The Magic of Puppets & Photography: A Session Made for My Soul

Every once in a while, the universe hands you a moment so perfectly aligned with who you are that you can’t help but sit back and whisper, damn, I am so lucky.

That moment? It happened when Katy Williams, puppeteer extraordinaire, asked me to photograph a session that was more than just images—it was a celebration of artistry, passion, and the joy of bringing characters to life. And where did we get to do it? The stunning Psycullescence: A Garden of Imagination exhibit at the Marie Walsh Sharpe Gallery in Colorado Springs. A place where creativity breathes, and where we got to step inside a living, breathing work of art.

I was already thrilled to be there, but meeting the mind behind the exhibit, Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics, was an absolute honor. His work doesn’t just hang in a space—it moves, flows, and invites you into something bigger than yourself.

But back to the real heart of this blog—the puppeteers.

Katy Williams: A Powerhouse in Puppetry

I met Katy last year at Rocky Mountain Puppet Slam, and from the moment she stepped into my world, I knew she was one of those people. The kind who makes an impact just by existing. She educates, builds, creates, and performs. She is all in on puppetry, and it shows. When she works, you can see the love in her hands, in the way she moves, in the way her eyes light up when she brings something to life. It’s the same feeling I get when I work my own puppets. Pure, unfiltered joy.

Kilah Storm: Breathing New Life into Puppetry

Then there’s Kilah Storm—a puppeteer unlike any other. When I say she brings new life to puppetry, I mean that quite literally. She incorporates taxidermy into her puppetry, blending art and preservation in a way that is both haunting and breathtaking. She sees life as something to be celebrated, reborn, and honored. And the way she carries that into her work? Nothing short of magic.

Let’s Get Personal

Here’s where this story gets personal—the blessings that really hit me.

After the session, Katy and Kilah took me to lunch. And they didn’t just ask about my work—they asked about me. About Roxie and The Mental Felts, the casting call I had recently posted, my puppetry goals, dreams, and vision. They listened. They encouraged. They made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t experienced before—through the eyes of accomplished puppeteers.

And then? Kilah asked to hear more.

We set up a meeting, we talked, and now—she’s officially part of The Mental Felt Family. Not only is she an amazing puppeteer, but she’s also proving to be quite the videographer and, more importantly, a friend.

Gratitude, Joy, and the Power of Connection

This session wasn’t just about capturing beautiful portraits. It was about connection. About the unexpected ways that art weaves people together. About the pure joy of watching someone light up when they do what they love.

Photography has always been a gateway for me—an open door to new friendships, new opportunities, and new stories waiting to be told. And this? This was one of those moments that reminds me why I do what I do.

Nothing makes me feel more joyful than having a puppet in one hand and a camera in the other. And joy is what life should be all about.