A Spot of Tea | salt lake city utah storytelling conceptual portrait photographer

"A Spot of Tea"
Model: Madison Beckstead
Photographer: Wendy Hurst Portrait
Wardrobe: Wendy Hurst

Photography isn't my only creative interest; I'm also a seamstress. Five years ago I went to buy a pillowcase. Then I held it up, investigated its construction and asked myself, 'how hard could this be?' When I ran out of pillows to cover I moved on to curtains, blankets, and then costumes. I make more Renaissance-style cloaks than anything else, but this summer I chose something completely different: a petticoat dress. I've made ballgowns, corsets, lace, and bustles, but one thing missing was a petticoat!

Crunched for time on a Sunday morning I searched my arsenal for a model close to my studio and remembered Madi Beckstead. Two weeks ago I hosted an event exploring how different creative perspectives can interpret a single idea in many ways, and she was among the model participants. Bonus: she was available and the petticoat and corset belt I made would fit her perfectly.

We built the over gown around her, wrapping her in the stretchy pink fabric first and then bustling it with a needle and thread on the spot. Fifteen minutes later we had a beautiful petticoat dress to use any way we wanted.

I don't shoot in my studio (aka, my front room) very often because I thrive on the unpredictability of being outside, but sometimes it's just nice to be in a controlled environment. There's a thrill in finding creative things to put in an otherwise non-creative space. Madi is one such creative thing.

Remember, custom wardrobe can be added on to any portrait session!

What will your mind see today?

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