So as I alluded to in my last post about my 10th blogiversary, here’s the start of the next exciting chapter of Not Dressed As Lamb.
In fact I haven’t been this excited about the blog since… well, I can’t remember. I’ve been a part of lots of exciting brand campaigns like the L’Oreal hair ad and being used everywhere in Specsavers ads (I’m being spotted on billboards and bus stops a lot at the moment!), but in terms of doing something that’s all me, no brand involvement at all, this HAS to be the most exciting.
I mentioned a new collaboration: one between me and a professional photographer. I included one sneak peek image in my last post, and it seems quite a few of you think it’s as amazing as I think it is.
Gird your fashion photography loins… here’s the first shoot between me and my new ‘Instagram husband’, Giles Caldicott.
[Reading time: 5 mins]
Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links (at no cost to you). Full disclosure
Bear with me if you already read this [repeated] explanation in the last post, you can skip to the end of this section and continue reading after the next image if you wish.
To explain…
For a while I’d lost my mojo in terms of shooting outfits, and as it was the thing that started my love of blogging I was itching to get back to it. Unfortunately, outfit shoots were eating into our weekends; I always felt guilty asking Keith to dedicate a chunk of his weekend to taking my blog photos. It became a chore in the end, especially when the weather didn’t play ball and we had other things to get on with – it was all just too much pressure.
So last year, once I worked out a way to take my own photos with a tripod, I felt a little more in control again and I wasn’t bothering Keith or spending our weekends “working”. However, I can’t stray too far from home with a large tripod and no car on a weekday, and photos in the driveway get a little staid after a while.
Then earlier this year, I was chatting to Giles, a very old and dear friend from my art college days. He, too, had lost his own mojo in terms of doing the photography we’d both studied. We were discussing how life had changed for both of us in so many ways, and I was saddened to find out that he’d practically hung up his camera for good.
His photography was GOOD. I mean really, REALLY good.
He’d worked far further down the road of fashion/portrait/event photographer than I ever had, so he knew a lot more about being an actual professional photographer than me.
Light bulb moment: I’m always needing photos, Giles needed to get back into photography – it was a no brainer. We made a date to meet up (once restrictions on that ended) and shot some outfit photos together.
We’ve done two shoots together so far, and we’re planning to do more.
What we want to do is to produce some fantastic fashion shots JUST FOR THE SHEER SAKE OF BEING CREATIVE.
I have a ton of clothes, shoes and accessories and I’m always wanting to play dress up. Giles knows what he’s doing behind the camera and needs new images for his website to relaunch his professional photography career. As I said, a no brainer.
Introducing Giles Caldicott: event, portrait and travel photographer (you can follow him on Insta here)
Giles (and this makes him laugh) is my new ‘Instagram husband’.
If you hadn’t heard the term before, an Instagram husband is someone who is roped into taking someone’s photos for their Instagram… it’s quite often a boyfriend or husband (usually due to circumstance and/or convenience), but they can be any gender or relationship to them. Thankfully I’ve found someone who actually thrives on this stuff… no shade on Keith’s skills – he’s been amazing – but it’s from my POV really. I feel like I can stop hassling Keith to take my outfit photos and give him a full weekend back.
And I can stop being slightly uninspired by having to take my own photos with a tripod on my driveway.
I always knew Giles was a gifted photographer – but until he showed me his full body of work from the last 25 years or so I hadn’t realised JUST how gifted. Having known each other for 30 years(!) it was pretty easy to get over the awkwardness of having someone new take your photos.
I’ve done enough photo shoots with professional photographers in both location and studio settings to know that some are easier to work with than others. I mean this in the sense of them being able to put you at ease and direct you easily.
We found this easy.
This location [in London] was an absolute gem of a find – Giles knows his way round the streets of the city and due to his experience knows SO many great places to shoot. This location, with its boarded-up door and dirty steps and railings, was a perfect contrast to the black lace and tulle skirt (last seen as part of my second UK Blog Awards outfit).
Funny story: we first went to shoot this in Chelsea, in the Duke of York Square just off the King’s Road. On a busy Wednesday afternoon.
YES I drew stares.
YES I drew stares in this massive tulle skirt, even in London where you can usually wear anything and no one cares.
The location just didn’t work, so we moved on… and later he thought of this street. Quiet and perfect for shooting such a crazy outfit.
He’s captured the softness of the tulle contrasted with the black lace and heavy boots to perfection, and I adore how the tulle is cascading down the steps like a sea of soft fabric. That lead image – where he’s pulled back and included the whole of the old boarded-up door – gets me in the feels every time.
I have more crazy outfits planned, the second set of images we shot will be published in August, and hopefully we’ll have more stunning fashion images to show you soon (we’re both so excited about the collaboration and it’s 100% got our creative juices flowing again). We have a great location in our sights for a planned trip at the end of August, I reckon the photos there will be EPIC.
So I’m urging you to visit his new site gilescaldicott.com (under ‘Gallery’ you’ll find sections for Portraiture, Sports, Travel and Events, though Events is yet to be populated fully so bear with us).
You can follow Giles on Instagram @gilescaldicott.
All follows will be greatly appreciated, and you never know – you may see me pop up on his grid every now and then.
But of course I simply HAD to include some of my favourites from his body of work, so keep scrolling and you’ll see just how amazing his work is.
What are your thoughts on this new collaboration (have I lucked out or what) and these images? Tell me in the comments…
Stay safe, XOXO
Shop the look:
Top: H&M (years old, similar)
Skirt: Asos (similar / similar / similar / similar in sage green)
Boots: Asos (similar)
Sunglasses: Warehouse (love these)
Necklaces: Old, unknown (I like these and these)
Ring: Old, unknown (love this one)
More incredible photos by Giles Caldicott:
“Jim” by Giles Caldicott
@gilescaldicott
“Charlotte” by Giles Caldicott
@gilescaldicott
“Lena” by Giles Caldicott
@gilescaldicott
“Rock climbing” by Giles Caldicott
@gilescaldicott
“Mount Bromo, Java” by Giles Caldicott
@gilescaldicott
“Drew” by Giles Caldicott
@gilescaldicott
“Snowboarder” by Giles Caldicott
@gilescaldicott
P.S. If you want to book Giles to take photos for an event or fashion/portrait shoots – he works in London and the South/South East of England… please don’t hesitate to get in touch with him, his details are on his contact page. I could bleat on and on about how you won’t regret it, but I think his images speak for themselves…!
Linking up to… Monday: Stylish Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Ageless Style Linkup (first Monday of the month), My Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Spread the Kindness, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Blog Link Up || Wednesday: Style Me Wednesday, WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish || Friday: Neverending Style, Fancy Friday, On the Edge, Fabulous Friday, Fabulous Friday’s Link Up
Oh you are so lucky to find a new Instagram Husband that enjoys taking shots & is absolutely fabulous at it! Is Giles available to loan out on alternative weekends?! Asking for a friend ……
Love the outfit, my fave of all time – v Carrie Bradshaw – in fact the whole shoot reminds me of a SATC episode in NYC. Looking forward to seeing more.
Leigh xo
Author
Thank you Leigh – the odd thing is I don’t know why we didn’t do it sooner?! And I love the Carrie/SATC comparison… that’s a great compliment!! x
Such perfect serendipity, my friend! These images are absolutely brilliant. You are stunning. I love the background as that kind of contrast has always appealed to me. And your outfit is just screaming to my soul! I love the combination of feminine lace and tulle with some seriously badass boots! Well done! I look forward to the next photoshoots with your new IG husband! I followed him on IG!
Shelbee
Author
Thank you so much Shelbee – and yes, serendipity is the perfect way to describe this collab I think! So glad you like the photos, and thank you for following Giles xx
Wow Catherine these are amazing, the oufit & setting were made for each other. As is your adventure with Giles. You always seem to come up with such exciting & interesting things, looking forward to more. At least now you can go off & do something new and exciting with Keith.
Author
Thanks so much Mathilda… yes we’re really excited about the collab and both have lots of ideas. Watch this space!!
Oh wow, I love that outfit!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
Author
Thank you Danielle π
Hi, Catherine – What synchronicity! You are blessed! These photos of you are awesome! Ok, is that enough? Lol. XOXO – Angie
Author
Hehe no Angie I want MORE praise!!!!!!!! π Seriously – thank you so much for those lovely compliments, they mean the world. Very proud of him x
What a fun collaboration! Meant to be- and these photos of you in that delicious tulle are exquisite! Congrats to new endeavours!
Author
Thanks Lucy, I think meant to be is right (timing was everything)! xx
Dear Catherine,
I am totally fascinated by the photos. I really cannot find the appropriate words which could express how beautiful you are and your outfit. I really really love them.
I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing the next shots.
Love,
Beata
Author
Beata what an absolutely wonderful compliment, thank you SO much!! #DayMade I really do adore these shots and am so looking forward to shooting more so watch this space!
I love this skirt a lot as all other parts of your outfit, Catherine. The photography is stunning, thank you for sharing
Author
Anna I’m so pleased you liked it, thank you… it was lovely to style the skirt again, even if it was just for this photo and also to attract a few stares in Chelsea!!!! π
Oh my gosh yes, these photos are amazing!! And your outfit is incredible, I love the big tulle skirt. Congrats on all your accomplishments!
-Grace
Author
Thank you so much Grace – I’m so proud of what we’ve done here, and it’s just the beginning! Really glad you love the images π
Synchronicity is a wonderful thing & given that you both needed new challenges it’s perfect timing. Yes he is a gifted photographer but you make his job so much easier by being beautiful in any outfit. The tulle,leather &lace are so gorgeous & the location spot on .Really looking forward to seeing more of these. The very best of luck xx
Author
Marie you’ve described it perfectly! Yes absolutely perfect timing as you say, and I couldn’t agree more about him being a gifted photographer. I’m loving being creative again (as is he) so yes there will be a lot more to come…!
And thank you of course xx
What great shots! I love the contrast with your surroundings and this is going to be such a wonderful opportunity for both of you! Looking forward to seeing more.
Author
Thanks Mireille – yes we loved the contrast of the dirty steps and the big tulle skirt… you can imagine how excited we were to shoot here!
I actually thought you had stopped blogging! And then I was thinking of you and thought lets see if she is still on IG and read that you where still blogging! So I subscribed again as I want to follow your fabulous looks. This is a outfit to my heart and gorgeous photos!! So please share it on my Fancy Friday linkup party! Lol, Ain’t I bad….
Author
No, not stopped Nancy… I took a break (as did many bloggers I think at some point in the last year) but returned with gusto! Glad you’ve resubscribed as you won’t miss anything now! Thank you, so glad you liked the outfit and the photos π
I’m doing my very best to try and link up in other places, it should be easier now that I’m not having to host my own linkup… I just haven’t found my groove with working it into my schedule yet, I’ll organise my routine soon enough and will then be over there! x
I’m so EXCITED for both of you! Giles’ photography is amazing, and together with your creative style, I just know your photos will epic! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
THANK YOU Suzy!! We’re both really excited as well, we have so many ideas so watch this space…!
Fantastic! Cool and artistic. You look amazing! Congratulations to you for the fashion and Giles for the photos!
Author
Thank you ever so much JSChi, I’m so pleased at the reaction from everyone π
Oh they are super shots Catherine, I wish he lived nearer to me! Good luck to him and you. Thanks for sharing your fabulous outfit too. Jacqui x
Hi Catherine, as you say, it’s a no brainer! Can’t wait to see more photos and I’m sure you will benefit one another enormously.
Author
I think we will, Carole, thank you so much! xx
Author
Thank you Jacqui, I think he captured the outfit beautifully! x
WOW!! You look absolutely stunning in these photos and they definitely wouldn’t look out of place in a glossy fashion magazine. Can’t wait to see more like this.
Author
That’s such a great compliment Kelly – thank you!!
Oh wow great! Gorgeous photos and you look great Catherine! I’m looking forward to many more outfit shootings with your new Insta-Husband. XO Tina
Author
Tina thank you so much, I think we’re going to produce some fabulous images so gird your loins!!! π
Wowza! Great shots Catherine and I LOVE this outfit. Really cool Hugs, Sarah aka Badassbabyboomer
Author
Aww thanks ever so much Sarah my lovely!! x
Catherine,
These photographs are simply STUNNING – the lace, the tulle, the pearls, the boots, all perfect. These pictures BREATHE old fashioned glamour & romance. You look utterly beautiful in all of them. Giles is the most MAGNIFICENT photographer. His photographs are works of art. He has such a feeling for location, atmosphere, lighting, everything one likes to see in a wonderful photograph. I can see this new relationship going far (while letting Keith off the hook!). I am so looking forward to seeing more of your combined shoots. Congratulations & good wishes to you & Giles on this new venture.
Author
Oh my goodness Frances – what a lovely outpouring of support and praise! THANK YOU!!! I couldn’t agree with you more that he’s a magnificent photographer, and yes – his images are works of art. I loved your description of these shots… again, thank you! These comments have made our day! xx
Oh, Catherine – EPIC is the word! What a treat we’re all in for – delighted!!! If that doesn’t get your mojo back, what would? Glad you and Keith can get some fun back in your weekends (the same reason I hired a housecleaner, oddly…) Can’t wait to see what you and Giles come up with.
Author
Thank you MK – yes, mojo is WELL and truly back I’m so pleased to say! We have loads planned and I think it’s going to be very exciting to see what we come up with.
And can I get the number of your cleaner, please??!!! π