Glamour Sugar Skull Halloween Portrait Photo Shoot
Even though this sugar skull shoot took place four years ago, it still holds a special place in my heart. When I originally shot this, it was a dream come true. I initially shared part of these images on my photography business blog and then on my lifestyle blog, ANNAdventure. It is such an amazing opportunity to be able to come together with other incredibly talented artists to make a collaboration shoot such as this one. My colleague and friend Suzanne (responsible for the sugar skull’s hair and makeup) came up with the general concept. I tied it all together by creating a storyline that encompassed the looks that Suzanne wanted to create while designing the wardrobe and photographing it. Maribel, an incredible floral designer in DC, added the magical finishing touches with her beautiful fresh floral pieces. This creative style of photography is what fuels my soul! I am so grateful to Suzanne for voicing her desire to do this and to Maribel for agreeing to collaborate with us.
This sugar skull shoot had two purposes: the first was to showcase our skills and the second was to photograph a woman transitioning from alive to dead with a good vs. evil undertone. For the first look, I wanted the makeup application to be more ethereal, soft and dream like – almost angelic. For the second look I wanted the makeup application, lighting and wardrobe to be more dark, dramatic, punk rock and fashion inspired. Almost like a heaven vs. hell theme: one very light and airy and the next very dark and deep. I decided to tie this transition together by using an apple. The apple has been used throughout several stories (Snow White and Adam and Eve) as a symbol of change and I thought it would be the perfect object to symbolize the change we were looking to photograph in our sugar skull glamour portrait shoot.
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Again a HUGE thanks to all the talented ladies involved in this sugar skull photo shoot:
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Beauty by Sue: Sugar Skull Concept, Fabulous Hair and Makeup
Anna D Bruce: Outfit designs and creation, handmade lace necklace, photo shoot concept and photography
Eight Tree Street (Maribel): Floral headpiece design and creation, floral and feather bouquets
Maya Moore Model: A big thanks to our model for helping us pull this off
Nina Reed - Love the contrast between the two styles, you did a great job showcasing the difference between life & death with those lighting changes!
Anna - Aww thank you so much Nina. I really appreciate your comment and you stopping by 🙂
Ashley - Wow, super cool and unique! Great job!
Anna - Aww thank you so much Ashley! I really appreciate your comment and you stopping by 🙂
Elizabeth - Wow! Such creativity and talent on this shoot! I love the soft colors and fine art posing!
Anna - Thank you so much Elizabeth 🙂 I really appreciate your comment and you stopping by!
Justyna - Wow!!! This is so unique!! Fun!!!
Anna - Thank you so much Justyna! I really appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Lindsay H - What a WONDERFUL collaboration! I love how one is light and airy and the other so moody and strong. Honestly, I thought she was wearing a mask because the makeup is perfection. Gorgeous photographs and wonderful work!
Anna - Hi Lindsay! What a great compliment to Sue’s work! She did an amazing job with her makeup 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate it!
Jennie Crate - Love all of these, but totally love the ones with the black background–the outfit and make up really pops!
Anna - Aww thank you so much Jennie! I love the drama in those for sure. Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
ginny - LOVE LOVE LOVE! I am doing sugar skulls next week! Hope mine are half as gorgeous as yours. Beautiful!
Anna - Ginny! I cannot wait to see yours! PLEASE share them with me when you blog them 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
Julie - Ok, this is what I want to be for Halloween! Such creative and beautiful images.
Anna - Haha awesome Julie! I think I am going to be some version of a Glam cat 🙂 Send me photos if you do dress up as a sugar skull. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Rachel - What a difference color of outfit makes. These are awesome!
Anna - Agreed! Thank you so much Rachel 🙂 I appreciate your comment and you stopping by.
Whitney Milton Films - Oh wow these are so cool. Especially Love the black background!
Anna - Aww thank you so much Whitney! I really appreciate it, thank you so much for stopping by!
Cara - Yassssssss omg I love this! I am such a fan of the sugar skulls. This is so amazing!
Anna - Aww thank you so much Cara! I really appreciate you stopping by and commenting.