Wedding style ideas inspired by books
By Elizabeth Mercer Photography
Today’s wedding blog is a make-up and hair bridal shoot inspired by books. It’s really creative and helps brides think outside the box when it comes to their big day. I thought it would be a fun exercise to try to capture the look or mood of fictional characters from literature, and I collaborated with my makeup artist friend, Megan Williams and hair stylist friend Charlie Pivetti.
We wanted to play with the so-called innocence of Daisy Buchanan for The Great Gatsby photo, so we went with a peachy cheek juxtaposed with a dark eye liner.
With Jane Eyre, we wanted to capture her veneer of simplicity.
In The Hunger Games photo, we went for Katniss’s signature braid and steely gaze.
Hex Hall’s main character, Sophie Mercer, is a good witch with an independent streak and a dark side.
Our Gone with the Wind photo is inspired by the iconic Scarlett O’Hara, whose bold makeup and penetrating gaze scream for attention.
Emma is a high-spirited idealist, and we made a double headband out of ribbon to keep give her an air of youthfulness and romantic.
When I shoot a wedding or a portrait, I like to think that I’m telling a story. I’m not merely documenting a moment or event, but rather I’m creating an image or series of images that express an idea of who my clients are and where they are going in life.
This isn’t journalism – I’m happy to leave cold, hard reality behind and embellish the moments and expressions that will tell the narrative that they would like to tell about themselves.
It’s often larger than life even if there is a kernel of truth. Through setting, lighting, makeup, wardrobe, and staging, I often try to make the picture more romantic, more expressive… more dramatic. In this way, a lot of my work has as much to do with fiction as reality.
Photography: Elizabeth Mercer elizabethmercer.com
Gone with the Wind, The Great Gatsby and Hex Hal: Make-up and Hair by Megan Williams
Jane Eyre: Make-up and Hair by Charlie Pivetti
Emma: Make-up by Megan Gillespie, Hair by Charlie Pivetti
Hunger Games: Make-up by Megan Gillespie, Hair by Charlie Pivetti