San Miguel de Allende, Mexico - August 2018

What inspired this photoshoot?

2018 was a pivotal year in my life. It was the year I quit my corporate job of 11 years, let go of my apartment, sold my furniture and car, and set off on a nomadic solo travel journey. I didn’t have much of a plan when I left other than buying one-way tickets. I wanted to be open to spontaneity and see where it would lead. While I was living in Thailand, I was thinking about where to go next. I would be back in the states and didn’t want to stay there long. My friend Brook recommended that I check out San Miguel de Allende. She had lived there years prior and said it was a magical place. I looked up pictures and knew in an instance this was where I wanted to go next.

Much like Antigua, I was drawn to vibrant colors and architectural details of this quaint city. I thought it would be fun to do a photoshoot here. I was getting my nails done and had intentions of doing my hair and makeup myself. When I was checking out, I told the salon owner that I was going to do a photoshoot later that day. His eyes immediately lit up. He told me to come back that afternoon and offered to do my makeup. I could see the joy in his face and how much he wanted to contribute. I immediately said yes!

I had no idea that this shoot would lead to my quest of doing photoshoots in countries all over the world! What started out as a fun project turned into a mission to support local economies by hiring local photographers, artisans, and stylists.

How did you find your outfit?

Prior to leaving the States, I was in Nordstrom and came across this sexy red lace romper from Socialite Clothing (the same designer I wore in the Antigua shoot). I thought it would look perfect on the cobblestone streets of San Miguel. It was unlike anything I had ever worn before, and I knew it would make a statement. I also brought with me a colorful dress I had purchased a Anthropologie prior. Both looks fit this city perfectly.

How did you feel during and after the photoshoot?

Prior to this shoot I had never considered myself as sexy. Yes, I thought I was beautiful and photographed well in pictures, but sexy? Not really. After I had my makeup done and saw the deep red lip color that matched my lace romper, I felt a shift. I felt like a real model walking down the streets of the city. I don’t speak Spanish, nor did my photographer! He had an assistant with him who carried my bags and translated. He told me that people were looking at me as if I was a celebrity. I was flattered and flush from the intrigue.

I will always attribute this shoot as the first time I felt like a real woman who truly embraced her body.

Photoshoot Credits

Photographer: Hilario Garcia, FD Foto Photographer

When looking for photographers, I always start with word of mouth. I asked around if anyone knows of photographers in whichever city I’m visiting. I was referred to Fernando at FD Foto in Mexico. He has a business that covers several areas in Mexico. He contracts out photographers in various locations. He matched me with Hilario Garcia. While neither Hilario nor I spoke each other’s languages, we were able to communicate through mannerisms, smiles, and laughter. He was a joy to work with and did an incredible job capturing this look.

To hire Hilario or one of Fernando’s photographers, contact him through his website https://www.fdfotofer.com/ or via Instagram.

Outfit: Socialite Clothing and Anthropologie

Red Lace Romper was found at Nordstrom. The designer is Socialite Clothing. This is the second look by them that I’ve worn in a photoshoot. The first look was in 2017 in Antigua, Guatemala.

Hair + Makeup: Victor at Beauty Lab Room

Victor is the owner of this awesome salon in San Miguel. They offer a wide variety of services from nails and massage to hair and makeup. If it wasn’t for Victor, I may not have gotten the inspiration for my quest of doing photoshoots in countries all over the world! Victor offering to do my makeup change the trajectory of this whole experience. He was a joy to work with and did an impeccable job on my makeup!