I am very much having a goth moment. So much so that the shoot we did a couple of weeks ago for our September/October issue was goth-inspired (watch this space!) So when this ‘smoky gothic’ shoot winged it’s way to me, I knew I had to feature it.
Put together by photographer Cat Dossett and local suppliers from Oregon, the main inspiration for the shoot was the real life couple that modelled for it, Meghan and Seejay. “They have been married for a few years, but unfortunately they don’t have any wedding photos due to unforeseen events on their day”, Cat told me. “When she told me the story I immediately knew I wanted to style a shoot for them. Meghan definitely has her style, and they are both completely covered in tattoos, but Meghan is just sunshine and the love between these two is radiant. So I wanted to create something that encompassed their style, with lots of vibrant colour in contrast with the moody romantic venue.”
“The skull is actually from their home, so I love that we encompassed their decor on the table. We dip dyed her dress to give it a new look, and I hand sewed the veil for Meghan. The vows written on the agate slice are actually from the Corpse Bride. Meghan had mentioned they were her favourite while helping me with my wedding planning, and I loved surprising her with that detail. We also walked the woods, and caught some beautiful sunshine through the trees. The smoke bombs are obviously some of my favourite shots. There was something really amazing about being in this cloud of blue and watching these two be completely lost in each other.”
The shoot took place in Hendrick’s park in Eugene. “The beautiful rustic tables and stone fireplace set amongst the woods felt like a perfect fit”, she continued. “It was such an intimate, romantic setting. Dark and moody, the soft candle light highlights the table perfectly. But the bright pops of colour are really what make this shoot. From the bouquet, the rock candy settings, the couple’s tattoos, and of course the smoke bombs!”
“Afterwards, Meghan said the day felt like getting married all over again. She had the jitters getting ready and really loved just being with her husband all day. It’s never too late to celebrate your love with photos, even if your wedding day wasn’t perfect.”