We’re introducing y’all to our amazing Class of 2019 Spokesmodels! I’m so pleased to share this week’s spotlight… Calli, from Pinecrest High School…
I met Calli at last year’s Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen Work Weekend Headshot Event where we hit it off instantly (YAY ‘fan hair’ 😉 😉 ), quickly followed by her ohhh so fabulous Sweet 16 VIP Session! (view all the fun that we had on those HERE & HERE) In August 2017 she was crowned Miss Moore County’s Outstanding Teen 2018 and the day after… my daughter, Lizzy was asked to be her Carolina Princess! So I’d say I’ve gotten to spend ‘some’ time with this incredible young lady this year. As a current Junior, when interest was expressed for her to be a part of this program of mine, I knew I certainly had to have this impressive gal who has become so special to not just my business, but my family! It wasn’t an easy peasy sure thing though. We had to jump through some hoops – some approval processes & adjustments to some of my own program regulations in order to not conflict with her commitments & regulations as part of the Miss America Organization. In the end though – we received the answer we’d hoped for and got to go forward confidently. I’m SO very thankful for all that worked with us, supported us & approved our requests… thank you!
Calli’s fabulousness comes from fearlessness and compassion for others. Not only is she a pageant girl (which I’ve learned quite clearly comes with it, a whole mind blowingly amazing array of things to be proud of)… but she is also a published author of “The Anteater That Couldn’t Eat Ants“; the founder of Crowning Purpose, Inc, a non-profit organization to support food allergy awareness and anti-bullying education; introduced NC House Bill 520 into legislation and works to get it passed so that restaurants would be required to provide food allergy training and protect their patrons… just to name a ‘few’ things!! Goodness – I haven’t even accomplished one thing close to any of those in my lifetime. SO impressive! She describes herself as fearless, quirky and dramatic, with her smile being the first thing people notice about her. And her style… ‘Old Hollywood meets 21st Century’. Through our visits to Pinehurst & Southern Pines for Lizzy to participate in things with her, we’ve seen what delightfully fabulous old southern towns she’s grown up in and how her style is quite becoming of the dreaminess of her area (or at least how I get all dreamy & nostalgic feeling when I go there anyway).
Beyond all the amazing work that she does for others, Calli’s interests include dancing, singing, acting and pageantry. An accomplishment that she was most proud of however was getting the part of Wednesday in her school performances of The Addams Family. My family and I had the pleasure of getting to attend this show and wow, wow, W-O-W!!! Even my youngest fella who doesn’t sit still for much was mesmerized. It was absolutely fantastic all the way through! She was even thoughtful enough to have Lurch join us for lunch and then also arranged take Lizzy (quite the Addams Family fan) backstage to meet & take pics with some of the characters before the show! These last few months I’ve literally lost track of all the performances that Calli has been working on… sometimes multitasking more than one at a time! This weekend itself – she’s performing in High School Musical Jr at Pinecrest High School! (get your scoop to be able to attend it HERE!!) She’s both a natural performer and one who has & continues to work very diligently at her craft… she is a powerhouse of talent to say the least!
When asked about her experience with the program so far, here’s what Calli had to say…
- What appeals to her about Jen’s work/style… “Ready for round two!!!! Jen’s work is FABULOUS!!!!”
- Favorite part of our FGSM19 session was… “My favorite part was bonding with the other fab grads and Miss Lizzy! Dancing and singing while we waited for everyone to get ready was so much fun.”
- Favorite part of working with Jen & team… “Jen and her team make it so easy to be comfortable in front of the camera. I love how relaxed and professional they all are.”
- I think my peers should come to Jen for their portraits because… “You can truly get out of your session what makes you, you! Jen knows how to tailor fit the session to your likes. Just give her an idea of what you like, and a truly magical plan begins!”
- What she’s looking forward to in her upcoming 1:1 session… “It’s going to be magical and all ME. I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s going to be EPIC.”
Fun & Fab Scoop on Calli’s FAV things:
- Favorite Quotes… “Act without expectation” – Lao Tzu
- Color… Orange
- Music… Anything musical theatre
- Songs… Right now the Anastasia Soundtrack
- TV Shows… Riverdale
- Plays… Hamilton, SpongeBob the Musical, Anastasia
- Shops… Forever 21, pageant stores, or anywhere in NYC!
- Food… Chicken wings
- Restaurant… Cowfish
- Hang Out Spot… On stage rehearsing for my next show!
- Location… NYC
- Vacation… Going to NYC with mom and meeting the cast from Hamilton. I got to tour backstage, and it was probably one of the neatest experiences of my entire life!
Calli’s future aspirations include being a star on Broadway! This vision starts with attending Elon University for Musical Theatre for undergrad, followed by post graduate at NYU. After that, she’ll be doing everything she can & working hard as ever to make it to Broadway. Given all that she’s accomplished already in life… Broadway better just buckle up & watch out! For some more relaxing future aspirations, she dreams of traveling to Ireland or Scotland, including looking for Nessie and kissing the Blarney Stone… how fun!
Calli and her mom are such a huge part of memories we will forever treasure from this past year and I have been blown away by her presence in my world! She works hard… like really, REALLY hard; has strong views and mind of her own; is focused and intent on her goals and dreams! She has infinite possibilities ahead of her and I cannot wait to see her future unfold each step of the way!!! In just the next month alone – we’re looking forward to cheering her on at Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen (get your tix HERE &/or watch the Miss Finals, including Teen production number on ABC11 Saturday, June 23rd at 8pm) and then we’re onto holding her hometown Fab Grad VIP Session. As she mentioned above – it is going to be EPIC (to the point that when we met for her pre-consult… I got goosebumps instantly!). Very, VERY exciting stuff ahead so STAY TUNED!!
If you see Calli at school or around town, don’t miss the opportunity to take a moment to chat with her… it’ll certainly add a dose of fabulousness to your day! Feel free to reach out to her or myself if interested in getting your own Fab Grad (Senior) Portrait Session booked! She even has 10% discount off your commission fee to share… BONUS!! 😀
Special Thanks & Credits…
Hair & Make-up: Jessica D / Awakened Beauty
Locations: The Jen Mink Photography Studio, Raleigh
Dress: Amazon
Additional Thanks: Ashley Keefe & Meredith Glover
