Sarah

Life before Covid, I had approached a former co-worker as I realized that her husband's tattoo shop (Liquid Courage) just hired a local artist (Wags Sign Company) for a MERMAID sign in front of their shop. It was A FLASH MERMAID TATTOO, done in that almost Sailor Jerry kind of way. Such a cool piece of art.

It was so inspiring, I had to get in touch with my friend to see if she would want to do a mermaid session. We had all these plans, with a couple of other girlfriends in her life to do a mermaid session together... Best laid plans and then of course, the pandemic hit.

Everything went on hold. But as soon as we could, with immunizations in place, we were able to get these beautiful LONG AWAITED images. I LOVE how her session turned out. I learned quite a bit more about flash tattoos that I have found inspiring for all my pinup work. I caught up with an old friend who I have missed working with. And you know, we took some pretty amazing pictures with ideas for fun products. Because her images are so perfect...

Without much ado, can we just awe in this???

I mean, I really can't even. I have a set of retro housewife that I hope to share in another blog post, but for now, how cute are these images?

And for one final product option, because of just how much we love great people who inspire us... A page of temporary tattoos?!?! How perfect?!!

Stay tuned for a page on products.

Lots of love and good vibes,

Kerry

Let's talk about my Hair and Makeup Artist

Let's talk about my girl Jen.

She is kind of the best at what she does. She TRANSFORMS the girls that come through my studio. Not even recognizable. Not the same gals after their hair and makeup, she's just that talented. And as someone who has no ability to figure that part out, I am the one that always geeks out in the last hour of her artistry. Every time. Because she's just that good.

Anyhow, it's been over a year of discussing getting her own session in and we had an original idea, but these ones just kicked the original idea down the road for another time.

Because when we talked about mermaids, this girl totally got excited with me and wanted to Splash it up. And I wanted Bettie Page mermaid with her. And then the session just went nautical. Except for the post St. Patty's Day thing... Because she's kind of my gal that rolls with all my crazy. And giggles with me. Like always.

Find yourself friends like this. When you pull out rainbow suspenders and a leprachaun hat and ask, "Think it's too late?" that the response is just laughter and a shrug. Find yourself friends that will play pretend and laugh and make the world easier and prettier. I am so lucky. I get to work with her, but I also get to call her my friend.

Presenting the hottest hair and makeup pinup I know...

At one point or another, I will throw a couple more of other sessions, but these are my favorites. Because it reminds me all of old pinup advertisements. Somewhat painted. But true to form. And beautiful.

Hope you all enjoy and decide you want to meet Jen and I. Because it will be pretty. Promise.

XOXO, Kerry

Talk about pinup

We all have our circles of people, right?

Your work circle, your neighbor circle, your kids' moms circle, your community circle, and then your friend circle. Sometimes people overlap in circles. You find someone whose a fellow mom, living in your neighborhood, and oh they work at the same place that you did. And you share the same humor. Like a lot of the same humor. This gal is especially one of those friends that you keep in your circle of people.

And when she gets in a session, she hits it out of the park. Legit, threw down the gauntlet when she let me stylize her in all the ways with all my crazy ideas. I can't even begin to talk about product with her.

Trust is allowing me to see vision for your session. My friends honor me with the trust that I will make them some fantastic pinups.

XOXO,

Kerry

Beautiful friend at a beautiful place

If you have been following Instagram, it's been a swoonfest of gals. I am a little late at the blog. 

And January might have been the month to knock everything out before the official unveiling of the website. 

When I had this concept of "vintage women in pinup style" in mind, it has been really difficult for me to explain it. I am pretty articulate with words, but this was a hard concept to get heads around. One of my earlier posts (see New Orleans) helped with showing my goals of how I wanted to take pictures. Despite all of these sessions, it's still hard to explain and much easier to show the pictures. And when I was needing to get my own headshots done with a silly fun idea (because sometimes you have to be there to experience not just direct it all), I knew there was one person I would want behind the camera just to capture my goals. And of course, that same person was also up for the same kind of fun.

Did I tell you I have beautiful friends? Well, this one. This one captures beauty from behind but also exudes it when she is in front of the camera. She doesn't like to be in front of the camera, but my goodness, she is such a stunner. This gal has been my easy coffee date after she started working with me more than a decade ago. She was an actual partner in crime as my cohort in oncology social work at one of the hospitals. She and I had babies the same. She quit the gig to pursue photography full time and if you don't know her, you should hire her for all your maternity, babies, family, and kids sessions. She's been one of my go-tos for bouncing off life. But she is one to also encourage and when I told her about my silly ideas... talk about building a friend up and helping shape up the business model. She's also my go-to when I say, "let's go location scouting!" and you end up cold calling and emailing random places that you want information on. She's the one that will end up giggling at you while you are dancing in a coffee shop. Or maybe you end up laying on random cement in front of her because it's hilarious and it looks good. You can't ask much more from a gal like her. I am so lucky to have her. Find you a gal like her. Real, effortless, build you up when you aren't sure how to make heads or tails, and will get in front of a camera for you because you asked.

A duplicate, but I love it in color just as much as black and white. 

Just a few other pics of Monarch Prime. It definitely is in one of the most beautiful places in Omaha for sure. I have been dying to eat there and when we went with friends the day after this shoot, it did not disappoint. In fact, this might be an anniversary place or a very nice date night place for beautiful cuts of meat and gorgeous drinks that were on point for us. My husband might be a bit particular about his old fashioneds and let's just say, that it is exactly how he makes them at home, which there are few and far between of places that make them as delicious as he does. The ambience, the decor (down to the restrooms), and the staff doodle books were all beautiful touches... But the FOOD. We ended up with the last piece of a bison ribeye that had been aged in house. There may have been uncouth behavior as the request to leave the dish to allow for our sides to use up the sauce from the ribeye. One side dish in particular stuck out for me, their beet salad was presented so beautifully but also tasted divine. Thank you, Monarch Prime staff. 

 

Stay tuned for the next place with my girl Amanda.

xoxo,

Kerry

Screamers...

While we were in Lincoln last week on a misty snowy day, my friend wanted to hit up a friend's new restaurant. Life, man. It's hard for us to sometimes make it when we have little ones running around to make it out of town. Might have been a perfect seize-the-moment day.

This is how that conversation went.

Friend: "Do you think we can stop by a friend's restaurant? I haven't been able to see it yet."

Me: "Sure! Let's look it up and see if it's close."

Friend: "Downtown. There's a stage and singing staff."

Me: "Is it something we might want to take pictures at? That sounds like fun!"

And then friend texts friend and THIS. THIS IS THE MAGIC THAT COMES FROM RANDOM CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS. (Yes, that was all caps for a reason... Because see below)

Check this amazing restaurant out if you happen to be in Lincoln. The staff are incredibly talented! What a fun, unique place! Love that we had some fun with this session.

(Anyone else watching Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? This totally gave me that vibe... Spotlights, fun clothes, and that early 60s vibe)

XOXO, Kerry