BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF A Photoshoot: Holiday Branding Photography with The 405 Girls
"There's so much buzz surrounding them right now, and I had the pleasure of capturing their holiday branding photoshoot."
Meet The 405 Girls: Revolutionizing Content Creation
Guess what? Something super awesome happened! I had the absolute privilege and honor of photographing The 405 Girls in Oklahoma City.
Now, if you're not familiar with The 405 Girls, you definitely should be because they are the ones to watch. The 405 Girls are this incredible group of five talented women from different backgrounds, ages, and skill sets. They're totally changing the content creation game in Oklahoma City and beyond. From luxury fashion to cocktails and travel, to body positivity and motherhood, these ladies cover it all! They're basically a one-stop shop for brands looking to add some serious diversity and creativity to their lineup.
There's so much buzz surrounding them right now, and I had the pleasure of capturing their holiday branding photoshoot.
Plot Twist: The Surprising Link Between Me and The 405 Girls
As with all good stories, there's always a little plot twist responsible for creating and keeping it interesting. And this story is no different.
Guess what?
I'm actually a member of The 405 Girls too. I know, crazy right? I'm sure you're thinking, "wait, but she's the photographer!" And yes, that's true. But here's the thing about The 405 Girls - we all wear multiple hats. We each bring unique skills and talents to the table, and for this photoshoot, my role just happened to be behind the camera.
Which brings me to...
Why Choose Mel Drake Photography for The 405 Girls Branding Photos?
Choosing me, Mel Drake of Mel Drake Photography and a member of The 405 Girls, may seem like an obvious choice. However, I've never done a group shoot for them before, and photographing people I know makes me really nervous. So why was I chosen? Let me tell you. When it came to picking a photographer for The 405 Girls holiday shoot, my girls suggested me without hesitation. I was surprised, flattered, and also scared that I wouldn't meet their expectations. After all, photographing people I know makes me really nervous. Plus, since these shots were for our business, I didn't want to mess it up. I was definitely feeling the pressure. The stakes were high, but I was ready to rise to the occasion.
Embracing the Challenge: Juggling Multiple Roles - I'm the Model & Photographer
As a photographer, I usually stay behind the lens, capturing the magic and beauty of others. So snapping our 405 Girls branding photos and then stepping in front of the camera to model for this photo shoot was definitely a change of pace. It was quite a challenge that I was up for!
Unveiling the Photoshoot Theme: "Winter Cute" in the City
The Creative Concept: Collaborating With The 405 Girls and Photoshoot Goals
The creative process for this photoshoot was a collaboration between Masha Andrianova of The 405 Girls and myself. As our Branding Specialist, Masha ensured the photos would align with The 405 Girls' brand identity and our elevated style. As the Photographer, I aimed to create versatile, visually appealing images for print and social media. Most importantly, the images showcased each member's unique style and personality while remaining visually cohesive.
The Location: Downtown Oklahoma City
Located right in the heart of the Business District in downtown Oklahoma City, you'll stumble upon the incredible Gilded Acorn Eatery and Patisserie. This fancy French-inspired coffee shop is nestled in the historic First National Building, and its prime corner spot offers the most amazing views of North Robinson Avenue and Park Avenue. And afterward, I thought it'd be perfect to snap our individual 405 Girls branding portraits in and around the area.
The Vibe: Elevated "Winter Cute" with a Touch of Boss-Babe
As the holidays and cold months approach, I wanted to capture our holiday branding photoshoot in an elevated "winter cute" vibe. Think outfits with hints of luxury and sophistication, but also showcasing our individual boss-babe - it was the ultimate representation of who we are as The 405 Girls.
The Inspiration: Downtown City Chic
To really set the tone, adjectives like elevated, fun, personality, and luxury were key to our styling ideas, poses, and overall energy. And of course, we wanted to create something to showcase our uniqueness as a group while still maintaining our individual personalities and styles.
The Wardrobe: Coordinating Our Looks
One exciting part of the holiday branding shoot was coordinating our looks. As The 405 Girls, we each have our unique style, which was important to showcase in the photos. With each member repeatedly bringing their fashion A-game, there wasn't much planning needed. I was excited to see how each member's personal style would come together for the brand shoot.
Behind the Lens: The Photography Process
The PHOTOGRAPHY Equipment: Camera, Lenses, and Lighting
Camera Body: Canon RP Mirrorless camera
Camera Lens: For this shoot, I used my Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 lens.
Lighting: The pockets of natural light that peaked around the tall buildings of downtown OKC provided the perfect lighting for our shots. But just in case I needed to modify the scene for light, I brought my reflector, but it wasn't necessary.
Other Equipment: A tripod and the Canon Camera Connect app was essential for our group shots.
The CAMERA Settings: Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO
I shoot in Manual mode, so my camera settings are constantly changing depending on the lighting, location, and composition. Here's a general breakdown of the settings I used for this shoot:
Shutter Speed: 1/200-1/320
Aperture: f/4 (f/7.1 group shot)
ISO: 100-400 (2000 group shot)
The Magic Revealed: Our Top Shots - The 405 Holiday Branding Photoshoot
In case you haven't noticed, each of The 405 Girls is not only stunning but also incredibly charismatic in front of the camera. Each team member brought their unique style and energy to the shoot, making it a true representation of The 405 Girls brand.
I'm happy to report that as we started shooting, my nerves began to disappear. I relaxed and got into the photographer "zone".
The result?
Well, I'll let the photos speak for themselves. And just a heads up - get ready to be blown away!
The Group Shot: Boss-Babe Central
First up, we have our group shot in all its Girl Power energy. Each 405 Girl is rocking their individual style while still looking cohesive as a group.
I easily took group photos using a tripod and the Canon Connect App. Just set up the camera on the tripod, connected it to my phone via Bluetooth with the Canon Connect app, and captured shots remotely. It made group photography a breeze!
Sicila Talavera - 405 Girl
Sicilia, our Legal and Business Strategist, is pretty in pink! This raven-haired beauty is currently in law school, so it was only fitting for her to channel her inner "Legally Blonde" Elle Woods. Let me tell you, when she stepped in front of the camera, the photography gods were on our side. I'm not kidding, a patch of light beamed down on her in that very spot, and the wind decided to blow her hair in the best way possible. Talk about perfection!
Masha Andrianova - 405 Girl
Accountant and Branding Strategist for The 405 Girls, Masha effortlessly handles business behind the scenes while always slaying fashion looks. During this shoot, Masha chose to have photos captured of her inside the enchanting Gilded Acorn. While she remained seated, I hurried outside to capture shots of her dreamily gazing out of the window (think Breakfast at Tiffany's in reverse).
Lestari Kusumawardani - 405 Girl
I lovingly refer to Lestari as "The Queen." She's our Marketing Expert and Graphic Designer extraordinaire, reigning supreme in the world of luxury. Lestari strutted down the sidewalk in front of Stock & Bond restaurant, and I absolutely adored how her shots exuded a commercial magazine vibe.
Lauren Cross - 405 Girl
Social Media Strategist, Lauren's shots were captured outside of the Gilded Acorn. She posed for professional photos with a cup of coffee in hand, showcasing her love for caffeine.
And That's a Wrap!
So there you have it - the behind-the-scenes look at The 405 Girls' holiday branding photoshoot. I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into my brand photography process and seeing the final results. Stay tuned for more exciting content from me!
XOXO Melissa "Mel" Drake
#LetsMakeMagicTogether #MelDrakePhotography
Quick References:
Photography & Creative Direction:
Melissa “Mel” Drake (Mel Drake Photography)
Clients:
The 405 Girls - (Sicilia Talavera, Lestari Kusumawardani, Masha Andrianova, Melissa "Mel" Drake, and Lauren Cross)
Locations:
Equipment:
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