A behind-the-scenes peek at the Williams-Sonoma catalog holiday photoshoot. I lucked out and got the chance to be a part of the action!
My first memory of Williams-Sonoma was while trolling the mall as an angsty teenager, looking for the latest Bath & Body Works deal (buy 10, get 10 or something like that?) I’ve always been drawn to beautiful kitchen things, even at that age. I broke off from the girl pack for a quick peek, enticed by the smells and the copper cookware hanging just inside the door. It was definitely a magical place. However, given that my corner of the world at that time included a twin bed and a ceiling full of glow-in-the-dark stars, my domestic desires didn’t end up fulfilled until many years later with a purchase of a Le Creuset dutch oven from WS.
Given this early love for all things Williams-Sonoma (talk about #kitchengoals, y’all) it was a surreal experience to be included in their current holiday 2015 catalog.
To be fair, it all sort of happened by accident. The article really features my good friend Ashley, a blogger who creates amazing craft cocktails both on her website, and also in real life for parties. When Ashley asked me to participate in the story as a ‘guest’ to her cocktail party, I almost fell off my chair! Two other local bloggers, Jeanne from Shop Sweet Things and Alicia from Cheetah is the New Black, were also recruited as guests.
One of the most fun things about the experience was visiting the Williams-Sonoma studio and seeing all of the hard work that goes into a successful photoshoot. There was a professional hair and makeup artist (yesss!), a prop stylist, a wardrobe stylist, the chef in the test kitchen who created the crostini, the photographer, photography assistants, and so many more that I am probably forgetting.
I was really impressed that the entire shot was done using natural light, which is also how I shoot all of my photos. The photographer shot tethered, so the photos immediately showed up on a computer monitor. That meant that we got a sneak peek at his work immediately after the shoot wrapped!
I was really struck by how ‘finished’ the photos were right out of the camera. As someone who shoots a lot of food, I really rely on post-processing (aka Photoshop) to change things like white balance, exposure, and even to remove the stray crumb or two. Because professional retouching is so expensive, all of these things are carefully considered during the actual photoshoot, so once things wrap, the images are basically ready for print.
The Williams-Sonoma holiday catalog is available in stores now, and you may even be one of the millions (!) of people who got it in the mail. Let me know if you spot me among the pages! You can also read the full story on the Williams-Sonoma website, including some of my tips on being the perfect party guest.
All of the photos above are from the official shoot. Here are a few of my photos from behind-the-scenes!
Get the Look :: Black Cocktail Dress – similar (on sale!) or similar (on sale!) // Gold & Black Glitter heels – similar or similar // Sparkly Necklace – similar or similar // Gold Bangle – Margaret Elizabeth // Gold Whirl Rings – Batsu Maru //
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Hi Kelly! That’s really cool you got to be involved in this. And how timely with the passing of Williams himself this weekend. Another great one who made history in our beautiful city, right?
I know, it was timely indeed. I never got to meet Chuck, but talking to the employees of WS he sounded vibrant and active right up to his passing, which is amazing!
THIS IS AMAZING!!!
Yay! Thanks so much Katie!
I’ve seen those photos on Williams-Sonoma, what an awesome thing to be a part of. I would’ve loved the pampering of the makeup/hair artists.
It’s true – professional hair and makeup is such a treat! Every time I get my makeup done I try to learn something that I can do at home.
This is so cool! You look absolutely beautiful, and that is amazing you got to be a part of it. I love that WS is based here (there is one right outside of my apartment, which is one of the most dangerous things in the world) but what I thought was REALLY rad about this shoot is that it all was with natural lighting. That is seriously incredible!
Thanks so much! It was such a fun day and I still can’t believe it happened!
Hi Kelly:
Love your blog – it’s so sophisticated!
It doesn’t seem like you are a resident in pediatric oncology anymore – you never refer to it and your blog has got to be incredibly labor intensive or it wouldn’t be this good. And working in pediatric oncology is beyond demanding… Have you dropped out or taken a leave from your hospital work? If you are somehow still working as a doctor, please share how you can possibly do this and blog also!
What gives?
Hi Kathy – I’m actually finishing up my residency in general pediatrics right now. I’ll be done in June. No leaves of absence! 3rd year is a little lighter for us and I’ve had some research months which have freed up weekends for me and given me a bit more flexibility on when I work. I’m very efficient and I honestly think this is the number one reason I can do both. I have good workflows and I really never relax! I’m always doing something.
I’ve decided not to do pediatric oncology after all. I just don’t like the culture of medicine and how under-appreciated and over-worked doctors are in general. I just couldn’t see myself going into a specialty that requires 80+ hour work weeks for your entire career and absolutely no work life balance. Instead I’m going to moonlight and I’m also working as the medical advisor for a startup here that is doing housecalls. And blog!
Thanks for reading!
Hi Kelly:
Kudos to you for realizing your true feelings about medicine before you get locked into a career that is not really right for you. That must have taken real guts, since premed and medical school take such a tremendous number of hours and incredible $$$$ commitment (no, I’m not a doctor but I come from a family of them plus my BFF from college is a pediatrician.) You will thank yourself the rest of your life for being true to your real self??
Thanks so much Kathy! I’ll still be a doctor, both with the startup and as someone who covers shifts at several different hospital. This career though will give me the flexibility to also keep the work on the blog up too!
Wow – everyone and everything in these photos look gorgeous. Such a beautiful space for the shoot.
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Thanks so much! It was an amazing day!