Behind the scenes of the September MSL Cover Shoot!
Last April, I posted a blog about choosing a cover for Martha Stewart Living magazine and a bit of what’s involved in the process. Readers responded so favorably, so I decided to show you a little ‘behind the scenes’ of when we shot the September issue, on newsstands now. September, of course, is the decorating edition and it’s filled with fantastic ideas for making your surroundings more beautiful. Hugh Stewart photographed the actual cover, and we invited Patrick Kolts to shoot the ‘behind the scenes.’
Inspiration for the cover came from the wonderful story about stenciling in that issue and there were, at least 2 different scenarios photographed. Matthew Axe was the art director for the shoot and he and his team worked for several days preparing the set. The day before the shoot, Hugh Stewart came to set up his lighting and to work out the composition with Matthew Axe. It’s always fun to see how things are actually done, so please have a look and enjoy!
These are artist sketches of a couple of scenarios that were being considered.
These are paints and supplies for stenciling. You can read more about it in the September issue.
Here I am with Deputy Art Director, Matthew Axe having a good laugh.
Kevin Sharkey and I are discussing some of the fine points of this set.
Chief Creative Officer, Gael Towey and I are looking intently at the
digital images on the computer screen. Obviously, we’re happy with
what we see.
Here I am posing with gorgeous stenciled pillows. This was one
scenario photographed that day. By the way, you can learn how to make
these pillows and other fabulous stenciled projects in the magazine.
The actual cover of the September issue – that’s my wardrobe stylist,
Karena with her beautiful dark hair – she’s making sure that I look
crisp and neatly put together.
I never would have known that the lovely cover was a real set. I assumed it was PC graphics. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: michael anthamatten | September 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 am
Thanks for giving us a peek behind the scenes -- love it!!
Posted by: chia berry | September 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 am
Please, please, please start a pet magazine! Your first cover shoot could feature Paw Paw's grandbaby. Oh, and my votes for puppy names are: 1. Moo Goo Gai Pan, 2. General Tso or 3. Chairman Mao.
Posted by: Bipolar Christy | September 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 am
Hi Martha!
Always looking great. Thanks for sharing! I love the magazine and always look forward for the next issue. It's so inspiring.
God Bless you.
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | September 2nd, 2008 at 1:39 am
So cool...love the before and after progression.
Posted by: sharkey | September 2nd, 2008 at 3:39 am
Martha,
The man who assists you, Kevin Sharkey....did you name your dog in his honor?
Posted by: Beth | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:05 am
I thought you looked just beautiful on the cover!
Posted by: suemare | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:25 am
Hi Martha
How far in advance do you print your magazine before it arrives at my front door?
I'm so excited about the new season of Martha - can't wait. I hope you don't disappoint all of us and tell us you only picked one pup - I can't wait to see all 3!!!!
Posted by: Ann | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:18 am
Did you p[ick a puppy? And if you did, you should just call him Gus.
Posted by: jai carney | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
This months issue has still not reached the shelves in the UK but I cannot wait!
Thank you for the insider look.
Pru
Posted by: Pru | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 am
It's the perfect cover. And an ingenius idea to use the stencils!
I'm always fascinated to know what goes on behind the scenes.
-Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:27 am
Hi Martha:
I am in agreement with the first person who posted (Mr. Anthamatten). I thought it was done by graphics too. I never knew it was a real set. It's beautiful.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:31 am
Hello Martha:
I have your September Magazine on my coffee table. I must say I was surprised the wall was staged. Thanks for sharing your shoot with us. Your life is so interesting, I'd love to hang out with you for a day!
Posted by: Betsy Mech | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 am
WOW! I didn't know that much work went into a cover magazine. Your company is so classy and the magazine is so easy to read.
Posted by: Arlene | September 2nd, 2008 at 10:09 am
Martha -
I absolutely love your magazine. Being a graphic designer, I am constantly referring to your publication for inspiration. You have such a great creative team putting it together. I love everything from the fonts to the photos! The September issue is absolutely wonderful and I love how you all decided to push the limit and actually stencil all of the text. Keep doing beautiful work...I know you will. Thank you for the design genius that you constantly display.
Posted by: Sarah | September 2nd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Martha,
I got a survey asking what cover to chose for your Sept. MSL issue and felt "honored" that you included your fans to help pick! I chose the one featured! LOL
Thank you so much for your continued inspiration! Love seeing the process and hard work of chosing a cover. As always, you look elegant on the issue! WTG girl!
Hope your Labor Day weekend was fun and looking forward to Sept. 15th!
Paula
Posted by: Paula M. :) | September 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
Hi, Martha!
Thought you looked exceptionally beautiful on the cover of the September issue of MSL. I am really happy to see you returning more often to the cover of your flagship publication.
Your behind-the-scenes postings are extremely entertaining and fascinating. I always enjoy seeing how you guys do things at MSO.
Posted by: Jon | September 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Hi Martha,
The Decorating issue has always been my favorite for ideas and to just browse. I think September 2000 is my all-time favorite showing the interior of Skylands but I liked seeing Bedford too back when it was decorated in red. Both are so beautiful!
It is quite interesting to learn what goes on with creating a cover and your choices have been perfect so far. BTW, you look great on the September issue! It was the cover that first drew me to your magazine in the checkout line years ago when I became a subscriber and when I looked inside, I was awed at the beautiful photography. Your magazine can't be beat! Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
I love it. The showing how a cover or story evolves is so much fun. I look at the pillows and wonder if at any time during the session someone got one thrown their way.
Again I loved the blog.
Posted by: Margie | September 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
Gorgeous cover...interesting how it all comes together! Looking sooo forward to the start of another 'Martha' season! Not too many sleeps left until September 15th.
Posted by: Sherey | September 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Hello Martha,
Another crisp, clean, beautiful cover this month... bravo! Your magazines have not only inspired my life but my business as well. I keep them on my shelves (every single one of them) organized by months rather than by the year. Fall/Autumn and Christmas/Winter are probably my favorites, if I had to choose. Especially the early ones.
I love taking the whole pile of those down and going through them for Holiday inspiration and ideas.
I can hardly wait to see what your December issue will have and add it to my 'December' collection of previous issues.
Thanks, Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | September 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
You know, I DID catch a glimpse of the September cover over the weekend while out shopping...I was in such a hurry, I didn't get to flip through the pages. What I DO remember, though, is how g-r-e-a-t you looked!
It IS fun, seeing behind the scenes! You look cute in the pictures - the one where you're laughing, and the one where you're standing with your hands in your pockets, like "doo-de-doo-de-doo" (sung in a musical fashion, of course)... The thing (one of the many) I like about you is, you have "lived it" through your own experiences, and you're not afraid to still "get your hands dirty". You're so hands-on...so much of you goes into your products... and Ilikeit Ilikeit!!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | September 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Wow! beautiful! it is fun to see all the work that goes into such a fabulous cover!
http://xobeau.blogspot.com/
Posted by: xoBeau | September 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
This is so interesting! Thank you for the inside "scoop."
Posted by: Patia | September 5th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Oh what dream jobs you and your staff have! I loved seeing how that all came together. Great cover!
Posted by: jerusalem | September 6th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Hi martha,im from malaysia.I love watch your show. It really fun.Iwatch your show at ntv7(tv channel)
Posted by: rossilah | September 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Hello Martha, love your magazine and your show...im British and moved over to the USA 3 years ago and watch most of your shows if im not at work!
Posted by: Carol McCarron | September 17th, 2008 at 8:18 am