Vintage couples — Alter Ego Portraits

Nat and Jimmy’s Vintage Couples shoot

January 30, 2014 by annalie

Nat and Jimmy came to the studio last year to spend special time together recreating some amazing vintage couples’ shots.

When you’re at an Alter Ego luxury make-over shoot you’re the stars. The team are completely focused on making you and your partner look and feel amazing.

The red halter neck dress that Nat is modelling is available to dress up in. Or if you have something similar, you’re most welcome to bring your own.

Stylist spraying hairspray on a lady about to be photographed.

Your stylist is on hand throughout the shoot for regular touch-ups to make sure you look stunning.

Wearing the beautiful vintage style tea dresses or this smouldering scarlet halter-neck helps put you in a great mood for your pictures to be taken. Feeling the part is the first step towards getting great pictures. I can think of a few dresses that have helped their owners feel the part and have ultimately gone down in history.

Marilyn Monroe’s white halter-neck dress from The Seven Year Itch, Elizabeth Hurley’s black Versace safety pin dress, Geri Halliwell’s union jack dress, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Oscar acceptance gown, Lady Gaga’s meat dress… how funny! I am sure there are lots more.

Women have always loved copying star style and back in the 1930’s and 40’s it was no different. You could buy sewing patterns for dresses and outfits worn by the stars of the big screen. Paramount Studio’s costume designer Edith Head produced a collection of “Hollywood Patterns” featuring the exact dresses worn by Betty Grable, Francis Gifford, and Lucile Ball to name but a few. We’d like to get hold of the patterns and it would be fabulous if someone could make a few dresses up for our vintage shoots.

Black and white image of two people about to kiss.

A beautiful romantic shot of Nat and Jimmy.

The Alter Ego couples’sessions have a number of different scene and lighting changes where you can get dressed up and down. The boudoir part of the shoot is optional and for that section you’d need bring your own lingerie and stockings. Most of the couples who come to the studio do opt for beautiful, boudoir images taken in an atmospheric Film Noir style.

Some couples choose to have images as a keepsake in a bound leather or canvas photo album, others have framed prints for the wall and some choose to have a CD of images instead.

1950's poster style picture of man in a suit like james bond and lady wearing a mac

This styled pic is reminiscent of the poster campaigns from the Film Noir era where films had names such as Kiss Me Deadly, The Killing and Touch of Evil.

Kat and Adrian’s “Mad Men” shoot makes their dream a reality.

October 18, 2013 by annalie

When Mad Men first appeared on our TV screens viewers were hooked instantly. It depicted many parts of American society and culture during 1960’s New York, such as cigarette smoking, drinking, sexism, feminism, adultery and racism to name but a few – plenty of drama then!

The show was based around the powerful lead character Don Draper Creative Director at advertising agency Sterling, Cooper & Partners and his life in and out of the office. The plots focused on the business of the agencies as well as on the personal lives of the characters and how the mood of 60’s America affected everyone both socially and politically.

Women loved watching the show, not only for the ruthless plots and compelling story lines; they loved the glamour, the fashions, the make-up, the perfectly groomed hairdos, the nipped in waists, the pointy stilettos, the femininity. The show prompted many women to copy the style of the lead characters Betty, Peggy and Joanie, to the point that costume designer Janie Bryant even brought out a book titled, The Fashion File which depicted ways to copy the definitive looks of the era.

Martin and the team have the look down to a fine art – take a look at this magnificent make-over that made Kat and Adrian’s day.

Man in vintage suit lighting a cigarette

Adrian goes back to the 60’s as Don Draper.

Thank you so much for an amazing Madmen experience, Don Draper Drapes, Betty Draper Boudoir fantastic day would recommend to all!!! Very friendly and relaxed atmosphere, fantastic make up artist, Martin and his team take beautiful photographs! Can’t wait to hang them in my living room!!!!! — with Adrian Risidore.

Lady with blonde, short hair and vintage style waves

Loving Kat’s beautiful blonde waves.

Man and woman posing in an office environment in the style of Mad Men the TV series.

Don and Betty smoulder in the office of Sterling Coopers & Partners

Framed photograph of a couples vintage makeover shoot on a wall.

Love love love this! We are sooooo pleased with them! Kathryn Xx

An Alter Ego Couples shoot is a great way to celebrate your relationship.

October 3, 2013 by annalie

Linda and Lee were given their Alter Ego Portraits Couple’s Shoot voucher as a present from their children and what a fabulous gift it turned out to be. They had a magnificent time dressing up for their photo shoot and they chose lots of beautiful pictures as keepsakes.

This portrait of Lee is lit in the “Film Noir” style of the 1950’s. The combination of the moody background and colour of Lee’s beautiful, soft grey suit compliment each other perfectly.

Portrait of a man with a shaved head with darkly lit background

A very handsome portrait of Lee

Linda’s black and white portrait is stunning. Her beautifully applied simple make-up shows off her gorgeous smile and pretty, dark eyes.

Martin photographs this particular shot in the same way as the Hollywood photographers would have done back in the golden era of film. If you’re interested in black and white portraits like this, take a look at the website for George Hurrell who was a master of Hollywood glamour photography. His portraits of Greta Garbo, Jean Crawford and Katherine Hepburn to name but a few are captivating.

Black and white picture of a lady in a white shirt with short dark hair.

Lovely Linda in her white shirt picture.

It’s no problem to set free your inner Katherine Hepburn or Joan Crawford. One of our superb stylists will style your hair and apply your make-up in perfect Hollywood film star style, making your dreams of Hollywood glamour come true.

Lady and gentlemen facing each other in a darkly lit Film Noir pose

This romantic black and white image captures their feelings perfectly.

A glorious blue sky day for an Alter Ego Couple’s Shoot

July 17, 2013 by annalie

Gemma and Josh enjoy a beautiful summer afternoon on Alter Ego Portrait's lawn.

Gemma and Josh enjoy an Alter Ego Portrait’s Couple’s Shoot on the sunny lawn.

Gemma and Josh had a glorious blue sky day when they came for their Vintage couple’s shoot. As well as shooting lots of lovely pictures indoors, they made the most of a rare sunny day and Martin captured them relaxing on a picnic blanket on the lawn outside the studio.

This stylish image is taken directly into the sunshine. Martin mastered this style of photography by setting up a Big Flash indoor studio flash to go off when he clicks the camera. It takes a very powerful and bright flash to enable an image to be taken with the sun in the frame like this.

If this is an image you’d like to recreate with your partner, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Gemma and josh in a vintage makeover shoot at Alter Ego Portraits

Gemma and Josh look stunning in a delightful vintage shoot.

Almost a year since her last visit to the studio, here’s what Gemma had to say:

My Disc arrived the other day and all the pictures are beautiful. Thanks again and I will probably see you next year!

May News – We Love Couples Shoots!

May 7, 2013 by martin

Couples Shoots on Half Price offer during May

Film noir photography by Alter Ego We’ve been bitten by the “love bug” after spending the day with Michael and Serena in the studio. So we’re dedicating our £99 special offer this month to our couples photo shoot experiences.

If you have an anniversary to celebrate, a special birthday present in mind, or even a marriage proposal to make…read on!

As many of you already know an Alter Ego luxury makeover shoot is great fun. You can delve into the dressing up box and unleash your inner Humphrey Bogart or Lana Turner and recreate the stylish poses of Hollywood’s film noir era

1950s styel couples photograpy by Alter Ego

Or why not share a milk shake and turn back the clock “USA style” to the time of Bill Haley and the Comets. Rock a quiff, a front hair roll, pop on one of our jitterbug dancing dresses and you’re all set! Your personal hair and make-up stylist and the props will be ready and waiting for you to have all the fun!

Marriage proposal 1950s style by Alter Ego Portraits. Recently we were very fortunate to share in Michael’s most magnificent marriage proposal. During their shoot he got down on one knee and Serena said yes! There wasn’t a dry eye in the studio and the moment was captured forever.
Can you still wear your wedding dress? How about celebrating an anniversary and enjoy wearing it all over again?

Special offer: Couples photo shoot experiences just £99

Why not give yourselves a treat and a book an Alter Ego Luxury Makeover Experience at this very special price? If you know anyone who might like to follow in Michael and Serena’s footsteps with a proposal, then our £99 special offer could be just the trick! Or if you have your own ideas for a shoot we would love to hear from you.

Visit our special offer couples shoot page to buy. As always our experiences are available as gift vouchers that are valid for a year. You can buy online or just give us a call on 01604 871187

Some favourites from 2012

January 14, 2013 by martin

Over on our Facebook page we have been sharing a selection of our favourite images from 2012. There is a wide selection of images from every style of shoot. A big thank you to all the wonderful clients who allowed us to share their images. Here is the final collection.

A sizzling hollywood vintage couples shoot

June 12, 2012 by martin

We’re thrilled to be able to share this shoot with you! Our couples shoots are really popular right now, even more so now that all our photo shoots include the option to bring a friend or partner for no extra charge.

Kat and Colin chose a classic Hollywood style for their shoot with a hint of film noir. We think they’d make great film stars. Thanks so much guys for letting us share your photos!