Pink Champagne Gala to Benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation

OK ladies (and even gentlemen)! Get out your most sparkliest, most gorgeous or most outrageous pink everything and come get pink with me for a good cause!

Myself and my gal pal, Raemie Bachman, are throwing the PINKEST fashion event in Pittsburgh this year! Yes, I said it. PINK FASHION EVENT!

Ladies: you’re welcome.

As you can see in the flyer above, pink is our thing for this event, which makes sense because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Talk about a great way to fit in a magnificent party right before all the holidays start!

Yes, you must be wearing pink to gain entrance, in addition to paying the donation. And here’s a tip: the more pink you wear in one shade of pink the more of a chance you have to win one of our 2 grand prizes: a 7-night hotel stay from Raemie Bachman Realtor, or a glamorous photo shoot with moi. So we are talking about a monochromatic pink party! Selfishly, I can’t WAIT to get a photo of this crowd!

Can’t get on board with dying your hair pink? That’s ok–wear as much pink as you can and we’ll let you in anyway.

You in? Awesome, but there are only 50 tickets on sale because of space limitations and, due to an email blast for the ladies on my email list, quite a few have already been purchased.

OK, OK, OK already…go HERE to get your tickets.

So come get pink with me! I’ll be easy to spot: I’ll be the one in pink.

See you there!

Oh the Places You’ll Go…

I always love when I get a chance to photograph a high school senior. I don’t get to do it very often, but when I do it’s so much fun. I love hearing all about what they’re into at school, what their plans are after graduation….it’s an exciting time and it takes me back to my own days of school spirit, big hair, working till my fingers bled, late nights with friends and dreaming of future fun. Good times…good times.

Lucy was a very sweet, very easy going kinda gal. When her mom contacted me for photos I said “Well, just so you know…I photograph people. I don’t really do varsity jackets, pom poms and big signs with the year of graduation.” She said, “I know, that’s why Lucy wants you.” Ahhhhh…..music to my ears.

So we played with wardrobe till we came up with some really fun stuff, got Lucy in Lee Ann’s chair and then just had the time of our lives. Do you see that hair?? Oooooooh THAT HAIR!!!!

I could photograph this girl with that hair till I die.

Stay tuned for a few more outfits!Makeover by At Home Beauty.

What a Girl Wants

Gentleman: I’ll let you in on what is supposedly the most important, well-kept secret, ever: a gal wants to feel loved, cherished, respected and know that you know damn well that she is smart, sexy and a power house in her own right.

There. I have now loaded you with so much good information your life is now complete…well…only if you’re worthy enough to catch such a gal. Good luck.

A woman’s gotta do what a woman’s gotta do. In this case, what had to be done was a 2nd session with me that solely belonged ONLY to her. The clothes she chose were what she wanted to see herself in. The tone of the session was what she wanted to bring out in herself. The confidence she knew she wanted to exude was only brought forth to show herself that this. is. who. she. is. This was not the case the first time around with me…but oh my goddess, there was no mistaking who these photos were for.

Her damn self.

And she mofo killed it.

Three things I want to say about this woman that you might find interesting: she wears lingerie under her work clothes every single day (garters and all…and yes, that little pink and black number is one of her favorite choices). Why? Because it damn well pleases her to do so. She knows how to take care of herself and her number one priority is her own happiness and fulfillment (which was not the case for all her life till very recently. ‘Atta girl). And lastly…gentlemen: she’s single. But good luck trying to hold a candle to what she can already give herself.

Let the games begin…Makeover by At Home Beauty
Pink trench coat: Guess
Black bodysuit: Frederick’s of Hollywood
Pink/black outfit: off the rack
Black heels: Badgley Mischka
Red gown: Mac Duggal

Athleisure Meets Boudoir

Can I take a moment to mention to you how much I adore planning, brainstorming and executing a new idea? I’m actually not sure what is more fun when I get to do this: the creative coordinating and direction or the actual shoot. Lucky me…I don’t have to choose because I get both.

When my lovely client discussed doing a second boudoir shoot with me, she was pretty excited to explain her idea, except she wasn’t really sure how to pull it off. As soon as she said that she wanted to somehow incorporate her athleticism into the shoot, I saw the whole thing instantly in my head.

Designer fashion + athletic accents + boudoir = just about perfection.

I then came across an airbnb a short 4 minute drive from my studio that actually had an athletic theme. I know…crazy, right?!? But yes, it’s true. Seriously…that first photo? She’s leaning on a set of 3 lockers and to the left and in the upper corner is a punching bag. I just can’t make this up and I just couldn’t believe my luck when I found this place!!

We decided on a soft look, a super glam/evening look, a softer look with a touch of athletic accent, and a really badass look that pushed the envelope a little. Can you guess which look that was? Lee Ann just killed with the hair: a braided faux-hawk with cornrows? Shut. Up.

So we took over this little apartment in a big way and I’m pret-ty sure we got what we came for.Makeover by At Home Beauty
Ivory blouse: For Love & Lemons
Metallic gold bralette (under ivory blouse): For Love & Lemons
Teal panties: Free People
Gold sheer top/panties: For Love & Lemons
Gray bralette: Calvin Klein
Silver dress: Halston Heritage
Fringe earrings: Cristabelle Cristabelle
Nude strap heels: BCBGMAXAZRIA
Black bodysuit: Forever 21
Tiger belt: Gucci
Blue heels: Christian Louboutin
Black booties: Christian Louboutin
Hand wrap: Everlast
Fur coat: vintage

Traveling Boudoir Photographer and Instructor. Will Shoot and Teach for Designer Anything.

OK. Not really. But did you know that I travel for shoots and boudoir/beauty/portrait photography teaching now? A while back I tossed out a thing on Facebook and Instagram that I was opening sessions for 2 days in Philly and 3 days in Palm Springs, CA and to my utter delight and total surprise, I filled both destinations. Before that I got a request to teach at a workshop next year for fashion and beauty photography, and accepted (more on that coming in November).

I never really considered traveling for shoots or to teach workshops before this year simply because I have a wonderful studio, a beautiful daughter at home I’m kinda addicted to and honestly, when I think about it, I never thought people would book.

But…I guess that’s changing. So, if you can get a minimum of 5 women together I will pretty much travel anywhere in the world for shoots and for workshops. No joke. Any excuse to travel and shoot or teach is a good enough one for me.

And there’s a bonus with the workshops: my brilliant photographer/cinematographer husband will be traveling with me to teach DSLR 101, which he’s been doing in Pittsburgh for years. My side of the workshops will focus on posing, light, wardrobe, equipment, marketing, customer service and retouching (and I’m sure a bunch of other stuff I’ll toss in there as well), but John will focus on the basics of DSLRs.

AND if THAT’S not enough! If you happen to be a photographer that works with hair and makeup stylists, or if you’re a stylist that wants to learn how to style hair and makeup specifically for boudoir, fashion, editorial-style shoots, style wardrobe, and assist in shoots then let me know. My awesome, super-talented stylist, Lee Ann from At Home Beauty will travel with me when requested. Lee Ann is licensed in both hair and makeup styling and got her start in NYC. She has worked with some of the New York’s top fashion photographers and I’m l’m lucky enough to have her working with me and my clients.

Who knew? Me…a traveling photographer and teacher. *shrugs shoulders* Good things are a-coming…
Makeover by Aleksandra Ambrozy.

Barbara & Andrew | Married

This was one big house full of LOVE, you guys. Oh my goodness. I don’t even have to say much because you can see all of the gushing sweetness from these photos. But I will say this: never underestimate your 2nd time around, or a true love that comes later than you expect. These 2 had EIGHT children between them, and you would think that many heartbeats needing a piece of your heart would make your heart that much more unavailable to another, but you’d be wrong; all it did was make those 2 hearts grow even bigger to give away even more love to each other.

Congratulations Barbara & Andrew!!

The Girl Next Door, A Victoria Secrets Bombshell and a Nudist Walk into a Bar…

Oh…wait…no, I got that wrong…they all walked into my studio, except…they were all one woman.

But by the looks of these photos, I could probably get away with convincing you of that. Can I let you in on a secret: I LOVE that element to my sessions. It’s not even a question anymore. How many sides of yourself can we bring out in a session? We just do it. Honestly…we don’t even ask anymore. We just do it.

My goal is to drawwwwwwww each of those sides of yourself out of you. I’ve gotten the raised eyebrows that accompany the “Well…I don’t know about this…but I guess if you say so…” look in the eyes. I ignore them. Actually, I take that back. I take that as a challenge. And when I get the follow up “HOLY SHIT ON A STICK” look when they see what they look like in the photographs…well…I’m sure you can guess my internal thoughts at the moment.

We start easy. Natural, mostly clothed. I like to keep you as you see yourself daily (just a notch better) so that you feel comfortable in your own skin. Then we push. We get a bit more seductive. We let the hair down and pump up the volume a bit, maybe add a bit of smoke to those eyes. Then we really get the garters out. That’s when you’re realllllly ready to start killing it. That girl next door turned into the bombshell in one glance and then those hips start kickin’. And lastly, we round it out with a bit of art. That can be nudes or a more editorial style. Whatever it is, by then you’re a pro and wondering why you didn’t do this years ago, all while planning your next session with me because NOW you know what to expect. NOW you know you can do it. NOW you know you are one, hot, passionate, gorgeous badass.

The girl next door, a Victoria Secrets bombshell and a nudist walk out of my studio…

The End (ahem…I mean…The Beginning).Makeover by At Home Beauty
White bodysuit and black lingerie outfit by Victoria’s Secret
White undies by Calvin Klein
Tank by Forever 21
Skin by…you know…Mother Nature

Permission

It’s a word that we use all the time, even when we don’t use that particular word. “Yes.” That is another word that can be used for permission.

And you know what? I give you permission to say yes…to yourself.

Do you think that’s silly?? Sometimes we actually need someone to tell us to give ourselves a break; to allow ourselves a moments peace, within. Doesn’t sound so silly anymore, huh?

And so that is what I wanted for Mae. She had been banging around the idea of being photographed by me for quite a while. We talked about it a year or 2 ago. She scheduled, eventually, but I knew she wasn’t ready. I told her we should put it off, she agreed. She needed space in her head. She had gone through a hard time and wasn’t exactly feeling her best, inside or out. I so badly wanted this session to be a kickstarter for her; that kick in the pants that is a blinding reminder of how beautiful she really is, inside and out. We rescheduled. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with her.

I wanted her to literally look like a famous person. I wanted her to look like the 6′ glamazon she is. I wanted her to embrace every inch of herself, her curves, her height, her hair. Oh yeah….the hair. Can you believe, Mae wears her hair straight. Everyday. Oh no no no no no no. I asked her “how do you feel about an afro?” Ummmm…..ahem. But she trusted me. And she trusted Lee Ann to deliver the kind of ‘fro that would make her feel and look like the incredible woman she is.

We showed her what she looked like after her transformation, and she just could not believe it. We were in business. I took her back and got her AMAZING Monse blazer on her…and oh my gosh…you guys…no joke…I saw her on the cover of Vogue.

She sashayed out to show Lee Ann her gorgeous self, and the magic began. Funny–when I talked to Mae about how to let go in front of the camera, she got all nervous. But then, she was in an oversized t-shirt, no hair done, no makeup on at that moment. But, good golly miss Molly…once she was glammed from head to toe…well, let’s just say coaching was pretty easy for me.

I was thrilled to be invited into this home to photograph Mae. It was PERFECT for what we were going for.  Do you agree?? When I showed her the first few frames of photos she  shrieked “Oh my gosh!! Is that ME?!?”

Yes, my amazing, incredible, smart, savvy, sexy, independent, kind and brilliant 6′ glamazon: this is you.Absolutely stunning makeover by At Home Beauty.
Bangin’ tux jacket by Monse.
Those jaw-dropping heels by Manolo Blahnik.

A Little Lace…

…to brighten your day. I LOVED this robe as soon as she showed it to me. Soft, romantic…and loowwwwww light. That’s how I saw it immediately. I had the hardest time choosing between black and white and color for today’s post. But then, that’s when you know it really doesn’t matter which I uploaded.

We moved on from this…a bit of seduction, a bit of bombshell, but this was my favorite set.

Always a sucker for romance…Makeover by At Home Beauty.

Skin…

“I would by lying
if I said
there were not times
that I
am an earthquake
contained
iside this
skin.”

—Tyler Knott Gregson

Sometimes it is the only thing keeping you safe from this outside world. Sometimes it is the biggest obstacle from feeling anything at all.

Still, my favorite wardrobe choice of all time.

Makeover by At Home Beauty.