Featured Photo Shoot: Virgie Tovar for Chubstr
I knew I'd finally found the perfect opportunity for a shoot I've been dying to do on a local mini golf course when I got the opportunity to interview #LoseHateNotWeight founder Virgie Tovar for Chubstr. Subpar Mini Golf in Alameda features 18 holes modeled after of Bay Area landmarks from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz, to Full-House-famous Painted Ladies. I asked Virgie to bring a few of her all time favorite outfits and meet me at the course for a "Larger Than Life" shoot. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day.
Though an indoor mini golf course isn't exactly the prime place for lighting, the upstairs arcade and pool table area had some lovely natural light for capturing some great moments. This woman knows how to bring fierceness to her photos!
See what I mean? Absolute attitude. I love it!
Despite a warm day in a space with no A/C (thank goodness for fans!), Virgie was a total pro. She's clearly done a few photo shoots in her time and knew how to throw in a hip and a smize.
We're on the top of the world! Or at least the Ferry Building.
My favorite spot in the course was the Ferry Building. Virgie makes what was likely an uncomfortable position to sit in look comfortable and powerful.
Accept your new overlordess, Ferry Building.
What are these? Painted Ladies for ants?!
I call this the Mary Tyler Moore shot, because I'm willing to bet Ms. MTM took a few takes with that hat scene before it looked just right way back when. We literally asked Virgie to high-knee her way up and down the Painted Ladies course like a Rockette to get this shot. The biggest challenge behind the lens was just in getting the shot at the exact moment that her Miss Piggy bag swung to the top of the upswing. For Virgie, her face needed to not look like what she was doing was awkward (which it was). Needless to say, it took a few takes to get it just right, but we got it.
Bay Area style means being ready for both a cold foggy day and a sunny bikini picnic in the park.
I also LOVED the fun outfits Virgie brought. She's a thrifting "more is more" girl after my own heart. My styling work was pretty much kept to deciding on accessories and shoes, and choosing which outfits to wear on each part of the course.
We should all think about coordinating our outfits with our favorite arcade games, shouldn't we?
My favorite moment in photo shoots like this one is the laugh between takes. Photo shoots by nature are always going to be a little awkward in the beginning, but once I can get a genuine laugh out of our subject or model, I know we're going to get some sparkle in our shots.