Extreme Photography
My house if filled with beautiful quilts...ones I've made, ones my Grandmother made, antique quilts, hooked rugs made by my mother. I'm so lucky to have so much creativity surrounding me. When I speak to quilt groups (as I'm doing next week in Maine!) I like to share as many quilts as possible through my power point presentation, as well as in person.
There were some quilts that I didn't have professional photographs of and I also am designing some new projects for my new pattern line (yes, I'm going to sell some patterns). So, it was becoming clear that I needed to do some flat shot photography. I stacked all the quilts and came up with 28 to photograph. (And, I actually found a few more afterwards for the next time we do this!)
We had to have the perfect location for the flat shots to be taken. Ideally, you want to look straight down on the quilt so that everything is square and flat. After years of practice at the magazine, we perfected a system for shooting tons of quilts flat in a day.
My friend Karen, at right below, had the perfect location--a small shed with open rafters. All we needed was a ladder and some boards, and a wonderful photographer friend that wasn't afraid of heights and hanging on his head for a couple of hours. That would be Perry, at left below!
For the hour and a half it took to take the shots, this is what we saw of Perry.
He saw this. That's me smoothing out my rooster quilt.
We put a sheet on the floor of the shed and laid the quilts on top of it.
While we worked on quilts, Karen and Carolyn helped watch Henry, Virginia and Goldie. I had made coffee cake so they sat on the cart and ate it.
Virginia, left, and Goldie.
After all the work was done we ordered in Mexican and sat outside on Karen's lovely porch for lunch. Henry and the girls were busy playing. Then we realized that Henry had found a "team of horses" to drive his wagon.
Henry in wagon, Goldie in pink, Virginia in blue.
Then all of the work horses went home--tired. Watch for my pattern line debut very soon!
There were some quilts that I didn't have professional photographs of and I also am designing some new projects for my new pattern line (yes, I'm going to sell some patterns). So, it was becoming clear that I needed to do some flat shot photography. I stacked all the quilts and came up with 28 to photograph. (And, I actually found a few more afterwards for the next time we do this!)
We had to have the perfect location for the flat shots to be taken. Ideally, you want to look straight down on the quilt so that everything is square and flat. After years of practice at the magazine, we perfected a system for shooting tons of quilts flat in a day.
My friend Karen, at right below, had the perfect location--a small shed with open rafters. All we needed was a ladder and some boards, and a wonderful photographer friend that wasn't afraid of heights and hanging on his head for a couple of hours. That would be Perry, at left below!
For the hour and a half it took to take the shots, this is what we saw of Perry.
He saw this. That's me smoothing out my rooster quilt.
We put a sheet on the floor of the shed and laid the quilts on top of it.
While we worked on quilts, Karen and Carolyn helped watch Henry, Virginia and Goldie. I had made coffee cake so they sat on the cart and ate it.
Virginia, left, and Goldie.
After all the work was done we ordered in Mexican and sat outside on Karen's lovely porch for lunch. Henry and the girls were busy playing. Then we realized that Henry had found a "team of horses" to drive his wagon.
Henry in wagon, Goldie in pink, Virginia in blue.
Then all of the work horses went home--tired. Watch for my pattern line debut very soon!
You bet I'll be watching and waiting for your patterns!
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I love the rooster quilt! -- am sure I've seen it before, was it featured in the magazine?
Of course I'll be anxiously waiting for your new pattern line to debut.
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The original rooster quilt was featured in American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. It was designed by Sandy Bonsib. I made my version with a collection of fabrics that has little chicken weatherwanes all over. It was hand-quilted by my Amish friend.
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Heidi--
What an ambitious day!! The quilts are lovely, and the kids must have been very good. It is interesting to know how the shots are done!
Thanks!
kay
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Heidi,
I've heard that you make the best coffecake any chance you would share that recipe?!
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Well, of course I'll share. I posted it in a 2007 entry. Click here.
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I, too, love that Rooster quilt!! What a treat to travel to Maine at this time of year! What fun the kids were having in the "team of horses" picture!
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Oh ... only Perry would go to any height to take a photo. He looks the same after all these years
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