So Shoot Me

by Sal on September 6, 2009 · 53 comments

Since all of my old press-quality portraits show my old haircut, I begged Husband Mike to do a new shoot. And the man delivered. Here are a few images from the shoot, some of which would never work for press purposes, but are still fun … or funny! Some of these ended up weirdly washed out, but I actually like the effect.

OK … commence epic, giant photo dump:


Neon yellow Theory cardi, thrifted
Printed tunic, Mac & Jac via Ideeli
Leggings, Heartbreaker
Pink pumps, Nine West

Black sweater tank, Banana Republic
Flame orange skirt, Banana Republic
Black cardi, Banana Republic (eesh)
Flame orange scarf, stolen from my mom
Green chalk turquoise necklace, street vendor is SF
Black Tsubo Acreas

That “Thrift Store” writing was totally coincidental. How fun is THAT?



Pink sheath, thrifted
Red bolero, came with a different dress
Purple Melissa Vinils
Bangles, a local boutique (Fringe in Edina)
Cashmere cowl neck, Opitz Outlet
Gray mini, thrifted
Black opaque tights, no clue
Thigh-high leather boots, Pleaser via Amazon

The debut of my thigh-high boots! I love these bad boys, but am still figuring out how I want to wear them. This outfit was FAR cuter in person … of about 15 photos, this is really the only one I like. Sigh.




I brought home this vintage dress from a thrifting trip, raving about how perfectly it fit me, but HM maintained that it was too big. It took a photo shoot for me to believe him. So we swished around the skirt a lot to distract … and now the frock is in the “take to the tailor” pile.

Green dress, thrifted
Black leather belt, thrifted
Necklace, Dana LeBlanc
Black Tsubo Acreas

So you might recognize some of these outfits. Sorry for the lack of creativity! Just wanted to be sure I’d look and feel good in my various wardrobe options. There was a lot of changing in the back of HM’s car … tres glam. But the end result is pretty decent, eh?

Copyright © 2009 AlreadyPretty.com. All rights reserved.

{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }

Rosie Unknown September 6, 2009 at 7:33 am

The end result was amazing! I adore the photos!

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Alexandra September 6, 2009 at 8:59 am

Wow, I love all of the shots! My favourites are the ones with the pink sheath and red bolero (I LOVE that combination :) ). It's strange seeing you without a big smile, though.
And I agree with your husband, that green dress, while totally lovely and everything, need to be taken in a bit.

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Sarah Von September 6, 2009 at 9:19 am

Ceee-ute! And those thigh-high boots? MEOW! I didn't know you had it in you, Sal McGraw!

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Make Do Style September 6, 2009 at 9:29 am

The green dress is fabulous and this photo shoot has great pulled together looks – I've not seen these items before or else you've made them look so different.

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H. Brown September 6, 2009 at 9:32 am

i think these are fabulous! i love the flame orange outfit and the funky tunic and leggings and that other one on the steps. . . fashion magazine, baby!

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Mindy September 6, 2009 at 9:35 am

You look fab! (I love your Husband Mike's web site too.)

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Couture Cookie September 6, 2009 at 9:40 am

Nice posing! Your turquoise necklace immediately caught my eye… and of course it's from a street vendor across the country from where I live! Just my luck. :D

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Darrah September 6, 2009 at 10:13 am

That green necklace with the red skirt is amazing! So beautiful!

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pretty face September 6, 2009 at 10:36 am

WOW at those boots! And that green dress! And every single one of those photos… I now know which job I want my husband to have…

You look beautiful, Sal. xx

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Oranges And Apples September 6, 2009 at 10:41 am

Love these pics! you look great in all of them!

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Deja Pseu September 6, 2009 at 10:42 am

Gorgeous shots!

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Sheila September 6, 2009 at 11:12 am

You look fantastic – your waist is so tiny! I love the green dress, but yes, it needs some tailoring to really make it amazing. The thigh-high boots…girl!! Those are killer! Wonderful shots and a lovely lady. :)

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Sharon Rose September 6, 2009 at 11:21 am

Hi there-such fabulous pictures and your hairstyle is just so lovely for you! Hope you're having a great weekend!

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Winnie September 6, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Oh woww, I love all of these photos and you're rocking all those different colours.

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Q's Daydream September 6, 2009 at 12:14 pm

I adore these photos darling!!!! You pretty lady you! :o )

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Spandexpony September 6, 2009 at 12:22 pm

These are terrific! I love the tight closeup of you in the pink dress, and also the second-to-last dress/bolero picture. Classic! Beautiful! It's awesome how well Mike can photograph you!

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Kate Coveny Hood September 6, 2009 at 1:30 pm

I loved these! You look amazing and I'm soooo jealous of your fashion photographer (for you) husband. Mine can barely take a picture of me that includes the top of my head. But he can cook – so I guess I'll keep him That Dana LeBlanc necklace is gorgeous!

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Stacy September 6, 2009 at 1:31 pm

I love your style and you look fabulous! The picture of you posed beneath the Thrift Store sign is really great.

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Leooooooonie September 6, 2009 at 3:30 pm

I bet Husband Mike is STOKED he married a secret model!

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K.Line September 6, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Could you look more gorgeous??!! THe shots of the green dress are awesome. As is the one of the fantastic new thigh-highs. I note with interest that we only ever see shots taken of (predominantly) one side of your face. Is that by accident or are you doing that better side movie star trick?

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miamichaela September 6, 2009 at 4:55 pm

I'm LOVING the photos! Gorgeous you! :) ))

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text machine September 6, 2009 at 4:55 pm

My favourites are the ones in the red skirt. I think that outfit is darling and the pictures are lovely.

Suggestion for thigh high boots (one of those items that is just so much more easily rocked on a runway where you can be over the top hot) – You could try pairing them with an above the knee skirt that flares out (or even ruffles, if you feel like you could pull it off). That way, the thigh-high-ness of the boots is revealed as you walk/when you sit down and thus the look become a little more subtle while still retaining the inherent sex appeal. I think the problem with the short skirt/thigh highs pairing (in general) is that it can seem too risque, or obvious even, and so you have to figure out how to counteract that feeling with tights/layers and it's just problematic and frustrating.

I hope you show us what you come up with as you play with them. They are one of those items that you want in your closet, impracticality be damned!

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Leah September 6, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Lovely photos… and I love your smile.

Those thigh high boots are so cool.

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songfortheasking September 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Hot diggity!

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Iheartfashion September 6, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Love the photo with the pink dress/red bolero: beautiful.

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Jess September 6, 2009 at 7:35 pm

These are some of the most flattering outfits I recall ever seeing you in. And the poses were lovely. The pictures are lovely. I love your hair too. Beautiful!

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Farrielle Design and Fashionista September 6, 2009 at 8:34 pm

I love every picture, you look gorgeous, Mike did a great job. And your jewelry is amazing. LOVE it.

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metscan September 6, 2009 at 9:36 pm

So lovely pictures. Congratulations!

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Miss Red September 6, 2009 at 9:53 pm

great portrait shots! and i love your outfits =)

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Clare September 7, 2009 at 7:36 am

Woah, gorgeous! The Banana Republic one where you're leaning against the wall is outstanding. Also, I flipping LOVE the vintage shirt dress. Amazing. And I know it sounds weird, but it's nice to see the one where you're not smiling. I ADORE that you smile in so many of your pictures, but you're so stunning even when you don't smile. It was nice to see that side of you! Gorgeous, Sal!

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enc September 7, 2009 at 8:47 am

Gosh Sal, I really need to gush here, so get a towel.

First, your hairstyle is really superb. Second, you are incredibly photogenic. I mean, REALLY. Third, your styling skills are really versatile, and right on time. You go from office casual to rock-girl toughy in one fell swoop, and very successfully at that. Fourth, Husband Mike's skills at capturing your champagne essence are really exact and done with a soft touch, yet very precisely. These images are so perfect, they could be stock photos. And launch your modeling career/H.M.'s fashion photography career.

Now go towel off.

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Lorena September 7, 2009 at 11:41 am

I can“t pick a favorite !
They're all marvelous !

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Dina's Days September 7, 2009 at 12:50 pm

You look so pretty, especially in the green dress and red skirt! By the way, I read the article featuring you and your husband in the US Airways magazine yesterday on my flight back from NYC. Great article!

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Kayleigh September 7, 2009 at 3:09 pm

Oh my,I don't even know where to start — these pictures are totally AMAZING!!!!

Love, love, love the hair, it is so unbelievably flattering…polished yet causual & very natural, it's probably THE perfect hairstyle for you. It captures your whole vibe inside and out.

And the clothes….my goodness, each outfit is so stellar, I truly loved each and and every one. Your poses totally rock too, there really wasn't an off photo in entire the bunch.

Just wow. Seriously.

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Trinity September 7, 2009 at 3:49 pm

I love the dress swishing shots. And, it is so fun how the color of the dress coordinates with your tattoo.

You look great and Mike has mad skills!

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kristophine September 8, 2009 at 12:35 am

That is some good-looking hair! I love the shirt dress; I hope the tailoring goes well.

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Kari September 8, 2009 at 12:35 am

Gorgeous shoot, Sally. You are SO lucky to live with such a great photographer. I love the way Mike lets the light touch your face in the close-up shots. My favorite outfits are the first one with the tunic and leggings and also the beautiful vintage green dress, which I totally want to steal from you.

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packing supplies September 8, 2009 at 12:56 am

you are looking simply gorgeous and damn attractive what a look!!Smile is so fascinating and beautiful.Dresses are much more funky and fabulous i live your dressing and designs.

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Magatha-May September 8, 2009 at 3:46 am

Those boots are AMAZING and I really love you in green, definitely worth getting tailored.

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Sarah Yvonne September 8, 2009 at 7:12 am

I love the black and red outfit. Inspiration for another outfit for me :) Thanks!

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Anonymous September 8, 2009 at 7:45 am

Sally…these are beautiful! Nice work to you and Mike.

KillerT

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Laura. September 8, 2009 at 8:46 am

you look soooo amazing!!! love the outfits, love the photography. these are wonderful photos. i always wonder about those "bakery thrift stores". . . .

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futurelint September 8, 2009 at 11:20 am

So so pretty! The first ones are my faves… I like the bright colors with the chipped paint on brick background – so lovely! Big props to HM!

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a cat of impossible colour September 8, 2009 at 1:56 pm

You look stunning in that green dress! It's a colour that wouldn't suit everyone, but it looks gorgeous on you.

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Hanako66 September 8, 2009 at 4:22 pm

you seriously look gorgeous in all of these photos….so pretty!

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The Budget Babe September 8, 2009 at 4:31 pm

You look beautiful. The thrift store series is my favorite on account of the colors and I love how you posed with your arms above your head in that one shot, reminds me of "Cat on a hot tin roof" for some unknown reason! And I hope to see more of those thigh-high boots, too ;)

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chic September 9, 2009 at 11:04 am

These pictures are amazing!! Not too difficult, with such a lovely model, but still…Husband Mike did an awesome job! I wish my husband were a photographer :) I absolutely love these! S

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Kristin September 9, 2009 at 12:28 pm

That green necklace is killer and I'm loving the red and pink together too!

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Michelle Cantrell September 10, 2009 at 6:22 am

I'm a little behind on reading this, but I just wanted to say how much I love your outfits! I am particularly partial to the BR stuff, as that is my FAVORITE store! (Of course, I can only afford their sale items typically, but they do have some good sales!) I love how much fun you have with color! And kudos to your hubby for being so participatory and encouraging of your endeavors!

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The Sideshow Scrapbook September 10, 2009 at 7:04 am

Wow…..all great outfits…but I really like the red and black one…it works so well.
Thax Laura

http://sideshow-scrapbook.blogspot.com

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Christy September 10, 2009 at 9:12 am

That green dress on you is to die for. And the orange and black outfit is absolutely amazing too. You look stunning Sal!!

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Psyche September 10, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Stunning! I love it all!

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Heta September 11, 2009 at 7:27 pm

Sally, I have been lurking for quite a while on your blog. You have been a source of inspiration and really helped me learn to accept my own style and shape.

And it is great to see a fashionable Minnesotan (says your frozen toed sister from 65 miles NW)!

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