these are really amazing! love the concept, and love the execution even more. Fabulous texture, lines and attitude--great attention to the camera! really a great birthday present to yourself---happy birthday!

your maximal fashion sense comes through and it is so clear your love of fashion is tremendous! thanks for sharing.

Killer pics, outfits and idea. You will cherish this experience forever.

Wow - I don't even know what to say! These photos are so timeless and stunning . Happy Birthday to you, sweet lady.

LOVE IT. I should have done this for my birthday. Well, I guess I still could... Happy birthday!

Absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing LeDonna! I love them all!

These are gorgeous photos! I think shoots like this work when the subject is completely committed to the moment and you so clearly are there and present.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Ledonna, your warmth shines through like those moments of humanity I cherish on The Walking Dead.

I love your birthday gift and cannot thank you enough for sharing xo

Ledonna, you look absolutely amazing. I love how the real YOU shines through in these shots, and I am glad that you were honest with the photographer about not trying to look like something you didn't feel was true to yourself. Your outfits are amazing, and I especially love the twirling picture and the pictures looking up at you.

Stunning. Gorgeous. Worthy of a magazine spread. But rather than post apocalyptic I see them as incredibly life affirming. I guess if it is post apocalyptic you are a survivor though.

Fabulous. I was going to say that #4 is my favorite, but then I kept looking and looking and was just overwhelmed by your spirit and the artistry -- both of your photograher and of your styling. Really, this is just perfection. And I am NOT a flatterer.

These are terrific! You have such an amazing sense of style. Fantastic locations too. This is such a cool birthday idea!

Happy Birthday, Ladonna! The photos truly take my breath away and am humbled that you have shared them with us. You spirit and strength shine brightly in all of these. Rock on!

These are AMAZING pics! Thanks for sharing and what a wonderful present to give yourself.

You are so damn awesome!!! Much respect.

a belated happy birthday to you, Ledonna! These photos are just stunning. So deep and intriguing, they draw me in. They capture your incredible style, power, and femininity. To me, #4 looks like an allusion to Atlas; you are a skirted, twirling goddess, holding up the scaffolds of the world around you. #2 seems such an iconic shot, too--I love it! I'm impressed that you even came up with this creative idea to celebrate your birthday, let alone that you pulled it off with such prowess. Bernard's word "dazzling" is so apt.

Thank you all for your kind words. This shoot was about so much of my journey in life.

Never in life feeling beautiful or sexy. Surviving and thriving after war and abuse. Being kind and loving self. Being a huge fan of Afro steampunk and sci-fy. Never being in the backhand living out loud and bringing my full self to the table. Believing in my Creator and how if I am created in the image of the great I AM his could I not love myself. Living as if only this is my last day.

My photographer Robert did my shoot for free. Shhhh don't tell anyone. I was going to pay him we met on a thrifting FB page along with my sister circle group. He said he wanted to shoot me from the first time he saw my wonderful Thrifted Tea outfit. We sat and talked about my journey and his. It was then he decided to shoot me for free. It amazed me he could capture what I alway though I saw. But did not EVER see in pictures. I will always treasure this experience and the friendship we have made.

I'm including my favorite picture so far and also the first picture he took of me way back when.

Hi Ledonna --

What a beautiful collaboration. Sounds like two melding perfectly to create one vision.

I admit I was a little confused by the post's title as I didn't see how #1 was post-apocalyptic unless it was capturing the Warrior Queen leading her comrades with confidence!

But of course I had to click open and then all was revealed.

As others said, hard to pick favorites. Aside from #1 I'm extra-drawn to 2, 4, 8, and 13.

Thanks for sharing and happy birthday!

Vix I'm glad you took the chance to take a look.

wow, I love all these photos! You look amazing, as do your post-apocalyptic surroundings. I've never found this much beauty in rust Happy belated birthday!

I am so impressed with the styling, photography, and beauty, in these photos. What a wonderful imagination you have. And you not only imagine, but make it happen. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, this is seriously awesome. The photos are amazing and the outfits are fabulous.
Maybe I will do this for my 42 , but I want to be a witch.

Hey family in glad you enjoyed the pictures. Celia you should do it. The best feeling in the world.