2 shoots in 1 day = a success story!

It’s been a really fun down time this year…and by down time, I mean, “non-wedding season”…because, it really didn’t feel like down time. I’ve been pretty busy doing fun things like, working on styled photo shoots!! It’s something that brings me back to my roots of fine arts. Every one of them (3 total, 2 being discussed in this blog, 1 will be later) was like being a part of an art installation. It’s was so sweet and made my heart happy! (Those of you artists who make your living by doing commissioned work, know exactly what I mean by “made my heart happy!”) While I really enjoy bringing others’ visions to life on their big day, it was really fun bringing some of my own visions to life! Which is why I love to participate in “styled shoots.”

~~~ A “styled shoot” for those of you who do not understand this term, is when we, the vendors, literally style the shoot… it’s not an actual event that is going on. It is an event that we completely made up and is often a way that we get to show off our sweet skills and talents! Or do something that gives inspiration and ideas. Gives a bride a feeling of freedom too, that you can do whatever her heart desires…it’s her and her fiance’s day! Run with it! 😉

Today, I am only going to talk about the first two styled shoots that we did. We did both of these shoots on the same day at the same location. It was an exhausting day, but very rewarding all the same. And, we worked with an amazing team of vendors.

The first shoot that I am mentioning, was a very dramatic shoot, it was actually shot during the evening hours…so perfect.

I was asked to come on board sort of last minute. I had 3 weeks to plan, coordinate, create, whatever it took to get a vision and bring it to life. However, that really didn’t bother me…I do my best work last minute! 🙂

When Crystal Stokes, with Crystal Stokes Photogaphy told me the theme of this shoot, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. The theme was centered around the “Art Nouveau” movement, along with an incredible piece of jewelry from Aubre’s Bridal. You’ll know it when you see it, it’s amazing! It sounded like an opportunity of creative freedom!!!!

I was excited to say the least. I jumped right in. My brain started churning with ideas…I did as any good American girl would do, and I started a “secret” Pinterest board right away!! I also decided that this was a great opportunity to throw some art inspiration up into the wedding world, along with jumping on the “gold” wagon for the year, which was inspired by the necklace!! EEK!!!

I chose one of the most romantic and perfect paintings to inspire a wedding, any guesses?…The Kiss, by Gustav Klimt. I will always try to inspire folks to know more about art and how it has influenced the way we think and perceive the world around us. The Kiss is one of my favorite paintings when it comes to romance, and it is so perfectly bold to go along with that necklace. It was the perfect painting to draw inspiration from, if you ask me.

This shoot was published in print in Carolina Bride Magazine, as well as on a popular wedding blog, Ruffled blog . It was such an exciting and successful styled shoot that could not have happened had it not been for every person involved.

Photographer: Crystal Stokes Photography
Vintage rentals: Brandy, with Mason Dixon Rentals
Make up: Erin Ashley
Hair: Simply Beautiful Artistry
Accessories: Aubre’s Bridal
Dress: J Major’s Bridal Boutique
Cake: Sky’s the Limit Cakes and more
Table and Linen Rentals: Cooke’s Rental of Denver, NC
Videography: Isabel’s Corner Videography
Invitation: Sherry Sample

This was a really fun shoot to work on.  This photo shows a small picture of our featured 2 page spread, as well as the talented group of folks that collaborated to bring our vision to life!!

This was a really fun shoot to work on. This photo shows a small picture of our featured 2 page spread, as well as the talented group of folks that collaborated to bring our vision to life!!

Go grab your copy of Carolina Bride Magazine, April/June 2013 Issue, and turn to pages 76 & 77, check it out in person!! And, don’t forget to click on Ruffled Blog: Gold and Glam Wedding Ideas so that you can see the publication, or go to Crystal Stokes Photography, The Arbors Styled Shoot, and you can see all of the awesomeness that was created for this shoot.

Another fun styled shoot, that I got to be a part of, on the same day as the above, I didn’t style, only provided the flowers. It was styled by the very talented, Brandy with Mason Dixon Vintage Rentals. She did an amazing job! She also did the invitation (the stylist, table/linen rentals, and invitation were the changes made to the vendor list. You can view the complete vendor list on the publication. But everyone else remained the same as above.) It was so sweet and included the cutest little girl who is captured in a way that she seems to be “dreaming of her wedding day.” It’s really sweet, check it out: Style Sweets blog .

Needless to say, that was a very successful day of styled shoots. Very tiresome, but very successful!! I have one more styled shoot to share, that involved a different day, different photographer, different theme, different vendors (except for myself)…I think you get the picture… it’ll be coming soon!!! These two days of styled shoots are so different, they definitely deserved separate days of blogging. But both equally as awesome!!! Can’t wait to show it off next!!!