2020 was a challenging year for everyone individually, with a lack of opportunities, meetings & get togethers, conventions, thanks to the implemented social-distancing rules and due to the “stay-at-home” order. What remained dormant in me was powerful electric energy that needed to be expressed since the beginning of this year, but the problem was there was remotely nowhere to apply it until November 21st on a Saturday. I met this talented photographer last year in November during an in-home gym photoshoot with one of the Truu Art directors. Special thank you to Jamie Robarge for coming to my aid, as well as giving me the opportunity in your studio to spread my wings to show you what I am truly made of.
The moon was symbolically a first quarter moon which split down the middle in the night sky at 7 p.m. when I arrived at Jamie Robarge’s photography studio, I wore my first look which was my classic Blue Jay outfit I debuted in Los Angeles, California. We’ve been planning for this photoshoot since early September, in the hopes to embody my collective pillar of compassion, this includes both halves of me being the cardinal and the blue jay. Jamie met me near a ramp by the lobby to take me to the upstairs suite, along the way was an industrial rustic ambiance that once used to be an open market in downtown Milwaukee. We entered a freight elevator that seemingly had its own mood that sufficed for a picture worthy venue, the coated walls on the way up were speaking to me like police lights that lit from red to blue and so on and so forth. Jamie unlocked the door and we entered into a spacey studio with vintage wood flooring which was just recently installed. As we chatted about our casual styles of performing our work, she mentions that there will be a makeup artist coming that’ll help assist us. Without further ado, she sets up a softbox fluorescent light towards a cream wall and we snap a couple of shots with what I was already wearing. It was refreshing to see a photographer consistently review their work with you during the photoshoot, this helped me to straighten loose hairs on my head or tuck clothing in and out in real time. When I was pleased by what was captured with the look I arrived in, I then exchanged my rose patterned coat to a bird pattern kimono I used in my initial Truth photoshoot for an ethereal theme.
A knock on the door before it creaked open, and I was introduced to ‘A. Love’, he is a kind gentleman and is an experienced New York artist born in Wisconsin, he’s worked with big brands such as Vogue & Playboy in the past since he’s been away six years from Milwaukee. I was in the middle of changing into my next look, which was a short black button down shirt with pink accents and my red ‘Ruff Ryder” pants, to top it off I had a cardinal feather pin over my left pocket. Jamie was very instructive throughout the shoot by notifying me which gear she was using for the impending photos, one of them being a “Spot-light” that gives off a focused, controlled, and clear light on your subject. What’s unique about these next photos is that Jamie showed me how gels also work. I originally thought they were gels for my hair when she said we’d use them, but in reality it was colored lighting emitted from a box that could toggle from strobe gels to plain static. The room blacked out and then gel pinkish and purple lights on my white backdrop. Everyone was enticed with the color’s glow as I centered myself for my upcoming closeup. Jamie utilized her camera to the best of her ability from left to right, above and below which made me step up my game to continuously keep moving for alternative angles, and it made up for an even better shot.
Previously, I asked Jamie. “Is it possible to take mid-action jumping shots?”
“Of course, we can most definitely do that!” she responded with confidence.
So we attempted to do as such, but the problem was that I jumped too high to the point we had to remove the backdrop for maximum capture range. Without any more constraints, I hopped till my heart’s content as I heard Jamie snap her picture mid vault, keeping in mind what my face would look like while I appeared flying. There was a brown metal bar near the ceiling my vertical could reach, I believe that moment was a great achievement for myself and the studio as a whole! Continuing our mini photoshoot performance, I dress into my final casual wear before the fun really begins. To represent my beloved grandmother, I wore a blue floral short sleeved shirt and my denim ‘Fatality’ jeans, once I was all set, I switched to my low model game to highlight my ‘Hyper Royal’ Air Jordans. I’m glad Jamie gave me the artistic freedom I needed to be experimental, so I can feel as if I outdid my latest photoshoot.
Now it was time for Mister Spectra to arrive. Compassion to me is a characteristic, something that can be transformed into a character within itself, I wondered how I would express such an immense spiraling energy. Breath in, breath out, I slipped my arms into my glimmering celestial purple jacket, over my red then blue dress shirt. The dual gel lights collided with each other, one red one blue and it was Mister Spectra in between the crosshairs. A star was born on camera, the room silenced as Michael Jackson played softly in the background. I twirled, I danced, and I shined like I never have before! Lights refracted off my jacket while I channelled a dying star, becoming a reflective crystal ball in the dark room.
I Am Alive. I Am Present. I Am Spectrum.
To the very end of us leaving the photoshoot, Jamie and I were still taking pictures. Lastly, I suited up in my departure look which was my white & black kimono, shredded white pants, a blue & red feathered necklaces, and my ‘Kyrie 5’ shoes with the rainbow soles. Remember that freight elevator which seemed to have a built-in vibe? This was our final backdrop, I posed by slanting on the elevator walls more than one of Jamie’s former models, I was inspired seeing them pose the same way on her social media @jamierobargephotography. Ultimately, I had such a fun time dressing up and pushing my personal limitations as a model. Afterward I was sore for the rest of the weekend, but I owe all the joy to Jamie as well as the support who helped me be my truest self! If you’re in Milwaukee and looking for a photographer for either your branding, updated headshots, or even family photography. Keep Jamie Robarge in the front of your mind because you will not be disappointed with the outcome, Thanks again.
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