Ballarat Heritage Weekend - Steam Train

Every year I try to come up with an outfit to photograph at the steam train during Ballarat Heritage Weekend. It’s become an annual thing, but because of studying on weekends, I missed out last year. This year I finally got to bring the vision I’d had worked on for two years in front of a camera.

I wanted to work with red, because I’d never done that before on a train shoot. I love the way that the red lettering stood out on the black train engine and it inspired me to match it with the dress. It was after that I saw this dress released by The Pretty Dress company. I already own one of their dresses so I knew the quality was exceptional. Their designs are fun and romantic and romantic was the mood I wanted to capture.

To match the bows on the shoulders of the dress I wore my favourite bow shoes. I also loved the nostalgia of a broad-brimmed sweeping straw hat. My favourite one from Birds and Fresia added another black bow to the outfit, tying it together.

This particular shoot takes time. The train is only every briefly at the station and everyone is keen to have photos so patience is needed to get a clear shot. There can be lots of waiting around and then bursts of busyness trying to get shots. I never know how long the shoot will take but I do know that good things can’t be rushed. It will take the time it will take. So I got by buddy Cherie to help me out as my photography assistant. It was hecking cold. Having my jacket off to take these pictures was not ideal, but after having it off for a while I forgot how cold I was. I’m pretty happy with how the shots turned out. I’ve now got 12 months to come up with another outfit. Little photo projects like this bring me so much joy.