#SaintJohnCut2

If you remember, about 7 months ago, a group of creatives in Saint John came together in the stunning White Room for a fashion photo shoot titled Saint John Cut. A second round was organized by Barb Crawford, who brought everyone back (plus a few additions) for another fashion shoot and creative collaboration between photographers, make-up artists, stylist and wardrobe personnel, models, bloggers- and a hair stylist and designer this time around!

I spent the day styling outfits, carting and setting up wardrobe (as well as ensuring the clothing didn't get dirty on-set)! I also took the opportunity to play with my DSLR and shoot some behind-the-scenes photos.

Make up kits of Carrie McGrath (Personna Bella) & Alicia Scoville (Essential Esthetics)

Adam Donnelly (Hairacy's) styling the hair of Catherine Delaney (left) and Melissa Wright (right).

Carrie McGrath applying Fran Menton's make-up at Je Suis Prest Bouique

Photo shoot location: 4th floor construction site on Prince William Street

Photographers set up their equipment amongst the construction

Sean McGrath snapping photos of Graeme Stewart-Robertson in a head-to-toe Joe Fresh Style look.

Kelly Lawson taking an overhead shot of Janna Boucher in Je Suis Prest

Alicia Robichaud taking photos of Courtney Silas, also in an outfit from Je Suis Prest

(Left): Samuel Lewis (in his own clothing) and Maryanne Delaney (in Je Suis Prest)

(Right): Sisters Maryanne and Catherine wearing dresses by designer Danielle Queen

(Left): Danielle Queen, designer | (Right): The wardrobe hanging from my garment rack

(Left): Sam (in his own clothing) and Fran (wearing Je Suis Prest) | (Right): Fran Menton

Sean McGrath photographs Melissa Wright (looking beautiful 8 months along), Fran Menton, and Janna Boucher.

Catherine Delaney in Je Suis Prest

Kelly Lawson shooting photos with Beth McRae, Graeme Stewart-Robertson, & Danielle Queen

Maryanne Delaney posing in Je Suis Prest (left) and in Danielle Queen (right)

Courtney Silas (wearing an old prom dress)

(Left): Janna Boucher in Je Suis Prest (and her own shoes). | (Right): Wheelbarrow on site

Me & Barb Crawford (head organizer behind the event)

(Left): Group photo | (Right): Courtney Silas, Kiera Fraser, & Adam Donnelly having a laugh

Everyone gathering together for a group shot (to come)

Cast & Credits:

• Location: Historica Properties (Keith Brideau)
• Organizing & Planning: Barb Crawford, Morgan Lanigan
• Stylists: Kiera Fraser, Chelsea Donaldson  
• Make-up Artists: Carrie McGrath, Alicia Scoville
• Hair Stylist: Adam Donnelly
• Designer: Danielle Queen
• Photographers: Sean McGrath, Kelly Lawson, Alicia Robichaud, Dan Culberson, Mike Hawkins
• Models: Fran Menton, Beth MacRae, Janna Boucher, Maryanne Delaney, Catherine Delaney, Melissa Wright, Courtney Silas, Samuel Lewis, Graeme Stewart-Robertson
• Wardrobe: Je Suis Prest Boutique, Joe Fresh Style, Danielle Queen Designs

It was a great time spending the day with such an enthusiastic and talented crew. Major thanks to Barb for pulling Saint John Cut 2, Morgan Lanigan for scouting the site, and Keith Brideau for providing us with a fascinating space to go to work!

Tomorrow I'll be posting all my photos from Saint John Cut 2 on my blog's Facebook page.

For everyone's posts and photos from the event, click here.

Saint John Cut Revisited

In early March, I participated in Saint John Cut: a fashion photo shoot bringing collective of creatives together in Uptown Saint John's White Room. Among the crew there was a stylist, make-up artist, bloggers, models, and photographers. Included in the group of local photographers was the talented Sheldon Parsons.

More recently Sheldon kindly gave me a CD with the high resolution images he edited from the photoshoot.

Below are a sample of the photos from my photoshoot with Sheldon at Saint John Cut:

{headband, top: Free People, skirt: Free People, belt- Nicole Lee- all from Je Suis Prest Boutique;
hosiery- American Apparel; shoes- Steve Madden- Urban Shoe Myth} 

Not only does he produce great work, I find Sheldon to be someone who is extremely easy to work with. It can be a little daunting working with a professional- especially when you are used to having just a tripod hold the camera when snapping your photos! I find his relaxed, friendly personality will definitely put you at ease.

There's been some great local photographers I've had the pleasure meeting over the last year- Sheldon is definitely one of my favourites who's blog and work I enjoy following. Below I've included several of my favourite photos from some of his recent projects:   

{Clockwise from top left: Photoshoot w/ Chantel, Photoshoot w/ Fantasha,

Je Suis Prest Boutique Holiday Party, Fran @ Saint John Cut}

{Clockwise from top left: Photoshoot w/ Fantasha, Jeanne Beker @ Heart Truth Fashion Gala,

Wedding photoshoot, Photoshoot w/ Olivia}

Be sure to check out an interview Barb did with Sheldon on her blog a few weeks ago, browse out his amazing work, and follow his photography on Facebook!

Tweet

Saint John Cut Collective

Last week I shared with you the behind-the-scenes of the fashion shoot Saint John Cut. Borrowing a photo from Sheldon Parsons, let me introduce you to the creative group as a whole (minus a few members):

Front Row: Beth McRae, Fran Menton, Apple Dog

Middle Row: Kate McLean, Nadine Parsons, Chelsea Mason, Kiera Fraser, Emily Fraser, Barb Crawford, Kelly Lawson

Back Row: Sheldon Parsons, Carrie McGrath, Sean McGrath

(Missing from shot: Beaver Smith, Dan Culberson, Alex Pesold)

Sharing with you the work of some talented local photographers, I thought I'd also show you the outfit I put together from Je Suis Prest Boutique:

Photo by Sean McGrath

Photo by Sean McGrath

Photso by Sean McGrath

Photo by Sean McGrath

Photos by Kelly Lawson

Photo by Sheldon Parsons

The Outfit

Top: Free People- c/o Je Suis Prest Boutique

Skirt: Free People- c/o Je Suis Prest Boutique

Belt- Chinese Laundry- c/o Je Suis Prest Boutique

Headband- c/o Je Suis Prest Boutique

Pantyhose- American Apparel- c/o my closet

Shoes- Steve Madden- The Urban Shoe Myth- c/o my closet

When Carrie did this fantastic look with my make-up, I realized I was going to have to work a serious look in photos. I usually go for goofy or happy expressions in my outfit photos, so I at first I felt a little nervous. I never confront the camera straight on with a bold or serious look. (I'll be honest: I had to practice my more serious expressions in the mirror to feel a little more confident!) However it was a great exercise for pushing my boundaries a little and trying something new! Thanks everyone for a wonderful afternoon and making me look good!

saint john cut...

I started out this blog as my personal style journal but I've come to realize there's another character that plays a big role in my blog: the city. Some people have described Saint John's evolving style as a sort of "fashion revolution". You see that the people in this city are more fashion-forward and that the style and variety available to us is ever growing. Saint John has really embraced style and fashion in the last year or so and it's tangible. You can see it in what people are wearing, thenew  venues that are popping up, the sort of events that are being held, the conversations being held: there's a strong, cultivating interest. And I have to say, I love my city for it.

You see this happening when a group of people come together over a common interest such as what happened for Saint John Cut this past Sunday. A group of models or fashionistas, stylist, make-u artist and half a dozen photographers are placed in one big white room to see what happens! A year ago, roughly when I started this blog, I never envisioned that I'd be involved in a fun project such as this!

We started out the morning heading to Je Suis Prest Boutique, where business owner Kiera Fraser, had us pick out and style outfits. Since I love too many things to count in Kiera's store (see my photo wish list coming up later this week), I had to break my process down into brands. I went straight for a few Free People items since I often identify with the bohemian label fitting right into my style. We then headed over to The White Room.

So here's what happens when you put a dozen creative minds in one big really white room...

The White Room, 115 Prince William St

We walked into The White Room and bam, stunned by how alerting and extremely white the surroundings are.  It was overcast that day in a very bright room; I can only imagine how visually stimulating it would be one a bright, sunny day or at sunset!

We changed into our outfits and sat down to have our make-up creatively done by Carrie McGrath of Persona Bella. Then it was time to take pictures!

In the above photo, Janna Boucher and Fran Menton have their make-up finished and we see the photographers start to go to work!

Above: Carrie applies Beth's McRae's make-up.

The view below at the corner of Water & Princess Streets.

Since most businesses are closed uptown on Sundays, the streets seemed quieter than usual.

Fran posing for photos in a BB Dakota Dress (Je Suis Prest Boutique) & Steve Madden heels (The Urban Shoe Myth)

Fran leans again the pillar while Sheldon Parsons captures her effortlessly sultry look.

Janna poses in another BB Dakota dress (Je Suis Prest Boutique)

Kelly Lawson with her killer Steve Madden pumps (The Urban Shoe Myth) and Apple by her side, captures Janna on film.

Beautiful Janna being photographed by the creaters of the event, Dan Culberson.

Shoes, shoes, shoes! 

Yumi dress (Je Suis Prest Boutique) later worn by Nadine Parsons

Kate McLean (O My Heart!) gets her pose on for one photographer while Fran & Beth pose for another in the backdrop of this shot.

There was so much photoshoot action going on that it was fun to capture it on my own little point-and-shoot. Here, Emily Fraser captures her sister Kiera Fraser (Je Suis Prest Boutique) on camera.

My beautiful new 5" Steve Madden heels I purchased the night before from The Urban Shoe Myth party!

Pre-make-up application. Wearing a Free People top that I fell in love with the moment I put it on!

After having my make-up done by Carrie! She asked me what I wanted and I told her to go bold!

Second outfit w/ beige Aldo heels

Wearing: BB Dakota dress, Alternative Apparel sweater, belt & necklace all from Je Suis Prest Boutique!

Thanks to Kate for grabbing a few shots on my second outfit.

After wrap-up we all headed over to Britt's Pub for some eats because we were famished! What an amazing and fun experience the afternoon was! It was awesome to see the social media storm caused by Saint John Cut with the inflow of photographs and links posted to Facebook and Twitter!  

Here's a list of the creatives that made up the crew & cast of Saint John Cut:

Photographers:

Kelly Lawson (Lawson Photography; @kellylawson)

Sheldon Parsons (Photography by Sheldon Parsons)

Sean McGrath (Sean McGrath Photography; @mgraths)

Dan Culberson (co-creator of Saint John Cut; @culbersontwit)

Beaver Smith (bigdayfoto; @bigdayfoto)

Emily Fraser

Barb Crawford (co-creator of Saint John Cut & blogger- Barb Barb Barb; @barbbarbbarb)

Models:

Fran Menton

Janna Boucher

Beth McRae

Nadine Parsons (manager of Envy)

Kate McLean (blogger- O My Heart; @kaaatemclean)

Chelsea Mason- that's me (blogger- Maritime Shopaholic; @mshopaholic)

Stylist:

Kiera Fraser (owner of Je Suis Prest Boutique; @jesuisprest)

Make-up Artist:

Carrie McGrath (Persona Bella)

Be sure to check out my blog's Facebook page for the links connecting to each photographer's amazing work from Saint John Cut!