Old Hollywood at Mattox Studios

This month, our Creator Collective stepped back in time for one of our favorite themed shoots yet — Old Hollywood.

Ashley wanted to do something completely different this year, and when I came across a video from Lindsay Adler breaking down George Hurrell’s lighting style, it just clicked. The combination of Ashley’s creative spark and my obsession with vintage lighting made it a natural fit.

We kept the set simple — intentionally. The first look used a seamless gray paper background that matched the timeless feel of those 1930s–40s headshots. For the second setup, we brought in a velvet curtain we found at Walmart just two days before the shoot. It ended up being the perfect finishing touch, giving that “on stage” elegance we were going for.

Lighting was where things got serious. For the curtain portraits, we used a single light — clean, dramatic, and moody. But the black-and-white headshots were a different story. That setup took four lights and a lot of precision. The seniors couldn’t move more than six inches in any direction without stepping out of the light pattern. It was meticulous work, but it gave us that unmistakable Old Hollywood glow.

Kaylee handled hair and Rosie took care of makeup, creating looks that screamed “Hollywood glam” while still feeling authentic to each senior. They absolutely nailed it. What most people don’t know is that Kaylee had spent most of the night before in the ER. We were worried she wouldn’t make it — but she showed up and crushed it anyway. (Trust me, doing a shoot when you don’t feel great is rough — I once nearly keeled over during a Something to Talk About session years ago.)

The energy during the shoot was relaxed but focused. Everyone brought their own personality and leaned into the character of the theme. The best part? From the very first test image, we knew all the prep had paid off. The lighting, the styling, the vibe — it all clicked immediately.

We love doing sessions like this because it pushes us creatively. I’m always studying different lighting techniques, because you never know when someone will ask for a specific look. Being ready for anything is half the fun of what we do.

This shoot was a reminder that sometimes the simplest sets…a roll of paper, a Walmart curtain, and some creativity — can create the most unforgettable images. Keep scrolling for more of our favorties from the day!