How weddings can turn you into a better person!

Image by Irish Coffee Studio - Scarborough Renaissance Festival 2016

Wedding days!

(me, as the rainbow fairy at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival capturing a wedding) 

You might be thinking to yourself... 

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?!

A wedding day in a couples' life is literally the most challenging AND rewarding day I'll ever work in my life.  (so far).  I have learned so many things about myself and the human race at a wedding day celebration.  In that respect, I feel I've also grown as a human being and became a better person because of it.  Let me break it down for you!

#1 - Weddings bring out more love than you imagine!  
I've seen weddings that have been overly dramatized because of turmoil, but most of the weddings I'm a part of are literally EXPLODING with love!  I have learned to loved deeper being around people that truly are there to support and love during the entire event.

#2 - Weddings bring out everyone's inner creativity!
I've noticed these days instead of following a cookie cutter list of things a couple should do, we are actually getting creative with expressing ourselves MORE!  I have seen endless hours put into DIY projects all for the love of the ideas & creativity the families & friends possess to make a day fun and decorative.  My favorite kinds of weddings are those that allow folks to dress in costume or a theme!  This allows everyone to express not only their LOVE, but their creativity!  It is seriously the best!

#3 - Weddings enhance TIME management skills!
If you have ever wondered what it is like being a wedding photographer...do we know the times?  The schedules?  Sometimes yes and no!  I am now to the point of being able to better use my time with the couples as we plan out their day for the images they want.  It has made being a small business owner more thrilling because I've learned to manage time for things that are VERY important.  Have you ever talked to a wedding planner?  Ask them about TIME management!  It has made me far better of a planner and using my time better.

#4 - Weddings help us work in TEAMS!
I know going in I'm only ONE of handfuls of vendors there to serve the couples and the family on the big day!  In talking and reaching out to the other people working there - you learn better teamwork skills.  Communicating thoughts & ideas and then DOING them is a brilliant wedding day!

#5 - Weddings help you appreciate the life you have!
Every single time I capture a wedding I am thankful for my husband.  I remember how we met, how we courted and when we got married.  I get to re-live those moments during the days I'm shooting pictures.  I get to see how 2 people committed before their respected family and friends and have a bond of unity.  I go home a better person in gratitude than I ever could in being jealous for someone else's life.

Staying THANKFUL for who you are, what you do and the life you have is powerful.

I hope you enjoy these little bits today - I'm pretty obsessed about things I learn and grow with.

The next time you are at a wedding day, take a moment to look at the photographer differently.  You might just see something in yourself and in them that unites us all!

To hire me for your wedding day:
Contact Jen at www.pinklightimages.com

I specialize in creative/unique/themed weddings as well as a handful of
destination weddings throughout the year. 

SUBSCRIBE to my YOUTUBE for "Punches of Pink" -  a series that inspires, encourages and helps others to aspire.

What happens when you have no answers and no clarity? Well, you create ANYWAY.

Just wanted to be sure and share my latest Punches of Pink - episode 9.
A very personal part of my story.

The making of my "high fashion" styled pyramid head.

Hi everyone! Welcome to my little cosplay blog today!

I wanted to run through something VERY FUN I did for this year's comicon in addition to my Destiny Guardian!  In the matter of an afternoon - I decided to make the "travel size" version of Pyramid Head and his helmet.  The reason I made it travel size is because I was traveling to After Dark in Madison WI and I had some AMAZING ideas to turn this into a fashion style shoot!  Boy...did it ever meet my expectations!!!  Here is how I started the journey....

Inspiration:

I never played the video game, but I did see the movies BASED on the video games!  I was completely horrified by this character!  And what I do now, is start reading back stories on who they are, their purpose and whatnot.   I found this character to be horrific, as well as a guardian of sorts.  There was a dimension that he ruled and walked in.  I found inspiration in that!  I also found LOTS of tutorials on making helmets out of cardboard and masking tape.  So when I had made my Guardian Apotheosis Veil - I took that inspiration and started making the pyramid helmet.

Here I start with a basic paper template and lots of cardboard leftovers!!!!

By day two - I had pulled out my copper spray paint and started painting everything in sight!  Based upon the pictures I looked all over my house for scrap materials and things I would have to add as details!  It just so happened that popsicle sticks, beads and cabinet liners were the perfect mish mash to create the look!

You will also notice though - I screwed up on the bottom part of the helmet.  I didn't pay attention to the "lip" of the helmet on the bottom...and so I had to re-cut and re-tape the bottom part.  Oh well, we always learn by mistakes!!!!

Spray painted everything copper!!! Found a great metallic paint!!!

Cabinet liner

Starting to hot glue and add details - except the front is really messed up here :\

Found water bottle caps, popsicle sticks and beads to make the piping.

I also found some old grommets I had laying around.

This is my first fitting - I still don't have a way to wear it yet.

It is looking pretty awesome by now!!!  Just have to fix the bottom and attach to my head!

After the most of the majority of assembly - I flattened it back out and SHOVED it into my suitcase!  I traveled on the plane with the underpiece and then modeled it on my friend Jane Love the next evening for our photo shoot.  Here are our test shots to see the whole outfit together!

Model: Jane Love
Fashion Designer: RFD by Rachel Frank
Photography: Pink Light Images

And here was my FINAL art piece that I was ENTHUSIASTIC about!!!!!

 AMAZINGGGGGGGGG :) 

However, I was not complete - I had to complete another look I desired the next morning.  I took Chelsea over to the Capitol building and continued with the lighter high fashion version.  I was sooooo happy with how this turned out too! It was awesome! Check it out: 

Model: Chelsea Goers - dress provided by Jen Sulak

 Was deliriously happy with this travel size "suitcase" version!!! It was a great challenge and I loved working on it!!!!  

I then wore it myself to Comicon May 2015. :)  Enjoy!

Creativity never stops!

So here recently I watch a model's page and she sells cool stuff.

I nabbed this AMAZING orange wig that I look forward to working with....

I decided to work with it today in between some typical housework stuff.  I've been going through a massive organization streak and getting rid of stuff.  The purchases I've made are things that inspire me...no thinking...just GUT!!!!  I cannot wait to play with this.  I think I wish I could have long hair...but it is just too much to maintain... :) So i'm super super short...and play with wigs.

This could go so many ways...and I've been thinking about making a cosplay character inspired by this piece.  What do you think?  What characters have inspired you?  Did you create an outfit? Did you style makeup?  Let's talk!

Stay tuned later this week as I create some new things with new props I've never used.  I'm wanting to challenge myself on colors, smoky textures and new stories to tell.  I will aim to share with you soon about all this!  Thank you!

Love Jen

New art and ideas!

I'm still playing around with a new prop that arrived today.  I fully intend to make a skirt out of it.  For today's "playtime" - i made a full character.  I didn't mean to do it but my original ideas spawned a new idea!   I just love letting things flow and go. 

ENJOY!!!!

Inspired?  Join me at the Women's retreat in July 2015.

There are a lot of "FIRSTS" in the first parts of the year!!!!

The making of a Destiny inspired outfit - with emphasis on the Apotheosis Veil :)

I have been SO EXCITED to see how this year is shaping out.  I have spent a good portion of January offline and letting myself create, see and hear differently.  I can see how my perspective almost immediately can change when I remove distractions (forcefully) from my life.  I have a lot of things cooking that I'm really excited about as well as moving into some new ideas and directions for my life.  I have this huge underlying passion to CONNECT and INSPIRE other people, but also remain who I am...and being real.  I like the exploration of the dark side and the light side.  I like knowing that I'm allowed to feel distress, but not let it take over my life.  I like that I need to learn how to let love rule in my heart so I can also love others.

On the non-deep, but fun side...I have been working really really hard on a project for comicon.  I've never done anything THIS grand before in my costuming or outfits.  Sometimes I don't create unless I have a MISSION to complete WITH that creation!  Well, here we are...the weekend of the Fan Expo of the Dallas Comicon....and I have mostly completed by Destiny inspired outfit!!!!!

I can' wait to share the FULL pictures with you...but for now...here is where I have come from....

pre-liminary ideas - found and borrowed items.

just to give you an idea....i really dig most of the looks in Destiny.....but found my inspiration to build from!

from a child's thor costume

this is me testing the metal framing.

my main inspiration was the mirrored mask part....the rest I'm trying to fill in as i go...to stay close to the main design...

decided to make the pleats...because the side picture showed ridges!

making the "ear" pieces...i sprayed them copper

the "framing" for the helmet - weather stripping & something cheap at craft store - a rope like thing.

realizing i cut them all wrong..i'm putting it together the best i can...

how i underglued felt so the fabric wouldn't melt...yes, i did that a LOT just making the pleats!

used a youtube for the cardboard/masking tape frame - the mask was my main inspiration

for the gauntlets - my interpretation of it anyways.

a more finished look for them!

my first BURN.

see how it all comes together??? WOW!

Now, i'm added the back piece to smooth out my mess.

Had a coupon for mechanic gloves...and these are the gauntlets

back end of my MESS :)  dont' worry i fix it.

this turned out SO GOOD from the side!!!!

my solution for the AMAZING details on the front...it works!

during the last segment...i completely burned my middle finger so bad....you can see the blister. :)

Thank you for stopping by!!! This has been a BLAST!!!! I can't wait to update you all on the final FINAL outfit and product....but just making the helmet was AMAZING!!!!! Hard work & determination! WOW! haahahahhaah :)  I have much much respect for fashion and costume designers.  Always have!!!!