Our story began with a last-minute photoshoot! Malcolm behind the lens, Amber stepping in as the backup model, both of us creating on the fly. Somewhere in that easy, unexpected rhythm, we fell into sync. A few days later, we met to co-work but spent hours lost in conversation instead. What began as creative chaos softened into something steady, and we haven’t stopped choosing each other since.

Our wedding day this past March is our favorite memory. We had always known we were building a life together, but as close family members became ill, we moved our timeline forward so they could be there. We planned it all in just a month and a half, and what could have felt rushed became something deeply meaningful. An intimate day centered on love, care, and presence, surrounded by our immediate family as we committed our lives to each other.

If we won $20,000, it would help us continue the travel year we’ve already begun across U.S. cities. As New Orleans natives, we’ve always felt called to explore before returning home. With that support, we could keep creating and documenting this chapter, building a collection of shared, lived experiences that will one day shape the creative studio we hope to bring to life back home.