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Behind the scenes at our fall photo shoot

Photo shoots are one of my favorite parts of my job. From coming up with concepts to figuring out the palette to gathering all the props, I love every ounce of hard work that goes into them. And then there is the big pay off of seeing it all come together on big day.

For this shoot, I thought we’d try something a little different from the usual clean white walls. I purchased a big roll of vintage wallpaper on Ebay, and Anja and I met up the day before to put it up on set. We used double sided tape to stick it to the walls. Matching up the pattern was a bit of a chore, but the whole process went much smoother than I expected. I’ve heard horror stories about wallpaper.

We almost always include flowers in our photos. Caitlin and I both love flowers, and the colors and texture just always work so well with the aesthetic. We created several bouquets for this shoot, but ended up leaving the largest one out, since it overwhelmed the shots. Oh well, I still had a beautiful bunch for my living room that week!

Shopping for props and furniture is awesome. I hit up everything from Goodwill to the more high end vintage stores looking for bits and pieces to include. This time, I snatched up black glass, milk glass, an adorable turquoise chair, and the tiered granny table, which I painted white (it was cream).

When it comes to styling, the trick is to have way more stuff than you need. I always bring tons of jewelry, shoes, and accessories. It’s really hard to imagine what everything will look like until you see it all together, so it’s nice to have options.

Kenn is there to lend moral support and run errands.

Finally, everything is in the hands of the talented photographer, Anja.

{photos above: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 12 by me, all others by Anja}

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Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Casey

September 12, 2011 #

I always love seeing the behind-the-scenes for the Colette shoots! Anja is such an amazing, talented photographer and I love all the props you found for this shoot. That wallpaper is gorgeous!

Carlotta Stermaria

September 12, 2011 #

What I love about behind-the-scene shots is to see the actual work behind an apparently effortless editorial. Buying some vintage wallpaper and painting a table? Wow, I didn’t expect that!

Also, something I wondered about new patterns editorials : do you sew the clothes especially for the models, or do you choose models depending on their size (then keeping the clothes for the team)? What happens with the sample clothes? Did you keep some of the printed silk you designed for yourself, Sarai?

Sarai

September 12, 2011 #

Typically, we look for a model is a general size or body type, but then make the samples to fit her. I haven’t always done it this way, but it’s how we operate now.

I often let the models keep some of the clothes, since they already fit them. Others we keep. We can send them to retailers for display purposes sometimes, which is nice.

I have very little of the fabric left! I can always get more, though. :)

Carlotta Stermaria

September 13, 2011 #

Thank you! I thought the colors suited her very well (I also liked the fact she must be your first blonde model) and wondered if you really made the samples just for her. Now that I think of it, the wallpaper matches her complexion, the pink dress and the aqua pattern of the blouse…

Sarah

September 12, 2011 #

Utterly gorgeous! I would keep that wallpaper up all the time – so beautiful!

Sarai

September 12, 2011 #

I love it too, but I don’t know what to do with it now! I took it all home with me, but now it’s been cut into strips already. I guess I could paper something very small, like the inside of my tiny closet. I’m not sure!

Roisin

September 12, 2011 #

I loved these photos – thanks Sarai, and I LOOOOOVE your clog sandals!

Sarai

September 12, 2011 #

Thanks! I wear those darn sandals almost every day.

KWu

September 12, 2011 #

Are those sandals (in the colb3 picture) Swedish Hasbeens or another brand? I really like the look of them!

Sarai

September 15, 2011 #

They’re Kork-Ease, I think the style is called Deborah.

Lindsay

September 12, 2011 #

Great to see behind the scenes – as I quickly scanned through the pictures at first I thought the wallpaper was a fabric – it would make a lovely fabric print, though it’s really great as a wallpaper too. Those bouquets are beautiful – I’m not surprised you took them home.

Kerry

September 12, 2011 #

I loved this peek behind the scenes – thanks. It does look really fun styling for a shoot. Love the wallpaper btw!

Amanda

September 12, 2011 #

I love this behind the scenes!

I know that the first thing that drew me to your brand were the images from your spring photo shoot – before I started using the actual patterns and falling in love with the product itself, of course. ;) And I can say from that that all the hard work put into this is worth it! Everything about your brand is just beautiful, and these photos do not fall short. :)

Tasha

September 12, 2011 #

I love the look behind the scenes! Looks like the wallpaper was a fun choice, I really love it as a backdrop! It just seems to accentuate all the colors and patterns in the fabric and background items that much more. :)

Xenia Katie

September 12, 2011 #

The woman modeling is so pretty (as are all of your models). Her elegance and peaches-and-cream complexion compliment your classic vintage-inspired designs so well!

I can’t wait to put these patterns on my Christmas list! Fantastic post.

Sarai

September 12, 2011 #

Agreed, Kari Ann has such a lovely face and beautiful skin!

Deanna

September 13, 2011 #

I am absolutely and totally in love with that turqouise chair!!!!!!
Lucky duck.

Trista

September 14, 2011 #

Ok…where can I find those black & white pumps??? Can’t wait to try the new patterns…I bought one of your skirt patterns but the zipper scares me so I just have a lot of cut out pieces…

Sarai

September 15, 2011 #

The polka dot heels are Betsey Johnson, but they’re several years old. Try ebay!

Caroline

September 15, 2011 #

LOVE the new patterns! Question…how simple would it be to modify the neckline on Peony to be less boat-neck and more scooped? The styling is beautiful but I find boat-necks to be slightly uncomfortable and would rather modify for a lower neckline.

Sarai

September 15, 2011 #

It’s easy. You just draw a new neckline, and modify the facing in the same way.

Caroline

September 15, 2011 #

OK, thanks Sarai! I wasn’t sure if it would be that simple. :) Thanks for your swift reply and I can’t wait to try the pattern.