First Annual Baltimore Drag Awards

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to cover the first Baltimore Drag Awards. I was both excited and nervous because I didn't really know what to expect. It was my first time photographing a red carpet/ step and repeat set up. I like to think I operate best as an observer, but with so many beautiful queens, and entertainers its was pretty hard to end up with a bad photo. Everyone was so elegant and simultaneously humorous.

I pulled a few on my favorite images both from the red carpet and the show. As always with events like this you can find the full album on facebook.

Femme Fatale DC opens a Pop-Up Store

Thursday night I had the honor to attend the Femme Fatale DC Pop-Up opening party as a special guest. I brought my camera along because....well, its me. I love going to the Femme Fatale DC events because like the opening party, many of the events are female only. Like the events the store represents female artists, and business owners from/in the District. The pop up is open Thursday-Sunday until July 30!

While I was there as an attendee, I of course took that as an opportunity for candid shots. Catching pretty faces in the crowd and a couple details, and portraits as well.

Betty & Whiskey Present: Variete 5

This past weekend I was invited to photograph a variety event of burlesque and drag performances in Baltimore at The Crown. Forever grateful to the performers for letting me hangout in the green room and capture preparations before the show. As always here are a few of my favorite shots from the evening.

A Special thank you to Whiskey Joy, Betty O'Hellno, E-Cleff, Shaunda Leer, and Maria Bella.

35mm Double Exposure Workshop- Washington DC

Happy New Year! Lets start 2017 off right and get creative and experimental with our craft. I am so excited to be teaching my first DC workshop and of course it wouldn't be on anything other than 35mm double exposures!

February 4th at 11 a.m.

Bring your 35mm camera (doesn't have to be an SLR, Point and Shoot welcome) and learn tips and tricks to help you boldly and confidently create double exposure art.

Your workshop fee includes:

Two hours in studio instruction
Professional fine art model
Portrait and implied nude sets
Professional hair and makeup services for model (because we don't retouch film)
Portra 400 color negative film- 36 exposure
$25 Gift Certificate for The Darkroom for film processing
On location instruction and Uber (optional) to the U.S. Botanic Gardens
Additional tips and tricks for creating double exposures in additional formats

$150 workshop fee

$20 off for those who register before 1/7/17

$50 non-refundable retainer fee required to reserve seat

remainder due at the start of workshop

very limited space available

Reserve below.

Meet Our Team

Model: Lily Roze

Baltimore based fine art model. Internationally published and featured.

Our Makeup Artist:

Rachel Lane Makeup Artistry

DC area artist is known for making her brides and models have radiant, flawless skin. She is the face behind the faces on many DC runways and editorials.

And myself:

Phoebe in Flowers, featured in National Geographic Daily Dozen and the YourShot Create-It story.

I have been shooting double exposures in my "whole roll" technique for about five years now. It has been a fun and edgy way to turn my fashion and portrait work in to one-of-a-kind art. My double exposures have won photography contests,been featured on Photo Vogue and included in National Geographic YourShot stories.

For questions please email: starladawnndl@gmail.com

We look forward to creating with you!

Pet Portrait Session with Mai-ly

A couple of months back I met makeup artist and animal lover Mai-ly through makeup artist pal, Rachel Lane. In two different sessions we shot her with her pet guinea pig Sweet Pea, and then her with her ball python Mowgli. The first shoot was around Halloween time and was a basic natural light portrait session but at some point I learned that guinea pig costumes are a thing. The second shoot was about two weeks ago and we did a pet portrait session but emphasized on body-positivity.

No worries, no pets were harmed or stressed during either session.

Fall Maternity Session- Susquehannock State Park

A few weeks back I was stoked to hop in the car for a quick day trip to Pennsylvania to be with family friends, The Zook's. We had met the family when we lived in South Carolina, and shortly after they moved north, we followed. We get together from time-to-time to celebrate birthdays and just kind of make it through this life. So when Tahlor (mom of three) was soon to become mom of four, I was really excited she had asked me to shoot her maternity photos. They had gone location scouting a few weeks before and stumbled upon this beautiful waterfall right off of the Susquehanna River. This became the perfect autumn backdrop for our session.

Now as Tahlor approaches her due date, we send a warm congrats to her expanding family. We look forward to meeting the new baby girl!

Thirsty? Baltimore Craft Beer Festival 2016

This past weekend I had the opportunity to cover the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival. The festival boasted some 40+ Maryland breweries with over 100 beers to sample. With that much tap action, it's no wonder I left the festival with a surplus of sexy pour snaps.

A bottle pour, and a pumpkin pour for good measure. I don't know what kinda pour you're into. No judgement.

But really I had such a blast at Baltimore Craft Beer Festival, hoping to go back next year and hoping to see you there!

You can see these and other images from the festival on facebook.

Rock the Runway DC- Rachel Lane Makeup Artistry

A couple of weeks ago I was honored to get to work for one of my dear friends and fellow DC creatives, Rachel Lane Makeup Artistry, as her behind the scenes photographer. Rachel built a team of great artists who provided the makeup services for Rock the Runway DC.

As always, I am going to share a few of my favorite images here:

Vintage Bridal in Marriottsville, Maryland

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of working with a great team of women on my first styled bridal. I will share a few of my favorite images on the blog but encourage you to follow the rest of the team to see their favorites.

Model: Grace Nowlin

Styling: Ashley Grant of Gypsy de la Lune

Hair and Makeup: Rachel Lane Makeup Artistry

Floral: Taffy Floral

Bryan Tarka at Lincoln Memorial

A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity (thanks again Instagram connections) to shoot my first fashion style drag portrait session at the Lincoln memorial. Life would have it be so that my camera and flash aren't communicating during a night shoot but Bryan was such a good sport. We shot mostly with available light using the shape of his gown and silhouette to compliment the architecture.

The available light added some drama and mystery to the shoot as well as kept a vintage feel. With the wardrobe it felt very old Hollywood/ Red Carpet.