Yesterday, I got to help my niece Shatera kick off her birthday in the most unforgettable way—a ‘Death to My 20s’ birthday photoshoot! This girl came with a vision, and let me tell you, she absolutely owned it.
We’d been planning this shoot for weeks, tossing around ideas and nailing down every detail. Originally, we thought about doing it in a cemetery (how cool would that have been?), but thanks to Raleigh’s cold, rainy weather, we pivoted to a studio. Honestly, it worked out perfectly because the moody studio vibe let her whole look shine.
And what a LOOK it was! She went full gothic glam with a gray crimpled hairstyle, black ribbons, spider details, and silver accessories. Her custom-made corset and skirt were straight out of a gothic fairytale, paired with spiked necklaces, black boots, and all the dramatic vibes. Oh, and because she’s an amazing makeup artist, she slayed her own makeup—it was bold, dark, and flawless.
Here’s the best part: we shot everything the day before her actual birthday so she could post a sneak peek right at midnight. How iconic is that? There’s something about doing the shoot so close to the actual day that made it feel extra special and personal. Honestly, it’s got me rethinking how I approach birthday shoots altogether.
Lately, I’ve been doing birthday shoots weeks ahead of time for most clients, but after Shatera’s shoot, I’m starting to feel like shooting either the day of or the day before the actual birthday brings a whole new level of meaning to the experience. There’s just something magical about the timing that adds to the excitement and makes the celebration even more memorable. I’ll dive deeper into this idea in a post later this week, but for now, let’s just say this shoot has inspired me to encourage my clients to think about timing in a whole new way.
For now, I’m sharing just one of the three incredible looks we captured (the other two are coming soon, so stay tuned). This shoot was everything—fun, creative, and SO her. If you’ve ever thought about doing something bold like this for your birthday, consider this your sign to go for it. Let’s work together. Because honestly, you deserve to celebrate yourself in the coolest, most YOU way possible.
Photographer: @bryantdevoncreative
Makeup: @shateraam
Hair: @chaka_thehairmagician11
Designer: @dariusthegreat__
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