I have been dying to share this session ever since I took the first frame two weeks ago in Paris. Last time I visited Paris I was at the tail end of a 5 week trip and taking photos was the last thing I wanted to be doing, I was all photographed out. Weeks later I regretted that I hadn’t taken many photos of the city of lights, this trip I was determined to not only photograph my family and the sights of Paris, I was going to put myself out there and book some photo shoots.
Two and a half years ago I bought a beautiful vintage Harvey Berin by Karen Stark gown created in the 1950′s. It was a fantastic find, Hervey Berin was famous for dressing several First Ladies like Pat Nixon and Ladybird Johnson – Hello! I planned on using the dress for a feature shoot when I rebranded. Then, just three weeks after the dress arrived I saw on the internet that another photographer had borrowed my dress before it was shipped and had photographed it. Worse still these images of my unique and precious dress had been featured on some of the biggest international wedding blogs. I was gutted. How could I possibly use this dress after so much attention? If I ever did it would have to be something epic, something better than before. Something amazing.
When I was getting ready to leave for Paris it suddenly hit me, THIS was the place to shoot my vintage dress, after all, it was made from genuine French lace and the designer Karen Stark regularly visited Paris to get inspiration for her designs. It was apparent that there was no better place to bring my gorgeous dress out from mothballs than Paris.
When I got to Paris I met with Aleksandra Domagala a local model who was the perfect size for my tiny dress, it fit her like a glove. We spent an afternoon walking around Paris finding locations that were devoid of tourists and captured some of my favourite bridal images of all time. I can’t express how many people stopped dead in their tracks and admired Aleksandra that day, I literally had to stop other photographers from photographing her, locals and tourists alike gushed over the dress and approved of it’s French style. And after nearly three years of storing this gown I am glad that I waited until a truly special opportunity came about to showcase it’s unique beauty. It goes without saying, I adore Paris!
Dress Photographers Own ‘Karen Stark’ Vintage 50′s Gown, Model Aleksandra Domagala, Headpiece Viktoria Novak.
Oh my lordy Cathy, I literally have no words… I am just totally and absolutely amazed at how beautiful this shoot is, you are too clever for words!! Congrats on showcasing this gorgeous dress in such a beautiful way! I love looking through your work and I know ill be looking through this post many a time!
Much love, Bree XOX
Cathy Crawley! OMG!! These are AMAZING! Jaw is dropping on the floor! These turned out amazing. I am SOO glad you waited for Paris for the dress. Absolutely superb my friend!!!! xoxo
There are no words for how ridiculously gorgeous this is. I am left speechless. Amazing! Well done!!!
WOW smack me in the face I can hardly breathe! These are amazingly beautiful, I could look at them all day. I’m speechless! Thank you for sharing!!!
Brilliantly done! I love this shoot, the light and the colours. Just phenomenal.
That dress is divine! Paris is divine! What a combination!
Ooh La La!!!! As always your work is so delicate and so delightful x
Stunning!!!
Absolutely jaw-droppingly STUNNING. I’ve been waiting to see these for real since you posted some on IG. Gorgeous! And yeah.. that dress is amazing, wow. Bet it was worth the wait after your initial disappointment (how was that allowed? So rude!) to be able to showcase it in such a beautiful manner.
You are magical my friend! I love the way you see the world
Thank you for sharing your dreams and talents with us all! Proud of you!!!
I found your blog yesterday and have looked at many for your pictures, they are so amazing and magical! I wish I was so good as you to take pictures! You write good to, I really, really, really love your blog ♥
Oh WOW I LOVE this shoot! That dress is incredible and I love how you’ve chosen to showcase it. Perfect backdrops and perfect processing for the style of this shoot. Amazing!!
Gorgeous… you captured the romantic paris! This is exactly how i remembered the city.
Cathy, I just keep coming back again and again to look at these images. They are amazing. You have captured beautiful Paris and the dress is just gorgeous. Love it all!
Wonderful images Cathy. Such a great set.
wow.. beautiful model and gorgeous dress. Loved all the shots. Breathtaking. !!
These are absolutely beautiful Cathy!
Wow! This is fabulous…LOVE!!
pure yum factor!!! and omg her dress!