This is probably my favourite photoshoot set build to date!
Last year I had a client request for a circus themed photoshoot, and of course I just had to go all out and build a whole new studio set!
You can view the YouTube Timelapse video of the set building progress here, if like me you prefer visuals to written word:
I bought several meters of red and white velvet fabric from an affordable UK based fabric stockist (Pound Fabrics) to create a big-top, circus tent, curtain backdrop.
I was very kindly given many meters of gold fringing by my sister in law a while ago, and this was the perfect opportunity to put some of that to good use, at last! I finished the curtains with some old gold curtain tie backs I had lying around at the studio, and a handful of cream ostrich feathers for a rather ostentatious finish.
It was then time to build the knife throwing board! With a little assistance from
We used 2 boards of 8x4 12mm thick ply, fixed together to cut out a 6ft circle, and Leigh built a sturdy stand to prop the board up.
After gathering some inspiration for the artwork for the board, I settled upon a star design, in red, white, blue, yellow and orange. We then hammered an old dagger into the board and she was finished!
Next up on the prop building list was a lion tamers plinth, which after much deliberation we decided the easiest thing to do would be to buy a cheap gardening trug, cut it down to size and fill it with expanding foam and offcuts of wood for extra support up the sides. This meant that the plinth would be light enough for me to move around the studio with ease, but also strong enough to stand upon. We covered the trug in paper and pva before painting. I added a wooden top and trimmed with some more gold fringing.
Not happy with my slightly 90s orange laminate flooring at the studio, I remembered I had a wooden floor patterned backdrop which I laid down, and dressed around the knife throwing board with an old trunk filled with costumes and props.
It was now time to take it for a test run, so I invited an old friend to the studio for a makeover Photoshoot.
I am so thrilled with these results.
It's turned out even better than I could have hoped for.
I've added some extra items to my studio wardrobe such as ring master jackets, clown ruffs, corsets and sequin shorts. I shall definitely be taking some self portraits on this set when I get a chance! I don't want to miss out on all the fun of the circus!