The Vision
Working with Brittany and Suzanne, the powerhouse founders behind Isla & Saige, is always such a joy. They’re creative, driven, and deeply thoughtful about every product they release and having worked with them before, we knew what it would take to bring this vision to life. They value the quality of their pieces as they're made to last and pass down for future generations which is why legacy is one of their core pillars behind the brand's purpose. For this shoot, they were adding a few new pieces to their spring collection—including a new style in the dreamiest butter yellow shade! Even though this shoot was on a slightly smaller scale than our past ones (no modes of transportation being photographed this time), it was still so intentionally planned and we highlighted the vibe of this luxurious linen collection found in boutiques across coastal cities such as Montecito, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Sag Harbor. The vibe was soft, feminine, and spring-forward, and I wanted to make sure the photos reflected all of that. Brittany sent over an inspo mood board that reminded me of style icons like Meredith Blake and Princess Diana per usual, and from there, I put together the production deck! We thoroughly collaborated on the vision, which made the whole process feel even more personal and inspired.
The planning
The team for this shoot was smaller, but mighty. Since our usual videographer wasn’t available, I stepped in solo as photographer and producer, and brought in my incredible intern, Alexandra to help on set as my production assistant. Brittany and Suzanne also hired a content creator and close friend of mine, Dee (@thesocialclub.xx), to capture behind-the-scenes content for social, and Ashley Caroll (@ashleycarollmakeup) joined us for hair and makeup—and let me tell you, they both killed it! I also helped with casting and was so excited to bring in two gorgeous models, Lindsay (a returning favorite) and Julia (who I'd never worked with before but always admired). Every detail—down to the styling and pacing of the shoot—was planned with purpose. The anticipation for this shoot was so high!
The execution
When I got to the beach and saw how gloomy it was (marine layer in full force), I was a bit discouraged because I wanted everything to feel light and bright and springy! But we adapted to the circumstances and made it work like we always do. One of the best things about my relationship with Brittany and Suzanne is the trust we have in each other. They weren’t fazed by the weather at all and gave me the freedom to lean into the mood and work my magic. I aim to make photos feel cohesive and consistent through editing, even when conditions vary, and this shoot was no exception. Plus, the overcast lighting actually created this dreamy, soft look that ended up looking amazing! The colors of the pieces really shined as the ocean and sky colors remained more muted and the cliff backdrop created a warm feel which created a nice juxtaposition to the vibrancy of the fabric.
The Outcome
Even with its simplicity, this shoot turned out to be one of my favorites. The models were incredible, the team worked in sync, and the energy on set was high and lively. I was able to deliver sneak peeks quickly so that the brand could feature them the next day at an event in San Diego—and they even had the pieces in-store the following day. A smooth turnaround like that always feels amazing. More than anything, working with Isla & Saige continues to be one of the most fulfilling parts of my freelance journey and I'm so grateful to have them as one of my retainer clients. We’ve built a relationship based on trust, shared values, and creative freedom. Shoots like these remind me why I love what I do. I already can’t wait to plan the next one!
Brand Recognition
