Three years ago, Aubrey and I stepped into our first Same Dress Spokane project with a thrifted vintage dress, a little imagination, and a caboose. Looking back at these photographs, I’m reminded how much I love creating alongside my daughter, especially when our creativity supports a good cause.
Organized by Rachel Fellows, Same Dress Spokane invites local photographers to create their own vision using one shared dress. In 2023, the beneficiary was Spokane Humane Society, giving our artistic adventures a purpose beyond the photographs.
Rachel found that year’s dress at a thrift store: a vintage piece from the 1920s. Aubrey and I wanted to embrace its history while creating our own nostalgic story. We styled the look together, adding pearls, gloves, heels, a white hat, and vintage suitcases. Evelyn Mauro completed the transformation with beautiful hair and makeup.
For our setting, we headed to the Hillyard Heritage Museum to use their caboose. Its weathered red exterior, metal steps, and railroad details gave us the character we wanted. Being able to create these images right here in Hillyard made the experience even sweeter.
With Aubrey perched on the steps or standing beside her luggage, the photographs suggested a traveler ready for her next adventure. Warm sunlight wrapped around the caboose, bringing a golden glow to the cream-colored dress. We mixed poised expressions with playful movement and laughter, creating a series that felt elegant without taking itself too seriously.
That’s one of my favorite things about photographing Aubrey: we can build a character together, then give her room to make it her own.
Our first Same Dress experience combined so many things I love: creative photography, collaboration, Hillyard history, and helping our community.
One thrifted dress became an invitation to imagine something different, and we were happy to climb aboard for the adventure.
Explore our Same Dress Spokane 2026 shoot, where Aubrey and I brought elven magic and fierce warrior energy to life in support of Hope House Respite Center.
