Miss America 2023 Recap - The Stories Behind the Gowns

You may remember the previous recap post showing off the incredible entrances some S36 Forevers made to the Miss America 2023 competition. All of the gowns were stunning on the contestants.

I can't be the only one who sees that procession and thinks, "All of those dresses are so beautiful and yet so different. I wonder how each woman selects the most important dress of her life.

Luckily, a few S36 Forevers did share the story behind their gowns on their social media, which is amazing. I thought it would be fun to share the stories here.

Once again, all the pictures were taken by Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions. She does amazing work, and was recently nominated as a Pageant Planet top headshot photographer AND top event photographer.

Let's see those stories.

From the Miss Connecticut Instagram: For as long as I can remember Latinas in media have always been portrayed as too loud, crazy, and feisty (while I do not confirm nor deny some of these traits 😅) I never saw us portrayed as eloquent, intelligent, or peaceful. Miss America allowed me to be what I didn't see, being that representation and walking the red carpet with the gown that exemplified the serenity, strength, and resilience of our island's heritage. 

From the Miss Utah Instagram: Utah is know as the beehive state. When I picked out this dress, it reminded me of honeycomb. This dress Is dedicated to my hive of bees who have gotten me here!

From the Miss Massachusetts Instagram: I designed her myself based on former Miss America gowns that I’ve loved since I was a child. Thank you to Anita at Infusion Boutique and the team at JOVANI for making my sketch come to life!

From the Miss South Dakota Instagram: A dress that had a classic feel to it but also some “spice”😜 It was an incredible feeling to walk on the Miss America stage in this gown! 

From the Miss Alabama Instagram: I worked with The Clothes Tree and JOVANI to design this custom gown. I knew I wanted to wear black velvet, and I got the inspiration for the sheer sides with nude/crystal beading from a photo of a wedding dress I found in 2019. Then Julie from JOVANI worked her magic to come up with this beauty! We also totally changed the neckline after the dress came in.

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I hope you enjoyed these stories, and the incredible pictures. Hopefully there will be more stories to share in the future!

Happy Tenth Anniversary K. Garcia Productions!

What an incredible accomplishment! Today marks the ten year mark for K. Garcia Productions, and the woman behind it all Kelsey Garcia Witzgall!

Over that time, K. Garcia Productions, has been a true asset to Section 36. Not only has Kelsey taken some pretty outstanding photographs of Forevers but she was actually an interview guest herself! I'm honored to feature so much of her work, in so many places throughout the Section 36 suite of blogs.

Below, you'll see just a few of the times K. Garcia Productions has made Section 36 a better place.

Congratulations!

Allie Curtis

Elizabeth Pierre

Elizabeth Pierre

Allie Curtis

Elizabeth Pierre

Elizabeth Pierre

Jackie O'Keefe

Bridget Oei

Cassandra Pinataro

        

K. Garcia Productions Week - Specialty Shoots

 During the month of December, the Section 36 blog is celebrating "Photography Month" with weekly posts about photography. Monday started the month off with a feature on a photographer who has meant so much to the success of Section 36, Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions.

Readers of this blog know how important Kelsey has been. A single post didn't seem to be enough. Therefore, Section 36 Forevers is holding "K. Garcia Productions Week" as a way to try and show the world Kelsey's contributions. The K. Garcia Productions photos shown here on Section 36 Forevers have also done a pretty great job of showing all the different types of pictures she specializes in. Whether it's headshots and portraits, or fashion, or pageants, or marketing...they've all managed to find their way onto this blog. Today, though, we're going to focus on her "Specialty Shoot" photographs. Sometimes the standard photo shoot just won't do. You need a theme, or a hook, or a special element. Kelsey certainly excels in those types of shots as well. What do I mean? Let's look as some examples that have graced the titleholder profile pages of this blog.

Kelsey has had some fun photographing with a smoke bomb...if that's what it's called. It really adds a dramatic effect to the pictures. These pictures of Allie Curtis, Meghan Rubadou, and Nicolette Peloquin all use the smoke, but all have different feels. It always amazes me how that happens.

Another specialty of Kelsey is "arcade shots". She's a master at using the different colors and light levels available in an arcade to their full potential. Like with these pictures of Allie Curtis and Lyndsey Littlefield.

What? Yup. Those are pictures in a milk bath! Be sure to check out Kelsey's YouTube channel for the behind the scenes video of this shoot. Didn't the pictures of Sara Achorn and Meghan Rubadou turn out amazing?

As you can see, Kelsey really has a lot of fun with her shoots. Which is great, because we all then get to enjoy her work. Thankfully K. Garcia Productions has been sharing so many amazing images like these with all of us at Section 36.

I can't wait to see what she shares next!

K. Garcia Productions Week - Marketing Photography

 During the month of December, the Section 36 blog is celebrating "Photography Month" with weekly posts about photography. Monday started the month off with a feature on a photographer who has meant so much to the success of Section 36, Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions.

Readers of this blog know how important Kelsey has been. A single post didn't seem to be enough. Therefore, Section 36 Forevers is holding "K. Garcia Productions Week" as a way to try and show the world Kelsey's contributions. The K. Garcia Productions photos shown here on Section 36 Forevers have also done a pretty great job of showing all the different types of pictures she specializes in. Whether it's headshots and portraits, or fashion, or pageants they've all managed to find their way onto this blog. Today, though, we're going to focus on her "marketing" photographs. If you have a brand, or a business, or a product...the right picture of it can help potential customers see you in the proper light. It it a wonderful way to expand your brand, especially in the right hands. Kelsey certainly does that. What do I mean? Let's look as some examples that have graced the titleholder profile pages of this blog.

You've seen this picture before, perhaps because it's one of my favorite pictures ever. This picture was taken during a photo shoot K. Garcia Productions had with Bridget Oei. You probably remember Bridget from her visit with Section 36, and the fact that she finished first runner up to Miss America 2019. Bridget has this Section 36 sweatshirt and she and Kelsey surprised me by including the outfit in the shoot. It's just absolute perfection. As a marketing shot, it has everything. An amazing model showing off the merchandise, and the background color really helping everything pop. Can't imagine loving it more.

Here are a few photos Kelsey took for Duke's Bakery featuring the amazing Meghan Rubadou. Whether it's straight forward shot showing how you use...or in this case eat...the product, or using the product with a little bit of whimsy pictures like this get people to see what you have to offer. Kelsey does a great job of bringing out the best in whatever there is to offer.

As you can see, marketing photos can really be just about anything! Especially when those photos are taken by Kelsey. Thankfully K. Garcia Productions has been sharing so many amazing images like these with all of us at Section 36.

Wait until you see what comes next. 

K. Garcia Productions Week - Pageant Photos

During the month of December, the Section 36 blog is celebrating "Photography Month" with weekly posts about photography. Monday started the month off with a feature on a photographer who has meant so much to the success of Section 36, Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions.

Readers of this blog know full well how important Kelsey has been. So much so that a single post didn't seem to be enough. Therefore, Section 36 Forevers is holding "K. Garcia Productions Week" here on the blog. It's a fun way to try and show the world all of Kelsey's contributions. The K. Garcia Productions photos shown here on Section 36 Forevers have also done a pretty great job of showing all the different types of pictures she specializes in. Whether it's headshots and portraits, or fashion, or business they've all managed to find their way onto this blog. Today, though, we're going to focus on her pageant photographs. What do I mean? Let's look as some examples that have graced the titleholder profile pages of this blog.

Pageant photographs can be done on location, and maybe even on the spur of the moment. This great shot of several titleholders ready to run certainly shows that. If you look closely, you can see a couple visitors to Section 36 in this shot. Therefore, you can find this pic on the Section 36 Forevers profile page for both Jordan St. Onge and Jillian Zucco

This gorgeous picture shows how Kelsey captured the elegance within Bridget Oei. You probably remember Bridget from her interview with Section 36. 

I love this shot! Photographing titleholders and planes isn't something I would have thought of, so it's a good thing we have K. Garcia Productions. Love the contrast of the green gown against the backdrop. You again probably remember Molly Andrade from her interview.

Showing pageant girls in their element. Lyndsey Littlefield, now Miss Massachusetts, is also a Spartan racer. So, of course, picturing her working on an obstacle is the perfect way to show who she is. Once again, you probably remember Lyndsey from her interview.

Another great location helping to make a great pageant photo! Again, I hope you remember Allie Curtis from her interview with Section 36.

As you can see, pageant photos can really be just about anything! Especially when those photos are taken by Kelsey. Thankfully K. Garcia Productions has been sharing so many amazing images like these with all of us at Section 36.

One other segment of pageant photos that Kelsey excels at is taking pictures during the competition itself. Oddly, none of those photos have made their way on to Section 36 yet. And, that's a big "yet." Kelsey will be photographing at Miss America in just a couple weeks, and you'll be able to see those photos right here on Section 36 Forevers!

I can't wait! 

K. Garcia Productions Week - On Location Shoots

During the month of December, the Section 36 blog is celebrating "Photography Month" with weekly posts about photography. Monday started the month off with a feature on a photographer who has meant so much to the success of Section 36, Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions.

Readers of this blog know full well how important Kelsey has been. So much so that a single post didn't seem to be enough. Therefore, Section 36 Forevers is holding "K. Garcia Productions Week" here on the blog as way to try and show the world all of Kelsey's contributions. The K. Garcia Productions photos shown here on Section 36 Forevers have also done a pretty great job of showing all the different types of pictures she specializes in. Whether it's headshots and portraits, or fashion, or business they've all managed to find their way onto this blog. Today, though, we're going to focus on her "on location" photographs. When your stepping outside the studio, a good photographer can combine the right location with the right shot to make the perfect picture. Kelsey certainly does that. What do I mean? Let's look as some examples that have graced the titleholder profile pages of this blog.

Starting off with a few great shots of the current Miss Massachusetts Lyndsey Littlefield. The first shot beautifully shows the then Miss Lakeville posing with a lake. Brilliant. The second shot perfectly plays the colorful wetsuit against the water in the background. The third shot takes an urban background and uses it to show the essence of Lyndsey, working with an obstacle. you probably remember Lyndsey from her interview.

How do you know I'm not a professional photographer? I would never ask a model to pose in front of a bike rack And, if I did, it would never turn out close to as good as this first shot of Allie Curtis. The second shot perfectly combines an over the top costume with the perfect backdrop. I hope you remember Allie Curtis from her interview with Section 36.

Speaking of great backdrops, this shot of Jillian Zucco uses one to perfection. I love the way the color of her outfit mimics the color of the lighthouse against the sky. You might remember Jillian from her interview with Section 36.

Photographing titleholders and planes isn't something I would have thought of, so it's a good thing we have K. Garcia Productions. Love the contrast of the green gown against the backdrop. You again probably remember Molly Andrade from her interview.

This shot just works on so many levels. I love the look in the eyes of Nicolette Peloquin, casually sitting in her chair in the middle of the road. I hope you remember Nicolette from her interview.

As you can see, pageant photos can really be just about anything! Especially when those photos are taken by Kelsey. Thankfully K. Garcia Productions has been sharing so many amazing images like these with all of us at Section 36.

Wait until you see what comes next. 

K. Garcia Productions Week - Headshots and Portraits

During the month of December, the Section 36 blog is celebrating "Photography Month" with weekly posts about photography. Today started the month off with a feature on a photographer who has meant so much to the success of Section 36, Kelsey of K. Garcia Productions.

Of course, readers of this blog (and its social media accounts) know full well how important Kelsey has been. So much so that a single post didn't seem to be enough. Therefore, Section 36 Pageants is holding "K. Garcia Productions Week" here on the blog. It's a fun way to try and show the world all of Kelsey's contributions. The K. Garcia Productions photos shown here on Section 36 Pageants have also done a pretty great job of showing all the different types of pictures she specializes in. Whether it's pageant photographs, or fashion, or business they've all manages to find their way onto this blog. Today, though, we're going to focus on her portraits and headshots. What always amazes me is the ability of a photographer to take something that seems like it would be generic to me, a picture of someone's head, and somehow transform it into a unique work of art. What do I mean? Let's look as some examples that have graced the titleholder profile pages of this blog.

Nothing generic about this one, right? This picture perfectly encapsulates the personality of Meghan Rubadou.

This amazing headshot appears on Alexis Ferreira's interview. It's a simple, beautiful shot.

This incredible shot is of Megan Sylvia. Her fierceness just jumps right out of the picture.

A great portrait can be taken on location too! This shot of Allie Curtis perfectly incorporates her surroundings...and her smile.

Another one that is definitely not generic. This beautiful portrait lets you look deep into the soul of Lyndsey Littlefield as it peeks over the angel wings. Just incredible. 

As you can see, a lot can be done with a portrait when it's in the right hands. Thankfully K. Garcia Productions has been sharing so many amazing images like these with all of us at Section 36.

Wait until you see what comes next. 

Kelsey Garcia Visits Section 36 Forevers

Section 36 Pageants has its first visitor! Kelsey Garcia, of K.

Garcia Productions, is a talented photographer whose work I have admired for some time. (I have especially enjoyed her photo sessions with visitors to Section 36.) We had been trying to figure out a way to include her work on the blog and elsewhere in the Section 36 Pageants experience. So, when she came up with the interview suggestion, I was thrilled to jump on the idea. Hopefully you’ll enjoy this as much as I did.

So, let’s see what happens when Kelsey Garcia visits Section 36!

When did you realize that photography was something that you loved?

I have had a passion for video production for as long as I can remember; but I knew videography and photography was something I wanted to do as a career when I was in high school, because of my TV and Yearbook instructor, Kevin Reilly.  

How did you decide to turn that passion into K. Garcia Productions?

I always knew I'd be an entrepreneur, and because I love photography and videography I thought that would be a great direction to go. So one day I was sitting in my room and was on the phone with my friend Courtney, and when I said I wanted to start the company she asked why I didn't just do it, instead of talking about it. 

What would you describe as your photography style?

I love to try many different styles, I love fashion shoots, in studio and all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island; I also love product photos, especially photos of food! I'm also a really big fan of a photo-journalistic style and want to try that soon! 

You been able to do photo shoots with several Section 36 visitors, including Nicolette, Meg, and Lyndsey. What do you like about working with titleholders?

Nicolette Peloquin
by K. Garcia Productions

First of all, they're all fabulous ladies! I love their input with the shoots, they are all familiar with being in front of a camera so they have some ideas of their own, but they also are great with just going with the flow. Some of my favorite shoots are with them too. I have one photoshoot with Nicolette in the water and it's just so fabulous, and she was just willing to jump right in the water! Another favorite was of Lyndsey with a set of angel wings I designed and created for a book of my photography called "SouthCoast Style." 

You’re also involved in commercial photography. What sorts of things do you enjoy doing in that area?

I studied marketing at UMass Dartmouth, so commercial photography is something I'm very passionate about. I like capturing a brand with my lens. I also have the opportunity to meet so many entrepreneurs; and learn about how they got started. But my favorite thing about it is helping their marketing and helping these businesses grow. 

You mentioned your recently published book promoting products from the South Coast area of Massachusetts, which was a great idea. What should I know about “SouthCoast Style”?

SouthCoast Style was a side project for me, I love fashion 

Lyndsey Littlefield
By K. Garcia Productions

photography but never get to do it very often, so I did a little something about that. I'm from Fall River, Massachusetts, and it has a rich history in the textile industry; but it's not just a history. So many products are still manufactured in the South Coast, so I wanted to put something together to promote products not only made in Massachusetts but in my community. What I really like about SouthCoast Style is the possibility of it doing great things and getting others involved in getting products made in America. One big issue with manufacturing here is that there isn't enough workers, and we now know it's an issue we can do something about it! 

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That definitely sounds like a wonderful project!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Kelsey for doing this interview. I’m glad we were able to work together to add an interview to this blog. I also want to thank her for providing the pictures to accompany the interview. As expected, they were wonderful pictures that show off her incredible talent. And stay tuned, because she sent in even more pictures than the ones on this post. They’ll be showing up periodically in other places on the blog, as well as on Section 36 Pageant social media (Facebook and Instagram).

And, speaking of finding her work other places, I encourage you follow all of the K. Garcia Productions social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) as well as check out the official website. If you’re looking for a photographer for just about any reason, that would be the perfect place to start. I also cannot recommend too strongly that you track down a copy of her book SouthCoast Style. It’s a fun example of her work, and a way to help the local community. (See how many of the models you can recognize from seeing them on Section 36.)

And, if you talk to her don’t forget to tell her you saw her on Section 36 Pageants!

Thanks again Kelsey!