When I was a little human bean in preschool, we did an art project where we were instructed to draw what our dream future would look like. I drew a giant rainbow, arching over a field of rainbow flowers. I was probably 5, and couldn’t quite right sentences yet, so one of the preschool teachers asked me what I wanted her to write as the caption for my ideal world. I told her: “it will be a rainbow world.” This is not a memory that I remember, but a story that was told to me later on. That drawing is still to this day hung up in my parents’ bedroom. Perhaps this was a foreshadowing of how my brain would continue to create art.

I’ve had this concept brewing in my mind for quite a long time now. I wanted to celebrate my love for colors, nature, and humans all in one project. I wanted to stay in touch with my most authentic and youthful dreams of what I want my existence to encompass. After planning this project twice, and having it fail the first time, taught me a lot about what it takes to fully creatively direct something. The love and work that I, and everyone involved, put into this cannot be measured on paper. My excitement for how everything came together in the most beautiful way cannot be conveyed with words. From forming a team to spending hours upon hours on costume design to the actual creation of the photos, this became a journey that I will forever hold very close to my heart. I cannot express the love and gratitude that I have for all of the beautiful folks who helped me bring this project to life. @mandie_mannequin being the ground photographer, with her wonderfully pleasant personality and artistic ability @jacobleewebster being the air photographer, with such a unique skill of knowing how to work the strangest gadgets and create such amazing work with them, while also being the most considerate and kind human. @kaylamas0n for helping with all of the finishing touches and helping me bring everything together. Being literally THE most helpful human ever and such a bright light to the project. Your pair of eyes and extra hands really made this project complete, and it just wouldn’t have been the same without you. Also your editing skills for Jake’s shots. So much yes.

@goblin_lord ❤️ @victorialake 🧡 @grilled_cheese_unicorn 💛 ( myself, @groovyqurl 💚) @inianmoon 💙@s.ageee_ 💜 @ladyhoneycomb 💗

Y’all literally make my heart warm just thinking about all of your beautiful selves. The fact that each and every one of you wanted to partake in this and show up with wanting to just have a magical experience of creating and making art together was really what allowed for this project to even have a possibility of turning out how it did. Without y’all’s presence, we wouldn’t have made this a rainbow world. Each of you brought your own beauty and quirks to the table, and to me, peoples uniqueness is what truly makes this life so special. Thank you for showing up and supporting me. Many of you spent lots of time talking to me about the vision and bringing everything together. Your time is so precious so it warms my heart to know that this was worth your time. 🌈🌈🌈

I love all of y’all so much! And I hope everyone reading this long ass post can enjoy the turn out as much as I do.

Find Emily on instagram @groovyqurl and all of the lovely people highlighted

as well as the photographer Amanda Jackson on instagram @mandie_mannequine

WE’RE HERE, WE’RE QUEER, AND WE’RE RAINBOW!