Meet Sefina Aulei | Visual Artist & Community Organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sefina Aulei and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sefina, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My name is Sefina Aulei and I’m a Visual Artist and Organizer who recently moved to Scottsdale, Arizona! I’m originally from Seattle, Washington and I’m known for my unique visual style, blending fashion, beauty, and art into stunning portraits, and maintained community by collaborating with other creatives on photoshoots. I promote resources, host events and mentor up-and-coming community members and artists by sharing my own lived experience as a Trans Woman of Color who overcame the typical disparities one may face as a former foster child with no ties to their biological family.

I made a name by organizing community events for marginalized and underserved LGBT youth and young adults, creating spaces for the free expression of art through an underground scene called The Kiki Scene. These functions, known as a ‘Ball’, are for community members, spectators and leaders of the Kiki Scene who come together to celebrate and compete with each other through fashion, beauty and dance categories for trophies or prizes. Historically these events would sometimes have tabling opportunities for non profits or businesses who would like to serve or sponsor the Ball and its attendees. This hand-in-hand method was a formula originated by House and Ballroom that would invite those that are disadvantaged to resources they potentially or currently need wether it be HIV testing, food, drinks, and connections to case management. A little intro to Ballroom 101 is much needed as it is a Scene that’s not as mainstream yet imperative for those that need a space like this.

Being a mentor in this scene for over 6 years in the Pacific NorthWest has largely impacted the lives of the youth and young adults, including mine. If it wasn’t for my personal love of fashion, the arts, yearn for belonging and experiences I’ve had to become such a resourceful and independent person, I would not know where I would be today. Being a part and getting to lead people in this community has granted many doors and opportunities I’m forever grateful for. One new chapter of passions I have that this community has introduced me to and I’m excited to explore is fashion and portrait photography!

Since 2019, I’ve taken contract gigs as a brand developer, video editor, graphic designer and creative director with nonprofits, foundations, universities and small businesses. I naturally began to transfer the skills I learned working as a contractor to using it on people I’ve mentored through the Kiki Scene as a hobby but with the purpose to elevate their own personal brands or vision for themselves as an artist. I’ve coordinated projects where I’d bring a photographer, videographer, models, dancers etc together then I would finalize everything post production. Later down the line I’ve realized that doing so consistently, things would be much easier if I picked up the camera myself. It was common that people trusted my vision. It wasn’t until just a year ago that I can proudly say I trust myself now when I was published in a Fashion Magazine for both my modeling and photography. Since then I’ve invested heavily in taking my Photography career seriously so I can really dive deeper into the world of visual arts. I hope that people reading this will join me on my journey of self re-discovery and refine my skills as an artist.

Projects that I’ve began through my photography business, SFNA Studios, I created a Catalog that features local and non local creatives where they’re mostly styled and themed by me that is tied to the current season. It’s something I’ve done the past year and it has gotten amazing feedback and I look forward to continuing this and see how it shapes out in the future besides just taking clients for your regular portrait or headshots photoshoot.

Another project I created dedicated for the Kiki Scene is called Kittenz. This project is basically just a group of chosen family including myself and two young adults that I mentor to provide space, events and resources to community where we center black and brown queer and trans youth and young adults who are interested in the Kiki Scene! We will debut our first project called the Kittenz Lounge where it will be a Drop-In center-like open space to learn more about ballroom, share space with other Kiki kids, practice categories, classes etc! We debut our Drop In Center August 1st so if you or know someone who may be interested, contact us through IG- KittenzHQ!

My upbringing had many obstacles but it has prepared me to put more intention into how I unify people and art. A message I would love for readers to leave with is to dream ambitiously no matter who you are or where you’re at in life. Art is what contributes to my healing and joy. I hope this helps inspire many others to have that relationship with art as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Professionally I work for a wonderful organization called Surge Reproductive Justice. The work we do mobilizes communities to build a world where all people can make powerful, self-determined choices for their bodies and the future of their families and communities. Our work centers Black women, women of color, and queer and trans people of color for a movement that rises from the bottom up. I serve as the Communications Support. I manage the newsletter, website, social media and overall communications of our organization.

As a contractor I am a photographer and brand developer! I help businesses develop their own voice and vision for how they want to represent themselves as a business and typically what that entails are what communicates their uniqueness visually. I also do portrait photography that’s in the realm of fashion, beauty and boudoir.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It may surprise you but I am quite the extreme introvert. I rarely go out but if I were to, I’m taking a walk at my nearest park near trail to my home in Old Town. I’ve had a work retreat recently at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa. Staying there has exceeded my expectations of all the Hyatts I’ve ever stayed in. You may find me there again with a Resort Pass that you can purchase and you’ll probably see me doing a concept shoot there I have in the works right now. The food was excellent and the service was warm and inviting. If there was a place I’d have my friends and family stay, it would be there for sure!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My chosen family who have treated me as an older sister or mother figure. These are people who I love unconditionally, taken care of and affirmed or reaffirmed the value and purpose of who they are when no one else has. When I showed up for them, they’ve shown up for me in the best possible ways and it inspires me to continue the work I am so passionate about. A recent experience I had with my chosen family reaffirming my own worth in life is what birthed Kittenz and the Kittenz Lounge Drop In Center. The Drop In Centers were where I felt most home whether it was The Y, Homeless Youth & Young Adult shelters or Community Centers where young people came together to seek refuge, friends and a place to get away. I hope that my upcoming project August 1st will provide that same experience that I had when I was a youth. These are the people I’d like to shoutout and show gratitude to.

Website: Coming Soon

Instagram: @sefinaaulei or @sfnastudios @kittenzhq

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085649395177&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: If you’d like to support, sponsor, volunteer for our debut of Kittenz Lounge, please email kittenzorg@gmail.com ! Thank you.

Image Credits
All photoshoots were taken, directed, styled, retouched and the graphics are by me and you can find more work on my IG at @sefinaaulei or @sfnastudios