PHOTO BY ROBERT J. MARTIN @RJM505
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DAVE @_designprint @indulge_afterhours
DESIGN @_designprint
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
STUART POWELL | Vignettes
RUSS RAY | Vignettes
JAY MADHATTER | @city_built_music
PHOTOGRAPHERS (REGULARS)
JONATHAN WOODEN | @jzw_photo
DONTE TOUSSAINT | @d_2_shootz
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INDULGE After Hours Magazine is owned by DAVE NAVARRO. The magazine, its staff, writers, and photographers have made sure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s)’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content is published in good faith.
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INDULGE After Hours™ is an entertainment magazine that focuses on artists that think out-of-the-box, by expanding their minds and others. This digital publication focuses on creative interviews with individuals that are changing today’s landscape as artists and entrepreneurs, as well as features a diverse and intriging collection of models, photographers, and writers.
COVER MODEL: GABRIELA ORTEGA + KENNETH INGHAM @kiphoto_boudoir
INDULGE | CREDITS + COPYRIGHT
GABRIELA ALICIA ORTEGA + ROBERT J. MARTIN
INDULGE | COVER MODEL
GABRIELA ALICIA ORTEGA + ROBERT J. MARTIN
INDULGE | CONTENTS
GABRIELA ALICIA ORTEGA + kenneth ingram
INDULGE | JENNIFER BY AUTHOR RUSS RAY
MODEL: JOELLE YANN
INDULGE | LITTLE BLACK DRESS BESTIES
MARY RAE + CHELLEY ROSE
INDULGE | SPOTLIGHT
ARIEL LACEY ALLEN + G’S PHOTOGRAPHY
COVER FEATURE + INTERVIEW w/ GABRIELA ALICIA ORTEGA
COVER PHOTO BY ROBERT J. MARTIN
INDULGE | “SELFIE LIFE”
SPICY CANDIE SERIES
INDULGE | MODEL FEATURES
VALERIE SWANK + DOUG MUNGAVIN
DESIREE ROMERO + URIEL LEOS
INDULGE | SELF PORTRAIT SERIES alexandra gomez
SWEETS KASSIDY
Jennifer
BY AUTHOR RUSS RAY
W e met in a hole-in-the-wall bar. We spent the afternoon talking and getting to know each other. She said she was leaving Colorado for work, but she’d be back in a couple of weeks. She leaned across our small cocktail table and said she wanted to see me again. We exchanged numbers. I tucked her number in my pocket and wished her a safe trip.
To say I knew she’d become a big part of my life presupposes I knew anything. I knew nothing. When things are new, men are in control of nothing. We wait for signs and signals. Would she call when she returned?
She called.
Jennifer is one of those women who cause other women to pause and look. It was the 1990s. Her style was grunge. Her beauty was timeless.
I didn’t take her or us seriously. That was fair. She didn’t take me seriously, either. There was no us - until things started to seep in. I’d take her to restaurants and the theater. She’d wear miniskirts and Doc Martin’s. I’d wear a suit. We ran in different circles. Our friends knew about us. We had nothing to hide.
One time we arrived late at the Buell Theater for a production. We were seated up close, center stage. I held her hand and led her to our seats. As we made our way through the seated crowd, I was painfully aware of people staring - conscious of how this appeared. Jennifer was oblivious. She seemed excited.
Model Joelle Yann
Everything we did was concentrated. When we made plans to see each other, I could think of nothing but her. When we argued, I always thought that would be the end of it, and we’d be rid of each other. Then she’d walk through my front door again…
The moments we spent together stretched over a span of years. I can’t say what we had was romantic, but there were bits of mad, intense romance.
She often left me breathless, wondering what just happened. What we had, I could never recreate. We had nothing, and yet we had everything.
LITTLE BLACK DRESS BESTIES MARY RAE CHELLEY ROSE
ORTEGA
ACTRESS + MODEL + PERFORMER
INDULGE: Can you share your journey into the world of professional modeling? How did you get started?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I actually started modeling as a child for a nationwide magazine called After the Stork. My parents even got fan mail lol.
INDULGE: Who or what inspired you to pursue such a competitive career as a model?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: Modeling is just fun for me and I am grateful for every opportunity I have had. I feel that there is yes competition at all, every person brings a unique jennisequa to the table and we should lift each other up.
INDULGE: Can you share some highlights from your boudoir and burlesque modeling career and any memorable experiences you’ve had?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: Definitely! The most recent and maybe one of the funnest shoots I had done was a Pin Up/Hotrod photoshoot on central. We would just run out to the cars and ask if they wanted to take some photos before the light turned green lol. We worked with amazing locals and had a blast doing so.
INDULGE: How do you approach posing and expressing emotions in boudoir shoots to create a comfortable and intimate atmosphere?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I usually work with people i have known for years and most of the photographers i work with are great friends which makes it easy for me to feel comfortable, at home even.
INDULGE: Modeling often involves working with diverse teams of photographers, makeup artists, and stylists. How do you collaborate and communicate effectively to bring a vision to life?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I actually do most of the makeup and styling myself but i do love when there is a whole team behind the madness! It gives me so much energy and I love hearing their ideas or vision.
INDULGE: What challenges have you encountered in the modeling industry, and how did you overcome them?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I have definitely had life challenges where I’ve had to take long periods of time off and getting back in the game can feel awkward.
“A great figure or physique is nice, but it’s confidence that makes someone really sexy.”
–GABRIELA ALICIA ORTEGA ACTRESS + Model + PERFORMER
INDULGE: How do you maintain a professional boundary during intimate photo sessions, ensuring a respectful working environment?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I understand that this is a job that is very similar to acting, We are portraying characters that are telling a story and as long as everyone involved knows that what we are doing is a job (a fun job) there should be no problem.
INDULGE: Working with different photographers, how do you adapt to their unique shooting styles and preferences?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I am really good at taking direction. I understand exactly what you want and I love bringing the photographer’s vision to life. With that being said I do love when they give me free range.
INDULGE: Can you discuss the importance of body positivity and self-confidence in boudoir modeling and burlesque shows, both for yourself and the clients you work with?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I have always said “A great figure or physique is nice, but it’s confidence that makes someone really sexy,” and I 100% believe that to my core. I’ve honestly been all shapes and sizes lol, but no matter what size I am I know that I am strong, in my feminine power and being true to myself. And that’s always beautiful, no matter who you are.
INDULGE: You are also a respected Burlesque Performer and Pole Dance Professional, please share your most memorable experiences and how these professions have enhanced your skills as a model.
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I love Pole dancing & burlesque so much! Honestly if I hadn’t ever started Pole i would not have started to perform in shows, which lead me to Film and TV. From there I have had amazing opportunities dancing and acting for award winning directors for the last several years.
INDULGE: In your opinion, what makes boudoir photography and burlesque truly captivating, and how do you contribute to achieving that as a model?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I love femininity, I love being a woman. No matter what, everyone loves to feel sexy. We feel moved when someone does something sexy for us whether it be a dance or a naughty picture. And for me, embracing that part of me has opened doors.
INDULGE: How do you stay updated on industry trends and continuously improve your skills as a model?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I believe the trick to improving as a model is to just go out there and do it, whether it be with friends, professionals or alone in your room. Just keep doing it, repetition makes perfection.
INDULGE: Can you share any advice for aspiring models looking to establish themselves in the industry?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: Have fun, It’s not a competition as long as you love what you are doing and come from a place of love, good things will happen.
INDULGE: As a professional model, how do you utilize social media and other platforms to enhance your visibility and connect with your audience?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: Social media started out as a photo-sharing app with friends, but has grown to be a huge tool for me. At times I feel bad, because I share none of my personal life and I have a lot of family that follow me. But, social media is a tool to promote your product and I am my product.
“I love femininity, I love being a woman. No matter what, everyone loves to feel sexy.”
–GABRIELA ALICIA ORTEGA ACTRESS + Model + PERFORMER
INDULGE: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance while pursuing a career that demands a hectic schedule?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: It definitely has been difficult for me. As an actor, model and performer I need to keep a flexible schedule which makes it hard for me to find a muggle job if you will.
INDULGE: A little off subject… but I feel that music can often play a big role in our lives. What 5 albums or artists have made you who you are today? And Why?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I’m going to say The Temptations. As a child, my cousins and I would spend hours rehearsing and dancing the choreo. Definitely, anything Justin Timberlake. I have seen him three times and he never disappoints. not to mention, he was my first love and I thought we were going to end up together someday lol, who knows maybe there’s still a chance lol jk. Eminem played a huge role in my teen years and I regret that I haven’t seen him live. These days I am a HUGE Kendrick Lamar and SZA fan and hoping to see them soon. I had seen Kendrick when he came to town as well as The Temptations, but Eminem has slipped through my fingers lol.
INDULGE: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Gabriela Alicia Ortega: I just want to say I am so grateful for where my journey has taken me, it definitely hasn’t been easy, but I wouldn’t change anything! Everything is happening as it should and I just trust the process.
