The Charmed Gardens Greenhouse

Lately, I’ve been on a creative roll.  I get ideas for sessions, and have to execute them.  Like many other photographers, I am always on the lookout for new spaces for sessions.  I’m still relatively new to the Austin area and being one of my husband’s caretakers, scouting for locations can be challenging.  However, when a fellow photographer created her own greenhouse for sessions called the Charmed Gardens Greenhouse, I knew that I had to schedule a session!

I rented a dress from my favorite business Lael Rentals, and schedule the session at the Charmed Gardens Greenhouse.  I posted a Time for Print session in one of my Facebook groups, and several models responded.  I chose my model, and send her the contract.  Well, she cancelled the night before the session.  Her reason?  She doesn’t shoot in see through garments.  The bodice of the dress had netting, but there were pads covering the breasts.  I was so angry!  I had to post a frantic request, and Cristina answered my call!  She lives almost two hours away so I paid for her gas. 

I watched the forecast the day of the session because it called for rain in the afternoon.  For gear, I packed a strobe, soft box, both camera bodies (Sony A7ii and Sony A7iii), my Holdfast single camera strap, and a reflector.  I always pack my gear the night before so that I don’t forget anything.

I arrived at The Charmed Gardens 10 minutes before the session start time so that I could unpack the car, and go right in.  Lisa, the host, greeted me at the gate.  She took my temperature as well as her own which made me feel safe.  She showed me around the space, and let me know that I was welcomed to use her disinfectant.  Lisa has a small shed for changing clothes.  There are also several chairs and a bench to use.  There’s even a chandelier!  

We began the session after Cristina started her playlist.  It provided the perfect ambiance for the session.  We worked every inch of the greenhouse, and I am so happy with the gallery!  I used my Sony A7ii more during this session than I did in the prior sessions.  I’m trying to get more comfortable using this camera. However, the more that I use it, the more I’m convinced I will trade it in!

The session with Cristina was amazing.  She moved with ease, and was very comfortable with her body.  She was also willing to suggest different poses.  I love it when a model is an active participant in a session.  It encourages and inspires me.  If the model is stiff, I can become easily bored, and I don’t produce my best work.

All in all, I am very happy with the gallery.  I also believe that I will use one of these images when I present at next year’s Georgetown Texas Photography Conference.