All photos by Justin Salem Meyer.
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday to decorate for, and over the last few years it’s been my favorite excuse to get together with Justin and get creative. I loved the take on Miss Havisham we put together last year, and I’ve spent a lot of time since that shoot figure out what I wanted to do this year. I’ve always been into mysteries. Growing up on Agatha Christie, playing Nancy Drew computer games with my sister, devouring every Masterpiece Mystery: the thrill of a “who done it” has been a joy of mine. Justin appeased me this year, and we’ve done some sleuthing to tell our own investigative stories.
I have to give Justin a lot of credit for this shoot. Nancy Drew was my idea, but the story-telling (and his ability to always shoot me in the best light – literally and figuratively) is all him. I knew I wanted to go with a mystery theme and was thrilled when I found the old flashlight on my thrifting account on Instagram: @thriftwiththemakerista a few weeks after confirming that was the direction. Justin was the one to see the different stories and how we could highlight them in a few shots. Our library is one of my favorite spaces in the house, and there was no way we could do some mystery covers without it!
We wanted a car for two of the covers, and luckily my sister’s boyfriend, Justin, has access to a lot of them. I ended up falling for Steve’s ‘66 Chevelle, and it set the tone for the hair, makeup, and wardrobe. The late 60s/early 70s had me collecting images of Brigitte Bardot, smokey eyes with big lashes, soft curls, trenches, turtlenecks and scarves, and shorter hemlines. It’s an era I don’t typically lean towards, but that’s what I love about style – you never know what’s going to feel fresh and exciting next, and this feels that to me.
For a passion project like this, timing is kind of what’s available. We chatted about the concept here and there when we had a moment in the weeks leading up to the shoot. We had goals to get three covers with some supporting shots, but the graveyard cover was the shot we saw in our head the most. If we nailed that, the rest was icing on the cake. We don’t shoot in this manor really. It’s more about shooting me in my house during the day, so it was stepping outside our norm and being open to what magic would happen. Justin arrived at 6pm from Des Moines as I was finishing up hair and makeup. We were out the door and headed to the local graveyard by 7:15 where we met Steve with the Chevelle. We wrapped those two stories by 8:15 and were on our way back to my house. I changed outfits and we shot the library story, half the time with Domino running into shots, ha.
In the midst of the library story Justin said “what if you ended up in the pool?” My gut reaction was “no way,” but then I thought, “let’s give it a go!” Micah and I got the kids in bed, and we headed out back around 9:45. We thought about tying it into the third story, but it ended up being its own. By 10:30 we were back in the house, dried off I’m not sure if those shoes will see another wear, but it was worth the casualty! and Justin was editing photos. By 11:30 we had all of the images and called it a night. It’s amazing what can be created when you work well together and have a clear vision. This spin on Nancy Drew was much more simple than what I typically do – no tedious decorating necessary – but the impact and fun had was off the charts!
Did you grow up reading Nancy Drew? Do you still love a good mystery?
More Halloween role-play: The Makerista as Miss Havisham.
My favorite Halloween decor for 2020 here.
If you’re interested in any of the clothes, here are some links.
BOOTS | DRESS | TRENCH | SCARF | SKIRT | SHIRT | HEELS
LET’S CONNECT! FIND ME ON…
INSTAGRAM | RSS | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | LINKEDIN | EMAIL | YOUTUBE
AMAZING! So so fun, and you’re a great model.
Thank you, it was fun!
What a twist! Bravo. It just keeps getting better!
Thanks, lady!
This is fabulous! How do you top it?!? I grew up reading Nancy Drew. She was by far my favorite character then and now. My love of reading grew from those stories. I love that you have used characters from classic literature/stories in your imagery of Halloween!
I’m not sure, ha. But I think I thought that last year, so hopefully we keep thinking outside the box. I love that it evoked nostalgia for you – thanks for your kind words!
This is so Fun! Great photography, the lighting is so awesome. I went to check out more of
Justin Meyer photographs and I am beyond impressed!
Gwen you always take a great picture but this is FUN!
Thank you, it was really fun to shoot too!
Wowza. Super cool. Great shots. You look fab. Bravo!
Thank you, Maribeth!
This is fantastic! You totally nailed it,
Thanks!
Gwen! Theses are amazing!!!
Thanks, Joy!
The pictures are so cool! Really looked like a grown up Nancy Drew!!! I did grow up with her as well and played the computer games (did you know “Her Interactive” still makes new ones? There’s one coming out in November (Midnight in Salem). And yes, I’m 32 and I still like those games :D). I’m also a big fan of Agatha Christie and pretty much anything true crime (I listen to a lot of podcast on true crime). And I am also a big fan of your library (it fuels my perfect house dreams on a regular basis).
I didn’t know that, I am definitely tempted to find them! Thanks so much, I appreciate your kind words!
I loved Nancy Drew as a kid! This photo series brought me so much joy!
I love hearing that!
Such a novel idea! 😉 At first I thought it WAS a Nancy Drew book, then I thought, no she wrote a mystery book! Because I wouldn’t put anything past your cleverness. I did not read Nancy Drew but I want our granddaughter to, she’s 13 & we both love to watch who done its.
So fun, thank you, Pamela!
You are so extra and I love it!
😉 thank you!
This is brilliant!
Thanks, Brenda!
Well done and not a single misstep! I loved Nancy Drew growing up and this was a perfect homage.
Thanks so much, it was so fun!