I rarely post my own photo shoots here but I just had to participate in my Concept in a Box idea!  The Holiday Sparkle concept came from an idea to use something with sequins.  They are everywhere now, pants, shorts, skirts, you name it and sequins are on it!  I love the idea of pairing something dressy with something a little more casual and then I started thinking about holidays.  I have this holiday plaid shirt and I knew it would be perfect with any item with sequins.  So I started shopping…my favorite thing to do!

The Concept in a Box is a way to see different photographers perspectives on the same concept….Holiday Sparkle!  And so far we have seen such great ways to create this concept and all of them very unique!  My version is very Christmas-y! 🙂  Check it out below and read what I had to say when I interviewed myself with the same questions as the other photographers!  Happy Holidays!

What idea/concept came to mind when you created the Concept in a Box?  My idea was to be Christmas-y with the styling…plaid shirt, Christmas Tree Farm, holly, lots of greens and reds.  There is a store in my town that is very Ralph Lauren plaid with everything they sell and that inspired me to use plaids, furs and wood accents.

Tell us a little about how you styled the skirt….I knew I had several plaid shirts in my closet and all of them were Christmas-y so I knew I wanted to use one of them.  I loved the idea of pairing something like a casual button down with a dressy skirt.  I see these tshirts with sequin pants on pinterest all the time and love the juxtaposition of something casual with something typically thought of as dressy.  But now you can totally wear sequins every day if you want and I love that.  I found the flower for my models hair at a Christmas Shop – it was really intended for a tree but I knew we could put it in her hair.  I found the fur scarf at World Market and thought it would add some texture to the outfit for some shots.  I also had a white fur coat from the Charleston Shoot Out (The Rabbit Concept) so we used that is some shots as well.  I really wanted to use a few different things to show some different looks.  So we did some with her hair up and a little more formal.  Then we took her hair down and did some shots with a gold holly garland that I made into a crown on her head.  All the while keeping the Holiday Sparkle theme in mind.

What do you think is most beneficial about shooting concept shoots or shoots just for you?  As photographers we need to be creative and concept shoots allow us to be in control and create what our vision is.  I love fashion so I often want to build an entire shoot around an outfit so concept shoots allow me to do that.  I like to think of them as something that might appear in a magazine or tell a story.  I love to play stylist and concept shoots allow me to wear all kinds of hats and they inspire me to be creative and create photos that I would not typically get to create on a regular senior session.

How do you feel they help you grow as a photographer?  By allowing you the freedom to create without limits.  Concept shoots allow you to refresh your juices if you will.  They can get you excited and help you try something new.  If you want to learn a new lighting technique, a concept shoot would be a great way to practice that new technique.  Concept shoots challenge you to think outside the box.  I am a firm believer in continuing your education through practice.  The more you shoot, the more you grow.  And the more you step outside your comfort zone, the more you will grow!

What do you love most about concept shoots?  I love the creativity!!  I love thinking of an idea and executing it from start to finish.  Creating the entire set and style of the concept is so much fun!!  And of course, I love the shopping part….finding that perfect outfit that illustrates my vision!

To find out how you can participate in the Concept in a Box program, stay tuned to the blog!  We are working out details of this exciting new program and will be posting about it soon!  If you would like to be on the list to be notified first on how you can participate, comment below with your email address.  Thanks!