La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico - Preparations for the January TASTE OF LA CRUZ started early this year as a result of the decision to sell logo T Shirts at the event.

An official design was needed early and when the dust settled, and the various proposed designs were submitted to the organizing committee, the final choice was made. This year’s "logo" and poster concept would feature a female chef posed in front of the picturesque Marina. The type/font was finalized and all that was needed was the photo.

Who to use? Everyone seemed to have a "friend who has a daughter who’d be perfect..." But then the proverbial light bulb flashed on. Since TASTE OF LA CRUZ is a signature event for La Cruz, why not use the official "face" of La Cruz; our QUEEN? The Queen of La Cruz (La Reina de las Fiestas Patronales de La Cruz de Huanacaxtle), Edna Cornejo Ovalle, was crowned during the 10-day-long festival in late April. The 21 year old student is also the Reina del Instituto Tecnologico de Bahia de Banderas, which she attends.

To watch the video of Queen Edna, the TASTE photo shoot, and also to see a sneak preview of the final publicity art for TASTE OF LA CRUZ 2014, click HERE.

We contacted La Cruz Delegado (Angel) Alberto Garcia de Haro about the idea and he was extremely enthusiastic, offering to introduce us to the Queen’s family right then. We proceeded to the home and met Edna’s mother, Ana Beatriz Ovalle Zepeda who was also very excited about the idea (once Angel explained who we were and vouched for the "legitimacy" of the project).

After much pre-planning (location/angle/distance) at the Marina, the initial "Queen Shoot" took place at the roof-top SkyBar at the Marina Riviera Nayarit. The Queen’s family, Marina staff, photographers and caterer Angel Rivas of Oso’s Oyster Bar (who provided the "official" tuna tartare food prop) were all in attendance at the Saturday afternoon session.

As should come as no surprise, Ms. Cornejo was the star of the show. Shot after shot she produced the most beautiful and infectious smile, posing like a life-long pro and schmoozing the camera like a runway pro.

In between shots, she would concentrate and put on her "game face" in anticipation of the next photo, and when prompted would explode back into a radiant beauty. In spite of the unbearable late day heat on the roof, she kept her cool and provided the organizing committee with a wealth of potential perfect shots (in spite of a camera malfunction).

Because of the malfunction, which caused over 50 photos to be lost, a second shoot was arranged and held at the jetty on the Mercado del Mar side of the Marina. Once again, Edna was the consummate professional and all went smoothly, nary a photo lost. Ironically, it is one of the first 3 photos shot at the SkyBar that was ultimately chosen for the event poster and promos.

In order to "up our game" this year, we have turned over the design elements to local graphic designer guru, Cynthia Coffen, who will produce the final product for presentation to the various printers and media outlets as the event draws near. For now, T-Shirts are about to go into production.