BLAIR BARTLETT — SUMMER IN THE HOUSE
“Diversity in fashion isn’t a trend — it’s a truth that needs to be told consistently, intentionally, and with heart.”
Text: VIONNE Magazine | Photos: Blair Bartlett | Models: Soli Productions |
Hair: Amy Harnish & Ela Lani Hair Salon And Spa | Assistant: Reginald Mahar
Where the AC is low but the looks are hot, Summer in the House is a love letter to bold women, porch-front elegance, and fashion with presence. In this sun-drenched editorial, fashion photographer Blair Bartlett transforms a quiet suburban backdrop into a cinematic runway — capturing structured silhouettes, soft power, and sisterhood in its most stylish form.
A visionary based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Blair’s work has graced the pages of Vogue and helped launch the careers of international talent. His lens blends emotion with intention, elegance with edge — and in this latest series, his storytelling comes to life through tailored layers, classic prep, and the undeniable energy of the women who run the house.
We sat down with Blair to talk about the story behind the shoot, the power of visibility, and what makes a moment truly memorable.
Interview with Blair Bartlett
VIONNE: Blair, let’s start with your perspective as a photographer — how would you describe your visual language? What emotions or messages do you always aim to communicate through your editorials?
Blair: First, thank you so much for this opportunity. I would describe my visual language as story-driven, emotional, and immersive. At the heart of everything I create is the desire to tell a story — not just one that lives within the frame, but one that spills beyond it. I want the viewer to pause, not just to admire an image, but to feel something stir. I hope they ask themselves: What happened right before this moment? What comes next? There’s a kind of emotional archaeology in my work — small clues layered within the styling, the expression, the setting — inviting the viewer to uncover more.
One theme that continues to pulse through my work is the importance of visibility. As someone who didn’t always see myself reflected in media growing up, I understand how powerful it is to feel seen. Diversity in fashion isn’t a trend — it’s a truth that needs to be told consistently, intentionally, and with heart. I want my work to be a space where everyone can see themselves as part of the story.
VIONNE: “Summer in the House” feels like a striking blend of elegance, sisterhood, and structure. What initially inspired this concept? Was there a defining moment or image in your mind?
Blair: You’ve described it beautifully — those exact themes were at the center of this series. I envisioned a world that celebrated confident young women who weren’t afraid to take up space, who embodied grace and boldness in equal measure. But what made this project so special is that the sisterhood wasn’t something we created — it already existed.
All of the models in this shoot are represented by Soli Management, and I’ve worked with them across the globe — in New York, Paris, London, and Milan. No matter the city, there’s this sense of unity and mutual support that follows them. It’s more than professionalism — it’s warmth, kindness, and joy. That energy poured into the shoot and gave it a layer of authenticity you can’t manufacture.
VIONNE: The setting — a classic front porch — adds an unexpected but powerful layer. Why this location? What were you hoping to evoke through that suburban backdrop?
Blair: There’s a certain charm in using everyday locations to tell extraordinary stories. This house is just down the street from me — one of those places you pass a hundred times, but each time it catches your eye. I always saw something cinematic in that front porch — the symmetry, the structure, the softness of the light in the late afternoon. It felt like the perfect stage for something timeless.
One summer evening, sitting on my own porch with friends over a glass of sangria, I said aloud, “I’d love to shoot at that house one day.” As fate would have it, someone at the table knew the owners. They introduced us, and from there, everything just clicked. What made it even more meaningful was how open and enthusiastic the homeowners were — they didn’t just lend us their space, they engaged with the shoot, celebrated the models, and brought such good energy to the day. In fashion photography, your backdrop isn’t just a background — it’s a co-star. And in this case, it helped elevate the entire narrative.
VIONNE: The styling plays with prep-school nostalgia but updates it for the modern moment. Can you tell us more about the creative direction behind the wardrobe?
Blair: The wardrobe was directly inspired by the house itself — I always let the location speak to me. When I looked at this porch, I saw stories of modern prep-school elegance, privilege with a twist, young women rewriting the rules while wearing tailored blazers and sharp collars. The aesthetic direction I gave was “Ralph Lauren meets Gossip Girl” — classic, but not dated; polished, but bold.
The styling was brought to life by Solitha Shortte, who wears many hats as both our production manager and one of the most intuitive stylists I know. She has an uncanny ability to make the story come alive through clothing — even if that means pulling from her own closet or mine. In fact, many of the pieces in this shoot came from my personal wardrobe. That kind of personal investment — where the lines between life and art blur — is what gives a shoot soul.
VIONNE: You mention your work often focuses on diversity and identity — how do you approach casting and model collaboration in a way that feels intentional and inclusive?
Blair: This is one of the most important questions to me, both personally and creatively. I grew up as a gay male in a time when queer representation was nearly invisible. I rarely saw people who looked like me, loved like me, or lived like me in the media. That absence leaves a mark. It makes you wonder if you belong, if your story matters.
So now, through my work with Soli Productions and beyond, I feel a deep responsibility to change that narrative — to create imagery that reflects the world as it truly is: vibrant, multifaceted, and diverse. It’s not about tokenism — it’s about truth. People need to see themselves not just surviving, but thriving, celebrated, and beautiful.
Casting, for me, isn’t about checking boxes — it’s about building a community. It’s about collaboration, trust, and creating a space where every model knows they’re valued. When people feel seen and heard, the energy shifts — and that’s the magic that translates into the final image.
VIONNE: There’s a really cinematic feel to this series. What kind of atmosphere did you want to create during the shoot — and how did the team contribute to that energy?
Blair: Thank you — that means a lot to hear. I always aim to create not just a shoot, but a world. For this one, I began by building mood boards like most creatives do, but I like to take it a step further by creating storylines for each model — giving them a sense of character, purpose, and intention. It turns a photoshoot into something more immersive, more lived-in. It also brings a sense of play and fun to the process, which keeps the energy light and connected on set.
The energy we created on this shoot was only possible because of the incredible team behind it. Amy Harris, who I’ve worked with for years, led the hair department alongside the talented stylists from Ela Lani Hair Salon and Spa. We had deep creative conversations before the shoot, and then I gave them space to explore their own interpretations. I wasn’t even present during the prep phase — which is rare for me — but I trusted them completely. And they delivered.
After the shoot, I always check in with the team — not just about the final product, but about the experience. I want to know how it felt for everyone. And the feedback, especially around the hair team, was overwhelmingly positive. Even my partner, who stopped by briefly, made a point to say how grounded and special the energy on set was. That kind of feedback is everything to me.
VIONNE: In three words, how would you sum up this shoot?
Blair: Confident. Cinematic. Connected.
Follow Blair Bartlett | Soli Productions | Amy Harnish | Ela Lani Hair Salon And Spa
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