I was so excited to be invited on this shoot with the talented Elizabeth Miller. Liz is an amazing art photographer who styled this session and found Kristina to model. I just came with my camera and the flower crown!
I had been wanting to get into styled portraits but I didn't know where to start. Reaching out to random strangers was never in my comfort zone! This shoot launched me into my styled portrait enthusiasm! Sometimes it takes working with another photographer and just jumping in feet first to get going in a new genre.
It snowed at the very beginning of our shoot. Giant flakes that added an ethereal level to these photos that I absolutely love. I love the beauty of Kristina among the bare winter trees.
When creating items for styled shoots, I usually just wander around the craft store so I can be inspired. Sometimes I walk into the store with a clear vision but most of the time I find one thing that really interests me and I go from there. For this flower crown, I loved the peacock feathers so I searched for the flowers to match those colors. Some wire, cutters, floral tape and a lot of hot glue later, the crown was ready for this shoot! I love how this crown turned out and how perfectly the blue matches the mood.
Liz had this blue jersey dress in her styled wardrobe, so she requested the flower crown to match it. Go, Teamwork!
Liz also brought a couple other looks for Kristina, and since we weren't all super cold yet, we trekked back to the nature center to change. I love Liz's unique point of view when styling her models.
The Huntley Meadows Nature Center is so cool to photograph around! The neutral gray brick with the orange trim is perfect! Plus, you have that sea-foam/teal wood. And that dramatic, pointed roof! So many great backdrops in a sort walk from the car!
This session with Liz and Kristina really got me fired up for the more creative side of styling shoots for models and clients. This is always going to be one of my favorite styled portrait sessions. Working with two other talented creatives is such a joy.
Model: Kristina Seewald
Styling and Lead Photographer: Elizabeth Miller
Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, Virginia
March 2018
