One of my favorite past clients, and one of the best photographer's I've ever worked with in the past!
Vintage is my favorite styles to recreate! Although, I'm extremely passionate about doing pinup styles, vintage is definitely my favorite!
"What does old Hollywood style mean?
Old Hollywood defines the golden years of the film industry, which runs from the 1920s to the late 1950s. In these films, not only did the sets and interior design stand out, but the “perfect life” that the characters apparently had. This was also reflected in the clothing, the hairstyle & the makeup."
If I had to choose one era that I love recreatingthe most; it would be the 1940's! So many starlets to choose from; models, performers, singers, dancers, and actress became iconic figures in history during that time.
The hair, makeup style, and wardrobe have to all match, and look nothing like modern-day styles. Also, the poses & facial expressions are extremely essential to nailing vintage looks.
I've done heavy research on vintage styles for a decade, and been fortunate to gain skills to recreate them on numerous clients. While attending The New York Institute of Art and Design, my favorite section of the Personal Stylist course; was definitely when they covered vintage styles! I excelled at that particular section, and it was super fun!
You can recreate vintage looks by using clothing garments made today, that have a vintage look, but investing in actual vintage garments can add to the quality of a vintage look.
The hairstyles, and makeup must look vintage to successfully pull of a true vintage look, too. Props & accessories are also a key element to doing all vintage looks.
Everything must appear to be from the same exact era. For example; if you're going for a 1950's look, everything shown in the photos must look like they're from that specific era. 1950's hairdo, 1950's makeup, 1950's clothes, 1950's accessories, 1950's props, etc.
The fabulous images from this Old Hollywood Glam shoot showcase my best vintage work, because the images are very high quality!
You can look your best from head to toe, or do some of your most amazing styling on a beautiful model; if the images aren't high quality it'll directly take away from the high quality of everything else!
I've began showcasing my favorite past vintage, and pinup styling; using ONLY high quality photos! Images must be taken with proper lighting; professional looking, well lite photos are essential!
The photographer must be highly skilled, have high quality equipment & camera; plus if they actually specialize in that era, it can help increase the quality of what they're capable of producing.
Editing is also a very important aspect in creating a high quality image. Post work is just as important as the prep work before a professional photo shoot. Each, and every single detail shown in each photo; absolutely must be paid attention to, in post editing.
Overly edited images can visibly take away from a high quality look, and overall image. Fly away hairs, clothing tags, uneven skin tone, wrinkled wardrobe, nails that aren't groomed; those little details can ruin an image, reduce the quality of them, and stand out in a horrible way. Editing is so essential for removing visible flaws, that were missed during the shoot.
I have literally no motivation, and I'm rarely inspired to create modern-day looks. My passion has always been vintage; whether it's true vintage, old Hollywood glam, Military pinup, or good ole fashioned cheesecake pinup.
After about 1965, the styles don't excite me, or inspired me to recreate. Pinup, although it originated in the 1950's, is not necessarily vintage. Yes, it was 70 years ago, so it's technically vintage, but cheesecake pinup is a specific style of its own.
When I have a client to style in vintage, or pinup; I always dress the part, too. I style myself, usually within the same era I'll be recreating on them. Normally, no matter the era we're doing, I'm in classic pinup attire.
This particular photo shoot ended up landing me a magazine cover, as a vintage Old Hollywood bride! My model played the role as my makeshift maid of honor. We did behind the scenes photos of us getting ready, as though; I was really getting married.
We also did a mini movie, that I directed, and I wrote the caption script for, and my amazing photographer shot the video & did the video editing. I'm very proud of the final edits, the video/movie, and landing a cover!
Since this beautiful doll was getting her acting degree at a major college, and such a total natural; she needed absolutely no direction from me! Her facial expressions, and poses were completely spot on!
The photo above was taken in the exact same dining room area, as the photo below! As you can see; the photographer was soooo skilled in post editing, and photo shop!
What I eventually learned, years back; is that you can definitely produce high quality styling & photos at home! If you are creative, have a great imagination, skilled, talented, have the necessary tools, and resources; you can absolutely produce high enough quality images to land a magazine cover minus having a professional studio!
The photographer must be highly skilled, knowledgeable, have the proper lighting, proper equipment, and be fully prepared for the exact style your doing. Same as the model. Model, stylist, and photographer with skill can make an awesome team!
This photo was taken in the exact same area in my apartment, as the behind the scenes photo above, and below. You can visibly see the photographer was highly skilled & the behind the scenes photos are unedited.
We eventually ended up at an old train station location. There is where we took additional photos, and shot the video for our old Hollywood, silent film.
Train depo in San Diego, CA
The image above was included in my cover set. My wig was the classic, vintage Bob hairdo. It's now, over 100 years famous. It began in the 1920's, and remains popular as of today! I wrote an article that was published in a vintage magazine on the Vintage Bob.
The shot above was taken with me wearing the same Bob wig. As you can see, my jewelry was different, and so was the wedding gown.
This set was taken during a different photo shoot date. My photographer turned his favorite image from that particular shoot, into an Old Hollywood Glam movie poster!
The image above, and below were also taken in my dining room, inside my apartment at the time.
Modeling, and styling True Vintage & classic Cheesecake Pinup will ALWAYS be one of my true passions! There is something magical about recreating looks from past era's!
I look forward to recreating similar looks, and a variety of vintage looks on future clients. Teaching vintage poses, and facial expressions is also super fun, because in general; I love teaching, and passing down my detailed knowledge of vintage styles!
Not everyone can pull off vintage styles, because they lack confidence, knowledge, and skill. I can give clients knowledge, and utilize my skills, but confidence is something that naturally comes from within, and cannot be taught!
Images in this blog post by: California Photo Dreams
Model/Client; Scarlett Rose Venom
Wardrobe Stylist/Hairstylist/Set Decorator/Model: Dianna Prince
Graduate of The New York Institute of Art and Design
Location of these images: San Diego, CA
"Old Hollywood, Bridal Glam"