Evolution of a Frock

I have 3 daughters, they all dance or have danced.  However, one takes it more seriously.  This led us  to get professional head shots and a few fun dance shots. Enter, Monica Hahn Photography.  First, I need to put it out there...I LOVE Monica, both as a photographer and a person.  I had never met her before our scheduled photo shoot. Maya, my daughter and I, arrived at her studio and she welcomed us with open arms and immediately made me feel as if I had known her all my life.  So we were talking, talking, and getting interrupted now and then by her having to actually take Maya's pictures.  We come to another costume change...enter Maya's solo costume. She was hesitant to be photographed in her new custom made solo costume that her mother painstakingly made for her!! Should she, shouldn't she??  My response..."Of course she should!!"  Luckily Monica kindly asked Maya to wear it for me.  As Maya was changing I divulge to Monica that I had made her the costume.  She was taken aback!  She said she loved it and encouraged me to start a little business.  Maya's back again, click, click, click, more photos to be taken. The costume photographed beautifully, as did my daughter.

Anyway, long story short:  
Since Monica realized that I had some knowledge of sewing she began to pick my brain about an adjustable skirt.  One that she could use on many models during her various photo shoots.  I gave her my two cents worth of advice and we finished our photo shoot with an appointment to come back and pick out our photos.

After leaving her studio I felt refreshed with ideas and confidence to create. Anything.  I didn't know what yet, but I was invigorated.  As I scroll through Pinterest for tips and ideas I come across another photographer's pin about a "frock."  It was a pretty pale green tulle dress.  The photographer, Sue Bryce, made it for a model in one of her photo shoots.  She never claimed to be a seamstress and was frank about the rough construction of the dress.  I thought, "This would be perfect for Monica!"  So, I secretly embark on making my own version of this dress.  I assemble all of my materials, go over my plans in my head.  A couple of months have gone by and still no dress to show for it.  I kept doubting myself throughout the process.  "She's going to hate it.  She doesn't need it.  This can't be the sort of dress she was talking about so why even try to make one?  She'll never use it, etc..."

So I finally go in to pick up my pictures from her (the frock half done for a few weeks now) and admit to her that I was attempting to make something for her but I was close to abandoning the project.  That was why I had to tell her about it...to give me a reason to make it.  I needed accountability for motivation.  Of course she tells me I don't need to do it.  But I want to!  I go on to describe what I was making and she tells me about a photographer that makes her own dresses for a photo shoot and we realize we are speaking of the same photographer!  She, too, has seen the exact pin I was talking about.  I felt a new sense of drive and excitement to complete my project.  A couple weeks later.  I was finished.  It was time to give the dress to Monica. She had me bring it to her studio with my daughter Maya to be the first to model it. I have included some photos from the shoot with Monica below

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To see a gallery of costumes I have made, visit my website www.glambyadora.com.