A Cinematic Birthday: From Themed Shoots to Gothic Couture
With my birthday falling on the ultimate spooky day—Friday the 13th—I couldn't resist creating something unforgettable. I've always loved planning my celebrations a year in advance, and though I'm not quite that age during the photo shoot, it adds a touch of magic—like a glimpse into the future. This year's concept brings together everything I adore: an 80s pinup Halloween vibe infused with elements of vampires, Carrie, and Friday the 13th. The mashup perfectly captures my love for Halloween and all things bold and unconventional.
Choosing Carrie was also meaningful—she's different, and I can relate to her story in many ways. I brought the first part of the Carrie theme to life at my house, transforming the space into a moody, dramatic setting. I also used my home as the backdrop for the vampire cowgirl concept, which blended gothic and country aesthetics in a way that felt uniquely me.
This entire photoshoot took about nine hours to complete, and every moment was packed with creativity and energy. We started with the vampire cowgirl theme at Whataburger, adding a playful and unexpected twist to the shoot. From there, we returned to my house to capture the second part of the vampire cowgirl concept. Next, I shifted into the Carrie theme, shooting dramatic indoor scenes at home before heading to a nearby park to recreate the eerie, iconic imagery of Friday the 13th.
As part of this celebration, I also did a fun session at Buc-ee's as a personal goodbye to Texas since I’m making the exciting move to New York. Once we wrapped up the shoot, I had to quickly switch gears and start packing for a trip to Hawaii the next day. It was a whirlwind experience, but the effort and creativity that went into this photoshoot made it all worth it.
This was one of my favorite shoots—it challenged me creatively and pushed me to explore new ideas. I loved every moment, and I’m already planning my next birthday photoshoot. I can’t wait to see where my creativity takes me next!
This year’s birthday photoshoot inspiration board was my most detailed yet, combining everything I envisioned for my 28th birthday. With my birthday landing on Friday the 13th, I wanted bold, spooky, and magical themes. From 80s pinup vibes and Halloween aesthetics to touches of Carrie and gothic glam, every pin helped me refine my ideas, from outfits to nails, makeup, and set design.
Pinterest has been my go-to tool for years, but this board felt incredibly personal and exciting—it captured all the creative energy I poured into this project. Every detail was carefully considered, and this board was the foundation for bringing it all to life.
Story Time
In a playful twist on the Friday the 13th theme, I created a storyline where Jason transforms into Cowboy Jason, complete with boots and a hat, blending his classic horror persona with a Texan flair. Cowboy Jason is entangled in a dramatic love triangle with two very different vampire women—Vampire Cowgirl and Vampire Carrie.
The story begins at Whataburger, where Cowboy Jason and Vampire Cowgirl are on a seemingly innocent date. Little does Vampire Cowgirl know Jason is playing her—he’s also secretly involved with Vampire Carrie. As the drama unfolds, Cowboy Jason and Vampire Carrie get into a heated argument, prompting her to shed her cowgirl identity and reclaim her individuality. The tension builds, and in true Jason fashion, he kills Vampire Carrie, stealing her prom queen sash as a trophy.
But Jason’s fatal mistake? He doesn’t realize Vampire Carrie is undead. Rising from her defeat, she tracks him down to exact her revenge. She ultimately kills Cowboy Jason, putting an end to his manipulative games. After a long night, Vampire Carrie stops by Buc-ee’s to fill up on gas, grab some beer nuggets, and enjoy a well-earned ice before heading off into the night, victorious and ready to reclaim her power.
Whataburger is huge in Texas, and I thought incorporating it into my 28th birthday shoot felt perfect. Even though I’m not the biggest fan of Whataburger these days (it’s just not as good as it used to be and way overpriced), it still holds that nostalgic Texas charm. Adding it to the shoot was my way of nodding to my roots and bringing a little piece of Texas flair into the concept. It felt like a fun, creative way to tie my home state into the theme.
Vampires have always been a part of me. When I was a child, I struggled with reading due to my dyslexia. But in sixth grade, a girl gave me a book about vampires by P.C. Cast, written by a mother-daughter duo. That book changed everything for me—I fell in love with vampires and their mysterious allure.
The concept of vampires fascinates me—their power, ability to eat anything, timeless beauty, and the fact that they don’t age. It’s the ultimate fantasy of perfection, strength, and immortality. Every year, I embrace being a vampire somehow, so I knew I had to incorporate that energy into my 28th birthday photoshoot.
Finally, creating a vampire-inspired shoot brought me so much joy—spooky smiles. It was the perfect way to channel my love for Halloween and my lifelong connection to vampires. Seeing myself transformed into this timeless, powerful character felt nostalgic and empowering. Vampires have always captured my imagination, and now I’ve captured them in my creative vision
Halloween in the past—especially in the 1980s—had the best kind of spooky vibes. It was all about the thrill of the unknown, eerie excitement, and hauntingly cool aesthetics. For my 28th birthday, I wanted to recreate that nostalgic charm, complete with vintage-inspired details and a touch of creativity.
One must-have for my photoshoot? A real hay bale. After some searching, I found an affordable one at a pet shop in Houston and brought it into my apartment to complete the look. My apartment had a wall that had become my go-to spot for all my DIY birthday photoshoots—it was the perfect blank canvas to bring my vision to life.
This year, the spooky vibes, DIY elements, and creative touches made my 28th birthday photoshoot one to remember. It celebrated my love for Halloween and the artistry of crafting something unique and meaningful.
Carrie is a Halloween classic—a character many women channel for her hauntingly iconic look. However, I have a deeper connection to Carrie. Like her, I’ve faced bullying, and when creating a concept, I always strive to find a personal connection that allows me to bring it to life in a unique and meaningful way.
For my 28th birthday photo shoot, I reimagined Carrie as a couture vampire—Vampire Carrie. I wanted to take her story and give it a creative, fashion-forward twist. I handmade the veil and carefully added red jewels to symbolize the blood from Carrie’s iconic moment in an elegant, couture-inspired way. Instead of drenching her in blood, I aimed for something sophisticated and artistic, blending her haunting essence with a touch of glamour.
Carrie is a unique character, and I wanted to honor her and make her my own. This was my take on a Carrie you haven’t seen before—a creative and bold reinvention of an iconic figure.
Planning my 28th birthday photoshoot required precision and creativity, especially for reimagining the iconic Friday the 13th cover. I wanted to create my unique twist on it, so I scouted a park less than 10 minutes away from my old apartment in Houston that had just the right vibe.
To ensure a smooth event, I visited the park twice beforehand. I carefully timed the lighting, checked for parking, and planned every detail to the tee. I wanted to ensure the setting and mood aligned perfectly with my concept.
My playful twist made this shoot genuinely different: Cowboy Jason and Cowgirl Carrie. This combination brought a mix of horror and Texan flair to the photos, adding a bold and original creative spin. All the planning and attention to detail paid off, and the final result captured the eerie yet playful vibe I aimed for.
Buc-ee’s is a gas station in Texas. It's an iconic part of Texas culture, known for its spotless restrooms, fantastic food, and massive stores. Ending my 28th birthday photoshoot at Buc-ee’s just felt right—it perfectly tied into the theme of celebrating all things Texas.
I’ve always felt like Buc-ees, and I have something in common: we both embrace doing things big and bold. In my shoot, I wanted to showcase how everything, including my creativity, is bigger in Texas. It was the perfect final touch to capture that explosive energy and Texas pride.
Of course, I couldn’t leave without grabbing my Buc-ee’s favorites: a classic Icee and some Beaver Nuggets. It was the perfect way to wrap up a day of celebrating, creating, and embracing everything that makes Texas home.