My Flying Dress Photoshoot Experience with Brittany Colt & Shawn Reeder

My photoshoot with The Flying Dress Experience was an intimate communication with nature and a profound expression of self love - in Yosemite National Park

When I met Deja during the winter snowshoeing experience at Mammoth Lakes, I had no idea that my “let’s connect on Instagram” would transform into a beautiful friendship.

One beautiful day, I remember skipping through Deja’s Instagram stories and witnessing a photo that made me stop and immediately message her. The photo was of a black woman, standing at a vista point in what looked like Yosemite, with a flying dress on.

At first, I was shocked – as I had no idea that anyone was doing such beautiful work in Mammoth Lakes. No less with capturing black female beauty in such an outstanding, jaw dropping way? Immediately, I wanted to know who shot the photo.

Deja told me that it was her friends, Brittany Colt & Shawn Reeder and that her own session was coming up the following week. When I later followed up with her to see how her session went, she was enthusiastic in praise.

 I felt like a goddess and a part of the beauty around me. 10/10 recommend!

Deja Charles

With that resounding note of praise, I was all in for the experience. I’d previously enjoyed a flying dress photoshoot in Santorini, Greece. However – on that particular day, the experience felt rushed, was a bit hot (Greece in August – whew!) and I didn’t feel grounded in the experience. I loved the photos. But, I wanted – more.

Introduction to The Flying Dress Experience

During my introduction call with Brittany and Shawn, we went over my goals and they put my mind at ease with their professional nature. The next day, I paid my deposit and made the second payment a few weeks before the shoot date.

On Location: Meeting Britney and Shawn

Meeting Brittany and Shawn on location in Yosemite National Park at 5:30am was EASY. Shawn texted me directions the night before and I confirmed I received them. It was a short drive from my stay in Mammoth, CA at Outbound Mammoth.

I will say that Apple Maps put me in a slightly different meeting point than expected. But, after backtracking a few minutes and using Google Maps along with re-reading Shawn’s directions, I was able to find them. After small talk, the vibes were set. Immediately, I was put at ease and was excited for the creative potential of us working together for the greater expression of art.

The Photoshoot Experience: Location 1

As the sun rose across Yosemite, I felt transformed by the dramatic landscape around me. I also appreciated the communication between Shawn and Brittany. It’s was beautiful to see them work together in tandem to capture the most beautiful movement of the dress, as it flew through the air.

Standing in Yosemite National Park at sunrise, draped in a beautiful red dress, embodied the exact feminine power I desired. The strength was in the quiet grounded confidence I felt, rooted in the harmony between nature’s grandeur and the elegance of the feminine form. As the first light touched the towering granite cliffs, the power of the moments were in the stillness.

This – this experience was exactly what I wanted to have.

After months of having to advocate for myself before being diagnosed with uterine fibroids (a genetic condition within my family that caused critical level anemia), having 3 iron transfusions and 2 blood transfusions and facing my fears of death before surgery —  and then on the other side, recovering faster than expected and becoming more connected with my feminine creative power and being present in a radiantly healthy body, I reflected on my resilience, grace, and beauty as Brittany’s shutter clicked.

As Shawn counted down and threw the dress powerfully in the air, the red fabric floated and flowed like the rivers beneath Half Dome.  I felt grounded to the Earth and projected a powerful energy of  inner strength.

The contrast between the ruggedness of Yosemite and the delicate, yet bold presence of myself standing on the granite encapsulated the energy of being seen. I am a black woman in America. I am powerful and sensitive. I deserve to be unapologetically beautiful. Most importantly, in those moments with Brittany and Shawn, I fully realized that I do not need to justify my life or being alive. I – simply – am.

Location 2

After a collective sense of completion, Brittany and Shawn then gave me a choice of a second shooting location: Tuolumne Meadows or Tenaya Lake. After quick consideration, I chose the sweeping dramatics of Tenaya Lake. I thought the lake would be an incredible contrast to both the red flying dress and the stunning Delfi Collective One-Shoulder Pleated Ombre Dress  I brought to wear as well.

When we arrived at the location, I was stunned. It was perfect. As we were still in the prime time of morning sun, the lake shimmered with an illuminated light.

The Results

I left the photoshoot feeling radiant and confident from the experience. It felt complete and that Brittany and Shawn worked together to capture true magic.

I received six sneak peak photos the week after the shoot, with the full collection of media: high and web resolution images + videos the following week, while I was in Colorado.

All I could say was “wow”. I was speechless.

With the clicks of her shutter, Brittany captured the true essence of who I am – now. In contrast to the my previous flying dress photoshoot in Santorini , I could clearly see how grounded in the moment and beautiful experience I felt.

It was – truly – magic.

Brittany captured some of the best moments in time I have witnessed of myself, reflected back to me. Capturing a person’s true multidimensional self is a gift and an exceptional talent. It was a pleasure being photographed and seeing photographs of myself, through her eyes.

Overall

Overall, I am exceptionally pleased that I booked and experienced a flying dress photo shoot with The Flying Dress Experience in Yosemite National Park. From the moment I arrived, I knew it was going to be something special. But, the entire experience far surpassed my expectations.

It was everything I dreamed of—and more. Their attention to detail – from the breathtaking locations, to the lotion they had when I realized I needed it,  to the way they made me feel so comfortable in front of the camera, created an atmosphere of pure magic. Together, they captured not only stunning photographs – but also the essence of myself.

As the wind caught the flowing dress and the sunrise cast a golden glow over the valley, I felt everything I’d overcome – and the immense power of the success to come. This experience was a perfect blend of artistry, nature, and empowerment.

Like Deja told me, I say to you: 10 out of 10, would highly – exceptionally – without a doubt, recommend.

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