We Dream of Spring
Well hello, hello! I am borrowing that opening from my new favorite Instagram account @clausdalby. We have been in strict lockdown for almost a year here in the Pacific Northwest and a few days ago were hit with about a foot of snow. We rarely get that much snow here so basically everything comes to a standstill until the snow melts.
I have to admit…the last year and frankly the last couple of years my inspiration and creativity for doll photography has been in a holding pattern. I just couldn’t for the life of me find a willingness to create images. That is so unusual for me. I did however, pour myself into different projects ( new landscaping and gardens and conversion of a play space into a home studio/craft space) that syphoned off the creative energy for a bit. As they say…such is life. My hope is that now that the new large projects are completed, I can find joy again in my collection and photographing it.
During this quarantine, I have found so many inspiring images and stories in my daily scroll of Instagram and Flickr. I am amazed every day at the creativity in this world and so thankful for all of those who share images and the comments and dialogue that others join in with. It has created a community in which we all could participate even when we could not visit in person with others.
This morning as I looked out at a landscape of snow and ice, I felt the old familiar stirrings of doll photography creativity and I was spurred to action by an image a friend shared on Instagram. These images came together easily and organically in a short amount of time. I had the miniature cherry blossom branches because I have been trying my hand at making miniature flowers for the past year. It was well past time to put them on camera. Let’s hope I am over my creativity hump and will move back into the blog and doll photos.
Model: Like No Other Nadja by Integrity Toys
Gown and Jacket: M.u.n.l.e on etsy at HOANGANHKHOI
Cherry Blossom Crown and flowers: handmade
Background: Replica Surfaces
Shopping bag: handmade
-Rebecca
Spring Fever–Sophisticated
Still dreaming of spring here in the dreary rain filled days of a Pacific Northwest winter. I have already shown some fun more casual fashions. Today I’m going full on couture with two fashions and models that brought Spring into the studio for a swoon worthy day of pastels.
Model: Making an Entrance Karolin Stone from Integrity Toys ( Her hair has been changed)
Suit and hat: HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Shoes: Integrity Toys
Jewelry: Integrity Toys
The construction of this gorgeous creation is incredible. Beautifully tailored and sewn! The beading!! I Die!!
Next up is a pink confection from my bestie Miss Hilda of Bellissima Couture
Model and Jewelry: Pink Powder Puff Poppy Parker from Integrity Toys
Gown: Bellissima Couture
Shoes: Paul Zhangby on Ebay
Nobody does these silk and lace creations like Hilda! Nobody! The perfect confection for this pink Poppy.
And…because I am all about botanicals right now…had to do this!
Looking forward to Spring!!
-Rebecca
In The Palace
For those of you who follow my instagram feed, you have seen some of these images already. It is not my intention to post images on Instagram first but sometimes it just works out that way. If I am excited about a photo, sometimes I just can’t contain myself and have to share it immediately. Sometimes there is just an image and no backstory or text/dialogue I want to share with it other than the image itself. Instagram is a great platform for that. If you don’t follow me there, consider it. I share funny behind the scenes stories and pictures on my Instagram stories too. My blog will still be the place to come when you want the full set of images on something and/or more information on what is in the picture. Ok, now that public service announcement is out of the way….on to the pictures.
I had this amazing graphic a friend had sent me many moons ago and had used it in backdrops for Hilda and my sales table at Barbiecon. I always love architectural drawings and wanted to see if it would work as a photo backdrop. Thankfully..it did.
Elyse In The Palace
Model: Divinely Luminous Elyse from Integrity Toys
Gown: Rimdoll on Etsy
Jewelry: Divinely Luminous Elyse
I felt like I needed an opulent set to go with this amazing dress from Rimdoll. It is a wonderful interpretation of the Dior Robe Mexique from 1951.
Elyse wasn’t the only one at the palace the day of this shoot. Dasha made an appearance as well.
Dasha at the Palace
Model: Daydream Dasha d’Amboise from Integrity Toys
Gown: HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Jewelry: Daydream Dasha and Mattel
Shoes: Integrity Toys
Love this shirt long skirt combo. Sooooo elegant!! This miniature couture designer out of Vietnam is amazing. I will tell you that his designs take a while to manufacture and arrive. I can also tell you that while the wait was long, I was always happy with the product.
-Rebecca
The Elyse Chronicles: La Vie en Rose
The first doll released from the Jason Wu 10th Anniversary collection was the La Vie en Bleu Elyse. The option to purchase her was given to each 2016 Integrity Toys Convention attendee.
So in keeping with the theme I started, since she came to us originally in an evening look, I thought to put her in a daywear look. I looked no further than a new uber chic suit I received from Etsy designer and seller HoangAnhKhoi.
And what blog post called “La Vie en Rose” could not include a link to this…
A Little Glamour
Or a lot of glamour depending on your definition. I received a treasure trove of new outfits from the talented designer Hoang Anh Khoi on Etsy. I showcased one of them in a recent blog post with NuFace Totally Betty Ayumi. Today, a favorite FR2 Elise is wearing the fashion. The day before yesterday, I gave a sneak peak of my mood board for this shoot.
I also shared a couple of images along the way in this shoot on my Instagram story. If you are interested in seeing some of the process as I shoot these, feel free to sign up for my Instagram feed. The link for this is to the right on the sidebar of this page.
Model: FR2 Midnight Star Elise by Integrity Toys
Dress: Hoang Anh Khoi on Etsy
Fur: Dimitha on Ebay
Shoes: FR2
Hat: Bogue’s Vogues on Etsy
Gloves: Mattel
Purse: Lovetones Bonjour Baby Lena
Set: Clock was purchased from little gift shop on Rue du Rivoli in Paris. Bombe chest was a repaint by friend and artist Carolyn Grentz.
-Rebecca
Ayumi is a Total Betty
The actual name for this doll is Totally Betty Ayumi. If you have never watched the movie Clueless you may have missed the meaning of the reference. Per the Online Slang Dictionary, the definition of Betty is
noun
-
an attractive female; "hottie".
Oddly enough, the citation for this definition is the movie Clueless. Well..whether or not the movie coined this term and it’s meaning, this Ayumi is definitely a stunner. The outfit she came in was perfect for the urban and hip look. My collection runs more towards the elegant and sophisticated so I wanted to transform this current Ayumi with an outfit I had recently received. I suspected she would fit into “elegant and sophisticated” without a problem….and I was right. This also gave me a chance to use one of the amazing screens I recently picked up on Etsy.
Model and jewelry: Totally Betty Ayumi
Shoes: FR2 shoe pack
Suit and faux fur: HOANG ANH KHOI on Etsy
Screen: Customdollhouse on Etsy
Tulips: Available soon at ITFDS
I absolutely adore the soft facial screening on her!! A number of collectors have said she bears a striking resemblance to Chrissy Teigan. I can totally see that!
-Rebecca
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 