With the cooperation and enthusiasm of contest sponsor Brussels Airlines, I was able to create mood boards and style the otherwise straightforward shoot.

File this photoshoot under #scrappy for stealthily walking into the New York Public Library with a sword.

An important part of royalty is carrying on heritage, so I learned to make Liege wafels from Thomas, the Wafels & Dinges owner.

Then I went straight to the source, making wafels in Brussels as well.

Posing at the entryway of the private residence of The Consul General of Belgium, Ambassador Marc Calcoen.