High Fashion in Azle, TX....Glam Spring Shoot!

I LOVE to do styled shoots!  It's a chance to get creative and contribute to the overall vision by whomever is planning the shoot.  In this case, Angela Navarro of Inspiration Blooms called me up and said she had a shoot in the works and could I help?  You betcha!  Angela and Armando from Jade Special Events got to work on sumptuous linens, accessories, sweets and florals while Vanja from Vanja D Photography planned out how to capture her amazing signature style (just wait til you see below!!).  We got the fabulous Renn Traylor lined up for hair, the super talented Lauren Blake Paper for invitations and paper goods, and Wendy from Bliss Bridal agreed to provide a gorgeous gown.  A gorgeous gown in a super TINY size to fit the fabulous maybe-five-feet? model, Allanah Bennett!  Vanja had worked with her before and knew that she was perfect to bring this project to life and I'm telling you, this girl models like a 6 foot runway glamazon, so don't let her tiny stature fool you. The date was set...and reset (rain!) and then finally the day came when we all headed out to the Orchard in Azle, TX (about 30 minutes from downtown Fort Worth) to create some magic.  The backdrop? Idyllic country scenery in a real....you guessed it, orchard!

Renn started on Allanah's hair and began to craft an edgy/bohemian braided topknot...it was super intricate and looked incredible!  One of the most creative styles I've seen in a while and it was so perfect for the vibe we wanted to create.....

Then, on to my makeup chair!  I created a smoky/edgy eye using shades of acid green, forest green and black, punctuated with slightly spiky false lashes, pink cheeks and burgundy lips topped with a little fuschia eyeshadow for a plush and dimensional look.  Here's the before and after of hair and makeup:

 

We got Allanah into her dress, and then Renn and I stepped into our "stylist" roles...after considering many options, we decided upon on major strand of pearls and some delicate gold and crystal earrings to complete the look.  It's more high-fashion than a real wedding look, but that's what I love about it!  Here was a quick test shot of the completed look.....

Meanwhile, Angela and Armando had been crafting the colorful elements outdoors in vibrant shades of orange, fuschia and gold , and Lauren had created beautiful paper goods too.....

Ready to see the final images captured?  Here you go...Orchard fabulousness, glamour with a twist, rich bohemian...however you want to describe it, the final results were GORGEOUS!  This is only a small portion too, it was hard to narrow down which images to choose.  If you want to see more, check out Vanja's post here.  We had such an amazing time shooting this.....hope it inspires you!

 

 

 

Class of 2014 or Ad for Free People? You decide!

It was a lazy Sunday....nothing booked, so I had slept late and was hanging out with my boyfriend and the kids.   If you know me at all, you know how truly pleasantly weird that is...I'm usually getting up at 6am and going non-stop!  I was looking forward to a day of couch time and catching up on Scandal episodes when I got a call from a photographer I didn't know with a frantic.... "Can you help?  We need makeup for senior pics...stat!"  Me..."Um...when?".  "NOW!"  If I had a cape with MUA on it, I would've thrown that sucker on!   It'd be red with big ol' lips on it, naturally.  ANYWAY,  I packed up my case and headed to Fort Worth where I met the lovely Kelsey, her sweet momma and the amazingly talented photographer Heather Thorne.  Right away, I was super excited...Kelsey is gorgeous! She has incredibly long hair with a fun, hippie vibe..she's tall and has just a bit of an alternative vibe to offset her classic good looks.  Here she is without a stitch of makeup on as I got started:

And the before/after....

I'm telling you, gorgeous girl! She wanted to look natural, but also wanted to be sure her unexpected breakout was covered and that she looked pretty....these are senior pics, after all!  I created a look that both mom and daughter were happy with....fresh, glowing, but yet sophisticated in an age- appropriate way.  I used warm neutrals on her eyes, black and hunter green liner plus some flirty false lashes for pop.  Flawless skin and my signature flushed cheeks and rosy lip and she was ready to go.  You've gotta love it when you can make an 18 year old happy when it comes to makeup! I teased her roots a bit and then twisted sections of her hair around a curling iron for definition (but still loose and "undone" to fit her style) as Kelsey chose her outfits and Heather planned where to shoot around the Magnolia area of Fort Worth.  I could not WAIT to follow up with Heather and see how this shoot turned out...I just had a feeling, ya know?  Are you ready?  Check out these fabulous images...again, courtesy of Heather Thorne Photography...

I just love the boho chic vibe!!  The overall shoot wound up like a lookbook for a chic boutique or Free People, not your everyday senior pics, that's for sure. My senior pic involved floofy 80s hair and some kind of blue feathery thing around my shoulders...just one head shot in the school gym with a bunch of people in line behind me, boom...done.  Nothing special, but that's what everyone's senior pic looked like....yep, I'll say it...back in the day!   Wish I had a copy handy, I'd post it just for grins...and to show the contrast with how FAB these images are in comparison! Wow, things have really changed for the better in regard to senior pics...these show so much more personality. In the end, that lazy Sunday wasn't meant to be, but I'm so glad I picked up the phone and was available for this last minute session!  Can't wait to work with Heather again.  And.....happy graduation Kelsey! What a great way to celebrate......

I'll get to those Scandal episodes eventually....