"Together is Better" Runner Up, Cāk the Bakery

Rainbow Inspired Styled Shoot by Denver-based LGBTQIA+ Vendors

Multiple scenes, each featuring a lead color—add them all together, and you have a beautiful rainbow, reimagined by some of Denver’s lead event vendors.

This shoot features and celebrate queerness in all forms, shape, color, gender, and ability. And we love it.


Let’s begin with pink

Real Love

The foundation for this styled shoot was that it would feature all queer vendors. Rene went on to mention that approach would make the shoot “unique in itself—none of us knew of anyone else attempting something like that.”

“It was especially important to feature real queer couples in the shoot because that doesn't always happen in queer shoots. If you're doing a shoot to promote or feature queer love, then feature queer love.”

-Rene of Cāk the Bakery

The Cost & Benefit of a Styled Shoot

This shoot allowed each artist to pursue something purely out of passion and imagination. It’s art for art’s sake. Something every artist dreams of having the space and time to do.

The other side of that coin is that styled shoots are a cost of time, energy and even money on behalf of each artist. The hope and aim of that investment is that it furthers each artist’s growth in creativity and vision in the moment and for the future.

Shot in June of 2021, this shoot was a Pride celebration. While the queer flag & rainbow symbolism are often prevalent during this month, this team wanted to have a different take on a familiar symbol—

“I was joking with friends that we don't know any couples, let alone a queer couple, that would have a rainbow themed wedding like so many of the queer styled shoots feature. So we came up with the idea to create single color vignettes that together create a rainbow. It was a little bit of a sarcastic take on the ‘queer wedding shoot’ trope.”

-Rene of Cāk the Bakery


oh hello orange

Location Magic

Realm’s two primary spaces, the Sun Room and the Open Space allowed the creative team to efficiently bounce back and forth between two styled sets.

While one scene was being photographed, another was being staged simultaneously, and so on, allowing for maximum efficiency and opportunity to create.

Not to be dramatic but being queer is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

It’s more than part of someone’s identity—it’s a shared sense of understanding, struggle, & celebration with others in our community. ”

-Mado Photo

Geometric + Organic

The sharp lines of the geometric pieces in this scene paired with the soft organic florals are such a dynamic juxtaposition. We love styling that takes two very different elements, and translates it into such a beautiful duo.


AH, GOLDEN YELLOW

All the Pretty Pieces

Realm’s various furniture pieces were a seamless cue for some of the color schemes — such as the yellow lounge pieces and peachy pink banquette.

The elements that this creative team added to take each piece to a different level was heavy on texture, and high on vibes.


green with love

I’ll never shut up about how much I ADORE our community.

I’m proud of who I am and of every person—whether out or not, for being who they are. This entirely LGBTQ+ shoot was the perfect way to celebrate Pride month.”

-Mado Photo

Edible Art

When the Realm team saw Cāk the Bakery’s submission come in for Together is Better, complete with an inspo pdf—we were swooning.

From inspo pdf to final product—this team knocked it out of the park and we were honored to be a part of the creation process for such a vision.

Color + Texture

The beauty of a single color vignette is the power of light, shadow, and texture. This green scene on the white seamless Cyc Wall is an incredible example of that magic.

Layers of fabric, greenery draped throughout and moss on the ground transports this scene to something completely other.


And for the finale, purple


Special Thank You

Each artist that participated in this shoot made an incredible investment of time, creativity and effort to bring this vision to life. Thank you to each of you who brought your beauty into Realm!

W&W

The Whistler & the Well specializes in brand identity & content creation through design, photography, and video.

http://www.thewhistlerandthewell.com
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Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea