MEL HAUPT FLORAL

This was such a fun and easy going collaborative shoot between Maria Corona, of Maria Corona Photography, and I. I had a bucket full of leftover beautifully bright Icelandic Poppies and then there were too many bright yellow Forsythia bushes spilling all over in backyards around the valley to stop me from throwing together a (ridiculous and over the top) spring bouquet.

Maria, who's my fave;), was immediately onboard for a last minute shoot, so I then contacted Janay Marie, a local Bridal Gown designer. Janay is so totally generous and I feel like she literally drops everything to hook me up any time I've reached out to her. I am so grateful to her for providing this beautiful lace crop top. It's so simple and classy, yet modernized with its short cropped fit. XO to Janay!! Lastly, I (sheepishly) texted the most darling of humans, our model Brooke, who I have been eyeing every week at church for like a year, waiting for the perfect excuse to snatch her up, throw a bunch of flowers at her and stick her in front of a camera. THIS WAS IT! WEEEEEE!!! Success.

Maria had been wanting to shoot in this really cool, old historic house in the Avenues for a while, and its 'under construction' white & blank state provided the perfect contrast to the bold brightness and cheeriness of the flowers.

It was a drizzly, grey spring day so, clearly, we had to stop for warm beverages and pastries on the way.... Once we warmed our tummies and got to the location it was time to let Maria take over and make some magic like she does. Behold, the reaping.....

Photos by Maria Corona
Bouquet by Mel Haupt Floral
Dress by Janay Marie

TWO SHOOTS IN ONE

Several weeks back another local florist Kaytee Stice, of Roots Floral Design, decided to take a chance and reach out to several Utah creatives (including me, another florist!), in attempts to put together a unique, and quite frankly, uncommon collaborative shoot. I was very excited about the idea of being involved in something I hadn't seen happen very often.

We ended up with 3 hair and makeup artists, 2 models, 2 florists and 1 amazing photographer!

Kaytee and I began bouncing ideas off of each other, trying to figure out a way to make sense of a random grouping of industry pros. Kaytee felt inspired by and wanted to use the Pantone colors of the year for her inspo. I decided I would like to attempt to go a slightly darker and richer direction using the Pantone colors as my inspiration; and so the overall concept of the shoot was born. One inspiration, executed in our own individual ways.

Kaytee and I, along with providing the flowers, also took on the roll of stylist for our own individual 'shoot'. We each had our own beautiful model and equally beautiful dresses. Each model in turn had their own Make Up Artist who achieved exactly what Kaytee and l had hoped for. Mindy, of Simply Mindy K, took on two completely different hair styles and executed them to perfection.

All that was left to do was SHOOT!

Photographer Arielle Voght began doing what she does best and produced some of the loveliest images.

It truly was such a unique experience and a really amazing way to see several beautiful and talented women (who are otherwise in competition with each other!) come together to produce something we are all passionate about, and to support each other the whole way through.

I am so happy with the final result and love love love these gorgeous photos.

Side note: The 2 models are actually dear friends and it was super cute and actually quite sweet to take a few photos of them together (which I'm SURE they will blow up and hang in their homes ;)).