STORIES FROM THE SET: BEHIND THE SCENES OF ELOISE

When you look at the finished product – the gorgeous catalogs and online images – it’s easy to assume that a photoshoot is all effortless elegance and glamour. Boy, would you be wrong!

We didn’t have any major mishaps or mountains (literal or figural) to overcome with the Eloise shoot. [This always makes us knock on wood.] The Star Hill Farms is a spectacular ranch in a remote little corner of the world between Brenham, Bellville, and Columbus. It was stunningly picturesque – we could’ve shot TWO catalogs out there – with neat accommodations and various types of lodging (ranch house, large house, cabins). But there are just some inescapable realities that essentially apply to all photoshoots.

They are hot, sweaty, long and tiring. The food and accommodations can be hit or miss. And while the girls in front of the camera are all “rigged up” (as Daddy Doug would say) and polished to perfection, the rest of us are in absolute grunge mode – clothes we don’t care about getting dirty, because sometimes you lay down in dirt or wade in water; rarely a stitch of makeup, because what’s the point when you’ll sweat it all off by noon; and shoes that can carry us for 14-hour days, which aren’t always the most aesthetically appealing. We each have a million little things to think about on a shoot, and what we look like is simply not one of them – we have a job to do!

Speaking of having a job to do, it takes everyone not only doing their part, but knowing their part. (If there is one undeniable truth about Double D Ranch, it’s that this company was built on and relies on teamwork.) That’s an interesting aspect of a photoshoot: we don’t really consciously think about it, but it is always consistent that everyone has their own particular role on set; we’ve been doing it so long that we it’s almost shorthand. (And it probably helps that most of us are family, so we can be direct… more on that later.) It’s a pretty well-oiled machine [another knock on wood] but every cog is essential.

Hedy is head of apparel and accessories, she is in charge of dressing the models and making sure they have on all the jewelry, belts, and boots that was envisioned for the look.

Cheryl focuses on the overall direction of the shoot, making sure everything is to the brand’s aesthetic level and expectations and that we’re really bringing the vision to life. ALWAYS iPad in hand, and the magic words we’re all waiting to hear are “Mitchell, I think we’ve got it”. (Well, and “Oh, that is our cover!” which we hear 20 times per shoot, even though we know there can only be one.)

Audrey is the boss lady/mother hen/monkey wrangler, who oversees the whole shebang and handles a great deal of the coordination leading up to the shoot, and then helps with scene-setting and styling on set.

Jack handles props, he does a lot of the literal heavy lifting, especially when we have a vintage vehicle we have to make behave. He also assists Mitchell with achieving ideal lighting using reflectors or shades.

Harris is a helping hand anywhere and everywhere he’s needed; he’s still young and full of energy, so he’s ideal for this role and a huge asset on set!

Lisa Martensen, our longtime stylist extraordinaire, is tasked with developing the aesthetic based on the vibe of the collection and then creating it in a way that suits each model but remains cohesive – and then maintaining that picture-perfect look against all the elements.

Mitchell is in charge of all things photography, which is much more than just snapping pictures. Not only does he bring his skill and aesthetic eye, he also has to determine what equipment will be necessary to adapt to the elements and make sure it all arrives and gets set up, as well as scout the scenes. (And hire a digital tech, when we get to bring one – we sure missed our man, Robert Amador, on this one!)

And of course, the girls who bring it all to life! The models – in this case, Kaylin, Lozzie, and our new face, Quisha Matthews – make the magic.

P.S. An outsider might assume models have it easy, but make no mistake: these gals work their booties off to make sure we get the shot, and sometimes they have to balance, squat, and hold difficult poses for extended periods. Not to mention, they endure the elements and change in a pop-up closet about 20 times a day. By the time we call “last look!”, they’re every bit as worn out as anyone else on set.

And while we’re on the topic of being worn out, let’s just say that there is a whole lot of love on our team, but by the final days of a shoot, both energy and patience are low, and spirited sarcasm is high. Considering most of us share DNA, it’s not unusual for a light-hearted and short-lived family feud to come to life, and there is always someone to team up with. This time, we had Jack and Harris vs Cheryl and Audrey, and – get this – Mitchell actually sided with the boys against the sisters!

For like, one minute. “Yeah, I flip-flopped pretty quickly,” laughed Mitchell. “I’m no fool!”  

They’re not glamorous, but they’re always memorable!