Steph’s Golden Birthday
Steph turned 26 on October 26th, her golden birthday! We knew it needed to feel just as bold and iconic as she is! This was Steph’s first photoshoot ever, so I wanted to make sure she was comfortable and felt herself the whole time. To celebrate, we planned a punk-inspired studio photoshoot filled with attitude, lace, and a cake that would make any Scorpio proud.
As a Phoenix portrait photographer, I love it when clients bring their full personality into a session, and Steph did exactly that! In the studio that afternoon, I set up a soft box on the left to create dramatic shadows and an editorial edge, while a purple light hit the background on the right. The combination gave the images a moody, cinematic look, perfect for her punk birthday theme.
For the shoot, I made her a custom black and purple star-shaped cake with vintage piping and silver accents. Across the top, it read “Scorpio Bitch”, a nod to her zodiac sign. Stars and moons wrapped around the sides like a constellation, tying together the cosmic, punk energy of the session. We also had a smaller cake for her to smash during the shoot!
Steph came ready with two looks that perfectly matched the vibe. The first featured red tights and a vintage clown hat that I designed. Her second outfit featured ripped black tights and lace. Each pose leaned into that edgy editorial style - raw, self-assured, and authentic. Between shots, we blasted One Direction and laughed through the takes.
This photoshoot was more than a birthday celebration; it was a moment of self-expression. A declaration that turning 26 can be as wild, stylish, and transformative as you want it to be. Every frame felt like Steph - bold, a little chaotic, and completely herself.
Makeup Artist: @makeupbystephxx
