Valentines Day

Valentines Day is an anticipated and hated holiday. I myself have gone through many phases:

Child Theresa:

Yayyy, I get to hand out cards in class and mommy is going to bake cakes!

Teenage Theresa:

If I have a Valentine, that’s cool, but I totally don’t believe in this holiday. And if I don’t, I’m dressing black and bringing in black roses for my girlfriends.

College Theresa:

I’m broke. This holiday was created by American capitalists trying to make more money. Let’s get a bottle of wine (to anyone willing to partake with me) and call it a night.

Adult Theresa:

We should get off for this holiday. But since we don’t, how should I celebrate it?

Valentine’s Day after all doesn’t necessarily mean COUPLES, ROMANCE, CANDLES, etc. Over the years, I’ve learned that one of the most important forms love can take is love for oneself. I now believe in the ritual of pampering…I’ve had Carrie do boudoir shoots for me and have found that to be the greatest Valentine’s Day gift of all. I had a blast being on camera, getting my makeup done and playing dress up for the day. What did I do with the images? I made a book and eventually decided to let my boyfriend see. But the book is still mine—a strong reminder of my confidence and beauty.

Before I sound too egotistical, Valentine’s Day can also be about family. Since my mom has always baked and decorated and celebrated the holiday, this year I had some photos printed on canvas of me and my siblings. Now we’re grown, at different locations throughout the US…I thought it was a nice way to tell her I love her (and it was…. I couldn’t hold out until Valentine’s Day to give it to her!)

And to be honest, yes, I do have a boyfriend. We typically don’t celebrate (with the exception of the standard Pinot Noir of course) but the last year marked our five year anniversary…and I’ve got something up my sleeve. To be honest, I’m hoping he does too and the ideal gift for someone like me who loves the power of memories, photographs and of course him…would be a shoot. It’s a great day out and encourages you to spend time together.

So whether you’re single, dating, married or happily divorced, remember that this is a day  or love, and love takes on many faces.

New Studio Prop

New studio prop 🙂 Excited to see who will be our first model to try it out!

Wedding Challenge

So a few days ago we had a wedding to photograph at a location that was about 2 hours from the studio, in Boonton, New Jersey. That morning we all awoke to the sound of thunder violently clapping. My head popped off of my pillow like I forgot to do my science fair project! “Uh oh…” Needless to say, we totally pulled it off.

This New Jersey wedding was quite the challenge: with massive thunder storms, 2 fully dressed English Bulldogs and tight space; However, Hal and Kristine were an absolute pleasure to shoot. Here are a few pics from that day. To view the album please visit our FaceBook page here; and don’t forget to “LIKE” our page while your visiting 🙂 Thanks!

 

24/7

Made it into the 24-7. To view the article, click the following link.

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-service/341270

Helping other women feel as beautiful as we do.

We had long decided that the two of us needed some shots in the studio. Professional, playful, sexy… photos for our marketing material and website. While we had gone out a few weeks earlier, those were casual outdoor photos (we will totally still be posting those as well). But we needed to engage in the full experience that all of our clients are experiencing when they come to us – hair, make up, flattering outfits… beauty and laughter. Now, after our shoot, all I can say is WOW. We looked AMAZING!

You can view the full album on our Facebook page here.

So before I say the rest, know that this is Carrie-Anne writing. Great 🙂 That being said – I will tell you this. There was a period of time where I just wasn’t feeling sexy, let alone beautiful. It was easy for me to bring out the beauty I see in others, but when I looked in the mirror, I just couldn’t find her… the strong, confident, SEXY Carrie. Where the heck did she go and why?! Okay, I know why – lack of going to the gym, weight gain, clothes that just don’t seem to fit me right anymore… I felt like just everything, was exuding “not sexy.” Then we did a Carrie Weston Studios shoot; and there I was. Our team came together to make ME feel beautiful; my hair done by Shears of Elegance in East Northport and my make up done by BettyLynn Tims. The end result astounded me.

Now, I have to tell you this and it is completely un-narcissistic, I swear it! But, I have a photo from that shoot as my screen saver on my iphone and whenever that doubtful Carrie appears, I just click on my phone and look at me. That woman, that woman on my screen – she is beautiful, she is confident, she is ME. She needs to be on my wall in a canvas print!

This is the feeling we wish to give to all of you. Come to Carrie Weston Studios. Don’t make excuses, don’t wait to loose a few extra pounds, don’t wait until you can afford new clothes, don’t wait at all… just come now and allow us to show you how beautiful you really are – right now- in this moment of your life. No matter what your inner-self may be saying – know this – You ARE beautiful and we can show you if you’ve forgotten.

Time to refinish and rebuild

We put it out to the universe that we wanted different shelving and a TV unit for the studio. Something that hides our stuff, but looks classy and simple. Then this was pretty much left on our door step. Well not literally 🙂 We had to pick it up. In a matter of days after “putting the energy out,”  we got the call that our friends were redoing their living room and would like to know if we needed this (and 3 other shelving pieces) for free! We took it.

    Now, I know it doesn’t look very pretty right now; but I’m hoping that its nothing a  trip to Home Depot and a little Rust-omleum Furniture Transfomations can’t handle!

  We think a rich black would be perfect! Stay tuned for photos!

Salvation Army

Found this gem at the Salvation Army for 50% off. Just steam cleaned it and put it in place! For those if you who don’t know, it’s also Theresa’s favorite colour – Emerald Green.

Almost done

3 panels complete. Stay tuned for images from tomorrow’s shoot!

V Flats & Backdrops part Deux

One would think that something so easy to build would be… well EASY. After I was defeated at Home Depot by the parking lot employee who “helped” me get the polystyrene in the car – I gave up my venture for a few days. (In short, he broke all 4 pieces before we could even attempt to get them into the SUV, which, by the way, they wouldn’t have fit anyhow.) About a week later, after our photo shoot, we got a hold of Theresa’s van (Thank you Dad Weston!) and headed out to Lowes. They had EXACTLY what we needed. 2 inches thick, 8 feet high AMAZING!

Still burned and slightly discouraged from my Home Depot incident, I avoided the task of painting them. It’s 7:45pm – Tomorrow afternoon we have a scheduled shoot in the studio. Sisters. The three clients are expected to arrive at 12 noon and are headed straight in to make up with Betty Lynn. Tonight, painting at least 2 polystyrene boards.

 

Home Depot and V-Flats

So excited for tomorrow’s shoot! There is much work to be done today. Heading over to home depot in just a few to purchase what I need in order to make my over the top, life sized reflector boards and back drops (AKA “V-Flats”). Wish me luck on construction today…

We have 2 make up artists here; tomorrow we will be working with Betty Lynn Tims and we will have a special appearance of custom, hand made jewelry by Kalliope Viegas. We will also be joined by our newest second shooter in training Catherine Weston. Great team of artists, I can’t wait to work with everyone!
Photos to follow!