Tuesday, June 9, 2015

If you give a girl a costume...

As you well know, I love historical costumes. :) I would dress up every day if people wouldn't think I was CRA-ZEE for going grocery shopping in stockings and stays. *teehee* So, for funs and giggles I thought I'd share some pictures from the photo shoot we did for the cover of book three in my Daughters of His Kingdom series, SO RARE A GIFT.

This last shoot was SO much fun! I was so blessed--seriously blessed--to find an amazing dress for an even more amazing price. It fit perfectly without needing a single alteration. Incredible! I even got to wear pocket panniers...and for a historical-ista like me, that was kinda the best ever. ;)

The hair was a blast, and also, remarkably easy! I was scared to death it would be a disaster, but seeing as how I'm not a "hair-doer" as my daughter would say, I think it turned out okay. :)

My good friend Heather Smith was kind enough to come out in the freezing cold to assist--you helped so much, Heather! Could not have done it without you!

And I've been so fortunate to work with an amazing photographer, who also happens to be my good friend--Danyell Diaz. She knows exactly what will look good and makes the experience so much fun.

I hope you don't mind that I share these photos, ladies. Let me know what you think! Would you like to dress up? What would you want to wear?  

Happy Reading!!

Here's Heather and I talking as we walked to the next spot for shooting. It was so windy and cold!

Dancing a wee little jig...

"Hold on, gotta fix this hair." I must have used half a can of hairspray to keep this thing in place. If it had been any more windy I am sure it wouldn't have stayed together at all. The minute I got back into the car, Heather looked at me and laughed, "Your hair just totally died right this second." LOL!

Heather and Danyell were so much fun and we kept each other laughing the whole time. We were the only ones at the location that day. Everyone else was smart enough to stay in where it was warm.

Me and Danyell.

The grounds were lovely--even during mid-February when the trees were totally bare.

Funny faces...

The setting was so lovely, I would really enjoy going back there when its not 30 degrees!

Hair shot...and fun with picmonkey. *wink*

The bodice of this dress is just so lovely. I wish clothes were this pretty now-a-days.

These shoes are so incredibly comfortable! Seriously!! I don't know if they were this comfy for ladies of the 18th century, but I was genuinely surprised at how these fit so perfectly.

Last picture, ladies...
 I purchased "authentic" 18th century stockings, and of course that means there's no elastic to keep them from falling down. The one thing I did not have--which would have helped--were garters, so I had to keep pulling up/straightening my "socks". ;) By the end of the shoot, my stockings were not quite as white as they were in the beginning and my fingers were bright red from the cold. More than 300 pictures later, we decided to call it a day. But I'd go out and do it again in a heartbeat, no matter the weather. ;)


20 comments:

  1. I really think you should take up historical romantic comedy (like Jen Turano) and use that jig picture for a cover. That would be beyond awesome. :)

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    1. LOL!!!! I love that idea....now all I need it a title. Hmmmmm ;) Thanks for commenting, Melissa!

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  2. I agree with Melissa - that photo is priceless :) Great post, Amber xo xo

    As for dressing up...ah...nope! I'm not the dress up kind, I'm afraid.

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    1. Thank you, Rel! Would you wear a medieval outfit??!!! ;)

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  3. That is so much fun!! I've gotten to put my niece in historical costumes and oversee the photo shoot, but I've yet to get to do it myself. Now I'm jealous. ;-)

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    1. Hi Roseanna!! How fun that you got to oversee a shoot--I bet that was a blast!! Mine was obviously super simple, not with makeup people and lights, etc. :) So happy to have you comment, thank you!! You covers are great--the newest one especially. I love it!

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  4. Love these pics and commentary, Amber. Such fun! Thank you for sharing :)

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    1. Thank you, Tamara!! I do believe this post was thanks to your idea actually. :)

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  5. Beautiful YOU! And that gown, oh my! Love all the little details 😄. Thx for including us! Makes me want to haul out my gown & stays & such!!

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    1. LAURA!!! I would LOVE to see more pictures of you in your gown--it is incredible!!!!!!!!
      Thank you so much for commenting--such a treat for me to have you here!

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  6. Gorgeous! I sure hope that bodice image is going to be a future book cover. :)
    I would dress up in one of these costumes in a heartbeat! Clothes just aren't pretty like they used to be.

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    1. I am so glad you liked the pictures, Anne!! I didn't actual post the picture that I chose for the cover, but it is verrry similar to the one you like. :) I agree! I wish we could dress this way all the time!
      Thank you for commenting, I love it!

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  7. OOOoooooOOOoooooh!!
    GORGEOUS!!!

    If I had a period costume, I'd be the , umm, "buxom" Lady of the Castle. Or the barmaid.

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    1. Barmaid?!?!?!?! LOL!!!!
      Hardly!
      Queen Major, more like. ;)

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  8. I die. From both beauty and laughter. <3 LOVE the photos!!! The model being so gorgeous--inside AND out!--surely helps. :)

    I would so dress up! Even just to go to the grocery store! Methinks I'm going to head over to Etsy now....

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    1. Hi Mikal!!! Thank you so much for commenting!!!! You are one of the most kind, genuine people I know! I'm really glad you enjoyed this post and the pics. It was such a blast, I don't think I'll ever really grow out of my desire to dress up. ;)
      I actually bought this dress from Etsy, it was SUCH a find! Happy shopping! ;)

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  9. WOW!!! I agree with the others that the "jig" pic would be a fabulous cover for a humorous historical - - and the black & white pic would be perfect for a "ghostly" historical - - - but one things for sure - - you're a natural beauty!!! I have a ton of questions - - but I'll try to limit them - - Where is the setting for these shots? Where did you get such a fabulous period dress and accessories? What are pocket panniers? Thanks for sharing this great adventure - - and if I see a colonial dressed woman in Wal-Mart next time out - - - I'll just walk up to her and say "Amber - which isle is bread?" LOL

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    1. PAM!!!!! I LOVE your comments, I ALWAYS look forward to what you are going to say! Thank you for being so supportive! I really an flattered by your kindness. We did the photo shoot at a local winery here in Washington. I actually bought the dress from Etsy, and seriously, it was a God thing. I was so grateful to find it and not to have to spend an arm and a leg. Pocket panniers were a certain kind of "hoop" that tied around the waist and sat on the hips to give that wide shape that was so popular. And if I ever saw you at Wal-Mart I can promise you that would make my YEAR! LOL :)
      Thank you again, Pam!!!!!

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  10. That looks like so much fun!! And what a stunning gown, definitely can't find anything like that these days...

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  11. What fun!! Oh yes, I love to dress up. I use church as my excuse to wear fancy dresses and to dress up. Love the pictures, thanks for sharing!

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