Introducing Mariah Larocque Photography!

One thing I love is seeing Section 36 Forevers start off on new adventures. We saw it not too long ago when Jaelyn Wratchford talked about starting her own business. Today we get to learn about Mariah Larocque Photography! What’s fabulous about this endeavor is that it gives Mariah the opportunity to work with other S36 Forevers over the course of her day. It doesn’t get much better than that!

What is Mariah Larocque Photography all about? Let’s see what Mariah had to say about it…

“What started as a hobby in my early teens has now turned into a profession that not only brings me joy, but also my clients! And that's the most important and fulfilling part of my job- your happiness and satisfaction! I aim to provide top-quality services to my clients, whether for personal or business purposes. I'm also devoted to collaborating in ways that help meet your social media needs and that bring your photoshoot ideas to life! Whether we are going for a classic shoot or something outside the box, let's work together to make your dreams a reality. Need help with social media? Let's chat about tricks of the trade that can take your online presence to the next level.

 
As I launch my new business, I want you to know that I am committed to delivering the best to my clients; by capturing and showcasing their special moments through the lens and also providing a communicative, collaborative and fun experience.
 
On my site you will find a variety of unique services. I offer many packages from photography, to acting reels to social media services. If there is something you don't see but are curious about, contact me!”

I absolutely recommend you check out her website and follow her on Instagram so you can learn more about what she has to offer. Plus, stay tuned because she will soon be having a grand opening of her new studio space in the Saco/Biddeford, ME area. You won't want to miss that announcement! How about some examples of her work? Check out these beauties!

And, remember I talked about her ability to work with other Forevers? Check out these amazing shots she took of S36F Marisa Moorhouse!

Be sure to reach out to Mariah so she can make this same sort of magic with you!

Ferell Blanc Visits Section 36 Forevers!

Ferell Blanc is a pageant coach and a talented photographer whose work you've probably seen on Section 36 many times. It seemed about time to have her visit so we could all learn a little bit more about here. I'm sure you'll love to hear what she has to say.

So, let’s see what happens when Ferell Blanc visits Section 36!

You currently work as a pageant coach. What do you enjoy about that field?

For me, pageants are not about winning a crown and sash. When I first competed in 2005, it was for an opportunity to create change in local schools with bullying. My heart is still in that same mindset with pageants - what are you passionate about, and how will you impact your community? I love seeing my clients get involved in the community with their passions. Even more so, I love watching them grow as an individual. One of the most heartfelt moments was when a parent shared that they gave me their little girl, and I gave them back a young woman. Seeing their confidence shift and communication skills grow while knowing that they are learning life skills that will take them far in the future is the best!

As a former pageant titleholder and director, does that dual experience help you as a coach?

A lot of coaches are former titleholders and even judges. I've been fortunate to do both and even had formal MAO judge training back in the 1.0 days. I absolutely loved my time as a director and wished that it was something I could still do but the workload was too much to balance with a full-time job while planning to start a family. I had incredible titleholders that became family. Some attended my wedding, some still call me mom to this day. With the good comes the bad; I can say that I also had difficult titleholders/parents that created friction in our pageant family. So I understand the different personalities that directors work with, the qualities they are looking for, and personality traits that are red flags. I know how directors communicate to their judges the job description and those stellar titleholder qualities.

You’re also an incredible photographer. What is the most challenging part about being behind the camera?

Thank you so much! I love being behind the camera and making clients feel confident and comfortable with themselves. Making sure clients understand the importance of pageant-style professional hair and makeup can be challenging. A headshot is an investment with your pageant and brand, the first impression to the judges (along with your paperwork), and the images are ways to brand yourself on social media. Not having professional pageant and camera-ready makeup makes for extra work for me in Photoshop. I keep my prices affordable so that clients can spend extra in that department and provide them with a list of professionals to consider.

You’ve been able to combine your two careers by photographing titleholders, including several Section 36 Forevers. What do you enjoy most about titleholder photoshoots?

A titleholder photoshoot is a celebration! For me, it's like, "Yes girl! Look at you with your crown and sash! Let's celebrate you and get you some fantastic images to remember your year."

Would you say that you have a specific photography style?

My style is vibrant colors with crisp details and being sure to not remove all of the skin texture. I strive to make sure my clients look like themselves because they should match the photo that the judges see of them before they walk into the interview room. I have the insight of judges questioning hair color or length being different and skin tone being washed out in headshots. So I use that insight to make sure my clients look like themselves.

Do you have any specific career goals?

Something that people may not know is that I worked for RMHC of Las Vegas (another background I have that helps me as a pageant coach). While there, it felt like I worked for the "Disneyland of nonprofits" as I called it. I  enjoyed having a lot to do, learning new things, interviewing on the radio stations, working events, and meeting new people. I left RMHC to be a stay-at-home mom because child care is pricey. I didn't know if stay-at-home mom life was meant for me, but it definitely was. I'm enjoying being a mom to my spicy nugget (he is almost 2) and getting to do my photography and coaching in my free time. It would be an absolute dream to travel doing pageant shoots. Maybe when my little guy is bigger I will be able to make that goal a reality. 

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That would be great!

As always, I want to give huge thanks to Ferell for doing this interview, and for sending along so many great pictures to be used. 

I'm sure that after reading this, you may want to find out even more about Ferell and everything she has going on. I would definitely suggest checking out her website, and following her on Instagram at her photography and coaching accounts. 

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

Thanks again Ferell!

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!