This year I had the awesome privilege of shooting the most amazing pageant I\’ve ever attended. (And by me shooting I actually mean Lyndi, but we\’ll get to that later). I was asked to take pictures of this and since it was my birthday weekend, the awesome Lyndi of SUGARRUSH PHOTO + VIDEO just happened to be in town hanging out with me and was 100% game to come help!
Miss Radiant is a special needs pageant in it’s second year. It’s an opportunity for girls and women with special needs to have a day of pampering, dancing and fun that is free of charge to it’s contestants. There is no real judging, but they do get to sit down the with judges and interview and tell them all about themselves. It’s such a fun thing to be a part of. Everyone gets a crown, everyone gets a trophy, everyone wins! It’s my kind of pageant.
So let’s talk about this amazing woman right here. In this picture she has put down her camera to hang out on the floor with one of the girls that was feeling a little overwhelmed by learning the dance. Not only was she sweet enough to give up her vacation time to work, but she ran around making friends with every person there, and ultimately ended up photographing the actual event without me! She continues to impress me with how talented she really is-I loved sneaking this pic of her just being awesome. I really love Lyndi.
Shortly after arriving to take pictures at the event I found out one of my birth photography client’s water had broke and that there was a very good chance I would need to leave and take her pictures. Right as the pageant started I had to leave. Not only did Lyndi cover for me, but her sweet hubbs showed up with mine and they second shot the whole thing too. I have pretty incredible friends.
The girls all learned a short dance to do at the beginning.
Can we just talk about these amazing boys?!?!! Each of them were assigned to a contestant as their escort. They helped them throughout the day navigating from event to event, helping them learn the dance, fetching water and even leading them by the hand as needed. I was SO impressed by all of them!
Paul Mitchell came and dolled all of them up however they wanted with hair, make-up and nails.
Olive Garden catered dinner and swig had yummy cookies and drinks!
Let it go was the song of the night! It was sung, danced to and enjoyed the entire evening.
The photobooth was a huge hit!
The favorite was definitely a visit from Anna and Elsa! They came to meet the girls after dinner and were there throughout the night to help girls with stage fright! It was the sweetest thing to see them all meeting and hugging them!
I unfortunately had to leave at this point. I\’m glad I got to see them all meeting Anna and Elsa. My husband said he spent the night in awe and often in tears as he watched the pageant. He was so touched and happy these women and girls got the opportunity to share their talents and themselves with the audience.
