1930s Photoshoot with Betty Noir Photography

1930s photoshoot with Betty Noir

Those of you who have been visiting my blog for a while may remember that last year I went to a fabulous day of pampering at Betty’s Beauty School Workshops. The glamorous lady who ran the day was the lovely Hannah and, as well as doing her beauty workshops, she also is a rather talented pin up photographer with her own business called Betty Noir Photography. Now being an introvert I had never even considered doing a photoshoot before but when I met Hannah I felt so comfortable with her that I weirdly began thinking about it.

Finally in May of this year, with a stomach full of butterflies, I contacted Hannah and said I would like to go ahead and book one. Immediately I thought ‘What the hell have I done?’! The shoot was booked for the end of June so I had about 6 weeks to get my act together and figure out what I wanted to do. At the time I was still very much in 1950s mode and was planning to do a pinup shoot, however, right at the last moment Hannah had to go into hospital for an operation and we had to rearrange my shoot. This was a blessing in disguise.

The only date we could agree on for the rearranged shoot was at the beginning of October. Now, if you were to look back over the posts between June and October you will see a vast shift from the 1950s to the 1920s and 30s, so my thoughts on what I wanted to do for my photos changed with this. After chatting with Hannah about it she made me feel really comfortable about my new 1930s photoshoot ideas and a plan was formed. I just had to get my outfits together! Thankfully I’d bought the odd thing or two and made a couple of pieces that could all be used but even then I ended up taking waaaaaay too much.

I feel rather weird about showing you because I did this entirely for myself, just to see if I could do it, as it was nothing I had ever considered doing before. I wanted some lovely professional photos of me in my vintage get up for preserving reasons, so when I’m 80 I can look back at them and say ‘That was me!’. However, having now received the final ones I’m really proud of them. Yes, there are some where my eyes look a little dead (something I really need to remember in my outfit posts!) and a couple where I look a little stiff, but all in all I really love them. Hannah did such an amazing job with my hair and make-up, the lighting and styling, telling me how to pose and, of course, the photography. She immediately made me feel at ease and made the day a very enjoyable one, even if I was completely shattered afterwards. Blimey, modelling is much harder than you think!

Thank you so much Hannah (sorry my hair took forever!) xx

1930s photoshoot

Betty Noir photoshoot

Outfit Details

1930s Wool Crepe Dress: Made by me using an original 1930s pattern and fabric from ClothSpot
1950s Black Velvet Hat: Hannah’s own
White Leather Belt: Ebay
Vintage White Leather Gloves: Dig for Victory at Lacock
1940s Black Cordé Clutch: Shepton Mallet Flea Market

Evelyn Wood Darla Dress

Vintage Gal photoshoot

1930s photoshoot

Outfit Details

1940s Reproduction Darla Dress: Evelyn Wood
White Beaded Wool Beret: Monsoon
Vintage White Leather Gloves: Dig for Victory at Lacock
1930s Reproduction Shoes: Aris Allen at Swing Dance Store
Blue & Crystal Earrings: Made by me
Vintage Bow Brooch: Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair

Vintage Gal photoshoot

1930s photoshoot

Betty Noir photoshoot

Outfit Details

Handmade 1940s Chinese Satin Dress: The Vintage Bazaar Jumble Sale
Vintage Black Opera Gloves: Had them for about 25 years
Burgundy 1940s style shoes: B.A.I.T. from Deadly is the Female
1930s/40s Dress Clip in hair: Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford
1950s Aquamarine Ring: Hungerford Arcade Antiques
Vintage Ivory Piano Scarf: Hannah’s own

Cate

Just a vintage gal suffering from the Golden Age syndrome. A lover of all things old, especially the 1930s, seamstress, crocheter, maker of hats and enjoys rummaging at flea markets.

19 Comments

  1. Drop-dead gorgeous! She’s really nailed that Hollywood studio lighting, it’s especially lovely on the stunning Chinese frock. How wonderful to have these beautiful photos xx

    • Thank you! I loved the lighting, it was exactly what I had in mind and really makes them look more authentic. xx

  2. Oh my goodness, you look stunning in all of these!! I can’t pick a favorite outfit, they all look great. This will be a lovely set of photos to look back on when you’re older. I want to do the same thing, one day!

    • Oh thank you Carla, that’s very sweet of you. You really should do a shoot, it’s so much fun and you get to be pampered like a movie star so what could be better? x

  3. Beautiful!! Oh my these are wonderful photos! Each one is stunning, I’m glad you went and did them.

    Now can we talk about that Red Dress..YOU MADE?! WOW! I’m in love with it and now wish that I could sew lol! Great job.

    Great post 🙂

    Liz

    • Oh thank you Liz! Yes, I made that dress and a lot of it was done by hand. I’m really chuffed with how it turned out and is definitely one of my most favourite pieces now. x

  4. Those are all so lovely. I think as an image, the one of you in your cheongsam on top of the scarf-draped trunk is my favourite. Though I am in awe of your red dress. It is – and I mean this as a MASSIVE compliment – very Miss Lemon. So stylish and deco!

    • Oh I do take that as a huge compliment, thank you Mim! I love Miss Lemon’s wardrobe, it’s very me. I really need to watch more Poirot, I just wish it was on Netfilx or something so I could sit and binge watch! x

  5. What a head-turningly elegant, absolutely gorgeous shoot and array of outfits. You look like a million dollars and then some, dear lady!

    ♥ Jessica

    • Oh wow, thank you! What an amazing compliment, you’re making me blush 🙂 xx

  6. What a beautiful set of photos! These will be such a lovely memento in the future. You look totally fabulous! Great outfits too!

  7. Wow!!! Cate you look great in all these! Photoshoots are always sooo much fun, sooo tiring just as you say right! I especially love the red dress that you made yourself!
    Evelyn xx

    • Oh thank you Evelyn, that means a lot coming from such a talented seamstress. xx

  8. So so classy!! I really love the lighting and it makes you look like a beautiful old Hollywood starlet!! Love the outfits you picked too!

    • Aw, thank you Nora! I felt like a Hollywood starlet on the day, it was just so much fun x

    • Thank you! That’s my serious bargain one. It was originally £55 but I paid £10 for it! Best bargain I ever bought.

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