Bohemian photo shoot
- Haley Godin
- Dec 30, 2018
- 8 min read
It was noon on August 28th, 2018; I received a notification on Facebook, another model tagged me on a model call posted in the Creative Supply Maritimes Facebook group. It was a last minute model call and luckily I was free that evening. I am constantly looking for model calls and opportunities so I instantly contacted the photographer of the photo shoot to get more information. She requested some of my recent shots and then she provided me the details of the shoot. Before arriving, I was extremely excited for the shoot, not knowing what to expect, because at the time I have never done a photo shoot with a team like we had.
(left to right): Christina Bernard, Matty Leblanc, Dakencia Naugler, Haley Godin, Matty Leblanc, Dakencia Naugler, Leelynn Bardsley and Matty Leblanc
Leelynn explains how the whole idea came to be:
"The Bokeh project was something I have been wanting to do for some time, some inspiration has really tailed from Brandon Woelfel, using neon lights as well as playing with random objects in the foreground. I feel like we had a lot of fun with this and I did not expect to have needed so much assistance with some aspects but I was extremely grateful we had a team that was willing to help out! There was no real set image to come out of this, it was really a project to get to know how some lights play on the skin, how far I could push the boundaries of my gear, everything else was a bonus."
"Matty Leblanc (hair & Fashion stylist) and I had started out months ago discussing the project, models, hair, concept, but never really ironed out the details. Along the way we thought about reaching out to several small businesses to use accessories, the first business to come to mind was Sister Sun Jewelry. I have been a fan of her work for some time, and if you have ever met Olivia Oguariri you would soon become a fan of her as well.
Our next step was models, we had several TFP models selected but in the end, a couple of them did not pan out, unfortunately. This left us scrambling together some more unique models that would really still stand out, had experience and was available for a particular day and time. Also, we could play with textures in terms of hair, tone and all round unique beauty. It was not long into the set that we realized not only did we manage to get a great set of models but also just an all-round creative mood that filled the house and backyard. I am extremely pleased with the outcome, and would work with everyone again in a heartbeat."
-Leelynn Bardsley
When I arrived at the location, I was greeted by Leelynn Bardsley, photographer, Olivia Oguariri, jewelry maker from Sister Sun Jewelry, and Matty Leblanc, hair and fashion stylist. They were all very welcoming and nice. We started talking among ourselves while waiting for the other models to arrive. Once the models arrived, we made our introductions and began to get ready to shoot.
Leelynn explains her photography business:
"I am a Moncton based portrait and wedding photographer for over 10 years now, I started out in Animation and Graphics when I was younger while still doing creative photography on my own. I moved on to Graphics and Design, then found my true passion still remained to be Photography. I soon realized I wanted more from my photography and using my background, skill, and passion, I pushed it to the next level."
"As for this particular shoot we knew that we wanted a little more boho look, a little hippy and have a lot of nature in the looks. It’s always a last minutes decision when I style for a shoot especially with hair since I only meet the models on set and get to feel their hair for the first time. So I go with what I a do with the type of hair I’m working with.
With this shoot I really just freestyled and knew I wanted to incorporate some flowers but also making each of the models styles different by using different colors and types of flowers on each model. I wanted it to look effortlessly and loose. Something a flower child could of done themselves."
-Matty Leblanc
Models (left to right): Christina Bernard, Jenny Samson and Dakencia Naugler
Photographer: L.Bardsley Photography
Matty started by styling my hair and he instantly wanted to do a messy braid because of how long my hair was, then he continued by adding fresh flowers from the backyard into my hair. The results were absolutely breathtaking!
After he finished styling my hair, he began to style each of the other models hair while we were also figuring out which jewelry to pair with our outfits with the help of Olivia. Matty styled Christina's hair next by giving her a bit more volume and making it look fuller. He added beautiful yellow flowers and some greenery that were different then the ones in my hair. Afterwards, it was time for Dakencia to get her hair styled. He created a lovely side bun and added
I had brought a few outfits and they helped me pick the best one for the theme we were going for, I also had another outfit still fitting the theme for an outfit change later on.
Matty Leblanc talks about his business and how it all started:
"I graduated from Jon Raymond in 2008 and started competing in color competitions right away. In 2009 I won my first competition and ranked 3 in Canada and the U.S out of 9600 salons across. I kept competing and it bought me to Las Vegas, L.A and San Francisco in my first year of doing hair and then I was asked to become a artistic creative director for the company by the age of 24. There I started working on shoots as a hair dresser and a director. Fashion has always been in my blood as I grew up with my mother being a gown maker and wanted to also Pursue in some kind of fashion so after 7 years of living based in Moncton and working in salon and traveling the US as a creative director, I decided to do the big leap and move to Toronto. It was the first time I left everything behind me and started new. I started working for a celebrity hair stylist and was able to work with TV personalities to magazines and fashion runways while starting to work as a fashion stylist on the side (the hustle is real)."
Model: Matty Leblanc Photographer: L.Bardsley Photography
Matty also mentioned:
"I own my own company, I freelance and contract out my work here in Toronto. About every three months or so, I come home to NB to work. I rent a salon for about a week so I can see all my former clients and get involved with as many projects as I can when I come home."
Olivia lent us some jewelry that matched each of our outfits to wear during the photo shoot. She did such a great job finding jewelry in her collection that matched all of our outfits. She had a large variety of necklaces, bracelets and rings for us to model.
Olivia talked about the quality of her handmade jewelry:
All jewelry is hand crafted original, and created using the highest quality sterling silver, Tibetan silver, semi precious stones, and crystals.
Models (left to right): Dakencia Naugler, Christina Bernard, Jenny Samson and Haley Godin
Photographer: L.Bardsley Photography
"I have dabbled in jewelry making and gemstone collecting as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to spend my vacation souvenir money on little polished gems from the little gift shops attached to each attraction we visited. I played around with wire and beads (whatever metal wire and plastic beads the local craft store had in stock - since then I've thankfully graduated to sterling silver, gemstones, and crystal). I gained some great exposure selling at local craft fairs in 2008, and continued to grow!
When my first child was born in 2010, I found I wanted to work from home to stay with him, and I decided to combine those childhood experiences and make a career of it. Sister Sun Jewelry was in full swing! Now I am blessed enough to get to spend my days hunting for the most beautiful stones, and figuring out how to turn them into the most beautiful jewelry. I've never had any formal training - just many many hours of practice and trial and error! (Which by the way still happens when I'm learning a new technique!) "
-Olivia Oguariri from Sister Suns Jewelry
Model: Olivia Oguariri from Sister Sun Jewelry Photographer: L.Bardsley Photography
When we were all ready, we headed to the backyard where Leelynn had set up lights in the trees, the whole setup looked magical.
We had different neon light shapes including a circle, triangle and a heart.
We started out by having one model pose while the rest of us were holding up the fairy lights to create a cool and creative effect. We did the same for all the models but Leelynn had many ideas to make each models pictures look very unique.
Afterwards, everyone did an outfit change to take more pictures. This time we were using more of the neon lights and different props. They created such a great prop in the picture while also producing a nice colored light effect depending on which neon light we were using. Some of the other props Leelynn chose to incorporate into the shoot included a book, a pair of glasses, a Polaroid camera and the fairy lights. She also helped us to be in the best poses to show off the lovely jewelry made by Olivia. Leelynn is very talented, she had a vision to create a bohemian styled photo shoot while using neon lights and other props. She had the help of Matty to plan this whole shoot which turned into a huge success in my opinion.
It was Christina Bernard's first modeling photo shoot and she said:
"It was my first modeling experience and it was very comfortable and fun, while still remaining professional."
Model: Christina Bernard Photographer: L.Bardsley Photography
Overall, I had an amazing experience at the photo shoot and it was a pleasure meeting everyone who made it happen. The whole process was great, it was a new experience for me and I loved it. I never had my hair done by a hair stylist before, I'm glad to say the first time I had my hair styled professionally was by Matty Leblanc, he is very talented. I was also extremely happy that I had the opportunity to wear some jewelry from Sister Sun Jewelry, just looking through Olivia's jewelry, I realized how talented she is. Meeting the other girls who were modeling was fun too, we all talked to each other while getting ready and got some great shots taken by Leelynn with the assistance of everyone. This was my first photo shoot with Leelynn and after seeing the first few pictures she edited from the shoot, I was blown away with her work and I couldn't wait to see the rest of the pictures. I was also amazed how she was able to take the picture while also showing the jewelry from Sister Sun Jewelry. I would really enjoy working with any of these talented people again.
Models (left to right): Haley Godin, Dakencia Naugler and Kayla Leblanc
Leelynn's favorite part from the photo shoot:
"I really truly believe my favorite part of this experience was when I came into my home from final touches of setting up outside. Matty was working his magic with hair while the ladies were debating outfits with him, Olivia was laughing and strategizing jewelry, and you could just feel the excitement, the creativity and passion being shared. That, that is why I do this, to bring inspiration to life."
This photo shoot was a benefit to everyone involved. Some of the models used the pictures taken to add to their modeling portfolio, some just used them for social media. For the rest of the crew, they all gained new experiences as well as pictures to use to represent their businesses.
Matty's experience:
"The amazing thing with working with Leelynn is that every time we wrap up a shoot the entire team looks so happy and excited to be apart of something and I feel that really comes through in the shots. And that feeling is what makes it magical. All of you where great and such a pleasure to work with."
First picture: Leelynn Bardsley
Second picture: Matty Leblanc, Haley Godin, Dakencia Naugler, Christina Bernard, Olivia Oguariri and Jenny Samson
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