Post Apocalyptic Photo Shoot....

Hey YLF family. So this is something I've wanted to do for a long time. My birthday and finding the right photographer to do the shoot and to see my vision had to be found. The search stopped when I bumped into a wonderful photographer. Because my last non photo shoot had me all up inmy feelings. (Feeling sad and unloved for a brief moment) My shoot was all about ME.

My 42nd birthday was May 9th and I wanted to do something to really celebrate it. I contacted Robert Nunn photographer extraordinary to help me bring my vision to life.

No Makeup No Lipstick Just Me and My Perscription Sunglasses.

I wanted a post apocalyptic look and he did that.

All the clothes were Thrifted and styled by myself. I did not by anything new.

Robert is the wonderful photographer who did our 1st ever Thrift Tea Brunch he has an amazimg vision and sense of openness, joy, and a humble spirit that is phenomenal. My vision and fashion style and uniqueness could only be captured by him.

My advise to you is to never blend into the background you are worthy of so much more no matter what your size age or income. Never let your isms stop you from success.

This the link that was the final de yto do a photo shoot.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....y-feelings

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51 Comments

  • Sal replied 7 years ago

    Wow, this is fab Ledonna.  I am pleased you did this for yourself, and shared it with us to enjoy too.  Your photographer has done a spectacular job of capturing your style and personality and strength and I love the urban setting.

    My favourite outfit is the first one - what a stunner on you.....

    And my favourite photo is No 3 - I love the colours and the lines and yet you are still the focus.

  • Brooklyn replied 7 years ago

    Oh wow! Just wow! What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday. The photos are great and you look AMAZING! Thanks for sharing :)

  • Sally replied 7 years ago

    They are gorgeous Ledonna.  Like the other Sally, I also really like the first outfit....you look so sexy and chic.  The other ones are Fab and you have some amazing outfits but that really stood out.    I like the whole apocalyptic backdrop to the photos...way to go!

  • Jjsloane replied 7 years ago

    How awesome! Great fashion and photos. I am partial to the twirling skirt, but all the looks are fab on you.

  • replied 7 years ago

    What a wonderful gift to yourself. The photographer really captured your spirit. I love them. Happy Birthday.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing birthday gift. Such amazing photos! You have such flair for creating outfits and although there is a toughness coming through, I see your softness as well. Fabulous.

  • Momo replied 7 years ago

    Oh Ledonna. These are just beautiful.

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 7 years ago

    These are so cool, Ledonna Beyond Thunderdome

  • Chris987 replied 7 years ago

    Totally Awesome. I occasionally look at fashion blogs other than YLF (although less and less) and none of them are as fab as this single photo shoot of you Ledonna. You have some serious style. Really serious!  And as always love your wise words about self confidence and all things related.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Ledonna first happy birthday I am dazzled at these beautiful pictures continues to move us forward in this beautiful dream
    I also love the beautiful environment of Chicago

  • replied 7 years ago

    You've taken my breath away and left me speechless, Ledonna. Your artistry + the photographer's artistry = exhibition worthy. You both have the most incredible talent. What are you going to do with these pics? They must find walls to hang on.

    The post-apoc message of strength from the ashes comes through so powerfully here.

    They are all faves, but 3 and 13 are mega standouts for me. They tell such stories.

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Kiwi/Sally I did not think about the lines and the flow it is really a strong image.

    Sally the first outfit was based on the Jackson 5 mural. Lol I did not know it would come out so well.

    Jjsloane this is my favorite as well. I spun around so much I got dizzy. Lol

    Diane G. I'm glad you can see it. Robert the photographer was so professional and told me how to soften my look. I told him I could not be soft because I was in the army for 10 years and then worked in jeans and boots around guys all day. Lol he had the patients of a saint.

    Chris Thank you so much I'm humbled and wowed.

    Brenard, Brooklyn, Momo,Delurked, Ummlila, Thank you all so much for your kind words.

  • bella replied 7 years ago

    Wow! #10 is amazing. My favorite hands down!

  • cobaltblue replied 7 years ago

    What an amazing photo shoot! I am especially drawn to #11 - the lighting and lines (and your fab self in the drab). Makes me think of Rosie the Riveter (strong) but still strong even in a decayed, post-apocalyptic environment.

    (Will stop blabbing incoherently - think I need my morning tea.)

  • marianna replied 7 years ago

    Wow! You look beautiful, strong and confident! These are fantastic shots and your photographer did an amazing job!

  • pil replied 7 years ago

    Wow Ledonna, so cool - I love this! And belated Happy Birthday too :)

  • Colette replied 7 years ago

    This collection of pictures is moving and stunning. You are beautiful, feminine and fierce. I feel your strength as I look at each picture but at the same time it is soft and calm. Both you and your photographer are truly artists. What a great collaboration! These need to find their way to a gallery.

    I don't get to the city much but I would love to know where to find that J5 mural.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Ledonna, this is beyond amazing. You are SO FAB. I absolutely love the strength, power, and resilience that comes through in these photographs. I love what Colette said above -- strength but also calm. There is something resolved here. You are a force. 

    I want to see this in an exhibition -- you and your photographer outdid yourselves. It is impossible to pick a favourite but the one of you striding past that mural took my breath away, and I am also a huge fan of #4 and #5. WOW

    The textures of the metal, the lines of the criss-crossing beams, and the power of your stance are such a strong statement. 

    Rock on, amazing woman. 

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    Oh what a fabulous idea! Great locations, amazing outfits. You Look Fab!

  • replied 7 years ago

    Brilliant and fabulous.  You picked the perfect photographer.  Urban grittiness with fierce beauty rising above it all.

  • RobinF replied 7 years ago

    This is great, what an amazing birthday gift for yourself! Your photographer did a wonderful job, looks like a magazine spread. Those locations look so neat as backdrops too. Love it!

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    Wow, what a fun birthday gift to yourself.  These photos are great and I love your outfits - all so creative and interesting.  I especially love #1 with the denim.  I'm usually pretty adverse to denim on denim looks (comes from living in the southwest where jeans and a denim jacket is super common) but I love this with the boots and hat.

  • Janet replied 7 years ago

    Wow! Happy belated birthday, and how freakin' cool are these photos?! Not only do you ooze attitude and look totally cool, but your photographer really nailed the balance of location, composition, light, and your fabulous self (I am a photographer so I do not praise lightly). Please pass along my compliments to the photog. But most importantly, you look killer.

    I hate being in front of the camera (much more comfortable behind it), but part of me wants to do something like this before I get old. ;-)

  • Diana replied 7 years ago

    Oh my goodness, this is just AMAZING, Ledonna. You and the photog together have created an incredible vision. I really like the inclusion of the mural, the idea that even in a post apocalyptic wasteland some small things of beauty still persist. And then of course YOU, you are so fierce and powerful and life affirming. There's a story here, I'm sure of it.

    Anyway, fantastic all around. I can't choose a favorite, but really love 3,4, and 6.

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    I love your striped outfit. So fierce. Happy Birthday!

  • texstyle replied 7 years ago

    WELL DONE!  What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday Ledonna - I agree your photographer did a brilliant job working with you to capture the feeling, light, and style you have.

  • Joyce B replied 7 years ago

    What a beautiful birthday celebration!
    You found the best photographer to capture your fabulousness!

  • Cococat replied 7 years ago

    Amazing images Ledonna! What a fab birthday gift to yourself.

    Happy birthday for the 9th!

  • BlondeAmbition replied 7 years ago

    You look amazing, I love this!  You've given me a idea for my own birthday!

  • rebekahphoto replied 7 years ago

    these are really amazing! love the concept, and love the execution even more. Fabulous texture, lines and attitude--great attention to the camera! really a great birthday present to yourself---happy birthday!

    your maximal fashion sense comes through and it is so clear your love of fashion is tremendous! thanks for sharing.

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Killer pics, outfits and idea. You will cherish this experience forever. 

  • replied 7 years ago

    Wow - I don't even know what to say!  These photos are  so timeless and stunning . Happy Birthday to you, sweet lady.

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    LOVE IT.  I should have done this for my birthday.  Well, I guess I still could... Happy birthday!

  • LACeleste replied 7 years ago

    Absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing LeDonna!  I love them all!

  • Jane replied 7 years ago

    These are gorgeous photos! I think shoots like this work when the subject is completely committed to the moment and you so clearly are there and present.

    Thank you so much for sharing.

  • RoseandJoan replied 7 years ago

    Ledonna, your warmth shines through like those moments of humanity I cherish on The Walking Dead.

    I love your birthday gift and cannot thank you enough for sharing xo

  • Echo replied 7 years ago

    Ledonna, you look absolutely amazing. I love how the real YOU shines through in these shots, and I am glad that you were honest with the photographer about not trying to look like something you didn't feel was true to yourself. Your outfits are amazing, and I especially love the twirling picture and the pictures looking up at you. 

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    Stunning. Gorgeous. Worthy of a magazine spread. But rather than post apocalyptic I see them as incredibly life affirming. I guess if it is post apocalyptic you are a survivor though. 

  • Sheila replied 7 years ago

    Fabulous. I was going to say that #4 is my favorite, but then I kept looking and looking and was just overwhelmed by your spirit and the artistry -- both of your photograher and of your styling. Really, this is just perfection. And I am NOT a flatterer.

  • kellygirl replied 7 years ago

    These are terrific! You have such an amazing sense of style. Fantastic locations too. This is such a cool birthday idea!

  • greycat6 replied 7 years ago

    Happy Birthday, Ladonna! The photos truly take my breath away and am humbled that you have shared them with us. You spirit and strength shine brightly in all of these. Rock on!

  • Nadya replied 7 years ago

    These are AMAZING pics! Thanks for sharing and what a wonderful present to give yourself. 

  • Flytigress replied 7 years ago

    You are so damn awesome!!!  Much respect.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    a belated happy birthday to you, Ledonna! These photos are just stunning. So deep and intriguing, they draw me in. They capture your incredible style, power, and femininity. To me, #4 looks like an allusion to Atlas; you are a skirted, twirling goddess, holding up the scaffolds of the world around you. #2 seems such an iconic shot, too--I love it! I'm impressed that you even came up with this creative idea to celebrate your birthday, let alone that you pulled it off with such prowess. Bernard's word "dazzling" is so apt.

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Thank you all for your kind words. This shoot was about so much of my journey in life.

    Never in life feeling beautiful or sexy. Surviving and thriving after war and abuse. Being kind and loving self. Being a huge fan of Afro steampunk and sci-fy. Never being in the backhand living out loud and bringing my full self to the table. Believing in my Creator and how if I am created in the image of the great I AM his could I not love myself. Living as if only this is my last day.

    My photographer Robert did my shoot for free. Shhhh don't tell anyone. I was going to pay him we met on a thrifting FB page along with my sister circle group. He said he wanted to shoot me from the first time he saw my wonderful Thrifted Tea outfit. We sat and talked about my journey and his. It was then he decided to shoot me for free. It amazed me he could capture what I alway though I saw. But did not EVER see in pictures. I will always treasure this experience and the friendship we have made.

    I'm including my favorite picture so far and also the first picture he took of me way back when.

  • Vix replied 7 years ago

    Hi Ledonna --

    What a beautiful collaboration. Sounds like two melding perfectly to create one vision.

    I admit I was a little confused by the post's title as I didn't see how #1 was post-apocalyptic unless it was capturing the Warrior Queen leading her comrades with confidence!

    But of course I had to click open and then all was revealed.

    As others said, hard to pick favorites. Aside from #1 I'm extra-drawn to  2, 4, 8, and 13.

    Thanks for sharing and happy birthday!

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Vix I'm glad you took the chance to take a look.

  • crazyone replied 7 years ago

    wow, I love all these photos!  You look amazing, as do your post-apocalyptic surroundings.  I've never found this much beauty in rust :)  Happy belated birthday!

  • Bonnie replied 7 years ago

    I am so impressed with the styling, photography, and beauty, in these photos. What a wonderful imagination you have. And you not only imagine, but make it happen. Thanks for sharing.

  • celia replied 7 years ago

    Wow, this is seriously awesome. The photos are amazing and the outfits are fabulous.
    Maybe I will do this for my 42 , but I want to be a witch.

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Hey family in glad you enjoyed the pictures. Celia you should do it. The best feeling in the world.

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