Celebrating Trans Joy: A Magical Post-Top Surgery Photoshoot

In a world where trans lives are often marginalized and erased, capturing and celebrating moments of trans joy is an act of defiance and love. Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph local Drag legeng Olive (@olivethistea) in a shoot that was nothing short of magical, marking their journey post-top surgery. Inspired by Hozier's "Like Real People Do," this shoot was a testament to the ethereal, powerful, and holy nature of trans joy.

The Vision Behind the Shoot

The keywords that guided this shoot were: ethereal, god-like, stillness, and powerful. Olive’s vision was clear and captivating, and it was an absolute pleasure to help bring it to life. Our shoot was set against the backdrop of Fort Macaulay at Macaulay Point Park, which hasn’t been in use since 1956. The old fortress ruins and foggy afternoon added a mystical element to the photos. Olive’s attire was a stunning all-white outfit, paired with a chain by @ditch.metals and a large floral crown made of sunflowers, orange roses, daisies, and other white and orange flowers.

As a photographer, it’s essential to capture not just the physical transformation, but the emotional and spiritual journey as well. Olive’s strength and serenity in these moments were palpable, and the foggy skies only added to the enchanting atmosphere. We chose to add a light with warm yellow-orange hues to some of the photos which paired so nicely with Olive's flower crown.

Behind the Scenes: Creating the Magic

Every photoshoot starts with a vision, and Olive’s vision was nothing short of ethereal. When you book a shoot with me, you’ll receive a questionnaire designed to help you explore your ideas and reflect on your goals for the session. We’ll then have a consultation to delve deeper into these concepts and figure out how to translate them into stunning portraits. If you’re thinking about booking a session but don’t have a concrete vision yet, don’t worry. Trust that we can develop the vision together.

For this particular shoot, we were fortunate to have drag king @sylvesterstalletto capturing behind-the-scenes footage (which you can see here on my Instagram), which gave us a glimpse into the creative process. From applying glitter to braving the cold (we could see Olive’s breath while shooting this in January!), this shoot happened exactly how it was supposed to.

Trans Joy is Holy

Trans joy is not just a fleeting moment; it’s a powerful and holy experience that deserves to be celebrated and immortalized. Trans people deserve to be in the spotlight, to document their beautiful moments, and to exist visibly and proudly. This shoot with Olive was a celebration of that joy, a reminder that trans lives are beautiful and cannot be erased.

Thank you, Olive, for sharing this space with me and allowing me to capture your incredible journey. Your strength and vision are truly inspiring. And a big shoutout to Sylvester Stalletto for your invaluable assistance and for capturing the behind-the-scenes magic <3

To anyone considering a photoshoot, whether you have a clear vision or just a spark of an idea, reach out. Together, we can create something beautiful and meaningful. Let’s celebrate your unique story and the joy that comes with it.