Smashing Darling Blog

The Daisy Scarf, $112.00

This week we have the pleasure of turning our eyes towards Thistle Downs Wool Design, a very cool store featuring unique woolen items made from sheep that this designer has raised herself!

When volunteering to be critiqued, this designer asked a very specific question: to model or not to model? Specifically, she wanted to know whether or not to use models in her store’s photography. In general, our answer is a very emphatic YES!!! Models are a great way to show how products look on a real person, and are an excellent way to add an element of style to what might otherwise be just product shots.

Here are a few things for everyone to remember when choosing models.

• Make sure the models are helping, not hurting. Models should compliment the style of your designs and show your products exactly as you wish them to be seen. So make sure your models fit the products (and appeal to the market you’re trying to reach.) Is your work fun and youthful? Reflect it in your choice of models and the attitude of the shots. Designing elegant evening wear for socialites? Seek out models that fit the look to a tee.

• Keep the focus on the products. When shooting with models, be sure to keep the focus on your products. Don’t let the model overwhelm the fashions themselves. It’s a delicate balance, but the goal should be for the model to enhance your designs, and exude the the type of personality that best describes your work.

• Models have to look incredible. Ok, it may sound a tad shallow but the final hint we have for choosing models is that they have to be amazing. Your models have to be attractive, enjoying the fashions and themselves, and very comfortable in front of the camera, or they will not be working in your favor.

Wool Lace, $88.00

So, on to Thistle Downs. We think her use of models is great - they’re very attractive, suit the items well, and inject a nice human element without drawing focus away from the fashions themselves. Nicely done, and we say the more the better!

We also feel that Thistle Downs does a very nice job of shooting with natural light, and it suits the feel of the wool products very well. For the most part, there is a nice selection of alternate views for each product.

As always, there are a few areas that could benefit from some new approaches. In the handbag shots, we’re not sure that the dark backdrops show the bags in their best light. They feel a little overly heavy, and perhaps could benefit from the outdoors, natural light approach that works so well in many of the shots (the “Saddle Bag” shots do an excellent job of moving in this direction.) These could also benefit from some alternate views, perhaps inside shots of the bags that show the lining or handle details.

We also see a little bit of focus issues in a lot of the shots … many don’t seem quite as razor-sharp as they could be. This could be a matter of the camera itself ( maybe changing the image quality setting) or possibly even as simple as experimenting with a tripod. Technical issues can be very easy to overcome, and can help image quality tremendously.

As a whole, we feel that Thistle Downs’ images could benefit from a bit more consistency across the whole line, perhaps a theme-based approach that reflects the origins of the products themselves and give a bit more of a glimpse into the background and processes involved. We love this designer’s work, are fascinated by her profile, and want to know MORE!! We want to feel the coast of Maine and the scenic Litchfield hills in the photographs.

Thanks for reading, and now we want to hear what you think! Please leave your comments and constructive criticism below, and we always love hearing from everyone. What do you think about this boutique? We know you have something to say … let us know what you think by either commenting below or emailing directly at julie[at]smashingdarling[dot]com. We are also running out of volunteer’s for the critique. Anyone interested in being next?