Mardi Gras Gala | Scranton Boudoir Photographer

Last December, I had the idea to host a Mardi Gras Gala. I wanted it to be a masquerade even to benefit the Victim’s Resource Center.

I decided I wanted to do more to give back to the community, and this was something that immediately popped into my head as a vision. Also, I knew that Chelsea Brinton Photography studios has a very aligned vision of empowering women, so I wanted to bridge the two things.

Enter, the Mardi Gras Gala, which is also an event for my ambassadors.

Next thing you know, I had 2 months to plan a 100-person formal, women-only event. We circled March 1st in the calendar (to celebrate Women’s month, of course!) with a New Orleans style twist.

We decided to give back more and donate all the funds received to our local victims resource center. In the studio, we do so much to help women love themselves again and make a huge impact on their lives. But I also realize that maybe financially a lot of people aren’t able to book an experience with us. We still wanted to do something to give back to them.

And that, my friends, is why the gala started. Between my cochair-lady Candella (who was a client and quickly became a great friend) and my ambassadors, we pulled off the most wonderful event. Candella took care of all the decorating. And my ambassadors helped with creating and planning.

Despite the fact that I was gone all of January on my honeymoon, they got so much done! And when I arrived back home, we spent the next month doing all the footwork. Between phone calls and pickups we managed to gather 60 baskets/gift cards from other local women owned businesses! SO exciting!!

We also had a motivational guest speaker who shared her story! She also wrote two books about her journey from her trauma as a child to a successful life an adult (now in her late 60s). It was inspiring, to say the least!

We also had a burlesque dancer, "Satine Rouge" come from 3 hours away (!!!!) to put on two performances for us! Mechanic by day, dancer by night. Talk about diverse!

All of our vendors, like DJ Holly Stark, and Photographer Kristy Alinoski Photography donated their time to give back for our event!

Both ladies are now interested in joining us again for our next year’s Mardi Gras Gala!