When I was first contacted by Lucy at Blue Strawberry Events earlier this year, how could I have possibly known what an incredible outcome we would have all achieved together a few weeks later? In a beautiful cherry orchard at the bottom of someone’s garden on a magnificent, sunny May afternoon.
The brief was simple and promising. Produce some stand-out publicity images for the 2013 Vintage and Country Festival at Curborough Antiques & Craft Centre on the 29th June, incorporating the various aspects of the festival; food, fashion, crafts, antiques gardening, kids stuff. All shot and styled in with a vintage outdoors festival aesthetic.
The results were more than I could have imagined, Lucy pulled together a dedicated team of creatives; exquisite props and styling courtesy of Jan at The Pretty Little Parlour Company and Sue at Smartipants, who not only provided the hand-made bunting, but the hand-made children; in the form of the hilarious and far too grown-up Immy and Ronny, who were a joy to work with. Not forgetting professional actress and part-time model Sarah & Lainey, who took gracefully took direction & control of the scene especially with a certain Golden Retriever adamant on tasting a scone or five.
It really is the perks of the job when you instantly click with a group of perfect strangers and all collaborate together to create something truly memorable. If you’re enjoying the weather with a picnic at the same time then you’ve lucked out. But then to find out afterwards that your publicity images have not only graced the pages of The Journal but the front cover of the Lichfield Gazette too.
Last year I was determined to have one of my images published in a magazine in 2013, a front cover opportunity was more than I could have hoped for and its all thanks to the wonderful team mentioned above, but a major and special thanks to Lucy at Blue Strawberry for helping me to achieve a personal goal and for a day i’ll never forget!
Here’s a couple more favourites from the shoot:
The other images can be seen on the Richard Kiely Photography Facebook Page. The festival itself promises to be a blast and I’ll be down there snapping away too, heres some more info:
Vintage & Country Gardens
29th June. Curborough Farm Lichfield
Taking the vintage & handmade revival outside!
The garden festival with the vintage edge welcome to the Festival with rocks & frocks.
Join us for a day of vintage fashion, memorabilia, contemporary country chic, classic country garden planting, fun, local produce and music.
Visit the conservatory for a fabulous selection of vintage fashion mixed up with a gorgeous selection of handmade contemporary Country chic products.
Browse a huge array of plants from Lichfield Garden Centre and the plant man.
Peruse the antiques, local produce, galleries and other units and stalls around the farm whilst enjoying a local ale or perhaps a cocktail from the bar.
Listen to some great musical talent throughout the day and enjoy traditional tea & cake at the cafe where your dog is welcome to join you in the conservatory.
Take a picnic on the lawn. Vote for your favourite wheel barrow created by schools for Blooming Lichfields plant a barrow project.
Music, fashion, flowers, local produce and fun in a gorgeous venue unique to Staffordshire.
You and your shed will have never looked so good.
Richard Kiely Photography 