opal: April 2009

a look behind the scenes

My name is tammi swanson. I am a photographer, a children's clothing designer, and a stylist. I have also been a model, and a hair and makeup artist. My life, it seems, has always been surrounded by photo shoots and the fashion industry. My passion is children's editorial photography, and children's clothing. The stylist in me is always searching for the perfect items for photo shoots, so I have finally decided to turn my ideas into a children's collection. I see the end result, which is the photo shoot, in my head, and that is where I begin. I describe my designs to my pattern maker, we work out all of the details, and then I shoot the pieces the way I have them envisioned. It's all about creating a story, the mood, the beauty of childhood. I love the children in rennaisance paintings, pale sea and sand colors and tree-lined paths. I love formal gardens, small towns, farms and the countryside. Hopefully, some of you love these things too. This blog will tell the behind the scenes story of how it all comes together. Including what's really going on before, during, and after the photo shoots!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

first post

Here we go~ I am excited and kind of nervous about this post. I am excited to show what is going on behind the scenes, but I don't want to be boring either! I am going to just put it all out there and see if anyone is listening. I love photography of all things around me so I'll start with photos and see what else may come. This first entry will be photos from our first shoot. We took a spring break trip to Oceanside, California, where my family has been vacationing for 25 years. It was so fun! We discovered two new places to eat and I'm already wanting to go back! We have so many memories there. On the way there we love to stop and get avocados and oranges on highway 76.

My kids have been shooting with me since they were born, so they are some of my best models. Mia was the perfect "opal" girl, dancing in the waves on the sand. The photos are really beautiful, but I am including some of the "before's". Every shoot involves styling, pinning, hair, makeup (chapped lips!), and some complaining. This shoot also including a storm rolling in, a race against the sun, and lots of sand. Oh, and I can't forget Ryder on the beach with his scooter unconsiously appearing in the background of the shots!!! Next post will be some of the images from the opal shoot on the beach.

cute little flower stand on Hwy 76

where we get avocado's and oranges

Mia and Ryder tasting citrus samples

My family on the Oceanside Pier. Windy that day!

Cute!

They're always intriguing, but they never work!

Me eating hazelnut chocolate gelato outside our new favorite place, the Pier View Coffee Co.

Ryder waiting for the rain to stop....

Watching cartoons at the beach??? Still waiting for the rain to stop. Mia and her bunny look sleepy now, but later this same day she will trasform into a lovely beach girl for opal.