Styling a vintage photo shoot is so much fun! Take fabulous vintage clothes & vintage accessories from Vintage Life & Design, an accomplished hair & make-up artist and a terrifically talented photographer and it's Vintage Glamor Extraordinaire! I've finally forced myself to sit down and get another post done, LONG overdue, I know, but I've been busy.
If you are in the market for photos but want to do something original, individual and fun, think about a Vintage themed photo shoot styled by Vintage Life & Design. Engagement pictures, Senior Pictures, Family Photos or any group or individual shots - it's all about having fun and being creative.
My daughter decided she wanted to recreate famous photos of Marilyn Monroe for her senior pictures - so much fun! The talented photographer I work with most often, Shirley Lessner of Shi Lessner Photography - www.shilessnerphotography.com/ - did Krystins' Senior Pictures at her studio. For anyone who wants wonderful, unique and memorable photos for any occasion, Shi does an incredible job, her photos are works of art.
Following is a small peek at one of our collaborative photo shoots, the Marilyn themed shoot for Krystin. I've also included some of the original Marilyn shots, so you can see where we got our inspiration! All the Marilyn photos came from Google Images, I don't know who took the originals but they are easily and widely available online.
For this shoot, we recreated famously iconic photos as well as improvising period appropriate shots, all of which turned out beautifully! It was a long shoot and done almost entirely in the studio, with one exception. In our version (reality, winter in Michigan!), it was snowing and about 20 degrees, so not exactly a beach day. We made do with a snowy field.
Step one: Identify the theme, consult with your stylist and photographer and set up a date. Plan to book a minimum of three weeks out, schedules vary.
For this shoot, there wasn't a lot of research involved. There are so many iconic Marilyn photos that it took longer to choose the ones to recreate than to find material to choose from.
Krystin is curvy with naturally almost platinum blonde hair so she already has the looks to make the Marilyn look work. She did her own hair and make-up, which she does frequently for commercial shoots for me and others.
So have you started thinking about the era you would like us to recreate for your own vintage photo session? If you need some ideas, we can help figure out what will be fun and flattering for you.
Step two: I spent about three weeks gathering, altering and sewing the clothes for the shoot. This varies a lot, depending on the subject matter. As it happens, I didn't have any Marilyn outfits in stock. Once everything has been acquired, created or made, it's time for it all to be ironed/steamed, spot treated or whatever is necessary to make sure each item is photo ready.
Gathering and pairing accessories, organizing it all is another full days work. Then, there is transporting it to the studio and it doesn't stop there. For a large shoot, prepping the models or photo subjects, making sure all the details are right and the right accessories are on at the right time, no runs in tights, etc. Styling a photo shoot is a hands on job, and it is work.
Often people don't realize the prep time involved in a professionally styled and photographed shoot. It doesn't happen overnight, folks! It takes time and work and lots of it.
So here's where you get the sneak peek. This is the original "Marilyn" photo on the left, below is our version. Shi used her lens baby to give the photo a softer look. We also have one that isn't soft focus, but I don't have that one digitally yet.
For the photo below Krystin wore a corset and a tulle petticoat made by Vintage Life & Design (me!).
Another things people often don't realize. After the shoot is over, the stylist (me, in this case) goes through all the items used, notes any repairs or cleaning that needs to be done and does it. Everything has to be put away and, when it's not personally owned, cataloged. Depending on the size of the shoot, that can take anywhere from one to three days. When shooting for my site, I also have to measure each piece before storing it.
Photographers often take several hundred photos at a shoot in order to get the right shot. That's a lot of memory space. Shi took over 900 shots for the Krystin/Marilyn shoot.
After the shoot, the photographers work is just beginning. The photographer goes through every image, choosing the best. Then the retouching starts, an incredibly detailed and time consuming process.
So next time you have photos taken by a really awesome photographer, be patient! A great photographer might require a little more time to get the photos ready, but it will be worth it when your photos are beautiful, artistic keepsakes that you and your family will treasure.
Finally, the iconic "blowing dress" shot. On the left, obviously, part of the original shoot with Marilyn.
Below, our version, dress by Vintage Life & Design (me!).
So if you find yourself dreaming about having your own Vintage photo shoot, contact me, Shelley, at Vintage Life & Design. I would love to help you make your dream a reality! Shi would love to shoot it, too. We both adore working with fun, creative people who think outside the box, so if that's you, get in touch!
As always, thanks so much for reading this blog!
If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories - yet another way to re-use, recycle and re-purpose while looking fab. At my store you will also find some fashion originals (always made with vintage fabric!) and the odd costume item. I hope to see you there soon!
www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com
For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!
www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com
Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and/or vintage dreams. Also, if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know.
Email: shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com
Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife
If you are in the market for photos but want to do something original, individual and fun, think about a Vintage themed photo shoot styled by Vintage Life & Design. Engagement pictures, Senior Pictures, Family Photos or any group or individual shots - it's all about having fun and being creative.
 |
| Krystin, from the "Marilyn" styled shoot. This one is a Shi Lessner Original pose. |
My daughter decided she wanted to recreate famous photos of Marilyn Monroe for her senior pictures - so much fun! The talented photographer I work with most often, Shirley Lessner of Shi Lessner Photography - www.shilessnerphotography.com/ - did Krystins' Senior Pictures at her studio. For anyone who wants wonderful, unique and memorable photos for any occasion, Shi does an incredible job, her photos are works of art.
Following is a small peek at one of our collaborative photo shoots, the Marilyn themed shoot for Krystin. I've also included some of the original Marilyn shots, so you can see where we got our inspiration! All the Marilyn photos came from Google Images, I don't know who took the originals but they are easily and widely available online.
 |
| I
recreated the iconic pink dress made by phenomenal costumer Travilla
for Marilyn in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and gathered accessories to
recreate the look as well. Unfortunately I don't have any digital images form our shoot with this dress yet. Have to be part of another post! |
For this shoot, we recreated famously iconic photos as well as improvising period appropriate shots, all of which turned out beautifully! It was a long shoot and done almost entirely in the studio, with one exception. In our version (reality, winter in Michigan!), it was snowing and about 20 degrees, so not exactly a beach day. We made do with a snowy field.
 |
| We used this photo as inspiration, however, it was snowing in Michigan, so we did it in the snow! I don't have a digital image of ours yet. |
Step one: Identify the theme, consult with your stylist and photographer and set up a date. Plan to book a minimum of three weeks out, schedules vary.
For this shoot, there wasn't a lot of research involved. There are so many iconic Marilyn photos that it took longer to choose the ones to recreate than to find material to choose from.
Krystin is curvy with naturally almost platinum blonde hair so she already has the looks to make the Marilyn look work. She did her own hair and make-up, which she does frequently for commercial shoots for me and others.
So have you started thinking about the era you would like us to recreate for your own vintage photo session? If you need some ideas, we can help figure out what will be fun and flattering for you.
Step two: I spent about three weeks gathering, altering and sewing the clothes for the shoot. This varies a lot, depending on the subject matter. As it happens, I didn't have any Marilyn outfits in stock. Once everything has been acquired, created or made, it's time for it all to be ironed/steamed, spot treated or whatever is necessary to make sure each item is photo ready.
Gathering and pairing accessories, organizing it all is another full days work. Then, there is transporting it to the studio and it doesn't stop there. For a large shoot, prepping the models or photo subjects, making sure all the details are right and the right accessories are on at the right time, no runs in tights, etc. Styling a photo shoot is a hands on job, and it is work.
Often people don't realize the prep time involved in a professionally styled and photographed shoot. It doesn't happen overnight, folks! It takes time and work and lots of it.
 |
| Marilyn, duh. |
For the photo below Krystin wore a corset and a tulle petticoat made by Vintage Life & Design (me!).
 |
| Krystin |
 |
| Marilyn |
 | |||
| Krystin. Dress by Vintage Life & Design. |
Photographers often take several hundred photos at a shoot in order to get the right shot. That's a lot of memory space. Shi took over 900 shots for the Krystin/Marilyn shoot.
After the shoot, the photographers work is just beginning. The photographer goes through every image, choosing the best. Then the retouching starts, an incredibly detailed and time consuming process.
So next time you have photos taken by a really awesome photographer, be patient! A great photographer might require a little more time to get the photos ready, but it will be worth it when your photos are beautiful, artistic keepsakes that you and your family will treasure.
 |
| Krystin, dress by Vintage Life & Design (me!). |
 | ||
| Marilyn |
 |
| Marilyn. |
 | |
| Krystin, in the tulle again. |
 |
| Marilyn |
Finally, the iconic "blowing dress" shot. On the left, obviously, part of the original shoot with Marilyn.
Below, our version, dress by Vintage Life & Design (me!).
 |
| Krystin |
 | ||||
| The mirror shot, Krystin. Vintage slip. |
 |
| Marilyn Mirror Shot |
So if you find yourself dreaming about having your own Vintage photo shoot, contact me, Shelley, at Vintage Life & Design. I would love to help you make your dream a reality! Shi would love to shoot it, too. We both adore working with fun, creative people who think outside the box, so if that's you, get in touch!
As always, thanks so much for reading this blog!
If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories - yet another way to re-use, recycle and re-purpose while looking fab. At my store you will also find some fashion originals (always made with vintage fabric!) and the odd costume item. I hope to see you there soon!
www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com
For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!
www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com
Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and/or vintage dreams. Also, if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know.
Email: shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com
Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife
