Photo by // Nguyen Quang Von
edie magazine
photo by // laurence philomene
Editors Note..............................................008 Features................................................010 Mike Bailey Gates.....................................012 Valerie Chiang...........................................022 Amber Seegmiller......................................032 India Rose.................................................040 Amber Ortolano.........................................048 Ediepedia.............................................056 The Radical Practice...................................058 Edie Idols...................................................060 Edie Classics..............................................064 Edie’s Last Hurrah......................................066 Space Oddity..............................................082 Moon Babe................................................094 Last Goodbye............................................102 Moss..............................................104
table of contents
q Edie News
So this is the end. It’s weird, I went into this thinking it would never end and that’s silly, in retrospect. I actually believed that I would forever be who I was in high school. As I grew up I realized that Edie wasn’t growing with me like I thought she would. I want to move on from Edie and try new things with a project that is more flexible for growth. On the other hand, Edie was good for me in the sense that she helped me find out who I was, she led me to my dream art school, and
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she introduced me to some of the best artists of my generation. I certainly wouldn’t be who I am today had I not had the experience of Edie. Even though I’m moving on, it doesn’t mean that Edie won’t pop up in my work in the future, I’m sure I’ll be seeing design elements I developed here in my work as a professional. I can only hope that Edie has had a fraction of the impact it’s had on me, on you. I love you all. Keep dreaming, Edie Girls. xo, Megan
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Maddie & Megan illustration by // ismay ozga
*So sorry about last minute cuts. It’s a wonder we got this issue out at all, and if you got cut, so sorry!
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IKE BAILEY GATES
At only seventeen years old, Mike Bailey Gates has already covered magazines from all over the globe. He grew up in Rhode Island, but will be attending New York City’s School of Visual Arts in the fall. E: Where do you get the inspirations for your shoots? MBG: I can’t really say, it’s different every-time. Inspiration for shoots has always come from everywhere. It can start as a big huge idea that I have to dumb down, or it can be something small that progresses in to something much bigger. I try to shoot ideas or things that I love, and work with that idea. Magazines, movies, a shadow on the wall, just looking at something for a long enough time; it all can end up as a shoot. E: How long do you plan a shoot in advance, what are some of your creative processes along the way? MBG: Some shoots I do are just done very quickly, and thrown together in a few hours. But big shoots take time. I just finished the gypsy runaways shoot, which took a month to get everything together. A friend and I spent our weekends building carnival props, watching movies like the red shoes, charlie chaplin the circus, Bollywood films, and photocopying physic books. I spent a lot of time refitting dresses, going to thrift stores, sewing new clothes. I met with a designer, Amanda Goss, and used some of her work in the shoot which worked out great. I try to draw everything out first, and then make the props for each photo. But in the end it’s usually just me watching the model interact with a world we created, and taking back some photos to show people. E: How old were you when you took a serious interest in photography? MBG: I don’t think I’ve ever taken anything I do too seriously, because then it stops being enjoyable. I think
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started photography when I was about 14, and it’s kind of worked its way up from there. E: What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming semester at SVA? MBG: The people. I love looking at other people’s artwork, you get to know a person quickly. I love new people , new faces new cultures, it’s all exciting and new. I’m excited to just be in NYC and be surrounded by new things and people. E: How do you think your work has changed over the years? MBG: I understand the camera more and my taste in photographs have gotten much better. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to execute an idea the way I want to. I’m not taking photos of rain drops on roses or whiskers on kittens anymore, like I did when I started off. I’m not an expert, but I’m not just blindly doing something I love. I’m waiting for the day when I can take a photo and like what I did. E: Why photography? MBG: I do paint, and I do draw, but I’m comfortable with photo. It’s the easiest way for me to make an idea realistic. Which is kind of lazy in a way, but it works for me in the end. E: What kind of message do you want your viewers to take from your photographs? MBG: An idea of curiosity and wanting to know more. I always try to tell a story, I’ve always found that interesting. E: What achievement in photography are you most proud of? MBG: The photo of the roses falling onto the boring office tiles, I am very proud of that photo.The ideas between the abstract roses, and the boring concrete world of the tiled floor is something I love. They play off each other and it’s an interesting relation ship between the two worlds, which has become a theme for my photos. E: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? MGB: Poor bum living in the subway tunnels, crawling, clutching my BFA to my chest screaming, “ THIS IS PERFORMANCE ART.”
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I want to color in all four windows by the time I die, and have a house full of people and things.
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The other one is a small house behind my ear. I had this idea when I was younger, and I decided to get it. Right now going off to NYC and graduating high-school, I have an empty house. As I meet people, marry, kids, jobs, just when important things happen to me, or things move in to my life, I will get a window in the house colored in yellow, to show someone is home.
E: Would you say that you have a muse, if so, how has she influenced your work? MBG: My friend Shannon, the red head model, has been in my life since I was little. She’s my neighbor and we were on the same soccer team since we were six ( The hornets woo!). She’s always been a friend to me, and my inspiration. She wasn’t always very natural in front of the camera, but after years of helping me with shoots she is a muse, and I’m going to miss her when I move. When I am thinking of a story, she is always the main character. She should have been born in to a book. E: Why have you decided to use gypsies and their lifestyle in your recent work? MBG: The lifestyle is very interesting to me. I like all the stories they must have to tell, and how easy it is to think of a situation for them to be in. Hiding on trains,
swings on the lake, traveling on wheels, it’s all very photogenic and I’m kind of jealous of them in a way. I just came to the realization that I’m living rebelliously through my work ”begins to sob” E: Are there any contemporary photographers/artists that you gain inspiration from? MBG: Steven Meisel, Kara Walker, Sofia Coppola, Tim Walker, Koto Bolofo, Marc Jacobs, Cass Bird E: How does a male perspective fit into fashion-oriented photo shoots? MBG: I don’t really think it matters to be honest. E: Who is your dream collaborator? MBG: To collab with Lula magazine, Rodatre, or with someone like Sofia Coppola would be a dream and a half.
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SUMMER IN
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Photos by // Valerie Chiang
N THE CITY
Interview by // Maddie Walters
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E: Do you strive for certain colors or tones in your pictures? If so, why? VC: I do strive for softer tones in my photos, but mostly I strive for a feeling of calmness or melancholy. The colors and tones come naturally as a result of the feeling I want to achieve.
on a photoshoot), I would probably spend at least fourteen hours a week on photography. I would spend much more if I had a shoot because I take forever to edit. I know it might not seem as if I spend so much time on it because I rarely do shoots (lack of models), but I’m always thinking about it.
E: How long have you been interested in photography? VC: I’ve been seriously taking photos for about two years now.
E: Besides photography, what other interests do you put time and effort into? VC: Piano and school! I also read a lot, and watch a lot of films.
E: What was it like to do a photo shoot in Taiwan? (the shoot featured in Edie) VC: It was great fun! I was born in Taiwan and have visited many times but I’ve never thought I would do photoshoots there! I found a modeling agency who was willing to do test shoots with me. I am ever so thankful because I contacted so many agencies but only one was interested.
E: Where do you see your photography going in the next 5 years? VC: I don’t know, but hopefully I’ll be better off than I am now. I’d like to be represented and live in New York.
E: Does fashion or travel influence your work more? Why? VC: I think fashion influences my work more. I love looking through on-location editorials and finding inspiration. E: Does your model influence the tone of a shoot? VC: I thought about this for a while and I’d have to say that the model really doesn’t influence the tone of the shoot. I choose models carefully, people that fit my style, so I almost always dra up ideas before I choose a model. E: How much time would you say that you devote to photography on a weekly basis? VC: I guess looking for inspiration/practicing/ drawing ideas counts as photography as well, so even if I don’t have a photoshoot that week (I spend anywhere from one to four hours
E: Who is your dream collaborator? VC: As for a model, I’d love to work with Sasha Pivovarova. Grace Coddington also immediately popped into my head when I heard the question. E: Do you prefer to use modeling agencies or people that you know? VC: I prefer modeling agencies. I like getting to know people, and honestly, agency models are more reliale and responsible when returning emails and phone calls. I freak out when someone doesn’t reply right away because I plan everything out so carefully. E: What kind of editing process do your photos go through? VC: I edit in Adobe Photoshop, and I mostly use layers and curves to edit colors. I rarely do anything drastic like remove a background and replace it with something else. I usually edit for about an hour or so and then go back to look at the photos again. Then I take a day off and look at the edited photos the next to see if
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I’m truly satisfied. I just keep doing this until I really like what I see.
I’ll be doing photoshoots on my breaks back home.
E: Why did you decide to submit to Edie? VC: I think I found out about Edie through Shelbie Dimond (featured in our third issue), and I just adored the design of the magazine! You guys are great!
E: Of all the places you’ve lived, which has been your favorite? VC: I’ve only lived in two places, Michigan and North Carolina. I love North Carolina because I live in a much larger area that the small town I grew up in in Michigan. There are more opportunities to do what I want. I do love Michigan too though, since I grew up there and it’s full of Childhood memories.
E: What are your plans for the fall? VC: I’ll be heading back to school in September. I’m a sophomore in college. Hopefully
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India Rose India Rose is a 14 year old photographer, living in Portland.
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E: What is it like to have another photographer in the family?
E: Do you prefer to plan your photos or just go with the flow?
IR: If she wasn’t a photographer I’m not sure i would be one either. When i ask her to do something ridiculous for a photo she never cares (usually) I think it would be really weird if only i liked photography. It wouldn’t be as easy to photograph her i don’t think, she understands what i want to convey.
IR: Well, like i said, i love candid photo’s, i rarely ever have an idea in mind when i take a photo, i take my camera everywhere, i never want to miss anything. I love photo’s that remind me of a certain feeling, like going on a bike ride or running through a field. Memories, ones that make me happy when i look back at them.
E: Why do you prefer film to digital photography?
E: What is a normal day like in your life?
IR: I think film has more feeling, i love the little imperfections. It always different. And i love the vintage feel it has.
IR: I’m home schooled, so i don’t exactly have a schedule. But i do volunteer work, so a couple days a week i do that in the morning, but if I’m not doing that, i usually wake up late. When its really light in the morning i wake up and open my blinds, to let the light in, and then i lay in bed until i really wake up, it’s lovely. My days consist of reading, going on the roof, and hanging out over at my older sister’s.
E: How has photography influenced your life so far? IR: I know this sounds cheesy, but it does make me look at things differently, I’m always looking at things and wondering “Hmmm, would that look good if i took a photo?”. E: What season inspires you the most? IR: Summer. During the winter when I’m inside a lot i have a hard time thinking of ideas. I love natural light and i love candid photo’s.
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E: What kind of goals do you have for your future in photography? IR: I want to get over being so afraid to ask people if i can take their picture. I always feel awkward, even asking people i know sometimes, i need to get over that.
E: Who or what has guided your work so far? IR: Lots of people on flickr, theres so many people on there who are really fantastic photographers, and they inspire me. E: Would you consider photography your main creative outlet? IIR: If so, what are some other ways you try to stay creative/inspired? Yes, it definitely is. But i really like to make cards (that sounds really dorky) and i also like to write a little. E: Which photograph would you say is your best or your favorite? IIR: This is one of my very favorites. I can’t really explain why. E: How has your age affected your work? A lot of my friends i take photo’s with are around my age, pretty young, so i think my photo’s have a bit of care-freeness to them. IR: Why did you first start taking pictures? Because of my sister. I started messing around with her camera and thought it was really fun. A little over two years ago i
got a film camera. Which is when my style in photography changed from taking photo’s of flowers to actually trying to be creative and have my own style. E: How would you define your personal style and does that affect your photography in any way? IR: I like pretty/girly stuff, i really adore floral and anything vintage. I think it affects my photography somewhat, I like my photo’s to be light and pretty and have a bit of a vintage feel to them. E: What do you think is the most important quality an artist/photography can have and why? IR: I think they shouldn’t be scared, scared of what others are going to think, if you get to caught up in that you could start doing things for other people, because you think they would like it, not you. E: What kind of concepts do you try to portray in your photos? IR: I want people to look at my photo’s and feel like they can understand what its like to be there. I want to portray a different view of everyday life. I want to portray emotions.
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AMBER ORTOLANO
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E: How and when did photography draw you in? AO: I was about 12 when I first started photography. At that point I had heard of Flickr before, and my dad had just bought a tiny point and shoot, so I figured why not! The more I went on flickr, the more I became interested in creating. E: How have you and your photography evolved since you first started taking photos? AO: Oh goodness, my photography has evolved a lot in just a few years. I’ve gone from taking photos of my feet and the sky, to planning and experimenting. I play around a lot more with my photos, instead of just leaving them plain, I mess with them a lot. As for me, I have grown and matured drastically, I’m a complete different person now, which I think shows in my photos. E: Do you see yourself having a photographybased career? Why or why not? AO: I definitely see myself having a photography-based career. I just can’t see myself doing anything else, and I have never had such a huge passion for something in my life. It just feels right. E: Have you taken any photography classes or are you self-taught? How and why has that affected your photographs? AO: I am completely self-taught, mainly because I’m so young and I live in a rural area, I never even had access to photography classes. I feel like I’ve been able to find out my style in a more free environment. I think sometimes photography classes tell you how to do things, and they don’t give you as much freedom to find out who you are creatively. I haven’t had any real critique on my photos, so I’ve been able to critique them myself, which I think has helped me grow a lot. E: What does it take to be a “good photogra-
pher” in your opinion? Do you consider yourself one? AO: In my opinion to be a “good photographer” you have to have passion for what you do. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in tons of magazines or if you’ve done tons of interviews, as long as you have passion for your photography, you can be good. There are obviously many more aspects to being a good photographer, but that is the most important. I think I’m a good photographer, since I have passion for what I do, however some could argue otherwise.
E: What photography equipment do you use most often? AO: I generally use my Nikon d5000, a 50mm lens, and a tripod. E: What are some of your personal photography goals? AO: I haven’t thought too much about my future goals, but currently I’m working on a book and a short film. E: What aspects of photography do you not like
or disagree with? AO: I don’t like that ideas never usually come out how I want them to, but in a way I actually like that, because it surprises me. Other than that I can’t think of much I don’t like or don’t agree with. E: Who are currently some of your favorite photographers? AO: Oh god, there are so many, it’s impossible to include them all. The ones off the top of my head are Paolo Roversi, Sarah Moon,
David Hamilton, Alison Scarpulla, Laurence Philomene, Michele Mobley, Tara Violet, Samuel Pritzker, Erica Joy Segovia, Mike Bailey Gates...the list is endless. E: How would you define photography? AO: As cliche as this sounds, photography defines you. It’s a way for me to express myself, being that i’m very bad at expressing myself any other way. It’s how I show people who I am without even speaking, which is amazing to me.
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The question I get most is “How do you do it?” and I never really know how to answer. How do I love my body? “Why don’t you?” is my usual response. I guess I just don’t think it’s worth it to put so much negative energy into something that represents yourself. It doesn’t matter whether or not you can control it. But telling yourself that you don’t deserve something for long enough can be really dangerous, after a while you start to believe it. It seems wrong not to take advantage of that in a positive way and tell yourself how beautiful you are. Suppressing your personality because of your body is just such a waste of someone really special.
Sure, I’ve been in a hard place with body acceptance for a lot of my life, just like most people. I let myself beat me up. I put up with other people telling me what’s good for me and not good for me and unflattering and just wrong. And I got sick and tired of it. I just don’t see a reason to purposely put yourself down. It’s addictive and depressing and nobody deserves that. There are people in this world who ask the kind of questions like would you still be my friend if I was bald/fat/anorexic/crazy/etc.? When this happens I can’t help but be stunned. Seriously? That’s how shallow you assume I am? But these are, in the best light, an opportunity for learning. I attribute a lot of my toughening-up to middle school. It’s hard, in a world so impacted by Western culture, to not feel pressured, especially as an easily impressionable young girl. I can’t stress how harmful and counter-productive shows like “The Biggest Loser” are. Like most adolescent girls uninformed and uncomfortable with the changes of their body, in an emotionally
abusive environment, I looked up to my peers a lot, and was always alarmed by the physical differences between us, even as a 13 year old girl significantly smaller than I am now. Since I am considered fairly tall, and especially was then for my age, I thought I had to compensate by the rest of my body being tinier. And just because I was delusional about my physical appearance doesn’t mean everyone else was exempt from that too. I dealt with my fair share of bullying, overhearing things in the locker room, snide remarks, having my ponytail yanked hard in the hallway, and even having glue poured down the back of my neck in the middle of art class. These things are hard, and they’re vital to learning and improving cultural views. Not to mention the backhanded compliments many women still receive. Probably the most common: You have a beautiful face! That dress is so slimming on you. But you’re not fat, you’re just “bigger.” and my personal favorite: You look great, have you lost weight? It is so important that the point comes across that skinny is not the only word considered synonymous with beautiful. By no means is fat a bad word. Nor skinny. Body positivity isn’t being nice to fat people. It isn’t shaming those who have eating disorders, or diseases, or just like junk food. There is no one way to be a “real woman.” If you identify as a woman, regardless of your attributes, you are a woman. As a very curvy girl, it makes me really uncomfortable sometimes knowing that some people consider “curvy” to be just an acceptable alternative to being skinny. As though it’s only alright because I have a big butt or boobs. I want to be represented as a person, not as a body. The thing that grinds my gears the most is when someone assumes I must be uncomfortable with my body because of the way others perceive it. Maybe if someone else had my body they wouldn’t be satisfied, but I love it, and that’s enough for me. There are so many people that have found a safe, comfortable environment for themselves to be open about body positivity, especially online. About a year ago, when I started blogging on Tumblr, I was in a very different place mentally. I was determined to lose weight, to feel more at ease among my friends and classmates and family, and look “better.” Predictably, it didn’t
happen. It made me sad that it wasn’t happening, so I ate more. I would get angry at myself and starve myself for a day or two, and then lose all willpower and eat enough for a family of five. Self-destructive to say the least. Anyhow, I was almost immediately introduced to the fat community on Tumblr. I never expected to become a part of it. With blogs like redefiningbodyimage and stophatingyourbody, I feel confident that lives have actually been changed and saved because of body positivity. As somewhat of a stranger to Tumblr, I first stumbled across a blog called “fuckyeahchubbygirls,” and was really shocked. This was a whole community of people telling the internet they loved their chubby thighs, big cheeks, double chins, stomachs, everything. Marginalized groups are great when you’re specifically having problems relative to them, but my interest soon branched out. I finally saw what I was letting myself put up with, and what is perpetuated onto others everyday. I was revolted that I had gone so long being ashamed of my body when there were women who had 150+ pounds on me that were so beautiful and so confident, and so adamant about loving themselves. Once I realized all I was truly missing was confidence, everything changed. I actually appreciated myself, not just told myself that I did when I knew it wasn’t true. And now I consider myself not only an ally of ALL body positivity, but absolutely an advocate of loving yourself, something that I learned is much more important than loving what people think of you. Change your mindset, not your body. It seems as though there is a constant dispute of whether or not one can be simultaneously fat and healthy. The bottom line is that whether or not someone is healthy, it’s no one’s place but their own to judge that. You never know a situation that someone is in, and body-shaming of any kind should really be done away with.
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I believe in not being bound by your body, and not holding anyone else back because of it. Everybody deserves to be loved, not because of their body, and not in spite of it Loving your body and yourself should never need to be a radical thing, but since it so apparently is, then let it be the case. How dare I be happy with myself, right?
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E: What classes in high school or college influenced your post-graduation life decisions? EL: The most influencial teacher I ever had was in high school. I had really nuturing and inspiring Home Economics teacher, she was wonderful. I have always loved art and painting (my mother’s a painter, so I get that from her) but it was through those high school Home Ec classes that I learned about crafting and making things for yourself, which is a big part of Red Velvet today. E: How did you develop such a unique sense of style? EL: My style is always changing and evolving, to me. But I’ve always liked vintage, bold patterns and the handmade life. I’ve always dress a little... different and even in middle school and high school my parents were very encouraging and always urged me and my siblings to be ourselves and have the freedom to think outside the box. E: Who have been the most influential people in your life and why?
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EL: My parents, they are endlessly encouraging and supportive. And my sister and my husband, they inspire me to keep going and give me the love and support I need to do so. E: What does art mean to you? EL: I get asked this type of thing a lot, and I’ll be honest I don’t really know! And I’m probably not really an expert or anything-ha! I know I seem like I have
a really... um... artistic life. But to me, I’m just doing the only things I really know how to do, and following my heart and my dreams. So I guess for me art is just a way of life, my life anyway. E: What achievement are you most proud of? EL: Owning my own business. I’m really proud of everything I’ve done with Red Velvet. I, of course, can’t take all the credit but I’m truly proud of my job and the things we do and stand for. I feel very lucky to be where I am. E: Where are your favorite places shop? EL: I love to thrift and there are quite a few wonderful local vintage shops in my city. When I’m visiting a bigger city I like to go to Anthropologie, love their well curated items and even just their store-front designs and displays are so pretty and inspiring. :) E: Who are some of your fashion icons? EL: I love Twiggy, Jackie O, and Kate Moss. To name a few, that’s sort of a tough question as there are so many amazing and fashionable ladies from the past (and present). E: How do you keep the creative juices flowing after all the years you’ve spent creating? EL: I’m inspired by a lot of things, mostly fashion and great photography lately. I also love to learn about small boutiques or business and how they became successful-those types of stories always inspire me.
y11511 elsie larson Formerly Elsie Flannigan, Elsie Larson is an accomplished entrepenur at only 28 years old. She’s a vintage fashion boutique owner, popular blogger, and a newlywed!
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E: Why is it important for girls to explore creative outlets? EL: I think it’s important for everyone to explore creative outlets, but I myself happen to have a very girlie style. I think finding your own style/voice/etc. is a major self-confidence booster. It helps you to know yourself better and to better understand what makes you unique and special. That’s an important lesson for anyone, at any age or stage in life. E: What are your future plans for your fashion line? EL: Keep growing it. Not necessarily in size or number of designs, but always making it better and better. I love fashion and designing/owning my own line has been a major dream come true. I get excited just thinking about the future of it! E: Here at Edie, we’re celebrating our first “birthday”. Which birthday of yours has been your favorite thus far? EL: Probably my last birthday, just because this past year has been one of the best years of my life! E: What advice would you give to girls who look up to you as a business owner, a creative designer, and an artist? EL: Work hard and be passionate about what you do! Even if you are not yet at your ‘dream job’ put everything you have into what you are doing (your job, your school, your hobby, etc.). It’s a good habit to be in, and you never know who is watching or who you will meet along the way. Opportunities happen when you least expect them, so it’s wise to always be ready and open to possibilities.
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Edie magazine’
models: hayley coo
’s last hurrah
Photosby: MeganCooper & MaddieWalters oper & Shannon conrad & tatiana gantt
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CHECK OUT
WWW.KELSEYGENNA.COM
FOR SOME OF THE DRESSES
USED IN THIS SHOOT
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SPACE ODDITY PHOTOS BY // MEGAN COOPER MODELING BY // MADDIE MIGIS
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n o o m babe ond m m u r ian dan Cooper r a d // eg modetlography // M pho
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WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH thanks again. xoxo megan & maddie
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P.S. be keeping an eye out for...
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