Secret Garden - Styled shoot| Chicago children's, baby and family photographer
“If you look the right way, you can see the whole world as a garden””
Whenever I shoot at an unfamiliar location I always try to do a prep shoot on-location beforehand. This summer, I was asked to photograph a sweet little family with whom I've worked with over the last few years. This time they were really excited to have the shoot at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The week prior, my husband and I piled the family into the car and headed north to Glencoe for a morning of fun.
I was in awe of these beautiful gardens. Having lived in Japan, London and of course now the Midwest I am so inspired by the wonders that the Chicago Botanic Garden has to offer: Japanese gardens, the Prairie-lands and of course the high-walled English Gardens. As a little girl, I loved Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. I was immediately transported back to my middle school years - when I devoured this masterpiece.
The minute I stepped into the Chicago Botanic Garden, I felt a rush of creativity! I had always wanted to try my hand at a styled shoot, and this felt like the perfect opportunity. The minute I got home I pulled out my computer and put together a family style board (see below). I then rented a gorgeous Nellystella dress and a flower crown and pulled out my copy of the Secret Garden from the bookshelf that I have had waiting for my daughter since she was only 3 months old. The results of my first styled shoot are below. I can't wait to be inspired by the next concept!
The original concept board created for my styled shoot.
