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MERMAIDS

IN SEDONA

BY: PATRICIA PASTRANO ©2021 by Patricia Pastrano
PHOTOGRAPHER: ERIC KELSEY @MEMORIESIMAGINED | FB MEMORIESIMAGINEDAZ

Our day in the Arizona sun with The stories shared from the mer-
mermaids was intended as a fun folk gathered are more than just
meet-and-mingle. However, I the posed images captured. They
didn’t expect the continued edu- are stories of people pursuing their
cation the mermaid world had in passion in an inclusive and genuine
store for me. community at its core. Underneath
their external beauty is an inner
Having heard testimonies and beauty just as important… a beau-
seen many online support groups/ ty that will educate and support in
platforms, I was not clueless about ways you never imagined.
the magic of the mermaid com-
munity and its positive impact on Becoming a mermaid is more than
isiting the desert of Arizona those in and around it. Our day saw just putting on a tail. This amazing
you would not expect to find community support, sharing of group of people taught me about
Vmermaids. perspectives, encouraging words, the magic of the mermaid commu-
and demonstrating the mermaid nity, its inclusivity and more about
Not only can you find them, but spirit of inclusivity and acceptance the mermaid I want to be! Look in
they are also there with the mer- in a world seemingly obsessed with your local area for community mer-
maid welcome wagon whenever individualized focuses and need of maid pods. They are a good place
merfolk visit from out of town. On platforms and technologies. to meet other mers and safely en-
a recent trip to Arizona, The Travel- joy times like our day in Sedona!
ing Merman got to experience just Many people—some of whom had
that! With six mermaids, one pirate, never met, online or in real life—
one merman, photographers and were gathered there in Sedona
moms, our early morning start to supporting each other, without Thanks to all the merfolk
Sedona was well worth it! judgement or competition! Con- who joined us!
stant smiles and giggles filled the
The colorful mermaids drew a day. Amidst the posed photos were Mermaid Astarte
lot of attention among red sand- candid shots capturing the fun @allison.dee.7
stone formations, freshwaters of with all the fluke slaps, air bubbles,
Oak Creek, and lush green banks! photobombers and tail-fails that Mermaid Princess Aurora
Hikers and tourists stopped to ask seemed to be in an endless supply. @
questions. Children pulled on their Mermaidprincessaurora
moms in excitement to see the
mermaids and possibly get a pic- Mermaid Krystal
ture. Others just took pictures from @mermaid_krystal
afar as they pointed and smiled at
the mermaids dotting the land- Mermaid Atlannas
scape. There was even had a heli- @mermaid_atlannas
copter that doubled back to get a
second look at the mermaids gath- Mermaid Onyx
ered along the banks of Oak Creek. @mermaidonyx
FB MermaidOnyx
As a photographer, I have found
mermaid shoots to be the most fun Seadona Mermaid
and rewarding. Combining beauti- @seadona.mermaid
ful mermaids, colorful tails, scenic
backdrops and telling a story is sat- TheTravelingMerman
isfying from a creative storytelling @thetravelingmerman
standpoint. I can’t begin to describe FB thetravelingmerman
how fulfilling it is, too. In addition, I
have found the results of mermaid
shoots to be more far-reaching
than any great image captured.
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