does she look in this dress. I particularly love these shots since Ava is a piano player and whenever she is not feeling great, she knows she can play the piano and it makes her feel better. So this backdrop is just perfect for her and I love love love the red dress and the red piano keys and her sweet Buddha there too.

How stunning is this Indian piece - I actually found it in Nova Scotia and have worn it already so many times but this was the first shoot I used it in and am thrilled with the look wearing it on her forehead instead of as a necklace.

Ava - I am so glad you had so much fun on the shoot. From getting your hair and make up done, to putting up with me bossing you around and making you wear things you didn't think were very you. You were a star and I had so much fun myself so thank you for being open to all my ideas and directions. I think the results are definitely worth it - you are beautiful! xxx