Recently Roxzann Weston and I collaborated on a baby editorial for Smallish Magazine. Here I have popped together a behind the scenes blog post, so you can see what goes on to create a finished magazine editorial, from concept right through to picking up the magazine at Selfridges!

First, I began by creating a moodboard - I gather images from a variety of photographers, magazines and websites to establish a general feel for the shoot that I want to achieve. For ‘Small Wonder’ I wanted a Autumn/Winter knitwear lead piece, shot on location, with a focus on pom poms! I also loved the idea of using Asian models, and a newborn baby too. There is a lot of newborn baby photography on offer around the city, much of which is beautiful. However, I have not come across an expanse of work that actually promotes newborn clothing, rather than focusing entirely on the baby. Many newborn photography sessions feature the baby as naturally as possible, often nude. I wanted to add a fashion element with this photoshoot.

The next step was contacting Roxzann Weston! I had been following Roxzann’s work online for a while and was very keen to collaborate. I sent over the moodboard and a short concept description and we were off! A few weeks were spent gathering a team, models, a make up and hair artist, an assistant, and of course, lots of beautiful clothes.The hunt was also on for a beautiful location. We were lucky enough to be able to use a local coffee shop and antique house, The Montage, for the shoot, which provided us with the perfect backdrop.

Before shoots I like to plan out a variety of shots so that on the day, if and when things go crazy, I have a rough idea of what is going on! Usually this means some very, very peculiar stick man sketches. This time round, it also meant posing an old teddy in the place of baby Delphi! I also like to make props for my shoots, which on this occasion lead to a endless stream of lovely grey and white pom poms, and more cardboard star banners.

This is the point where I have to thank two fantastic agencies, S:Management and Bruce and Brown, for providing us with wonderful models and a fantastic hair and make up artist, Chloe Botting. I also have to send out a huge thank you to Caroline Macphearson, who brought along her beautiful newborn baby girl Delphi for her first ever shoot.

The Day of the Shoot

In the morning, Josh and I made our way to the location, hands full! I had brought a host of props, including countless baskets and an antique metal cradle for Delphi. The day began by organising outfits and prop set ups with Roxzann.

The models arrived, dressed, and had their hair pom pom’ed and we began shooting! Things got a little hairy when one of our three models’ mummies called in with a sick baby! I manically phoned around agencies, and Bruce and Brown pulled through fantastically, providing us with the handsome Austin at the very last minute.

The shoot went wonderfully. I really couldn’t have asked for a better team. Everyone was fantastic, passionate and patient, and I left feeling that we had a lovely set of pictures. Once home, we celebrated with a disgustingly large set of pizzas from Papa Johns, and I began making my selection.

Over the next few days I edited the series, and sent the piece out to editors to gauge interest. The lovely Estelle at Smallish was particularly interested in the shoot, and Roxzann and I felt it would sit well in her wonderful magazine.

We were not disapointed! The piece sat beautifully in the magazine and was amongst such fantastic company. Ian Boddy’s cover story with the stunning Madalena @ Bruce and Brown was gorgeous, and I was taken back by the beautiful ‘Little Renaissance’ story by Alexandrena Parker. Wonderful styling, and a mind blowing location. This piece also marks the first editorial I have had an in English, printed magazine, and the first magazine of which you can buy in Selfridges (!) so I am a happy bunny indeed.

Thank you again so much to all involved. We are all so lucky to do what we love.

Behind the Scenes Photography - Josh Showell

HANNAH COATES / ART DIRECTOR

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Behind the Scenes of Smallish Magazine - Small Wonder Shoot

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