I was home in Bedford last Thursday, but, as usual, I was busy at work, shooting in the garden for multiple magazine stories. Fortunately the weather was glorious and being outdoors was a pleasant experience. Noted photographer, Paul Costello, came to the farm with his crew. Here is a little behind-the-scenes for your enjoyment.
Here’s a nice photo of me taken just having completed planting in my ‘white garden.’
Stephen Johnson, Deputy Art Director for MSL, kneeling in for me while Paul and his crew adjust for lighting.
From the white garden, we moved to the shade garden for the next shot. Marie adjusts my makeup.
My tools of choice for the next chore – a Dutch planting spade and a traditional English trowel.
Looking at the camera viewfinder – Stephen and Paul are very happy with the lighting. Digital photography has the perk of instant review.
Working while waiting
Planting a Crested Lady Fern – filling in your shade garden with even more shade!
Anthony, my hair stylist and Annie, my wardrobe stylist looking on
Next stop – the pond – As a gift to me, Joey Kola, the warm up artist from television, has been removing branches and other debris from the water.
The cleaning process is being filmed for a television segment for my show.
Joey even plans on skimming off the green algae.
Joey is always warm and endearing and knows how to make people laugh.
Paul uses this Mac Book Pro as a portable photo editing studio.
Whatever he shoots immediately appears on the screen, enabling his team to choose just the right image.
Again, Stephen stands in for me. The woods look beautiful.
Another change of clothing and another makeup touch up.
Anthony and the girls
The white fabric and photo scrims help to diffuse the light.
Removing an Eternal Dogwood from its pot
Anthony is thinking of getting a French bulldog to keep his Boston terrier company.
A well-planted tree
After the woods and before the next scene, I stopped to feed the donkeys some fresh-picked apples.
Guess where we moved to for the next shot?
I’m all zipped into my protective beekeeper garb and carefully lifting the cover off of a hive.
The bees are agitated by this ‘invasion.’
Good thing I had my smoker handy. Smoke distracts the bees and makes them docile.