Happy Monday morning, blogosphere!
Last week was a little frustrating for McGowan Images, what with the cold and wet, and all the weather-related reschedules. Every evening, I’d look at Mack and say, “but it’s ok, because Sunday is going to be so fun.”
And ya know? I was right. Sunday WAS the perfect cap to last week, and the perfect way to jump start me for the week ahead.
That’s because we spent Sunday with two of our favorite repeat clients, rolling around in the mud!
Lyndie & Mike got married in October, and while we weren’t able to shoot their wedding, they’re not strangers. You might even remember their engagement session, with the bubble gum? One of my favorites.
Since that engagement session, we’ve been talking about doing a Trash The Dress. See, Lyndie sold the muy-pricey dress she got married in shortly after their actual wedding, but still wanted some fun-funky wall art for their home that reflected their personalities. Enter Craigslist. $50 later, and she’s got a gorgeous dress, just perfect for gettin’ muddy.
And the personalities we were capturing? Oh man. On top of being gorgeous, these people are badasses. Which happen to be our favorite kind of people. Mack and I like to think of ourselves as nerdy versions of them, so feel free NOT to argue. 
The session itself was tailored to them, as we try to do with all our portrait sessions. You’ll see Mike’s baby, a restored and gaw-geous ‘65 Chevy truck, make an appearance. If it hadn’t been so likely to get stuck, we fully intended to take it on a spin around the track. Oh well… maybe next time.
Judging by the reader response to the sneak peek, I’m willing to bet you want me to shut up and just get to the goods… so that’s what I’ll do!
How smokin’ hot is she? It’s like if Marilyn Monroe was getting married to a stock car racer.
And the wind blowing up her dress? Thank you, God, for giving me these little gifts.
The image below was actually “in between” Rock Star faced-poses, but they’re just so cute and happy, I wanted to share it.
The way Mike looks at Lyndie is so sweet… which is good, because I might have to knock him around a little bit if he didn’t recognize his prize catch!
And, for the record, yes it WAS 45 degrees, with a much lower wind chill. These guys claim they believe our work to be worth it, but I think they’re also a little crazy.
Mack’s view of the pose I shared with you guys late last night. (And which is now Lyndie’s default picture on Facebook… something that makes me SO giddy whenever it happens.)
This pose has gotten a lot of flack for being over-used, and really, I don’t disagree. I’ve used it twice, and loved it both times, but it definitely has to be in a certain context. In this shot… the way he’s looking down at her… all flexy… yeah, well, I think this context works.
Lyndie, you’re beautiful from the inside out. The end.
P.S. you are also very wonderful to trust me when I tell you to lay down in the mud.
A note about the mud… the clay was so wet and thick and sticky that it ate my shoes. I knew I was likely to bust my pregnant butt if my shoes kept sticking, so I abandoned them and shot barefoot. Mack got the following shot while I was laying down to grab a fun angle. GROSS!
Introducing The Truck. Capital letters necessary. Both of the following shots are Mack’s.
THIS picture, however, is mine. And I love love love love love it. I worry that someone might think it’s creepy, ya know, with it kind of looking like he hit her with the truck and is now standing menacingly over her. But I love it so much I don’t even care. YUM.
And in this next one, see… she must have forgiven him for hitting her with the truck. See? She’s “helping” him fix it!
And lastly, a shot featuring the world’s most awesome garter… which was a hand-me-down from Lyndie’s GRANDMA! Oh yes. Best garter ever. The pistol comes out, and clicks when you pull the trigger and everything.
I suppose, following our storyline, that the last image is how Lyndie intends to secure them a ride after the truck broke down!
Lyndie&Mike, our hearts are very sad. Unless you have babies or renew your vows on a beach somewhere, when are we going to get to play with you again? You two are absolutely incredible, and your trust in our creative process is so encouraging.
Now, a note to the readers: even with all that sticky clay, Lyndie’s dress could very well have been taken to the cleaners and boxed up all tight and been fit to sit in the closet for 20 years, if that’s what she wanted. So Trash The Dress sessions don’t always RUIN your dress.
If you’re interested in this kind of session, just ask. We’ll come up with something that reflects YOU, and we can be as easy or as rough on your dress as you’d like.
Finally… Lyndie… you have to pick your favorite. So sayeth the Chelsea.
Happy Monday, everyone!
by Chelsea
16 comments
link to this post email a friend