Behind the Scenes: Knits Spring 2009

Feb 12, 2009

 
 
Our call times are early. We shot this Spring issue in late November, when daylight is at a premium, so we all need to get going with the sun.
Our photographer, Amanda, checks out an exposure after a test shot. We tend to do a walk-through first thing, as the makeup artist and stylist are getting set up, checking out potential angles and deciding which garment gets shot where. For this issue, we used a friend’s house as a location—she lives in a rowhouse in Philadelphia filled with great art and soft light.
 
 
 

 

 
 
Katie, makeup artist extraordinaire, gets to work on Kate, champion model, in the dining room. We always set up the makeup stations in an area flooded with daylight—I look for a soft, barely-there, very fresh effect for makeup (really a polishing rather than the full treatment) that looks right in natural light, not under hot lamps or ring lights. Meanwhile, Beth, the stylist, sets up her rack of clothes for the day.

We usually ask models to bring their own shoes—though we can usually get clothes for the opposite season, buying spring shoes in November is really tough.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Jenn peeks out a window while strategically displaying the Fountain Pen shawl on the shoulder facing the camera. We love light that slants sideways across knitted fabrics—it creates tactile richness and depth that leaps off the page.

The final shot: Fountain Pen Shawl
 
 
 
 

 
 
Kate wears the Posy Slip up in the attic. This is a case where we tried a few different styling options before settling on the simple, clean shot you see in the magazine. At left, Nelson, Amanda’s assistant, waits—he’s got a lamp bouncing off the ceiling in case we need it.

The final shot: Posy Slip
 
 
 
 

 
 
Nelson shortens the tripod. You can see the blue bedroom where we shot the Sweet Tee and the Blooming Cotton Scarf in the background, along with the yellow powder room we shot the Millefiori Cardigan in.

Amanda fiddles with the wireless transmitter on her camera—she’s able to send images to her laptop as she’s shooting, which makes it easy for Editorial to review shots and adjust things on the fly.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Katie and Lisa, Senior Editor on Knits, wait for us to wrap up a shot. Lisa runs all the logistics for the shoot—making sure models are dressed and ready, getting releases from everyone, and generally making sure we stay on track and on time.

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Jenn gets in place for the Silk Cocoon Cardigan shot. The attic is full of great murals we took full advantage of—we ended up trying her in a few different locations before settling on the final shot.

The final shot: Silk Cocoon Cardigan
 
 
 
 

 
 
Amanda’s vantage point for the finished shot in the magazine.
We shot the Sideways story on Philadelphia’s busy South Street, just outside Amanda’s studio. It was a challenge to keep people in coats and hats out of our shots—Nelson shows you just how cold it really was.
 
 
 
 

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After a full day of shooting, we review images and get prepared for the next day of the shoot.
View the Knits Spring 2009 projects

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Comments

knittingbox wrote
on Apr 11, 2009 11:15 AM
i found this completely boring and uninformative.
KristenP wrote
on Mar 8, 2009 1:19 PM
Those are gorgeous shots and they make me so excited for the next issue! Thank you for sharing that.
on Mar 1, 2009 6:06 AM
In the front of the magazine, you mentioned that some of the photos were taken at the Oyster Creek Inn. Is that the one in Leeds Point, NJ?
TheresaW wrote
on Feb 25, 2009 7:22 AM
This was fun!
leni wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 1:25 PM
Very nice - but I'm looking forward to when you show the Silk Cocoon Cardi on "real" people, rather than skinny models. Knowing how a knitted garment will look on someone with a few (?) extra pounds BEFORE spending time, effort, and money on knitting the garment is, well, priceless!
RachelP@2 wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 11:59 AM
I love seeing all this behind-the-scenes stuff! It is amazing seeing how the magazine is put together! While I'm typing, I gotta say out of all the knitting magazines I know of, Interweave Knits is my favorite. This magazine always seems to be the most down-to-earth, while also displaying style AND extremely good taste. Everything you show is very wearable and functional, while also being pretty. Keep up the good work! Rachel
Diana@8 wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 8:59 AM
I love the behind the scenes. My son has been filming since he was in high school and I have always loved that part of the process. So for someone who knits on a daily bases I have been double exposed today. Diana
AngieM wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 8:58 AM
I loved that you used a real home. I'd also like to see your sweaters in places where I might find myself: the soccer pitch, public transit, the coffee shop, a shoe store. These settings may help us see ourselves in your designs.
NancyT@2 wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 8:22 AM
Thank you for this tour and all the cool things you do for us knitters. I loved seeing more of the location shoot, how a shot gets chosen, etc. Very fun. Me, too, Fountain Pen Shawl has come to the top of the to-do list! Naneki
SuzanneH@3 wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 8:20 AM
I like the Silk Cocoon Cardigan. That is something that I'd knit for others and for myself. Suzanne
DebB wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 7:48 AM
I LOVED seeing the behind-the-scenes pics! I also really love that you use real houses and real people. I mean, I really love that! Now I am eagerly awaiting the Galleries of all the great garments! Which I also LOVE! I am, however, neutral on the use of exclamation points...
Colorado wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 6:50 AM
I appreciate the fact that you actually feature the knitted piece and detail the stitch. 'Beautiful shots', with indistinct knitted pieces, only a small part of the item or those focusing on the model and/or background may be aesthetically pleasing, but of little help when deciding to actually knit what is shown. Patti Simons
SharonV wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 6:33 AM
And I thought all the photo shoots were done in a studio! Nice to know that the photo shoots are cost efficient without sacrificing quality especially since the quality of the pictures is what gets us all to run out to our LYS. Fountain Pen Shawl ... here I come!
Carolyn@8 wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 5:53 AM
What a cool way to spend the day! In my next life I will work for Interweave Knits. Your magazine reminds me with every issue why I love knitting so much. It's like a jewel in my mailbox. Thank you!
willowsage wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 4:20 AM
Thanks for the tour. Knitting is about getting inspired to create an inspiration. That's the fun. Connecting and being part of the creative process of the magazine is inspiring. Hope to see more behind the scenes. We love to knit here in New Hampshire because we can wear our creations so often! It's both practical, saving on heating fuel and FUN!
LiaN wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 3:09 AM
Fun to see the "behind the scenes" shots! And why not go down to New Orleans for a Spring or Summer issue--in November in New Orleans, it's like spring anywhere else, and the rest of the year, it's summer!
2BKnitting wrote
on Feb 24, 2009 2:46 AM
Great article on the behind the scenes of making a great photo. You folks do a wonderful job with capturing the mood and making the knitted garments stand out. Thank you for the post...Susan
SandyO wrote
on Feb 23, 2009 6:15 PM
Thanks for the pictures. I look forward to your daily posts and appreciate all the time you put into each one. Sandy O
ofthesun1 wrote
on Feb 23, 2009 5:37 PM
Great, just great - now I want to knit everything in the issue AND model it! Wonderful shoot. Y'all need to come out to So Cali for a spring/summer issue - I'll make sure there's fresh guacamole and fish tacos for everyone!
AnnM wrote
on Feb 23, 2009 5:01 PM
Being a resident of Philadelphia, I love to see IK shoot here. Please more shots of Philly. And if you ever need a diferent house to shoot at you can use mine.
otterwise wrote
on Feb 23, 2009 4:51 PM
I love seeing the art behind the art. The surroundings that were cropped out of the finished shot. Thanks for taking the time to put this together for us :-}
Vis_Major wrote
on Feb 23, 2009 4:37 PM
I really enjoy these behind-the-scenes peeks into IK. As a Philadelphia resident, I get a kick out of knowing so many issues are shot here. :)
on Feb 23, 2009 4:27 PM
Great shoot. Do you ever look for more photographers? If so, I have someone to recommend. Love your magazine.
on Feb 23, 2009 4:10 PM
very very cool -- thanks a great deal for making the shooting of photos so very interesting. I do appreciate every issue of Interweave Knits and wish I could order the magazine in Canada. It is cheaper for me to buy each issue as it comes out. Maybe you could set up an office in Canada for Canadian customers. Thank you