Megan's Boudoir Album Birthday Gift

I was given permission by one of my wonderful boudoir clients to post her beautiful album on my blog! Megan came to my studio looking to create an album as a gift for her hubby for his birthday! We brought in makeup artist/hair stylist Alayna Rakes to do her makeup and hair! Stunning!

Megan rocked the photo shoot. She obviously has a beautiful body and she naturally flowed through poses with little guidance.

Now I must say, this couple has a wild side! For the rest of his birthday gift, they went to an island where they lived with a tribe and had to catch their own food and afterwards went to a resort! She said while with the tribe, it was the healthiest she's ever felt. I don't think I could ever do it, but how awesome is that, right?

Don't forget to click on the image below to full view this album - it really is beautiful and I am so excited to  be able to share it with you all =)!

2011 Professional Photographer Mag Cover Competition

So I entered again this year to the Professional Photographer Cover competition! 


The image I submitted is of Angelina Aucello, a beautiful girl and a budding actress. I think the hollywood style really suits her. This is one of my favorites of this style of image so I'm really hoping it wins! Makeup was done by MRS Beauty, hair and styling by me! This is also a merited image in the Professional Photographers of American Print competition!

Angelina has such a sweet heart. She wrote me this short testimonial a long while ago and I don't think I ever posted it on my blog. It's been on my facebook (along with a before and after) here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=155286782002&set=a.126038242002.119341.87975462002&type=1 but I wanted to share with you how great she is and why I want her on the cover!

"As an Actor, having a stellar head shot is nothing short of ordinary. After all, a good shot is in some cases the sole determinant of getting that audition call or booking. When it was time for a new head shot, I knew exactly who to contact - Serena Star. For years, I have followed Serena's profile on Model Mayhem, and I have always been inspired by her work. Her style is unique, artistic, and simply beautiful- capturing people at their best. My shooting experience with Serena and Rae (the makeup artist Serena recommended to me) was so far beyond my expectations. Serena and Rae made me feel comfortable, beautiful, and gave me helpful direction throughout the shoot. Being a model herself, Serena knows how to photograph the human body at its most attractive angles and poses. Her prompt retouching and final photo delivery is the finishing touch that throws every photo over the edge. Since shooting with Serena, my new photos have landed me an increasing number of auditions and bookings. My success lies in her work! =)"

-Angelina Aucella

I try not to bother people too much for votes since it's for fun anyway, but it's been nice to hover around the first 5 pages without really asking. If you get a chance and wouldn't mind taking a moment, please vote for me at http://www.ppmag.com/cover-contest-2011/vote/11577/ 

... Everyone voting (for anyone on the site - hopefully a 5 star for me, too!) is entered to win an Ipad 2 =D I don't believe they spam, at least my mom has never told me they did - the only ask for your email and name to sign up (which is so you don't vote multiple times). It's a great organization/Magazine, so I trust them =) If you are a photographer, get your bum on there and submit something, too! Competition is great for the soul - especially if you don't make it. Just get up and try, try again.  Good Luck and Thanks!

A very late Update for 2011

I know this post is long overdue, but I just never seem to find the time to really sit down and type up. So many things keep popping up and changing and who knows where to start! I also haven't wanted to bury my extremely giddy post about my engagement XD. Bad Serena x.x;;; hehe

Well I guess things would probably be best at the top!

After many many many days with the Lawyer and our Accountant and an even larger bill, Serena Star Photography is no longer Serena Star Photography! We have become Star Fairy Studios LLC with divisions of Serena Star Photography (Photography studio ran by Serena Star - me), Scarlet Fairy (Clothing Company co owned by my amazing seamstress mother and myself!), and Wishing Star Studios.

Within Serena Star Photography, you've probably seen lots of small changes across the board from website to products we now offer, and even more coming soon. The studio is still in a state of ever remodeling. Those of you who have been to the studio, we still lack a sign (which at this point is probably a smart thing with all the changes, hehe!)

We are now also focusing more on marketing to High School Seniors and Weddings which are tons of fun! We've been doing them for years, but we want to make sure everyone knows it! We are really focusing on building self esteem in women of all ages, all shapes, and walks of life!

After a ton of questions and a bit of coaxing, I am now putting together workshops to help teach and inspire photographers, and have been traveling a bit doing so! It has been a really great experience for me as I think I've learned as much as I've taught, and it's been great to network with people across the world!

In the realm of Scarlet Fairy, we have finally launched our facebook and etsy page where we are now selling our products! We have Pinup/Burlesque inspired Lingerie, Tiny top hats, Tribal Belly dance outfits already up!

We are working on a Boudoir Photography inspired line for those photographers out there who want to have in house wardrobe. They will consist of the decorated bras, waist cinchers, and tutus without underwear (that your clients will provide for sanitary reasons)!

You can become a fan of our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/ScarletFairy (Please do to keep up to date with all our crazy ideas!) We have Elizabethan/Tudor gowns, Marie Antoinette style dresses, and more on the way! We are also going to be making lolita/visual kei outfits, and Pinup inspired sundresses very soon! We've even moved into doing some steam punk inspired wardrobe! As things keep growing, make sure to keep track of our website at www.ScarletFairy.com and our etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScarletFairy

Wishing Star Studios is a dud name so far. Still not yet sure if I will be using it. I was going to split it into a more family oriented Brand than Serena Star Photography for my Seniors and Children! Photographers out there, Let me know what you think - Bad branding or a genius idea ;)? If genius - Where would you stick weddings? Under the very fashion and Boudoir oriented Serena Star brand or this one?

In other big news, my fiance, Dave, is slowly becoming more involved with helping in the business. He has about another year to go before he graduates college with a degree in Graphic Design. He is phenomenal and we will be working together to bring anyone interested in photography templates, borders, textures, brushes, and more to help you with your work flow =)!

I am extremely proud to say Dave received Blue Ribbons on two prints in his very first Guild of Professional Photographers of Delaware Valley print competition! (Spring 2011). I will post the images below =) One you will probably recognize as the ever popular corseted photo of me, and the second is Model Bad Charlotte in Scarlet Fairy attire/Tiny top hat; makeup and hair done by me! He has also received awards on his graphite drawings for his "Eye Series" at his college art show. You can view his college drawings including his eye series here: http://dave-star.deviantart.com/gallery/27051511

He just discovered the wonderful world known as Wacom, so I expect to see some pretty bad ass stuff coming my way soon =D. (I really need to buy a new one, myself. Mine's been unusable since I switched to mac... which is a pretty long time =X)

Speaking of Guild, I am now the Print Competition Chair person for the organization! I completed my first print competition with this Spring Comp and I think it went fairly smooth. It's a bit of work, but rewarding after the competition is over to see what we accomplish =) I will also be speaking for them very soon on June 16, 2011 from 7-10pm! Go here: http://www.gppdv.com/ and check out the June Meeting!

I wanted to leave you off with the album I made highlighting all the best (and what I'm allowed to post online) of Serena Star Photography of 2010! Don't forget to full view, or view each page separately on my facebook fan page here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150098909352003.285520.87975462002

So much more to come! I know I am definitely forgetting a ton of stuff since I've been meaning to write this since January and I kept putting it off! I will start trying to backtrack and play catchup. I didn't want to put any more into a single post, (I know how boring long posts can be to read) so check back often and keep your eyes peeled for lots of great photo shoots and all kinds of great things going on!

The Proposal

You know how they say Amazing things come to those who wait?

I think i've experienced one of the happiest days of my entire life. 

No, happy isn't even the right word - Happy doesn't even come close to how I'm feeling right now. 

Bliss. A state of intoxicating Euphoria.

Words can't explain this feeling that's swept me off my feet. I've never felt so wonderful in my life.

Butterflies start fluttering -- the good ones. The ones that make you quiver - ones that start in your heart instead of your stomach. Butterflies that spread out, cascading like a river through out your body then radiating energy, releasing into a glowing aura that follows everywhere you go. Your pulse starts to race, your eyes and nose start to burn as tears start to build up, and then your breath is stolen for but a moment. Your heart skips a beat.

My hands shake as I type, I bite my lip -  Elation overflows. 

I'm speechless.

I'm in a surreal dream land.

I can't believe it's real. 

 Who knew we would come so far? After everything we've been through - all the changes in our lives - the ups and the downs... figuring out who we were and what we wanted, that the boy I connected with the moment I laid eyes on,   was drawn to like a magnet, and fell in love with the moment we spoke, was the man I am going to marry. 

Dave proposed on our 5 year anniversary, March 29th, 2011.

 I have no idea where to start - I can't seem to put this feeling into text - I just know I am completely taken by it every time I think about the day. I'm sure i'm driving my parents (and friends) crazy talking about it non-stop. I can't help but smile this huge grin every time I drift off - which is constantly. My eyes and nose burn as the day washes over me again and my mouth starts to hurt at the creases. After all these years of being a boudoir and wedding photographer, I'm still honestly not sure if it's normal to be as ecstatic as I am. I have no idea where to start or what I should be doing now. I just know nothing can take this feeling from me.

I know it's cliche, but I am definitely on Cloud 9. The day was so magical - a fantasy come to reality. I can't imagine anything more perfect or romantic then what he did!

Lets start beginning of the 29th. Dave planned a full day to celebrate our 5 year, taking off class at college to spend the day with me. We started off at the Museum of Natural Sciences. He really wanted to see the dinosaur exhibit and I was excited to see the Butterfly exhibit. I didn't know there was one! I went with my mom to one when I was in elementary school and I cherish those photographs. I love butterflies, and he knew it!! They are like the gateway creatures into the Faerie realm!

We went through the animal exhibit - I didn't really take to many photos - I never expected it would end up being such a big day!! My goal was to get photos of the butterflies even though I didn't bring my macro lens (I was nervous of bringing my camera to Philly to begin with in case I needed to leave it in the car later on.)

So then we got to my butterflies and moths!

Dave asked the guy working in the butterfly garden to take a photo of the two of us. As we were standing there, he leaned over and whispered into my ear.... I was so nervous because this guy that worked there was standing with camera in hand, waiting to take that stereotypical smiling photo of the two of us (so I thought). I'm super shy about public affection and this guy was just standing there with my camera so I was blushing to begin with...

.....but then got down on one knee. 

My heart stopped dead - I knew immediately. He pulled out the most beautiful ring and asked me to marry him. My brain was mush. I think I said oh my god over and over - he actually had to ask if that meant yes =X Which of course ... Yes!!!!

Yes, before you comment, I know it's on the wrong hand. He was so nervous and he's left handed.... I was in shock, so happy, not sure whether to stare at Dave or the insanely sparkly ring, and I had my coat in the other hand.  I moved it later =D

Yeah... I'm crying...and smiling. Makeup was all down my face.

(Just looking at these photos gives me happy teary smiles! ^_^)

I have the best memories in the world! And photos to remind me!

 I also found out later that he even sat down with my parents and asked permission! How completely classy and old fashioned is that? I love it!!!!! So perfect! He had spent months planning how he was going to propose and trying to make the day perfect. They also told me that he searched everywhere to find the perfect ring! It's like a fairy tale!

Afterwards we stopped to see this beautiful bird outside the exhibit. The guy at the butterfly exhibit chased us down thanking us for letting him be part of our moment and gave us a butterfly that has passed on to keep to remember the day. I'm going to either frame or scrap book it ^_^ Dave told me later he had shown the guy the ring and had asked him to take the photos while I was busy with the butterflies!

Afterwards we went to Varalli, an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia across the street from the theater we were going to! (Parking in Philly gives me anxiety so it was perfect since we could park at the Kimmel Center and walk!)

^I wish I had a photo of the super cute corset top I had on under this jacket =X

And then it was time for the show! Dave bought us Parquet tickets so we were really close to the stage! This was Dave's first theater experience. He had never been to a show before, but I'm a theater geek so he knew I would love it (and he was right). The show rocked and the day was absolutely amazing! (I was a little nervous about letting a random person in the streets of Philadelphia use my camera take a photo of the two of us =X)

Back at the hotel at the end of the night we took a photo for FB!

I love my Ring!!! It's currently having a new band made because I have absolutely tiny fingers (Apparently size 7 is standard and my fingers are a 3!) Dave has amazing taste in jewelry. 

You can view all the photos from the day if you go to my FB page here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=10150237896793294&id=501818293&aid=376696

I knew it - in my heart. I was reading back in my journals, reading over all the little moments over the years... Patience I wrote - if it's mean't to be, it will happen - and it has! I feel like a little kid. I wanted to share this from 2004 - It's so amazing to see how far we've come.

http://SchizophrenicKittie.deviantart.com/art/Purrs-My-boyfriend-8577505


I think this just about sums up how I feel =D

Censorship

Blogs are supposed to show the reader who someone is right? Get to know a person- share what's on the writer's mind, the things they like, and what they do -- sort of like a public journal. If you are reading this post, please follow through until the end as there is a light at the end of the journey and a purpose for the negativity that ensues.

There is a spot inside me that's deep and dark. Not the light and fluffy Rena that most people know and love. The Rena with the shy and contagious smile, and squeaky laugh.. with that occasional little snort. That exhilarating high of bouncy excitement and laughter has to come down sometimes - and when I crash, I crash hard. Sometimes I feel like I'm two souls sharing one body. Walking some crazy demented tight rope.

Well, I'm tired of being censored. By myself, my friends, my co-workers, and my family. Not a single person in this universe is a perfect being. Everyone has a dark part in their soul that comes out occasionally. Most people hide it really well - others not so much. This has nothing to do with what is "right and wrong", because I fully agree with following rules, laws, and being kind to everyone. Two wrongs don't make a right. I strongly believe in Karma. (and I'm not saying attention-loving repetitious whining is right either). This deals with the true feelings that dwell within all of us. The ability to be allowed to show raw emotion no matter what - even when things are deep in an emotional roller coaster, without fear of judgment.

What artist in history has been perfect? As far as I know, pretty much all the top historical artists were somewhat "crazy". I think that's what makes us artists. I think it's because we allow ourselves to expose a piece of our soul in our work - that "crazy" so to call it... and people see truth within that. They empathize with that part of us because they too are afraid to show it in themselves. Fear that others won't accept them-- but they respect the artist for being able to.

Musicians do it every day -- showing their pain and suffering through their music... People eat up the lyrics - dancing till their feet can't handle it anymore when things are good - and listening and crying - screaming at the top of their lungs when things are bad. They connect from an emotional level to the Musicians lyrics - the ones that walk the line - a line I walk.

I don't see why the artistic photographer girl shouldn't be able to be like the Musician. I'm a Photographer. I'm a Clothing Designer. A Makeup Artist, a Writer, a Dancer, a Singer, and an Actress. I am an artist. Pure, Simple, and Unadulterated. I express myself through many mediums. The good, the bad. The happy, and the sad. Maybe I don't have a thick enough skin to handle the conflict when people don't understand. The people that don't connect with me or are too closed minded to identify with the fire burning inside.

I've been censoring myself for a long time. Afraid of what my acquaintances, co-workers, clients, and fans would think if I showed anything but the good and positive side of myself. I want to be a role model showing people the positives that have come out of my life... Afraid if I showed anything else, it would tarnish the image that I've been trying to show people about the beauty in everyone. But human pain can be a beautiful thing as well. It's what makes us who we are -the good, and the bad. If it wasn't for the bad in my life, I wouldn't be the fun loving, crazy person I am today.

It really hit me on New Years when Dave and I broke up - and again after spending all of Imaging USA with him. Most people didn't even realize we had broken up. I swallowed all my pain and turned on the happy face to post about all the great new things going on in my business (which mind you, they are), but I was broken. Vulnerable. My heart was tattered and torn. I needed to be strong- and I was. The only person I had to talk to was my best friend who didn't know what to do or what to say. I cried because I had no one else I could be myself with. I was tired of putting up this facade that had pigeon holed me into being able to do no wrong. Sometimes I would feel as though I was no longer a human being. Just a bunch of safely placed thought out words on the internet.

Even this entry. I will probably sit on for days staring at -- wondering whether or not I should post it. This, along with all the others I've deleted... Wondering how it would change people's perspective of me. But this is me - not the entirety of me, but a real part of myself. The artist that my family, friends, and Dave know and get to see. The me who while isn't perfect, has a wide range of personality- From the love and fun in my heart to the dark, quiet corner. (Edit: So I did sit on it for a few weeks. Sorry guys for the lack of posting!)

I used to not care. When was that 16 year old artist smothered? The one that picked up her camera and decided to create art out of passion. That girl that graduated high school after years of torment from people that didn't understand only to be told, "Don't ever change who you are" by those same people.

I wonder sometimes when I look back over the last couple years. My excuse is always the same: "Maturity." What is maturity? Is it concealing your true personality to fit into society's "Normal"? If so, how can we ever have real relationships with anyone. True friendships - True lovers.

I was asked yesterday why I quit modeling. Why I didn't continue when I enjoy it so much. Well...that could be a post of it's own -- but when you really look at the answer to the question in short form, it's Society. I sat there and thought about it, really thinking as I posted a very controversial music video on my personal FB page, wondering whether or not I should delete it, my heart racing with anxiety because it might be taken as "inappropriate." The longer I sat there watching it on repeat, I wondered - why? People added my personal page -  not my professional page. It's not like I posted it on my business's FB page (although I really don't see why I couldn't -- The latex outfits throughout the video are amazing! I would photograph them.)

It all started with a bad photo shoot I modeled. When I turned 18 I started doing some nude modeling - I was young and in an art school - modeling for friends that I trusted and amazing fine artists. I was always doing tasteful shoots. I did however have this ridiculous dream of being a playmate at that age. I was almost 20, I think, when I did a photo shoot for the first time getting paid for a nudes. The photographer wanted full frontal glamour nudity... playboy style sort of thing. Their work was beautiful and they were paying $500 -- which would get me to Pennsic that year ... I figured what the heck and agreed to do it. We did some outdoor nudes which made me really uncomfortable, but I was young and stupid, and I didn't want to say no since they were paying me what I thought at that time was a ton of money. After the photo shoot they shoved a model release into my hand that I shouldn't have signed. I felt so guilty with myself and like trash and just absolutely terrible. Mind you the photos they did post are beautiful and tastefully done, but still I offered to buy the images from them just on principle and offered them a lot of money. They went to their lawyer and started a whole bunch of drama with me because they wouldn't do it. For the first time in my life I felt true anxiety.

Now mind you I was already starting to have a little bit of anxiety over the modeling -- I had never cared what anyone thought about me. I dressed the way I wanted, I did what I wanted to do. Being an artist was very important to me. When I started dating Dave, he worried about my image around his family and friends and told me how it was inappropriate for me to be the way I was around other people. He was angry at me when I started doing the nudes (mind you he since is now pushing me to get back into the modeling). My fellow professional colleagues started bringing up the fact I wouldn't get anywhere in life or have a business if I dressed the way I did. My mom went into the hospital almost having a heart attack and the first thing out of her mouth before the list of things stressing her was "My daughter is doing nudes." That's a lot of stress on the back of your mind when the closest people to you are unhappy with you.

I started taking a look at everything in my life.. the way I acted.. the way I spoke.. the things I spoke about; everything had to be appropriate.. diplomatic... professional. I started becoming anxious and having issues with OCD. I couldn't post whatever I wanted to online, I felt like I couldn't be myself... I started taking down all the old blog posts from when I was in my angsty teenage years because I was afraid of what people would think about me if they read back that far. They were raw, full of emotion and that teenage rage -- but it was real. It was true. It was pain.

So I quit modeling. Then the OCD got worse and I found out about dirty makeup artists, unclean stylists, photographers selling photos to stock websites or pay sites, etc and I became paranoid about them. I didn't want to sign release forms. It's like when I got into my first and only car accident. Now, every time I'm in a car with someone and they come to a sudden stop, I get massive anxiety. I feel the airbags hitting me in the face every time. It takes the breath out of me... and every time I pick up a pen to sign a model release form, I start to shake and I can't do it. I get nauseous and sick to my stomach and I feel like crap. Like im worthless. The same feeling I felt that day I signed that release from that photo shoot I regret ever having done.

It continued like that for years until everyone had convinced me including myself that although I did the modeling, if I didn't do it anymore that my clients wouldn't "black list" me for it. Now it all just seems more and more absurd as the days go on because my job is to photograph people and make them look great!

I wrote this back in 2005 as a caption for an emotive photograph I took called Stripped. The words only seem fitting even now.

"Naked, Cold, Crying.
Stripped of every stitch from your body.
That is how life works; stripping you of yourself and desecrating innocence. Everyone is infatuated by that pretty face and cute little body, that appetite for avidity consumes chastity. Childish games are lost behind lustful eyes, turning beauty into some pedophiles new toy. Desensitized - manipulated by the sick contemplation transpiring in some perverse mind. Drowning in sinful iniquities, delusional of it's demented exposition. So naive in the world. So many things in life are always repressing you and you can't liberate yourself or don't want to. You look back on the past and cover your eyes because all you see are the happy times and who you were... or the sad times and realize you never were truly happy. Only that life is one huge illusion. Society rips your soul away from you. It taints your sense of reality from that guiltless ignorance. Condemning emotions to oblivion in a dark world of defiled ambitions. It is all a superficial happiness though- Malignance consumes all. Everyone has their face covered."

Well this past year I started the transition back. I know who I am now. I'm still that same professional fun loving girl, but I'm also that vulnerable youth, too. I am not as weak of a creature as I once was.  I've found that piece of my soul and with that I know how to show others how to be themselves as well. I am a stronger person. A more creative and unique individual. 

They say "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." I posted that when Dave and I broke up. We spent a month apart trying to figure out who we were and what we wanted in life. I took a leap of faith when I cornered him at work and kissed him the day we got back together. I couldn't find the words to say, but I knew what I wanted - and how to express it. Our 5 year anniversary is coming up this month.

I won't stop or change myself for anyone anymore (except of course dressing professional for all my weddings, hehe). I am an artist - That fun, sexy, confident, yet extremely vulnerable youth that I was. The real me that brought me to where I am today -- not the person I've been trying to become the last few years that's thrown up roadblocks and has held me back. 

Remember how I mentioned that the bad experiences in my life are what made me into the person I am today? That bad photo shoot is really what made me experience photography through my clients eyes. The reason I got into Boudoir and Senior photography. They trust me with their lives and how people perceive them when I click the shutter. It made me realize the trust that people give me when they hire me and sign my release form. It made me realize that I have the power to do something good with my life and with that I can change the world. I can make sure that what happened to me, never happens to another person. These negative events gave me the power to build confidence and self esteem in others.

I love my business. I love my job -- I love all the people in my life that I have met over the years. Including the ones that at one point had made me question myself. It was all a learning experience and I think I needed to go through it to come back to this point and appreciate it all the more. I love to enjoy life and have fun doing it. I am passionate about everything that I am doing and I think it shows.

Imaging USA 2011!

GenNext: Rising Stars was a hit!  And thus I finally find time to write on my trip two weeks ago! (My schedule has been booked solid since I've been back!)

My trip to San Antonio, Texas for Imaging USA this year was amazing! The city is beautiful, the weather was (decent XD), and it was so much fun networking and taking photography classes! If you've never been to Imaging USA, I should probably start by telling you it's HUGE. There is so much to do and learn that you can forget to eat half the time.

Classes start in the early AM so by the time you finally get to bed after the closing parties in the evenings (Or wandering around town enjoying the view), you have barely any time to sleep! They cram so much information into each hour and a half class that you really have to take a notebook or you are sure to forget everything you learn. The trade show is so big, three days is really not enough time to walk through it and thoroughly get to talk to all the vendors. (And as I learned, High Heels are not your friend on the carpet of the trade show floor.) I remember my first year, I brought home so many flyers, catalogs, and information that I almost mailed everything home because I was afraid my suitcase would be overweight!

So lets start at the beginning, sort of! Dave and I arrived at the Philadelphia airport and did not have to go through x-rays or pat-downs (yay!) for some odd reason. That started the trail of happiness for my trip because I had been stressing over that. We get through and head towards our waiting area and who do we see but none other than "Bobby G." Bob Golding, one of my professors from college and a friend! We find out we are taking the same plane and have the same lay over! In Houston we decided to go get lunch at this little sit down diner in the airport that made amazing Milkshakes. Dave was randomly pulled to have his bags checked (he must just have one of those faces =X). It was my first time riding with Southwest airlines, and I am so glad I chose them. The hostess were pleasant and very amusing telling jokes and singing all the information we needed to know about the plane instead of the boring monotone blabbering that I usually sleep to.

We arrive in Texas and Bob Wood (another professor) and a couple of the members of SPS, (Student Photographic Society - an organization I was the Antonelli Institute Chapter's Vice President of during college) had already arrived earlier that day! After checking into our rooms we headed out for Dinner and to check out the Alamo for the first time!

(Thanks Bob Wood for most of the images in this post unless stated otherwise. I don't have a point and shoot and I didn't feel like carrying my heavy camera around all week so I've been swiping photos from everyone else =D) This is Bob wood top left. Bob Golding top right, me on the bottom left, and SPS member Karen on the bottom Right at Chili's! (Which by the way makes AMAZING Loaded Potato soup.)

So anyway! Fast forward a day and my first class was with John Hartman, "How to become a better Speaker." Followed by meeting the rest of the Gen Next program and going over details, seeing the room for the first time, and then a short speaker meeting with the other speakers! After that I think I just went out to dinner with Dave and relaxed the rest of the night. (If you call practicing my program over and over relaxing. I had to tear my 1 1/2 hr program "Through the Looking Glass into another Realm, Using Fashion, Fine Art, and Fantasy to go from Mundane to Avante Garde" apart down into 11 minutes plus an opening video and get the timing perfect.)

 I'm still waiting on Dave to give me photos of this super cute Scarlet Fairy outfit I put together from Imaging! The top, Waist cincher, and Top hat all made by my company!

 The following day was our Gen Next program! I got to walk through the trade show for a little bit and then thought I was late due to the time change and ran to the rehearsal for the GenNext program. Needless to say, I got there early and just spent some time hanging out and seeing everything pull together. They had 5 foot by 7 foot canvases made up of our images, courtesy of Simply Canvas http://www.simplycanvas.com/

Every speaker's program was about something different and brought something new to the table. The goal from my part of the program was to teach photographers how to take their work from the every day photograph to something completely different and unique by showing what I use for inspiration and thinking about their own! To take a fresh look at what you are shooting and how you can bring "you" into it!

 I have always been an artist and my style of fashion speaks for itself in my work. I take inspiration from just about everything, but I have always loved things a little on the darker sexier side. The outfit my company made for this performance was a little more Victorian/Burlesque inspired!  (Thank you Lauren! for the image below!) This was me right before going on stage all excited and pumped! Kawaii no?

Oh and here's another one that was taken of me while I was wandering around in the Gallery show! Courtesy of Ginny B =)

I found the fake corset (I decided on a fake one rather than a real one so I could move and breath easier on stage!) at Charlotte Russe, and from that my mother and I started off with a new Scarlet Fairy tutu skirt and tiny top hat! The skirt is ruffled with green lace shaped like feathers and layers of black tooling -- A day wear outfit inspired by the Scarlet Fairy lingerie I'm wearing here:  Photographed by Ivy (Wandering Bohemian) at my studio and retouched by me =)

Anywho! We ran through rehearsal and the butterflies started in my stomach! As soon as the music started my adrenaline was rushing and all I wanted to do was dance! Everything was set! My microphone was ran through my corset to hide the cords, my clicky slide button was in hand, and notes (which I never had to look at) were ready at the podium on stage! The doors were opened and I hid back stage preparing to open the show!

 There were two other screens in front of these... I wish I had a photograph to show how HUGE the room was. I think someone said the place sat 1000-1200 people and it was packed! I forget who gave me the image directly below. Above by Robert Wood photography again.

 Again, Thank you Bob for the close up images of me speaking!

I managed to finish my presentation in 15 minutes (whew!) and then was able to sit back and relax and watch everyone else's! The entire show was a hit and everyone did a wonderful job. Everything was smooth and ran perfect! It was such a wonderful experience and I am so glad to have been blessed with the ability to speak this year at such a large convention! It was an amazing experience and I networked with so many people! Allison (another speaker) sent me the photograph below! There is another group shot of us floating around somewhere, but I'm not quite sure where! Meet GenNext!

Later on that night was the opening party! I met a lot of new people and got to see a lot of familiar faces that I have been friends with for a long time! Below image by Rick (I know, I know.. last image of me from this day I promise! I don't want to play favorites on the images I was sent =D)

Anyway! So the following day I slept in a bit -- took some classes. PPA provided the GenNext program with a booth at the trade show to meet with people who had questions about our programs or wanted to talk more with us about anything. After that, I finally was free to roam the entire tradeshow!

I was able to meet and talk with Emotion Media that made my amazing HD media video of my images for the opening of my GenNext program. They are an amazing company, if you are a professional photographer, you can find them here: http://www.emotionmedia.com/. I also met with a new vendor called "Song Freedom" that provides music for videos and such! http://songfreedom.com/!

I got to visit my lab, Millers http://www.millerslab.com/, and see all the new products they've been making in person. I've decided I love them even more since they actually listened and took notes on some changes and new products I would like to see in the future!! If all goes well, I might be offering some new products soon!

I also met up with Lisa Larkins of the album company, GraphiStudio that I use. I have talked with her several times before and she has been wonderful helping me with my album orders! We might have some stuff bubbling in the cauldron, but I'm not going to say anything else until I have some definite facts!  http://www.graphistudio.com/.

I got to meet Tana of Wild Sorbet face to face -- I adore their brightly colored whimsical frames! https://wildsorbet.com/ The list just kind of keeps going and going so I'll probably cut if off there, but it was an amazing tradeshow and I found a lot of awesome new vendors to check out ;)!

That night I went out to dinner with all of Antonelli and SPS! I forget what the restaurant was called, but they specialized in BBQ =)! The meals were HUGE and the drinks were like the size of a bottle, haha. Everyone had a fun time.

 After dinner we all head out to the Alamo and did a group photo to remember the day =)~!

 

 

(I love my Scarlet Fairy tiny top hats!) And then spent the rest of the night out and about around the Riverwalk. It was lots of fun, but apparently between walking the convention and everything I pinched the nerves in my feet! Still icing the silly things, hehe!

Woo moving on to the last big day! It was sort of a relaxed day! I think by this point I was just trying to keep all my notes together taking classes -- It was all sort of a blur =X! I even got to meet Matthew Jordan Smith at his program! He was another speaker at Imaging USA this year! So here are the last two photos I've received from friends. Thank you Lex for getting photos of me blasted at the closing "Mardi gras" party, lol! =X

I know you can't see it, but here's the outfit for my last night (It was adorable so I have to share =X) There was a woman who took some textures of my legs so watch out print comp, you might be seeing my legs soon =D! haha.

Speaking of which, fun true story. While I was going through the gallery show,  I was looking around at all the amazing work, trying to find my prints and a few that some friends did. A photographer comes up to me and asks "Are you a Model?" which is a question I tend to get frequently at photography events with my crazy outfits (usually in the every day world it's just -- "Who's the crazy girl dressed like a comic book character?"). I look up at the print literally above my head and there just happened to be an implied nude that my friend Gino photographed of me. All I could say without laughing was "noooo. I'm a photographer!" I don't know if they even noticed! =X

The plane ride home the following day was a trip. Most of my friends from SPS had all booked a separate flight home. Dave and I get to the airport to find everyone waiting to board the plane.. apparently they had overbooked their flight and they were offered another flight home + bonuses... Long story short, we somehow all ended up on the same flight after our next layover to fly home! Fun trip =)!

All in all, it was such a great experience, as Imaging USA has always been for me over the years. I hope to keep seeing new faces as I continue to travel, learn, and speak!

So Next year, Same time -- New Orleans!!! I hope everyone is excited, I know I am!!!