Blogger's Night Out, DC

Earlier this week, I attended the Blogger's Night Out hosted by Bloomingdale's. The intimate crowd was fun, friendly, and dressed to impress. Here are a few of the looks that inspired me. 

I love the contrast between these encrusted jewels and such a casual sweater

Oh hey color blocking in fall tones! So cool...I love another photo-lady with style.

Holly Thomas, editor of Refinery 29, rocks some serious hand candy from Top Shop

I love these Tangerine Tango pants that are so on-trend for 2012, according to Pantone

The sculptural nature of this chica's hair is so beautiful, and so clearly a work of art

Peacock eye makeup and beautiful natural hair

Pony hair shoes in blue? Yes please!

Birthday Invite!

So today is my birthday and I'd love for you all to come out for some drinks next Tuesday evening. I'm lazy, so let's go to Blackbyrd at 14th and U St. NW, Washington DC  at 9pm (upstairs) because it's close to my house and the drinks are tasty. 

Get dressed so I have something to photograph, you stylish cats! Bring friends, dates, lovers, mistresses or whoever you like, you all know how hyper I am about meeting new people. It's Friday and I have the attention span of a gerbil, but let me know in the comments, via email at gokateshoot@gmail.com, or via Twitter @GoKateShoot if I missed anything or you have any questions. 

Cheers!

The Assistants

Here are three casual portraits of the assistants from last weekend's shoot in NYC. Meet Shannon Osburn, Jesse Hawk and myself. It was great working on a team and learning from one another; I had a blast. 

I took the first two and frankly, can't remember which of the other 3 photographers took the shot of me. Heyyy late night...

And yes, I am in fact wearing every print that I own. More is more, right?

South Moon Under Blogger Event

Last week I went to an event at local boutique South Moon Under, who graciously hosted some fashion and style bloggers for a little holiday meet-up. The store looked lovely and they provided some really fun eats and treats for us to nibble as we chatted style.

I was pretty tired, but was glad I went as a got a chance to chat with the ladies of Spicy Candy DC. I love Katya's festive use of neon, and the color combination of neon greens and burnt oranges in her lipstick and ring. Such good arm candy! Her blonde hair is so easy as well. 

Here is a look from a local jewelry designer, who I also photographed here. After an updated haircut, she looks really different! I love the symmetry of the lines of her hair with her extreme double color. Really fun!

Plus her extreme shoes have amazing lines as well. Yum!

I opted for a nearly monochromatic look that played with texture, pairing glitter tights with high-waited lacy shorts, velvet, and cashmere. When it's so chilly out, it's nice to be both cozy and fabulous. 

My vintage 1920's camera bag from IVD fits everything I need, and always get a lot of compliments. My stylist lent it to me for an event and then once I got attached to it, I decided I had to make it a permanent part of my wardrobe. I love it, it's so special!

Fly Girls: The Details

As promised, here are some of the detail shots of the Fly Girl five year anniversary party last week. 

Only the fabulous Michelle German (Chic Makeup Geek) can pull off blue lipstick like this; she's so killer! And the vintage Gucci? Yes? Are we seeing this fabulous framed bag? Adore. I'm not a label hound by any means, but this bag fits with her 'you-wish-your-grandma-was-this-fly' look. Her pants are sheer and meant to be worn in the summer, but I love this chic update with tights underneath. 

Can we talk for just a minute about how Kimee Brown (The Model is Wearing) has SEVERAL of my favorite things going on here? As you all know, I love bow ties, turbans, and menswear-inspired anything, and she is completely rocking it. And her LEGO Chanel pin? Fabulous. So much.

As always, my partner in crime and stylist Elise Peterson (IVD) was super fresh; I love the tied up chiffon blouse with the encrusted jeweled skirt. This is a great example of taking a look that is perfect for summer and making it work for colder months. As usual, we both rocked vintage fur. I know, I know...but once you start wearing it when it's super-brr outside, there's nothing warmer! I will choose to be both warm AND fabulous, thank you! Her envelope clutch is killer and I love how she mixes slightly different shades of nude to create a softer, feminine look with a masculine flavor from the buttoned-up top.

Photo of me courtesy of Elise; when we got back to my apartment and figured out we hadn't documented ourselves! My hat and mink are courtesy of IVD, and my fabulous 1940's-inspired silk pants were a sneaky backroom sale from Anthro. I love the classic lines of the hat and veil, and even though it's a little kooky was really excited to wear it. Life is too short not to rock a big hat! Besides, I'd rather be That Girl In the Hat than a lot of other things!

This last photo is not really up to snuff in terms of quality, but I included it anyway for it's energy; the free-spirited fun vibe between Elise and I in the entryway of my building is completely indicative of our style partner in crime relationship. I love how sassy fresh this is!

We then went inside, took our crazy heels off, and ate pasta on the couch. Sometimes the best nights end the most simply. 

Fly Girls

This morning on Twitter, this photo emerged of myself and some of my favorite DC style setters. I didn't take it (mad props to DFinney Photography!), but I love it and wanted to share these fun looks with everyone. I'm so lucky to have such stylish friends! Almost all of us also worked on the Tweed Ride photo shoot together, so I have a special place in my heart for these ladies. I took some photos of each of our looks, but for now here's a little group shot at the Fly Girls five year anniversary party last week. Catch the full recap after the jump. Enjoy!

Kimee Brown (The Model Is Wearing), Elise Peterson (IVD), Michelle German (Chic Makeup Geek), Kate Warren (Go Kate Shoot), and Tamika Wilkins (My Designer Dreams)

My fabulous hat and mink courtesy of It's Vintage Darling.

Demigods Helping the Homeless Party

Several weeks ago, I shot a series of documentary photos for the Real Demigods to raise awareness of homelessness in DC. In addition, there was a campaign launch event at Smith Commons, where professional street artist Gregg Deal turned several of my photos into insanely gorgeous, enormous pieces of art live. You can view his stuff (mine is the last one at the bottom of the page) HERE. Here are a few images that I captured during the event.

 This photo of me was snapped by my stylist and friend Elise Peterson.  I really don’t think there is anything more chic than a sensual black cashmere turtleneck. I’m pretty tall (5’9”) to begin with, so those killer platforms give me an even more extreme height advantage.  

Local stylist Quincy Jones came out to chill with us; I always love shooting and chatting with him! 

Quincy and my stylist Elise, who is wearing vintage Versace and fur (per usual).

Local artist Trey Smith introduced me to Allagash; my loves for whiskey and good beer finally unite!

I have gads of photos backlogged that I am excited to share with you, from my trip to NYC and otherwise. I’m inundated with parties this week and will be traveling back to NYC again this coming weekend, so I’m a little slow in churning those out but will do the best I can. Cheers!

Push Yourself, NYC

Hey team, I apologize for the hiatus. Friday afternoon I got a message from a close friend who is an amazingly talented photographer and photo assistant in NYC asking if I could come assist on a major fashion shoot the next morning. I have assisting experience, but certainly not on the scale with which I was then faced. I grit my teeth, canceled my plans and was on the bus alone a few hours later, off and away into the night. I got brave and did it because I know it was an opportunity to push myself. 

We had an 8am call, and when we got to the location, I was moved by the incredible light in the unheated warehouse in Manhattan where fashion magazines like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and W shoot frequently. The space, model, clothes, and work ethic and vision of the team were truly inspiring. I am moved to investigate the creation of photos, and not simply capturing them as they pass. 

I would love to share images with you, but I was there to assist. As I found with modeling, sometimes the best way to learn photography is to put the camera down and just listen. I don't care for technical photographers who take "nice" photos; I want technical skills in order to develop my vision and expand my potential to manifest the images I have in my creative mind. For all that DC has done for me, I am really excited to work on projects that push me to learn more and develop my photos. 

Thank you for just reading, this once. I'll be back with more photos next, I promise. :) 

Cop 'Stache

As my followers, friends, family, and even coworkers know, I love mustaches. Give me a man with a full-on Tom Seleck and I’m mush, it’s as simple as that. Handlebar, 70’s pornstar, and everywhere in between, I love mustaches. I’m fully aware and agree that mustaches can be and usually are really creepy, but when on the right person they can inject a major shot of confidence and swag. They’re a visual punch line that becomes a cheeky wink if the guy can carry it off. Meek men become charismatic, and Average Joes suddenly have a sense of style. It’s amazing! You can’t help but be dapper and a little rowdy in a mustache, I think. My favorite mustache has been documented here, here, and here on my friend Ted, bassist for the indie dance band Kinky Creature (listen to them, and donate to their Kickstarter here, they’re dope!).

Needless to say, Movember is one of my favorite times of year.

Here is a photo of my cousin and his Movember ‘stache, which is a very donut-eating cop number, particularly with the aviator sunglasses. He’d never grown one before, so it was a real treat to be able to take part in some familial mustache fun!