Perfection {Fashion Shoot part 1}

Have you ever had one of those instances where everything lines up even better than you could have ever planned for and your day turns out to be absolute perfection?  Bala and I had one of those experiences back in October.  

Let me rewind a bit...

Early last year, we had a portrait session with a sweet young girl named Ali.  She needed some photos taken for a pageant she was going to enter so we met her at the studio one afternoon.  As soon as we clicked the first photo, Bala and I both knew that we were in for a treat.  Sweet little Miss Ali blew us away!  She was unbelievably natural and intuitive, not to mention incredibly beautiful.  

Now, you have to understand that one of the unfortunate things that happens to any artist when they begin to turn their passion into a business is that there isn't as much time to create purely for the sake of creating.  This is something that Bala and I both have experienced in our endeavors.  So, we decided that we were going to make some time to do a shoot just for our own enjoyment.    Of course, there was no question that we would ask Ali to be our muse for the day, and she graciously said yes.  

About that same time, a fabulous new clothing boutique opened up around the corner from us downtown, named Leigh Nants.  (I seriously could blow our entire income there.  Love, love, love the clothes!)  On top of that, it is owned by two of the cutest sisters with impeccable style who were also 100% on board when we asked if they would allow us to showcase some of their clothing in our shoot.   Many, many, many thanks ladies!!!

Mix all of that with simply gorgeous weather, the super talented Katherine Tosh, who did an awesome job on Ali's hair and makeup, and we had the ingredients for a fantastic fashion shoot.  Of course, Ali rocked the modeling, the clothes from Leigh Nants were incredible and we were absolutely thrilled with the results.  It was a tough job weeding through over a thousand shots we took and picking out the best ones, but we finally managed to nail down our favorite 300 or so ;)  I will be kind and not unload all of them on you at once but instead break them up in the next few posts.  So check back over the next week to take a look at our version of a perfect day.    

G.

I'm going to skip around on the ole timeline and throw in a shoot out of chronological order. I know, I'm a total rebel. Watch out. 

We met up with beautiful G. one chilly day in March to shoot some senior pictures. Little did we know that she would absolutely blow us away with her modeling skills! Seriously, Bala and I could photograph her all day long. She was an absolute photographer's dream...a complete natural in front of the camera with an awesome personality which made for a super fun shoot! We're always excited to shoot seniors, but this young lady is definitely one of our all time faves.

Our Studio!

As many of you know, we recently signed a lease on a studio space in downtown Paris.  We are not completely finished with our renovation work, but since we had several people waiting on shoots, we decided to do a soft opening so that we could go ahead and use it and squeeze in the rest of the work as we can between shoots.

Now, before I go on, there is something very important that has to be pointed out.  My husband is amazing.  Every major change you see in the following photos was done by his two hands and now aching back.  I assisted where I could and have painted my share of the walls, but the real magic has happened because well, frankly, I married a man who can do anything!  I am not stretching the truth in that statement.  He really can do anything.   Just wait...I'll prove it.

As I said, there is still a great deal of work to be done...the floors need to be sanded and sealed again, there are photos to be ordered for the walls, more props to display, our sign isn't up yet and we still have to remedy the awful drop ceiling and florescent lighting.  But I have faith that you all will be able to look past those things and see the potential this little space of ours has!

I'll begin with the "before" photos taken the day we got our keys.

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Studio II

Here are some shots from the tearing out process...

The Lounge Area

Ok...here is exhibit A of my case to prove that Bala really can do anything.  We knew that we would have to replace the flooring and originally planned on painting the concrete, but we decided to go "green" and recycle some of the material already in our building.  In it's former life, our studio was a retail store.  On the second floor of the store was where they kept their inventory.  There were two rooms of shelving...

which allowed us to go from this...

to this, by using some of the material for strips to nail the other material to!  

A little distressing

 and staining, 

                       

and voilà!

Studio I

Bala sanded the existing floors so that we could stain them the same as the Lounge and then added some molding for visual interest.

Studio II

Tore down a wall and removed the carpet...

And now, for what it looks like today with vignettes set up for our shoots.  Remember, there is still much to do, but we're well on our way!

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Exhibit B...faux finishing done by you know who.

Studio II

Aaaand Exhibit C...floors painted and vignettes set up by the man who. can. do. anything.  I rest my case.

And here's what you see when you walk through the front door.  Quite a transformation!  Oh, and the next time you see my husband make sure you shake his hand, 'cause you're kinda in the presence of greatness ;)

Sam

There is no one in this world who makes me feel as old as this guy.  I had just graduated high school when I met Samuel and his wonderful parents (and now very close friends).  He was 4 years old.  I didn't know it at the time, but it turns out that meeting this family pretty much altered the entire course of my life--in the best possible way.

To begin with, the first time I ever saw my husband's face was in the Gillum's living room.  Bala lived in the same Texas town and also attended the same church as they did. We were introduced one evening while I was down for a visit and the rest is history.

Sam's mother, Tami, and I were instant friends and kindred spirits.  It is her fault that I am a photographer in the first place!  I guess the artist in her saw the hidden artist inside me.  She and her husband gave me my very first camera, on the condition that I take a photography class.  So I took one.  Then another.  And then enough to get my degree.  Thank you, Tami & Jeff!

I have been privileged to get to watch Sam grow into a wonderful and stunningly handsome young man both inside and out.  However, I cannot figure out how it happened that he went from 4 to grown while I have remained the exact same age...it's a complete mystery.

How about that lipstick?  Niiiice.

Look at that little guy.  I cannot believe how fast time files!

We were thrilled to spend some time with Sam & the family in early December while we were in Texas.  You cannot beat downtown Ft. Worth and the Botanic Gardens as the backdrop for senior pictures!  He was a perfect model as you can see and has great style--all the makings for a stellar photo shoot.  I cannot wait to see where the road takes this one.  We love you, Sam!  Thanks for letting us be a part of your senior year!

busy b.'s

So, we've been a little M.I.A. around here lately...sorry about that!  As soon as we put our feet on the Tennessee soil, Bala and I grabbed our cameras and haven't stopped shooting yet!  Literally.  It's been a whirl-wind around here since early September and we have the photos to prove it!

Way back when my fair weather Florida feet weren't constantly freezing, we met up with K to photograph her senior pictures.  We had a wonderful time hanging out and could have clicked away all day.  She was an old pro at modeling and knew exactly what to do in front of a camera!

gorgeous.

Even though we haven't landed in west Tennessee yet, I was able to shoot my first Parisian client while her family was vacationing down here on the beach recently.  I had so much fun photographing this beauty--even though seeing her as a senior makes me feel very old since I can remember when she was born and I swear it was only 5 years ago!  Such a unique young lady who weathered the scorching gulf coast heat looking absolutely gorgeous.  Thanks, M!