Filed under: inspiration, modeling, shoot results, upcoming shoots, wardrobe | Tags: creativity, drown the gown, fashion, hobby, ideas, inspiration, modeling, photo shoot, photoshoot, reuse bridemaid dress, storytelling, trash the dress, wardrobe
While planning wardrobe for an upcoming shoot, I’ve decided to take a look at yet another bridesmaid dress I have. It’s one I’ll most certainly never wear again, so I might as well shoot in it, right? Inspired by a designer from the VOP Fashion and Rock Show, Dawn at Brilliant Stranger, I’ve decided to not just accessorize the dress differently, but to revamp it with the help of scissors, my sewing machine, and perhaps some other fabric and lace remnants I have laying around. This moment of “oooh, so that’s what I can do with it!” is the inspiration for today’s entry.
There comes a point in every woman’s life where her closet has a few dresses that just… don’t work anymore. Often, it’s bridesmaid dresses, but for some lucky women, it’s prom dresses too (or even formal dresses from college). Very rarely can they be worn again, and a lot of times it’s hard to part with something you spent hundreds of dollars on and wore once… and besides, then what would you do with those dyed-to-match pumps? 
But instead of letting them sit in your closet (or worse, the bottom of your hamper) unused, why not do something with them? If you’re a model, it’s simple to say “shoot in it!”… but not as easy to do so. After all, most bridesmaid dresses look like bridesmaid dresses (don’t deny it, you know what I mean!). The easiest option (and a rapily-increasing-in-popularity one) is to simply do a Trash the Dress shoot.
Having done a few Trash the Dress sessions, I find them quite a lot of fun. Especially when the dress is one I have no emotional attachment to I’ve worn dresses where they’re not supposed to be worn (a decrepit bridge, in the lake, around heavy land-movers), and I even cut one up for a shoot, as a play on “well you can always shorten it and wear it again!”. I’ve included a few shots of my trash the dress sessions below, because they’re quite fun!
Past simply getting in a lake, rolling in the mud, or climbing a tree in your gown, leaving it dirty, but likely cleanable and then ready to wear again donate, you can opt to literally trash it. Rip it, cut it, burn it (though it is not recommended to do this while actually wearing it)–go crazy! You can also make it into something different, either by refashioning it into another wardrobe piece (a new skirt or wrap, for example), or using it for part of a costume. The options are endless!
Here are some fun ideas for bridesmaid or prom dresses. Some involve simply reaccesorizing, whereas other ideas involve fully reinventing the dress!
- Bridesmaid Revisited: Painted Maxi Skirt
- How to Actually Rewear Your Bridesmaid Dress
- eHow: Wear Your Bridesmaid Dress Again
- How to Recycle Your Prom Dress
- Recycle it as a Costume!
Some of my Trash the Dress shoots:
From left to right:
Rob Domaschuk, “You Can Always Cut it Short and Wear it Again” Version 3
Walter of Studio B Photography, Trash the Prom Dress
Greg Kolack, “Fearless Rachel” Out on an Unused Portion of RR Bridge
Walter of Studio B Photography, Drown the Gown
Filed under: inspiration, looks, modeling, photography, wardrobe | Tags: modeling, hobby, photography, new model, photo shoot, photographer, creativity, ideas, photoshoot, inspiration, new models, fashion, wardrobe, forever 21, retail store, forever21
Lately I’m totally obsessed with Forever21. As someone who’s 27 and works a “real world” job where I can wear jeans, Converse and black T’s every day, most people look at me like I’m nuts when I say it. But I love it!
They have some really unique stuff. Sure sure, Rach, but is it unique if everyone else is wearing it? Sure is… ’cause chances are folks my age aren’t wearing it Haha! Plus, if you accessorize a piece differently or wear it different than it was intended, then it becomes unique.
Clothes there are also really reasonably priced! You can seriously get an entire awesome outfit–shoes, accessories and all–from there for under $100 easy. Even less if you’re really smart about it! It’s also a great way to pick up some ultra trendy items that might only last 1 season, or clothes you’ll only be using for just one or two shoots. You don’t have to be worried about having wasted a ton of money because you didn’t spend a ton!
They have a great blog and “Get The Look” section on their site. Both really help with styling, ideas, and keeping up with trends. The Forever21 Blog, and the current “Get The Look” section, featuring Leather.
I also had the opportunity to walk for Forever 21 in the VOP Show on Friday. It was awesome, and my outfit was absolutely killer (I’m actually buying most of it). Here’s what I wore:
Hat: Felt Floral Cloche Hat, Forever21, $14.80
Skirt: Grace Mini Skirt, Forever21, $15.80
Silver Tank: Sequin Racerback, Forever21, $27.80
White Tank: Text Knit Banded Racer Tank, Forever21, $6.80
Jacket: Crinkled Faux Leather Jacket, Forever21, $48.80
Shoes: Cutesylicious Paddington Platform Pumps, Cutesygirl, #36.99
Outfit Total: $150.99
I’ll be buying the hat, the skirt and the silver top. The shoes are mine, and I have a faux leather motorcycle jacket already, and a selection of white tanks. I will likely wear the top more with jeans than the skirt, but the skirt’s just too cute to pass up!
And last but not least, you can create a wishlist! I love wishlists, because they allow me to keep track of things I’ve got an eye on (especially if I want to hold off until something goes on sale). They also let people get an idea of my style, which is great for both the holidays and shoots. Check out my Forever21 Wishlist 
Filed under: hobbyist, modeling, networking, new models, photography | Tags: gwc, hobby, modeling, networking, new model, new models, photo shoot, photographer, photography, photoshoot
The question was raised in the forums as to whether-or-not folks you owe anything to the folks you worked with when you started modeling. It was phrased in a way that suggested that since these people may have taken a chance on me, I should return the favor down the road and “pay it back” by working with them again, even if it might be a step backwards. Here are my thoughts on the subject:
A few of the photographers I worked with early on I still work with. We often have a standing trade agreement, but also recommend each other for paying jobs, go to each other with paid assignments/ideas first, or recommend each other to others. It works out well between these individuals and I, and we often really challenge ourselves creatively and have a great time shooting. Some of them I’ve even become really good friends with 
I worked a lot with newer photographers when I started modeling. Some of them have grown in leaps and bounds, and have even outgrown working with me at this point. I’m excited for them and often keep an eye on their work, and congratulate them on milestones. While I’d jump at the chance to work with them again, I’d likely have to pay them (which I have no problems with) instead of working trade.
Some of the other new photographers I worked with early on haven’t grown, and are still shooting the same type of stuff. Working with these kinds of folks would likely be a huge step down for me. I don’t feel I owe them anything, and don’t feel it would make sense to work trade with them if I wasn’t going to get anything out of it. I might offer a discounted rate, but I’d send rates regardless.
Filed under: hobbyist, local events, modeling, networking, new models, photography | Tags: hobby, meet and greet, meet up, meetup.com, modeling, networking, new model, new models, photo shoot, photographer, photography, photoshoot
I’ve started a new group on www.meetup.com for the monthly M&G events I host
www.meetup.com/ChicagoBurbsMayhem
Join up! Come play with us!
Filed under: hobbyist, inspiration, modeling, new models, photography, wardrobe | Tags: clothing, creativity, hobby, ideas, inspiration, look, modeling, new model, new models, photo shoot, photography, photoshoot, shoes, wardrobe
Models and photographers often ask where others shop for wardrobe pieces. Traditional answers of, what boils down to, pretty much anywhere, always follow. But that’s not the point of this post
The point is, I’ve recently discovered some great sites for wardrobe inspiration (and in some cases, shopping) that I’d like to share. Wooo!
The first is Polyvore. This site allows you to create outfits using images you have on your computer as well as images they’ve got cataloged. There’s hundreds if not thousands of items–dresses, jeans, accessories, shoes… anything you can think of–that you can arrange to create looks. Check it out at www.polyvore.com
The second is the Fashion Under 100 blog. This site takes looks the celebrities are wearing, as well as user-submitted questions and trends, and finds everything to make that specific look for, you guessed it, under $100! The author also links everything she uses, making it all easy to find and buy! Check it out at www.fashionunder100.net
The third site is the I am Style-ish blog, which just celebrated it’s 1 year anniversary! The author blogs about all sorts of style-related things and creates her own lookbooks with the help of her husband. She’s got this great style and creativity that really shows in her outfits, as well as her writing. And she’s got great taste in shoes Check her out at www.iamstyle-ish.com
So right now, those 3 sites are really inspiring me, all in different ways. Take a look at them for some great ideas for shoot wardrobe… and even everyday wardrobe!
Filed under: hobbyist, local events, modeling, networking, photography, shoot results | Tags: creativity, hobby, modeling, networking, photo shoot, photographer, photography, photoshoot, shoot results
This past Sunday was the Anything Goes 2 event up in Racine, WI. It was hosted by Frank of 11 11 Visions, a partner in the Studio MLP group out there in Wisconsin. It was, in a word… well, I can’t just find one word. It was a ton of fun, a great networking opportunity, a wonderful chance for me to work with some folks I may never have worked with, and I got to spend some time chatting with the awesome Roger Talley 
I also got some great stuff out of it… and I’ve only seen very few shots already!
Let me elaborate on all of that, starting with the fun part
As always the WI crowd delivered. They’re always a warm, welcoming crowd who loves to have a good time. There was much laughter, great food, and an all-around relaxed, wonderful atmosphere. Add in a great indoor shooting area that’s set up to easily accommodate 4 photographers’ lighting setups, and a plethora of killer locations outdoors, and the whole thing was just stellar! There wasn’t any inter-model drama (though on model did have a P&S camera go missing, unfortunately), there weren’t photographers arguing over models or refusing to share shooting locations, models, etc., and there was plenty of patience, helping out (both between photographers and photographers, and models and models), discussing industry-related things, and just overall good times.
Networking galore happened there! This kind of also touches on my working with folks I wouldn’t have worked with before, but I got a chance to meet some new faces, touch base with some familiar ones, and overall get my name, face, and modeling skills out there for a few more folks to see. Always a good thing!!
Working with new folks is always a good time. There were a bunch of folks from a bit out of my typical travel range, and it was wonderful to work with them. Lovely to get some different styles, new ideas, and I’m anticipating some great stuff, and perhaps some future collaborations as well!
And Roger… Roger is awesome! Roger flew out from Vegas to Racine specifically to meet me. We shot together as well But let’s start with the fact that I’m still insanely flattered that Roger flew out just to meet me! It’s indescribable how great that makes me feel, really!! I’m still totally on cloud 9 because of it :blushes: Now, we also shot, and that was great (though things didn’t go quite as planned, we did get some great stuff).
But the best part about meeting Roger was two-fold. One, I got to talk to him about stuff–we sort of picked each others’ brains about a few things. It was nice But I also got to listen to Roger talk to others. And it was great! I won’t go into too much detail, but it’s wonderful listening to someone who really know what they’re talking about share their knowledge and opinions, and Roger does it in such a way that it’s both honest and entertaining. Yay!
Roger also laughed at me. A few times, actually. I’ll take that to be a good thing LOL!
I’ll post some shots when I get more Right now I’ve only got a few… and I don’t want to post those few only to get more awesome stuff. Let’s just say I’m very pleased by what I’ve seen so far!
Big thanks to all who participated in the Anything Goes 2 event, as well as Frank, who coordinated it! I hope to be at the next one :hinthint:
The Great Sita Mae wrote*:
Things that don’t matter are starting to irritate me again.
Today’s irritation? The assumption that someone (whether model or photographer) who pursues their craft as an enjoyable hobby must suck. That the only good models and photographers are full-time, bank-making professionals. That if you pursue something you love purely for the love of it, you can’t possibly be any good at it.
I think it is kind of a sad reflection on the state of our collective mentality that there is such a pervasive feeling that the only worth an activity has must be measured in dollars.
Just because someone pursues modeling or photography as a passion, rather than to pay the rent, doesn’t mean they aren’t serious or dedicated. And it for damn sure doesn’t mean they’re no good.
My Response:
I’ve gotten this attitude before as well.
In fact, I’ve been flat out told I’m not worth anything as a model because I’m a hobbyist. And numerous people have told me I should just keep doing my dayjob and give up modeling, because what’s the point of modeling if I won’t make a living at it or be famous?
Evidently, one can be passionate about (and spend loads of time and money ..ing, writing, making necklaces out of tiny beads, or fighting puppy mills (all past or present hobbies of mine), but when the same person wants to model as a hobby, it’s a “waste of time and money”, it’s “silly and pointless”, and it’s “going to get [me] killed”. But demonstrating at a pet store and nearly getting arrested is not only fine, but better? Uh huh.
Ignorants.
I don’t let them get me down. In fact, I let them inspire me to do better
*The above was posted on the MM forums some time ago. Here’s a link to the thread.
