Here are the deets on Look 2 with Kim-
The Location-
These images were taken in Port Washington, Wisconsin, where Kim lives. I grew up going to this postcard perfect city to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins. I met the love of my life, Alex, in this city. And then during the second part of the pandemic we settled nearby while we waited for the world to rebound so we could go back on tour with Wicked. We went on many hikes here and I got to know its natural secrets, dreaming of photoshoots the whole time.
Kim is also familiar with these spots, as is any outdoorsy person who lives in the area. I thought it would be meaningful to do this portion of the photoshoot in a place that has some sentimental value to her, not just pretty views.
We started out on the bluffs (which are swiftly eroding due to climate change. One day these images will be all that’s left.). They overlook Lake Michigan and have beautiful, winding paths through trees, grasses, and wildflowers. Birds chirp. Insects buzz. Sun beams down. It’s a vibe. Kim walks these bluffs (usually not in a ball gown!), looks out to the water, swells with gratitude. It was nice to capture imagery of this feeling and make it more tangible for her.
We ended on the beach. Kim usually brings her dog Benji on walks here. I have witnessed her sitting on a log, head lifted to the breeze. I have also done the same thing. It is a meditative place if you focus on the waves lapping over the pebbles. It is a joyful place when you’re running across the sand with your furry friend. It is a romantic place if you’re newly in love 19 years ago and come here at night to snuggle in a blanket and look at the stars and wonder if this boy can hold all of you or if you are just too much. (He can, and he does, and I am not.)
But I digress…
The Outfit-
I knew that I wanted to put Kim in a big, flowy SOMETHING. I had visions of her running across the beach with tulle in her hands. She was excited about that idea so I started searching and I finally found the perfect ombre gown. It was made for a beach shoot, right?! The only problem was that it was too big. And too long. (Kim is 5 feet tall.) But a garment doesn’t have to fit perfectly to be perfectly usable, just ask half the people in my portfolio! We pinned the front bottom portion of the dress up so she could easily walk and run but left the back long for drama. I had originally purchased a vintage purple rain coat to pair with it. I was doing some fun stuff to it in order to make it a bit more ‘me’ and ‘unique’ (aka extra) but with the volume of the skirt and the volume of the jacket it was just too overwhelming on her short frame. So I went digging in her closet and found a plaid button down. I like juxtapositions. Things you wouldn’t think about putting together, but at the same time somehow make perfect sense. Tying the shirt around the waist helped the dress fit better as well so it was a win-win.
I want to point out, because it might not be obvious, even from the behind-the-scenes videos, that the client has a say in every step of the process. I just bring whatever vague idea you give me to life, usually in a way you never imagined. I suggest wardrobe and you can say yeehaw or yeenaw. More of this, less of that, you are in the driver’s seat for all the decisions. It’s your dream after all. When I suggested this plaid shirt, Kim gave me an “are you serious?!” look. But all I ask is that you just try something on unless it’s a big hell no. And guess what? She loved it. Why? Because she wears these shirts all the time, even to walk on this very same beach. It’s true to her actual life. We just dressed it up a bit.
The Beauty-
We used Pine Grove Co for all of Kim’s shoots but in case you didn’t read the previous blog, she’s the best. I don’t really remember giving Elle too much direction for this look. If anything I just said, “do something pretty.” Ha! And yeah, pretty it is.
The Shoot-
I just did my thing. You can see from the video. I wanted to capture lots of ‘feeling the wind’ and ‘frolicking’ mixed with a bit of quiet repose and a dash of laughter. Kim nailed it.
