Featured Explorer: Madison Shoemake, aspiring photographer.

I would like to introduce Tandem's photographer, Madison Shoemake. If it were not for Madi, there wouldn't be an Autumn look book for me to brag about!  This lovely miss also happens to be my sister. The jury's still out on our level of family resemblance. Madi has shared my childhood and put up with my personality flaws. She's loyal, sweet, excitable, and shares my sense of humor. We have an absolute riot. Literally, at times. (We beat each other up, but that counts too.)

We shot these photos at one of our favorite spots. I have been so excited for this interview! 

Tell us about yourself.

I have blond, curly, semi-tamable hair; and greenish, slate-blue, gold eyes. I live in rural Northwest Washington (you know, the rainy part with absolutely no reliable weather forecasts) Nature is my thing. So are animals; at one time (in my earlier childhood) we had over seven cats all living under the same roof. 

None of my socks have a mate (they are always filing for divorce somewhere between the washer and the dryer) so my feet never match, but I like it that way. 

My favorite food is steak. (Ha) And I am quite partial to the Winter season (I start listening to The Sinatra Christmas Album shortly after Halloween). Most importantly, Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of my life.    

               

What was your favorite part about shooting Tandemʼs just-released autumn look book? 

Hmm... we had so much fun. Where do I start? Simply put, I love being around happy, willing, humble people. And to top that off with spending the most amazing of days with the most amazing of cameras? Enough said. <3

Any habits, hobbies, addictions, or obsessions? 

One of my favorite things (I have many favorites...) is creative writing. Reading, editing, composing, scribbling. Someday (in the nearest of futures) I hope to have my initials on one of those books engendering the Historical Fiction section of a local library. And- obviously- I have a passion for photography. (You would hope so!) 

I also have a nasty habit- and quite pleasurable, I must admit- of pestering a certain person who just happens to share my last name. (Smooch! Forgive me!) 

(Actually, she’s usually punching me. But I digress.)

She’s a pretty good person to watch old movies with; 

even though she appreciates actors like Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant,

and I usually lean towards Gary Cooper and John Wayne.    

Okay, Dead Reckoning and Action in the North Atlantic are pretty good shows- but Reap the Wild Wind and Sergeant York are still my favorites. (To see my whole history of viewing, go here)

Describe your style. 

I don’t really tie myself to any trend or style.

 I suppose I could be described as miscellaneous. 

I can be feminine but I can also be the jeans-and-sweatshirt type.... it depends on when or where you catch me. ;)

Any major ambitions, projects, or goals? 

Well, first things first. For my thirteenth birthday I had asked for a camera. A nice camera. Yes, unrealistic, but I did it anyways. To my surprise, I got one! A Nikon Coolpix, yes, but I cherished that beauty. Every time I saw its slim little black body sitting atop my desk, I couldn’t resist. Within two months I had taken over 2,000 pictures. Three months after my fourteenth birthday, my beauty broke. I swear pieces of my heart fell with my tears. Resolving not to let her death drag me down, I set my eyes on a better, more expensive prize: the Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD. A truly handsome fellow. This was, is, my dream. For now, I use my mum’s Panasonic. It shoots fairly well, but I am slowly- surely- making my way up to The Goal. 

If were sentenced to a desert island for the rest of your life, 

what is the one thing you would take with you?

Hmm... A Costco Wholesale Warehouse?

That’s cheating.

Once again, love and kudos to Madi! Thanks for reading, peeps. :)

Keep a Lookout, Lass.

Vintage Gloria Sachs blouse, In Store Now.

Vintage Polka Dot Midi Skirt, In Store Now.

This shoot turned out even better than I envisioned. Love and kudos to my photographer-sister! I can be the worst backseat driver when it comes to photography, and I really had to focus on not micro-managing her during this shoot. My trust is well placed. She's fantastic.

I happened to find this polka dot midi and blouse on the same day, and randomly decided to pair them. They have interesting chemistry. But it works. Both are now available in the shop. Instead of the usual two-week turnover cycle, it has only been five days since I found them! Sometimes when I'm excited about a concept I just have to act on it.

This Gloria Sachs blouse is simply incredible. The color is so vibrant. The gorgeous vintage flower brooch is a gift with purchase for whomever nabs the blouse! Tip: never pin, just slip through a button hole. :) 

What has been your favorite autumn color this season?

Behind the Scenes: shooting our Autumn 2011 Look book.

Sonja really got to show off her incredible styling skills between my makeup and John's head. After a million tricks, some of them kind of weird (salt water?) she transformed John's "virgin hair" into a voluminous, tangled mat perfect for the look. She had to "fluff" him constantly.

We kept the mood of the look book fairly serious. Which meant John pouted. Madi was an excellent photographer, and kept a balance between thoughtfully 'composing' shots and shooting from intuition and spirit.

Oh, yes... I've added a tab in the blog's navigation menu for our Autumn Lookbook. Thanks so much for all the feedback you guys have given! I've loved it!

Be sure to check out the gorgeous Australian lady Aliya over at Paper Moons and Macarons. She sent me some link love the other day in an appreciation post! She blogs about her travels, vintage discoveries, and impeccable sense of style. I love getting a peek of her beautiful life. :)

Look out for a bay-side fashion post in a few days, featuring the most perfect midi skirt you've ever seen.

Kudos,

Seafarer.

This is my lovely friend Danae. Everyone thinks we are sisters.  It happens every single time we are together. It's hilarious.

I printed this shirt myself. I live in it. One day, my hope is that this character will be famous. Bloggers, meet Fig. Fig, meet bloggers.

The base is a compass. Yes, really.

Magnificent!!!!

The whole town has this kind of thing everywhere.

I had the best weekend with one my best friends. We drove south and generally partied it up the whole day, made completely random stops for under-appreciated freeway viewpoints, and explored a new place. It was absolutely freezing. But I was layered in wool, as usual, so there were no worries there.

We got to see the Seafarers Memorial which I was RIDICULOUSLY stoked about. I saw the lady of the sea!! She was absolutely beautiful. The main memorial is built in the center of a circle, which is marked out to be a compass. I was fist pumping.

We also consumed far too much sugar. A mocha and baked treat for the drive down, and hot chocolate and other goodies for the drive up! A note: do not buy hot chocolate from Krispe Kreme, even though the price is incredible. It tastes just like milk.

Oh yes... I am now on Facebook. (Did I really just say that?!?) It was pretty funny setting one up. I still have no clue how to use it. But I'm good at posting on my wall. Victory.

P.S. Stay tuned for our giveaway announcement...!