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A Secret Garden Collaboration

by Carys - Stylist for The Prop Factory & Kate Fierek Photography

Thursday 19th December 2019 14:23:06

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Once again we're looking back at one of the photo shoot collaborations we've worked on with other industry professionals. I organise and lead many styled shoots for The Prop Factory, so it's always intriguing to see how others go about styling their own day and the thought processes it involves. Also it's fun to see what different ways they might have thought to use our props and why they chose to involve us as the sole furniture and prop supplier.

This week I asked Kate Fierek a very lovely South West-based photographer to answer some questions regarding a styled photoshoot we collaborated on a few months back called 'The Secret Garden'. The props used were an eclectic mix that caught my eye straight away and I wanted to know more about the thoughts and design behind it.What is your photoshoot concept?

The concept was ‘The Secret Garden’, so we chose to hold the shoot at Ever After, The Dartmoor Wedding Venue in Devon, which has luscious green rustic grounds, and a beautiful hidden nook around every corner. We wanted to create nature-inspired scenes with lots of greenery, then add little details of luxe; velvets, mixed metallics, and the tiniest hint of sparkle.What inspired the photoshoot concept?

Living in Cornwall, I’m lucky to have an abundance of nature and greenery on my doorstep. I have always loved large rambling botanicals, and when Ever After owner Nicola suggested adding some luxurious detail, I got very excited. We had the same vision, and worked very well together.Main elements of the photoshoot?

We wanted to make the most of the multiple gorgeous areas at Ever After, so set up a variety of scenes. We placed the circle arch, decorated by the talented florist Simon Nickell, at the end of the river walk, and used it as the backdrop for the ceremony. We set up the table scape in the woods next to the river, and had the mocktails in the gardens.Simon also filled the brass urn with a full bouquet of blooms which looked stunning!One of the main focuses was definitely the two gorgeous brides. Real couple Grace and Jodie looked stunning in their Ailsa Munro dresses, and it was a real treat to be able to style two ladies with differing, but complementary, looks. Double the shoes, double the make-up, double flowers, double the pretty!Who might like to recreate this look?

Anyone who is a fan of an outdoor wedding should love this! The natural light, the peaceful countryside air, the abundance of greenery... I wish we could renew our vows just to recreate this myself!There’s been a surge of city-dwellers travelling to the countryside to elope, so this shoot could also provide inspiration for those looking for a rural, intimate wedding. You don’t have to have lots of guests in order to push the boat out.Why did you select The Prop Factory as a supplier to your shoot? 

I have worked with Carys before and she is so friendly, helpful and lovely! As soon as we planned the shoot I knew we wanted to invite The Prop Factory to be involved. Their catalogue of props is huge and glorious!Which of our props did you use and why? 

We chose an olive green velvet sofa - which we used for couple and bouquet shots by the river, two mis-matched green velvet chairs with a red fringed footstool, a beautiful Mid Century cart with inlaid detail, a couple of cake side tables - a French style Rococo side table and, of course, the stunning circle arch.What venue/s would this look work well in?

These props would typically work well in a manor house, or other stately setting, but personally I adore the contrast of glamorous pieces in a rural countryside location.What DIY elements can people can create themselves? 

Nicola [of Ever After] created the moss-covered chairs herself by binding large handfuls of moss to metal patio chairs. We also used a glass and metal jewellery box for the macaroons, and bought blankets and teacups from home for the cozy evening scenes.If you want to add flowers to bridal hair, or use them in the flat lay stationary images, you can always ask your florist for a few matching extras.If you were to do the photoshoot again what extra props might you add in? 

We used a lot of indoor furniture in outdoor settings, so it may have been nice to rig up some large lamps for the evening scenes.See all the props Kate used here.

Credits :

Cakes - Edible Essence

Velvet - Kate Cullen

Flowers - Simon Nickell Design

Venue – Ever After

Stationary - Rose and Ruby

Props - www.propfactory.co.uk 

Edible Flowers – Maddocks Farm Organics

Rings - Baldwin Jewellery

Makeup - No 5 Beauty Clinic

Hair - The Hair Lounge Tavistock

Shoes - Carvela

Shoes - Monsoon

Dresses - Ailsa Munro Maker

Concept - Kate Fierek Photography & Nicola at Ever After Weddings

Photography – Kate Fierek Photography








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