The Sew Trendy Retreat | The Experience
The Homestead Resort in Midway, Utah, was the destination for the Nursery Rhyme themed photo session of the Sew Trendy Retreat. The hair and makeup team got to work by 3:30, while the photographers headed out after 5 PM. The property was astonishing. Thick pine-trees encircled lush green grass. A grey mountain crater stood above the grounds and hid a secret spring inside, while sprinkles of flower gardens led to the historic resort. The architecture, and the land surrounding it, was a picturesque paradise, that the photographers were about to take over.
This session had a time limit, since the sun was falling behind the West hill of the grounds much sooner than warranted. The rush to race the light meant on-the-fly direction, a practice all photographers have experienced. Valerie Best organized off-the-cuff placement of each model in their perfect setting. This system, and the dying light, meant the set-rotation was counterclockwise for the first time. The process was a bit confusing at first, but well worth the images produced by the skilled photographers.
Surrounded by ivy in a secret garden, the Little Boy Blue theme featured a gender twist, much like a classic Broadway show. Seasoned child model, Nelle, held a trumpet and danced in a full ruffled gown. The knee-length Nelle dress bounced to her steps, and caused a contagious playfulness on set. The Lavender Blue floral crown circled Nelle’s golden curls, matching the sky and sunset behind her.
The next photoshoot made dreams tangible through photographs. The raven-black hair of child model Annie Sepulveda spilled over the Gretel gown. The grey tulle billowed around her, mirroring the shape and impact of the model’s beautiful eyes. The Matchstick session was embodied in this hauntingly sweet style.
Just around the way, a charming bridge over trickling water harbored the Princess and the Frog set. Nikayle Henderson delicately swayed in the Tatiana gown, showcasing the Sage color and flirty one-shoulder style. Nikayle’s natural ease in front of the camera matched the relaxed and beautiful aesthetic of the gown. The detailed Mica crown resting on her beachy-waves provided a centerpiece to the simply-sweet stage.
Jack and Jill were up the hill, playing in the scenery around them. They fiddled with their looks, in each picture the photographers took, and made a fabulous pair to remember. Jack, modeled by Kaidance, brought her spirited character out in the pink flowers that were just about as tall as her. The steel blue lace Ginny romper created a striking image, and a perfect amount fullness in the legs to bring on adoring “awes.” Her cuteness was palpable, and was a wonderful character alongside Jill, who donned an Antique Rose Paulie gown. The gorgeous Sirenya Hendersen modeled this style by tossing the full ruffled skirt into the air, and letting it billow around her. When she took to the grass, the dress became a circle frame to the stunning portrait.
The last moments of sunset were dazzling. The models were pulled to the center foyer, creating a free-for-all photography world. Little Bo Peep made a big impact, and had the photographers circling her to capture all sides of the ivory Blaire gown and Kai crown. This peek-a-boo shoulder, hi-low style gown showed the radiant skin of Kotryna Liepinyte, who modeled the character into reality. The handmade Shepherd's staff, handmade by Elly, adorned with lace ribbons brought extra magic to the environment.
Sidney Best sported the gown that goes from storybook character to summer style. In this case, Sidney acted out Mary Mary Quite Contrary, fabulously. The Ainsley’s sage floral top and empire-waist hi-low skirt had everyone on set thinking, “I could wear that too.” The mixture of fantasy scenery, and wearable fashion, made this set a photographer favorite.
An important piece to the Sew Trendy photo sessions puzzle was the Storybook set. This was the stage that linked the images together. This one carefully plotted scene offered the opportunity for photographers to tell a story in their work. Child model Sidney Ulberg wore the Abby gown, and became the first chapter to the Retreat journey. With a collection of books and the stunning lace dress, the photographer’s imagination created the opening chapter to the retreat journey. The realization that every character of the week was from this girl’s imagination brought excited exclamation, and churning ideas.
The climactic sessions of the day were the formal maternity sets. Starting with the high-couture gown, the Veronique, these sessions stepped into fashion, and artistic beauty. Lisett Caballero rocked the form-fitting, enhanced mermaid style gown. The jade colored fabric exploded onto set with its knee length flair and hypnotic movement. Every step sent the structured train billowing behind Lisett, and the soft sound of swishing fabric through the air.
From there, the Francine took the stage. Each detail of the magnificent gown had jaws dropping. Show-stopping was no longer just a description, it was the reality of the Francine’s effect. Every detailed embroidery of the dress is painstakingly applied by hand. Hours of work and passion go into the creation of this gown, and its crowd impact justified the construction. Carly Larsen wore it wonderfully, and presented the contoured extravagance with brilliance. This look was the most difficult to pull the photographers away from, to give everyone a chance to capture it on set. We caught a few secret clicks, and were incredibly flattered by the enthusiasm toward the gown. The Francine is the Sew Trendy pride, and the passion it invoked was a satisfying feat.
The day closed with both of the Sidney child models dancing in their gowns throughout the gardens while the sun took its last moments above the mountain lines. The golden light fell away, while the photographers captured each action with dedicated intensity. The adrenaline of catching the perfect moment on camera slowly faded away, and the group settled into storytelling amongst each other. They recounted their special moments of the day, and recognized the bitter-sweet thought that tomorrow was the last.
The staff listened, and struggled to hide their smiles, as they knew tomorrow had its own surprises.
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A special thank you to our amazingly talented hair and makeup team, be sure to take check out their work!
Tierra's Beauty Bar | Lexi Harker Beauty | Elite Makeup & Hair by Crystal | Hair by Jenny | S. Lauren Beauty Co. | Katie Adair Makeup
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