Tag Archive: portraiture

Sultry Sunset, Tuscany-style

Sunset in Tuscany is a breathtaking event every night, even from your bedroom window or porch just peering out at the landscape and enjoying some wine. Now if you happen to score a private castle-like villa and sculpture garden with a fantastic nude model — well all the better!

Here are more of my favorites from my recent Italy Workshop that showcase Italy’s stunning light & landscape and the beautiful female figure…












Ah beauty! Italy, cypress trees, stone sculptures, a sunset, 9 of my girlfriends, a beautiful female form, and a camera to capture it all!

It’s all so divine, I can almost forget the swarms of mosquito’s.

Still itching and scratching,

x. Christa
ps. check back for more deliciousness on the blog all week and next from Italia!

Hot Summer in the City!

It is scorching hot in NYC right now – whew!…  and whether you’re indoors with AC or outside sweatin’ it out… hope you are keeping cool!

This set of photographs were created in my small little studio in NYC as part of the super cool video demos for the Online Boudoir Workshop!  If you’d like to peek behind the scenes and enjoy footage of how these scorching HOT pics were created, head on over to the Online Boudoir Workshop website & get more details on how to register now!

The Workshop

I’m beyond excited to announce details on my upcoming workshop for pro’s and those that want to go pro… including topics from branding to sales and everything in between!  The workshop will be held at my Studio + Gallery and is limited to a small group so you get plenty of one-on-one instruction and hands on learning.  You will be on your feet shooting alongside me during model sessions and will be granted use of the images for your blog and portfolio.  More info below…

The Workshop, with Christa Meola

Revolutionize your brand.
Create meaningful photographs with impact.
Take your photography and business to the next level!

Saturday January 23rd 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday January 24th 9:00 am – 7:00 pm

Held at…

Christa Meola Pictures Studio + Gallery
860 Via de la Paz, Pacific Palisades CA 90272

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Topics include:

Branding…
Personality and developing your unique style.  How to stand out from the crowd.  Selecting an in-demand product line, getting booked solid, communicating with clients, and selling emotion not images.

Pricing…
Nailing your price list so you’re busy, happy and well-paid 🙂  Best business practices including, contracts, release forms, and other good habits.

Shooting…
Family, Baby, and Boudoir shoots on location and in the studio.  Christa will do demos and you will get time with the models and rights to your images.  Learn how to capture honest moments and turnaround a kid’s meltdown, engage a reluctant dad, and relax a nervous mom or boudoir model.  Plus, my Top Ten Money Shots ™ and how to get them!

Equipment…
What’s necessary and what’s not.  Lighting techniques – how to work with the challenge and beauty of natural light, a simple studio lighting set-up that works for any subject matter, and the convenience of hand-held video lights.

Workflow…
A Workflow that’s easy, fast and effective.  Top 10 Tweaks I use in LR.  Top 10 Tips for PS… how to take off 20 lbs in 20 seconds, retouching, working with actions, and more.

Photo Parties…
How I made $25,000+ in one weekend with Photo Parties.  I breakdown the whole process for you and what I’ve learned that works best.

Plus!…
One-on-one time, individual portfolio review, Q&A session, awesome discounts from all of my vendors/sponsors, and a fabulous gift bag of my favorite things that make me happy 🙂

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To register, call 310.383.6494 or email christa (at) christameola.com.

 

Space is limited and I’ve already signed up some amazing photographers, so register soon, and I can’t wait to meet you!

xoxo,

Christa

The Golden Hour, Part 1

Photographers everywhere love the Golden Hour… that last hour before sunset, when the light is golden and makes everything look magical.  This savvy mom requested the Golden Hour… and I was happy to oblige last weekend.  The Kennedy family is very near and dear to me… 5 years ago, they were my very 1st paid shoot as a professional photographer!  And I’ve shot for their family every year since… birthdays, Mother’s day, Christmas cards, new babies… and I couldn’t be happier.  This mom, Monica Kennedy, is responsible for a great deal of my success… I have never advertised because her referral is trusted and carries far and wide.  I’ve nicknamed her my MVP-VIP, and she has free sessions for a lifetime.

So make sure to stay tuned for tomorrow’s post!… a highlight of my favorite moments from that very first professional shoot with the Kennedy family.

Here’s how it all began… Monica and Joe – can’t you just feel the love?

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Here is my favorite threesome: Ryan, Coco, and Stella… Playing in the park… throwing leaves and getting giggly on the park bench…

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The boys…

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The girls…

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One of my signature shots… The Secret..

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Aw, shucks mom – stop embarrassing me!

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I adore the Kennedy family… they are sweet, fun, thoughtful, generous, and gorgeous! They are my number one fans, and I’m their’s!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post of my very 1st professional shoot 5 years ago with the Kennedy family.

xoxo,

Christa

Sticky Miller

It’s always a good time at Santa Monica Pier, with lots of adventures, activity and emotion!  Take Miss Sticky Miller here… she’s my good friend’s daughter and my favorite 4 yr old on the planet.  I adore her little voice and her phenomenal personality — she’s such a ray of positive energy, friendly to everyone, and quite the cutie 🙂

She was so excited to take a day off of school yesterday and go to the Pier… where she knows you can cradle exotic animals…

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…Act like a true NYC cab driver…

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…chase some pigeons along the boardwalk… and have a really good time!  Until….

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…you have to share your bag of sweeties with your mum…

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…it’s okay – you can wipe it on there…

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…but I know something that will cheer you up!

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…and pretty soon you’ll be swinging that bag around, pointing fingers at people, and earning the name “Sticky Miller” …

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…you’ll even start dancing to a beat belted out by plastic buckets… lol! and you’ll dance like no-one’s watching 🙂

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I adore this little girl!… and all her up/down/silly/around moments between this…

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…and this!

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Stay tuned for Sticky Miller’s second half of the day, involving red balloons and a red dress – two of my favorite things!

xoxo,

Christa