Journal
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Table Rock Lake Branson Photos | Rissa & Marcie Photo Journal
<span class="album-date">Apr 09, 2026</span>My babe flew into Branson to meet up with me for the #AuroraInBranson event. We headed out to Table Rock Lake. Marcie and I love the water. We had so much fun paddle boarding and splashing and playing in the Lake. As evening came we had a wonderful fireside dinner and roasted marshmallows. What a magical night. Love you babe. 💞😘🥰 #AuroraWeek #BransonNights
Silver Dollar City Branson Photos | Rissa & Louise Photo Journal
<span class="album-date">Apr 08, 2026</span>I met Louise in Branson and we headed out to Silver Dollar City amusement park. Steve chaperoned as usual. He is such a sweety. We checked out all the souvenir shops, drank some old fashion sarsaparilla, rode the train, saw the biggest pumpkin, and rode the roller coaster. Steve wanted no part of that. I had such a wonderful time with my bestie. And thank you Steve for being such a cutie. #AuroraWeek #BransonNights #AuroraInBranson
March 2026 Photo Journal
March full of adventure at some great locations. And some wonderful fashion opportunities. This archive gathers the Photo Journal galleries from March 2026 in one place, preserving the month as it appeared through RockyMtnBabe®.
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Mar 27, 2026It’s that magical time again… Opening Day 🥹 The smell of popcorn, funnel cake, fresh grass, and just a little bit of delusion that this is finally our year 😌
Mar 24, 2026I can go from serious to silly to goofy 🤪 in less than 60 seconds. 😝 Hope you have a super terrific Tuesday! 😘🤗🥰💜
Mar 21, 2026Knowing, and being content with who you are is more than half the battle. Thank you for supporting me and showing me so much love. It has proven to me that when you send love out you find people that want to send it back to you. Love ya, Rissa. 😘🤗🥰💜
Mar 17, 2026May the luck of the Irish smile upon you. 🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day. Love ya, Rissa 😘🤗🥰💜
Mar 16, 2026You know ice cream and frozen yogurt get all the attention but a little orange sherbet can really brighten your whole day. 🧡🧡🧡 Hope you have a great start to the week. 😘🤗🥰💜
Mar 14, 2026Good morning. Well, today is a special day and I baked you a surprise. Happy Pi Day (3.14). 🥧🤭 Have a great day! 😘🥰🤗💜
Mar 13, 2026Good morning! Feeling lazy this morning. It’s Fryay, I’m so looking forward to the weekend. 😘🥰🤗💜
Mar 11, 2026Happy Wednesday. Beautiful day in the high country. Do you think I make a cute Yeti? 🤭☺️ Have a wonderful day. 😘🥰🤗💜
Mar 10, 2026Thank you for all your love 💕 I hope you feel me mirror that love back to you. Have a safe and wonderful day. 😘🤗🥰💜
Mar 08, 2026Marcie and I hit the road on our scooter and had a wonderful day with the wind in our hair. We had a wonderful picnic overlooking the lake. Just a super Sunday funday! 💕💖😘. Love you, babe! 😘🤗💜
Mar 07, 2026Having a little fun and being silly this Saturday morning. 😜 Hope you have a fun weekend. 😘🥰🤗💜
Mar 04, 2026Happy Wednesday! A couple photos from last summer by the Blue River. Love ya, Rissa 😘🤗🥰💜
Inside the RMB Studio
Creating the RMB Couture Liquid Color Series
Every image you see from me begins long before the final frame — usually with a small spark of inspiration. Sometimes it’s a color. Sometimes it’s a movement of fabric or light. From that tiny spark, a project begins to grow. Ideas take shape, scenes are imagined, and slowly the final image emerges.
For this series, the idea was more of a feeling — liquid color becoming part of the fashion itself. The concept started small, then expanded as it began to spark my imagination. Inspiration turns into experimentation… sketching, exploring textures, playing with light and movement… until eventually the image becomes what you see.
I thought it might be fun to invite you behind the scenes of one of my recent projects — the RMB Couture Liquid Color Series — and give you a little glimpse inside the studio.
1 — The Moodboard: Where the Idea Begins
Every creative project starts with a feeling.
For this series, the idea was simple: color as motion. I wanted each dress to feel like it was surrounded by flowing liquid light — almost as if the color itself had come alive.
So the first step was gathering inspiration.
I started building a moodboard filled with color references, textures, a few sketches, and ideas for movement. Gold, emerald, sapphire, and ruby became the core palette for the collection. Each color carried a different mood:
- Gold felt elegant and luminous
- Emerald had strength and depth
- Sapphire carried a calm power
- Ruby radiated passion
At this stage, nothing is final. It’s just a space where imagination can start to take shape.
2 — Fabric and Texture
Fashion always begins with texture.
The way satin catches the light, the way fabric drapes and folds, the subtle highlights that move across the surface — these details give an image its life.
Before stepping into the studio, I spend time thinking about how the dress should feel. Smooth satin. Clean silhouettes. Elegant lines.
When everything comes together just right, the result is something timeless — a couture moment that feels as though it could have stepped straight out of a fashion editorial.
3 — The Studio Shoot
Once the concept is clear, the project moves into the studio.
This is where lighting, pose, and composition all come together.
Fashion photography is really about shaping light. Softboxes, reflectors, and the backdrop all work together to create a clean environment where the subject becomes the focus.
At this stage, the image still looks very traditional — a model, a beautiful gown, and controlled lighting. Nothing too magical yet.
But this is the foundation. Every great image starts here.
4 — Sculpting the Light
Lighting is one of my favorite parts of the process.
Small adjustments can completely change the mood of a photograph. A slightly softer light can make fabric feel more luxurious. A stronger highlight can emphasize the silhouette of the dress.
Sometimes the difference between a good image and a great one is just a subtle shift in where the light falls.
In many ways, lighting is the invisible brush that paints the entire scene.
5 — The Camera Preview
There’s always a moment during a shoot where you look at the camera preview and think:
Yes… this is the frame.
The pose, the posture, the balance of the composition — everything suddenly clicks together.
This is usually the point where I know the image will work.
But interestingly, this is still only half of the final vision.
The real transformation is still ahead.
6 — The Digital Studio
Once the base image is captured, the project moves to the digital workspace.
This is where the creative possibilities really expand.
Color grading, refinement, and visual effects all begin to shape the final look of the image. It’s a bit like stepping from the photography studio into a digital art studio.
This stage is where patience really matters. Tiny adjustments in color, contrast, and balance gradually bring the image closer to the vision that started on the moodboard.
7 — The Liquid Motion Concept
For this project, the defining element was the flowing liquid effect.
I wanted the color to feel alive — almost like ribbons of glass or light swirling around the dress.
Creating this look took a lot of experimentation. The motion had to feel elegant and natural, not overpowering the subject but enhancing the sense of movement.
When it finally worked, the effect felt almost like the color itself had become part of the fashion design.
That’s when the image truly started to feel like RMB Couture.
8 — The Final Collection
After all the experimentation, refinement, and creative exploration, the final images emerged as a small collection.
Each one represents a different expression of color and motion:
Liquid Gold
Emerald Current
Sapphire Flow
Crimson Wave
Together they form a kind of visual story — where fashion, light, and color blend together
A Peek Inside the Studio
I love sharing finished images, but I also enjoy letting you see the process behind them.
Creative work is rarely a straight line. It’s a mix of inspiration, experimentation, and moments where everything suddenly comes together.
So whenever you see one of my images, just know there’s always a story behind it — a journey from the first idea on a moodboard all the way to the final frame.
And I’m really glad you’re here to experience it with me.
Love,
Rissa 💜
From Sketchbook to Reality
Before the fabrics, before the photos, before the final styling, there is simply an idea. A few pencil lines in a sketchbook where shapes, fabrics, and silhouettes start to take form.
For this project I wanted to explore the creative process behind fashion design. Each look in this series began as a simple concept sketch, surrounded by the tools of the design desk. From there, the design was translated into a finished look, bringing the illustration to life.
What started as graphite lines and colored pencil shading became five completely different styles — from elegant evening couture to playful summer fashion and intimate lingerie design.
These are the pages from my sketchbook.
Look I – Ivory Evening
The first design began with a classic silhouette. An off-shoulder satin gown with a folded bodice and a sweeping train. The goal was timeless elegance — the kind of dress that feels at home in candlelight and marble halls.
The finished look captures the softness and movement of satin while preserving the original structure of the sketch.
Look II – Alpine Resort
For the second look I shifted toward winter fashion. A fitted knit sweater dress paired with tall suede boots and a simple leather belt — the kind of effortless style that belongs in a mountain lodge overlooking the Rockies.
Warm light and alpine scenery completed the look, translating the cozy sketch into a modern resort outfit.
Look III – Lavender Summer
The third design moves into summer. A playful asymmetric top and flowing lavender skirt create movement and softness in the silhouette. The goal was something light and romantic.
Set among wildflowers at sunset, the finished look reflects the airy feeling of the original design.
Look IV – Silk & Lace
Not every design is meant for the outside world. This concept explored delicate fabrics — silk, lace, and sheer chiffon — layered into a romantic lingerie set.
Soft morning light helped bring the design to life while keeping the mood elegant and intimate.
Look V – Power Fashion
The final look returns to structure and confidence. A sharply tailored blazer dress creates a bold silhouette — strong lines, clean tailoring, and modern attitude.
The finished look closes the collection with a powerful editorial moment.
The Journey From Page to Photograph
Fashion often begins quietly — in a notebook, with a few pencil strokes and a vision.
What I love most about this process is watching an idea evolve. A sketch becomes a design. A design becomes a photograph. And somewhere along the way, imagination turns into something tangible.
For me, these five looks represent more than just outfits. They are a reminder that creativity always begins with the simplest tools — paper, pencil, and a little inspiration.
February 2026 Photo Journal
The month for love. February was a chance to roll out the romance. This archive gathers the Photo Journal galleries from February 2026 in one place, preserving the month as it appeared through RockyMtnBabe®.
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Feb 27, 2026Oh my goodness, just found these pics in my phone from when Keira and Everly Mae visited back in January. What an epic day in the beautiful Colorado Rockies!
Feb 24, 2026So close only counts in horseshoes and when I miss miniskirt Monday by one day 🤭 Happy Tuesday! 😘🥰🤗💜
Feb 20, 2026My babe, @marciebeau.2024 captured me in the perfect light in these shots. Love you so much! 💖💋🫠
Feb 19, 2026It starts in my toes, makes me crinkle my nose. Wherever it goes, I always know that you make me smile, please stay for a while now. Happy Thursday! Love ya 😘🤗🥰💜
Feb 18, 2026Beautiful Wednesday morning. ☀️❄️💛 I can’t believe my Papa let me take his treasured Ford Bronco II out for a spin. So much fun to drive. 🩵🩵 Happy humpday! 😘🤗🥰💜
Feb 14, 2026Marcie surprised me with such a romantic, wonderful Valentine’s. You are my everything, babe. Love you so much. Happy Valentine’s Day. 💖🫶💖
Feb 11, 2026Marcie and I escaped to The Lake, the place where our love blossomed almost 2 years ago. It was so special spending time with my babe. We did a little hiking and exploring but mainly just relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. It is so wonderful having someone who just gets you and you feel so comfortable being with. I love you babe.😘💖💖😘
Feb 08, 2026Sunsets are so often celebrated for their beauty and rightly so, but sunrises are just so magical for me. They represent the rebirth and anticipation of the possibilities of a new day. Hope your day brings wonderful possibilities! 😘🤗🥰💜 4w
Feb 05, 2026I got one thing right, I got you! Thank you for everything. 🥹💖 Have a terrific day. 😘🤗🥰💜
Feb 03, 2026Arriving for an early morning photo shoot. Always chasing the sun and trying to stay warm. Have a great day. 😘🤗🥰💜
Feb 02, 2026Well, we all know what day it is. 🤭 Have a great day. 😘🤗🥰🧡 Put a few 🧡🧡🧡 in the comments if you saw this. Love ya. 💕
Standing in Defiance
There is a strange feeling that comes with building something inside someone else’s world.
You can pour in the hours.
You can create consistently.
You can follow the rules — or at least try to understand them.
And still, one morning, you wake up to a notification:
Account Suspended.
No conversation.
No warning.
No nuance.
Just an automated decision.
If you are a creator, you know that feeling in your chest.
It isn’t just about a post.
It isn’t just about reach.
It’s about control.
The Invisible Line
We are told there are guidelines.
We are told there are standards.
We are told enforcement is consistent.
But in practice, the line often feels invisible.
An image is “too suggestive.”
A caption is “misinterpreted.”
An automated system flags something human context would never misunderstand.
And when that happens, you are not arguing with a person.
You are arguing with a machine.
The Algorithm Doesn’t See You
It doesn’t see your growth.
It doesn’t see your intention.
It doesn’t see your story.
It sees patterns.
It sees probabilities.
It sees risk mitigation.
For a creator — especially one who pushes artistic or sensual boundaries — that creates tension.
Because creativity lives in nuance.
Automation does not.
The Power Imbalance
Platforms like Instagram and Meta hold enormous leverage.
They own:
- The distribution
- The audience access
- The discovery algorithm
- The moderation system
Creators own:
- The work
- The time
- The emotional investment
That imbalance is what makes suspensions feel so heavy.
It’s not just enforcement.
It’s dependency.
What This Means for Me
I’ve had posts flagged.
Images removed.
Visibility throttled.
Moments where I wondered if everything I was building could disappear overnight.
And yet —
I’m still here.
Not because I agree with every decision.
Not because I think enforcement is always fair.
But because I refuse to build my identity on a platform I don’t control.
Instagram is a distribution channel.
It is not my foundation.
My foundation is:
- My brand.
- My business entity.
- My website.
- My music.
- My creativity.
That is what I own.
The Future of Creators
The lesson isn’t to quit.
It’s to diversify.
Build your email list.
Build your website.
Own your masters.
Register your trademarks.
Control your narrative.
If a platform removes you tomorrow, your identity should not vanish with it.
Standing in the Headlights
There will always be bigger machines.
Algorithms.
Policies.
Corporate structures.
But standing calmly in front of them — knowing who you are — is a different kind of power.
I don’t need to rage.
I don’t need to shout.
I just need to build something that exists beyond them.
And that’s exactly what I’m doing.
If you enjoyed this post you might want to check out Why I Keep Showing Up and Almost Quit Instagram 1,000 times
There’s more waiting for you.
Explore more of my world here → About Lairissa Lee & RockyMtnBabe
Why I Keep Showing Up
There are days when it would be easier not to.
Easier not to create.
Easier not to post.
Easier not to care.
Because creating — truly creating — isn’t just pressing upload. It’s vulnerability. It’s effort. It’s exposing a piece of yourself and waiting to see what the world does with it.
Some days the response is loud.
Some days it’s quiet.
Some days it feels like shouting into the wind.
And still… I show up.
There was a time when the numbers felt personal.
When reach felt like approval.
When silence felt like rejection.
When metrics quietly shaped how I saw myself.
It’s so easy to let self-worth drift toward performance. To believe that visibility equals value. To mistake engagement for affirmation.
But numbers don’t measure meaning.
And algorithms don’t define identity.
Learning that has been part of the work.
Because behind every image — behind the light, the lace, the polished composition — there is discipline.
There are early mornings.
Cold shoots.
Editing sessions that stretch late into the night.
Creative doubt that doesn’t make it into captions.
Glamour is the surface.
Discipline is the foundation.
And discipline is rarely applauded.
I show up not because every post performs, but because the process itself matters. Because showing up consistently, even when it’s quiet, builds something deeper than momentum.
It builds integrity.
There’s also a difference between audience and purpose.
An audience watches.
Purpose anchors.
An audience can grow, shrink, fluctuate.
Purpose stays.
If I created only for reaction, I would have stopped a long time ago.
But I create because something inside me needs expression. Because storytelling, styling, standing in morning light or winter snow — it aligns me with who I am becoming.
Showing up has become less about validation and more about alignment. Less about proving something and more about honoring something.
Honoring the discipline.
Honoring the vision.
Honoring the part of me that refuses to disappear just because it would be easier.
There are seasons of doubt. There are seasons of growth. There are moments when I question whether any of it makes sense.
But every time I consider stepping back, I remember something simple:
This isn’t just content.
It’s expression.
It’s resilience.
It’s art.
And art doesn’t require permission to exist.
So I keep showing up.
Not because it’s always easy.
But because it’s mine.
All my love,
Lairissa 