Pre-Raphaelite Photo Shoot / The Painting Comes to Life...

For weeks now, myself and 2 friends have been working endlessly on an upcoming stylized photo shoot titled:

"Pre-Raphealite, The paintings come to life..."

The 3 of us sewed, and hot glue gunned, and bedazzled, and teased, etc. etc. etc. for hours on end, creating just that perfect look we envisioned.  When the day finally arrived it couldn't have been more perfect!

The sun was hiding behind the perfect coverage of clouds giving us natural light that most photographers live for. The breeze was soft and from the West which also worked perfect for the location. And ah yes, that location! Found only 24 hours prior, causing a last minute change of plans on venues, but SO worth it!!! Bridges, clear streams, old buildings, amazingly lush vegetation. I couldn't have asked for a better spot. Thank you Marianne for the location suggestion!!!

Was it ever perfect! With lush green plants in every shade of green imaginable. Plants that were so bright, even in the shade, that it looked like God was pin lighting each leaf just for us. The stream was barely moving and so crystal clear that the images that I have next to the water looks like the plain earth below because you can see straight through it.

Simply beautiful!!!

Thank you to Amy Schaming and Tyson Keanum for working so well as a team, contributing countless hours and $, and for those Starbucks runs!!! Your work is so fierce. I am so excited that we all met and are now collaborating on so many new projects. I  needed people like you in my life!!!

And thank you to our models Miss Jennifer Boatwright, and Miss Racheal Koprowski for braving duck taped skin, safety pin pricks, make up applications, hair teasing, flying bugs, and a very cool stream, just to get that perfect shot!!!!

It was a pleasure...









































Here we all are in the stream... Got to do what you've got to do to get "The" shot! :)
 

Devin Harley-Grace... A Photoshoot

Not often do I shoot newborns, mostly because I understand that taking a photograph is more than clicking the button. It is, I would hope, a connection between the subject matter and you the artist. I have a difficult time with newborns, and I will be the first to admit that (to me) it is extremely difficult photography to do and do right. I know my limits, and I know that this style imagery is not my specialty.
I just can't seem to ever make it click. (no pun intended) Lol!

Every now and again I will photograph children though, and today I had an excited little girl in front of my lens who models, competes in pageants, and walks the runways of some of the areas hottest fashion shows. 
This little one was just rip roaring and ready to go. Ready to go play that was. Surely she didn't want to waste this beautiful day and the acres and acres of wonderland she just now discovered on taking pictures.
Heck, who could blame her? It was a pretty amazing day, and our location (The Historical Cayce Museum Grounds) was pretty amazing as well.

So I snapped as many images as I could of this smart, spunky, opinionated, stylish, and absolutely adorable 4 year old (YES I SAID 4 YEAR OLD) while she ran from one exploration to the other. I just let her play, and kept taking pictures.

It was a great evening...

(I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS FIRST SHOT!!!)

 

The richness of Autumn and a wedding dress...

I loved photographing this model out by Lake Carolina last night. So much so that I am already figuring out which shoot I would like to use her in next.

I went through more photographs from our 30 minute, rush hour shoot last night and edited 3 of them with a rose tint with an autumn undertone. The others I just played around with. Love to play with the colors of the season!!!

I really like the outcome...

Bohemian Bridal Portraits...

I love collaborating with other artists to create something truly fun to shoot. Recently I have been working with two very talented artists in the arena of hair and make up, and I have been having an amazing time!!!

Today we were to shoot one part of a three part session, but as the day progressed I had a change of heart. You see, I did not do enough research when it came to the choice I made for my models wardrobe and I felt that it did not compare to the costuming we will be shooting on Sunday. So... I decided to scrap the entire thing a go a completely different route.

So we did some great braided hair that formed a crown on the models head. Then Amy added some wire through 2 of the braids so we could bend and pose them anyway we wanted to.  The remaining hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. It was all hers, no pieces added and I was super jealous!!! Then we added a crystal broach to the center of her forehead. Because what woman doesn't want bling in her hair?  :) Then I chose MY wedding gown for Sierra to shoot in, and did she ever look amazing!!! At least now I have some great CLEAR pictures of my dress since my photographer shot almost our entire event with a "tilt shift lens". YUCK!!!  So I have not one image of my beautiful gown that is clear, and full length. :(

We ran SUPER late, and only had about 30 minutes of true light, so we did what we could and was able to capture a few really good ones. We are going to do another shoot with this model, this time giving ourselves more time to be ready to go.

Enjoy... 
  

Steampunk Mini Top Hat...

I just finished up another Mini Top Hat that I made to go with my new Halloween costume (yes, I have changed my mind yet again!!!) and I really like the way it has turned out. I will be adding some gears and watch parts to the center ribbon I think, so it will match my husbands. But all in all I love it, and I think Eric and I are going to look really great at this party. )
 
I also took a few images of the "MINI" Mini Top Hat that I made for my friend Shelia, who is expecting her second daughter any day now. I made her big sister one to match as well. Now they both have one to wear for their photo shoot! 
 






These are the matching hats. The MINI mini is just so stinking cute!!!

Brunch Sewing Party...

Today I played hostess to a "Brunch Sewing Party" for two new friends that I met on a recent shoot. Well, one I met on a shoot as she was my make up artist, and after speaking so highly of the other I had to have her introduce me to to this oh so fabulous man, who is my new go to gay. :)

The 3 of us are working on a stylized shoot that is set for this coming weekend. Amongst all of the excitement we are trying to contain our excitement concerning our recent ticket purchase to see Lady Gaga in Atlanta!!! 
Now that is going to be so incredible!!!

We all seem like long lost princess sisters who love everything that can be covered, to be covered in sparkly, shining, eye catching bling, and tons and tons and tons of tulle!!! We can often be found wandering for hours at a time in the downtown fabric store, staring at all the pretty things. 
(I was told a little secret that all the best drag queens shop there so you know it has to be good! :))

As I love to do, I put on quite the princess spread, and we all lunched on quiche, brown sugar bacon wrapped smokies, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, croissants and jams, meringue balls, and mimosas. Lots and lots of mimosas. Which, as you can imagine, makes for very interesting conversations and amazingly imaginative sewing creations!

Thanks for a great afternoon you two. I had a fantastic time and I laughed like I haven't laughed in so long now. :)                  

A "Mini" Mini Top Hat...

My mini top hat was quite the hit, with so many people telling me I should make them and sell them. Sure, just what I need, another project to fill the creative void. I would prefer to just make them for photo shoots, or for friends as gifts. It's just more fun that way.

So today I made my friend Shelia a "mini" mini top hat for her newborn, who is due to make her appearance any day now. Shelia saw my other top hat and said "You should make mini mini's for newborn shoots. I would love one for my baby." So, I went onto her FB page and went searching for some nursery pictures to get an idea of colors and themes. Then I went on the hunt for just the perfect fabric and little accents.

I LOVE this hat too!!! It's just so fun and happy. Maybe people are right? Maybe I should make a few more of these in all types of styles and themes and get an Etsy site up and running? For now I will be happy with my daily projects as Eric and I prepare for our Fall cruise. I am making our costumes for this trip since we will be in Jamaica on Halloween. Booking agent made it a point to be sure we knew about the costume parties on board the ship that night.

This is the hat I made for Shelia. Wear it in good health little princess... :)