It’s only Flotography but I like it…

I can finally share the images from a photoshoot I did a few weeks ago!

Flo Westbrook is currently working with The Oakleaf Bakery to produce some promotional images. She very kindly asked me if we could set up a tea party in the wood near her home to take some fab shots of their delicious cupcakes. I, of course, was happy for any excuse to put a pretty dress on and eat cake!

I packaged up my dress, petticoat, stockings, Irregular Choice shoes and my beloved Berylware crockery and jumped on the train.

I wore my Frilly Chantilly ‘Garden Party’ dress as I think the pattern and colours are great and it felt like a Spring tea party kind of a frock. Plus it’s a great fit on me and feel amazing in it. A big fluffy petticoat is always fun and looks very ‘pin up’ in photos.

I think Flo has done a fab job on these and I’m so pleased to have been involved. There were a few awkward moments where sundry bits of forest floor adhered themselves to my clothing. Sitting on wet leaves in February isn’t pleasant and the fact that I didn’t complain once lets you know that I enjoy the company of Flo and her little assistant.

She makes great use of the light and the branches, and I can see I have much to learn from her about framing. Also – cake! Very tasty cake at that. Do look up the http://www.theoakleafbakery.co.uk and purchase some delicious cupcakes!

It is with a laddered pair of stockings I say:

It’s only vintage but I like it!

It’s only Hamilton Studios but I like it…

One of the exciting events I have been itching to tell you about was a gift from my sister. She bought me a voucher for a Pin Up photo shoot! I was so excited as I’d seen companies offering similar things, but had never really had a reason to do it and felt a bit self conscious about it!

Hamilton Studios (http://www.hamilton-studios.co.uk) are based in Fareham in Hampshire – a mere 15 minutes away from where I live in Southampton. They are husband and wife team Michelle and Clive and they work from a studio in their back garden.

When we arrived Michelle got to work straight away on my hair and make up. She put me at my ease, chatting away and I had the feeling I was in safe hands. The make up did seem quite heavy but she explained that that was of course because of lighting in the studio and – as you can see from the photos – it looks very natural in the images.

My hair has been described as unruly by several stylists in the last 12 months! It’s something of a relief to know it’s not just me being useless at making it do things but it’s a bit daunting. Michelle tried to put some curls into the back but the hot sticks couldn’t seem to curl my unwilling tresses so we gave up and left the back straight. I love the high rolls – I think it was a great choice for me.

I had taken along a choice of dresses: my Collectif polka dot dress, Frilly Chantilly Garden Party dress and a fruity dress from Wallis. I took a petticoat and stockings and two pairs of Irregular Choice shoes! Michelle and Clive loved my outfits and helped me choose backdrops that would work with each of them.

I had great fun once it came time to change and begin the shoot. Clive was clear with his ideas for each scene and directed me very thoroughly when it came to poses etc. Luckily he managed to photograph me with my specs on! The reflection can be an issue, but he seemed to get round it. I do love my Peggy specs from Retro Peepers and I really wanted them on – plus I am soooo short sighted I’d have probably started tripping over things!

I was impressed by the range of props, furniture and backdrops that the Hamilton’s provided – it really allowed for lots of fun scenes and poses. Each item was simple and yet perfect.

I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and seeing the images after the shoot with Michelle was brilliant. Clive had taken over 70 and it was really hard to whittle our selection down to 6. I was amazed at how glam I looked and how well I’d come over in the shots. I did find the photo packages quite pricey but we were in the studio for about 2 and a half hours, so for the make over, shoot, 6 prints and a disc of the images I can see it is a fair price. I am very happy with the images and I know I’ll use them a lot.

It is with a glimpse of stockinged thigh I say:

It’s only vintage but I like it!

It’s only Instagram but I like it…

Just a quickie today (oo-er!)… Wanted to tell you that I’ve reinstated an old Instagram account. You can find me here: http://www.instagram.com/vintagemunchkin I’ll be uploading photos of my vintage adventures. Please follow and like! It is with a pout I say: It’s only vintage but I like it!

It’s only Flotography but I like it…

I shared my wet set with you, and trying some vintage hair styles was one of my aims for the new year. Another aim, and something I think many bloggers must think about, was to improve my photography skills. I was trying to think who I could turn to for some help and the first name that popped into my head was of course Flora Westbrook ( http://www.birdieflotography.wordpress.com ). Flo is an old friend of my sister’s and I met her last summer when she did a fantastic job of photographing her wedding.

I asked Flo if she would spend a couple of hours with me, showing me how to use my DSLR camera and giving me some tips for different ways to photograph – from still life type photos (photographing my vintage baking for instance) and of course, learning how to photograph my outfits. Or at least to tell Dr P how to photograph me in my outfits!

So I slipped on my Lindy Bop dress ( http://www.lindybop.co.uk ) and Flo took me out and about near her lovely home and took some lovely images of me. She then showed me the software she uses to edit and gave me quick tour of how to use it.

As as you can see Flo takes a great portrait and this was just one of many she took that were fab. She has given me lots of ideas and strongly encouraged me to develop my own style. I am so impatient for this! I know it will take time and it’s going to be months before I have any idea how to use my newly purchased Photoshop software but I’m so excited to try and look forward to all the little triumphs along the way. So, if anyone fancies modelling while I take some (fairly terrible) shots – let me know!

Please check out Flo’s site and look out for her on my blog again as we have plans to collaborate soon!

It is with a cry of ‘CHEESE!’ I say:

It’s only vintage but I like it!