XO

First Kailua, Oahu beach session! Love this sweet family! 

It’s not everyday that you get to work with some of the best creatives in the business, but this styled shoot was just that day. Working with an all-female, Tucson-local cast–including the likes of Avenue Boutique (clothing, jewlery, and styling), Studio 110 (hair and make up), and the ladies of LaFleur (floral and event styling)–I had nothing but beautiful, amazing and creative elements to photograph. From the florals, to the produce, to the beautifully arranged tables and hand selected decor, Colleen and her team at LaFleur really blew me away with their creations.   When I approached Colleen and LaFleur about doing a styled shoot, they were not only willing, but excited and helped craft an unforgettable scene at a location that is near and dear to my heart. The location for the styled shoot was a ranch in the San Rafael Valley, where my Dad, and his three siblings grew up. A place that, after deciding  to pack up her life as she knew it in Chicago for a new life with my grandfather,  took my grandmother’s breath away the first and last time she saw it. A bit outside of Tucson, Arizona, near the town of Patagonia, lies the San Rafael Valley–quiet, still, open, majestic. With its endless ranch scenes and picturesque views in all directions, the valley was the perfect backdrop for our local farm to table inspired shoot.

Soon after my meeting with Colleen at LaFleur, Alexis (owner) from Avenue Boutique and Vanessa (owner) from Studio 110, jumped onboard and started coming up with concepts to make the shoot truly unforgettable. Alexis designed and made the bride’s dress, which she also sells in her shop here in Tucson. She also made the bridesmaids’ dresses, along with all the gorgeous jewelry in the shoot. Naturally, she had her hand in styling the groom and even the guests. Vanessa and her crew at Studio 110 came up with the hair and make-up concepts, making the bride and bridesmaids all look natural and beautiful. She also cleaned up the groom, preserving his natural and effortless look.  Next came the amazing team of local entrepreneurs/food artisans who gave our local ranch/produce inspired shoot just what it needed. Donations spanned several amazing vendors, including Sleeping Frog Farm (local, organic produce), DelBac Whiskey (handcrafted Tucson whiskey), Borderlands Brewery (local handcrafted beers), and Time Market (handmade, stone oven breads and local wines).

The result of this dream team effort was truly stunning and one of the best shoots I have ever been able to be a part. I am forever grateful to our team for their inspiration, their quality of work, and their creative genius. A special thank you also goes out to our beautiful models who were part professionals/ part friends and ALL volunteers. You guys are not only beautiful but so fun and so kind!  Special thanks as well to my amazing second shooter, Kelsey Shirley, for her continued support in this crazy business and her talent (also note her BEAUTIFUL daughter as our flower girl). Finally, a whole-hearted thank you to my family and close friends who left work early on a Wednesday and drove over two hours to be a part of this shoot–modeling, encouraging, and helping.  A special thanks to my cousin, Blue, who scouted this location with me and our two babies, while reminiscing about our grandmother, and proving endless amounts of directions for myself and others. You are the most fun, Blue, and without you we would have been lost LITERALLY.

Vendors:

 For questions email us at: info@elizabethmcdonnellphotography.com

Clients, friends and family, Happy holidays from my bunch to yours! I hope your holidays are merry and  bright.

Cheers! E

Family photos taken by the talented Kelsey Shirley of Kelsey Shirley Photography.