The Other Side of the Camera

The other half of our lovely duo has told you all about the exciting process of working with an all-star photographer on a photo shoot. Now, as is probably fitting, I’m here to tell you the story from our perspective -– the models’ perspective, as it were.

Step One was wardrobe selection. Aside from all the usual questions (…but, does this really look good on me?), we had to think about the messages our attire conveyed about us and the nature of our company. We also had to make sure our clothes didn’t clash … no small feat when one of us (three guesses who) would be content to live in crazy patterns, like houndstooth, argyle, and polka dots, all her life. We needed both a more formal set of clothes for our portraits, and something a little more playful for our candid shots. Besides the question of attire, of course, we had to think about accessories. I will not confess how much time was spent in my walk-in closet trying to pick which shoes to bring … but I will say that I reflected deeply over the decision! It was sort of a sartorial Sophie’s Choice for me, but with patent leather and pumps.

We decided, for the shoot, to do our own hair and makeup. Our beauty school wits were tested as we headed over to the studio in the 100+ degree heat, an anomaly for summer in Minneapolis. Would we look like heatstroke victims? No, fear not, gentle egos … in Steve’s capable hands (and air conditioned dressing room) we were able to touch up, grin, and prepare our very best poses.

Speaking of which, posing for the camera is no lazy activity! Walk into the frame, saunter out, shoulders back, chin up, deep breath, close your eyes, tilt your head, work it! … it felt like a surreal blend of charm school and boot camp (in the best possible way, of course). Fortunately, getting honest smiles from the two of us was absolutely no problemo: between Steve’s charm and our own giggling as we watched each other being photographed, natural grins ruled the day.

Although Erin and I approached the shoot with rather different emotions (one of us was practically salivating at the thought of it; the other was slightly less thrilled to be, quite literally, in the spotlight), we both left feeling giddy. To see how our personalities, and our approach to Crazy Savvy, were conveyed through the medium of photography was an eye-opening experience. Although the photo shoot was a long and exciting day, the real challenge begins now: looking at all our wonderful proofs and deciding which to actually use! But as anyone who knows me would undoubtedly attest, this, Dear Readers, is truly a labor of love.