I wrote out the following schedule for our photoshoot, which we adhered to pretty closely!
9:00-10:30 Photographer, stylist, designer, and assistants arrive at House of Work to unload and prepare for shoot.
10:30-12:15 Models Ashley and Sophie pose for product shots
12:15-12:30 Snack break and prep for group shots
12:30-1:45 All models pose for group shots and main web photos
1:45-3:30 Models Caroline, Kristen, and Samantha pose for product shots
3:30-4 Cleanup
All of the garments, before they were expertly steamed by my wonderful intern Rae!

Melissa and I hanging a backdrop hand-painted by Melissa and Emily.
There’s always a bit of spontaneity upon arriving to the shoot location and deciding on lighting, background, and styling. We spent some time playing with how to hang the hand-painted canvas backdrop. There was also a bit of confusion about which table to use as the centerpiece for the group shots. We had to switch to a smaller table so that Melissa and her assistant Hannah could set up the display outside the studio and then get it through the door without upending everything that was delicately laid on top!

Melissa and Hannah putting together the gorgeous table set.

Expertly styled fruit and veg in my mom’s NC-made ceramic bowl.
We started whipping through the product shots as soon as the models arrived, aiming for one front photo, one side or back photo, and one detail of each garment. Many of the FW styles are reversible, so we made sure to style these pieces both ways. For example, we styled the Simone Top (photos below) with the V in the front on Sophie, and the scoop in the front on Ashley.
Melissa and I perfecting the styling of a Simone Top and Basil Pant (new!) on Sophie.

Ashley looking radiant in a Simone Top and Garden Bandana.
The shoot went smoothly, with everyone involved helping in various ways. There was a lot of laughing and smiling, and even a tear or two from me when I saw all of those gorgeous models grouped around a bountiful table setting, wearing clothes that I designed and made. As the shoot was wrapping up, Emily and Melissa suggested that I change into one of my favorite new garments and pose for a few shots of my own. I’m glad they nudged me into doing some solo shots… I think they really captured my joy of creating beautiful clothing and seeing it come to life on real people.
A huge thank-you to Emily Lyonswood for the stunning photos included in this blog post, and for many more photos to come! Thanks also to Melissa DeLeon for the styling, to Hannah Lee for providing us with the shoot location, for assistants Rae and Hannah, and to all of the models (Sophie, Ashley, Caroline, Kristen, and Samantha) who you will see lots more of when the collection debuts on September 10th.
Photo: Me looking exhausted but happy after the shoot, wearing the new Rae Jumpsuit!