Dear little otters,

(this name is likely to change in the future, since Lisa, unlike me, doesn't think otters are one of the best animals in the world)... I hope you're well, and I'm back to let you in on what went on behind the scenes of the Anais Anais shoot, because yes, you can imagine that behind these lovely images there was a lot of organization and adventure! So without further ado, here's the first phase in organizing a shoot!  

  

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First of all, after the briefthe inspiration images and the choice of photographer for the shoot, it's time to take care of the styling. So we go to the press offices to pick up different pieces and choose the looks we'll shoot next. For this series, we went to the showroom Cacharel to select pieces for the styling of the series. And yes, it's a pretty incredible place, with a sleek design that's as soft as a caress: just look at that door! Even before we enter the showroom, we're immersed in a light, colorful universe - quite simply, the Cacharel universe... (and why not a DIY deco/paint stain...?).

  

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To complement the styling, we made little silver flower crowns, to bring a little modernity and homemade spirit to the shoot. Hundreds of little flowers were cut out using our magic machine: the famous Silhouette (renamed Raoul a few weeks ago). No, no, I don't watch Breaking Bad while I work, and don't worry, I've tidied up my desk (a bit) since... 

 

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And a few days later, when the weather stopped being capricious, we finally got to shoot with the incredible Charlotte Abramow. There are always unforeseen circumstances, and in this case we had to change a few looks due to Justine B's absence. Imagine Lisa and Alexandra scantily clad, strolling like nymphs among the tourists and children, a moment of pure magic, between climbing trunks and descending hills. It's always more difficult to shoot outdoors, but Charlotte is a pro at spotting the perfect spot and light (because yes, light is one of the most important factors in both outdoor and studio photography)!

 

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The difficulty with outdoor photos is also to avoid having any external elements disrupt the image (such as passers-by, lampposts or other street furniture typical of Parisian parks). With a desire to create an almost wild setting, we had to deal with the many people who also wanted to enjoy the sunshine on a Friday evening. In this photo, you can also see the kind look Lisa gives me. And yet I hadn't said anything, I hadn't mocked her, I hadn't insulted Frida or anything, so the reason for this look remains a mystery... 

 

 

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Speaking of Frida, it's true that we see less of her now that we have offices, but as soon as the opportunity arises, she likes to add her personal touch and participate in the styling by lying delicately on the clothes (yes, I can imagine your disappointment when you discover that Frida isn't all grace and voluptuousness). Yes, because that's what preparing for a shoot is all about: a lot of ironing beforehand so as not to waste time on the big day.

 

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Phase 2 of the shoot: the smoke! Contrary to what you might think when you see the final photos, it's very difficult to control the smoke generator - it never obeys. So we have no advice to give you if you want to use it, other than to do it in a well-ventilated area (it did trigger a few coughing fits in us, though...).

 

 

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Getting back to the wreaths, we can already imagine that you'll want to make them too, but unfortunately, this metallic paper can only be bought by professionals, and therein lies your misfortune. But don't worry, we've got you covered with a little competition in which you can win three wreaths and the perfumes Anais Anais and Premier délice! 

To enter, visit the instagram account of Make My Lemonade accountjust follow @makemylemonade, re-post this photoTo re-post a photo, all you have to do is take a screenshot... And add a caption with a note and the hastag #makemyanaisanais! I'll draw 3 winners next Tuesday! Big hugs and thanks for everything! 

May 29, 2014