Cassidy Marie - Liminal Dreams
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Cassidy Marie at the Original Wellington Mall
Back From Hiatus: A Latex Look in a Liminal Space with Cassidy Marie
Catching Up After a Busy Few Months
Hey folks! I’m back from a short self-imposed hiatus, and we’ve got so much to catch up on. The Florida Renaissance Festival came and went, and while I’ve finished editing all eight weekends I covered, I’ve only posted the photos from five of them here on the blog so far. In that time, I also went camping, joined a protest, spent time with family, hit a few parties and events—and of course, took a lot of photos. I’ll admit, it started to feel a little overwhelming. But after some much-needed rest, I’m on the other side of that wave and ready to dive back in and share some of my favorite recent work with you.
Introducing Cassidy Marie: From Muse to Creative Collaborator
For today’s post, I want to highlight one of my favorite shoots from the end of last year—a session with my longtime muse and creative collaborator, Cassidy Marie. Cass is actually the daughter of another friend and muse of mine, Shannon Marie (both adults, for clarity). I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy photographing familial connections—cousins, childhood friends, siblings, even twins. But mother/daughter models? That was a box I didn’t even know I needed to check until I met Cassidy.
How We Met: “You’re Going to Want to Photograph Her”
Our first shoot was just over two years ago, after Shannon told me, “You should meet my daughter. You’re going to want to take her photo.” Now, I’ve heard versions of that before—usually well-intentioned friends hyping someone up—but Shannon wasn’t wrong. Not even a little. Since that first session, Cassidy has become one of my favorite people to photograph. I even featured a portrait of her in a recent group show at Propaganda in Lake Worth, FL.
A Rare Visit, a Special Shoot
Unfortunately, Cassidy relocated to the Atlanta area last year, so our sessions have become a little more rare—which only makes them more special. It had been a full year since our last proper shoot (which was our intentionally miserable Christmas-themed goth shoot), so I wanted to make sure we did something meaningful.
Exploring the Original Wellington Mall: A Dream Liminal Space
Enter: The Original Wellington Mall in Wellington, FL.
If you know my work, you know I’m drawn to abandoned spaces, natural backdrops, and anywhere with as few people as possible. But I also love liminal spaces—those strange, transitional areas not meant for long-term use. Hallways, stairwells, elevators... and yes, dead malls. There’s something inherently surreal about them, and that sense of eerie stillness makes for perfect photo backdrops.
Now, calling the Original Wellington Mall a “dead mall” is a bit of a stretch. It’s not abandoned—just quiet. It’s small, filled with local businesses and even a few government offices. But it also feels frozen in time, with 90s-era aesthetics, bizarre installation art, and literal antiques like grandfather clocks and vintage furniture just scattered throughout the common areas as decoration. In other words: my dream.
Surprising Hospitality and a Smooth Shoot
I usually prefer locations where I know I won’t be kicked out. So when Cassidy (in full latex dress), Shannon, and I walked in, I had no idea how long we’d have. But within five minutes, a security guard approached us—and I braced for the usual “you can’t shoot here.” Instead, he smiled and said another photographer had recently come just to shoot the space, and they loved the attention. He complimented Cassidy’s outfit. The older women playing cards waved at us. The shop owners smiled. We felt completely validated.
Bonus Stop: A Quick Visit to the Cemetery Waterfall
The shoot itself was a blast. Honestly, I don’t need to say much more—the photos speak for themselves. Cassidy is always effortless in front of the camera, and I was loving her new mulleted look. After wrapping up at the mall, I was feeling pretty spent, but Cassidy suggested we swing by our backup location: a nearby cemetery with its own small waterfall. We didn’t stay long, and I’ll share more about that spot in a future post—but it was a lovely bonus to an already magical day.
More to Come
Stay tuned, because I’ve got plenty more photos to share from the Ren Faire, recent events, and beyond. Thanks for sticking around. Let’s keep creating.
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Florida Renaissance Festival Week 5 - Marketplace Mayhem
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Joules aka Korvus Earthwalker
A Nonstop Week, A Birthday Bash, and More Magic at the Florida Renaissance Festival
Busy, busy, busy! This past week was nonstop, packed with adventures, shoots, and life’s usual chaos.
It all started with a two-day camping trip with my festival crew, including my muse Rin Cloud. After that, I headed straight to the Florida Renaissance Festival on my usual Sunday visit. But that was just the beginning…
A Week in the Life
Monday – A fun hangout night with Pain Puppy, including a mini shoot.
Tuesday – Up early to take my mom for a root canal while impact windows were being installed at home (which meant a major cleanup mission after).
Wednesday – Attended Kinky Karaoke with Pain Puppy—and yes, I took photos.
Thursday – Wrapped up the madness with a science fair at my niece’s school.
Basically? I’m beat.
Florida Renaissance Festival: Quick But Epic
Even though I was only at Ren Fest for a few hours, it was an absolute blast.
I kicked off the day with a mini shoot session with my new friend and muse, Joules (aka Korvus Earthwalker). As a fellow Burner, Joules and I vibe on the same wavelength, and we had a fantastic time shooting together. I was a little nervous about being off my game after a full weekend of partying, but honestly? It just made me feel even more creatively loose and inspired.
A Long-Awaited Reunion & A New Collaboration
Another highlight? Letty Lechery was in town!
Letty is one of my favorite muses, but since she moved to New York two years ago, I only get to shoot with her once or twice a year—if I’m lucky enough to catch her when she visits.
This time was extra special because Letty and Pain Puppy are good friends, and it was my first time hanging out and shooting with both of them together. Their chemistry is electric, so much so that we’re already planning a full shoot later this month when Letty comes back to town.
The Main Event: A Birthday Celebration for Queen Lesbian
The real main event of the day was celebrating the birthday of one of my besties, Shannon Marie. I love Shannon so much, and it was amazing seeing her surrounded by so much femme energy.
Shannon is known around these parts as Queen Lesbian, so naturally, I had to gather all the goddesses for a group photo, featuring:
Letty Lechery
Pain Puppy
Kayla also pointed out a hilarious Easter egg in the group photo—a mysterious, creepy hand that somehow made its way into the shot. Definitely a Ren Fest mystery worth solving.
What’s Next?
This weekend, I’ll be at the Florida Renaissance Festival for Steampunk Weekend, and it’s going to be extra special because my friend Bad Kitty is visiting. That means I’ll be there on Saturday and my usual Sunday—so expect plenty more photos and stories.
I also plan on posting more sets beyond the Ren Faire soon—I just need to find the time! Thank you for your patience, and as always, I’d love to hear what you think. Feel free to reach out and let me know!
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Florida Renaissance Festival Week 4 - Pirate’s Weekend
The Loud Mime
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Pirates, Fire, and Hidden Treasure at the Florida Renaissance Festival
People love pirates. Is it because of the Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, or was that just a reflection of society’s longstanding love affair with pirates? Either way, one thing is certain—Pirate Weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival was PACKED!
That said, I have to admit... I barely photographed anything pirate-related.
One Piece, Two Shows, and an Unexpected Adventure
For Pirate Weekend, I took a different approach and went in an anime direction, reviving one of the few cosplays I own—Tony Tony Chopper from One Piece. My plan? Meet up with my friend and muse, Nora Mars, and set sail to capture pirate-themed photos. What actually happened? I ended up finding hidden treasure of my own.
I’m a social butterfly, so when I go to events, I usually prefer to hop around and soak up the energy rather than commit to any one thing—especially shows. Nora, however, is a Ren Faire veteran, and she LOVES catching performances. And honestly? That worked out in my favor because I saw two of the best shows I’ve ever experienced at a Ren Faire.
Fire, Danger, and Comedy at Its Best
The first show we caught was Tuey the Fire Juggler, a Ren Faire performer since 1981. I’ve photographed a lot of fire performers, but this guy? Easily one of the most impressive I’ve seen. We got a bit lost trying to find the stage (which, in hindsight, was easier to find than we made it), so we only caught the grand finale—but what a finale it was!
Picture this:
🔥 A flaming tightrope
🔥 A flaming ladder
🔥 Juggling three flaming torches
It was absolutely WILD. Plus, I somehow landed the perfect vantage point, capturing both Tuey’s performance and the crowd’s reactions.
The second show we saw was The Loud Mime, and I went in with low expectations because, let’s be honest, Ren Faire comedy acts can be hit or miss. Sometimes, "bad humor" is just bad jokes in disguise. But this? This was HYSTERICAL.
Not only was The Loud Mime genuinely funny, but their act was easily the most queer performance I’ve ever seen at a Ren Faire. It was refreshing to see that kind of representation in this setting, and beyond that, the show itself was packed with energy, including knife juggling and some mild contortion.
Both of these shows were in their final weekend at the Ren Faire, so I’m glad I caught them before they were gone.
Meeting Joules & Catching Up with Friends
One of the coolest surprises of the day was meeting Joules, a Ren Faire rennie working at the Henna booth. He actually messaged me last week as a fan of my work, and when we finally met up, I instantly loved his look—so of course, I made sure to snap a few shots.
As we talked, I found out he’s also a fellow Burner! We’re already planning to shoot more together, but this week, I was dealing with some mild back pain that kept me from going all-out.
Of course, I still managed to take some killer photos with Nora Mars and a few other familiar faces, including:
I also met up with Pain Puppy, but by the time we crossed paths, I think I had already put my cameras away—which is a rare move for me!
What’s Next?
This weekend, I’m going camping with a bunch of friends, including muses Rin Cloud and Evie Stevens, so I’m expecting plenty of new photos to share. I’ll also be coming back early to keep my Ren Faire streak alive—because let’s be real, I can’t miss a weekend!
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MeduSirena - Valhalla Rising
MeduSirena at the Black Wolf Stage
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A Special Collaboration with MeduSirena at the Florida Renaissance Festival
This mini-set with MeduSirena of SAMKOMA is a bit of a bonus shoot for you all! After hitting it off during Week 1 of the Florida Renaissance Festival, MeduSirena and I started talking about doing some solo work together. In addition to being a key member of Ren Faire band SAMKOMA, she’s also a photographer, model, and mermaid performer, with 30 years of Ren Faire experience.
An Early Morning Shoot (After an All-Nighter)
For this special shoot, MeduSirena asked me to arrive before the band’s first performance at noon. I don’t normally hit the Ren Faire on Saturdays, but I figured it would be a good opportunity to avoid the usual Sunday distractions (aka running into a million friends). What I didn’t plan for? Heading all the way down to Homestead the night before for a surprise birthday party for my good friend and muse Okami Moon.
And if you know my Miami crew, you know what that means—I pulled an all-nighter and went straight to the Ren Faire. A little sleep deprivation never stopped me before, though. I arrived at the Black Wolf Stage around 10:30 AM, and soon after, we got to work.
Shooting in New Conditions
We wrapped this quick 30-minute session, but since we only had to walk between locations, it was plenty of time. By now, I know the Ren Faire terrain well, but one X-factor was the morning light. I usually don’t shoot in midday lighting since it’s often harsh and overhead. But thanks to shady spots and cloud coverage, we made it work beautifully.
This shoot really had me breaking from my usual habits, but that’s part of the fun.
Creative Chemistry & Future Collabs
Shooting with MeduSirena was an absolute delight. Her presence is powerful, her look was perfect for the Faire, and our creative chemistry was on point. I was a bit quieter than usual (blame the lack of sleep and bustling Faire crowds), but luckily, we didn’t get interrupted by onlookers wanting their own photos—a rarity at events like this.
We primarily shot in the Ottoman area, which, as I mentioned in my last post, is becoming one of my favorite locations for both hanging out and shooting. At the end of our session, I even snapped a few bonus shots with the whole band—all super nice guys.
What’s Next?
This weekend marks SAMKOMA’s final performances at the Florida Renaissance Festival for the year (though check their page for an upcoming concert next month!). But as for me and MeduSirena? This is just the beginning.
We’re already planning future shoots, and next time, we’re switching roles—she’ll be photographing me! Stay tuned, because this is far from our last collab.
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Florida Renaissance Festival Week 3 - Valentine’s Weekend
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Kayla Bee in the Ottoman Empire
Love & Lowkey Vibes at the Florida Renaissance Festival – Week 3
Love is in the air! It was Valentine’s Weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival, and the Faire was buzzing with energy. This week, I made my way to Ren Fest with muse friends Kayla Bee and Pain Puppy. These two dynamos knew each other from the fetish scene but had never really hung out before. Much to my delight, they hit it off instantly.
A Chill Day with New Discoveries
All of us were feeling the lowkey vibes of Week 3—so instead of running around non-stop, we planted ourselves in different spots and just soaked in the atmosphere. This turned out to be a fantastic decision because I stumbled upon a hidden flower area in the Ottoman Empire section. This area is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots at the Faire.
We all took turns doing solo shoots, including me! Kayla Bee is a fantastic photographer, so I handed her my camera, and she absolutely killed it with my shots. Expect to see some of those soon!
SAMKOMA & A Special MeduSirena Shoot
We also caught another killer performance from SAMKOMA. You might notice that MeduSirena wasn’t in the set we saw, but don’t worry—I’ve got something special for you. I recently did a solo shoot with MeduSirena at the Faire, and that bonus set is coming soon. More collabs are definitely in the works!
The Usual Cast of Characters
Of course, no trip to the Florida Renaissance Festival is complete without running into familiar faces in the KungFuBreakfast Photographic Universe. This week, I crossed paths with:
Jupiter Stellar (who has been serving nothing but vibes with her outfits this year)
The amazing Faire performers (including a shot of the King on stage!)
What’s Next?
Between Ren Faire weekends, I’ve been shooting tons of content, so I’ll do my best to drop at least one or two more posts per week. In the meantime, follow me on social media for teasers—and if you love what I’m doing, spread the word!
Want to chat or collab? Shoot me a DM—I’d love to hear from you!
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Florida Renaissance Festival Week 2 - Viking Weekend
Nora Mars
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Huzzah! Week 2 of the Florida Renaissance Festival – Viking Edition
Week 2 of the Florida Renaissance Festival was an absolute success! This year feels extra magical, though I can’t quite put my finger on why. Maybe it’s just the energy in the air. Or maybe it was the Viking theme—a staple of any great Ren Faire alongside pirates, wenches, and steampunk. Either way, the vibe was strong, and the photos? Even better.
A Viking-Inspired Adventure
As usual, I headed to the Ren Faire on Sunday, fresh off a Saturday hair appointment, with my good friend and muse, Shannon Marie. A Viking theme is perfect for anyone from the industrial or metal scene, so we went all in. You can catch a glimpse of my outfit in a fun mirror shot, but I’ll admit—I often forget to photograph my own look. Luckily, another photographer snapped a pic of me, so hopefully, I’ll be able to share that soon!
Before even stepping inside, Shannon and I kicked off the day with a quick Viking-themed shoot. From there, I ended up spending most of the day with Nora Mars, a Ren Faire regular for over a decade. She always brings incredible outfits, but this time? Easily one of her best. She and her boyfriend, Dani Van Buren—who also happens to be a KungFuBreakfast muse and Crossroads bartender—dressed in matching yet contrasting Viking looks. The results? Almost as epic as the couple’s shoot we recently did (stay tuned for that drop!).
Friends, Creatives, and Well-Dressed Strangers
My two Ren Faire Sundays have flown by in a whirlwind of activity. So far, I’ve almost exclusively ended up photographing friends, friends of friends, and the occasional well-dressed rando. This week, in addition to Shannon and Nora, I also ran into:
A Rocking Horse, a King, and a Royal Compliment
While most of the chaos is best told through the photos, I do have one standout moment. Earlier in the week, at a non-KungFuBreakfast shoot, I ran into my friend Bowser—a big, sweet stoner dude from the kink scene who always rocks cool character masks (very Ren Faire vibes). He mentioned he was working at the Faire, running the giant rocking horse, so naturally, I had to check it out.
I took a few shots of Nora riding the horse, but honestly? Photos don’t do the experience justice. After snapping a few, I hopped on myself, and we all ended up talking anime. Then, in a perfect Ren Faire moment, the King walked by, complimented our outfits, and carried on his royal way. Definitely a highlight of the season, photographed or not. Now, I’m determined to get a shot of His Majesty.
Plans for Next Weekend
Next weekend, I’ll be at the Florida Renaissance Festival both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday will be for the usual debauchery, but Saturday, I plan to arrive early for a special shoot with MeduSirena. Stay tuned—this Ren Faire season is only getting better!
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Florida Renaissance Festival Week 1 - Jesters Weekend
SAMKOMA
The Florida Renaissance Festival: My Church of Choice
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Everyone has that event they religiously attend. For some, it’s a weekly or monthly club night. For others, it’s something annual like Burning Man or Coachella. And believe it or not, some people actually go to church (and it’s not even abandoned).
I’ve never been the type to commit to one recurring event. I just go where I want, when I want, and usually, once I’ve done something for a while, I move on. But in recent years, the Florida Renaissance Festival has become my church.
What is the Florida Renaissance Festival?
For the uninitiated, every year in February and March, Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach transforms into a medieval wonderland on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s a full-blown Ren Faire experience—incredible live bands, mouthwatering faire food, and of course, people dressing up in their finest medieval, fantasy, or historically inaccurate garb.
For an immersive adventure photographer like me, it’s paradise.
Sundays are my preferred day to attend. That’s when the South Florida alt scene comes out in full force. There’s something about Ren Faire that draws together goths, ravers, punks, kinksters, and every other alternative subculture. Normally, you only see these people in nightlife settings, but here, you get to adventure with them in daylight (which, if you know me, you know I love daytime adventures). In that way, it feels more like a festival or a Burn—just with turkey legs and chainmail.
Ren Faire 2025: Opening Weekend Recap
Now that you’ve had your crash course, let’s talk about this past Sunday (my usual day, since it’s slightly less crowded). I went with one of my besties, Shannon Marie (Kayla Bee was supposed to join but was, unfortunately, sick).
We met up with a killer crew of muses and performer friends, including Pain Puppy, Nora Mars, Mandy Faery, and Jupiter Stellar. We also ran into some folks working the event, like Lauren Flo, Antoinette and the guys from Bard & Minstrels, and Dani Van Buren, who’s bartending at Crossroads again this year.
Puppy and her helmeted kinkster friend were a vibe, and we got some killer photos—especially the ones of her in the stocks (which are exclusive to the Secret Cabal members-only section here on the site).
I also checked out a new act, SAMKOMA, and they were amazing. This year, I plan to highlight more Ren Faire performers, since I tend to focus mostly on the friends and muses I hang out with.
Final Thoughts
Opening weekend was a blast—exactly the kind of adventure I needed. If this is any indication of how the season is going to go, I can already tell I’ll be spending a lot of time at the Florida Renaissance Festival in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for more Faire magic! 🏰✨
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Intro To Beginner Photo Wizardry
Wow! Ok so welcome to my magical photo/adventure blog where I will be sharing new content, tips and tricks, and general musings on my adventures. For those familiar with my work, welcome back! I couldn’t do what I do without all of you so let me say thank you and I am so thankful to be connecting with you on this level once again.
For those new to the magical whimsies of this learned image maker, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jay Kantor, known to those in the know as KungFuBreakfast, First of His Name, Photographer of The Nine Realms. I am an Four Dimensional, ElderGod, Light-Bending Wizard of the Photographic Arts. A Master of the Fine Arts I am known by many names: Instigator, Disruptor, Urban Explorer, Booty Whisperer. My work has been featured in magazines, film festivals, art galleries.
So what am I doing here? Well that is an excellent question. You have entered the tome of my work and I plan to share you my story.