It’s that time again, Chic Critique Forum‘s Chic Magazine Cover Contest!
I really had a difficult time selecting which image to submit this time. I decided on an image of the lovely Savannah again. This time though from the “Dreams of Fame” styled shoot.
Here is my submission for Chic Magazine:
A few weeks ago, the website Seniorologie announced they would be celebrating their one year birthday! In addition to celebrating all month with birthday related giveaways and posts, they wanted to see any other photographers’ birthday concept shoots. Early this week, I was soooo incredibly excited to see a birthday shoot that I put together featured on their website! Click here for the Seniorologie post and read all about my inspiration for the shoot. Then come back here and scroll down for more from this fun shoot!
Some of the fun details….cake topper, mini cameras, “Dots” rings!
Ribbons, and scrap paper confetti made with my shredder!
I don’t know about you guys, but I have a list for everything! Sometimes 2 lists! ;) My doggie helper of the day!
When I decided to order 30 balloons, I didn’t even think about transporting them (which became a tangled mess)
and then where to keep them until the shoot!
I absolutely adore these little vintage looking cameras!
After all the prop preparation – it’s Makeup time!
And then finally….it all comes together!
I was trying not to duplicate images that were in the Seniorologie post, but I have to share this one again, because I literally have had this idea in my head for years! I have always wanted to recreate different memorable movie scenes and this shoot was perfect to recreate the final scene from the movie “Sixteen Candles!” Make a Wish!
Thanks to Leslie from Seniorologie for creating such an awesome resource for senior portrait photographers. If it weren’t for your “birthday,” I probably wouldn’t have had a reason to pull this all together!
By the way…if anyone can get me access to a school (legally, of course), I have lots of other memorable movie scenes that I would love to recreate!
*wink, wink, but seriously!* 
And lastly, you must go watch the video from this shoot!! and don’t miss the Outtakes! :)
Makeup - Makeup by Laura Briscoe
Models – Maili Lutz & Blake Hamlin
Class of 2013, don’t forget to schedule your senior portraits soon. There is only a select number of spots available. Please contact me very soon if you would like to schedule yours!
If you want to stay up to date with all the most recent sessions, click HERE and “LIKE.”
When I first started planning this shoot, I envisioned lots of drama and shadows. I think it became more apparent to me after I started adding things to Pinterest. If you look at the images I pinned, almost every one them had fabulous lighting and shadows.
I think it’s so interesting how different this shoot turned out compared to my normal portraits without even trying really. I think we all kind of got wrapped up in the location, which really made this shoot. I absolutely love the mood of these images.
Casey making Jennifer’s hair “big.”
Even Laura doing Jennifer’s lips in the dark looks cool! :)
Funny story about the location. The first time I was here was the day after I had watched one of the “Saw” movies. One of the buildings immediately reminded me of what could have been in one of those movies. I told Laura this story when we went to see the location together. She thought this particular building looked much more “Saw” like.
We started referring to them as “Saw 1″ and “Saw 2.”
“Saw 1″ was the in first post. This is “Saw 2.”
Again, I cannot thank Laura, Casey, Savannah & Jennifer enough for all the work you each put into this shoot! You all always manage to make my visions come to life and I love it!
I’m sure it won’t surprise you to know that Laura and I (with help from others I will introduce later) have already started planning another styled shoot. This one will be in the fall. Any ideas on the theme?? ;) Leave a comment if you have any guesses!
Makeup: Laura Briscoe
Hair: Casey Arnold
Models: Savannah Roach & Jennifer Hite
If you want to stay up to date with all the most recent sessions, click HERE and “LIKE.”
See you next time!
You may recall that I mentioned in the post of the last styled shoot, that we were already planning another shoot. The day that I was editing those pictures, I remembered that one of our models, Savannah, was a dancer and how bummed I was that we had run out of time and didn’t capture any images of her dancing. Then it occurred to me to do an entire shoot around her dancing! I ran my idea by Makeup Artist Laura Briscoe and she was immediately on board. Casey Arnold also agreed to do hair again. Savannah had another dancer friend and voila – we had another styled shoot in the making!
Let me start out by telling you that I like to compare this shoot to “the little engine that could.” I was so sick the day of the shoot that it’s a wonder that we accomplished what we did. That being said, I couldn’t be more happy with how this shoot turned out. As usual, the team that put this together is amazing to say the least and I’m so happy to have had another chance to collaborate with all of them again. We had a new addition to our little team, dancer/model, Jennifer Hite. I think it’s safe to say that we didn’t scare her off – I can’t say them same for the location, but that’s a story for another day. ;)
These shots of Savannah aren’t so much about dance, because the dress limited her leg movement.
She looks so amazing though, that I don’t even mind. :)
I absolutely love this next shot! This was actually a test shot.
Seriously, who looks this good during a test shot!
She reminds me of the daytime alter ego of a comic book character!
Don’t ask me why, I have no idea, but that’s what I think of when I see this! :)
and this is Jennifer – our urban ballerina. She truly amazes me!
Not only can she pull off the most graceful dance poses, but she
looks so beautiful with every move she makes!
Unbelievable – just stunning!!
I gotta give tons of credit for the makeup and hair that Laura and Casey did. The looks these two come up with are breathtaking!!
Obviously we couldn’t have done this without Savannah & Jennifer! You ladies pulled off the most beautiful moves and really made this shoot come to life!
Even though I was feeling a bit under the weather, the four of you made the shoot so much fun and had me constantly laughing!
While I no longer have my “Janice from friends” laugh, because I have my voice back, I’ll never forget this shoot! :)
This isn’t all – so be sure to come back for Part 2!!
Makeup: Laura Briscoe
Hair: Casey Arnold
Models: Savannah Roach & Jennifer Hite
If you want to stay up to date with all the most recent sessions, click HERE and “LIKE.”
See you next time!
Wow! Where have I been?!?! I took a little break to attend the Seniorologie tour at Serenbe Farms in Palmetto, Georgia and never posted the last part of the Styled Shoot! Shame on me! I’m back though, so here we go!!!
Part 3 is the dreamy, ethereal set for the “Dreams of Fame” Shoot.
Who doesn’t want to be girly and in a flowy dress sometimes?!?! I know that I lean a little more towards the rocker chick of Part 2, but I can’t help but LOVE this too! Again, Laura & Angela outdid themselves with makeup & wardrobe. Throw in a little hair by Casey Arnold and we have the most beautiful girls that I could have ever imagined.
Check out the rings I previewed from Part 1! Just can’t help but love them! 
Ohhhhh!!! I’m sad now, because this is the last post from the shoot. :( I told you all before how much I loved this shoot and everyone that made it happen. Thank you so, so much Laura, Angela, Casey, Savannah, Gretchen, & Candace. I couldn’t have done this without you all! Thanks for making my little vision come to life!
While I was editing the next day, I remembered some shots that I didn’t have time to capture. I called Laura and asked her if she wanted to do another styled shoot using a theme solely based on those “missing” shots. She reminded me that the night before, after being so pooped, I said that I wouldn’t do another styled shoot for a little while. After laughing about how it took me less than a day to plan another one, she happily agreed! :) That shoot will take place next month, but ya gotta wait for that one!
Makeup: Laura Briscoe
Wardrobe / Accessories: Angela Jackson
Hair: Casey Arnold
Models: Gretchen Fortin, Savannah Roach, Candace O’Neal
If you want to stay up to date with all the most recent sessions, click HERE and “LIKE.”
See you next time!
I can’t believe how many of you stopped by yesterday to see Part 1 of the Styled Shoot! Yesterday, had the most visitors since I started this website last year! Thank you everyone!
Let’s get on with Part 2, shall we?!
Just a little on the theme of the styled shoot – Dreams of Fame. When I first met with Angela, I told her I wanted the shoot to have more of a storytelling element to it. We talked about several different ideas, but then Angela thought of “Field of Dreams” since one scene was in a field. Those “Dreams” could be of fame, love, freedom, etc. I really liked the “Dreams of Fame” the best though.
Everyone has a different idea of fame or in our own minds, a completely different idea on how that looks. Whether it be pretty, romantic…..or rockstar and dramatic! We really didn’t end up doing the storytelling part of it so much, but the two looks are so unmistakably different. I think they are each gorgeous in their own way and I LOVE them both. I think my inner rock chick can relate to the first look a little more though, but like I said, we are all different! ;)
When it came to makeup, I really wanted Laura to have the freedom to put together any look that she wanted to showcase. Between the clothes and the makeup, I couldn’t have asked for a better end result than what Angela and Laura put together.
First up – Candace. This shot was in the hallway just outside of the suite. I loved everything about this place and I knew we had to snap a few shots here first before heading out.
I cannot get over how gorgeous Candace’s eyes are. I think the makeup Laura did really make them jump out at you.
Not to mention, this ridiculous (in a good way) outfit Angela put together!
Love the Marilyn Monroe tee and fur vest and the jewelry by LG Marchezie. (thank you Linda!)
I adore these next few of Savannah. Catching her laughing was such a treat! A little behind the scenes scoop. I wanted a bit of a wind blown look, so I asked Angela to fan Savannah with my reflector.
hmmm…that was a good idea in theory, but really, all it did was make us laugh.
Note to self, invest in a portable, battery powered fan. ;)
ahhh, Gretchen with those arms and legs. I am so jealous!! Can I please have them?
and I thought you were sending me your arm workout? still waiting. ;)
AND the infamous yellow chair. It might as well be like a “Where’s Waldo” joke…”Where’s the yellow chair?” LOL!
You just wait. I’m going to throw all of you off and paint it one day!
will you check out those gloves?!?! Is there anything hotter? doubt it.
That’s a wrap on part 2, but we’re not done! Be sure to come back for Part 3…
If you missed Part 1, or want to check it out again, Click HERE.
Makeup: Laura Briscoe
Wardrobe / Accessories: Angela Jackson
Jewelry: LG Marchezie
Models: Gretchen Fortin, Savannah Roach, Candace O’Neal
If you want to stay up to date with all the most recent sessions, click HERE and “LIKE.”
See you next time!
If you have ever been thinking of putting together a styled shoot, be prepared to work. Not a little bit of work either – a lot, BUT if you have a wonderful group of talented people to work with, like I did, you won’t just be happy with the outcome. You will be elated, like I was!
I love everything about this shoot. The makeup, the clothes, the hair, the models, the locations…EVERYTHING. I’m not kidding, I really do. So much so, that I am going to try to top it in a few months, but you’ll just have to wait for more on that later. ;)
Back in December, I emailed a friend of mine who happens to be a stylist / personal shopper and has the best wardrobe I have ever seen. This girl’s shoes alone are to die for, no joke!! I’m serious. I wouldn’t kid about shoes. ;) I asked Angela if she would be interested in working with me on an idea that I had. Yay! She happily agreed!
Next stop, makeup. At the end of last year, I had been looking for a makeup artist to work with on my senior shoots. I found Laura on Facebook, emailed her and we met in January. I knew it would be a stretch for her to do the styled shoot. We just met and here I am asking her to do a bunch of work and not get paid. I asked anyway and Yay! She happily agreed! Of course, how could she have turned me down? I mean really, it’s like we were separated at birth. We are so eerily similar, but in a good way though! :)
Fast forward to March, location decided on, models chosen, props made, many emails / meetings later – shoot day finally arrives. Seeing all of your hard work come together, for all us, was such a great feeling. Part of me was nervous because I knew that at the end of the day, it was up to me to make everyone else’s hard work look good and come to life in these pictures, but at the same time, I was strangely calm and not at all worried.
We met at the Wayfarer Hotel for hair and makeup. This little hotel was so incredibly cool! If you ever find yourself in Monroe, Ga, you must stay in their suite! Oh come on, you know you have been dying to check out Monroe!
So this is where I leave you today, with us all getting ready for the shoot and the behind the scenes.
Savannah & Candace getting their makeup done.
Gretchen’s turn in the makeup chair!
The suite at the Wayfarer. “We have to go back!!”
On the right, the rings that I HAD to purchase.
I saw these on Etsy and immediately had to scoop them up for the shoot. Love these little guys!
Shout out to Teri – Thanks for the mirror! ;)
Lastly, my “dream” team.
L to R: Angela Jackson (stylist), Gretchen Fortin (model), Laura Briscoe (makeup), Candace O’Neal (model), little ol’ me, Savannah Roach (model) and Casey Arnold (hair).
Ok, so there is your peek behind the curtains. Now, you have to come back to see all the magic happen!
hmmm - suddenly this sounds like an MTV “Cribs” episode. Odd.
This year has been different for me than last year as far as my photography is concerned.
Last year was about starting the business and taking pictures of anything and everything. Now, it is more about finding myself as a photographer and deciding what really excites me and what direction to take my business. Along with that, I decided I needed to meet other photographers in my area.
While my friends like that I started my business, none of them care about an aperture or shutter speed and I don’t blame them for that at all. I do want to get out there though and find some new friends that share in my passion for photography. Earlier this year, I started looking for local photography groups. I found a few really cool ones that meet regularly and attended my first one last month. Aside from meeting a bunch of really cool and talented people, I got to shoot in a fabulous studio, Photoplex Studios in Alpharetta. Now, I can’t take credit for the awesome lighting setup (thanks to Trent, Evan, and the rest of the team) or the posing. The models rocked it big time! I did come away with some new friends and some awesome shots. Aimee, Claudia, Kayla – hope to see you at the next one!
Shawna Leigh Grasty:
Ashley Rivera:
more Shawna:
Olivia Vranjes on Left / Ashley on Right:
Ariel Betancourt:
Alan Garner:
more Ariel:
I was so happy when Cher decided to meet me out on a Sunday afternoon and was open to all my locations, ideas and mostly didn’t even care if she got dirty. I, however, am not as partial to dust and dirt, but Cher didn’t care a bit when we trekked, in complete darkness, across the soggy ground. Did I mention she did this in a short black dress and black heels, while helping me carry all my stuff?!? :)
Cher took some amazing pictures. I wish I could show you all of them, but then this post would be ridiculously long and I would like for you to come back again! :) I was so excited about the different locations. The broken barricade, I passed one morning on the way to work and thought, “oh my goodness, I have to find someone to photograph there!” Lucky for me, Cher didn’t care where I took her. Thanks for putting up with all my crazy ideas Cher – hope you enjoy the pictures! :)
If any of you out there have any suggestions of other cool locations, please send me an email. I am always looking for random locations, but I don’t really get to drive around exploring a lot. I would love to see what is out there that I could incorporate into a fun photo shoot!
enough of that…I’ll stop talking already and show you the pictures!
If you know me already, you know I love dogs and of course, photography! When I first heard of Doggies on the Catwalk, I thought, “how fun would that be to photograph!” I saw contact information at the bottom of the announcement and thought, what the heck, I will just ask if I can go and photograph it. I never thought I would actually hear back. It was right around the holidays, so when I didn’t hear back for a couple of days, I wasn’t surprised. About 3 days later, I got the invite that I could go and I was beyond excited!
