AFTER
HOURS

Featuring Melissa Middleton, Elia Longo & Esmie Fricke.
Photography, creative directing & Post production editing by lara pattinson.  hair & makeup by Jodi Ronaldson. styling by Ruby Fos & Allana Davies. visual DIRECTING by Issi Mortimer.

AFTER HOURs BRINGS YOU A RE IMAGINATION FROM PHOTOGRAPHER LARA PATTINSON OF A TIME IN HISTORY— THE 1960’S. THROUGH THEIR FASHION AND STYLE THE WOMEN OF THE ERA PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE TRADITIONAL EXPECTATIONS. AFTER HOURS FLIPS THIS NARRATIVE ON IT’S HEAD- REVERSING THE ROLES, IN A bold AND confident expressions of style and presence.

A Man’s Lesson in Patience: A Modern Take on 60s Gender Roles

By Lara Pattinson

Photography has always been my medium for storytelling, a way to explore narratives that resonate with me personally. As a photographer, creative director, and editor, I specialize in fashion and beauty photography, but my work is always rooted in strong, narrative-driven concepts—often centered around the empowerment of women. With a background in visual storytelling and editorial content, I bring a keen eye for aesthetics and cultural trends to my projects.

For this shoot, I wanted to reimagine a key moment in history: the 1960s, a time when women were expected to be in the kitchen, seen as trophies, and often silenced. Yet, fashion became a means of rebellion. Women of the era pushed back through their style, making statements even when their voices weren’t always heard. I sought to modernize and flip this narrative by placing a man in that very position—sat quietly, overlooked, while the women take center stage in bold, confident expressions of style and presence.

The Creative Process

This shoot was a deeply collaborative effort, involving regular meetings over the phone with my creative team—including my two stylists and makeup artist. We worked together to create pre-approved mood boards that beautifully captured the concept and vision. These were also approved by my visual director, ensuring cohesion in our approach. Unfortunately, our set designers had to drop out due to a paid opportunity clashing with our scheduled date, and I was unable to secure a backup in time. This left me adapting the set myself, an unexpected challenge that added to the learning experience.

The studio itself presented a different layout than I had anticipated, with multiple setups in each corner, making it difficult to focus on the specific compositions I had initially envisioned. Despite this, the studio provided an abundance of props that were perfect for our theme, allowing us to lean into the concept in new ways. However, with so much happening on the day, I found myself straying from my detailed shot list. This shoot became a lesson for me—I realized the importance of slowing things down, focusing more on details, and making sure I capture key planned shots that highlight my artistic influences.

Evolution of the Concept

Originally titled After Hours, the shoot was meant to depict a woman returning home to her stay-at-home husband, who was preparing for their after-work dinner party. The imagery was meant to pay homage to 1960s fashion and beauty while modernizing the era’s aesthetics. However, once I began editing the images, I realized the final visuals told a slightly different story. The energy leaned more towards a “girls’ night in,” where the husband figure is present but largely ignored. This led my visual director and me to rename the series A Man’s Lesson in Patience—a title that better encapsulates the new angle we took.

The theme of gender dynamics is further emphasized through styling choices. The male character is dressed in neutral tones, allowing him to fade into the background, while the women wear bold, vibrant colors, symbolizing their presence and autonomy. In several close-up group shots, we see him subtly out of focus or visually sidelined, reinforcing the idea that, in this space, the women command the attention.

A Team Effort

This shoot would not have been possible without the incredible team of creatives who helped bring my vision to life. I want to thank and congratulate each and every person involved—from the stylists to the models, my visual director, and the makeup artist. Their dedication, talent, and hard work turned this concept into reality, and they have become valuable collaborators whom I look forward to working with again in the future. I highly recommend reaching out to them for any creative projects—they are true professionals and a joy to work with.

Wardrobe & Accessories

Elia’s Outfit:

  • Watch: Coeur de Lion (We Are PR)

  • Ring: Ya Ya London (We Are PR)

Esmeralda’s Outfit:

  • Robe: Shein

  • Shoes: Ego

  • Necklace: Vintage

  • Earrings: Shein

  • Dress: Guillaume Alexandre (Limitee PR)

  • Rings: Accessories

  • Bangle: Sif Jakobs (We Are PR)

  • Choker: Amabile (Limitee PR)

  • Cardigan: Guillaume Alexandre (Limitee PR)

  • Skirt: Lisou

  • Shoes: Pleiades (Limitee PR)

  • Full Suit: Lisou

  • Dress: The Attitude (Inspire Hub)

Melissa’s Outfit:

  • Silk Shirt: Vintage

  • Jacket: Gucci

  • Trousers: Lisou

  • Socks: ASOS

  • Shoes: Nikita

  • Full Suit: River Island

  • Coat: Lisou

  • Shoes: Off the Hook London (Task PR)

  • Earrings: Shein

  • Necklace: Amabile (Limitee PR)

  • Dress: Erika Roznyte

  • Boots: Ego

This project was a journey of creative adaptation, teamwork, and pushing artistic boundaries. I hope this series challenges viewers to reconsider traditional gender roles, both in history and in contemporary culture. Stay tuned for more of my upcoming work on my Instagram or website