Melanin Magic Tea Party | Anderson Point Park | Raleigh, North Carolina

April is my girls birthday month and this year for Piper, my youngest, I decided on a tea party theme. While searching “kids tea party” ideas I noticed two things, 1) most of the images lacked diversity and 2) I couldn’t find any black or brown girls having a tea party to give me some ideas on a setting and style.

So, I rallied my network, grabbed my camera and got to work on the “Melanin Magic Tea Party”. I wanted to create a royal experience for my daughter and her friends with custom made dresses, a day of pampering and hair styling.

Representation matters and what better way to show my daughter and our girls that a princess tea party is for them too.

Photographer: Elena Lewis
Capturing Memories with Elena
IG: @cmwephotography
FB: https://www.facebook.com/cmwephotography/

Hair: Renee Rexine
Renee Rexine Salon
IG: @reneerexinesalon 
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeRexineSalon/

Wardrobe: Catherine Tankersley
C & A’s Tailor Shop
IG: @castailorshop
FB: https://www.facebook.com/CATailorShop/

Designer/Table Scape: Vicki Sykes
Bella Casa By Vicki Sykes
IG: @bellacasabyvickisykes
FB: https://www.facebook.com/BellaCasabyVickiSykes/

Models:
Blythe
Eden
Rhyan @lifewithrhy
Piper @peytonandpiper

Birthday session turned into a styled shoot.

Senior Spotlight: Shauntel Baker

Shauntel Baker is a graduating senior from Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design. She has applied to and received acceptances from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Hampton University, and University of North Carolina-Charlotte. She will be attending UNC Chapel Hill starting the fall of 2018. Throughout her high school experience, she has participated in various extracurricular activities that catered to her passion for serving her community and the musical arts. These include: the Knightdale High School Gospel/Show Choir, Life Changing Transplant Foundation serving as a junior volunteer recruit and lead, the Knightdale High School Key Club where she served as Webmaster and Editor, a Junior Leader at Solid Rock Ministries International, and a Link Crew Leader where she has the privilege of being a freshman mentor during her junior and senior year. Shauntel Baker is also a member of her school’s National Honor Society an Spanish Honor Society. Some of her awards and honors include being a Kappa Scholar, Top Senior, 1st Place Overall Academics for the NC State University Math-Science Education Network (Class of 2018), and Principal's List in all semesters of high school.

    At UNC-Chapel Hill, Shauntel will major in Biology during her undergraduate years. Her aspirations include earning a Phd in scientific research, focusing on cancer and understanding the impact of natural medicines on cancer treatments. She also plans to minor in Spanish in order to connect with a larger population of cancer researchers and oncologists to break through language barriers and build a larger network for finding better treatment strategies.

WCW- Karen Smith McDonald

March is a great time to shine light on amazing women doing great things.  I would like to introduce to you Mrs. Karen Smith McDonald.

Karen Smith McDonald, has a passion for helping others. The Raleigh native founded Heavenly Touch Wellness in 2008 as a way to assist clients with TOTAL Wellness: Mind, Body and Spirit. A Licensed Massage Therapist, Karen is a September 2008 graduate of the Whole You School of Massage and Bodywork in Rutherfordton, NC. Karen also holds a certification as a Natural Health Professional from Trinity School of Natural Health.

In addition to her wellness practice, Karen works full time in the technology industry. Her passion for technology led her to become a champion for diversity in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers. She mentors young women of color demonstrating it is “cool” to be a “geek”!

Karen is very active in the community included her church (Breakthrough Life Ministries, Raleigh, NC), and volunteers with organizations including the Women’s Center of Wake County, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and SwingPals.  In her spare time she likes to travel, read, and trade foreign currencies.

Karen attended North Carolina A&T State University and holds a degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Wesleyan College. Karen and her husband Quintus have two sons, (Sean and Daveon) and a granddaughter Imani.  

Karen is available for speaking engagements, wellness seminars, and other wellness related functions.

www.heavenlytouch-wellness.com

Hello Gorgeous! International Women's Day

Last month I was inspired by fellow Queen Photographers to start taking self-portraits. February was Self-Love & Self-Portraits month; a series on loving yourself as a photographer.

I've struggled with weight for the last 4 years.  Losing and gaining weight without a real plan, determination or motivation.  Because of this I have lacked confidence and shied away from being in front of the camera.  Selfies are a no go for me and usies are reserved for moments with my girls. I find myself hiding and struggling to hold my phone at an angle to get the best looking shot.

 As I continue to encourage and lift up my two beautiful girls I realized I have to practice what I preach and love myself as well.  

As we celebrate amazing women everywhere today for International Women's Day, I wanted to share some of my recent self-portraits.  I Am More Than Enough. We Are More Than Enough.

Hello Gorgeous!