I always get really excited when I see Jessica Claire’s name in my inbox. Not only does she shoot the most spectacular photographs, she also recruits the coolest stylists, the most innovative florists and the most unique designers to work with her on any project she has up her sleeve. We’ve featured quite a few of them here on SMP (remember this insanely cozy, handmade Winter shoot and this gorgeous Bohemian shoot) and we seem to fall more and more in love with each one. Well, Jessica’s latest adventure was actually building a shoot with So Cal’s newest little gem, Renee Delsigne of OC Prop Girl. Renee recently launched a SUPER cool new prop shop in Orange County and the shoot was designed to show off some of her genius. The result…Mad Hatter perfection, complete with so many steal-worthy ideas.
{click here to see so much more goodness}
From Renee Delsigne of OC Prop Girl…I had just closed a home décor store with my mother in Orange County and we had a few vintage pieces of furniture left. I had always thought in the back of my mind that some of these pieces needed to be photographed–that’s how OC Prop Girl, was born!
I decided that I wanted my pieces to be used as props and not just be any normal prop house but a funky, one of a kind, almost boutique like prop house. I went around and just bought what I loved and what would photograph well and what would look so unique to leave people to ask: Where did she get that? I love details as well so I also offer lots of small pieces to rent for example: a small vase or an old sign.
For my first shoot to debut my props I wanted to come up with a fun theme to show what you can do with my pieces! One of my favorite pieces I have is an oversized old door that my mom and I made into a table. I then decided to take a bunch of my vintage chairs and mix/match them all around. The movie Alice and Wonderland just came out and yes it has been done but I thought I could pull from it.
I gave myself a challenge, how do I not make it cliché? With the help of my good friend Jessica Claire, we came up with focusing more on clocks and the Mad Hatter. From there I was off and running! I found a great place to shoot, got the models, and worked on all the details. I am obsessed with open frames and wanted to suspend clocks in them. Not only that I wanted to have them float over the table! This was probably the hardest part of the shoot and yes there was some trial and error for sure! I wanted to add a more modern feel to the theme so I used black and white dishes and for the accent color used the color gold. I took a bunch of watches (mine and my mother’s) to use as napkin rings.
The cupcakes I used were from Wild Flour in Ladera Ranch and I added vintage buttons to them, for it is details I love….sigh. For the wardrobe, I wanted a vintage but slightly edgy feel. I found a great light blue nightgown and decided it would be a perfect dress! I wanted the girl to be in lots of pearls and wear little hats that were black, I love the color black and use it whenever I can! For the guy I found a great black and white tweed jacket and black top hat. For him I also had a vintage pocket watch and he wore white shoes (that were his own). For the bouquet I actually whipped up last minute myself and added in the vintage pocket watches and the black flowers. The hand held mirror was lent to me from a friend; it could have not been any more perfect for my shoot! I will admit as I was getting the last of the clocks in the van I remembered my mother having a giant clock at her house and I just had to use it, and in doing so I had to swear on my life nothing would happen to it!
On the day of the shoot, I was lucky to get the help from my amazing family. I especially was thankful for my mother Karee Delsigne who has pretty much taught me everything I know. And of course I cannot forget the talented Jessica Claire who thinks “outside the box” like me as I like to say and I knew would be the perfect to capture my vision.
Designer, stylist, and props: OC Prop Girl / Photographer: Jessica Claire / Cupcakes: Wild Flour / Wardrobe: Vintage