Creativity has always been at the heart of what I do, but this project pushed me to a whole new level. I had always wanted to create a high-fashion dress entirely out of magazines, and when I shared this idea with my friend and fellow photographer, Kory Bumgardner, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, she suggested using Professional Photographer magazines. That simple suggestion turned my wild idea into a challenge I couldn’t resist.

The first step was gathering materials. Thanks to the generosity of my fellow photographers at the Professional Photographers of Colorado Springs, I collected about 40 to 50 magazines. As I flipped through the pages, memories of articles, photos, and stories from our community flooded back. It was like taking a walk through the collective history of our profession, and I knew this dress had to be a tribute to that.

Designing and constructing the dress was no small feat. I spent hours, alongside Kory Bumgarder, sorting the pages by color, texture, and theme.

We folded the pages accordion-style to create the skirt, layering them carefully onto a fabric base. The bodice became a collage of people I admire, featuring photos of friends and mentors. When we went through our magazines, we picked the people that we love and know, and we put them on the corset of the dress. 

The neckline was adorned with feather-like accents cut from the magazine covers. I don’t have a background in sewing and can barely sew on a button properly, so this was a pure experiment in trial, error, and sheer determination. After nearly 100 hours of work, the dress finally came to life.

When the dress was ready, I knew it needed to be more than just a static piece. It needed to tell a story. That’s when “Stories in Flight” was born. The photograph features the dress surrounded by delicate paper birds, also crafted from magazine pages, as if they were taking flight. To me, those birds represent creativity, freedom, and the power of storytelling. Kim Clay Artistry brought the look together beautifully with stunning hair and makeup that elevated the entire vision. For those who want to see more about the creative process and the making of this dress, be sure to check out behind-the-scenes content on my social media channels.

Winning first place in the illustrative category at the Professional Photographers of Colorado’s image competition with “Stories in Flight” was an incredible honor. But honestly, the real joy came from the journey—from conceptualizing the idea, to overcoming challenges, to finally seeing it all come together. For me, photography is about connection and storytelling, and this dress was my way of bringing those ideas to life in a tangible, unforgettable way.

Even though Imaging USA has come and gone, this dress’s story is far from over. Its next chapter took it to Texas, where it became a showstopper at Imaging USA, and it has now found a home at the PPA office. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog, where I’ll share more about the dress’s travels and the incredible response it’s received.

This dress isn’t just a piece of wearable art—it’s a celebration of passion, persistence, and the amazing community that inspires me every day. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that creativity has no limits when you allow yourself to dream big and embrace the process.