The Lady Nerd, Author at The Lady Nerd

Roger and Brianna Outlander Cosplay

December 17, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 4 Comments

Time is not a reality, but a concept.

Time, as it happens, played an interesting part in this photoshoot. My boyfriend and I had long been wanting to do a cosplay together, but obstacles kept throwing us off track. While I was doing research for my big fall collaboration with my roommate, Catherine of The Gluttonous Geek, I ran across a passage that about made me jump out of my seat.

“Roger Mackenzie is what Claire would describe as a “Black Celt” – olive-skinned, with thick black hair and lashes. His eyes are a bright green, often likened to the color of moss, though they are deepset like his MacKenzie ancestors. When Brianna sketches him, she draws a bold nose and a wide, slanted jaw.”

BEHOLD.

Does that description not fit him perfectly?! To my chagrin, I admit that I have yet read the Outlander books themselves, having been introduced through the TV show. So I did not realize there was a difference between the book description and the appearance of Roger on screen. Needless to say, I set to finding a kilt straight away for Ian. *cue all the ‘kilty pleasure’ puns*

We pulled this look together literally overnight (so it’s not Highland accurate, please forgive us). So as Catherine and I were finishing up our picnic shoot (more to to come on that soon! Speaking of time, I still have yet to write what should’ve been the first blog and this be the third. Oops…), Ian scurried up the rockface to strike the pose above. I’m so proud of him. This was Ian’s first professional picture EVER. First photoshoot AND first cosplay!

Of course, I had to complete the ensemble with a equally-hasty thrown together Brianna Randall cosplay. For the first time I can recall, a character in a popular show has my name (well, technically one letter off, but everyone miscalls me Brianna anyways. 😅 ). Add in brown eyes and straight hair and I feel right at home in this cosplay. In a sense, I get to be myself.

Photographer: Michael Rivera

A Portrait of Lady Croft

December 14, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

Classic Lara Croft portrait by Foto Mike. Cosplayer- The Lady Nerd

All your tombs are belong to me.

I have sat on this blog post for days, unsure of what to write. Starting, rewriting, erasing, sleeping on it, writing again. Every time I have tried, the words come out at best, boring or at worst, nonsensical. So I shall simply throw in the towel and let the photos speak for themselves. Here is my simple portrait series as classic Lara Croft (a look I never thought I could pull off…), which as it turns out, was my first ever shoot with Michael Rivera back in the day!

Just so we’re clear, you set off a booby trap…you’ll have to block the boulder. My insurance only covers blowgun darts, bamboo spears and the annoying French antiquities thief.

Have fun.

Photograph: Michael Rivera
Makeup: Emily Coughlin

Grey Day Photoshoot

December 7, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 2 Comments

When the snows fall
And the white winds blow,
The lone wolf died
But the pack survives.

All hail the Queen of the North.

Some days are a bit blue. Life gets a bit too much and your outlook matches the grey skies above. Sometimes you need a change of scenery, an explosion of colour to bring the sunshine back in that hides behind the clouds. But other times, I find it’s okay to embrace the gray.

A goal of mine for the next year is to go outside more on these days and photograph dreamy aesthetics in the weather. I want to look for and showcase more beauty in every type of weather. There’s so much in life to find beautiful!

But for now, I thought I’d share images from an older shoot from when I first moved to Atlanta and was spreading my little model wings here. Vania over at Vania Photo Studios had a free night, so I played guinea pig for some lighting and post-production techniques she wanted to try. These pictures are a couple of the results! Anyone getting a Stark of Winterfell vibe from the first one?

Here’s a behind-the-scenes selfie from the photoshoot. You may think that’s my hair, but nay…if you’ve been around my blog or social media sites long enough, you’ve more than likely heard my tales of hair woes. This is actually beautiful lace front wig I scored for $60 at a local beauty supply store (I pushed the wig back a little to let me actual hairline show through). Now I can galavant around looking and feeling like a proper elven maiden with long flowing locks.

Imperial Fashion

November 12, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 2 Comments

This post contains affiliate links
Although I will forever be on the Light side of the Force, you have to admit, the Empire had better fashion sense.

While I am most certainly a lover of geek fashion, alas, I’m not a fan of the majority of designs out there for geek women. Just not my style (or body type. With my taller stature and long, thin waist coupled with short inseam, it doesn’t lend well to popular styles of skater dresses or high waistlines). Though I love the idea behind companies like Her Universe – bringing geek fashion directly to female fans. Geek girls have often been ignored in favour of guys, relegated only to simple tshirts. But no more! It’s an amazing time we live in that such companies, like Her Universe, exist and are flourishing.

I love this cardigan! I’ve been wearing it so much since I bought it (as, truth be told, the outfit in this post is exactly what I wear normally. In fact, this may be the outfit I’ve worn most this fall). It’s subtle in its geekery where it looks like a fairly normal cardigan. But to those who know Star Wars, they will recognize it as a piece based off Grand Moff Tarkin’s imperial uniform, complete with matching coloured rankings.

It’s well constructed in a heavier cotton-esque knit. I love the 3/4 length sleeves as I inevitably push my sleeves up that high anyways out of habit. It’s not too warm, not too thin (which I find is a problem with many a cardigan or sweater these days). It’s just right. In what seems to be typical for HU’s designs, the cardigan is on the shorter side and ends above the hips (well, on me anyways). For any other HU piece I’ve tried one, that’s a deal killer. But due to the construction of this cardigan with it’s wide banded bottom, it actually works quite well.

My little twist on it is that I always wear it open, but buttoned by one button at the top. It keeps some air flow underneath the cardigan and acts as a colour break from all the black. (I went with black as an easier option than driving myself crazy trying to find pants to match the cardigan.)

And a view of the cardigan closed. (You’ll have to forgive my slight frown. Even overcast, shooting outside still makes me squint. ‘Tis the downside of having great eyesight…yay photosensitivity!)

Photographer: Kyle Matthew Williams

Earrings: Ebay
Cardigan: Her Universe
Pants: Express
Belt: Target (similar one here – Amazon)
Boots: Marshalls (similar on here – Amazon)

Ensign Personal Log

October 25, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

Personal Log, Ensign Lamb, Stardate 10251.8.

I’ve been asked to describe my experiences in the Alpha and Delta Quadrants, but I’m finding myself at a loss for words. This may be partially due to the acute anemia fatiguing my brain, no doubt from a lack of adequate nutrition from Neelix’s culinary Mess Hall experiments…

Computer, note to talk to the Doctor for better nutritional guidance. I hear the Low FODMAP diet seems to be doing well among the humans on the ship.

Now where was I…

There was an interesting away mission recently that put the crew in contact with a species of humanoids not unsimilar to 21st century earth. Their technology is quite primitive, but there’s something refreshing about it. My boyfriend (a fellow Ensign from Astrometrics. While we’ve been dating for a while, the Captain is still waffling about whether dating all the way out in the Delta Quadrant is okay per Starfleet protocol. It seems we’re going to be in this quadrant a while, so…well, the heart wants what the heart wants), has taken a particular interest in the observatories scattered across the planet. It’s amazing to see the primitive dots of light they see of planets and stars. On the one hand, it’s disappointing to see so little. But on the other hand, it’s exciting to spend the time to align the sensors of the telescopes and finally get the subject in focus.

It’s romantic. So much of this universe holds such wonder and beauty. It’s nice to have someone to share that with.

On that note, I must retire for the evening as I have work early tomorrow. That ship isn’t going to fly itself!

End log.

Photography: Kyle Matthew Williams
Dress: H&M Balmain collection

The Day I Learned I Work For Tom Paris

October 23, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 2 Comments

So fun story from Dragoncon this year.

As a lifelong Babylon 5 fan, I was making my rounds in the Walk of Fame to say hi to the B5 actors there. I stopped by the table of Walter Keonig, best known as Chekov in the original Star Trek series (but who will always be Bester of the dreaded Psi Corps to me). We ended up doing the small talk thing one does when sequestered in a convention autograph line. When I mentioned I was in the industry, he perked up (the poor man looked exhausted) and he asked what my job was. I told him that I work as a stand-in and photo double on The Gifted. “Y’know, I think there’s someone here in the Walk of Fame from that show…”

His handler perked up as well, “Oh, he’s sitting right next to you.”

The aforementioned person and I made eye contact as he heard the conversation and looked over.

“Oh hi Briana!”
“Oh hi boss!”

After the laughter subsided, I had the gall to ask this man what in the world he was doing at Dragoncon. Turns out one of our executive producers on The Gifted was also an actor; a one Lieutenant Tom Eugene Paris of Star Trek: Voyager and I had no idea.

Needless to say I still have not lived that one down at work…

Leaving on a Jet Plane

October 20, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

To say I was excited for this trip would the understatement of the century.

I could barely sleep, barely eat, went over my packing list feverishly more times than I’d care to admit, and was practically bursting at the seams with hope I had not felt in months. Thankfully I had the foresight the finish packing everything the night before, so I was off like a shot to the airport.

Since I had one of the earliest flights departing from Atlanta airport, the lines were fairly short. Although I have a hearty disdain for the Atlanta TSA after they manhandled my camera bag and proceeded to both X-ray my Instax film after I followed procedure to put it in a separate bin to be checked by hand AND open the back of my fully-loaded Instax camera. Between the two, they single-handedly ruined $100 worth of film. NOT a good way to start my trip.

Rather than succumbing to the panic attack pulling at the corners of my mind, I instead focused on my objective to navigate the long maze that is Hartsfield Jackson Airport. I arrived at the gate and positioned myself right at the window to look at the planes. Hands down, my favourite way to travel quickly is by plane. (Trivia: I was actually training to be a pilot back in the day. Almost had my pilot’s license before my driver’s license.) I love the building excitement as the engines roar to life and the plane taxis into position to take off, the adrenaline rush upon takeoff, and the views out the window…Oh, there’s nothing like it.

My destination was Chicago, as I was going to meet up with these family friends there to begin our cross country trek together. (They were coming from farther North) Since they were not set to arrive til the afternoon, I met up with an old Chicago-based friend, Toby of Sith Camaro Props and Costumes. After harried dash out of O’Hare Airport into the ridiculousness of Chicago traffic, Toby drove me over to the west loop of Restaurant Row and straight to the heart attack-inducing-but-oh-so-delicious, Do-Rite Donuts (of which I had to partake of a candied maple bacon donut because is a wonderful, I mean, bad influence).

After I had sufficiently given myself a sugar rush, we departed to do some exploring. We did some sightseeing nearby as that area was great for walking (walking off the sugar, I told myself. Right? Right.). Along the way, we stopped at a cafe called Sawada Coffee to catch our breath and partake of some rather tasty matcha lattes.

After exiting Restaurant Row (I’m kicking myself for not actually trying deep dish pizza IN Chicago…Next time), Toby gave me a sightseeing tour of downtown Chicago. It was not at all what I expected! Movies and TV shows tend to depict modern Chicago as a dark urban area (to be fair, I have since been told the ‘bad parts of town are really bad’. So still a note to be careful when visiting), so I was not prepared for this beautiful, bright, city full of classy storefronts, gleaming marble museums, and pristine walkways. The lakes took my breath away! I wish I could’ve gotten more pictures, but alas, one can only do so much from fast moving passenger seat.

Next up, all aboard the train to Seattle!

The Lady Nerd Travels

October 20, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

wan·der·lust

/ˈwändərˌləst/

noun. a strong desire to travel, a longing for another land, to roam, to explore.

Spring 2017.

The stage was ripe with wanderlust mixed with entirely too much soul-crushing depression. I had been unemployed for months, my health had gotten worse, and to be transparently honest, I was on the verge of mental breakdown. But help was right around the corner; and in a way I would never have guessed in my wildest dreams.

There’s a group of old family friends that travel ALL. THE. TIME. I like to live vicariously through them on Facebook. Often, I would dreamed of joining them if I ever got my neck above the poverty line. But in a surprise gesture of extreme generosity between them and my parents, I got the opportunity to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Itinerary:
✈ Fly from Atlanta to Chicago
Take a train from Chicago to Seattle
🚢 Take a cruise from Seattle to Alaska and Canada
✈ Aaaand then reverse the order for coming home

I couldn’t believe it! This was my first real major vacation in 8 years! I hadn’t really done traveling of any kind since I left my home in New Zealand in 2009. I hadn’t really even been able to travel much locally due to work, finances, and health. But to come at a time like it did… I shudder to think what state I might have been in had this blessing not come alone. So the next few blog posts will be detailing this amazing adventure. I hope you come along with me for the ride! Tally ho!

The First Day of Fall

September 24, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

The first day of fall has come.

While it still feels like a summer scorcher here in the aptly named ‘Hotlanta’, I can’t help but wistfully dream of the come cooler months and the delights they hold. From all manner of delicious warm beverages to snuggling up in cozy knits to the dazzling array of colours on display in nature to running through patches of pumpkins or orchards of apples to long talks with loved ones around crackling fires. There’s something magical about this time of year (minus the seasonal allergies. Good gravy…) where the leaves turns bright, saturated colours and the slight nip in the air makes one think of times gone by and the desire to curl up with a good book while candles flicker in the background. Just the word “autumn” of “fall” immediately evokes coziness. Ahhh…

In lieu of me not really having any good fall pictures (*note to self: Take more nature and prop photography to break up the portraits), here are a few shots from my fun fall shoot with Lauren Athalia a few years back.

What is your favourite season?

Photography & Editing: Lauren Athalia
Custom Skirt & Neck Ruffle By: Meredith Malone
Hair: Kristina Noel Wojtkowski
Make Up: Galilee Bagwell
Lighting Assistant: Josh Wood

Femme Noir

September 17, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 5 Comments

A beautiful woman is a beautiful woman. But a beautiful woman with a brain is an absolutely lethal combination.

The way she listened was more eloquent than speech.

The femme fatale ‘neath the guise of a damsel in distress… Lucky me… she had my number…

How could I have known that murder could sometimes smell like honeysuckle?

Pour yourself a drink. Put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.

I had an itch to do a vintage-esque portrait shoot so I paired up with the ever-polite and gracious Brownlee Currey to try some black & white fun. It was a truly lovely evening as his wife helped with my hair (I’m an absolute dunce when it comes to doing anything with my tresses outside of a ponytail. I’m serious. I spend entirely too much time wistfully sighing over friends’ vintage dos and seemingly perfectly coifed hair.) and Brownlee made the most delectable snacks for us to eat. I can’t even pronounce the cheese and smoked meat he put in front of my wide eyes, but I truly felt spoiled.

I also got to meet a new makeup artist friend, Courtney, who I promptly began to geek out with (that’s now my new deciding factor of “oo, you’re a crazy human like me. Come be part of my equally crazy social circles!“) After makeup and hair were finagled into place and lights were set up, off we went! (Though about halfway through we had to do some more finagling of the dress as, alas, it’s wee bit big for me. Thank goodness for clothespins! I imagine I’ll donate the dress back to Goodwill so it can be put back on the racks as a treasure for someone else to find. 🙂 )

Photographer: Brownlee of RBC Image
Hair: Gretchen Jacobson
Makeup: Courtney Walters

Dress: Goodwill
Floppy hat: Gifted (friend bought it at Patagonia in Nashville)
Wide-brimmed hat: Gifted
Gloves: Ebay
Earrings: Ebay