I've said it before, we're blessed that things always seem to work out for our Genlux photo shoots. Even if things appear, right up to the last minute, to be going awry, in the end, the pieces will fall into place. Maybe it's our surrendered spirit—that all is meant to be. Like a jigsaw puzzle, you can't force pieces into place—somewhere in the pile is the right one to finish the picture. Last week's shoot with Andie MacDowell was a good example.
On Wednesday, three days before our shoot, the location was set—the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive. The penthouse was locked in and I was just about to make catering arrangements with Erik Wood, the hotel's event director, when a call came in about two possible homes we could shoot in. So, on Thursday, I went to scout the locations and found both to be exceptional. Especially the one in Bel-Air.
Andie McDowell in Zac Posen
Built in 1948, by famed architect Paul Williams, it had somehow survived being torn down (like many of the homes in Bel-Air) to make room for a mega-mansion. This one, owned by successful entrepreneur Mark Barons, was like an authentic Southern plantation home transported to LA—just right for our shoot with our Southern Belle Andie.
Not only was the house perfect, but then Mark led me to his garage. In there was a beautifully restored, midnight blue 1948 Jaguar convertible. Are you kidding me? I almost cried.
So now, not only did we have my favorite local photographer, Tracey Morris, brilliant hairstylist Robert Steinken from CloutierRemix and the equally amazing makeup artist Uzo (Nars Cosmetics International Lead makeup artist), we had the primo location.
Bruno Lima came on board as the stylist. He knows elegant, high-end, or as Anna Wintour refers to it, upmarket, fashion. A new manicurist stepped in this time—Angela Knott.
The shoot went as planned. We started at around 9:30 and ended at 3:30. We knocked out five great looks in Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Valentino, J. Mendel, and gorgeous jewelry by Margot McKinney.
Andie McDowell in Oscar de la Renta and Giuseppe Zanotti sandals and Margot McKinney earrings.
On Sunday, Tracey sent over the 500-plus shots for me to edit and I was floored. There were so many great shots! On one hand, I was ecstatic we had amazing photos, but on the other hand, I was going to have a tough time editing. But the best part was these insane shots didn't need retouching. Can you imagine? Doing a shoot with a 57-year-old Andie MacDowell and NOT RETOUCHING? Well, that's what we're going to do. Andie MacDowell, Unplugged. Not a lick of photoshopping! Wait for it...