Photos and Good Fortune

November 1, 2017

Fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera stands at Place de la Concorde in Paris wearing an Everlane silk blouse and carrying an APF halfmoon bagPortrait of fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera wearing Celine Audrey sunglasses and an Everlane silk blouse at Place de la ConcordeWinnipeg fashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera sits in the Jardin des Tuileries wearing Le Chateau leather ankle boots, with an APC halfmoon bag hanging from her chairOutfit details on style blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera, wearing Paige Denim black jeans and Le Chateau ankle bootsFashion blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & Vera sits at Place de la Concorde in Paris, wearing an Everlane silk blouse and Paige jeansEverlane blouse
Paige jeans (c/o Shopbop)
Le Chateau boots (c/o) (similar)
APC bag
Celine sunglasses
Madewell rings

I remember the morning we took these photos because nothing went quite according to plan. It was freezing cold and windy, despite the late April date. We arrived at the perfect spot in the Jardin des Tuileries, overlooking Place de la Concorde and set-up our shots. I am almost always willing to deal with the cold for twenty minutes to get great photos, because fashion. But just as we were shooting our tenth frame, a large red van pulled up and parked directly behind me, spoiling our scenery. We got the photos, of course, but not the ones we wanted and, in frustration, rewarded ourselves with very indulgent hot chocolate at Angelina.

When I look back, I wonder why it all mattered so much in the moment. This year has been nothing short of incredible. We’ve spent time in eleven cities within seven countries and, on Friday, I’ll board a flight towards another one: Las Vegas. I want to say it will be my last for the year, but the truth is, I have another period of time off in December that might result in one more trip. Either way, when you live a life that involves opportunities like that, how can you really be upset if you don’t get the exact photos you hope for at every shoot?

I honestly don’t know. And yet, I always am. I still want every set of photos to be exactly as I envisioned. Maybe it’s perfectionism, or hubris, or something else entirely. These shots did not turn out the way I intended. I can admit that. I can also admit that I do know that it doesn’t matter at all in grand scheme of things, because I was lucky to be able to take them at all.

5 comments so far.

5 responses to “Photos and Good Fortune”

  1. Courtney says:

    How long will you be in Vegas for? I went last year with friends and it just about broke my brain – we had so much fun but it was quite the experience! I really, really wish I could travel these days but I sincerely doubt Eleanor would do well on a plane at this age…nor do I think she’d particularly enjoy me trotting her about on vacation someplace…she’s just not one of those babies! So, we’ve decided to suspend travel for a bit until she’s older (although we might try to have a kick getaway next year for a week or so if my parents are up for watching for a bit – the prospect of that really excites me!).

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

  2. I would never had guessed these didn’t turn out the way you intended, because they’e gorgeous! I think sometimes we have a vision in our head for photos or a post and when it ends up being a challenging experience, we (or at least I!) feel disappointed, when to everyone else, the shoot or post is actually pretty great. PS Have fun in Vegas! Jealous!

  3. So true, and such a good outlook Cee. I can definitely get particular/stubborn about things turning out the way I want and I need to learn to appreciate moments for what they are. Hard for us Type A gals, am I right?! And… YAY, how exciting you’re heading to Vegas. You’ll have so much fun and the concert will be a blast. Enjoy, enjoy, and take a million insta stories please!! xo

    http://www.girlandcloset.com

  4. Cee, I can’t wait for your posts on Vegas! I love that you travel. I get to see so many places through your eyes. Well these are amazing pictures! Love them and your outfit.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Cee Fardoe is a thirty-something Canadian blogger who splits her time between Winnipeg and Paris. She is a voracious reader, avid tea-drinker, insatiable wanderer and fashion lover who prefers to dress in black, white and gray.

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