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STRUT | Fashion Spectacle :: Editorial Portraits :: Non-Profit Fundraising Event for Local Arts in Easthampton, Ma

The portraits featured in the slideshow above and photos below are from STRUT, the Pioneer Valley's biggest fashion spectacle of the year, which featured an outrageous runway show, red carpet arrivals, energetic performances, an awards ceremony, silent auction, art installations, and lively afterparty at Eastworks in Easthampton, Ma. STRUT is Easthampton’s revamped annual fundraising event for Easthampton City Arts+, which has a mission to enhance public access to the arts and creates economic opportunities for artists to sustain & deepen their practices. The runway show featured a parade of the Valley’s finest dandies and fashionistas strutting alongside designers, clothing makers, and fashion retailers… not to mention body art, drag queens, costumes, up-cycled glamor, and foraged creations. Everyone was invited to STRUT!

Produced by Laudable Productions

Just a few of the Runway Stompers and Contributors:
Jackson and Connor : Menswear Boutique - Spot22 Boutique : Boutique - Ruth Anne Lundeburg : Fashionista - Mariam Massaro : Costumer - Corsets by Marcia : Designer - Tigerlily Salon : Salon - Karen Cadieux : Fashionista - Laura Whiteley : Fashionista - Silas Kopf : Dandy - Alicia Renadette : Artist - Mike O’Neil : Dandy - Cassandra Holden : Designer, Couturier - Juku : Robot - Lonnie Chu : Fashionista - Le Fox : Performer, DJ - Costumes by Andrea Zax : Costumer - Salon 180 East : Salon - Joan Holiday : Fashionista - Michelle Marroquin : Performer - Christie Miga : Fashionista - Haute Papiere : Fashionista, Artist, Costumer, Couturier - Olaf Olsson : Menswear Designer - Trumpy On Air : Judge - Tang Sauce : Dandy, Performer - Athan Vennell : Designer - Eastworks Holiday Shop : Boutique - Aerith Gainsborough : Costumer - Trish Overstreet : Fashionista, Artist - Milly and Yari Guzman : Fashionista - Lana Handmade : Artist - Seth Glier : Performer, Emcee - Nora Antonia Trampe : Fashionista - Professor S. N. Tomlinson : Artist - Cristiano Gazzara : Dandy - Port : Boutique - Luxe Consignment : Boutique - Origami Mathmagician : Artist - Bill Butcher : Trendsetter - Tracey Eller : Fashionista - Cynthia Chamberland : Fashionista - Lei Fay : Maker - Hannah Mohan : Fashionista - Taylor McCoy : Fashionista - New City Brewery - Abandoned Building Brewery - Fort Hill Brewery

Editorial for Draft Magazine :: Bldg8 Brewing :: Portrait of the Owners

Yesterday in the mail, I received a magazine that I thought was a subscription for Jeff, our resident beer drinker, until I remembered the shoot I did for Draft Magazine at the end of last year at a nearby brewery. And then I couldn't wait to share page forty two with you all!

I have to start out by saying.. you have to go try this beer from Bldg8 Brewing! Jeff is an IPA man and he loved it, plus I'm all for supporting a local business.. especially a local brewery or winery. I'm still newer to the beer scene and I just love the vibe of a cool brewery.

And after you read about (and hopefully try) their IPA, please feel free to admire their portrait below (done by yours truly, you can just about see my name along the fold in the scan here). But in all seriousness, these two were so much fun to chat with. O'Brian and Meghan have stories, if you have time, and treat their guests as warmly as family. They're based in a converted mill space in Florence (right by Northampton, MA) and they make one heck of a beer, currently focusing solely on their one (awesome) IPA.. which is clearly serving them well!

You can also check out Draft Magazine's write up online in the Brewery to Watch section. And I'll be sharing a few more photos here soon with you all from our shoot too!

Floral Beauty Editorial :: Unique Floral Arrangements

Spring is in the air (even though it's March!) and what better way to look forward to the warm weather and new blooms then an editorial spread focused on flowers. Our creative team put together some truly unique looks, balancing the floral arrangements made by Green Dahlia and the Analisa and RME's skill with hair and Makeup. Our model, Chloe, then brought those looks to life. Check out the selects from our shoot below!

Makeup by Analisa Marie and Hair by RME
Floral Arrangement by Green Dahlia
Model: Chloe with John Casablanca CT

John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant :: Berkshire County Massachusetts :: Farm to Table Foods

If you're looking for a great meal with an emphasis on local fresh and seasonal ingredients and/or a beautiful, natural feeling space for a wedding or event, you should know about John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant in South Egremont, MA.

I just had the opportunity to photograph the food and surroundings at John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant, as well as see the chef, Dan Smith, in action and I have to say I was impressed. The restaurant's outdoor setting really works with its surroundings, there's a rustic, country charm that just highlights the natural beauty in the Berkshires. The back porch, where there is outdoor seating, is set along a rock wall that leads your eye to an old ice house with a great fire pit set even further back. I can just picture a great night with friends around the fire drinking and eating! There are lights strung around the porch on large branches which sets a nice mood. Inside the atmosphere of the restaurant mixes a warm coziness with a few modern touches. Oh, and did I mention, there is plenty of space for a tent for a larger celebration out back!

And the food! I only tried some bread and a salad (it was a heck of a salad) while I was there and I absolutely loved it. Dan Smith has a real sense for flavors and for presentation, which, for me at least, is part of the fun of great food! He setup a spread that I would be proud to have at any gathering. But enough of me telling you about this place.. check it out for yourself below!

Skin Catering :: Skin Care Awareness :: Custom Spa Treatments

Working with Leanne and Kim from SkinCatering was a blast! Then you add our model for the shoot, Meghan from chikmedia, into the mix and the shoot was a great blend of fun, silliness, and rockin' professionals!

SkinCatering is a unique and fun brand (just like its creator), and for someone looking for great easy products that are good on the go yet handmade and natural. SkinCatering offers spa services to relax and pamper as well as products to take home. This is a company that focuses on real beauty. Leanne might have tackled me if I had tried to retouch out one of Meghan's scars (beautiful evidence that she is a survivor) and I love that! (And, for the record, I also did not want to edit the photo in anyway that would have changed how beautiful Meghan naturally is, though I did smooth some pesky goosebumps and catch some fly away hairs!)

Below are a few of the images we created together to highlight this great company, hopefully they do each of these ladies justice!

Editorial Beauty Photography :: A Natural, Comfortable Styled Shoot with Big Cozy Sweaters :: Anaise

The photos below are from a recent shoot I did with my friend Liz (Liz Washer Makeup Artist) and Anaise (a fellow photographer who agreed to get in front of the camera for me). The focus here was on simplicity and on a comfortable kind of beauty... we had oversized sweaters and solid seamless backgrounds to match that idea.

Anaise doesn't identify as a model, though she is gorgeous. Being in front of the camera isn't something she is even used to, like most of us! So photographing her is this dramatic, editorial style is that much more interesting. Her features, especially her eyes, are so striking.. it's hard to avoid her gaze while scrolling down!

Gold Sequins and Star Confetti :: Editorial Styled Bridal Shoot

For this final blog installment of our Golden Bridal Editorial at Mill1 at Open Square, we went a little brighter with the gold and softer with the lighting. The gold sequin background from The Sharp Drop made for an elegant, yet fun setting for confetti throwing, dress twirling, and smiles!

Location: Mill1 at Open Square

Wedding Gowns from Pearl Bridal Boutique 

Styling by  Aunchman Style 

Makeup by Liz Washer 

Models from John Casablanca 

Bridal Editorial :: Dramatic Lighting :: Gold Details :: Mill 1 at Open Square

This styled bridal editorial was photographed at Mill1 at Open Square with the idea of embracing the Mill's space (the old floor boards, giant windows, and brick walls) and working with gold details in dramatic lighting. Pearl Bridal Boutique supplied the gowns and Aunchman Style put together the looks and added in pieces that made each style so unique. The talented Liz Washer did all of the hair and makeup for each look, adding even more variety. Both of our models from John Casablanca really embraced the styles they wore and look like new people in each moment! It was a crazy, long, fun day with professionals that I love working with! And since each look was so different, I've decided to break this shoot into multiple blog posts. I hope that you enjoy it all!