3.18.2014

Photo shoot monday...


Yesterday was our big cottage photo shoot.  I was over the moon excited when I was contacted by Gridley & Graves a few months back asking if I would be interested in having our home shot for a publication.  We were supposed to shoot in January, but Anne's sweet mother suddenly passed away- so we rescheduled for March.  Family comes first and I am so glad she took the time she needed to be with her dad and siblings.

The morning started out cold.  Somewhere in the 40's and us Texans freeze at anything under 60, so I started up a fire.  By started up I mean that I turned on the switch.


Some of y'all have asked about what I did to prepare for them coming to shoot.  Let's see....I had our youngest turn 13, left for a day to shop antiques in Round Top, and hosted our Sunday night Dead and Dinner party.  I pretty much dusted and then lived my life.  Seriously, other than a few things that needed cleaning, we just straightened up and called it good.  I've read about bloggers going overboard and fixing up/cleaning/driving their husbands mad- and I just wasn't going to do it.  So I didn't.  The end.



I did make sure that I had some fresh fruit and raspberry tea on hand.  Because really, what is more important than tea for a photo shoot?  Nothing, that's what.  I also let the dogs have a day of doggy day care to play and romp about with other dogs.  Jack was thrilled.  Apparently he curled up on a blanket in the corner and slept all day.  For $25 dollars he did the same damn thing he does here.  Swell.  Violet, however, was quite the social butterfly and ran amuck and played.  Good dog.

That is not a frog in my tea.  It is also not a turtle.  It really is a lime...
Anne and Gary were so sweet and personable.  I tend to be a very chatty and a "hello, here is the whole story of my life in one sitting" kind of person.  Sometimes that is off putting, but Anne was just so sweet and listened to me, and also shared so much about their interesting adventures they have had across the country.

They shot tethered, which I've read about, but was very interesting to see how it's done in person.  The way the shots are determined, angles, props, etc.  So detailed and just so darn cool!





They were also so sweet to our kids and the dogs when they came home.  I love dog people.

The staging was very interesting.  They moved things, rearranged, scootched furniture over, changed out pieces, added, took away... this is what my living room looks like on a daily basis.  I can tell you when the issue comes out that it looked so much better than this.  They added things I never thought to do- and the angles they shot at were just so unique.





I loved these roses they showed up with...


and that they used one of my vintage medicine bottles to display one of the roses.



I really didn't do much all day other than take pictures and post on FB and Instagram.  Occasionally I would move something for them or look for a prop, but really it was just fun to sit and watch the whole thing.  By the time they left I was exhausted, and I can only imagine how tired Anne and Gary were!

While we were chatting, Anne pulled up a shoot from their home.  AH-mazing!  If I lived there I would probably never leave the farmhouse.  Jump over to the link to see the rest of their beautiful home.

Image From Country Living
In other news, I mailed off a bunch of signs for The Happy Soul Project this morning and new signs are almost ready for the shop.



Thank you to so many of you who have bought or inquired about signs.  We are a two gal operation, so it takes us a bit longer- but our signs are made by hand with love.

Have a happy day!

18 comments:

  1. How fun!! I'm proud of you for not freaking out. Like you, my house is pretty clean and uncluttered but I know I would be a basket case. Your house is gorgeous - you deserve to have it in a magazine.

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    1. Your home is just lovely! I know you would be fine opening the door and saying "click away!"

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  2. I was exhausted to by the end of my shoot, too. Anne is going to shoot you for posting pics of her. :)

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  3. I am so thrilled for you! I'm going to have to look up what it means to do a shoot tethered...I hadn't heard of that until yesterday when you mentioned it on FB.

    Thanks so much for sharing your exciting day with us!

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    1. It is basically where the camera is connected to a laptop. It's like seeing your photos in lightroom without having to do it after the shot. Allows them to make light adjustments easier :) Fancy schmancy camera too!

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  4. So much fun. I love seeing you happy. :)

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    1. Thank you! I am beyond happy with my new "job". I am allowed full creativity and nothing is dumbed down :)

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  5. Your home is beautiful. I don't know of this publication. Will you let us know when it comes out. I would have been a mess and worn myself out getting ready. So funny that one of your dogs slept at day care. Love that fireplace.

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  6. Congratulations! Such fun.
    (I was also contacted by Gridley and Graves last year - they were going to pitch my house - but it seems no one went for it! Ah well. I would have had to paint and I hate painting!)

    xo
    Claudia

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  7. Congrats on the photo shoot! I can't wait to see it when it's out. Do you know what magazine it will be in and when it will come out? Gridley & Graves came out to shoot my home in February for Fifi O'Neill. It probably won't come out until next year though. Oh, and since my home is neutral like yours, I found them bringing in lots of props with color. They used those orange roses in my shoot too! That was a good idea to take your dog elsewhere during the shoot. Mine stayed home and got in their way.

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    1. We have an idea of what publication, but I don't want to say until I know for sure! The process is a long one, and sometimes the shoot won't go to print for a year to 18 months. Yes, getting the fur babies from underfoot was the best thing!

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  8. Patricia,
    Yeah! That is for not over cleaning your house....It already looks clean. It is also for going on with every day life. It is your home, filled with love, family, and your style. I am glad you are proud of your home and family. You are a wonderful example of how life can be hectic, a little scary, and down right fun all at the same time. I will be waiting impatiently to see your home in ? Magazine. The shoot looked like fun.
    Thanks for sharing your bright moment!
    Karen Marie,
    Dragonfly & Lily Pads

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    1. Exactly- I even said "we really LIVE here" when they showed up! I did clean up a bit and tried to get most of the dust up, but other than that it was pretty easy. I've read about others freak out and I just didn't want to do that :)

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  9. Love it! I've done tethered shooting quite a bit, and it's a lifesaver.
    I can't wait to see!!!

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  10. That's pretty cool. I'd never have a home shoot. Especially right now. YIKES! I MUST dust and vacuum while I'm off and home this Friday.
    That's an interesting technique of doing a shoot. Isn't technology grand.

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Thanks so much for popping in. I appreciate all of your lovely comments...Tricia