Autumn Shoot for Enchanted Living Magazine

This was a Fall shoot I did for Enchanted Living Magazine. Autumn Inner Witch, A snippet from the accompanying article is below...

I adore autumn, with its rich, warm colors, piles of pumpkins, and tables set abundantly with baskets and platters overflowing with the season's beautiful offerings. Since I can remember, I have also adored Halloween and Samhain. That time of the year always makes me think of magic and mystical things and what lies beyond the veil. This year, I found myself leaning more towards the Samhain sensibility, with a mindset for a thoughtful and subdued celebration. I was curious about combining the harvest season with the inner reflection that fall evokes in me. The feeling of spiraling inward and connecting with my ancestors and my inner witch. I decided I wanted my table to reflect this more restrained mood. I still wanted the pumpkins and the feeling of Autumn, but in a way that wasn’t quite so exuberant. To convey this feeling, I chose a subdued color palette, featuring white pumpkins and soft cream and blush flowers juxtaposed against dark, velvety black. I wanted the contrast of the dark and the light, symbolic of the duality of life, to reveal the beauty of both, neither good nor bad, but beautiful in their extremes, bringing all that lies between them into balance. Raven showed up, reminding me of magic, the unknown, and the Great Mystery, which they traditionally symbolize. I wanted his mystical, iridescent feathers, mixed with the glow of old silver and my crystal balls, to invite reflection on our inner universe. Layering tea-stained lace over black velvet and tulle created the contrasting color story and a base for the decorations. Black floral china, vintage silverware, and etched turn-of-the-century stemware paid homage to both Gothic and Victorian sensibilities, reinforcing the supernatural vibe. Some of these items were my grandmother's, thus bringing a bit of her energy onto my table.

This style could take a few different approaches, with a true honoring of the ancestors by incorporating old black and white photos from years past into your decorations. You could easily go classic Halloween with bones, skulls, cauldrons, and other spooky touches. For a complete Gothic look, add blood-red roses and black lace.

I wanted to create a more classic feel while also incorporating a mysterious touch, an atmosphere that invites quiet, thoughtful conversation, and an opening to the mysterious inner witch who, for me, awakens in the Fall.