Celebrating the big session giveaway winner!

My beautiful giveaway winner came in yesterday and WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW. @sam_amerman absolutely crushed it, did she not??!

The whole session we focused on embracing the soft with the bold as we always do but it was really at the forefront of our minds.

Sometimes the wardrobe is just as important as everything else. This pink sweater felt so soft and delicate yet her tattoos and confidence add to the dimension and depth that is femininity in itself.

We are complex, we are bold and we are soft, we are strong, we are emotional, we are loving, we set boundaries. These things can all exist at once and all I ever want to do is capture all the complexities that live inside you.

When you book a boudoir session, take all of these things into account when shopping for your wardrobe. What pieces bring out the different parts of you? The texture of a sweater against the smoothness of your skin, the pale pink color subtly living in cohesion with your skin’s undertones and yet in contrast with your long, dark hair. Each outfit helps us tell the story of who you are.

Each woman enters my studio at a different place in her self love journey. Some are at the beginning, stumbling on baby deer legs into a future where they can finally embrace who they are. Some come to me towards the end, celebrating the laborious journey of learning to love themselves and actually sitting in the truth that they are worthy. Wherever you’re at in your journey, that’s where I meet you. This session either sheds light on a piece of you that has been living in the dark for too long or it confirms that what you’ve been working towards all along is worth celebrating.

“Ahh I did it!”

“One of the best experiences of my whole life!” - Sam A.

Looking for something to do in the area before or after your session?

Whether you live locally or you’re traveling a distance for your photoshoot with me, there are some pretty great places to stop before or after your intimate portrait session! Below are some of my favorites:

Longfellow’s Coffee - Kinnelon, NJ

2 Kiel Ave, Kinnelon, NJ 07405

This is by far the best coffee in my area. I’m a huge fan of their coffee and stop there every chance I get! From specialty flavors to just regular lattes, they put Starbucks and Dunkin to shame every time. They’re the cutest little coffee shack so you might have passed it a million times and never even knew they were there. Definitely give them a try! A heads up, there may be a bit of a line but I promise it’s worth the wait!

Big Mouth’s Deli - Newfoundland, NJ

2713 NJ-23 S, Newfoundland, NJ 07435

https://bigmouthsdeli.com

Okay, if you’re from New Jersey, you know about Disco Fries. They’re my absolute guilty pleasure and Big Mouth’s makes the best I’ve ever had. If you’re not from New Jersey, let me introduce you to the greatest food on earth (not really, don’t judge me). It’s fries smothered in beef gravy with a layer of melted mozzarella cheese. Please find me a more delightful food, I’ll wait.

Well aside from their disco fries, they obviously have it all. From breakfast sandwiches to lunch options it’s all amazing. The atmosphere is great and the staff is always friendly. It’s a perk that it’s just two minutes down the road from my studio. 

Nails Allure - Butler, NJ

1483 State Rte 23 Butler, NJ 07405

I’ve looked high and low for a nail salon I could love, and Nails Allure has officially won my affection. They’re great with trendy shapes and even better with fun and artistic designs. The owner is passionate and outgoing which makes the experience even more enjoyable. Whether it’s before your session or after, I highly recommend giving them a try!

Vreeland Store - West Milford, NJ

1383 Macopin Rd, West Milford, NJ 07480

https://www.thevreelandstore.com

Recommended by my foodie friend @justines_jersey_eats

The Vreeland Store is a historic general store turned into a fun little full service restaurant, cafe, bakery and bar! From delicious brunch to specialty cocktails and craft beer, it definitely makes for an interesting and delicious stop if you’ve got the time to sit and relax.

Ringwood Botanical Gardens - Ringwood, NJ

2 Morris Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456

https://www.njbg.org
Woods, wildflowers and seasonal blooms! If it’s a nice day and you are looking for some fresh air, you can’t go wrong with the Ringwood Botanical Gardens. Ringwood Botanical Gardens is a state park that boasts beautiful scenery and colorful displays of flowers. It makes for an enjoyable and light walk to get a chance to stretch your legs and take in some mountain air. 

Artemio’s Prime and Proper - Ringwood, NJ

1131 Greenwood Lake Tpke. Ringwood, NJ 07456

https://www.artemiosprimeandproper.com

Another great recommendation from my foodie friend @Justines_jersey_eats

After you enjoy the florals at the botanical garden, stop at Artemio’s for some incredible fine dining. Since you’ll already have your hair and makeup done, it’s the perfect excuse to squeeze in a date night (or girl’s night!) after your photoshoot. Their food can’t be beat and it’s the perfect way to end your day of luxury. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy USDA Prime & Dry Aged meats, fresh seafood, Organic fruits and vegetables or one of the daily Chef’s specials.

Do you have any to add to the list?

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. 

Why are my NAKED sessions so important?

You might have seen me promote a round or two of these sessions I call “NAKED Sessions”. First, we’ll go over what exactly they are.

You don’t actually have to get FULLY naked, I suppose it’s a bit metaphorical. Unless you want to, literally, of course. These events called NAKED are a little way to capture a snippet of my clients.

NAKED is a 15 minute session, one look on a black backdrop.

No Makeup.

No frills.

Just you, me, and the simplicity of it all.

These sessions provide an opportunity for people to gain a tiny understanding of what it is that I do. It’s so important to me that my clients are confident in their investment when they book with me and sometimes people need a little taste to really be sure. To be honest, I don’t even think it’s the photography that they’re actually worried about investing in… it’s themselves.

Most people come to me with things like “I could never do that”, “I’m just not photogenic”, “I need to lose some weight first”, “insert self deprecating insecurity driven excuse here”.

NAKED Sessions are a low stakes way for me to shut down that horrible voice inside your head. You come in and with the simplicity that a NAKED session provides and I’m able to show you that none of that stuff is true and none of it matters. In that short 15 minutes I show you that you are stronger than you realized, bolder than you ever knew, beautiful in ways that other people see you but you struggle to see in yourself.

These sessions are so important to me and I hope you’ll consider taking a tiny step forward to see why.

If you’d like to snag one of my current rounds of NAKED Sessions happening on March 12, click the link below! Hurry, there’s only THREE spots left!! As always, I’m available to answer any questions you might have.

MARCH NAKED SESSIONS

Do I need heavier makeup than normal if I'm going to be on camera?

Okay I’m here to set some records straight. 

For the love of god, you don’t need to wear more makeup just because you’re getting your picture taken. If you cake on makeup, contour, whatever “just for photo” it’ll still look like you’ve caked on makeup. It won’t magically appear “natural”. No, the lights won’t make it all disappear. Repeat after me: That’s. not. real.

On top of that, a lighting change can dramatically impact the look of the makeup. If you’re in natural or moody lighting, it’s going to look darker than it is. If it’s bright, straight on lighting it’ll make it look exactly as it appears in person. 

Now, let’s not mix things up. PROFESSIONAL makeup application is a lot different than most people’s everyday makeup application. But to be clear, it’s not the AMOUNT of makeup that is different when a professional does it, it’s the proper skin prep, the right products, the right application, and the right colors for your skin tone.

Not for nothing, but there is a lot of bad information out there about what kind of makeup you should be wearing, so I never ever ever ever let anyone do their own makeup to my sessions. If I had to choose I’d rather someone wear absolutely zero makeup than do it themselves. Too many foundations that don’t match, blush colors that aren’t complimentary (or way too strong), bad eyeshadow, uneven eyeliner, too much contour... I could go on, but I’ll spare you.

The right makeup makes a huge difference. My photography wouldn’t be what it is if the makeup was strong and aggressive. Dark eyeshadow and glammed up contour… the message is “effortless beauty” not “night at the club”. There are different looks for different vibes, but simply being in front of a camera is not reason to add more than you’d normally feel comfortable in.

So let’s say it together! If it looks good in person, it’ll look good on camera! If it looks like a lot in person, IT WILL LOOK LIKE A LOT ON CAMERA.

Why do I love maternity sessions so much???

I’m sure you can tell by now that I have a special place in my heart for my maternity clients. I am genuinely obsessed with the entire experience, the journey you embark on whether it’s your first or third (or more). I know, I know, I’m not trying to glorify pregnancy as if it’s rainbows and butterflies. It’s hard, really hard. But nothing worth having comes easily, right?

I had my kids really young (since most people ask, I was 22 when I had my first kid). I wanted to be a young mom and of course there are pros and cons to having your kids early vs waiting. But this felt right for me.

That also meant that we were relatively broke. We were just coming off of living in Africa prior and during a part of my first pregnancy before moving back to New Jersey. We were still building our careers as most people are through their 20s while simultaneously juggling babies and young kids. I never got the opportunity to have a maternity photoshoot done for myself, and I think that’s one of my driving forces for capturing this moment for people. All I have are mirror selfies, lots and lots of mirror selfies. I’ll be honest, there’s a pretty distinct difference in quality and overall magnitude of the beauty of pregnancy.

Being a mother myself, it’s not just about the shape (although I am obsessed with it). It’s not just about the baby inside either, even though that is equally as important. For me it’s about the power of the woman in front of me. Her strength and her endurance. The ability to create a literal human being, sacrificing her body, her sleep, her comfort. I am obsessed with the journey and transformation that comes from becoming a mother and that’s how I like to capture it. The woman as a whole, not just reducing her to her baby alone. 

For a lot of women, becoming a mother feels a little like a loss of self. In front of my camera, you’re whole. You’re you, you’re a mother, you’re a woman, you’re powerful, you’re creative, you’re bold, you’re even still sexy. You haven’t lost any of who you are, you’re only adding to it and becoming a more dynamic woman. 

I’m grateful beyond words to be a part of that journey with my clients. To be chosen to document such an incredible time in your life. As much as it feels like an eternity while you’re pregnant, that time comes and goes so fast. If you’re currently pregnant and considering a shoot, please do it. Capture that moment, it will be gone before you know it. Even if you’re feeling some kind of negative feelings about yourself during that challenging (and hormonally charged) time, I promise you won’t regret it. As Moira Rose says, “One day you will look at those photos with much kinder eyes and say, "Dear God, I was a beautiful thing!"

The woman who embodies Silk + Audacity...

Silk and Audacity: Where the softer side of a woman meets bold confidence.

It’s  a woman embracing the shadows, as they contour your body. Letting the light dance on your skin and reveal only what it touches.

It’s a woman’s infectious smile, wild and free.

It’s a woman who is unafraid to be herself.

It’s a woman with so much fire inside of her, it burns through her eyes and into your soul.

It’s a woman with so much kindness, it ripples through everything she touches.

It’s a woman whose body has carried her through highs and lows most people have never known.

It’s a woman in celebration of herself. Her achievements. Her gifts. Her hopes, dreams and everything in between.

It’s a woman who mourns the things she’s lost, embraces her emotions, and allows herself to be both silk AND audacity. 

Soft and ferocious.

Silly and charismatic.

Emotional and strong.

Kind and stern.

Fearful and brave.

A woman who understands you can be all of those things, sometimes at the same time, and it’s a woman who deserves to be celebrated.

6 Tips to Feel Beautiful WITHOUT Makeup!

Hello! My name is Christie Caiola and I’m an NYC Celebrity Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist turned Intimate Portrait Photographer. I worked in the industry for 12 years before jumping over to photography. My brand is called Silk + Audacity, where I celebrate all the parts of women- the soft, delicate, bold, badass, and everything in between.

While I acknowledge that there’s more to life than these superficial things, sometimes it’s the little things that get us through the monotony of our daily lives. So, here are some little ways to put down the makeup brushes and let our skin breathe while still feeling fresh and beautiful!

1. Eyebrows. Your eyebrows frame your face. Keeping your eyebrows shaped will go a long way. I’m a big fan of natural brows and low maintenance, so finding a shape that will allow you to save some time and money on constantly plucking, waxing, etc by keeping it close to your natural shape is incredible. Plus, what’s better than embracing what you already have? Furthermore, don’t underestimate the power of a little trim. It can transform your brows in just one little step and make you feel a bit more polished. Add a little brush up with a disposable mascara wand (or the brush at the end of some brow pencils) and it’s kind of on par with brushing your hair. Simple, but effective.

Stefanie T - 2020

2. Wash your face. Literally, the act of washing your face has more benefits than just skin deep (pun intended). It’s a small ritual that should be a part of your daily routine. Make sure you are using products that are nourishing and healthy for your skin, rather than sapping the natural oils completely out. But even beyond the physical benefits, this simple act starts and ends your day with a little “me” time. It is a subconscious reminder to yourself to clear away the toxins of the day/night and start completely fresh. Besides, your skin is the base to all your makeup. Without a strong base, you could have the best makeup in the world and it won’t look as great as healthy skin does!

3. Drink Water. I know, I put this one in all my lists. But it’s true. Hydrate from the inside out, fill your body with beautiful, natural h2o. The liquid that our body so desperately needs yet we so rarely give it (if you’re anything like me, at least). It fuels our organs and clears our brains and we owe it to our body to give it this simple, lovely fluid (and no, coffee doesn’t count). As long as you are drinking enough water, your kidneys are able to cleanse and rid your body of toxins. So help those kidneys out! https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water#3

4. Lip balm - There’s a theme here: hydration. Plump, supple skin, lips, and brain! A quality lip balm will hydrate your lips and give your whole face a nice juicy glow. It’s a simple, inexpensive little addition to your daily routine. Now, I’m about to blow your mind. When I had my son in February 2012, almost 9 years ago now, I had a pretty serious discovery. While breastfeeding, I was introduced to this nipple ointment that was meant to heal and soothe cracked nipples. If you’re unfamiliar with breastfeeding, I’ll tell you that the constant moisture and friction can cause some pretty painful situations (I will never apologize for oversharing, it’s just who I am). Anyway, it occurred to me that our lips were experiencing something almost identical. I realized what causes our lips to be cracked, dry, and sometimes bloody in the winter is pretty similar to what our nipples experience during breastfeeding. So I began to use this same ointment on my lips as a balm and NEVER LOOKED BACK. It HEALED. The only lip balm I’ve ever used that has ever healed my chapped lips, rather than just putting a coat of gloss over top only for it to wear off and be left with the same chapped, dry lips. Call me crazy if you want, or try it for yourself. Since then, I added it to my makeup kit as an absolute essential and probably should have received a commission on how many people I’ve gotten addicted to this stuff.  https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Lanolin-Breastfeeding-Soothing-Essentials/dp/B005MI648C/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=lanolin&qid=1596052830&sr=8-2

Jenna Langhans - 2020

5. Blow your hair out. Let us not underestimate the value of a solid blow out. You can get days out of that style (with a little care and dry shampoo, duh). I always feel more put together when the frizz is under control and my hair is properly loved on. 

6. NOW BELIEVE IT. Okay, here’s the hardest one of all. You have to truly, honestly, see yourself as beautiful. You don’t NEED to do or be anything except yourself. You are required to show up in life, exactly as you are. Stop comparing your beauty to the beauty of others and don’t believe the lie that for one to be beautiful it devalues the other. I have worked with models who are stunning without photoshop or makeup and while I know I look nothing like them, I can also know that their beauty doesn’t subtract from mine. I can celebrate theirs while honoring my own. They are women, beautiful women. And so am I. And so are you. We look differently, we think differently, we love differently and we each take up space on this earth for a different purpose. Your beauty isn’t dependent upon anyone else’s or anyone else’s idea of what beauty is. 

So look in the mirror, drink some water, wash your face, brush your brows, put some lip balm on, blow your hair out and tell yourself… I’m beautiful.

Or better yet, trash this whole list and tell yourself this:

“I’m more than my outward appearance. I’m more than what society expects me to be and to look like. I can still enjoy those things, while knowing they don’t make me valuable.

I am here, I have value, and I’m beautiful.”

—Christie

To learn more about Silk and Audacity click here. Follow along with my work over at instagram!

Maritza

“I was faced with a war zone here on our own land, and my eyes and hands were seeing and touching death.”

Maritza chose to share her powerful story with me. If you scroll down you can read it in her own words.

It’s easy to create a story in our minds about someone based on a picture. For some reason we like to assume that most people are somehow living in an alternate universe where they simply don’t endure the same struggles and challenges we do. 

In our head they must have it all figured out while we struggle with even the most basic of tasks. We seem to think we can deduct these things all based on a simple image or feed on Instagram. 

This woman. This woman joined the marines at 19 years old. She was part of the 9/11 search and rescue at just 21. She saw and touched death with her own hands here on our soil. 

“I went from having goals and dreams for my future to being lost and confused about my life, but I pushed through.”

She was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Her unit was attacked and as she described her experience to me I couldn’t help but to try and imagine what surrounded her, what went through her mind, how she felt and what she saw. She said her wrist was bent in such a way that her pinky was touching her forearm, the last thing she saw before passing out. When she awoke almost two months later she was in a hospital in Germany. 

The surgeries and life altering events that followed are enough to bring someone to their knees, to choose to surrender from the challenges in this life. But she chose to fight every step of the way. Every minute of every day a choice that she was bigger than any of this. 

Tell me now, when you look at her photos, or anyone else’s or that matter, will you look a little deeper? Stay a little longer to ponder what hardships they could possibly be going through? Rather than imagine that they are somehow living a perfect life and their purpose is only to shine a light on how imperfect yours is. Will you recognize that we’re all on this earth enduring hardships that are sometimes unfathomable and undetectable by a simple, beautiful image.

“I was told I was getting medically retired, and that I had two options of amputation or fusion.”

“I was 19 when I joined the Marine Corps. I joined against my family wishes, but before my grandmother passed she said "Maritza live your life to the fullest with no regrets. If you live life for your parents, remember one day they will be gone and you will miserable because you chose something they wanted for you, not what you wanted." Shortly after she passed away, and that was when I enlisted.

I was part of 9/11 search and rescue at age 21 and for the first time ever being a Marine became real. I was faced with a war zone here on our own land, and my eyes and hands were seeing and touching death. I was deployed overseas to Afghanistan in 2002 and then to Iraq in 2003. On June 03, 2003 our unit was attacked. All I can recall was being thrown and landing on my left side. When I looked down my wrist was bent in such a way that my pinky was touching my forearm. I can recall nothing after that except awakening in Germany where I was told I was unconscious for almost two months, and they were unsure if I was ever going to awaken. My life had changed forever.

When I awoke I had my head bandaged, my ribs bandaged and my left arm in a cast and it was hanging in an L position upright. I was told I was getting medically retired, and that I had two options of amputation or fusion. I chose to get the fusion, which means I lost all movement of my wrist. Shortly after I began to lose feeling and function in my legs and they realized that my lower back needed to be fused as well. Everything was taken from me.

I went from having goals and dreams for my future to being lost and confused about my life, but I pushed through. I was told I would never walk again, but I proved otherwise. I was told my brain was a 1/2 in off my skull, there is liquid in my lungs, and I that I would be in and out of hospitals, but I beat the odds. I am a mom of three, married, and have been able to pursue other dreams. I became a Christian, and have found that I am beautifully and perfectly made in God's image. That my story is not over, and that there is still so much to write about. I laugh when I an told I need another surgery because I see it as a challenge to show that what this world sees as weak I see as another victory for my story. I have had 10 major surgeries, and I know there is another on the horizon, but I will overcome it too. You see I have learned that you decide how you want to look at your life. You can choose to see it as the end, or make the choice to start a new story and make new goals, and new adventures. I choose joy, and to overcome whatever obstacles I face!”

“I choose joy, and to overcome whatever obstacles I face!”

How to Get Your Body Back

I stumbled on this ad last night on Instagram. It said “Want to get your body back?” and was aimed at women who have had children.

“The idea that your body is somehow lost just because it grew a child (or went through a medical procedure, or a challenging time in life, etc) is fundamentally flawed.”

This entire concept is so weirdly disturbing to me, but this is the world we live in. Women are marketed to based on their insecurities, or worse lied to to CREATE an insecurity that can then be marketed to.

Getting your body BACK implies that it is somehow lost. That you had a body before you had kids and that body is gone and must somehow be found. That must mean that in its place is an impostor body. While this postpartum body may be one that you don’t recognize as well, it surely is not an impostor body. This new journey you’re on isn’t one of finding your OLD self and getting it back, but recognizing that your old self and your new self and your in between self is all the same self (and this doesn’t just apply to women who have had kids).

The idea that your body is somehow lost just because it grew a child (or went through a medical procedure, or a challenging time in life, etc) is fundamentally flawed. Your body was there the whole time. Not only was it there, but it was loving you even when you didn’t love it back. It was processing food for nourishment, ridding your body of toxins, growing an entire human being from a blob of cells… and all you can do is tell it that it’s not what it should be.

“I am a huge proponent of fitness and health. But not as punishment.”

I am a huge proponent of fitness and health. But not as punishment. Not because we have to fit a standard. Not because you have to chase an idea of a body that was but no longer is. But because I think it is a part of the body positivity process. Eating healthy food to nourish the biological processes inside that take care of us should be an expression of self love, not self loathing.

What if we recognized our scars, our stretch marks, our changes as a miraculous part of growth. Skin that stretches to make more room rather than cracking and breaking is amazing. Scars that were once gaping wounds are now closed and healed, representing a time that we were perhaps vulnerable to infection but our body protected us.

What if, instead, we appreciated our bodies for the incredible things we are capable of?