One of the biggest highlights of working at Simple Scrapbooks was the time we were able to spend in the photo studio. It was a place where art happened—a very creative, collaborative, open, freeing space. Tall ceilings, colorful fabric hanging on the walls, natural light coming in through a wall of windows. There was always an eclectic mix of music playing in the background, and all musical tastes were welcome, from John Denver to The Strokes. And if there was ever a reason to photograph a pie, or cupcakes, or popcorn as a layout prop, you can be sure that we ate them straight away. Not to mention the fact that Brian, Symoni and Claudia (two photographers and one photo stylist) are just a blast to be around. Enjoy a quick slideshow of shots and outtakes from the photo studio!
Wendy Smedley and Aby Garvey being photographed for their book, The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, which is completely sold out. I just spotted a used copy
Cathy, Marin, and Brian checking a recent shot on the monitor.
The ever-chic Lin posing with her Mac for an editor's note image.
Symoni and Marin previewing shots that were taken for the original Scrapbook Play special issue. The point was to catch each of us laughing, which took quite a crew to accomplish. One person sat self-consciously in front of the camera while five others stood behind it cracking jokes and acting like idiots in hopes of inspiring an authentic laugh.
The fifth anniversary cake shot! A photograph of this cake, with half of my blurry head peaking up behind it, was used as a feature opener in our Jan/Fab 2007 issue. We devoured the cake as soon as Symoni said, "That's a wrap!" (Symoni doesn't really say things like that, but it sounded cool, right?)
Six faux chefs assembled for a Album Shortcuts photo shoot. See the gap between Ali and Stacy? That's Wendy's spot. Check Monday's post to see how seamlessly she was photoshopped in after the fact.
Poor Rachel, crouched in an extremely awkward position for at least a few minutes. Modeling is hard work. We needed a shot of hands that appeared to be stretching a graphic from the top of the page downward. It was for a "Stretch Your Supplies" feature opener.
A little hand shot action for a recent issue. Modeling by: Angie. Photography by: Brian. This was for our Not-So Fussy Cutting feature in March/April 2009.
Women in black milling around before our big two-page anniversary issue photo spread. Look at that hot Cathy Z! Can anyone say "blue steel"?
Rebecca Cooper in her photo shoot for Real. Life. Scrapbooking., her best-selling book.
And finally, a photo collage I like to call "It Ain't Easy Being Green." This was the result of Marin's brilliant idea to have a witch hand model for a Halloween column. It only took 20 minutes of vigorous scrubbing with various nontoxic solvents to unstain my hand. (Let it be said that we had no idea if it would even come off when we started this process; that's how dedicated we are to our photo shoots!) The nails stayed black for several weeks, just because I enjoyed the looks I was getting.
Yesterday's Winner
Congrats to commenter #18, Lisa Hausmann.
(Lisa, click my Email Me link to send me your mailing address, and
I'll send you your magazine.) To enter to win today's drawing for
another copy of Scrapbook Play with Photos, leave me a comment sharing one thing you struggle with when it comes to your own photography.
More Chances to Win!
More cool prizes are being given away on these fun blogs TODAY, so please pop in and say hi!
Elisha Snow
Rebecca Cooper
Marnie Flores
Cheryl Overton
