During Pride Month 2025,  I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Alok Vaid-Menon backstage at the Helium Club prior to their Indianapolis stop on their Hairy Situation comedy tour. It was an absolute dream actualized to be backstage with a queer icon and to collaborate with them in a creative way.

Our family is long-time Alok fans– from their written words to their guest appearances in our favorite shows and ample other nuggets of wisdom and hilarity they gift us– we were and are fangirls.

One night, when feeling particularly confident, I sent a quick email to Alok’s team offering my services. We were going to the show anyway, and what a dream it would be if so.

And then they responded, and next thing I know: I was in a room backstage with theee Alok Vaid-Menon and the fantastic Whatever Mike. This dream was actually happening. Wild.

(Alok asked how I connected with their management, and hyped me up so much when I shared that I pitched myself. Highly recommend putting your name in rooms you want to be in.)

Our time together was as brief as it was incredible– we had a total of ~10-15 minutes of photo time, and I am so proud of the images we created. 

We were able to snap just a few photos outside before their show began!

While Alok got their makeup done earlier that evening, I snapped some stunning images of Whatever Mike as they retrieved their pre-show takeout– and we didn’t hesitate to appreciate the beauty in the buildings around us while we walked.