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| The original concept sketch for the Winter Wonderland set |
I’ve been *SO FLIPPIN’ BUSY* trying to get everything done for the photo shoot yesterday. I finished the blue riding habit, with its ten tons of silver trim, and Chris and I built a snowy landscape in our garage, er, I mean photo studio, *cough* .
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| Acres of silver trim put on by hand. It took forever, but looks great, and stiffened the front of the bodice considerably. |
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| For the cuffs, I used some of the vintage lace I bought at Costume College. I didn’t have time to make a proper shirt for underneath – that’s for later, along with a gilet. |
It took a long time – we made aspen trees out of rolls of corrugated cardboard packing, faux painted them, and suspended the on lines of string tied across the top of the garage door frame.
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| “Aspen tress.” |
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| Me painting the trees at 10 pm |
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| It didn’t look like much to start with |
We also hung pretty blue ornaments, strung cotton balls on fishline, and spread out a massive piece of cotton batting on the floor, along with quite a lot of “snow” made from recycled plastic bags. The dogs loved that far more than I’ve loved vacuuming it up after they carried it all over the house.
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| Historical Dog plunked herself down on the snow and wouldn’t move for anything. She was kindof grumpy all through the shoot. |
The beautiful and talented Lauren Wills was our model. She fit into the riding habit perfectly, and looked stunning with her lightly powdered red hair tucked under the tricorn. Chris worked his magic with the lighting and through the lens, I directed, and Avi staged a protest by refusing to leave the snowy forest.
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| Chris photographing Lauren W. Historical Dog was so bored she fell asleep |
I can’t wait to show you the resulting photos from this shoot! These are just my behind-the-scene snaps, but Chris’ shot promise to be full of sparkly holiday goodness. 🙂
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23 Comments
Adi
November 20, 2012 at 9:57 PMLove the dog.
Susan
November 20, 2012 at 10:07 PMThe riding habit is gorgeous, and Historical Dag only adds to the scene!
bauhausfrau
November 20, 2012 at 10:11 PMHow brilliant is that? I love how the "trees" turned out, so clever. The silver trim on the habit makes it look extra snowy. I eagerly await the non-the-behind-the-scenes pictures!
Anonymous
November 20, 2012 at 11:54 PMThe riding habit is beautiful and so is the set!
The Laced Angel
November 21, 2012 at 1:34 AMAVI!!! Your dog is so beautiful and hilarious.
Also, that riding habit looks FAB, and I love how the trim turned out.
Green Martha
November 21, 2012 at 1:47 AMAh-mazing !!!
Lady Monroe
November 21, 2012 at 1:59 AMCan't really blame Historical Dog. That 'snow' looks good enough to make snow angels in. Can't wait to see and squeel over the pictures!
Hannah Alyse
November 21, 2012 at 2:13 AMOhhhh that habit is STUNNING!!! I can't wait to see the end photos. Her red hair really does look fabulous with the icy blue and you did a great job on the set 🙂
Shakiyla J
November 21, 2012 at 3:53 AMThis was a really nice shoot. As Fine art student who loves details, history and costumes I was wondering what would be the best project for a beginner wanting to get into costume. Also is your primary job costuming.
Kleidung um 1800
November 21, 2012 at 5:44 AMWow, this already looks sooo promising! Can't wait for the photos, please share ASAP!!! 🙂
Sabine
MaiLoan
November 21, 2012 at 8:32 AMGorgeous, can't wait to see the result 🙂 love the dog too, I wish my cat can do the same ^^
garofit
November 21, 2012 at 11:10 AMGreat work on the trees – what a painstaking job! And the dog is something else 🙂 got so much "icy aloofness" it could be a cat.
Rachel
November 21, 2012 at 2:50 PMIt all looks gorgeous, the dress has come out beautifully. I can't wait to see the finished pictures in all their Christmassy glory. 🙂
AuntieNan
November 21, 2012 at 3:14 PMWOW! What artistry! I thought for sure you'd cut down a few dozen saplings! The dress is spectacular. Maybe the Historical Pooch wanted a little blue habit too?
JK…
Happy T-G,
Auntie Nan
Gwenyver
November 21, 2012 at 6:25 PMWow! You really work hard on your sets!
Kelly
November 21, 2012 at 9:49 PMI've wanted to do a winter setting for bustle era pictures for forever and am definitely inspired by you and your beautiful setting.
Pica Maloria
November 21, 2012 at 9:51 PMMarvelous!
Pelicanlake
November 26, 2012 at 8:02 PMI saw the finished photos first and thought they were just so beautiful and professional. I wished to know how it was done behind-the-scenes, then scrolled down to find your post about that. Thank you for posting that! I can't believe those trees aren't real.
The dress is gorgeous.
Jennie Chancey
December 1, 2012 at 8:30 AMUtterly gorgeous and show-stopping. Here's to garage photography! You really take the cake, and the riding habit is fabulous. Brava!
Henryk MCMLXVI
December 5, 2012 at 11:39 AMVery beautiful habit and model! 😉
Greetings from Italy!
Anonymous
November 10, 2015 at 4:24 PMHi I'm sorry that I'm replying to your post 3 years later but I just came across your site. This set looks wonderful. I wanted to know where can I see the finished photos from this shoot. It looks amazing.
Aimee
September 15, 2021 at 6:08 PMHello! What exactly did you used to make your trees? I know it’s been a few years, but they look great, and I’m having trouble finding DYI aspen tree ideas. Yours turned out quite lovely.
Thanks!
Lauren @ American Duchess
September 28, 2021 at 11:38 AMhiya – the trees are made of rolled up corrugated cardboard, taped at the seams to join the pieces and make them tall, and then I used wall spackle to go over those joins/tape and give them texture.