Freelancing Fun: Sunrise Shoot at Lakeview Lake

What I won't do in the name of clothes, I sometimes wonder. This time, it was leaving my house at 5:30 am on a Saturday morning to drive to Lakeview Lake, outside of Lawrence, for a gorgeous sunrise photo shoot at this charming little lakeside community.

Established in 1892, complete with a clubhouse, this little place reminded me of the bungalows on Chappaquiddick Island up on Martha's Vineyard, or lake camps in the Catskills - built as a place for Kansas City aristocrats to hunt and fish and get away from the bustle of city life.

Not a high fashion shoot, but fun nonetheless; I was working with Sara, the photographer, and a model couple, Ben and Crystle, and we shot everywhere from on a 1970's green pontoon boat (pretty awesome) to rickety docks and an old screened-in porch.

Here are some of the photos I took:

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Sara scoping out the docks.

There was a huge storm the night before, so Sara didn't quite get the sunrise light she was hoping for, but the mists were just gorgeous.

everyone at work!

Models going fishing

Pontoon!

Of course, Sara's will be better, and I'll share more when I get some proofs from her. Not a bad way to start a Saturday, no?

Freelancing Fun: A Styling Job Comes My Way!

Sometimes, you have to give up shopping in order to save up to make your dreams happen. But, sometimes, the stars smile on you, and you actually get to shop...for a job! Sure, the clothes are for models, not you, but never mind that, it's still clothes and fashion and prettiness! Not to mention, fiscally responsible.

Really, if someone had said to me when I was 8 and "styling" my Barbies, you know, you can grow up and play dress up with real-life dolls and it's considered work, I would have said, you shut your mouth (probably, especially, given the odd outfits I'm sure Barbie was dressed in. Neon roller skates with princess dresses anyone?). It's always such a fun treat that I still get to do this from time to time.

It's been quite awhile since I've done any styling, but I'm really excited to get back into the game with a very talented photographer out of New York , Sara Forrest. We got together and did a shoot with a trio of dancers from the Kansas City Ballet and it turned out really lovely - not to mention, it was such a treat to be able to watch ballerinas twinkle their toes up close!

This time around, she's contacted me for a sunset/sunrise shoot outside of Lawrence, and the look is going to be pulled from the safari / global trend a bit, bohemian, light and airy - khakis, pale blues, oranges, and browns. I'm also thinking a little sun-bleached. And, since I've been really loving the neutral/khaki look, I might be pulling a few pieces from my own closet. The test is Saturday, so I've got to really get on my lookbook! Here's a little of what I'm thinking in these preliminary stages:

Leaning heavily on that Philip Lim blouse with Current/Elliot trousers in Look #4, in this collection of looks from local boutique, Standard Style.

From J.Crew, a perennial favorite.

Also, from J.Crew. Softness plus military styling.

Love the DVF ensemble in photo #1, in this collection of looks, also from Standard Style. Of course, always, always, always love DVF.