By 
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me share some behind-the-scenes pics/videos on Saturday of one of my photoshoot days. As you can imagine, I take a lotttt of photos for the blog, which means I also get a lot of weird stares from passersby as I stand with a tripod and take a bunch of pics of myself (narcissistic, much?). I had such a fun time sharing behind-the-scenes on Saturday that I wanted to keep up the trend and tell you about the weirdest photoshoot experience I’ve had to date. Like I said, taking a bunch of photos out in ~the wild~ is odd enough as it is. But this particular photoshoot? Definitely the most eventful one I’ve had in my nearly-four years of blogging…
It all started in the Las Vegas heat a few weeks ago. I was at my grandparents’ house and decided to walk around the neighborhood after dinner to grab some photos in the evening light. As I walked down the street towards some pink flowers at the end of the road, a small dog suddenly appeared. Now, I don’t know anything about dog breeds—I’ve never had a pet—but it looked like the sort of dog that would fit perfectly into a purse. Brownish with straight fur. Looked like it was supposed to have a little pink bow tied around a tuft of hair between its ears. I think you know the type.
Anyway, the dog started following me as I walked down the street, and it was right on my heels (well, more like right on my espadrilles—I was photographing this pattern mixing outfit). I kept looking down at it and saying in my best high-pitched baby voice, “Go home buddy! Back that way!” The dog was persistent in following me before it found someone new in whom to take interest. Hopefully the lil’ doggo got home okay? I never did see it again.
I finally reached the end of the street and set up my tripod to snap some photos. It wasn’t long before I saw an older gentleman in a red shirt start to approach me, and I continued to eye him as he got closer… He walked with a cane, so in my head I thought, I can definitely outrun this old man if he were to attack me. He finally got too close for comfort, breeching the 6-foot pandemic rule, and said in an odd tone, “Hey there, want me to take your photo?”
Creeeeeeeeepy. I politely said, “Oh no thanks,” and then he spoke a few more things before wandering down the perpendicular street. I noticed him loitering within my view, so my discomfort (and the bad lighting) enticed me to walk back down my grandparent’s street and settle for this location on the sidewalk to take my photos.
I started taking some real pics before I noticed an elderly woman walking on the sidewalk towards me. Where I was standing was the very end of the sidewalk, so I didn’t feel like I was being obtrusive or that I needed to get out of her way (since I was at the very end—it would have made more sense to cross the street to the next sidewalk before reaching the end than it did to walk to my location). But nonetheless, the woman continued to approach me and kept getting closer, and closer, and closer. Finally, she walked around my tripod and RIGHT in front of me, as if it was a goal of hers to touch the end of the sidewalk. She didn’t say anything. But she literally went out of her way to break my bubble of social distance. It was so odd!
I went back to my photos until a few minutes later when a young woman—probably only a year or two older than me—came around the corner as she gabbed on the cellphone. She stopped in her tracks when she saw me and excitedly yelled out, “Oh my god, are you filming a TikTok?!” I was sad to disappoint her and lower my perceived cool-ness.
I responded with a short laugh and added, “Nah, I’m just taking some photos for my fashion blog.” (I thought the “fashion blog” part might save me, but it didn’t.)
The smile on her face quickly fell and she went back to talking on the phone. “Sorry dad, I just saw this girl and thought she was filming a TikTok but she wasn’t.” She had that stereotypical teen girl voice, as you might imagine.
Again, I returned to my photos before being interrupted, this time by two men—what I could only assume was a father-son duo. The father saw me and said, “What is this, a Marcus Scorsese movie?” as he laughed at his own joke.
I gave a confused chuckle and considered the following two questions as the men walked away: Isn’t the director’s name Martin Scorsese? And do I look like Leonardo DiCaprio or a Robert DeNiro mobster character? I haven’t seen a ton of Martin Scorsese films, but I knew the joke didn’t make any sense.
By this point I was almost done with my photos, and the old man in the red shirt with the cane returned. I tried to pretend not to notice him… but he ended up speaking to me anyway. He said, “It’s too dark over here. You need better lighting. Photography is all about the lighting.”
Who does this guy think he is?? I think I would know more about photography than he does. (At least, that’s what I told myself… But honestly, I don’t know anything about photography. I’m actually quite bad at it, as evidenced in most of my blog photos.) Regardless, the unsolicited advice still bothered me. But it didn’t bother me as much as what I saw next… As the man walked slowly away with his cane, I noticed him pick up the cane right before he left eyeshot. He stuck it under his arm like Parisians do with baguettes, and he walked perfectly normally out of view… as if he had no limp at all. *cues eerie music*. Now that’s some serious Ted Bundy trickery right there. But hey, I lived to tell the tale.
Bizarre right?! I usually get one or two stares when taking blog photos, but I’ve never had such a distracting and eventful photoshoot before. Anyway, I wanted to say a quick blurb about this outfit. I lovvve this pretty orange skirt for summer, and while the high-low trend is as old as this skirt is, you know I don’t think dead trends are a reason to stop wearing an item (but maybe that’s why I’m not a very successful fashion blogger! lol). Last time I wore this skirt on the blog, I paired it with a black cami, sandals, and a hair flower for vacation/beach vibes. This time I wanted my outfit to be a little saucier, so I wore my favorite black studded heels, a thick brown belt, and my go-to elephant purse from Francesca’s. This would make a super cute date night outfit, but I would wear it in the daytime just as well (although maybe swap the heels for flat sandals).
If you’re a blogger, what’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you while taking photos??? I would love to hear your bizarre stories! I hope you enjoyed this goofy post and that your Monday is off to a great start (and hopefully involving a fabulous outfit).
Miles of smiles,
Grace
Black Mock-Neck Top: JCPenney, $11 // Orange High-Low Skirt: JCPenney, $22 // Black Studded Heels: Frye via Sundance Outlet, $75 // Brown Belt: Cabi, $76 // Black Elephant Purse: Francesca’s, $20
You look absolutely gorgeous and I’m not sure either I have to laugh about everything you indured during the photoshoot, or cry! Sometimes human behaviour amazes me to the point where I have to pretend they are not there. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva
Haha so true Aiva. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you’re having a great day, too!
So cute girl! Photoshoots can definitely make for some funny stories!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks so much, Amy! So true!
Oh wow, so many interruptions and one photo shoot you will remember for a long time!! It makes me laugh when you try to get photos and people stop and look at you. You captured some great photos here 🙂
Haha I know! And thanks so much, Claire. 🙂
Love love this skirt!! And what a day for you, lol! Creepy old man and all! I don’t think I have had too many weird instances with taking pictures as we try to take them with no one around but I always feel weird when people are there. I definitely felt in the spot light when we took the what to wear for a summer wedding pic and the geese had me a little weary.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks Mireille! And haha yes. I prefer to avoid taking photos when people are around too, but as you know, sometimes it’s just impossible to avoid!
Dang…that is a crazy day!! Luckily I’m either with my group or at least my hubby, so I feel safe. Maybe the guy had the cane so he could attack people….LOL!!
I do love this skirt. I want to see it with a white top next time!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Haha so true! You never know. 😉 I think he was just using the cane as a hiking stick of sorts but I feel that takes away from the drama of the story. And oooh yes! I’ve never actually thought to pair the skirt with a white shirt, but I’ll definitely have to try that!
What the heck! This is wild I’m sorry this happened like gosh people let her take photos in peace!! Anyways, I absolutely love your outfit- especially your skirt (lmk where you got it if you can). Best of luck on your next photoshoot haha what a good story!
Haha thanks so much Emily! Yah it was definitely wack lol. My skirt is actually from JCPenney, I think I bought it in 2012 (!). Obviously it’s no longer available, but I linked some similar orange skirts in the widget in today’s post. Thanks so much for stopping by!
That’s so cute! Ofc girl!!
You’re very brave taking photos in public. I’ve only taken the tripod out once or twice, usually just stick to the garden! Some bizarre experiences! Love your outfit. Thanks for joining #WowOnWednesday Grace.
Thanks so much! It’s definitely way more comfortable to take photos when nobody’s around in order to avoid the peanut gallery, ha. Thanks for stopping by!
LOL it sounds like your grandparents live in a weird neighbourhood!! 😉
I always take my pics (or should I say my husband takes my photos) where there aren’t many people because I’m usually a bit self conscious! I think you’re super brave to take your own pics. You did a fabulous job!
Suzy x
http://www.suzyturner.com
Haha right?! Who knew! And thanks so much, Suzy! I’m totally self conscious too, so I much rather prefer taking photos when nobody’s around. But I’m definitely getting better at being comfortable.
Sounds like people are going a bit crazy from lockdown, forgetting social manners, etc, or just feeling lonely and want to connect. Maybe the old guy used to be a pro photographer. It is a sad world that we always have to have our guard up.
Hehe yes, who knows, he could be a great guy! And to be fair, my photos weren’t really turning out, so I’m sure he was right about the photography.
What an experience! That is a lot of interruptions! I’m pretty shy so I always take mine in the backyard! I love your outfit!
Thanks Laura! I prefer to take my photos in the backyard too, as it’s so much more comfortable to take blog photos when nobody is around!
Oh dear that is a saga!! I’ve not yet taken my tripod out with me, I only use it in the garden at home but my daughter does a lot of outing photos and she generally thinks it is a bit embarrassing! Michelle xx
It totally is! As if taking blog photos in public wasn’t bad enough it, doing it by yourself is even more awkward. 😉
Wow hon! What an ordeal! I am not cool either, never made a Tick Tock video! 😉 Love your recollection of your day with the old man and his cane ( that didnt need one) to the doggy and the other lady. It must of been trying to get the pictures. Love the bright flowy skirt with the black top, realy puts it in the limelight. Very pretty!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you so much, Jess! Hope you’re having a great day!
Love the whole look! You look gorgeous and don’t let others influence your love for blogging and creating content! I really feel you tho, that sounds like a really weird photo shoot. In the beginning when I started blogging I always felt the looks of the people passing by but I think it’s a process. At some point I started to ignore them and now I don’t even notice them any more. Plus I feel that taking pictures somewhere became more “normal” with the rise of social media.
So true. I think I’m getting to the point of just being able to ignore the stares! Thanks for stopping by, Miri.
Fabulous outfit! You certainly ran the gauntlet of weirdos to get the photos! I’m not brave (or skilled) enough to take my own photos…I stick to having my husband take them in the garden. Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thanks Emma! I would much rather have someone take my photos for me, haha
Grace, this outfit is amazing! I love this skirt, too, and you have styled it perfectly! Your photoshoot story is funny and a bit disturbing all at once! The man with the cane sounds a bit creepy. I think my favorite photoshoot story was the time I was taking pictures of a formal gown. I did have a friend acting as photographer so I was not alone. But we were dong photos in different spots in my downtown area, both outdoors and inside an old historic building. There was an older man watching us outside and he followed us inside and sat down on bench to watch. It made me uncomfortable but at the end, he asked me if I was a movie star! I smiled politely and said yes! Then I wished him a good day and casually walked away. Haha! Thanks for sharing this interesting story and linking up!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Oh my gosh, I love that story!! Haha so cute. Thanks so much for sharing!