Through the Looking Glass and into the Secret Garden

This is part one of my latest shoot with the beautiful Emma. Having said latest, this happened at least a month or two ago.. That's how long it took me to pick the photos to post!
The theme for part one of the shoot was a cross between Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Secret Garden. I wanted a very whimsical feel with my styling of the outfits I chose, to capture the fun but also the timelessness. I always find books a massive source of inspiration when I am given the chance to work behind the camera.
Luckily, I found the perfect location - a stunning large garden with an arboretum situated right next to it. I used both parts for this shoot. Incidentally, I have visited from time to time and played on the swing pictured here ever since I was little.

The first outfit is the Alice inspired one. We even had a cat who decided to stalk Emma around the garden and sneak into every photo I was taking! Either it loved the limelight, or just instantly adored my model (maybe both?) It got to the point where Emma had to pick up this cat and put it on the other side of the garden, then run back for me to take a photo before it returned. Anyway, this actually worked out rather well as it reminded me of the Cheshire cat from the Alice tales. Then the glass table served as a wonderful looking glass.. Emma is wearing a vintage fifties blue tea dress from Brick Lane over a thrifted shirt. I dug out these thrifted brown lace ups as I knew they would actually fit Emma. The various vintage necklaces are inherited pieces. The jacket in some shots is a thrifted Karen Millen piece. I really like the structure and cut of it.

The second outfit was shot on and around this amazing tree that looks like it has run away from a fairytale to join this arboretum. The middle forms a kind of natural seat - I would happily sit there and draw during summer. The black high waisted trousers are thrifted Laura Ashley (my mum's) and the little cardigan is thrifted Radley. I really like the lace detailing on the shoulders.. The shirt underneath is my mum's. And oh, what a surprise! Are those the white brogues I see before me? Again? Gosh, they do pop up on this blog a lot.. The clock pendant is from ebay and that black belt was inherited.

I put Emma in the third outfit on a bit of a whim. The gold pleated dress is actually a skirt that used to live in my dressing up box. I realised when she put it on that the top was much too wide, so I had to improvise with a thrifted Tommy Hilfiger belt to create an extra edging! The other belt (actually used correctly) was my grandma's when she was in the equivalent of the girl guides. Another piece I really love. The shirt is as before, and the vintage seventies boots were thrifted a very long time ago when I still had size three feet.. Emma adores them, but unfortunately I would never be able to part with them - sorry Emma!

You can see the remnants from the last ever snow fall of this year in the background (Yes, I had to mention the weather at some point, I apologise for my slightly predictable British-ness) and the light was beautiful.

I enjoyed doing this shoot so much, and I hope you like the photos! It would be great to hear some feedback...

A quick note: To clarify, I never edit/ photoshop my photos and all the lighting is natural!

Through the Looking Glass and into the Secret Garden 2010-03-26T15:28:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Unknown