Pam is amazing! She is smart and kind and BEAUTIFUL! I met Pam some time ago when our daughters because friends at school. Her daughter is as brilliant and sensitive and beautiful as Pam, by the way. I instantly liked Pam and thought she was a lovely woman. When she contacted me about about headshots and portraits I was thrilled! And while Pam (or any of the ladies I photograph for that matter) don’t need a professional hairdresser and makeup artist, and don’t need to dress up in fantasy wardrobe pieces, and don’t need professional lighting and detailed posing instruction and careful use of camera angles that flatter and accentuate all the best parts of their physical presence to be beautiful inside and out, what these things can do for a woman’s heart and spirit is amazing! And I am so happy to give women the opportunity to see themselves in a beautiful new way.

I’d like to share just a little testimonial she sent me this morning:)
“Like most women, I was hesitant to spend time doing something just for me. But, after seeing the beautiful portraits Ashley created of other women, I knew I had to try it. And I’m so very glad I did! From the moment I arrived at the studio, I felt like a movie star! Amy Schaming worked magic on my makeup, and turned my straight, flat hair into gorgeous, flowing curls. Ashley chose poses that would accentuate my curves (and wow, they did!) and made sure I was comfortable and having fun the entire time. Ashley and Amy are not only incredibly talented women, but they’re also very fun to hang out with! And the result? Absolutely gorgeous portraits! I can’t even describe how incredibly beautiful they turned out. Let’s just say that when my husband (who’s currently deployed overseas) saw them, he said he was going to start walking home. I am so very glad I took time for myself, and I now have beautiful portraits to share with my husband, to pass on to my children, and to enjoy myself. Every woman should invest in herself and do a beautiful or pin-up session with Ashley. You deserve it! And you’ll be very happy you did!”

And on to the images:

And enjoy the video of all the images:

As a full-time working photographer, I’m usually shooting for my clients. But sometimes I shoot for myself. The shoots I do for myself are to give myself a little change of pace and to keep fresh and inspired for my next client shoot! This photoshoot was one of those creative ventures. The styling and inspiration for the shoot was the work of Amy Schaming, who is an exceptional hairdresser and makeup artist, and also the creative behind the hair and makeup of the Beautiful and Bombshell sessions at Bijou. Amy showed me several photos of Gaga and Tilda Swinton that made her feel inspired and we created this look and shoot based on those images. Special thanks to our amazing model, Lydia, who is beautiful and creative as well. She rocked that bit of tulle fluff we gave her!! Check it out!

I’m so happy to be blogging this Beautiful Session!
Meet Jane. She is an amazing woman. I met her when her loving husband booked a Beautiful Session for her at Bijou as a gift. A Beautiful Session is a modern glamour or beauty photography shoot, complete with full hair styling and makeup application. It is a treat from the moment you walk in the door! Jane and her husband were high school sweethearts and were married quite young. They have two children whom they adore – the youngest in college – and have been married for 25 years. They have experienced hard times and beautiful times together and I was able to see a deep and beautiful love and respect for each other when meeting and talking and working with them.

So, Jane has not had a portrait session just for her since she as in high school! Jane works hard…..VERY hard. She has 3 jobs in nursing and her schedule rotates so that sometimes she is working all day and sometimes she is working all night. She is obviously passionate about her work and has a great sense of purpose. She has recently lost a great deal of weight and is enjoying all that means to her life. She does not see herself as beautiful or photogenic and was really very nervous about the portrait session, not knowing what to expect or if she would even enjoy it. But from the moment I met her for her consultation and planning appointment, I knew it was going to be a great session. She has an amazing smile and an ease about herself that I am sure she doesn’t even realize she has. And with her recent weight loss, she has beautiful curves to her body line that I knew we could accentuate with wardrobe and posing.

I advised Jane on the best clothing for her session and she and her daughter did an amazing job picking out her pieces! Jane did send me a few images via test while shopping, which I loved. It is helpful to both myself and my clients when I can be involved in this important element of their portrait session.

When Amy, my makeup and hairstyling goddess,…..no really, she is……she knew instantly what to do to bring out all of Jane’s true beauty. Jane and Amy enjoyed preparing Jane’s look while I set up for our studio shoot, which went absolutely beautifully. We had an a amazing time and Jane was fabulous in front of the camera. I know that when she reads that she will smile and shake her head, still not able to believe that some of the images are really her! At her appointment for viewing all her portraits I believe she was quite shocked by some of the images, barely recognizing the gorgeous woman on the screen. Her husband attended this appointment too and although he knew all along how beautiful his wife was, seeing her in this knew way, and seeing her smile from the results, was obviously exciting for him too. And for me, there is nothing better, than seeing a couple smile at each other with joy and admiration.

Enjoy these images from Jane’s Beauty Photography session and the video at the end.
Ladies, celebrate who you are today through portraiture. It will bring you joy today and tomorrow and will bring happiness to those who love your for generations to come.
And Gentlemen, what better gift to give to the woman you love than a portrait session such as this? Show her how much you appreciate everything she is and does and means to your life. Show her that you value her and want her to know that she is truly beautiful and loved. Beautiful Sessions make an amazing gift that you will both enjoy:)

Tonight I want to share a new online publication I have put together to share with everyone some of my latest Pin-Up photography images. I am so excited to be offering these session to women all over South Carolina. Pinup sessions are so much fun! It’s an opportunity to dress up and be styled with hair and makeup from a different era and experience a glamorous and playfully sexy photo session. These sessions and photographs are all about the attitude you bring to the studio. We coach ladies through their photo session from their eyelashes to their toes to create images that are fun, flirty, flattering, and fabulous! Each image is expertly retouched to give them a polished, vintage look. And the products available range from playing cards to glamorous photo books! Imagine the look on your loves face when opening up a pinup calendar featuring YOU!!!

Packages start at $575 and include a session planning appointment, authentic hair and makeup, use of fun vintage props, and a selection of products! Book your appointment now for 2013 while appointments last.