A Sparkling Milestone: Best Photographer Nomination and WIN!

Written By Jay Cupcake

It has been an incredible year of capturing the vibrant, high-energy world of the Colorado drag and variety scene. Today, I am beyond honored to share some exciting news that truly feels like the "cherry on top" of a fantastic season behind the lens.

The Big News: A DIVA Nomination!

I am thrilled to announce that I have been nominated for Best Photographer in the 6th Annual Colorado DIVA (Drag Initiatives and Varieties Awards)! This year’s theme, "Hidden Treasures," is such a perfect fit for a scene that is constantly uncovering new talent, beauty, and brilliance in every corner of our community.

Being listed alongside such incredible talent is a win in itself. The fellow nominees for this year’s category include:

  • Brian Degenfelder Photography

  • Broken Glass Photography

  • Deloris Godfrey / JojoBinx Photography

  • Technically Deficient Photography

This community has always been my greatest inspiration. From the dramatic lighting of the main stage to the intimate, quiet moments backstage, capturing your artistry is why I do what I do.

How to Support: If you’d like to cast your vote, head over to ColoradoDIVAAwards.com. Voting is open now and closes on March 14th. Let’s show the world the incredible "treasures" Colorado has to offer!

UPDATE: WE DID IT! 🏆

I am absolutely speechless and overflowing with gratitude to announce that I have won the 2025 DIVA Award for Best Photographer!

Taking home this "pearl" of an award at the Hidden Treasures ceremony was a moment I will never forget. To everyone who took the time to vote, everyone who has stepped in front of my camera, and everyone who supports the drag and variety arts in Colorado—thank you. This award belongs to all of us. You provide the magic; I just happen to be the one lucky enough to be there with a Fujifilm to capture it. I can't wait to see what we create together in the coming year.

See you at the next show!

The 6th Annual Colorado DIVA Awards: Two graphics for the "Hidden Treasures" themed awards show. One is a nominee list for Best Photographer including Jay Cupcake Photography, and the other features a portrait of Jay Cupcake within a shell and pearl graphic, labeling him as the winner for that category.

Jay Cupcake

I’ve always believed that a great portrait is a collaboration, not just a click of a shutter. My name is Jay, and for over a decade, I’ve been capturing the vibrant, the surreal, and the unapologetically authentic. Recently relocated from the mountains of Colorado to the Twin Cities, I bring an editorial eye and a 'laughter-first' philosophy to every session.

My work spans the spectrum of the human experience—from photographing the Mayor of Denver for Civilian Magazine to creating high-concept digital collages featuring the icons of the drag and variety scene. Whether I’m building a complex 100-layer digital piece or capturing a clean, professional headshot, my goal is to make my subjects feel like the most powerful version of themselves. I don't just take pictures; I help personalities shine through.

https://www.jaycupcake.com
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