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Thursday, May 7, 2015

Behind the Scenes

If you keep thinking about something, sometimes it's best to just do it and get it out of your system. So as absurd as this post might be, I'm gonna take you behind the scenes. You've probably seen all these quilts before, though I've included links to reveal posts just in case. But what you may not know is where I went for their photoshoots. Personally, whenever I have a quilty finish, I rack my brain trying to figure out where I can take a decent photo of it. Sometimes the weather or my work day hours come into play, and that can be frustrating. Anyway, just thought I'd give you a glimpse of how desperate things can be!

Junctions at U-Haul

Scrappy Trip Along and the dumpster at work
Scrappy Trip Along   

Zakka Block Quilt clipped to the mailboxes
 
Thanks to Vesta at the mall
  

Red Hots at an abandoned car wash


Common Affection at a smoke shop
"Common Affection" completed!

Spiraled Jungle pinned to a 1930's pump house
 

The Stars of Summer in mom's garden
 
Triangle Quilt on the gym steps

So do you have a go-to place for photoshoots? Or do you run all over town like I do, just hoping to find something interesting and unique? I'd love if you left a link to your own favorite photo shoot in the comments!!
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28 comments:

  1. LeilaMay 7, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    Ha, I am lucky if I get a picture taken, much less one with a pretty background. That being said, I have taken my quilts out on photo shoot field trips every once and awhile. Two years ago I took these quilts to the playground. It was really fun....I need to get out more. And perhaps have quilt holders that don't sigh/roll their eyes as much. :)
    http://sewnbyleila.blogspot.com/2013/05/skill-builder-sampler-1-baby-quilt.html
    http://sewnbyleila.blogspot.com/2013/05/skill-builder-sampler-quilt-2-colleens.html

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    Replies
    1. Allison SewsMay 7, 2015 at 1:19 PM

      Oh, you have my boyfriend helping you too? lol

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  2. O'QuiltsMay 7, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    very nice

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  3. Lucy | Charm About YouMay 7, 2015 at 8:06 AM

    So so fun!!! I mostly stick to my garden, think I need to get more creative ;) Didn't you hang one off a church balcony too or is my memory wrong?!

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  4. EllynMay 7, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    here's my powwow quilt at a nearby park http://ellynsplace.blogspot.com/2014/05/pow-wow-quilt.html and full house on the dog house, LOL Love yours. thinking you should take one of the postcards quilt on the mailboxes. or in the mailbox?

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  5. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.comMay 7, 2015 at 8:16 AM

    My dream would be to find a good graffiti wall.

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  6. felicityMay 7, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    I mostly photograph in my townhouse courtyard - the wooden arbours are a great architectural detail and I use old machine needles to pin the quilt to the top rail. Like you, I experience the restrictions of weather and work hours though now that the days are longer and less rainy, I have more options. I've taken quilts to the beach as well but it's harder to get the full-on shot. I enjoyed this post - it made me start to think a bit more creatively about where I do my photography!

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  7. Sewing Up A StormMay 7, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    My favorite by far was when I took a quilt to the University of New Mexico and did a photoshoot.........what fun and yes people were looking at me funny like I cared!!!! It is the post on my blog from 3/28/2015 called Sandia Sunset..............many good ideas if you go over there and see as some of them I laid it on the walkway or the grass...........I took tons of photos but only posted a few. It was really fun.

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  8. Grandma GMay 7, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    Your creative eye shows up not only in your beautiful quilts but also in your photo shoot locations! Some wonderful ideas there!

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  9. CatherineMay 7, 2015 at 10:46 AM

    I usually use the garden but I think my best quilt photos were taken of my Medallion quilt at Penarth pier.

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  10. Live a Colorful LifeMay 7, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    This is one of my most favorite posts, Debbie! I never think we have very good photo op locations here in Fresno, but I did come upon an incredible old lemon yellow Studebaker pickup in absolutely pristine condition in the parking lot where I pick up my work every day. So I left my business card in his window and next week I have plans to take photos with his truck. I'm SO excited!

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  11. SvetlanaMay 7, 2015 at 11:46 AM

    how very fun, love all those locations you found, how very inventive. Definitely makes for memorable pictures :)

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  12. Heidi StaplesMay 7, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    You are so clever, Debbie! One of the things I'm most excited about for our new home in Texas is having a beautiful new background for large projects! :)

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  13. Allison SewsMay 7, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    LOL, love the work dumpster one. I have to get creative most times because I don't have a willing helper. Maybe we should start taking time out of sew in days to do photo shoots!

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  14. KirstenMay 7, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    I always love seeing your quilty photo shoots - I tend to mainly take mine in the backyard and seem to have trouble finding helpers to hold them up for me.

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  15. SueMay 7, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    This is a very timely post for me because for the last week I have been looking around as I walk around in my lunch breaks for possible quilt photo shoot locations. I think I've found a few interesting spots. In winter with shorter days it's difficult to get a good time for photos. I use a tripod and hold them myself (as a hint for others).

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  16. Ada Plouvier-KopitopoulouMay 7, 2015 at 10:14 PM

    I stay in and around the house. Mostly I use the garden, although I have big problems with the weather, too windy, shadows! Balcony in the front, but only on a Sunday, when there are no cars parked. I would like to find a nice place with the right light!
    Love your quilts !

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  17. CapitolaQuilterMay 8, 2015 at 8:10 AM

    You know I'm a big fan of your photo shoots so I'm thrilled to hear the behind the scenes of it all. Usually I'm flying solo so my favorite time was when Anne (Play-Crafts) and I ran around town like tourists http://capitolaquilter.blogspot.com/2013/01/driving-in-circles-madrona-road.html and the colorful backdrop of Capitola Village for Pup Art http://capitolaquilter.blogspot.com/2014/02/pup-art-quilt-and-feature.html

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  18. AllisonMay 8, 2015 at 11:39 AM

    What a fun post. Most of the time looking at quilts, you're more focused on the quilt and less focused on the background, even though it does make a big difference... hands down, my favorite is Vesta at the mall.

    Greetings from Germany!

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  19. LeanneMay 8, 2015 at 6:24 PM

    Your photos are always beautiful. I take a lot of quilt photos in the stairwell of my office building as it has a wall of windows - we have bad light a lot of places all winter and so this spot works well.

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  20. CarlaMay 8, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    I try to find neat places too, but sometimes it's my back yard ; )

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  21. AnonymousMay 9, 2015 at 4:49 AM

    Thanks for the "behind the scenes" post. Very inspirational. What reaction do you get for those times you ask permission to use the building for the shoot? I bet most people agree right away.

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  22. I'm Feelin' CraftyMay 13, 2015 at 10:32 PM

    I love this one! I'm constantly looking for locations! I agree with Allison, we should have a photo shoot 'sew in'!

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  23. Anne / Springleaf StudiosMay 15, 2015 at 9:33 PM

    It would be fun to see you while you're "on location" at all these sites. I'm always scoping out sites as I drive around but then usually feel very self-conscious taking the photos.

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  24. mimi'sdarlinsMay 16, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    Hi Debbie,
    I'm always a bit late in reading my favorite blogs, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this little journey of past quilts and locations. Worth the effort you put into choosing where to shoot your beautiful quilts. Oh, and I am totally enamored with Common Affection!

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  25. Lisa in Port HopeMay 16, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    I usually use locations around my house but one day i would like to go the harbor and have the lighthouse in the background.

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  26. Lisa in Port HopeMay 16, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    I usually use locations around my house but one day i would like to go the harbor and have the lighthouse in the background.

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