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Rose Kelling

@drifterthorn

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Florida 📸
Drag • LGBTQ+ • Live Events • Weddings • Bands
⚡ Capturing emotion at its most unrepeatable moment.
🌐 drifterthorn.work

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🎂🐟 Happy 9th Birthday to my Luna Tuna! 💖🐾

Nine years of sass, cattitude, cuddles, and being the cutest little Tuna Butt around! 🥹💕 Somehow, my baby is already NINE, and I'm not quite sure how time went by so fast.Here's to my favorite little weirdo and many more years of being spoiled rotten! by @drifterthorn

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2 days ago

taken in The Dive by @drifterthorn

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a month ago

A Little Moment

Last night was already a good night. Good friends, amazing music with Scratch 2020 doing their thing. Honestly, the best band around.

Then my friend pulled me out into the dance floor and danced with me during one of the songs.

It was such a small, spontaneous thing, but it hit me right in the heart.

Sometimes you don't need anything huge to make a night special. Sometimes it's just your friend grabbing your hand, pulling you into the moment, and reminding you that you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

That moment made my entire night. ❤️ taken in The Dive by @drifterthorn

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2 months ago

Thank you to @drifterthorn for the superstellar shots!
and @splashbarcompetitions and @splashbarflorida for havening me!
it was out of this world!
🛸🌠🚀🌌 taken in Splash Bar Florida by @drifterthorn

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2 months ago

Thank you to @drifterthorn for taking such Killah shots!
👌✌👏👍
#killbill #drag #dragqueen taken in Splash Bar Florida by @drifterthorn

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2 months ago

Late post, but finally getting around to sharing photos from Drag Me to Brunch back in April.

Sometimes life gets busy, but some moments are worth going back and sharing.

As always, The Bun Lab was an amazing place to host such a fun event. The atmosphere, the food, and the people all helped make it a great experience.

The drag kings and queens brought an incredible amount of energy to the stage. Every performer brought their own personality, creativity, and style, making the show a joy to photograph.

One of my favorite things about drag is that every performance tells a different story. Whether it’s comedy, emotion, glamour, or pure chaos, there is always a moment that makes you stop and think, I’m glad I had my camera ready.

Thank you to all the performers for sharing your art and letting me capture these moments.

Better late than never. ❤️

📸 Drifterthorn.work
📍 The Bun Lab by @drifterthorn

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3 months ago

Friday, July 4th was a long one. My day started at 4:00 a.m... even though I didn't actually have to be awake that early. By 8:00 a.m. I was meeting friends for a kayaking trip that quickly turned into an adventure. We spotted fish, turtles, and even a baby alligator. Getting out of the kayak didn't go so well either, I sank one leg into the mud up to my knee. Somewhere along the way I burned my knees, nearly threw up from the Florida heat, and needed a power nap before the night even started.
Then it was off to Splash with my camera. One of my favorite moments happened before I even picked it up. China Moon greeted me by my actual name instead of just "photographer" and gave me a hug. Later, her husband stopped to say hi too. It was such a small gesture, but it reminded me how lucky I am to be welcomed into this community. Lady Zero was incredible as always, commanding the room from the top of the bar. Val had the crowd completely hooked all night, and our special guest, Mala, brought amazing energy and some really fun moments to photograph. After one of China Moon's numbers, we ended up doing an impromptu photo shoot together. While we were shooting, Val grabbed the mic and shouted, "Give it up for China!" Then followed it with, "Give it up for our photographer!" The crowd actually cheered for me. That had never happened before. I'm usually the one behind the camera celebrating everyone else, so having that support pointed back at me meant more than I can explain. The night wasn't without its rough moments. A staff member told me my photos make drag queens look like "monsters." It caught me off guard because my goal has always been the exact opposite, to capture these incredible performers as powerful, beautiful, and larger than life.

When I got home, I mentioned it in my friend group chat. One friend immediately replied, "Who was it? Because I'll cuss they ass out." I laughed, but it also reminded me that I have people willing to stand up for me the same way I try to support everyone else. After being awake since 4 a.m., kayaking, surviving the Florida heat, and photographing an incredible show... I was absolutely exhausted. And I'd do it all again. by @drifterthorn

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3 months ago

The final day of Pride Month closed out in the best way possible at Splash.

The night featured an incredible lineup with Roxxxy Andrews, Val, China Moon, and Envy, bringing Pride Month to an unforgettable finish. Every performer brought their own style and energy, making it a night that celebrated everything our community is about.

Beyond the performances, the evening took time to recognize people whose work often happens behind the scenes but has made a lasting impact on our local LGBTQ+ community.

Johnny was honored with the 2026 Community Icon Award for his lifelong commitment to the LGBTQ+ and drag community.

William received both the Leadership Award and the Chairman's Award in recognition of his tireless dedication, commitment, vision, and leadership, along with the incredible work he's done to help bring meaningful Pride celebrations to our corner of the South.

Those moments reminded me that Pride isn't just about the shows or the parties. It's about the people who spend countless hours building spaces where others feel welcome, supported, and celebrated.

As someone who's spent this entire month behind a camera, I feel incredibly fortunate to have witnessed these moments firsthand. Every show, every hug, every laugh, every performance, and every celebration has reminded me why I love documenting this community.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed me, trusted me with your memories, and let me tell a small part of your story through my lens.

Here's to another incredible Pride Month.

📸 Drifterthorn.work
📍 Splash Bar, Panama City, FL by @drifterthorn

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3 months ago

The Ultimate Pride Brunch at The Bun Lab was the perfect way to celebrate Pride.

Pride has always been about more than parades and performances. It's about community, authenticity, and creating spaces where people can be themselves without fear. The Ultimate Pride Brunch captured that feeling perfectly.

I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with my group of friends, which made the day even more special. Sharing these moments with people who have become such an important part of my life is something I'll never take for granted.

The brunch featured a lineup of nine talented kings and queens, and every one of them brought something special to the stage. It was the kind of show where no two performances felt the same, which kept the audience engaged from beginning to end. There were plenty of laughs, incredible performances, and moments that reminded everyone why drag is such a powerful art form.

One performance that really stayed with me was Dana's.

I've photographed Dana many times, but this number was different. Throughout the performance, she slowly removed her makeup and drag, ending the number as her boy self.

It was vulnerable, personal, and incredibly powerful to watch. By the end of the performance, Dana had the crowd in tears.

As a photographer, those are the moments I love capturing, not just the glamour and spectacle, but the stories, emotions, and vulnerability behind them. Those are the images that stay with me long after I've packed up my camera.

I also have to give a huge thank you to The Bun Lab. The food was fantastic, the staff was incredible, and they created such a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walked through the door. It's the kind of place that makes you want to come back, not just for the food, but because of the people who make it feel like home.

Thank you to every king, queen, organizer, volunteer, and audience member who helped make this Pride season so memorable. Being able to document these moments has been an honor, and I'm grateful for every performance, every laugh, every hug, and every memory I was trusted to capture.

📸 Drifterthorn.work
📍 The Bun Lab by @drifterthorn

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3 months ago

Day two of the final stretch of Pride Month meant it was time for the King and Queen Pride Competition at Splash.
One of my favorite things about these competitions is that they're never just another drag show. Every contestant brings their own personality, creativity, and interpretation to the theme, and it's always fun watching the judges try to pick a winner.
The room was full of excitement from the moment the first performer stepped onto the stage. Friends were cheering each other on, the audience was fully invested, and you could tell how much everyone wanted to put on the best performance they could.
As a photographer, nights like this keep me moving. Every number has its own moments you don't want to miss, a dramatic pose, the perfect expression, a costume reveal, or that split second where the crowd erupts.
The competition was fierce, but what stood out to me most wasn't who won. It was the support everyone showed each other throughout the night. Whether someone was competing, hosting, or cheering from the audience, the room felt like a community celebrating one another.
That's one of the reasons I keep coming back with my camera.
It's never just about documenting a performance. It's about preserving moments that only happen once and getting to witness a community that lifts each other up.
By the end of the night, my memory cards were full, my feet were tired, and I left with another collection of memories I was grateful to capture.
📸 Drifterthorn.work
📍 Splash Bar, Panama City, by @drifterthorn

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3 months ago

Wednesday, June 24th was Glow Night at Splash and the beginning of the final stretch of Pride Month.
Getting there felt like a victory all by itself. The days leading up to Wednesday were rough. Between a flare-up, a stomach bug, and my period deciding it wanted to join the party too… Tuesday was basically my body throwing every possible inconvenience at me at once.
To make it even better, I didn't sleep Tuesday night because I was up running to the bathroom every few minutes. So by Wednesday, I was running on very little sleep and a questionable amount of determination.
Needless to say, I wasn't exactly feeling my best. But Wednesday rolled around, the glow paint came out, the lights went down, and somehow things started looking up. Envy was back in town, which was such a fun surprise. I always love getting the chance to see her and capture her again. There’s something special about photographing people you’ve built a connection with, it makes the night feel less like work and more like being surrounded by people who make you smile. Also, apparently Envy’s way of saying hello was to tickle my stomach, which was a bold choice considering my stomach was already fighting for its life. Envy and Val together on the mic were hilarious. Their energy bounced off each other, and you could tell they were having just as much fun as everyone watching.
Then there’s Val.
Val convinced me to take a shot.
I tried to say no... but listen, Val is gorgeous, and apparently my lesbian heart does not have the strongest decision-making skills around her.
Was my stomach already questionable? Absolutely.
Did I still take the shot? Of course I did.
And honestly... it might have helped a little. It warmed my stomach up, and for a brief moment I thought maybe I made the right call.I did, however, make it very clear that if I threw up, she was my target. She's lucky I made it home before that happened. Glow Night also featured a competition, and the performers brought their A-game. After the final performances, Boho took the win and earned her trip into the cash cube. The camera stayed busy, the room stayed alive, and somehow I made it through. Drifterthorn.wok by @drifterthorn

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3 months ago

Wednesday, June 10th was a rare occasion for me.

I'm usually at Splash on Saturdays, so finding myself there on a Wednesday felt a little strange. But it also meant I got to experience one of their themed competitions.

The challenge for the night was movie characters, and the performers absolutely committed to it.

One queen brought Daphne from Scooby-Doo to life, while another transformed into Ursula and delivered Poor Unfortunate Souls with all the drama and attitude you'd hope for.

The competition eventually came down to the top two performers, who battled it out in a final lip sync for the overall win.

And after all that?

The winner earned a trip into the cash cube.

Watching someone try to grab as much money as possible while bills flew in every direction was chaotic enough on its own, but the fun didn't stop there. Val, hosting the night, drew a ticket from the crowd, and whoever matched the number won the same amount of money the contestant grabbed from the cube.

Needless to say, people were paying very close attention to those ticket numbers.

The whole night was a mix of great performances, friendly competition, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

The funny part? I had to be up for my other job the next morning for a 10-hour shift, and after that it's drag bingo, where my friends and I have a surprise planned for Dana. So I really had no business being out on a Wednesday night.

But sometimes the camera wins that argument.

📸 Drifterthorn.work
📍 Splash Bar, Panama City, FL by @drifterthorn

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4 months ago