A few months back Bianka and I met briefly at Quixote Studios. Despite her bold style, it was her gentle character that I remember most. I instantly took a liking to her taste in fashion and humility. Little did I know she would soon again grace me with her presence.

This past weekend I wove in and out of Venice Beach with photographer, Sabrina Hill. We kept it casual as we bounced from one location to the next, changing looks in the car. This “on the whim” style of shooting has been my method ever since I could remember. I love the degree of uncertainty and innovation it creates and how it forces me to be resourceful. It opens me up to the opportunity to express my DIY spirit, while keeping me grounded in expression.

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THIS IS A M A V E R I C K TUTORIAL:

|| HEADSCARF ||

1. Flip your head to let your hair hang towards the ground

2. Place the scarf at the nape of your neck

3. With your hair gathered inside, begin twisting the scarf until it’s entirely twisted in one tight strand (Ex. twisting your hair up in towel after showering)

4. Allow the tension to coil the scarf naturally as you wrap each coil around the next until you have only the end of the scarf

5. Tuck the end up the base of a coil and pull through until tightly secured

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I use the car window for my mirror as I wrap my hair into a silk scarf, securing it into a top knot. I look up from the window to observe my surroundings. In the opposite direction of the boardwalk I notice a wooden sign embossed with a cursive M. Starry-eyed, I point to it as if I’m Captain Morgan and I’d just discovered some uncharted territory. Clearly this was a fully established location but this didn’t stop me from seeing it as today’s treasure.

|| ON THE M A P || #XMarksTheSpot || (Better yet, #MMarksTheSpot) 

Location: Menotti’s.

As we head towards the quaint coffee stop, I notice a tall, well-dressed woman meticulously placing floral arrangements on a wooden barrel outside. As I draw nearer. she turns around and I am greeted by a familiar face. I’ll admit it, I’ll admit it. I am horrible with names, but when it comes to a face, I always remember. We re-introduce ourselves and catch up for a few moments. Curious about the flowers, I ask her what they’re for. Come to find out they’re her newest creation, Bianka Blooms, an artistic platform to spread love and positivity. Quite simple and true, however she forgot the most obvious aspect of her work, beauty. Without second thought I ask if I could incorporate them into the shot.

What I love most about my craft is how I see the world. I’m just a young adult with the spirit of a child. With eyes of wonder, I see the world as as one big playground. I joyfully smile as I step into today’s pre-determined scene and begin interacting with the energy. As Sabrina tests the light, I take a few moments to talk the girls leisurely sipping on their lattes across the way. As people begin to pass by, I can’t help but engage with my them. Bianka snaps some behind the scenes shots with her iPhone and slips in some words of encouragement like “Your killin’ it Morgan.” A young boy then passes by with his family, he looks back again saying “That’s gonna be a good shot!” Then an older gentleman comes up from the street, greeting us with a smile. I send him one back and he demands more people should make me smile so my dimples show.

In that moment it was as if time didn’t exist. In slow motion, I watched these people from different walks of life as they passed by me. Despite their differences they were all doing one thing in common. They were smiling. I realized the images we originally set out to capture were not nearly as important as the real deal, the present moment. What struck with me most was how my desire to live authentically somehow created this catalyst for human interaction, connection and collaboration. We all shared a connection in that moment by adding our own unique energy to the space. Without a doubt the tangible can evoke feeling. However it can never truly re-create that energy ever again. I will never forget the warmth and love I experienced this past weekend and how my intuition brought me face to face with fate.

| MAV MANTRA |

Love breeds love