Next Mummy Stylist Blogger Competition

The gorgeous Mirka over at All Baby Advice is hosting the competition to end all competitions.  In conjuction with Next, just by blogging about your favourite outfit from the current 2012 range, you could win £500!

Now, as many of you know, I have my own business Halo Lifestyle which specialises in iconic, classic photography taken at home or your favourite location with a vintage twist.  As the business is growing, we are getting more and more involved in stylised shoots, which is where my real interest lies.  I adore getting creative, getting the storyboard together and watching the idea transform into something that I have visualised.  I am lucky that so many of my clients are thinking the same way - no boring white background shoots here thank you very much.

Obviously 2012 is a HUGE year for the UK.  As a Londoner born and bred, I really wanted to do something to commemorate the jubilee and so my idea for a jubilee shoot was began to blossom.  In my mind, it was all vintage tea cups and bunting and the idea bloomed into a jubilee vintage tea party.  All I needed were a couple of gorgeous models and some iconic clothing.

After scouring the charity shops for what felt like days, I was beginning to despair.  In my minds eye, I didn't want a union jack t-shirt, but a 50s style prom dress.  Luckily for me, next came up with the goods and I got my lovely Pixie this beautiful prom dress for the shoot.  I also used a bunting print scarf as my tablecloth which you can see in the picture below - consequently, "Rule Britannia, Cool Britannia" was captured.

Rule Britannia, Cool Britannia - Jubilee Photo Shoot

My next (no pun intended!) mission is to do a vintage, Olympic, styled shoot.  I am currently working on the concept but it will be themed around Iconic London and I'm working on something very "special" that I don't want to jinx in case it doesn't come off.  Let's just say, it involves water and a flowing, billowy, union jack dress like 

Luckily for me, I have three, gorgeous and willing models living right under my roof and they are always more than happy to pose for my shoots and unlike Linda Evangelista, will get out of bed and model for less than £10k a day!  I would love to use the following in my "London 2012 -Chariots of Fire " shoot and I will be dressing my two boys aged 8 and 5 and my daughter of 3.  

We are also using 3 gorgeous, teen models and I would love to see them in the following, mixed up with plain white vests (going with the shorts) and block colour shorts to go with the sports polo.  

I've added in the retro union jack telephone as a prop, and plan on using the official team GB scarf as a flag.

I'd love to win this fabulous competition in order to style my "Chariots of Fire" photo shoot, it would be the icing on the cake to use such amazing clothes and props rather than my usual method of beg, borrow or make do - the bonus being that my kids would get to keep the clothes at the end of the session.

Styling a shoot is one of the best bits of my job and I'd love to do it in style - I would of course, report back with the after shots.

Peace and Love

S.A.M xoxo