On January 28th I received an email from Kit, a remodeling editor with Better Homes & Gardens inviting me to have BH&G come out to photograph my Kitchen Makeover. There is nothing bigger or better than Better Homes & Gardens if you ask me, it’s one of the few magazines I still purchase at the checkout line. I honestly never thought I would see one of my own projects in this magazine, it’s quite mind blowing!
After working out the details with Kit, a week later photographer Michael Partenio and David McCaughan arrived at my home the night before the photo shoot to do a walk through. The weather was typical New England, with one snow storm after the next and a blizzard or two thrown in the mix. What should have taken them 2 hours at the most ended up taking them hours to arrive at my home, poor guys but being New Englander’s they are used to this weather.
At 7am the next morning Stylist, Kristine Kennedy arrived with a car load of props and apparel. I helped Kristine unload her car and while she started “propping” out the kitchen I got ready.
Michael & David arrived about 9am, it took an hour or so to set their equipment up and take a few test shots without me in the room.
I was drooling over their photography equipment, my camera has been broken for a year, I have to use duct tape to keep the battery door closed, so you can imagine my envy when I saw all their equipment. Michael & David were so kind to give me some pointers too on lighting when I take my own photos. Here’s a few behind the scene shots.
When they were ready, and after Kristine did my hair and picked out the shirt, my photo shoot began. For those who know me well, know I prefer being on the other side of the camera unless I have my dog with me to take the focus off of me 😉 Luckily Michael kept me laughing and made the shoot a breeze. After taking some photos they sent them off to headquarters. When their feedback came in Kristine moved a few props and Michael took more photos. The process took about 4 hours. When they had their shots, I helped Kristine pack the props up and Michael and David were off then i sat down with Kristine to be interviewed about the project. When we were packing the props up Kristine offered to let me keep whatever I wanted, I kept that shirt (for those wondering, it’s by Lucky Brand) as well as the yellow towel on the frige, the wooden cutting board, the bud vases in the window and a red tea pot that didn’t make it in the shoot! The day was a whirlwind to say the least!
A week or so later Kit sent the proof to me, I was dying to show all my family and friends but wanted them to see the photo for the first time in the actual magazine so I kept it to myself, not something that is easy for me!
On April 14th my friend and fellow blogger Jen from Girl in the Garage sent me a message to say she saw me in her BH&G magazine! I checked my mail when I got home from work and was thrilled to see three copies there. Three months was a long time to wait but so worth it, to finally see the print in person. I immediately took a photo and posted it for my friends and family on facebook and encouraged them to go buy the issue when it hits the stores.
It doesn’t end there, on May 22nd I will be guest posting on the Better Homes & Gardens blog so be sure to save the date and check out that post, I will be going into greater details on how I was able to renovate my kitchen on $250.00! Be sure to check back on my site, I have an upcoming project that ties into the frige surround I built! Thank you Kit, Kristine, Michael & David for making this dream come true and making my Better Homes & Gardens photo shoot so easy!
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