MEET our merfolk

Meet the mermaids + mermen of Rhode Island

We scouted high and low, searching Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, to find the mer-people who call the shores of Rhode Island their home.
It took some persuading (mer-folk can be very elusive), but after explaining that our project was to raise funds to support BIOMES Marine Biology Center (where more than 2000 marine creatures live and teach people of all ages about the importance of our beautiful waters), well, they flipped!
Of COURSE they would pose for our fundraising calendar to support their fellow sea creatures!
Here's a chance to learn a bit more about these secretive beings...

MERMAID JESSIE

So much talent in one beautiful package! Jessie is a professional performer in Rhode Island. Everything from belly dance to fire spinning, Jessie is a force to be reckoned with. She brought her own costuming to the photoshoot, along with a beautifully sculpted crown created by her mother. She was easy to work with since she's been a model for a few years and knew how to work with our photographer.

Jessie is our glam queen - think mermaid meets silent movie screen star and pinup gal. We can't wait for you to see the final photos from Jessie's shoot. In spite of the chilly weather and brisk wind, the sun was shining and the sand was sparkling - and so was Jessie!

MERMEN BRANDON + DAVID

Talk about two peas in a pod! Brandon and David are both yoga enthusiasts (David is a local yoga instructor) so we knew their photoshoot was going to be fun. Brandon is a professional stylist so he created the "look" that brought the fantasy to the photo. All that was added were a few flippers and fun crowns and we were ready to start the posing.

Be prepared for the most athletic photos of the calendar - it's amazing how agile they both were, and willing to get a little sand in their suits with all the downward dog and sun salutations that were done (though it did get a little tricky in those lycra tails!) A fun couple to work with, Brandon and David were great sports and didn't even complain about the wind coming off the water. Look for them as the October photo in the calendar.

MERMAID EMILY + MERMAN GREG

Both professional dancers with the Island Moving Company in Newport, Emily + Greg lent grace to their photoshoot. Posing for the February Valentine's theme was just perfect!

Champagne and strawberries on the beach, while in mer-costume, seemed to be an easy task for these two. And being good sports, they didn't even mind getting a bit wet - all for the sake of art.

Love was in the air on that chilly May morning - and their calendar photo is sure to capture the romance of love's favorite holiday.

MERMAID SHARON

With a heart as big as the world, Sharon is a social worker and entrepreneur extraordinaire. Her passion for the sea (yes, she swims in the ocean here in RI through November!) made her a natural choice to be featured in our calendar.

Sharon owns and runs a small shop in Tiverton (Artemis) that sells vintage and antique items, and also supplies a space for young women to gather and share their stories. She's an expert at creating beautiful safe spaces for Rhode Island women. We think she's a natural mermaid and we were grateful to be invited into her beautiful world.

MERMAIDS LISA, BRENDA and SANDRA

What can you say about three friends who laugh everytime they get together? Lisa, Brenda and Sandra all met on the bus on their way to the Women's March on Washington and have been best buds ever since.

All three are passionate advocates for women in Rhode Island. Lisa works with women affected by opioids; Sandra works with women with mental health issues; and Brenda works with women to secure financial stability.

And yes, in their spare time, they get together for a few giggles. All we needed to do was add a few props and away they went....

FISHERMAN DICK + MERMAN JOE

Richard and Joe have been a couple for more than 20 years - that made it pretty easy for us work with them! When approached to be a part of this project, they came up with multiple photoshoot ideas (being the creatives that they are - Joe heads up TEN31 Productions and Richard works in advertising and marketing - we knew they'd be filled with great ideas),

With the light being just perfect in Jamestown, we trekked down to the water and began all the fun. Completely in character, these two took on the classic characters of a fisherman and his surprising catch.

Amidst all of the giggles, we think their shoot went swimmingly!

MERMAID KAITLYN

Can you tell that Kaitlyn is a water baby? A true Pisces, she just HAD to have her photoshoot in the water. And since you can't have a bubblebath in the ocean, a huge porcelain tub in a castle (Barnaby Castle in Providence, RI) was the best we could do.

Known to make the social scene all around the state, she's the ultimate party creature. Just add sparkles and bubbles and she's sure to make an appearance - and what an appearance she makes!

We just love her enthusiasm to have a great time!

MERMAID BRIEANN and MERMAN JOSH

If two people were ever ready for a photoshoot, it was these two!

Brieann and Josh were absolutely adorable as we took over a small park in Newport, much to everyone's delight. Bring on all the cute stuffed sea creatures and these two got completely into character.

After all the silliness subsided, the sun gave us beautiful light and the photoshoot went great. And, I mean, who doesn't love mermaids and little sea creatures, right?

BELEDI DANCE COMPANY MERMAIDS

The ladies (and one gentleman) of the Dance Company came to the photoshoot ready to go!

A gathering of 7 merfolk can cause a bit of a commotion on a good day, but given the current environment of coronavirus, they certainly caused a stir!

Posed with the beautiful backdrop of Newport Harbor the shoot couldn't have been more fun. These folks brought the bling and shimmy, we just added the crowns and tails!

MERMAID AMANDA

There just couldn't have been a better spot to photograph Amanda in Providence - we chose the nightclub DUSK.

A punk princess from the get-go, her shoot was a bit edgier than the others. Let's just say we all had fun and leave it at that, shall we?

Amanda even brought her own dragonscale bikini top to the shoot - we just added the tail and wig and away she went. A little bit of mood lighting, some smeared eye shadow and we set the scene for our punk rock mermaid. Attitude is everything!

MERMAID LARISA and MERMAN MICHAEL

Larisa and Michael are the picture perfect mer-couple! Larisa is an accomplished artist so we knew she'd bring an artistic touch to her look, and Michael is a doctor - a willing participant because he loves his wife and knows how to say yes when she asks.

With the backdrop of the Pell Bridge the two took on the persona of lovebirds for the month of June - perfect for wedding pictures. We even had a pedestrian ask if this was a bridal photoshoot!

Both are long time supporters of BIOMES so we were glad they said yes when we asked them to be involved!

MERMAID JENNIFER

Jennifer, a Rhode Island artist, was a dream to work with. Sweet beyond measure she was born ready to be a mermaid - bring on the costuming!

Her photoshoot took place in Providence in a cute little park by the Hot Club, on the most beautiful day of the year. We provided the picnic and the fun began.

Add in some bubbles, lobster, crab sandwiches (with cute little eyes) and little bit of bubbly - it was the perfect mermaid picnic in the park. We're excited to share her final photo in the calendar - it's adorable!