I can’t claim any Scandinavian heritage of my own, but that doesn’t stop me from loving so much of the art, culture, design, and history from that part of the globe. Especially at Christmastime! Who doesn’t love a good Scandinavian Christmas? This shoot was inspired by Saint Lucia and the December 13th holiday that honors her. I MAY OR MAY NOT have first learned about this tradition from Kirsten, my Swedish immigrant American Girl Doll. Anyways.

Lucia was a young girl who helped persecuted Christians in Rome around 300 AD. As they hid below in the catacombs of the city, Lucia would secretly bring food for them. She wore candles on her head so that both of her hands would be free to carry as much as she could. Lucia was martyred for her efforts in 304 AD. St. Lucia's Day is now celebrated by a girl wearing in a white dress with a red sash round her waist and a crown of candles on her head on December 13. This Scandinavian holiday coincides with Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, so her feast day has become a festival of light.

I put together this Saint Lucia inspired shoot and loved learning all about her story along the way. I loved spending the afternoon with my former bride, Leanna, as my Scandinavian model. When you see artistic depictions of Saint Lucia, you see why Leanna was obviously the model I picked! Another lovely former bride of mine, Jana, lent me her vintage stole for the shoot. The tulle skirt was a originally a wedding dress from a thrift store (my sister and I chopped the top!). I crafted the wreath of candles and I’m actually kinda bummed I didn’t keep it to be a part of my holiday decor.

Happy Saint Lucia's Day!

SEE ALSO
INSPIRED BY GRANDMA | Grandma Kaiser and the nudists
INSPIRED BY THE TETONS | a wind-swept periwinkle bridal wonderland thanks to our gal Faith Hill

Comment

At the end of the movie, the Von Trapps are hiking across the Alps to Switzerland in adorable parkas and felt hats. I refuse to acknowledge the fact that the actual Von Trapp family simply took a train.. to Italy. That scene never actually happened - but I don't want to hear it!! Plz, let me believe they crossed the Alps, sang more songs together, and settled in a cute Swiss cottage in the mountains. Maybe like... this place?

WHEN I HAD A LOCATION I REALLY WANTED TO SHOOT AT BUT NO CLIENTS REALLY LIKED IT...

I have LOVED this locations for many years but never had a client interested in shooting there. I suggested it whenever I felt it "fit" with the couple and they didn't already have a specific location style in mind. Yes, I can see how the Swiss inspired architecture, the green window boxes and shutters, wood paneling, painted details and pines around might not be everybody's cup of tea but it is 1000% MY cup of tea and I don't even like tea.

So you know what I did? Totally honest? I reached out to Kayley and said, "Hey! You wanna join me for pictures? We can call them.. six month anniversary pictures." It's kinda fun, right? Maybe your engagement pictures were with fall foliage and your wedding had spring blossoms - so wouldn't it be fun to shoot in a different season just for a change?

Here's the takeaway. If I only ever shot when I got paid to do so, I'd be missing out on some of the most fun, adventurous, creative, no-fear-of-failing shoots that I've had! Shooting for me has just as much value as the dollar. Especially in any location that I can correlate to one of my all time favorite movies.