goonmilk

[goonmilk]

Mason’s 30th Birthday!

By far one of the Best Birthday Functions I’ve had the pleasure to Shoot! Bruh did it big and everybody showed love so even though I don’t know him, I know he’s a standup individual. Felt Like a College Homecoming party in there man real live! Happy Birthday and thank you for choosing Thee Booth Experience!

[goonmilk]

You Weren’t There!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of being on the You weren’t there podcast Hosted by Mia along with my bro Dre and up and coming Artist DFG Ju. A few years ago I vowed to not do podcasts because of how gimmicky and how fast they were popping up during the pandemic left and right. I’ve done a few of my family’s podcasts ie. Most Known Unknowns, and HighCodes Podcast but it stopped there. I chose to be a guest here because I respect what the podcast stands for; bringing real artistry to light, and creating real dialogue amongst creatives. Not click bait, not viral momentum, just real people with real talent having real convos. Something all three of the aforementioned podcasts have in common. I actually enjoy talking about my career and journey so this was a lot of fun. Check out the You Weren’t There Podcast Below!

[goonmilk]

Phoenix’s 1st Day

Tuesday was Phoenix’s First day of Pre-K!

I think Ash and I took it harder than he did. Besides him crying for a toy car getting out of the car and his bottle everything went pretty smooth, once we got him to his classroom. A hug and dap and he was off on his own. His grandmother cried the entire time lol. Feels like time is flying by twice as fast as it did when i was a Kid. Just yesterday I was holding my newborn, now Im dropping him off to strangers and holding back tears. My first born is growing up soo fast and making me soo proud.

I just want to be the best Dad in the world.

[goonmilk]

Viral

As 10 Million plus of you know, or may not know my ID photos recently went viral on the internet lol. My 2018 and 2024 IDs caused a frenzy of hilarious commentary on Twitter first and then IG this week. From “he’s a crackhead” to “the difference between doing weed and doing coke”, to “Thats what living in Maryland will do to you”. All quite hilarious to me and those who know me, but I’d like to give some background on the actual factuals.

Never done hard drugs in my fucking life! I was high on weed in the first ID photo in 2018 (clearly). Those that know me know I’ve been sober the last 8 months after choosing to quit smoking weed completely due to me raising my son and how much he mimics everything I do and being high around him just didn’t feel right. From being a heavy weed smoker for the past 15 years to quitting cold turkey, I am extremely proud that I don’t look like that first pic anymore.

Stress has nothing to do with the difference in photos, I am so much happier with life and my family and my accomplishments now in 2024 than I was in 2018. I’m married, own place, own car, family growing and healthy with a thriving business in photography, and loving my job im blessed to do every single day. I was more stressed in 2018 than ever with none of the aforementioned accomplishments.

My eyes change color, they’re a totally different shade lighter than the 2018 photo. My eyes change colors all the time from brown, to green, to hazel, to grey. My eyebrows have always been super thin. People telling me go to the doctor and get my thyroid checked and Im literally the healthiest I’ve been my entire life. Juicing, exercising when I can and eating my vegetables. I think I look healthier with smoother skin. My shocked expression is really due to not having my glasses on and the flash going off before I expected it to because theres no countdown just “turn and take the pic”, Boom.

I needed a shapeup my mustache do look wild lol. My locs are braided and pulling my hairline back further than what it is. 🤷🏾‍♂️

I like my before and after photos and glad I posted it and went Viral. One thing about me, Im probably the most self confident person you gonna run into so nothing someone who doesn’t know me can say thats gonna hurt my feelings or make me feel any less than what I already know I am. And I’m the last person you want to try to make fun of and put on blast cause Im just gonna use it to my advantage and put it on a T-shirt, you really cant pay for this type of Free Promotion. So thank you Twitter, Memezar, OnlyinDMV, DMVHoodzandNewz, you just turned my website views up and sent me more prospective clients. Thank you to everyone who sent it my way; Me, Ash and even my Mom have been receiving DMs and texts all week from concerned friends and family making sure I saw it lol. I appreciate everyone in the comments taking up for me and tagging me. The positive messages and love I received was really the biggest compliments ever. Trust me I saw it all and loved every second of this experience. T-shirts available in the Shop now!

Just another way to prove I’m G.etting O.ut O.f N.egative S.ituations #GOONS!

[goonmilk]

Life Lately

Been a while since I had the time to unload life’s blessings into blog form, but things have been honestly amazing for me and my family. Ash and I are expecting our second child. Phoenix is gonna be a big brother which is very exciting to see him in that role as he’s growing up so fast. We’re also getting him ready for Daycare, we’ve been blessed to have amazing Grandmothers to watch him as we go to work but now we want to socialize him a bit more and get him around kids his age. We took him on his first Airplane flight this past weekend to Atlanta to visit Ash’s Uncle. We had a blast, he wasn’t afraid at all and slept thru most of both flights there and back. We went to Skyzone, Lego Land, and to the Georgia Aquarium. A nice little quick getaway to test Phoenix’s flying capacity but I knew he’d like it the way he sleeps as soon as the car starts moving lol. Fatherhood has by far been the most rewarding gift as a man; learning how to be patient, gentle, and understanding on a whole new level. Married life isn’t much different than before we tied the knot, we’ve been locked in since the moment we met and I wouldnt have it any other way. Ash was/is an amazing wife before we even said our I do’s. Seeing her become a dedicated Mom while juggling work, life, and her passions in makeup is inspiring and I strive to be as compassionate of a person as she is. She gives me hope and unwavering support on my darkest of days. I pray my peers find someone to calm their soul the way she has soothed mine.

Thee Booth Experience is steady booking larger and more interesting clientele. We’ve done Beyonce Block Parties with Anwaa Kong and the Black Wealth Summit with Raven Paris in Baltimore as well as countless Baby showers, Dinner Parties, and individual shoots. My goal is to really get this DMV Yearbook published by end of year to further establish the role in our area that Thee Booth has cemented in the last year. I say this humbly but there’s really no experience like Thee Booth Experience in this area. The quality, the service, the nostalgia, the buzz that it has created from social media profile pictures and seeing them all over Instagram is unlike anything I’ve seen from a photographer ever. The love is felt everywhere and I really want to do this yearbook and my area justice with how i present this project as I see it being another stepping stone to the legacy I want to leave to my kids. That’s really all I’m focused on; Family, and that’s exactly as it should be. I’m turning 36 on the 23rd and usually I’d be planning some function to party or go out of town but these days it all about my little growing tribe, Photography, and being grateful for it all.

I’ll Keep you guys updated more often.

[goonmilk]

The Bunny Ranch

A time was had…

Shoutout the Bunny Ranch for having thee Booth Experience!

[goonmilk]

Dans les Coulisses

While on the run in Paris we also shot some amazing models from The Face management Paris with Mimi as the photographer, Ash of course on makeup, Garments and styling by Bishme Cromartie, and me shooting behind the scenes. Oh and Brother Marcus as our cultural guide lol. The Power Rangers 😂💪🏽

The beautiful part of the whole experience for me was seeing Ash and the crew running like a well oiled machine, making magic happen with 8 different models, some whom barely spoke English. Even after the makeup equipment arrived a day late because our checked bags got caught up in Iceland. This being my first time meeting Bishme and Marcus we clicked instantly through our love for Ash and Mimi. They’ve been a team for years now before I even met Ash. To have them bring me in to help their production out was kind of a dream come true. The experience of watching Mimi book and shoot with a top modeling agency, Bishme being a world renown Black designer from Baltimore, famous in his own right from winning “Project Runway” one of the first fashion tv shows I watched as a fashion major at Morgan state. Now being a photographer/videographer/Designer and welcomed into a team that does all the things I love creatively and artistically was and is Surreal, I can’t wait for the next trip and shoot.

[goonmilk]

GoonMilk Army Fatigue Cargo Pants

GOONMILK IS AN ARMY Custom Printed US Army issue, drawstring ankle, Cargo Pants. Goonmilk logo printed along with a Patched Back pocket flap.

100% Cotton.

[goonmilk]

Keep It Playa 4 Ball

Shoutout AZ and IbetitBuzz for inviting the Booth out to a stellar DMV industry event!

Book Thee Booth Experience via TheeBoothExperience@Gmail.com and elevate your next Event!

[goonmilk]

Aligned

Tonight is the second installment of “Aligned” an Industry Mixer for the DMV artists to come collaborate, hear each others music and vibe out to the sounds of DJ Bri Mafia and Trilla Kay powered by 4TheDMV! Of course I’ll be there operating the photobooth and food by Chefe! First Aligned night was a banger! Literally my best night to date at the alumni working the booth. Much appreciation and respect to Bri for orchestrating these events, you forever Gang as far as I’m concerned. Come out support your local artists and see what youve been missing from the underground to mainstream talent in the DMV.

Here are the photos from the last Mixer!

[goonmilk]

Breaking News

Mama we made it! The Alumni Spot was featured on Good Morning Washington ABC7 News last month and I had the pleasure of capturing the Behind The Scenes footage and getting a cool lil shoutout for my Photography and Marketing at The Alumni Spot. Also got some great shots of Yadi and Trae Backstage. The segment focused on Yaddiya’s continued community involvement and his venture into the Restaurant business, the amazing food Chef Chefe curates in the Alumni Spot, as well as how it all came about from Yaddiya’s Long Live Gogo Movement.

[goonmilk]

Voice of Da City

Continuing to push the Culture forward, J’TA is one of the new faces of Gogo Music taking the nation’s capitol by storm. From the hit CCB single “Optimistic”, to rocking Noochie’s “Front Porch Freestyles” with TOB, to headlining the Women of Gogo performances at the Mayor’s Keep the Beat Week celebration at the Alumni Spot. The Voice of the city is bringing that soul of Gogo back into the spotlight and deserves all the praise she’s getting.

[goonmilk]

Let the Church say Amen

Another Successful Church on Sunday Party at The ALumni Spot! Zay has figured out the sweet spot between cool kids and dance parties and continues to orchestrate a feel good environment on a monthly basis. Feels like The Alumni Spot is becoming the place to be when it comes to no drama, good music, good food, and getting your fit off. The Booth has reached legendary status getting compared to the great Mr. G himself, but way better quality. The line is continuous and Im running out of paper and ink almost nightly, which is a good thing for me and probably frustrating for those trying to get in and out the booth quickly. Ive been informed numerous times to get a assistant, but it wont make the printer or participants move any faster lol. Its a vibe you just gotta wait your turn and exercise a little patience. If you fear missing out, get there early and be ready to take the best pic of the year. Can I get an Amen?

[goonmilk]

The Alumni Opening Night

The Alumni is officially open for business; hosting private parties, and invite-only Happy Hours on Thursdays. Featuring some of your favorite local DJ talents as well as Gogo Bands whilst delivering some delicious renditions of local food favorites by personal chef, Chef Chefe!

The Picture Booth is boomin! its an amazing feeling seeing people reconnect to that nostalgic feeling of being in the picture booth back in the Gogo days of our youth. Its good for the culture, its fun, its important!

I appreciate all the love and feel somewhat honored by the response the booth is getting. This somewhat simple idea, that i feel I have mastered right under people’s noses has been all love, and I love photography. Its an art form, the same way i think hustling is an art form. Me combining my love for the two in a way that honors the culture this area lives and breathes on every day is really a blessing in disguise.

[goonmilk]

New Years at The Alumni

Happy New Year!

We made it another calendar year Getting Out Of Negative Situations! I Brought the New Year in shooting The Alumni’s New Year’s Eve Party.

[goonmilk]

This Christmas

Not gonna Lie, Christmas as a parent is craziness but seeing the smile on P face makes it oh so worth it. I had a time trying to get everybody something, and get my bills paid which is on me this year. Its a tough time of the year because Im technically on break from work since there are no picture days while school is on winter break. Which means no pay check. So I’m really back on my grind hustling every day trying to book shoots and print as much as possible to stay afloat. Im blessed to have a partner who understands and pushes me to go out and get it regardless and trusts that I will always provide for my family. This Christmas though Ash and her mom went all out and took care of a lot of the toys and gifts for P, I got him a toddler camera that got caught up in transit in the mail 😔. And I got Ash a new professional Make Up travel kit. Her old one broke on her recently and I wanted her to have something nice to carry all her make up equipment in because I know how important her make up is. Ash being the amazing gift giver she is, bought us flights to Paris in March. Honestly cant compete with her gift giving, If it was a sport her jersey would be hanging in the Hall of Fame. just cant compete with her. My mom went on a cruise with our Aunt for Christmas and it didn’t hit me til Xmas eve this would be the first Xmas not being with her. 35 years old and almost cried for my mom, I can only imagine what those grieving their family members during the holidays are going through. Im so grateful for my family and friends, thats what really matters to me, but it seems like this generation is losing sight of that. Were losing recipes… But I digress, my Christmas was amazing and I am grateful.

[goonmilk]

One Time For The Camera Man

In a world where your instagram profile is as important as your resume and every moment is documented whether its a A birthday fit or a night out with the gang. But with everyone having a camera phone, the lack of respect for actual photographers is at an all time high lol.That being said, one of the greatest things about the Alumni is the Professional Photo Booth and being able to get that printed photo like back in the Gogo. Maybe its me being “old” but that was our first IG, a wall full of Gogo pictures. I guess we took for granted the nostalgia of taking photos with the gang and getting a fit off being essential in our present social media fueled society. If people knew the time it took to learn these techniques and acquire the equipment to be able to really be a professional photographer. Its a skill that takes years to become proficient in, and the equipment is priced at a price point you cant just play around with it. So show your camera men/women some love and take good care of them, because as easy as you think it may be to snap a picture, to do it on a high, professional level it takes skill, equipment, and the most important the right lighting. Its an Art form that I believe in and glad to be able to bring together for the city and for Gogo at the Alumni spot. The Alumni Spot is a refreshing reintroduction to most of what a Gogo could be if you go about it the right way. The back to school nostalgic vibe, one of the hottest gogo bands out in TOB, and a grown and sexy crowd looking for a good time in a spacious two floor restaurant filled with Gogo Memorabilia, Art, and the first class of Gogo Alumni. Its a beautiful sight to see my photographs hanging in a Restaurant and even more of a blessing to be able to capture so many people willing to be apart of Gogo Culture and the Alumni Spot.