We are well past Winter Solstice now, verging on Spring in the fashion world's calendar at least, but I just remembered that I've neglected to post here the Solstice shoot with model beauties Ariella Steinhorn and Leah Osnos! I have circulated this holiday/winter themed preview for my shop via facebook and instagram in mid-December, but with the hectic travel schedule from Xmas until New Years, I've been just settling back into routine again.
The days leading up to the shoot were hectic to say the least! I didn't plan on doing every aspect of the shoot myself, but in the end, I am so happy I was able to make each facet of the aesthetic all my own. I started the countdown to the shoot a little over a week in advance, ordering cedar and holly branches for the winter 'flower' crowns, finding hair and makeup inspiration in vintage photographs, and buying necessary hair and makeup tools, scouting locations, renting a car, styling the garments, etc etc. Without fail in big projects there are unexpected surprises, good and bad. Two days before the shoot I sat down to weave the Winter Crowns, planning to have four created in 2 hours easy.... wrong! Figuring out exactly how to create ethereal headpieces from these stiff branches was super time consuming... What I thought would be a 2 hour project turned into 6 hours. Of course, I documented the process and will post a tutorial soon so you don't spend time meandering through the unknown if you choose to create some.
I hadn't worked with Leah or Ariella before, but I knew they would have an amazing rapport because they are lifelong friends, excited to have their first buddy shoot together. Leah has a striking modern look, so I knew that to get the vintage feel I wanted, I would have to style her in an antique vintage look that will balance her contemporary look. With simple straight hair, soft simple makeup, and modeling the Victorian era cape, I knew she would give off a wonderfully witchy vibe. Ariella's look is naturally very romantic and classical. She has large doe eyes and soft auburn hair, so to balance her naturally Renaissance muse look, I dressed her in a more modern 40s era tapestry cape, gave her hair a dreamy 20s finger wave look, and enhanced her 60s vibe with babydoll makeup and a 70s maxi dress. Most of the pieces will be available for sale in my shop come January.
Finally, the day of the shoot, I was scrambling to pick up the rental car, finding a scarce parking space on my over crowded street, prep, and get the girls in hair and makeup. We packed snacks, outfits, touch up kit, camera equipment, and scores of necessary 'just in case items' and headed to Rock Creek Park in Washington , DC. Circling and circling the park, google maps was horribly wrong, and construction detoured some routes. After 45 minutes of trying to get in the park, we finally settled into a good spot, a bit frazzled and cold be ready to make the most of the fading Solstice light. It was actually the day before Winter Solstice, the shortest of the year, and we worked until we were chilled to the bone. There wasn't any snow in this swamp Maryland climate but I happily settled for bare trees and overcast blue-grey skies. Finally, in the last few minutes of the shoot, the sun was setting and for about 5 minutes the most inviting golden glow settled over the tree tops, reflecting off the girls' hair and faces, bouncing off the dead leaves and beaming through the trees. These five minutes of magic hour produced some of my favorite shots, with Leah lit up all golden with wonder on her face and Ariella's hair glowing with a halo of gold. The above shot of Leah gazing into the heavens was captured in this brief window of light-bliss, and you can see how magical the sky lit up in those fleeting moments.
Heading back home, we were exhausted after hours in the numbing cold, trudging through forest and lugging packs of heavy vintage, but happy to have captured some beauteous shots. I have edited the holiday preview and have more looks coming in the official Cellardoor art & vintage shop launch lookbook I aim to finish toward the end of the month!
Winter crown DIY tutorial and official Cellardoor shop lookbook coming soon!
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1 comments:
Lise!! These shots came out sooo beautifully. You did such an amazing, amazing job. And I love reading more detail about your process, too - the photos themselves are gorgeous, and then it makes it all even more impressive to me to learn of the work and story behind everything! I can't wait for your launch and I really hope we can work together somehow as the year moves along!! xx
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