Conversations with Sefina Aulei

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sefina Aulei.

Hi Sefina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Sefina Aulei and I’m a Visual Artist and Organizer who recently moved to Scottsdale, Arizona! I’m originally from Seattle, Washington and I’m known for my unique visual style, blending fashion, beauty, and art into stunning portraits, and maintained community by collaborating with other creatives on photoshoots. I promote resources, host events and mentor up-and-coming community members and artists by sharing my own lived experience as a Trans Woman of Color who overcame the typical disparities one may face as a former foster child with no ties to their biological family.

I made a name by organizing community events for marginalized and underserved LGBT youth and young adults, creating spaces for the free expression of art through an underground scene called The Kiki Scene. These functions, known as a ‘Ball’, are for community members, spectators and leaders of the Kiki Scene who come together to celebrate and compete with each other through fashion, beauty and dance categories for trophies or prizes. Historically these events would sometimes have tabling opportunities for non profits or businesses who would like to serve or sponsor the Ball and its attendees. This hand-in-hand method was a formula originated by House and Ballroom that would invite those that are disadvantaged to resources they potentially or currently need wether it be HIV testing, food, drinks, and connections to case management. A little intro to Ballroom 101 is much needed as it is a Scene that’s not as mainstream yet imperative for those that need a space like this.

Being a mentor in this scene for over 6 years in the Pacific NorthWest has largely impacted the lives of the youth and young adults, including mine. If it wasn’t for my personal love of fashion, the arts, yearn for belonging and experiences I’ve had to become such a resourceful and independent person, I would not know where I would be today. Being a part and getting to lead people in this community has granted many doors and opportunities I’m forever grateful for. One new chapter of passions I have that this community has introduced me to and I’m excited to explore is fashion and portrait photography!

Since 2019, I’ve taken contract gigs as a brand developer, video editor, graphic designer and creative director with nonprofits, foundations, universities and small businesses. I naturally began to transfer the skills I learned working as a contractor to using it on people I’ve mentored through the Kiki Scene as a hobby but with the purpose to elevate their own personal brands or vision for themselves as an artist. I’ve coordinated projects where I’d bring a photographer, videographer, models, dancers etc together then I would finalize everything post production. Later down the line I’ve realized that doing so consistently, things would be much easier if I picked up the camera myself. It was common that people trusted my vision. It wasn’t until just a year ago that I can proudly say I trust myself now when I was published in a Fashion Magazine for both my modeling and photography. Since then I’ve invested heavily in taking my Photography career seriously so I can really dive deeper into the world of visual arts. I hope that people reading this will join me on my journey of self re-discovery and refine my skills as an artist.

Projects that I’ve began through my photography business, SFNA Studios, I created a Catalog that features local and non local creatives where they’re mostly styled and themed by me that is tied to the current season. It’s something I’ve done the past year and it has gotten amazing feedback and I look forward to continuing this and see how it shapes out in the future besides just taking clients for your regular portrait or headshots photoshoot.

Another project I created dedicated for the Kiki Scene is called Kittenz. This project is basically just a group of chosen family including myself and two young adults that I mentor to provide space, events and resources to community where we center black and brown queer and trans youth and young adults who are interested in the Kiki Scene! We will debut our first project called the Kittenz Lounge where it will be a Drop-In center-like open space to learn more about ballroom, share space with other Kiki kids, practice categories, classes etc! We debut our Drop In Center August 1st so if you or know someone who may be interested, contact us through IG- KittenzHQ!

My upbringing had many obstacles but it has prepared me to put more intention into how I unify people and art. A message I would love for readers to leave with is to dream ambitiously no matter who you are or where you’re at in life. Art is what contributes to my healing and joy. I hope this helps inspire many others to have that relationship with art as well.

I hope my project, Kittenz, would be an introduction to that relationship people can have with dance, music, art and fashion. Please follow us on social media or send us an email! Your support would go a long way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
An obstacle I have constantly faced was imposter syndrome. I’ve learned the hard way as someone who worked in the non-profit world, it’s not as welcoming as you thought it should be. Usually the non-profit field is where LGBT individuals gravitate towards as it is a field that is known to provide resources and opportunities to marginalized identities. I’ve always had a roller coaster relationship when it came to community organizing since high school. I was co-chair of the largest GSA in Seattle and was featured on the front page of the local newspaper for winning many scholarships by Foundations and Non-Profits so being in this field was inevitable for me. One thing I have noticed though is I feel when people aren’t able to sit and really learn from each other’s stories to better future experiences for everyone as a whole, things stay surface level and to be honest: a cycle of patterns and boredom. Sometimes these cycles become even more harmful and divisive. This furthers more people to question their own worth. Because of this experience, I stayed being an independent contractor.

Thankfully I’ve met some lifetime friends through this work. A friend of mine that I met through an organization I once worked for began booking me as a contractor to develop her brand and create digital products for her business. Over time we bonded more and she opened the discussion of working under her for an organization she was Executive Director for. Our established friendship and trust definitely healed a lot of what I faced already and her work showed me her passion to do better for community and this relit my fire to begin organizing again for my own community in the Kiki Scene here in Arizona. I’m very thankful for her and how this past year helped me shape to be better and instill value in me that I know imposter syndrome can’t beat!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Professionally I work for a wonderful organization called Surge Reproductive Justice. The work we do mobilizes communities to build a world where all people can make powerful, self-determined choices for their bodies and the future of their families and communities. Our work centers Black women, women of color, and queer and trans people of color for a movement that rises from the bottom up. I serve as the Communications Support. I manage the newsletter, website, social media and overall communications of our organization.

As a contractor I am a photographer and brand developer! I help businesses develop their own voice and vision for how they want to represent themselves as a business and typically what that entails are what communicates their uniqueness visually. I also do portrait photography that’s in the realm of fashion, beauty and boudoir.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
A risk I’ve taken recently was pivoting to investing into my photography. A fun fact is that a majority of my work until a couple weeks ago is that I’ve used my iPhone for everything photography wise. Even the photography of myself in the magazine I was featured in was used from an iPhone. My knowledge of lighting, creative direction, styling and determination is what was able to translate my vision to get such a great reach and it resulted in being asked to be a part of that amazing Magazine. I’m forever grateful for that piece of validation and confirmation that I should continue doing what I do best. Now I am a proud owner of an amazing Canon Camera that will help execute my vision even more efficiently and I can happily say that I did that through the recent promotion shoot I did with my Kittenz photoshoot!

Pricing:

• 500 Basic Package | $250/HR, 2 HR min. $25/IMG, 8 Finalized Images.

Contact Info:

• Website: Coming Soon.
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sefinaaulei?igsh=cW1tZjBwOTFwbHR1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085649395177&mibextid=LQQJ4d