20 June 2012

A Secret Garden

The Secret Garden photo shoot

Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel, 'The Secret Garden' was the inspiration behind this very English of photo shoots taken late last Summer by Surrey family lifestyle photographer Vicki Knights . I wanted to show the children's nightwear range in an alternative way to the usual indoor scenes and loved Vicki's work and use of natural light in her photography.   

Children seldom rush to get dressed first thing in the morning and I loved the idea of photographing the girls still in their pjs and nightdresses outside, natural and free, exploring the vegetable plot and feeding the chickens. Vicki and I put our heads together and came up with a number of styling ideas, props, our four gorgeous models and kept fingers crossed that it didn't rain!


Many of the girls  nightdresses and pyjamas  are inspired by original Victorian designs. Designed in England and made in beautiful soft cotton, they all have pretty hand finished detailing. The 'Secret Garden' theme was perfect and I could just imagine Mary walking the walls of the Misselthwaite Manor in one of these nightdresses.


The rose garden plays an important theme in the novel and these are some of my favourite images from the shoot. This nightdress is guaranteed to make even the most boisterous little girl look angelic!


The Medicine Garden in Cobham, Surrey was the perfect setting, with it's Victorian walled garden, beds of lavender and vegetable plots bursting with cabbages. Vicki runs her photo workshops here and I love the nursery and the delicious cakes in the cafe! 


As you can see the caterpillars have got the better of the cabbages!


You can read more about this photo shoot on Vicki's blog here

I can't wait to share more photos from this shoot including a very whimsical tea party!

Janne x



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