Member Perspectives: Photoshoot for the New Website

We asked Liz McGrath to share her experience of participating in a photoshoot for our new website. Liz has been a member of WA Women’s Foundation since 2015, and has served on the Pooled Fund Grant Committee for Education and Health, as well as the Member Engagement Committee.

Liz McGrathThis past year I participated in the photoshoot for WA Women’s Foundation’s rebranded website. It all began with a phone call from Morgan asking if I could pose for a few photos. I didn’t have a good excuse or conflict that would make it easy to say “no”… so I said “yes”. In my mind, we would meet somewhere downtown and take a few photos in a conference room. Little did I know what I had just signed up for!

Shortly after I agreed to participate, I received a phone call from a wardrobe consultant.  She asked detailed questions about my height, my weight, my bra size, my shoe size, etc. We talked about my current wardrobe and what colors and styles may work best for the website. I checked out the “mood boards” from the photographer before nervously sifting through my closet to find a couple pieces that would fit the business casual bill.

On the day of the photoshoot, I arrived at a rented Belltown apartment at 7:30 AM with my 6 outfits in tow. When I walked into the space, I saw 2 makeup stations set up along with a variety of clothing, shoes, and jewelry options – a shopping lover’s dream! The creative team immediately got to work, applying makeup and styling our hair, and making final decisions about our wardrobe for the photos. I had not had my hair and/or makeup done since my wedding, so that was quite a treat. I was excited to try on a different outfit from the selection I saw earlier, but ultimately the team selected one of the dresses that I had brought.

We took Ubers to the photo site – the corner of Pike & 4th. The photographer had his tripod positioned and the set was ready in the midst of morning traffic. As we posed on the street corner, the crowds and some of the design firm’s team quickly walked past us to create a blurred, hustle-bustle look. No smiling was allowed – because the WA Women’s Foundation is serious about philanthropy. It took a few snapshots to get into the habit of not smiling, but in the end, the photographer captured the other ideas he wanted the image to convey about the Foundation: strong, bold, and fierce.

I felt like a movie star, if only for the morning. Reality hit in the afternoon when I returned to the office and continued with my normal work day. But now, whenever I visit our new website and see the front page, I get to relive that Hollywood-like experience at least for a quick moment!

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