It was this crazy idea in the back of my mind since we bought this property almost 10 years ago. It’s an odd triangle shape with a big wedge that goes westerly into the woods next to our home. And “the woods” it stayed ever since.
I love the beach. I love the park. I love architecture and stone and a million other locations to photograph at. But I longed for a permanent location that I can choose exactly where the tree is planted to coordinate with the sunset. Where I can place a path in the right direction according to the time of day, activity and direction of the sun. Where I can bring in furniture, lighting, decor, and plan events and create custom styled portraits that take days and weeks and months to dream up and coordinate and bring them to life. Little by little on a piece of property that I have access to 24/7. A property steps from my home where I can still be available for my kids, and where I can keep clients warm during cold winter portrait sessions. I still love the beach and the parks, and plan to keep photographing there, but it’s nice to have another outlet as well.
We officially broke ground a few months ago and held our first portrait session in early December. We celebrated with a little nighttime wine & cheese bonfire party and I was so pleased with the results from the first set of portraits. It was interesting to see how different I would end up using the space than I had planned. Angles that I thought were perfect during planning and construction just didn’t work out, and other areas I didn’t even consider, ended up being beautifully lit up at just the right time that I was able to see an entire new area that I hadn’t considered. There is still much to be done, as each month I plan to design the set differently, but I look forward to the ever changing canvas that I can use to suit my client’s needs and my creative juices.
None of this would have been possible without the help of Cristina Maggion, who worked tirelessly with me through the 11th hour to get the garden ready moments before the first scheduled appointment. She also created just about all of the floral pieces and searched high and low for just the right accessories. A big thanks to Phil Walsh for braving the cold and wind to climb 30 foot trees to hang a 16 foot softbox in the woods and building a beam in the dark! Special thanks to Megan and Joel from Rustic Drift for providing the vintage decor, including the doors, and fireplace, and also to Matt Vogel and his crew with Carefree Landscaping, for taking my crazy chicken scratch drawing and bringing a garden to life from a messy forest. And most of all thanks to my incredibly supportive hubby Steve who not only agreed to give up a good part of our house for an indoor studio, but now part of our outdoor property too. For hanging lights while I pointed and decided at where they should go, for posing in all of the lighting test shots, for lugging furniture back and forth, multiple times, and for always encouraging my crazy ideas and cheering me on unconditionally.
Be sure to get on the list for our next event: SNOW PORTRAITS! Plans are already on the way for when the sky decides to cooperate! For more information email angelsea@angelseaurban.com and reference Snow Portraits or sign up directly at http://angelseaurbanblog.com/forms/secretgarden.html
Thanks for stopping by today!
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Angelsea Urban is a entrepreneur and photographer helping families to nourish their homes, relationships and businesses through meaningful portrait photography, business consulting and management for entrepreneurs, teaching practical stewardship and home management systems, and creating simple products and tools that maximize the quality of our lives. Her unique photography work focuses on Redefining the Family Portrait Experience by telling the story of family through personalized foundations while creating a space to strengthen family bonds throughout the experience. As a certified tax professional and seasoned business consultant, Angelsea has helped the careers of photographers, restaurateurs, musicians and general small business owners through teaching, workshops, coaching, and hands on consulting. She serves in several ministries and is a Board Member and the Director of Operations for Starve Poverty International. She has photographed for families, brides, Bravo TV, NFL Films, and more and has been published in multiple blogs and magazine print for her work in photography and in strategic business management. Angelsea teaches and photographs throughout the United States, and resides with her husband of 18 years, their two children, and their barely 3 pound Yorkie near Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
To book your session with Angelsea Urban, please visit www.angelseaurban.com
For education and consulting opportunities, please visit www.urbanrg.com
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