Charlotte

March 31, 2015March 31, 20156 Comments

000085210004 Here are the final images from the shoot I styled a few weekends back with Danielle. Danielle almost exclusively shoots on film, so, understandably, things can occasionally go wrong with the images and developing process, which was the case with the outdoor shots from this shoot. But that’s quite alright, I’m quite smitten with how these shots turned out, and I hope you are too.

Photography: Danielle Suzanne
Model: Charlotte Bate (Elite Model Management)
Stylist: Alexandra Spence (hi, me)
MUA & Hair: Leesa of Pinch Cosmetics

Toujours Family Affairs SS ’15

March 11, 2015March 11, 20156 Comments

Aren’t these images by Amber Mahoney for Family Affairs SS ’15 collection absolutely breathtaking?! They remind me of the antique photographs you may find of your ancestors, or when you browse through crumpled up photographs of strangers at an antique shop. This thought likely comes to mind because of the sepia tones, but also because they have a distinct look that reminds me of wet plate processing – an antique photographic process discovered in the mid 19th century, now rarely used today (although some of my fav modern day photographers occasionally use this technique). It doesn’t hurt that Tara has the kind of beauty that reminds me of decades past. If someone were to be like, she’s actually from the early 1990s, I’d be like ya, that makes sense…she’s aged splendidly... but I digress. I have a great appreciation for present day photographers who are capable of creating an almost uncanny likeness to images from the past. Most of my favourite modern day photographers do this, and if I were to ever take my photography to another level, those are the types of images I would love to create – raw and unencumbered and full of nostalgia for times I have never personally experienced.

Photography: Amber Mahoney
Model: Tara Violet Niami
MUA: Allison Perlstein
Hair: Rubi Jones

Following Nature

January 26, 20152 Comments

I met Heather Wells, designer of these exquisite headpieces and the creator behind Heart of Gold Designs, through instagram last summer. Her headpieces are made from vintage and precious materials crafted into these incredibly romantic and ethereal pieces that would make any gal (or guy) feel like an elegant, otherworldly creature. I knew I would want to shoot some of her pieces at some point and luck would have it that Meaghan and I had envisioned a shoot like this almost one year ago (except with a lot more snow…snow, she’s never there when you need her), so Heather’s pieces felt like the perfect fit once we finally brought this shoot to fruition. I’m pretty happy with how the images turned out. Meaghan and I took turns behind and in front of my pentax on this somewhat mild winter day.

Photography: Alex Spence and Meaghan Kelly
Models: Alex Spence and Meaghan Kelly
Headpieces: Heart of Gold Designs
Nightgowns and sweaters: personal wardrobe, except for the blue nightgown via Larkspur
Patterned blanket: Cambie Design
Footwear: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine and personal wardrobe

Natural State

November 6, 2014November 11, 20148 Comments

Here are a few images I finally got developed from the Summer, when Ryan and I were camping in Bruce Peninsula National Park. These photos were taken at Horse Lake, which we had all to ourselves while shooting. I kind of wish I had brought more film with me – like I had in previous years while camping – but to be honest, the trip was more about relaxing, being with nature and each other, and sometimes it’s nice to just ignore your camera and not have any expectations for yourself.

I kind of like how rough these turned out – rough in the way that my hair is sort-of messy, and my makeup is barely there, and you can really notice my very questionable posture for a dancer. I like how film feels imperfect, and real, and that I, just like film, am imperfect, and real. There is something so liberating about not be able to check yourself in the mirror before shooting. I mean, when I shoot for this blog, I don’t bring a mirror with me to the location (I’m just too lazy to care about something like that), but before I leave the house, without a doubt, I have made sure I look okay. And with technology aka DSLRs, you can see what you look like immediately after taking a photo, which really acts as a mirror. With my Pentax, this is not possible, and being in the woods, the only mirror you may have brought with you is your tiny compact, and that’s in the car, far from where you are. Unlike DSLRs, I can’t see what every image looks like and fine tune the things I do not like for the next few snaps I take. There is no immediate editing, and no way to erase the image once the shutter has closed.

*photos by Ryan, taken with Pentax K1000

Dress: vintage

All Hallows’ Eve

October 31, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

Happy Halloween dear friends! I had some left over exposures on a roll of film in my Pentax back from the summer and thought it was due time I do a little shoot to finish off the roll. I had never shot in the dark, so Ryan and I were just kind of crossing our fingers hoping these would turn out. But that’s what I love about analog. Experimentation and not really knowing the outcome is all part of the fun with film.

I thought I’d go in a bit of a different direction with a Halloween post. Unfortunately, I don’t have a Halloween costume planned for today – I’ll likely throw something together last minute if we end up going out – so I couldn’t really do your standard Halloween costume photo shoot. I did however have this cape on hand, and this velvet dress that was dying to be worn, so I thought I’d just be a spooky little red riding hood/vampire/witch/scared/i dunno girl in the woods. Well, whatever I was, I think I succeeded with a bit of spooky vibes. I hope you enjoy!

All you gals and ghouls better have a terrorific Halloween.

*photos by Ryan