1920s Styled Photoshoot

I hate to play favorites, but this photoshoot might just be my best set from the Vintage Photography Workshop. Stepping into an almost living, breathing scene from the roaring 1920s, the attention to historical detail in this set was incredibly fulfilling as a stylist and photographer. The cloche hat paired with the drop-waist dress is the epitome of authentic 1920s fashion, while the head-on weasel fur stole—a styling staple of the Jazz Age—not only adds texture but emphasizes the lavishness adored during the era of Prohibition and underground speakeasies.

The model’s makeup was painstakingly recreated using references from original 1920s adverts, perfectly reflecting the decade’s beauty ideals: alabaster skin, smoky eyes, and a pout accentuated by cupid’s bow exaggeration, all crafted to complement her era-perfect bobbed hair. This dramatic aesthetic was fueled by the cultural shifts of the time, as women rebelled against Victorian notions of beauty and embraced this more liberated, modern look, symbolizing their newfound independence and freedom.

The backdrop completed this enchanting tableau, with the vintage car (dating to about 1932) pulling the entire look together effortlessly, even though it post-dated the silent 1920s by just a couple of years. Cars like this were integral to the lifestyle of the era—a time when the automobile industry was booming, prohibitions were smuggling opportunities, and young women could drive themselves to a night of jazz, often flaunting their flapper rebellion. Ashley, my model for this shoot, effortlessly captures this energy. She exudes that perfect “bad girl” 1920s vibe—elegantly defiant, as though she’s preparing to head to a Prohibition font bar, flask of bootleg whiskey in hand (don’t be fooled, the vintage bottles in the photo were actually filled with water).

It wasn’t just the wardrobe and props that made this set so magical—the colors themselves seemed to transition us back a century. Meticulous planning meant the set, outfits, and makeup were so perfectly styled that only the slightest color adjustments were needed in post-production. Most of the non-black-and-white photos here are as vibrant and timeless as the scenes themselves, requiring little editing because the historical authenticity translated so beautifully into the frame. The 1920s was truly a colorful decade in more than one sense of the word—it was an era of glittering rebellion, prosperity, and innovative styling, and I wanted that vibrancy to shine through in this work.

This session demonstrates the transformative exuberance of Jazz Age fashion and how its aesthetic still captivates us today. From simple day dresses accented with ornate accessories like fur stoles and cloche hats to the allure of sleek automobiles that epitomized the rapid technological and cultural progress of the 1920s, every detail in this shoot pays homage to the legacy of the “Decade of Excess.”

As I looked through the viewfinder of my camera, it was hard not to be transported to an era alive with glamour, energy, and rebellion. Ashley, with her period-perfect look, appears to have walked right out of the 1920s, ready to light up the dance floor of a speakeasy or race down the road in her vintage car. Encapsulating these moments made me realize why I cherish dives into historical styles like this. It’s not just about photographs; it’s about manifesting the echoes of history in vivid detail.

Every shot from this shoot feels like a treasure from the past, and I hope it transports others back to that thrilling era on sight. For all lovers of the 1920s—a time of daring fashion, poignant history, and cultural revolution—this session is for you. The Roaring Twenties may be long gone, but its spirit continues to fuel creativity and inspiration, just as it did for this photoshoot.

Let me know—does this transport you to the Jazz Age as much as it does for me?