One of the loveliest experiences of my trip to Spain was the afternoon in Marbella that turned into an evening with my friends and a fabulous photographer. I wanted to hire a photographer to capture some great photos while I was there and my friend Julie recommended someone who turned out to be perfect! I hate to say that I don’t even remember his first name but I did really like him and he immediately put me at ease, which always makes the photos better. He was clearly very talented and even ended up giving me a few tips for the photos that I take at home. So…what started as a photo shoot turned into an afternoon of exploring some beautiful places, sharing tapas and coming away with pictures I’ll treasure forever!
We met him in Marbella and began taking pictures in Old Town before stopping at Parque de la Alameda. Its gorgeous fountain, the Fuente de la Virgen del Rocío, and blue-and-white tiled benches made a beautiful backdrop for my gorgeous dress and matching sweater. I loved how the colors and textures worked with the painted tiles. Having someone who knew the area made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
The dress and sweater I’m wearing are from a French brand called Mes Demoiselles and I found them at at Gunnel’s which is a charming little boutique in Marbella. I also met the lovely Gunnel herself, and we immediately became friends…bonding over fashion! Meeting Gunnel was such a great pleasure and now these clothes will always remind me of her as well as the places I wore them. And…I can’t wait to go back again soon.
The charming narrow streets of Old Town gave us another beautiful backdrop. There were textured walls, decorative tiles, iron gates and flowerpots filled with blooms. We photographed a gorgeous yellow dress (below) there, and its bird-and-flower print looked so pretty against those surroundings. I saw this dress in Puerto Banus and couldn’t get it off my mind so I went back to try it on…then, I had them hold it and then, finally went back to purchase it. I’m so happy I did and I know I’ll wear it often and keep it forever! I wore it to a fashion show while in Spain and got so many compliments.
Everywhere we stopped to take pictures, I noticed the little details. These pictures have such a sense of place and that’s what made this shoot so special.
The last place we visited was the fabulous Marbella Club, which was just stunningly beautiful. The pool was gorgeous, the shopping was beyond amazing, and I would happily have stayed longer to explore.
The hotel began as a family retreat before Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe opened it in 1954 with just 20 bedrooms. Knowing a little of its history adds to the appeal, but the grounds alone were enough to make me want to return and I’m already planning!
We photographed my brown silk Dôen dress around the resort and on the pier there. The silk, the pearls and the seaside setting made such a beautiful combination. This was also the dress I wore for the rest of the evening, and I felt so pretty wearing it.
When we finished shooting we headed back to Old Town for some delicious tapas with the photographer. As I said, he shared a few pointers for my own photography, which I really appreciated, and gave me the pictures right there on the spot! It was wonderful to look through them while we were still together and the experience was so fresh.
We had a fabulous dinner at Casanis Bistrot! Our table was outside on a narrow street, and the whole setting was so romantic. The weather was perfect, the food was beyond amazing, lights twinkled around us, and a man was playing the saxophone near our table. It couldn’t have been more perfect!
After an afternoon of moving between locations and changing outfits, it felt especially lovely to sit down and take it all in. I had on a dress I loved, we were in this beautiful place, and there was nowhere else I wanted to be. It was an evening I wished could last a little longer, however I was exhausted so we went to bed and I slept like a baby knowing that the next day was my last day in Spain.
I’ll share each of the three outfits I wore for the shoot in more detail in separate posts. There are so many photographs I love, and each dress deserves a little space of its own.
Before leaving home, I had my share of nerves about traveling as I always do. My daughter said “Mom Go…YOLO, so I took her advice and I’m so glad I did! I always love spending time with my friend Julie Miles. She literally knows everybody and I meet so many new lovely people! I also loved exploring somewhere new and experiencing a different culture. Travel can be hard, especially when it’s a long way and such a short trip, but it expands your mind and takes you out of your box and it is always worth it!
Thanks so much for reading today!
~XOXO Suzanne
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