What is your photography background?
I graduated with a BFA in Photography from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where during my senior year, I was named the top studio photographer. After graduating I became a Photo Editor for a weekly newspaper in the Philadelphia area. During the day I worked as a photojournalist and on evenings and weekends I photographed portraits for my own clients. About four years ago I started Celeste Giuliano Photography/Lunar Light Studios and have been photographing pinups and theatrical styled portraits ever since. I love what I do and am ecstatic that so many women share my love of pinups and are so eager to pose as one themselves!
Do you offer any other types of portraits beside pinup?
I am available for both private and commercial commissioned photo shoots. I specialize in vintage photography but I am also available for head shots, promotional, editorial/fashion , web and catalog photography. If you have an idea just contact me and we can discuss pricing.
How experienced are your Makeup Artist and Hair Stylists?
I only offer the best services for you which is why I pride myself on having experienced, working professionals for your hair and makeup. My Makeup Artist has over 13 years experience and works full time in the industry. She's worked in New York, LA and San Francisco and in all facets of makeup: editorial, runway, film and television. Clients include actress Shannon Elizabeth, Diesel Jeans, Spike TV, Comcast Cable, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia 76er's. She has experience working with various skin types and will completely customize your pinup look. My Hair Stylists are licensed professionals who also work full time in the industry. They have over ten years experience and specialize in vintage hair styles so your pinup look will be authentic. Whether your hair is short, long, curly or straight my stylists will have no problem transforming your locks into retro perfection.
What is included with each session?
The price of every session (discount, half, full or pinup party) includes: professional hair & makeup, wardrobe, props, proofs, prints, airbrushing & retouching on the final chosen images, web ready jpegs of your final ordered images and a consultation (in person or over the phone) a few weeks before the session to discuss wardrobe & poses. All info on what each session includes can be found under the packages section of my website.
How much do your sessions cost?
I do not display the session pricing online so please email me to get a list of rates. I will also add you to my mailing list so that you will receive emails regarding discounted sessions, promotions and news.
I am shy about posing in front of the camera, do you think that I can be a pinup?
Most of my clients are not models and are not used to posing in front of the camera for a professional photo shoot. My years of experience being a photojournalist and studio photographer have taught me how to be personable and make my clients more relaxed. Your time at the studio is an amazing, fun and unique experience - it is important that you enjoy it!
Do you only photograph models?
Of course not! I photograph everyday gals - about 90% of my business is non-models from students to moms and girlfriends to wives. My stylists and I are everyday people and we love to make you feel beautiful, sexy and confident. We love hearing from our clients that the session and the photos made them feel special, glamourous and pampered. We do what we do - and love what we do - because we get such a great response from our clients.
Who are the women featured on your website and if you take my photo do I have to appear on your site?
The women featured as pinups on my website are mostly clients. While I retain the copyright to all my work and reserve the right to use them to promote my business, I always allow my clients the option to protect their privacy and not be featured online. Only a fraction of my clients photos are used online for various reasons. Before your session you will sign a portrait contract that protects both you, me and your photos.
Why do most people pose as pinups?
Clients pose for the photos as presents for boyfriends, husbands, girlfriends and for themselves. The photos make perfect birthday, anniversary, wedding, Valentine's Day and holiday presents. They are a great way to celebrate weight loss or a milestone in your life. Many of my clients give the photos to their loved ones who are in the military and are oversees or are about to be deployed. In many cases, my clients originally pose with the intention of giving the photos as a present but usually during the session they realize the photos are also a present for themselves. Your taking time out of a busy schedule to pamper yourself and when you leave the studio you will be holding your head up a little bit higher and feel like the confident and sexy woman you are!
What exactly is included in the wardrobe you provide? Do I need to bring garters, shoes etc?
I provide the outfits, bras, garters, stockings/thigh highs, jewelry, shoes and fake eyelashes. In most cases all you will need to bring is the proper underwear for your outfits. I have a very large and extensive wardrobe that includes everything from dresses, skirts and tops to lingerie, swimsuits, and costumes. Should you decide to wear something that I do not have in my wardrobe or in your size I can suggest online retailers or stores where you can purchase the outfit or I can purchase the item for you at an additional cost.
I am a plus size woman, will your wardrobe accommodate me?
My wardrobe goes from a size 0 to a size 2x. If you would need something larger or could not find something in my wardrobe that you would like to wear (which is very unlikely) then I can suggest some websites or stores where you can purchase something for the session. Together we can put together the perfect outfits for you.
I am a middle-aged woman... can I pose as a pinup?
Of course, Pinups are for every woman - they are about the everyday gal! My clients range in age from 18 to the oldest being in her 70's. I have also had many clients choose to pose in a 30s/40s styled black and white hollywood glamour portrait ... think satin, fur, dramatic lighting as in many of the vintage photos featuring Veronica Lake, Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and every golden age Hollywood Starlet.
Do I have to chose from your wardrobe or can I bring my own?
You can choose from my wardrobe or if you have a collection of vintage clothes or a retro-esque outfit that you'd prefer to wear then you are more then welcome to do that. We can even mix and match my wardrobe with yours.
There are areas of my figure I want to hide or not feature, is this possible?
While posing as a pinup you can show as much or as little of your body as you feel comfortable with.
Do I wear fake eyelashes for the photos?
What pinup is complete without her lashes! We provide the lashes for you and my Makeup Artist will match your eye shape with the perfect style and length lashes.
What does it mean that I get a pinup look/theme?
Each pinup look or theme means that you get one outfit with professional hairstyle and makeup. With each look/theme I change the backdrop, props and you will change your outfit, hairstyle and makeup. So for example if you schedule a half day session with 2 looks/themes we will change everything up so you have two totally different sets of pinup photos.
Can I choose my own themes for the session?
All of my pinups are customized. So whether you schedule a discount, half or full day session you get to pick your own theme. I want all of my clients to have their own unique pinup that is customized to their interests, hobbies or the interests/hobbies of the special someone who is receiving the pinup as a gift.
What is a group session and is it a good idea for Bachelorette parties?
The group session is a one pose session designed for groups of 4-8 gals - perfect for bachelorette parties or for group of friends/co-workers. With this session you can book the entire day at the studio for you and your friends and each pose in your own pinup theme/backdrop. Then at the end of the sessions we can take some group photos of everyone together dressed as pinups! If you are planning a bachelorette party the day at the studio is a perfect idea. Not only do you get professional photos but you also have professional hair and makeup so that you are ready to continue the bachelorette party with a night out on the town after leaving the studio - you paid for the hair and makeup so why not make the most of it!
What exactly is the discounted pinup session and how often is this session offered?
The discount session is a completely customized one pose pinup session. I am able to offer the discounted price because it is only one pose and I am scheduling several clients in the same day. The discounted sessions are only offered on specific days every few months. All other sessions (half, full or pinup party) can be booked at anytime. When dates become available for the discounted session I email my mailing list - so make sure to join. After you receive my email advertising the session you would email me back to reserve a space. I would then send you a Paypal invoice and in order to reserve your space I would need to receive your credit card deposit within 24 hours through Paypal. Spaces for the discounted sessions are available on a first come first serve basis and usually sell out within a few hours. Click here to join the mailing list.
Are there other clients in the studio during the discounted pinup session?
We shoot in an area of the studio that is separate from the hair and makeup so no one is in the actual studio with us while you are in set and posing. There may be one or two other women getting their hair and makeup done but they are separated from the actual set where I shoot.
For the discounted sessions can I pick my own time slot?
I designate time slots after I have held all of my consultations. Since I allow everyone to pick their own theme I try to schedule clients based on their theme/outfit choice, this makes the day run smoother. If you have a time preference I will try my best toÊaccommodate you.
How should I prepare for my shoot?
There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing to pose as a pinup. During the consultation we will discuss this and I will give you a list of these "reminders" so you arrive prepped and ready for hair and makeup!
Can I bring someone with me to my pinup session?
I encourage a closed shoot since I find it is easier for my clients to pose when they do not bring someone along. I ask that no males, children or animals be brought to the studio the day of your session. If you have scheduled a private half or full day session and would like to bring a female friend or family member with you, please let me know in advance that you will be bringing someone. If you have scheduled a discount session then you will be unable to bring anyone with you. They are more then welcome to drop you off & pick you up but space is limited during the discount session days so they cannot come into the studio.
How long does the consultation last and what does it entail?
Consultations at my studio last about 45-60 minutes and during that time we will discuss poses & themes and you will get to try on wardrobe. The "in person" consults at my studio are held on weeknights. The consultations not only allow us to meet before the actual session but you also get to see the studio. If you are coming from out of town or your schedule is too demanding to make it to the studio for a consultation then we can schedule a phone consultation. The phone consults work just as well, the only difference is you do not get to try on wardrobe until the day of the session. If we have a phone consultation I will have outfits picked out for you to try on the day of your session based on your pinup themes.
What is your cancellation policy? If I need to reschedule can I apply my deposit to another date?
All session deposits are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel I require at least 7 days notice prior to your session date. Should you fail to give me 7 days notice then you will need to make another deposit to reschedule your session. If you schedule a half or full day session and give me the 7 days notice then yes, you can apply your deposit to another date but I will only be able to reschedule you one time. Discounted sessions are unable to be rescheduled since they are offered on specific days every few months and book very quickly. Prior to booking a session please carefully check you schedule.
How do I go about purchasing a gift certificate?
To purchase a gift certificate please email me. I will need to receive the session price in full before mailing out the gift certificate. After receiving the gift certificate the recipient can contact me at her convenience to schedule a date for both her session and consultation.
How many proofs do I receive with each type of session? Can I have a proof of every photo you take?
Hundreds of unedited and unretouched/airbrushed images can be overwhelming and confusing for my clients to view. With each theme/pose I take tons of photos and during the editing process I eliminate the photos that have no value (i.e: your eyes were closed, not a good facial expression etc.) Therefore the proofs that you receive are the best of the best. By editing your images I am saving you time and making your job of choosing photos easier. For more information, please click on this link to view my modeling page.
How long does it take to receive the proofs?
After your session it takes about 2 weeks to receive your proofs.
You view your proofs online through a personal, password protected gallery. The proofs are available online for at least one year. Many of my clients come back and order more prints months after they have placed their first initial order so I always like to make your proofs available to you. I also keep the photos archived so if after a year you would like to place another print order you can do so.
How long does it take to receive my prints? Can I place a rush on my order?
After placing you order it takes about 3 weeks to receive your prints and I will mail them to you in an unmarked photo mailer. If you request a rush on your order I reserve the right to charge an additional fee. The rush service is subject to availability.
Do you airbrush and retouch the photos?
I have over 5 years of professional airbrushing and retouching experience and will clean up all the photos you order. I will fix fly always in the hair, smooth skin, remove small wrinkles, etc. And be assured that I will not airbrush you into oblivion and make you totally unrecognizable since we still want to see you in these pinups. The proofs will not be airbrushed or retouched since there will be so many of them. If you have anything specific you would like retouched after viewing your proofs then you are more then welcome to bring this to my attention when placing your order.
Why do my photos need to be airbrushed - the proofs look perfect?
Even though I am an extreme perfectionist and try to get all my photos perfect while taking them, every photo still needs post production work.
Can I customize or exchange the print sizes that are included in the packages?
Of course! I offer prints from wallet size up to poster size as well as specialty items so if you would like to exchange print sizes that is not a problem.
Do you offer a custom 12 month pinup calendar package?
Yes, please contact me for pricing.
