Site moved to mirrormirrorblog.com/mirror_mirror/2012/03/blogging-your-way-nyc-road-trip-part-2.html, redirecting in 1 second...

« Teeny Trend: Turquoise Leather | Main | It’s Back! Mad Men Season 5 »

13 March 2012

Blogging Your Way: NYC Road Trip Part 2

 

leslieshewring

 

Day two of the Blogging Your Way workshop (other pics here and here), found Leslie Shewring from A Creative Mint taking her day in the sun (quite literally as the sun came out in New York after two days of Seattle-like torrential rain).

After hearing Leslie’s inspiring story of clicking with Holly online and subsequently striking up a great blogging and teaching partnership, we settled down for a day of more practical creativity.

 

tulips props

 

The biggest thing I took away from the workshop is that styling is ALL about telling stories in an image.

Whenever I’m styling something I know I always look at the colours and shapes first, forget about the mood or story I’m trying to convey, and then wonder why the image seems flat and dead. I can be very dense sometimes. Of course, it’s all about the storytelling. Well, duh.

 

props (2)

 

Leslie showed us how she pulls together inspiration boards to figure out moods and colour schemes.  She’s just one of those people who can instinctively pull together a bunch of random stuff and magically turn it into a coherent and pleasing whole.

It does help that she has some great props – she gave us lots of sources for what she called ‘curated hoarding’.  This was the second most useful thing I learned at the workshop.  Now I can explain to the Husband what I’m doing when he complains about the crap on my desk.

 

moodboard (2)

 

We then talked about composition, lighting and the basics of photography and Holly gave us a ton of tips about styling and photographing interiors.  Then for the rest of the day we had time to play ourselves and make the most of the lovely light at Divine Studio and Leslie’s pretty props.

Here’s a little ‘inspiration board’ I pulled together, with things I’d pulled off my desk at home.

 

 

orlakielystem

 

And here are a few shots I styled and photographed of the beautiful food.  Can you see what stories I’m trying to tell?

 

cookies

 

milkandcookies cookiesandmilk
Leslie encouraged us to explore our subjects from lots of different angles to find the best composition.
   

cookie

 

At the end of the day we all had fun taking pictures of all our new-found friends. Of course a huge part of the value and pleasure of doing these sorts of events is meeting a ton of inspirational and creative women.  New friends include Tina, Audrey, Michele, Natalie and Gretchen, Jessica, Ashley, Amanda and Fiona (seen below, who’d flown in all the way from England).  Also special thanks to Marianne, for being the most charming and easy-to-live-with roommate one could wish for.  I highly recommend taking a stroll through the links above, you’ll find some super charming and talented women and some new and fabulously inspirational blogs.

And once more a HUGE thank you to Holly and Leslie. You ladies rock SO hard.

 

hollybecker (3)

The simple crepe paper hangings Leslie had put up made a great back drop for photos.

 

One day I’ll have a picture taken with Holly where I’m not looking either blurred or deranged (See also San Francisco pics). 

 

paolathomas

   

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c7dce53ef016302ccc9d6970d

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Blogging Your Way: NYC Road Trip Part 2:

Comments

I still love your blue/turquoise tights!
I've been trying to get away with "curated hoarding" too but not sure how long it can last! I'll be on your coast tomorrow night but much further south in San Fran. Hope all is well!

It looks like it was so much fun. Now I am even more jealous than after post one. ;)

I am glad to see people having so much creative fun. It's awesome when people can live out their best selves.

Thanks for sharing.

So inquiring minds want to know (especially since I am doing some tabletop photography learning right now) - what are some of her sources for curated hoarding?

I agree with you on the aesthetic - it's not really my style either BUT they are so amazing with putting together their vignettes. I'll be thinking about storytelling with mine...

One more question - since I am all about shoes lately (needing inspiration) - what are the shoes that you are wearing with those hip tights?

@Tina, have fun! I'm happy to head down to San Francisco ANY TIME. Just sayin'.

@Sandra, I think the 'curated hoarding' sources just might be the subject of another post...good idea.

As for my fashion choices, the blue tights were one of the few women's things I managed to nab in the Missoni for Target frenzy and the shoes are from Fly London http://www.endless.com/FLY-London-Womens-Vew-Mary-Jane/dp/B003KRQCZ2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&cAsin=B003KRQCJS&fromPage=search&sr=1-5&qid=1331739647402&asinTitle=FLY%20London%20Vew%20Mary-Jane%20Pump&contextTitle=search%20results&clientPageSize=100&brands=FLY+London&node=242321011&sort=relevance-fs-browse-rank&size=100

I basically can't recommend these highly enough. They are SO darn comfortable and perfect for a day of photography etc.

Ahhh...Fly London - a GREAT brand!

your photos are gorgeous. The weekend looks like so much fun! I would love to go to something like this one day. Will have to start saving for a flight to NYC!

It is good for you girls. After those creative crafts you must also enjoy bonding with your colleagues. It is nice to end this week like this.

The comments to this entry are closed.