Spirit & Soul Photography: Farm 'boho' Fashion Chic in Cincinnati, Ohio!

Clothing provided by California company: 4Love&$ Inc.

There are times, you have to embrace your surroundings and work with it in the most creative way possible. This is the case with 'Farm Chic, my latest, fashion editorial shoot, shot on location at a kid's farm in Cincinnati.  I often mention my hometown, Cincinnati, Ohio in my blogs because it shapes who I am, yet doesn't limit what I aspire to be or do, which is not confined by location, and style of that location, but to cross borders through my creativity and photography.

In this shoot, I came to realize not only do you have to embrace your surroundings, but you must create an environment that showcases your work, produces your vision and inspire those around you.

 My vision for 'Farm Chic,' was to embrace a farm location, but to give it a taste of city. With this idea, I approached 4Love&$ Inc, a popular California duo designers whose premise for fashion is to not follow the fashion "norms" of the past with kid's clothing, but to be fashion forward by following the designs of your heart.  I believe their fashion premise and my vision to juxtapose city with country for this shoot, and with most of my shoots, was a perfect match!   

We love the matching 4Love&$ Inc., pink reindeer tops the girls are wearing! 

The fabric was so soft and pretty! 

There's lots of planning! To go beyond the boundaries of the farm, I instructed my model's parents 

there will be no cowboy boots, no grunge jeans or typical farm wear.

Instead, despite the smells, textures, if you will, of farm life, we will push pass it and wear cute shoes, boots, cute skirts and other fabulous fashions. And in the process, my vision was: my girls will fashionably stand out. And, doesn't every girl want to stand out and shine with confidence! 

And shine they did with the boho fashions from 4Love&$, Inc.  

 

During my pre-shoot meeting with the girls for my creative vision, I informed them,

there will be no typical smiles, like "cheeze." Does anybody say that anymore, instead 

 the shoot is to resemble an editorial fashion look, and not your typical school pictures.

So who was up for this different, but intriguing idea; so I thought!  Introducing my newest tween models, Sophie and Kennedy, both from Kentucky!  When the girls learned that they would get to wear fashions from this California fashion design company; they were ecstatic! When the clothes arrived they weren't the only ones excited, so were their parents and I.  It makes a difference when you not only have models on board, but a team of parents who also support your vision.  

 I want to thank all my parents for helping to style the girl's outfits with fashion accessories that fit the vision of the 'boho' look I was going for.  The black headband and silver shoes complimented the solid black top with the 4Love emblem on front, along with the charcoal grey pants stamped with their iconic peace sign symbols. 

We also, love the casual look with that ever so cute black sleeveless dress also from 4Love&$ Inc. 

 But, during the shoot, there was a surprise!  I realized just how much creative self-expression though clothing and participating in a photo shoot can impact how people, in particular girls, feel about themselves and how it can lift their spirits and confidence.

One of the young model has more experience and confidence with doing photo shoots through her work with pageants.

As for my other model, I gathered it was not as comfortable for her because she didn't have that kind of experience. She didn't seem to own her natural beauty. Clearly she is beautiful ! But slowly as we moved through the shoot, and my coaching her, I began to see her confidence blossom right before my eyes. I saw beyond her quietness, to see that beauty that rested right below the surface.

Bam!... there it is! I love the pose below from Kennedy!

She had a hard time sitting on this fence, and told me it was uncomfortable and hurt trying to position herself on it.  I didn't know what to say, except to channel Tyra Banks saying "Remember, what Tyra Banks says...you have to push through it!" The next thing I know, my camera slips right off the two girls and solely onto Kennedy!

Look, what she accomplished: an aire of confidence that wasn't there before.  She transformed right before my eyes. Excitedly  I said..."Yes, that is it, Kennedy: hold it there!" With that new found confidence she gives this black sleeveless dress from 4Love&$ Inc a little more fashionable sassy. The way she leaned against the rail, helped to contour and accentuate the dress in a very appealing and wearable way.  Kennedy owned her natural beauty and owned this shot.

The fashion designers, sales, owners and entrepreneur duo team of Andrea McCook and Jennifer Howard Grevle of 4Love&$ Inc's line of clothing, is definitely for the tween girl of today who wants to wear cool clothes like her teenage sister, but be a fashion leader in her own right. That tween age is always described as that awkward age, that in between age, but as Sophie shows above, these tween girls can hold their own.  4Love&$'s fashion have an updated and contemporary 60's feel. Their dresses, like in the 60's are very short to fit those girls with long, slim legs. Our model, Sophie creatively combined this multi-colored 'boho' dress with black laced front as a top to wear with black slacks. She topped it off with a black sweater. We think it is 'boho' cute!

BFF's since they were toddlers: Kennedy and Sophie. Both wearing tops and bottoms from 4Love&$, Inc.

         A closer look at the purple top worn by Sophie and the grey pullover sweater worn by Kennedy.

I can't help but notice that the more we worked together, the girls really felt comfortable and natural  in front of the camera. I really enjoy using my photography to help girls and women be confident and own their beauty in a style-driven way!

                                    Another vantage point, hint, hint from the girls!

Thank you, to 4Love&$ Inc., for the clothing for our shoot, and  to purchase fashions from 4Love&$, Inc., click here http://4loveandmoneyusa.com/collections/all

For more information on booking a photo shoot with Spirit & Soul Photography, click here http://www.ourspiritandsoul.com/Kid_s_Editorial_Gallery.php