April 1, 2010
A little bit fashiony, a little bit boudoir - this Steampunk themed photo shoot sent me weak at the knees! Inspired by Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, New Orleans and Dita Von Teese, photographer Kamila couldn't wait to put together a shoot like this.Read more...
March 22, 2010
I have been dreaming about blogging this wedding since October when photographer Caroline of the wonderful Tinywateremailed me to let me know she was off to shoot a Halloween, fancy-dress gothic themed wedding...and even before shooting the wedding, she knew I was going to love it. Well judging by the number of photographs I'm including in this post you could say she was pretty much bang on! I was lucky enough to have Rachel, the bride get in contact with me to share all the glorious details!Read more...
March 8, 2010
Sarah Kate & John's gorgeous wedding was held at Camilla Gardens in Caringbah in the south of Sydney. They had a really small wedding and only invited their immediate family and 10 of their closest friends.Read more...
March 3, 2010
"One night I was watching my favorite romance movie, Edward Scissorhands" Karri began "and something magical occurred to me. How amazing would it be to have a winter in summer wedding! I was suddenly seeing snow, ice sculptures and ice blue colors. The love story of E.S. was dark and whimsical which is how I always saw my special day. My best friend and maid of honor eventually introduced me to the pattern, "damask" which further inspired me to incorporate the design into the "winter blue" theme I had in mind."Read more...
February 4, 2010
It's my favourite time of the week again and I'm always ready for a little treat aren't you? To stay with, I had to share yet another image by Kirsty Mitchell at the top of this post (she's got the top spot for a second week running now) as this simply is my favourite image I've seen all week. She sent it over to me a few days ago and it's well...just too damn wonderful for words isn't it?! In fact all her photography is really - simply breathtaking...Thanks Kirsty! ♥ I heart this engagement ring made out of a block of wood. So damn sweet ♥ Inspired by: wedding gloves ♥ Red dress lovely - le swoon ♥ Anna Sui's apartment ♥ The Ruche spring catalogue is really really lovely ♥ Stylish and fun Cubu pre-nup session ♥ Life is too f***ing short! ♥ Message on a cookie ♥ More fabulous invitations courtesy of IlovelolliblogRead more...
February 2, 2010
I've got a funny feeling you're going to go just as crazy about these as I did. Words can not even describe really can they? Danny & Louise's amazing alternative, British (oh yes this couple is English woooo) wedding was all about the style. Louise's stunning latex dress was made by Jane Doe Latex. This part certainly didn't care about what was 'expected' of their wedding, not only are the pair clearly ones to play by the rules (Louise is a piercer and micro-dermal specialist and Danny is a tattooist. They are both heavily modded, both having split tongues, facial tattoos and multiple piercings) but the wedding meal after the ceremony was a trip to MacDonald's eaten at their house! Their evening reception and buffet was held at at our local rock bar, Sanctuary and was fancy dress, hence the grooms rather fetching nurses outfit! Seriously guys, put your eyes back in their sockets right now and enjoy! Thanks to Donna for sharing this AMAZING wedding with usRead more...
January 27, 2010
Something a little different in Under the Spotlight today. I'd like to introduce you to Aerin & Jeremy of Royal Steamline. They specialise in wedding invites with a gothic/steampunk/retro/vintage vibe and I think you're going to totally dig what they do! I can't wait to get going... Who are you and what do you do? Royal Steamline is Aerin and Jeremy -- a husband-and-wife design team based in Portland, Oregon, USA. We create wedding invitations that have a dark, clockwork or otherwise retro/vintage flavor. Through a subtle and sometimes anachronistic combination of shadows, textures and vintage illustrations, we aim to convey a sense of eras strange and forgotten. Sea monsters mingle next to robotic ravens, and gentlemen scientists have tea with rockabilly rebels. Simply stated, we offer unconventional invitations for unconventional people. Who/what are your biggest influences? Who do you really admire? We primarily create designs that aim to capture a theme or mood. Our influences vary wildly -- from vintage fashion & science journals to odd finds at antique stores. Now, if you mean visual artists that we follow and appreciate, here are a few names off the top of our heads: EMEK, Alex Gross, George Tooker, Gregory Crewdson, Joe Coleman, Irving Norman, Guy Burwell, Wayne Douglas Barlowe, Michael Michael Motorcycle, Toni Frissell, Chris Ware, Guy Colwell, R. Kenton Nelson, and Jeremy could stare at Todd Schorr's "The Spectre of Monster Appeal" for hours. What is the ethos and idea behind your business? We want weddings to be cool. We want to change the way people think about weddings and offer alternatives that speak to their personal tastes. About seven years ago, a number of friends who were getting married began coming to us to design custom invitations since they couldn't find anything that epitomized their rockabilly, goth or other non-traditional wedding themes. So, we started to make invitations that were outside of the normal, plain, anemic styles that we were (and still are) seeing everywhere. More and more couples are insisting that their weddings reflect their personal styles instead of conforming to traditional wedding styles, structures, colors and attitudes. We want to contribute to their big party and help them have the weddings they want. How do you come up with invitation ideas? Often, our designs are sparked from a book or artifact on our shelves like a first edition of H.G. Wells' Star Begotten, an Edwardian glass eye, or Liz McGrath curios. Jeremy's been deep into Victorian pulps and I'm obsessed with mourning buttons and early 20th century advertising and science imagery. We're inspired by the stories of retro technology, old movies, textures of old paper...the look of outdated fonts...some crazy ornate border flourish. The combo of the different worlds usually leads to some interesting aesthetics. What is your most popular design? It seems to change every month, but 10/6 is always up there. I think that's because it's so versatile and has its own interpretation for each couple. Do you offer custom work? Of course! We offer unique "from scratch" custom designs, as well as custom design changes to our readymade invitations. Tell me a little about your favourite invitation you created and why. Hmm…I like Coney Island 1896 because I'm a big fan of old sideshow posters and I've got a soft spot for cephalopods. I think it just looks great printed -- and it really sets an undeniably quirky and fun tone. Jeremy likes Vintage Rock because, well, it's a symbol of vintage rock: Viva Gene Vincent and Wanda Jackson! Do you have any advice for people looking for invitation ideas? Really spend some time and look around for the right invitation for you. Your wedding invitation is a great way for your guests to get a peek at all the fun that's to come. And if you don't see what you're looking for, it never hurts to ask! What has been the highlight of your career so far? Really, just doing this full-time is a blast for us. But if we had to name a single client that we were flattered to work with, it might be Voltaire. We were so honored he chose us to create the invitations for what looked to be an awesome goth wedding. Name a couple of bands/songs that are on your stereo at the moment? Music plays a huge role withregard to who we are and what we do (or, maybe, just how we do it). We actually met when we were both living in San Francisco and our first date was basically one big argument about music (but it was great!). We genuinely enjoy a huge range of music: I grew up loving bands like Bauhaus, Ministry, Joy Division, Clan of Xymox, and The Smiths while J listened to stuff like the Misfits, Neurosis, Hawkwind and Einstürzende Neubauten. These days, we're still all over the place! Recently, shows we've seen include Earth, Stereolab, Marissa Nadler, The Raveonettes, Vagabond Opera, King Khan and BBQ, the Horrors, Thrones, Atlas Sound, the Ghastly Ones…We haven't even mentioned Jeremy's love of early Americana (Harry Smith is a big influence) and my collection of hard bop and sad bastard vinyl. What can we expect from you in 2010? We're always working on new designs and will soon be offering matching programs, table numbers and other wedding accoutrements on our website (currently only available by special request). Also, our New Year's Sale is still going on: we put 5 designs on sales the week of New Year's. To contact Aerin & Jeremy about your wedding invitations, go check out their fabulous and inspirational website and drop them an email to hello@royalsteamline.com If you are a photographer or wedding vendor and are interested in being featured in a future ‘Under the Spotlight’ post then drop me an email for all the info.Read more...
January 18, 2010
this amazing art nouveau meets Victorian goth, meets the sideshow circus and steampunk details wedding was overflowing with florals to die for! The were supplied by Karen & Kristen of Plan Decor. Thanks to Carlie for sharing this amazing inspiration with us Credit: Carlie Statsky PhotographyRead more...
January 12, 2010
So you loved Omar & Junela's gothic engagements right? Well you are going to go doolally over their wedding. Words can not describe the work, passion and love that must have gone into planning this day. The details are spectacular and the bride's dress, designed and made by Filipino designer Joel Escober...well it literally made my heart skip a beat. Thanks again to the amazing Jomel Gregorio for sending these to me. I am so over the moon to be able to share them Credit: Jomel Gregorio PhotographyRead more...
January 11, 2010
I have a little two part-er for you right now. Omar & Junela gothic engagement and Rock n Roll wedding were both so awesome I had to share them together - first up the ridiculously inspiring engagements. The editing is big, brash and in your face, but I think it really works with the gothic theme of this session. I am in actual LOVE! Thanks to Jomel for sharing. Your work is amazing and so different. Love love love Credit: Jomel Gregorio PhotographyRead more...
December 27, 2009
I trust you had a good Christmas? I trust you had a good Christmas and Santa was nice to you? Down my chimney fell a swanky new 18.5" wide screen monitor (droooool) a Fuji Instax, a PINK Vivienne Westwood bracelet and an 'eco cup'. These are my favouritest presents. Santa obviously knows me very well - that I am a total blogging and photography geek, that Vivienne Westwood makes me happy and that I drink way too much coffee! I am muchly looking forward to playing with all my new toys and will certainly be scanning in some of my Instax shots soon. Was Santa just as good to you?Anyway, it's nice to have you back, it's been lonely without you dear reader. Although I am going to keep blogging between now and new year, the posts maybe a bit sparcer than usual. I'll still be here, plugging along though, so please don't hesitate to still get in touch if you need too.. Well the winter submissions have poured in over the festive period so I'm going to get right back into it with this snowy graveyard shoot from Jeffery Chan Tin. Bridal shoots in graveyards always seem to provoke some kind of controversy (who knows!?) but how can anybody argue that these images aren't ridiculously stunning? I really do love the snow... If you want to see more of this gorgeous Goth gal then check out this disgustingly fabulous zombie shoot and seriously sexy fashion shoot - both also shot by the uber talented Jeffery Chan Tin. Thanks to Jeffery for sharing the fun and frolics with usRead more...
December 24, 2009
The original tattooed bride photographers, Allebachsent me these this morning and I had to get them up right away. What could be better to gaze at right before Christmas that tattooed beauties looking shaaweeet!? The images came from a 'shoot out' in Philadelphia, where a bunch of photographers gets together and shoot the same situation together to learn from each other and generally get some kick ass imagery themselves... So the Philly Photog Shootouthappened. In case you haven't heard a Photog shootout is an event where photographers meet, photograph models and learn from each other. Anyway Rob "Ninja" Nicholson contacted me because he wanted to get a punk rock bridal theme going and needed a few more models. So I reached out to the most amazing couples in the world (my clients) and got a few responses. Jess an amazing bride (and rollergirl) married earlier this year was one of the first to respond. Patty DeCasere (my old punk rock band's drummer's former band's singer's wife - got it?) did an amazing job giving Jess a mohawk. Another friend Alicia from the 20s flapper shoot we did at the historic Stotesbury Mansion handled the costume design (available for wardrobe at belle_morte66@yahoo.com) Robyn & John an engaged couple took a day and drove up from Annapolis and found the inner model in them. Really they just acted like themselves and everyone got great photos. Erin Proud (wedding planner of Lori & Kevin's Eastern State Penitentiary wedding) channeled her inner anger and teenage angst for the shoot, along with an amazing wedding photographer turned model, Leslie Gilbert. Despite shooting photos in what felt like subzero conditions in Center City Philadelphia, everyone seemed to be having a great time, networking and learning. Thanks to Mike for sending me this little Xmas gift! Credit: Allebach PhotographyRead more...
December 23, 2009
You might remember Maggie & Sean from their rockabilly engagements in an Irish pub. Well photographer Karen Lisa just sent me their wedding, which rocks just as hard! The wedding ceremony was held at a small park across from the couple's apartment in downtown Boca Raton and the reception was at the Spanish River Library outside on the terrace. For wedding favors, Maggie & Sean had custom labels made for their favorite Irish Cider, Magners, and they created a replica of their favorite pub to serve as the bar. At one point the couple even got behind the bar to tend and serve drinks themselves. The guests had a blast! The music was played by a rockabilly band, Slip & the Spin Outs. Aaron's Catering of The Palm Beaches provided a unique menu of 50's diner style food made elegant - mini slider burgers, lobster rolls, grilled cheese sticks in a mini martini glass, and delicious desserts. The cake was designed by a friend of the family and featured the bride and groom enjoying their Magner's Irish Cider - complete with tiny bottles and labels. It was one of the most unique and personal cake toppers I've ever seen! Thanks to Karen for sharing this fabulous wedding with us todayRead more...
December 22, 2009
How exactly am I supposed to find the world to accurately describe these images and do them justice? I'm not sure I'm up to the challenge. The gothic glamour, the sense of feeling you get from these is just..well...amazing. The images certainly do all the talking here. They tell their own story. Photographer Annie told me: The idea for this shoot wasa real mix of rock n' roll and art. We incorporated Tom Petty's song, "Last Dance with Mary Jane" into a photo shoot with 2 agency models (Mirela Paraganglija, and Nima Nezhad) and a fantastic bridal gown designer. We shot it as though it was Mary Jane's wedding day/last dance...as though it was her final send off. Models: Nima Nezhad & Mirela Paraganlija Wardrobe Stylist: Lim Utariat. Makeup: Julianne Chai Bridal Gown designer:Kate Cheung Thanks to Annie & Benjamin for not only shooting such awesomeness but for sharing it with us today. I am so excited to see more from you in future. Epic.Read more...
December 21, 2009
Kim & Alex's wedding hit me like a steam train of epicness when I laid eyes on it. I'm pretty sure my insessent ramblings can't bring it justice so I think it's only fair I hand over to Kim with all the fantastic details. As usual, I'll be back with the eye candy. "Originally our theme was “Halloween Town” from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, but as time went on, our theme evolved beyond Tim Burton to include other geeky things we love as a couple such as zombies, toys, film and... well... Halloween! We were mostly inspired by films (predominantly Tim Burton and Zombie flicks) and our own Halloween experiences. We just looked at the little things we loved most and used that to make our wedding our own. I’m in love with Burlesque-wear and wanted to incorporate that whimsical, glam-yet-sexy look to my outfit. Instead of bridal magazines, my fashion designer friend and I looked through many burlesque photos and lingerie books to gather inspiration for my dress. For my shoes, I found the most awesome bright green zombie shoes designed by Iron Fist. They were out of stock in Toronto, so Alex and I sent out all our online Twitter friends on a mad hunt for them. We ended up getting them shipped from Ohio. A few months later, a friend of mine from Chicago found the flat versions of the same zombie shoes, which I was really thankful for. I cannot walk in heels! The groom’s suit was inspired by Jack Skellington. He didn’t want to take the blatant replica route by getting a pin stripe suit. Instead, his plain black suit had black skeleton appliques all throughout. He even had a hoodie that had the skull on the hood! Since he almost always only exclusively wear Chuck Taylors, he wore black on black Chucks to the wedding. To add a sense of “badass” to his outfit, as well as his groomsmen/groomsgirl, our good friend, We Kill You made us custom pimp sticks for them to walk around with. We were really lenient with our wedding party when it came to what to wearRead more...
December 21, 2009
Camden Market in North London is where all the cool kids hang out. The streets are littered with funky bars, awesome boutiques and stores that can only be described as treasure troves. With thrift and charity shops filled to the rafters with gems a-plenty, gothic stores fit to bursting with corsets, black lace and fishnet tights and a tattoo parlour on every corner, it's easy to see why the location is a seemingly perfect one for a Rock n Roll engagement shoot. Thanks to Chanelle for sending these over. Rock on baby!Read more...
December 16, 2009
A 'typical' engagement session this certainly is not. Axioo have gone and blown my mind again! Fun, flirty, hilarious, sexy, cool, crazy and quirky all in one shoot - you're going to go nuts for these. For Nico & Emil, together we came up with the craziest mix of ideas to show who they are. Each with a color of their own, but together they are truly one of a kind. Emil is gorgeous, when I first met her I really thought she's model or miss beauty queen. She's elegant, edgy and yet quirky...who would have thought she's a dentist. Nico is all out wacky, funny and full of expression. It's been a while since i know someone like Nico, he reminds me of Ivan our uber-hyper-creative photographer. Thanks to David for making me laugh today Credit: AxiooRead more...
December 14, 2009
Wooo more UK fabulousness people - this time with a kick ASS engagement shoot shot in Marylebone, London. For me, Emily & Callum epitomise London cool. Casual, funky, stylish and quirky - just the way I like it! Emily describes herself as a rock chick with a passion for vintage glamour, so I wanted to do something a bit different for them. We shot at night in a grungy car-park and the park next door, I still had to use a bench though! Thanks to Andy for sharing. Come on the UK!Read more...
December 4, 2009
December 4, 2009