10 Things You (Probably) Already Have In Your Closet For A Photoshoot With Me

Picture this:

You find out you’re doing an intimate portrait photoshoot with me TODAY! Hooray, you’re so excited!

But “WAIT!” you say.

“What do l wear?!” Since you only JUST found out you’re doing a session, you haven’t gone shopping. You nervously head to your closet...

While this scenario is a bit unlikely, it is fun to explore the idea that you might be more “prepared” for a session than you think!

I love to keep my sessions classic and simple. So simple, in fact, that you could literally raid your closet and have enough for a totally great intimate portrait session!

Here’s a list of things you (probably) have in your closet right NOW that you could bring to a session.

1. Oversized sweater

2. Hoodie

3. Jean jacket

4. Leather jacket

5. Black thong

6. White button down

7. Jeans

8. Black body suit

9. Blazer

10. And well, if nothing else… bring your birthday suit ;).

 Can you think of anything else? What would YOU bring??? Let me know!

Nothing compares to natural light… 😍

Photo by Christie Caiola

Bright and beautiful, a literal dream come true.

I started my photography career using only natural light (as we all do), but when I shifted to a larger studio in 2020, the natural light just wasn’t the same. I relied heavier on my strobes and created incredible magic within that space.

But I always missed natural light. You can replicate it with strobes, or at least try, but it’s never the same.

I’m so grateful to my client for letting me play around in my new space. She absolutely crushed it in a million ways and her trust in me allowed us create some unbelievable art!

When she booked months ago I told her I didn’t have a space and would let her know where we were shooting as soon as I booked a spot.

I booked one place before ever seeing it, but once I shot there for another client I knew immediately it was the wrong place. So I cancelled (and even lost my deposit). I don’t play around with this kinda thing 😂.

Fortunately my friend @i_am_rocksteady is so generous and let me use his space for another session, so I was able to keep that as a backup.

Once I signed my lease I kept her posted, up until the very last minute I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to get in there in time. The floor had been painted that Monday, cured by Tuesday and by Wednesday we were in and shooting!

Grateful for her flexibility and willingness to pivot last minute. Also grateful for friends who freely share what they have so others can thrive.

I think it was worth the roller coaster ✨

Photo by Christie Caiola

12 years as an editorial makeup artist in NYC, here's what I learned...

Can I brag for a little bit? I know I know, that’s really uncomfortable. But I stand around and preach that we’re allowed to be proud of ourselves and that we’re allowed to speak highly of ourselves rather than self-deprecating, so I have to walk the walk.

I just wanted to share with you one of the things I’m extremely proud of and realized that I don’t usually speak about this side of what I do. There’s always talk about the emotional impact associated with my sessions, but there’s a bit of a technical aspect that I believe brings all of those things together.

I spent about 12 years of my life as a commercial/editorial Hair/Makeup Artist in NYC. I was agency represented, I worked live TV shows, celebrities, magazines, brands. I spent the entirety of my adult life in an industry that almost prides itself on its exclusivity.

The entire process is so “other”, so unattainable to the average woman. It’s big and grand and outside of most people’s day to day life.

I won’t lie, that’s one of the things that I loved about it. It was exciting and new everyday. But for all that it carried with it the outward appearance of prestige, behind the curtain it brought endless frustration.

There’s a reason I have positioned my business towards the “everyday woman” and have no desire to pursue the commercial photography industry that I knew so well. The prestige of working for magazines, brands, etc doesn’t hold a candle to the feeling of bringing this “unattainable” experience down from its own high horse straight to women everywhere.

I won’t lie though, my years in the commercial side of the industry have given me all that I need to know to bring you all of the good and fun parts. Which means an experience with me is a little different than what most people in my industry can provide. The hair and makeup is done by yours truly, the kind of application I would do on my clients while on set for big brands and magazines. The lighting I set up for you comes from the knowledge that I unlocked in my brain from all those years in studios working closely alongside some of the most amazing photographers in the industry. My retouching is either done by myself (where I again studied under some amazing photographers and retouchers) or the incredible Honor Heymann who currently retouches for J Crew (and has retouched for brands such as Coach and Josie Maran). The standard I hold my work to is high which is why I won’t settle for anything but the best. 

[By the way, if any photographers out there are looking for an absolute superior retoucher, it is without a doubt Honor.]

Apart from the incredible impact these sessions have on the women I am fortunate enough to work with, THIS is what I feel makes a session with me special. I’ve plucked this exclusive editorial industry from its pedestal and have presented it to you in full, something not many people can lay claim to.

Alright, alright I’ll put my ego away for a bit.