June in Focus: Pride, Paintball, Post-Apocalypse & Big Dreams

June came at me fast—and covered in color, chaos, and cinematic energy.

From the vibrant unity of Pride to the wild paintball mayhem of Big Game, the theatrical immersion at Summer Reign, and the creative highs of Anthrocon and the European Photography Awards—I captured a lot of moments that pushed me personally and creatively. Here’s the full story:

🏳️‍🌈 Pride

Pride this year was both vibrant and intimate. I focused on the raw emotions boiling beneath the festivities—hand squeezes, joyful tears, and radiant defiance.

📸 “Royalty in Bloom” – Pride 2025
One of my favorite moments was catching a young trans person mid-laugh, a handmade crown resting on their head like it belonged there all along. The sunlight hit just right, and for that second, it felt like the whole city paused to let them shine.

Pride showed me once again that photography is about stories, not just images.

🔫 The Big Game – Paintball at Cousins, Long Island

June 2nd marked the Cousins Paintball Big Game, Long Island’s largest paintball showdown. Set on the sprawling fields in Calverton, NY, it featured:

• Thousands of players divided into two massive factions
• 5 hours of nonstop respawning, props, mission objectives
• Live commentary by industry celebrity generals
• Tanks, ambushes, strategy, and unlimited paint

📸 “Baptism by Paint” – The Big Game 2025
One of my favorite shots was of a group of younger players getting lit up in a wild exchange—paint splattering midair, their reactions a mix of shock and pure adrenaline. It’s raw, real, and full of the wild fun that makes Big Game so iconic.

As the day unfolded, vibrant paint splatters and adrenaline-fueled action defined every frame. I climbed a bunker for a shot of a team-driving charge—my lens streaked in yellow, but the shot? Absolutely worth it.

Grab the energy in this gallery:
📸 Big Game gallery – The Big Game 2025

☕️ Summer Reign – June 22nd at Cousins Airsoft

Just three weeks later, Summer Reign offered a complete tonal shift. Hosted by Cousins Airsoft, this immersive event dropped players into a post-collapse world with:

• 14+ fully-embedded NPCs
• 80+ missions and dynamic side-quests
• Multiple factions—mercs, scavengers, traders—each driving the narrative

This wasn’t just a game—it was a living, breathing world. Every interaction, every decision, and every step through the dusty ruins felt like stepping deeper into a post-apocalyptic storyline brought to life.

And this:

📸 “Silent Hunter” – Summer Reign, 2025
A lone sniper in full ghillie silently holds position beneath the trees, his rifle locked and ready—barely distinguishable from the forest floor. You don’t see him until it’s too late. This was one of those shots I felt before I even pressed the shutter—pure immersion, pure tension.

Captured during the peak of Summer Reign’s midday firefights—just moments before everything kicked off around the barricade.

Relive the cinematic chaos here:
📸 Summer Reign gallery – Summer Reign 2025

🎨 Anthrocon Art Contest

I’m thrilled to announce I was selected for the Anthrocon Art Contest this year. Displaying my work at a con that values storytelling and creative expression is such an honor—it feels like a true coming-together of my passions in photography and worldbuilding.

🌍 European Photography Awards

I also submitted to the European Photography Awards, pushing myself to step into a broader arena. My chosen series blends grit with cinematic narrative—raw, real, and intentionally bold. Whether or not I place, I’m proud I said “yes” to this challenge.

🧠 Mental Snapshot

It wasn’t always smooth: there were moments of doubt, exhaustion, and “is this enough?” But then I’d stand in the thick of paint-splattered madness or wander through a dusty bazaar set piece and remember: this is why. Each shot is more than an image—it’s a story, a feeling, a memory to hold onto.

📸 For Fellow Creatives

Thinking about jumping into contests, submitting work, or just sharing more? Do it. You don’t need a perfect portfolio. You just need your perspective. When you share, you open doors—for connection, growth, and new chapters. This month is proof.

🚀 What’s Next

More shoots, events, and wild ideas are in the wings. But June reminded me: this camera isn’t just gear. It’s my translator, my tool, my voice. And when I press the shutter, I’m not just capturing the world—I’m part of it.

Thank you for being here, for looking, and for letting me share this ride with you.

— Riley