Angelia McLean: Paper Dolls

Angelia McLean: Paper Dollshttp://www.belleglamourphotography.com

Paper Dolls

I remember playing with paper dolls. They weren't oriented towards Disney and television characters either. They were original illustrations of pretty women with a beautiful wardrobe that you had to punch out or cut. Punch out ones seemed to come along later now that I think about it. I kept the sets in old cigar boxes. I think the graphics and the cutting them out was the most appealing. Once you had put on all the outfits, you were kind of done with them for a while. So it was probably more of a means than an end of a plaything.

My first paper dolls in my ephemera collection were from a Pennsylvania church rummage sale. They were meticulously cut from old magazines having been printed I suppose in a publication etc. Then all placed in labeled envelopes. I was able to discern the date only by an ad that I found and then Google'd. It had been printed in part on back of one of the dolls. I figured 1903 or so.

From here over the years I came across sets or so. Some being in nice lithographed pocket folders and others in zip lock bags, their original state unclear. But I remain on the hunt and fascinated by them.

It was when I was creating some promotional material for Belle Glamour Photography that what would be nice was some originality. I was just creating the boring postcard and tri-fold brochure. I stopped and thought, "I can do better than this type of stuff!" And having thought about what would be fun for me to get in the mail is something interesting and novel. I thought of a boudoir paper doll. Now, I'm sort of hooked creating my own. But, here is my retro boudoir paper doll that I will send or give out to prospective photography portrait clients.

Belle Glamour Photography MOD Fashion Shoot

Belle Glamour Does MOD Fashion Shoot

I suppose it shows my age if I admit to loving the MOD Squad when I was little. It was so cool as a show and the 3 characters seemed so tough and smart. Not that my recent fashion shoot had much to do with that show but whenever I think MOD I think MOD Squad! With 7 models, and a fabulous Makeup Artist, I styled and photographed this fun editorial shoot. The models had so much fun dressing up and trying to coordinate the found outfits. None of the clothes except a few vintage accessories were from that time period but by combing through Goodwill stores and finding that right look that reminded me of the '60's I found some fun fashions!

Here is the video above for the shoot-Enjoy!

Angelia M.'s photostream

Angelia M.'s photostream on Flickr.

I've been doing quite a bit of fashion and glamour photography in Denver and recently will be opening my own studio for personal use and for a photographer rental! I'm looking for props, painting, cleaning and landscaping to get it just right for clients. I'm so excited!

"Suspense" Illustration Friday

Here is my interpretation of the theme of Illustration Friday- "Suspense" Is the monster going to eat the goth girl or is she going to turn around and punch him? They both look like they could do each other damage but I think what will happen is she'll adopt the lizard monster as a friend...and they lived happily ever after.

Poetry in Motion

 These photos that I took in December when the pond was half frozen I turned into digital paintings by using Adobe Photoshop. I took them with considerable blur but enhanced the images with some editing. The images were taken at a park's pond with ducks and snow/ice. I thought they made beautiful abstract images. Sometimes the art of seeing is not seeing anything at all.