15 May
2010

Posted in: Creative Photoshoots, Destination Events
By Candice

Costa Rica: Behind the Scenes — Shoot Two!

In case you haven’t been following along, you can check out our behind the scenes post number one , two, and three for more information on who, what when and where. These pictures are compilation of talent that makes up the Carla Ten Eyck team. We put together these amazing editorial shoots for our friends at StayInCostaRica.com, who are THE people in Costa Rica for luxury property rental, vacations, and destination weddings. Another big shout out to our set up crew on day two Diana, Tony, Susannah and Mark for all your hard work. You guys made this shoot more amazing than the first!!!

After our epic beach shoot at Playa Hermosa with our loving couple, Michelle and Alejandro, we woke up the next morning and decided to do it all over again! These shoots are a lot of work– especially when you do them outside the comforts of your own territory. In between shoots, we also had to be fully functioning businesses.

Tony and I worked on our laptops every day, getting back to clients and vendors in between the commotion. Good thing we set up the office in the bar!

Here you can spy Erik and Greg working hard, too!

During our scouting session, we decided our rain forest shoot would be at a small village / hotel community at the base of a large mountain, overlooking the ocean and waterfalls of the rain forest. This small village, I believe, was transported to Costa Rica from a Spanish country. It had a GORGEOUS chapel and amazing rain forest views. It was perfect.

So, we set up our tablescape right in the water. It.was.amazing! And totally on the fly. To be honest, Tony and I didn’t have much of a plan… but we worked together to put together something amazing with the natural elements around us. Working with Diana and Susannah, the four of us came up with a lot of awesome ideas on the spot! We wove leaves together to create a natural linen and used lots of growing vines that Tony cut down from the surrounding vegetation. The flowers? We cut them out of the rain forest ourselves!

Here is Tony rigging up something amazing for the back of the chair.

We got the idea to wet down the table which took it to a whole new level!

Meanwhile…. while we were setting up, the rest of our team was getting ready. Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore styled all our models for day two, and DD Nickel did hair and makeup. Here is our maid, Katelyn, getting the finishing touches by DD!

While we were setting up in the rain forest the rest of our team, once ready, first it up Alejandro’s surf shop in downtown Jaco. It was absolutely amazing! Here is Beth in action styling Michelle!

And here is Carla micromanaging posing inside the surf shop… to be honest, Michelle was amazing and didn’t need much guidance!

After the surf shop, the team was reunited in the rain forest and we began shooting!!!!

Here is Diana and Sara putting the finishing touches on our tablescape prior to shooting.

Sara looking out for Katelyn’s hair as she takes some gorgeous shots of her in this beautiful yellow dress! Isn’t she stunning?

And here DD jumps in to help Katelyn out… it was REALLY hot… and REALLY humid!! I give her a lot of props for being up on that little skimpy rock in those Michael Kors wedges!

There were snakes, lizards, monkey’s and Toucan’s all over the place!

We moved over into the chapel to do some gorgeous bride and groom shots. Here Beth gets Michelle ready!

After, we headed back to our spot and did some incredible shots of the bride and groom! Here Carla sets up a shot in the water.

Here you can see Mike from Buzz Media shooting while we look on.

Erik getting all crazy in the water with his hat, looking like he should be on a safari!

Here we all our snuggling up to the back of Carla’s camera… well, everyone except Greg, who’s more interested in his own stuff!! Burn!

After our rain forest shoot, part of the team went up the top of the mountain to our new friends boutique hotel (opening soon). Victoria and Enrique were such gracious hosts– you MUST see what an amazing piece of property they have!! Enrique is an architect and built the beautiful 5 bedroom boutique hotel which overlooks the ocean and the rain forest. All the wood you see is hand carved and native to the area. The shots we got here? Absolutely and positively INSANE!!!! Thank you SO MUCH Victoria and Enrique!!!

Just a little taste. Wait until you see the amazing short clip from Buzz Media!

Well, that’s the end of our behind the scenes look at Costa Rica. We are dying to show you the images — soon! We want to thank all the vendors that participated in both of these amazing shoots: Stay in Costa Rica, Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Jubilee Events, The White Dress by the Shore, Datura: A Modern Garden, Buzz Media, DD Nickel, Gala Cloths, Eventos Boadicea, Posh Paperie, Paloma’s Nest, Zappos, Primele Calligraphy, Ben Amun, Riedel, kate’s paperie, and Larissa Banting for local referrals!

xxooo!

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14 May
2010

Posted in: Creative Photoshoots, Workshops
By Candice

2 Comments

Collaborate & Create — Rhode Island here we come!

As Carla Ten Eyck and I gear up for several big shoots for our workshop, Collaborate and Create, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all our amazing vendors who contributed to this project!

The Ocean House of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, The White Dress by the Shore, Modern Trousseau, Datura: A Modern Garden, Just for You Floral Design, Dana Bartone & Company, Toria Dolce Cakes, Rentals Unlimited, Coral Pheasant, Stonington Design + Paperie, Lens Pro 2 go and SEVERAL more we can’t wait to tell you about!!!

xoxo

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11 May
2010

Posted in: Creative Photoshoots
By Diana

3 Comments

Cinco de Mayo Photo Shoot

“There is something magnificent in having a country to love.” One of our favorite photographers, the fabulous Carla Ten Eyck decided she wanted to do a photoshoot inspired by Cinco de Mayo and the Day of the Dead tradition. She was inspired because not very often do you see an abundance of color in wedding shoots, so we decided to mix it up a bit. I had the absolute privilege to work with Carla that day, as well as Tony Palmieri of Datura, A Modern Garden. Honestly, you have no idea how crazy talented and incredible Carla and Tony are. With every shoot they blow my mind with all the creativity they come up with!

Carla and her dad had A TON of goodies from Mexico–from masks to cards to flags. We also added a great touch with some sugar skulls–for the Day of the Dead tradition, family members eat these sugar skulls as a sign of life and longevity in remembrance of their loved ones. Add our models, Alicia and Carlos and it was pure magic!

Of course we had help from our good friend, Beth Chapman from The White Dress by the Shore! She picked out a dress that was PERFECT for this atmosphere–she really has an incredible eye!!

The color on this altar was fantastic!! Like Carla was aiming for– lots of fresh and exciting color! Even with the most simple details, Tony can still create such masterpieces!!

While this shoot was something more personal and fun, it still gave us so many great ideas and worked our creativity just as every shoot does. As always, I cannot wait for the next one… Maybe more personally inspired shoots to come!!!

XOXO

Diana

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9 May
2010

Posted in: Creative Photoshoots, Destination Events
By Candice

3 Comments

Costa Rica: Behind the Scenes — Shoot One!

In case you haven’t been following along, you can check out our behind the scenes post number one and two for more information on who, what when and where. These pictures are compilation of talent that makes up the Carla Ten Eyck team. Our first shoot for the amazing StayInCostaRica.com began out at Playa Hermosa with our tablescape and ceremony set-up. Big shout out to our set up crew Diana, Tony, Susannah and Erica for all your hard work and sweat! And if anyone is curious, this is what the temperature read when Mark dropped us off:

How’s that for hot? You might be able to get a peek at Larry’s dashboard there. He’s already had it replaced once!

Didn’t I tell you this spot was awesome? We had so many ideas for it, but as with most shoots, you never really know if your ideas are going to work or not. We had envisioned draped fabric between the trees like a canopy, filled with greens and interesting leaves that we cut down ourselves in the rain forest… Oh man, it was going to be so gorgeous!!! But nope, mother nature had other plans. And it’s called wind! I will always remember Larry saying to us, “Wow, this is so unusual. It’s NEVER windy here!” Figures. So we improvised!

We also planned on building a four posted structure for the ceremony. It was also going to be swaddled in fabric. Can’t you see it blowing in the LIGHT breeze, whimsical, simple and elegant? NOPE. First of all, we forgot a mallet to hammer it into the ground. Second of all, there is NO way it would stay. That thing was going to take flight!!! So what did we do? Improvised. Check out Tony below making it happen… because that’s what he does!

So much of what we do is planned, yet our best ideas are usually the ones that are not. Here is the team hard at work improvising and creating things on site.

Meanwhile… back at Los Suenos…

The talented DD Nickel was on all the beauty of our gorgeous model, Michelle and bridesmaid, Magan. We hadn’t worked with DD before this trip but let me tell you, she fit right in. We love her! She’s the kind of artist that does her own thing and pays attention to detail. She understood our overall vision and then added her two cents, which is just how we like it!

Then our amazing crew and models arrived and it was down to business! We got changed out of our sweaty, gross clothes so we could sweat and be gross in some new ones. And also so we could make like we were guests!

Our amazing Carla Ten Eyck pack with Buzz Media in there too!

It’s hard NOT to smile when you see what’s inside Carla’s camera. And she always comes in with the sneak peeks!!!

Mrs. Beth Chapman from The White Dress by the Shore who single handily makes sure our models look amazing at every shoot!

This may be my favorite picture of all time. Carl Lewis with the sneak attack on Poop Shoe’s towel…. bloop!

This was one of the last shots of the day… mid afternoon… the skies just opened up and it started to POUR. I guess rain follows us where ever we go. There was a mad dash to get everything cleaned up and out of sight before the rain subsided. What do you do after a long day of set up and shooting in the open Costa Rican sun? Well, besides get your self a cocktail….