State of emergency in the 'Kiez': Our first photoshoot that breaks the rules!

Yesterday was the day. At our PrideMerch-Studio in Bremen's Überseestadt, there was an energy you usually only encounter in your wildest dreams. No, it wasn't an ordinary day. It was the kick-off for something completely new, something we've been planning for a long time and that we don't want to keep from you.

More Than Just Glitter: The Beginning of a Powerful Project

At PrideMerch.de By Team Behinderte, we love pushing boundaries. We constantly show that queer realities are as diverse as people themselves. But this time, we're taking it a step further. Yesterday, with a photo shoot, we launched not just a new project, but an entire movement.

That morning, four extraordinary drag queens from Bremen arrived at our studio - Jolina Wings, Luna Mattel, Gina Petrolia, and Miss Joyce DeLone (left to right). And what made them special? It wasn't just that they "simply" stood in front of the camera: for over 12 hours, despite the scorching heat that made the courtyard feel like an oven, they gave their all every second – without tiring, without compromise. Whether wild poses, emotional moments, or Gina’s typical witty remarks ("Can I please have an ice cream before I cry again?"), which made us all laugh – they gave their best because they believed in our project.

But this shoot was deliberately conceived differently. We didn't want glossy images that conform to common beauty ideals. We didn't want poses seen in magazines. We wanted exceptional states. We wanted moments of raw, unvarnished, honest power.

>Sexy is what every queen can do. That's like breathing. We wanted very special photos
- Justus from PrideMerch.de

That was exactly our motto. Sexy is the foundation, but the true art lies in going beyond that. The selected queens are not just performers; they are artists, fighters, and characters. Each in her own unique, unmistakable way. Together with them, we are shaping the direction of this project – and we are more excited than ever about where this journey will take us.

A Secret Called “Prestigemotten for Charity"

What many don't know: This shoot is the prelude to a secret collaboration. A project that we are currently calling "Prestigemotten for Charity" under a codename. What's behind it? It's about change. It's about art with a social conscience. It's about a collaboration that is charitable and non-profit and will strengthen the community in a completely new way. We'll reveal more soon. Promised.

The Perspective Behind the Camera

We spoke with our photographer Justus about what the day was really like. Here are his impressions:

What made him most happy?

People like you and me. Okay, with a bit more color on their faces and not at all stuck-up. It felt like we'd known each other for years. Everything was real, totally chilled, and incredibly funny. No diva airs, just a huge dose of creativity and fun.

What surprised him?

How intensely the queens embraced their roles and how perfectly they mastered the gestures for the pictures. The emotions weren't acted; they were just real. That was on a whole other level.

And what was the least cool?

My camera eventually started acting up, the buffer was full, and we had to shoot the last pictures in slow motion. But hey, for art's sake and all..." 😉

Our Visions: Where Is All This Leading?

From this first shoot – with all its raw energy, the exceptional situations, and the authentic magic of the queens – we derive visions that will catapult us into an exciting future. Imagine: A world where drag not only entertains but transforms. Where art and activism go hand in hand to break down barriers and celebrate inclusion. The "Prestigemotten" collaboration could be the key to a series of events, products, or campaigns that highlight queer diversity – charitable, non-profit, and with a touch of rebellion. Will we design merch that tells stories? Organize events that connect communities? Or something completely unexpected that shakes up the scene?