Creative Directon | Hair + Makeup | personal branding photography
Maria rawluk: Embracing Her Golden Hour
The Client
Maria Rawluk (she/her) is the passionate founder of Drop In Dance Winnipeg, established in 2017. With over 30 years of dance experience and two decades of teaching, Maria is a true connoisseur of all things dance. Her mission at Drop In Dance Winnipeg is to provide a fun, welcoming, and judgment-free experience for everyone, regardless of their dance background. Maria and her team are dedicated to helping dancers of all ages and levels discover the joy and magic of movement, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and supported on the dance floor.
The Problem
Maria was ready for a photoshoot that genuinely reflected who she is today – a successful business owner, a nurturing mother, and most importantly, a woman confidently stepping into a new chapter of her life.
She desired updated digital images for her website and social media that would feel both professional and authentically "Maria": casual, cool, and approachable, yet sophisticated and bold. She envisioned a 70s chic aesthetic intertwined with business casual elements, utilizing natural tones like brown and green, and aiming for a "golden hour indoors" feel with a "film grain, faded darks" finish.
The goal was to capture her inner strength and warmth, conveying a sense of "cozy sophistication" and a "timeless with a hint of funk" allure.
the approach
We embarked on a highly collaborative process, merging Maria's personal journey with a distinct visual strategy to capture her multifaceted identity.
Creative Direction & Styling: We leaned into Maria's dream photoshoot concept of "opposing ideas" by blending 70s influences with modern business casual refinement. The wardrobe curated specific pieces: a high-neck long-sleeve ribbed shirt, classic bell bottoms, bell sleeves paired with a skirt, and big patterns. These choices, combined with a natural, earthy color palette, emphasized her vision for "natural tones, brown, green."
direction
Hair & Makeup Direction: We opted for a more natural makeup approach to enhance Maria's features while maintaining an approachable feel. Her beautiful, long hair was styled in mermaid waves, complementing her curtain bangs and adding to the desired 70s chic look.
Set Design & Location: We took advantage of Maria's step-dad's incredibly retro house and his old school car to create authentic 70s-inspired backdrops. Elements like rawhide, brown leather, copper, and other earth tones were incorporated to achieve the desired "golden hour indoors" and "cozy sophistication" ambiance. The aim was to create a setting that felt both nostalgic and timeless.
Capturing the Essence: Throughout the shoot, the focus was on capturing Maria's evolution – her "mom, experienced business owner, mature" self, while embodying an approachable, fun, confident, and bold presence. We sought expressions that conveyed the "cool aunt" vibe, a sense of quiet confidence, and her acceptance and embrace of her body image, celebrating her long hair.
behind the scenes
Photoshoot Prep: A detailed consultation on November 17, 2024, set the stage for this dream shoot, focusing on the desired blend of casual professionalism and 70s chic. We prioritized capturing Maria's inner glow and resilience, aiming for shots that exuded her newfound confidence.
On-Location Shoot: Utilized natural light within the retro home to achieve the desired "golden hour indoors" effect, playing with shadows and warmth to create a timeless, moody atmosphere with a hint of funk.
the outcome
Maria's photoshoot successfully captured the essence of her journey and her vibrant present self. The images radiate a cozy sophistication and a timeless appeal with a hint of funk, perfectly embodying the "cool aunt" aesthetic.
Each photograph reflects her confident, approachable, and fun personality, showcasing her as the mature and experienced business owner she is, confidently embracing her "scrony" yet loved self.
The "golden hour indoors" lighting and subtle "film grain, faded darks" treatment lent an authentic, nostalgic quality, creating a stunning collection of digital images ready to be shared widely on her website and social media, marking this beautiful new chapter.
the deliverables
Creative Direction
On-Location Photoshoot (at retro home, with vintage car)
Hair & Makeup Styling Direction
Wardrobe Styling & Consultation
Set Design & Prop Integration (vintage/retro elements)
BTS Video Reel
Edited Digital Image Gallery (high-resolution & web-optimized, with film grain/faded darks aesthetic)