Trans Joy & Tenderness: A Queer Coastal Elopement)

While I was photographing Alana (they/them) and Ovi (he/him), they shared something that stuck with me: how hard it was to find queer, trans-centered wedding inspiration—on Pinterest, on Google, anywhere.

So we made the kind of images they couldn’t find. Images rooted in joy, ease, and tenderness.

We headed to the coastline of San Simeon, California—with just the two of them, a handful of their loved ones, their story, their suits, and the sea. The wind moved like music. The pace slowed. Everything felt sacred.

A Love that Moves Without Permission

This elopement wasn’t just about vows or flowers or coastal views (though all those things showed up in full force). It was about reclaiming softness—about taking up space in a world that so often tries to reduce trans and queer love to hashtags or headlines.

This was about two people who love each other so deeply, so steadily, that it had to be witnessed.

The Suits, The Rings, The Meaning

Let’s talk style. Alana wore a suit by Maje, and Ovi’s was from Suit Supply. Their wedding rings were crafted by Automic Gold — a trans-owned jewelry company based in New York, creating timeless, inclusive pieces with heart. Their engagement rings were from VRAI, which focuses on sustainably created diamonds.

Their hair was styled with guidance from Arlen Farmer, a queer stylist based in LA and owner of Brindley Salon, known for working magic with curls and affirming energy alike.

Visibility isn’t performative. It’s legacy work. And this team honored that.

Location: San Simeon, California

While TIKA Studios is proudly based in San Diego, I often travel across California to document intimate moments like this. San Simeon’s cliffside serenity felt like the perfect setting for Alana & Ovi—free, grounded, and boldly themselves.

For Those Searching

If you’ve been combing Pinterest, Instagram, or Google searching “queer elopement inspo” or “trans-inclusive wedding photography,” I hope you find this post. I hope it reminds you that joy belongs to you, too.

If you’re a trans man, nonbinary person, or queer couple navigating what to wear or how to be seen—read Ovi’s Substack piece. It speaks to the layered grief and radical grace of gendered milestones.

And if you're looking for a photographer who gets that—who moves slowly, with care and reverence for your full self—you’ve found her.

Vendors That Made the Magic

• Hair Stylist: Arlen Farmer, owner of Brindley Salon

• Wedding Rings: Automic Gold (trans-owned, NY-based)

• Engagement Rings: VRAI

• Alana’s Suit: Maje

• Ovi’s Suit: Suit Supply

Ready to Be Seen?

If you’re planning a queer wedding or elopement in San Diego, California, or beyond—I'd love to photograph your softness, your joy, your resistance. Hit me up!

Black Leisure, Recentered: Reclaiming Space, Declaring Presence

Search vintage archives, flip through old magazines, or scroll Pinterest — and you won’t find her there. For decades, poolside leisure and luxury told a narrow story.

Black Luxury, Recentered corrects that absence, not with spectacle, but through intentional presence.

Set against the retro backdrop of The Lafayette — once a place where Black people were often either excluded or marginalized — this series insists on reframing history. It places Black elegance exactly where it always belonged: center stage.

Historical Echoes & Cultural Context

In the Jim Crow era, many municipalities preferred to close public pools entirely rather than share them with Black swimmers — reinforcing the shame and neglect of segregation. Stories like that of David Isom, a 19‑year‑old who courageously desegregated a Philadelphia pool in 1958, remind us: these weren’t just bodies of water—they were frontlines of resistance This isn’t passive history—it’s living legacy. These photos counter that erasure by thoughtfully placing a Black muse by the pool, sunlit and unashamed.

Through the Lens of Representation

• What you see: a Black muse poolside at Lafayette, draped in calm authority—bold lips, sunlit skin, private presence.

• What it means: more than leisure. It’s reclamation. Quiet audacity. Editorial elegance rooted in lived history.

• What it whispers: “Luxury isn’t inherited—it’s authored.”

Why Brands Should Care

This isn’t just pretty imagery—it’s editorial storytelling with purpose. It speaks to culture, honesty, and emotional resonance.

High‑end brands, arts publications, and mission‑driven clients will recognize this as more than portraiture—it’s a movement. TIKA offers visuals that hold space and shape dialogue.

Conclusion

This is not recreation. It is reclamation—quiet, undeniable, essential. Representation doesn’t bend to trends. It becomes the narrative.

Here, by the pool at Lafayette, luxury speaks her language.

View the gallery here.

Key Links & Sources

• Meet David Isom—the teen who broke a color line at a segregated pool gawatersafety.org+4becauseofthemwecan.com+4blackpast.org+4

• NYTimes: How Black people were kept out of U.S. pools

• USA Today: The lasting fallout from segregated pools reddit.com+11usaswimming.org+11becauseofthemwecan.com+11

• HuffPost: History of segregated parks & pools en.wikipedia.org

The Colors That Never Miss: What to Wear for Photos Based on Your Skin Tone

Whether you’re stepping into your first editorial shoot or your fifth creative era, one question always comes up:

“What should I wear that actually looks good in photos?”

If you’ve got melanin-rich skin, the usual Pinterest boards filled with beige on beige and washed-out whites? They won’t do you justice. At TIKA Studios, I’ve photographed artists, creatives, and humans across the spectrum of brown — and here’s what I know:

The right color doesn’t just match your outfit — it magnifies your presence.

Let’s break down the tones that consistently photograph beautifully on Black and brown skin, and why they always hit.

Earth Tones — The Holy Grail

Examples: Burnt sienna, olive green, rust, camel, terracotta, ochre, chocolate brown

These tones aren’t just "neutral" — they’re rooted. They reflect light softly, add warmth to the skin, and never fight for attention. Deep tones like sienna and espresso bring dimension, while muted greens and golds evoke natural balance.

Why it works: Earth tones harmonize with undertones found in deeper complexions — especially golden, red, and olive-based hues.

💡 Styling tip: Try monochrome layering (like a rust blouse and deep brown trousers) or pair with textured fabrics like linen, wool, or denim.

Jewel Tones — Vibrancy Without the Loud

Examples: Emerald, amethyst, deep teal, ruby, mustard, indigo

These colors radiate. They pop against melanin without feeling artificial — and they show up rich on both film and digital.

Why it works: Jewel tones are naturally high in saturation, making them ideal for darker skin tones that reflect light differently than lighter tones.

💡 Styling tip: An emerald dress, a sapphire top, or even a plum coat can act as a statement piece without overwhelming the image. Add gold or brass jewelry to anchor the look.

Warm Neutrals — The Underrated MVPs

Examples: Warm taupe, cocoa, dusty rose, almond, sandstone, soft copper

Forget cold grays and flat whites. Warm neutrals elevate deeper skin without draining color from your face. These tones act as quiet confidence — soft, yet intentional.

Why it works: They enhance your skin’s natural glow and bring out subtleties in undertone — especially for mid-brown to deep skin tones.

💡 Styling tip: These tones are perfect for studio sessions or soft, natural light settings. Combine with minimal makeup and dewy skin for editorial softness.

Black (Yes, You Can — and Should)

Black isn’t basic when it’s used with power. It adds structure, boldness, and drama — especially in black & white edits or contrast-rich lighting.

Why it works: It grounds the image and makes your skin shine. When paired with strong posture or movement, it reads editorial every time.

💡 Styling tip: Choose textured fabrics like silk, velvet, or ribbed knits. This helps black photograph rich rather than flat.

What to Avoid (or Use Sparingly)

• Bright white: Can over-reflect in sun and wash out contrast unless styled very intentionally.

• Neon: Distracts from your presence and often photographs harshly.

• Pale pastels: These can flatten deeper skin tones unless balanced with bolder accents or deeper makeup hues.

• Shiny synthetics: Can catch light awkwardly and look cheaper on camera than IRL.

Final Thought: Let the Color Match Your Energy, Not Just the Aesthetic

You’re not here to fit in. You’re here to show up fully.

When we work together, I’ll help guide you toward looks that don’t just look good — they feel right. Because when you wear something that amplifies your truth, the camera sees it. The image holds it.

Your skin is not a backdrop — it’s the art.
Let’s dress it accordingly.

📍Based in San Diego, shooting anywhere the light calls.
Ready to book your editorial portrait session? Let’s connect.

What Sets Editorial Photography Apart — and Why It Matters

In a scroll-happy world filled with curated content, editorial photography does something rare — it slows you down. It invites you to see, not just look. It doesn’t just showcase the subject; it tells a story through presence, environment, and intention.

As a San Diego-based editorial photographer, I often get asked: What even is editorial photography? Isn’t it just stylized portraits? Not quite.

Let’s break it down — and why it’s the heartbeat of everything I create at TIKA Studios.

1. Editorial Photography Is Story-Driven

While traditional portraits focus on the person, editorial portraits focus on the narrative. It’s not just about what you’re wearing or how you’re posing — it’s about what the image is saying.

Are we capturing resilience? Mystery? Power? Softness? Grief? Joy?
Editorial work moves beyond vanity. It evokes feeling. It asks questions.

This is the style of photography you see in magazines like Vogue, The Cut, or Harper’s Bazaar — where the subject isn’t selling a product, they’re inhabiting a story.

2. It’s Cinematic and Conceptual

Editorial doesn’t rely on trend — it leans into vision.
The lighting, location, styling, and body language are all intentional, working together like a scene from a film. It’s visual storytelling that doesn’t need a caption to be understood.

At TIKA Studios, I often blend film and digital formats, sculpt light like it’s mood, and give room for the subject to breathe. Whether we’re shooting on a street corner, in a studio, or on stage, editorial photography creates an atmosphere.

3. Editorial Builds Brand and Identity

Whether you're an artist, creative entrepreneur, or public figure, editorial portraits can help shape how you’re perceived — and not in a manufactured way. Think press kits, magazine features, album visuals, and author profiles. It’s not just about looking “put together.” It’s about looking like yourself — elevated, centered, and clear.

When done right, editorial photography communicates:

• I know who I am.

• I’ve done the inner work.

• I’m not trying to convince — I’m just showing up.

That’s power. That’s magnetism.

4. Editorial Work Has Longevity

You know those photos you never get tired of? The ones that still hit years later?
That’s editorial.
Because it’s not following a moment — it’s capturing a mood. It holds up across time because it’s rooted in something deeper than algorithm trends.

Final Word

Editorial photography isn’t just a style — it’s a philosophy.
It asks: What truth can we reveal here?
It honors presence over perfection. Energy over aesthetics.
And it matters because when people feel seen in that way, they carry that confidence into everything they do.

If you’re looking for San Diego editorial photography, artist portraits, or imagery that captures the why behind the visual — I’d love to work with you.

Curious about a shoot? Reach out here or visit the Portfolio to see more editorial work.

How to Prepare for an Editorial Portrait Session

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or creative, an editorial portrait session is more than just a photoshoot — it’s a visual story. These portraits don’t just show what you look like. They reveal your presence, your essence, and the way you take up space.

As a San Diego-based editorial photographer working with artists, creatives, and changemakers, I’ve seen firsthand how a little prep goes a long way — not for the camera, but for you. Here’s how to prepare for a shoot that feels effortless, aligned, and true to who you are.

1. Clarify Your Intention

Ask yourself: What do I want these photos to communicate?
Editorial portraits can be bold, quiet, raw, or styled. But they should always feel like you, not a costume. Are you entering a new creative era? Rebranding? Telling a story? Bringing this clarity helps guide the shoot without boxing you in.

💡 Pro Tip: Share references, songs, colors, or textures that inspire you. Moodboards aren’t just trendy — they’re a creative blueprint.

2. Dress Like Yourself — But Elevated

Think of it like this: you on your best day, not you in disguise.

Clothes should complement your vibe, not compete with it. Editorial doesn’t mean over-the-top unless that’s your truth. Neutral tones, strong silhouettes, interesting textures — these all photograph beautifully. Avoid overly busy patterns or logos unless it’s intentional.

💡 Bring options. Even 2–3 looks can offer variation without overwhelming the shoot.

3. Rest, Hydrate, and Ground Yourself

This isn’t just vanity — it’s energetic. A well-rested, grounded body photographs differently. The camera picks up more than angles; it picks up presence.

Drink water. Stretch. Breathe. Take space the morning of the shoot to be with yourself. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s alignment.

4. Trust the Photographer (aka Me)

When we shoot together, you’re not just stepping in front of a lens — you’re stepping into a safe space. I’ll guide you, direct with intention, and read the energy. You don’t have to perform. You just have to show up.

Together, we’ll co-create something honest, cinematic, and resonant. That’s the TIKA approach.

5. It’s More Than Photos — It’s Your Legacy

The right editorial portrait session can change how people see you — but more importantly, it can change how you see yourself. These images often become part of press kits, portfolios, social content, and future brand storytelling.

But they’re also markers of your growth. Your evolution. Your becoming.

Final Thoughts

If you're preparing for your first or fiftieth editorial portrait session, remember: this is collaboration, not performance. You don’t need to force anything. You’re already enough.

And if you’re ready to create something cinematic, soulful, and story-rich — I’m here. Let’s shoot.

Ready to book? Get in touch here or visit the Collab page.

The Moment I Photographed Janelle Monáe — and What It Taught Me About Presence

Last weekend, I had the honor of photographing Janelle Monáe during her set at Wonderfront Festival in San Diego — the city I call home and the backdrop of so many of my creative chapters.

Janelle was on tour, electrifying the stage with a performance that was, in a word, alive. Not just technically brilliant — but soul-forward, unfiltered, and utterly present. I was lucky enough to shoot with a “god pass”, which gave me access to photograph her performance as well as other artists like Orion Sun, another creative force who brought deep, reflective energy to the stage.

Photographing Presence, Not Just Performance

As a photographer focused on editorial storytelling and artist-aligned work, what I look for isn’t just the light or the angle — it’s the moment where the artist forgets they’re being seen. The way Janelle occupied that stage? That was presence. She wasn’t performing for us — she was simply existing with us. That’s rare.

I shot on both digital and film, leaning into the raw, tactile feel of 35mm to catch the in-between — the smirk between lyrics, the sweat along the collarbone, the eye contact that cuts through the crowd.

The film isn’t developed yet, and still — I can feel it humming. Can’t wait to see what we got.

What This Teaches Me as a Photographer

Photographing Janelle Monáe reminded me why I do what I do.

It’s not about volume. It’s not about perfection. It’s about creating images that honor the artist’s energy without interrupting their flow.

That’s the foundation of TIKA Studios — editorial photography rooted in presence, cinematic style, and respect for the creative pulse of the moment. Whether I’m documenting a tour stop, shooting an editorial campaign, or capturing behind-the-scenes moments for an artist’s next era, I aim to preserve the truth of who they are, not just how they look.

Based in San Diego, Creating Everywhere

This moment was a full-circle one — photographing one of my dream artists while she's on tour, in my own city, alongside other talents like Orion Sun. San Diego is where I live, but the creative vision travels. If you're an artist, creative director, or publication looking to collaborate on tour photography, live performance documentation, or editorial portraiture, I’m ready.

The stage may be temporary, but the image? That’s the part that lasts.

Looking to work together? Reach out here or check out my Portfolio to see more editorial and live music work.

Not Just a Rebrand — A Realignment: The Transition from By Darius to TIKA Studios

For a while, I was just moving. Saying yes to projects because they paid. Shooting weddings, working with brands — grateful, but disconnected. Over time, the spark I had for photography dimmed — it no longer felt like mine.

What once felt exciting and instinctive started to feel distant.
I wasn’t creating from instinct or curiosity anymore. I was creating based on what others needed. The work didn’t feel collaborative. It didn’t feel alive.

At one point, I even asked myself — do I still want to be a photographer? That question stopped me. Not because I didn’t love photography, but because I realized how far I’d drifted from why I started.

In the beginning, I wasn’t chasing clients or checking boxes. I was chasing the feeling — the urge to create, to tell stories, to make something that lasts. That’s what TIKA Studios is about. It’s me coming back to my original intention.

I don’t want to be just another photographer — local or otherwise — churning out photos to stay booked. I want to make art. I want to capture emotion in motion. I want to create work that people feel — years later. Work that doesn’t go out of style because it was never about trends to begin with.

That doesn’t mean I’m stepping away from weddings or brands. It means I’m doing them differently now. With people who want to co-create, who value my perspective, and who trust me to shape the story — not just deliver what’s expected.

TIKA is not about cranking out galleries. TIKA is about making photographs that hold presence, carry memory, and live far beyond the moment they were taken.

If you’ve followed me from By Darius, thank you for witnessing my growth. If you’re new here — welcome. I’m no longer creating just to create.
I’m here to make work that lasts — honest, considered, and in rhythm with my perspective and purpose.