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Big Leo Artists on Instagram

Mary Dail — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:50:25 +0000

Big Leo artists have adopted Instagram en masse – be sure to follow everyone for quirky, fun, and beautiful updates! Here are a few images from the artists and from our team. And that just scratches the surface – so many of our favorite photographers, art directors, and client friends are on there, too. Check it out!

Beginning of the Affair

Mary Dail — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:58:30 +0000

Every so often, you get that call for a dream job. Elegant and complex editorial for Town & Country magazine? Check. Legendary photographer Art Streiber? Check. Total freedom to rock it out however you want? Check. Stylist Hilary Robertson was called, and she rose to the occasion in a massive 10-page-long continuous spread that featured a complex storyboard to make sure the story all lined up. We’re happy to feature the images here but it really needs to be seen in print to be appreciated. Truly an affair to remember!

Eggstatic

Mary Dail — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:24:17 +0000

For the April cover of Country Living, Hilary Robertson styled these beautifully intricate eggs, photographed by the graceful Burcu Avsar. It’s a great spring story and we especially love the place settings with stitched napkins and real flowers. A nice touch to any special dinner. And in case you were wondering about the secret to the eggs – Hilary hired an entire team of researchers from the Museum of Natural History to painstakingly paint each one with a brush made from the historic pelt of Cadbury’s very first official bunny. Ok, ok. Temporary tattoos.

A Brownstone Bridal Shower

Mary Dail — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:14:37 +0000

Hilary Robertson teamed up with the most talented photographer Addie Juell for this sumptuous shoot on location. Hilary talked about how the shoot made everyone reminisce:

Everyone has tried on the veil, eaten La Durée macaroons, tossed back Veuve Cliquot, opened presents, admired The Dress, tried on The Ring. I asked Addie to shoot a test with me inspired by BHLDN- Anthropologie’s wedding brand. Their website images made me want to get married all over again. Of course, this is as close as I’m getting.

My friend Kathleen and I were talking about how we had our dresses, shoes etc just hanging in the wardrobe going nowhere. This was such a fun way of playing with all that stuff again. I never even had a Hen Party or shower – until now!

More images to follow!

Far Afield with Hilary Robertson

Mary Dail — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:33:36 +0000

Stylist Hilary Robertson makes the prestigious Elle Decor cover just sing. It feels like the real spring, with an open door propped by a cute pup, fresh lilacs on the table and bright sunny day outside. I think we’re all ready to walk right into that scene and out the door into the light. Photo by William Waldron.

Perfectionism

Mary Dail — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:30:17 +0000

Hilary Robertson styled this wonderfully symmetric cover for Elle Decor, shot by unwavering William Waldron. It really is astounding just how much the image was shot to match the design of the cover. I just picture them with the cover overlay up on the screen, managing the tiniest details and chosen asymmetries, like the bag on the floor next to the desk and the way the artwork on the shelf mirrors the copy on the left side of the page. And then the way that the cover logo is perfectly framed by the ceiling with the columns providing an additional frame. This is just the most fantastic example of great teamwork, patience and perfectionism.

At Home with Ellie Krieger

Mary Dail — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:14:35 +0000

It makes it easier to keep to a good eating routine when you have a great schedule like this. Of course at Big Leo, we’d have at least 5 taco nights in the mix. Sarah Cave styled this beautiful and laid-back story for Better Homes and Gardens, about Ellie Krieger‘s homemade family meals. If eating well is the cornerstone of a good life, then styling well is the cornerstone of a good editorial! If only we could get the magnificent Alison Attenborough to cook every night, along with the lovable Con Poulos to shoot. Talk about a week of Sundays…

Decorating with Plants

Mary Dail — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:14:35 +0000

Hilary Robertson styled this simple yet luscious story for Real Simple, shot by the green-thumbed Christopher Baker. There is something so peaceful about plants – the kind of life to have in your home that not only adds a beautiful touch, but also a real living object that animates the rest of the decor. Why buy an air filter, a tchotchke and a pet, when you can have all at the same time?

Big Everything

Mary Dail — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:11:15 +0000

Stylist Hilary Robertson traveled way way out to Big Sky, Montana for this Elle Decor story with the peerless Pieter Esterhosen. When I asked her about the shoot she said the biggest challenge was getting that many flowers out there. There aren’t exactly any flower markets in the snowy mountains. But with the help of the NYC-based Dutch Flower Line, it all came together. The other thing she mentioned was the art collection. So many amazing pieces – her favorite was a sculpture by the British artist Julian Opie. And no trip to Montana would be complete without “the biggest breakfast I have ever seen.” Big spaces, big ceilings, big everything. Oh yeah, and the sky. Endless.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Mary Dail — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:50:18 +0000

The past year was a whirlwind of new projects, new friends and new faces. Below is a sampling of the images that Big Leo artists helped produce in 2011, and it represents only a small fraction of the projects that we took on. We are so grateful to be able to collaborate with so many creative people and look forward to a whole new season of making the best images come to life. Thank you everyone who was a part of so many successful teams. Happy New Year to all of our friends, clients, families and all! May 2012 bring joy and prosperity to each and every one of us!