A Little Peek at Betty's Back End (-;

As a portrait photographer, I pride myself on the ability to provide a full service experience for my clients.  That means I continue to provide service long after you've left my studio. 

Sometimes, during the consult, that means I go to the client's home to measure wall space, and decide where a gallery wrap will look best.  We plan your perfect session where you get to look at your photos same-day, and you choose the only the photos that you love.  

I do this because I don't believe photos should languish in digital purgatory.  They are meant to be seen and touched, and I love to offer my professional input in helping you create and select the perfect piece.  Anything less isn't full-service, and my clients deserve only the best. 

Blog RSS

Make Your Hair as Bold as Your Personality

Asia Vivid is my favorite hair salon in Wesley Chapel.  I have naturally curly hair that is a beast to tame in the Florida heat.  Asia's blowouts are top-notch; I can usually get three or four days out of a blowout from her.  So, I went to visit Asia at her salon, and she let me get up-close and personal while she mixed up some bold and bright colors for this client's hair.  

1)  How Long Have You Been Doing Hair?

I worked as a receptionist for a salon at 14, went to cosmetology school at 16… So, 16 years.

2)  What Are Your Tips & Tricks for maintaining healthy hair?

Keep hair free from build up (use stylist approved regimens), oil ends when dry (not serum), trim regularly (6-8wks), and use heat protective products.

3)  What's the most interesting request you've had from a client?

I welcome craziness, but a client asked for blonde hair after using black color from Walmart for 19 years :-\

4)  Do You Have Any Specials?  

Get a complimentary cut and blow dry with all chemical services.

5)  Where Can Readers Find You on Social Media?

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VIVIDWesleyChapel, and @vividasia on Instagram

Blog RSS

Keep Calm and Get a Facial

Esthetics813 is where I go for all of my skincare needs. I'm not in my twenties anymore (sshhh), and I intend to beat off Father Time with a stick for as long as I can.  Fortunately, Kyymara, owner of Esthetics813 is not nearly as violent, and has a super-soft gentle touch.  Check out the slideshow for a menu of services.  I highly recommend the Oxygen Facial. 

1)  Tell me a little about yourself:  How long have you been in business?  What made you go into skincare?

I have loved skincare skin & rejuvenation since about the age of six. Memories of getting into Mami's jar of Olay (now I will never put that on my skin, I am a die-hard PCA Skin girl)  are vivid and by eight years of age I had given my grandmother a "facelift" by duct-taping her face back, LOL. I can't remember a time when I didn't live, love or experiment with skincare. In November of 2015, I opened my own skincare spa boutique, prior to that I worked at another local spa for about a year, my formal training and internship began at Aveda in 2012.

2)  What services do you offer?  

At Esthetics813 we are a full-service face and body spa offering services from body wax to body wraps, facial to rejuvenation treatments. I will have to say I have a weakness for PRP and Microneedling services. These treatments literally retrain the skin and trick the body into reversing the hands of time. The process is natural and results are phenomenal!

3)  How often do you recommend a client come in for a facial? 

That's a very common question, the answer greatly depends on the condition of the skin and client goals. That said healthy, balanced skin regenerates every 28 - 48 days therefore having a facial every 4 -6 weeks to remove dead skin cells and rid the skin of impurities, resulting in better results from your home care products.

4)  What skincare tips do you have for a home routine? 

This is easy: 

     1. Cleanse twice a day, EVERYDAY!

      2. Hydrate by drinking a minimum of 8 - 10 glasses of water everyday and by using a professional grade skin specific hydrator. Remember shriveled up raisins are just dehydrated grapes :)

     3. Protect!!! UVA (A = aging) rays, not heredity, are the main reason for premature aging. Use your SPF every day.

5)  Where can readers find you online? 

Our website is http://www.esthetics813.com/home.html and on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/Esthetics813-536714689796087/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Blog RSS

Complimentary Style Consult with Lina Teixeira: Tampa's own Haute Couture Designer

 I first met Lina when I commissioned her to make a piece for the grand opening of my studio.  She even finished the piece on a live model at the grand opening.  

Lina is originally from Montreal, Canada and now resides in Dunedin.  She runs her own studio in Clearwater called Studio 617.  Although she has done a lot of work for the runway, she has expanded her services to include creating wearable art for branding and promoting other businesses, as well as creating pieces for private clients.

That means that you can commission Lina for your own wearable art for your session with Betty (or any other applicable event).  You also don't need to let budgetary constraints concern you either.  Lina not only has a ready-to-wear line, but she also rents her pieces.  

Rent a corset, a dress, a stunning headpiece, or check out her signature Hipzii, a genuine leather pouch for your smartphone that's both practical and stylish.  

So take advantage of this special offer that I've negotiated with Lina for just being a fabulous Betty!  It's worth $250!!!!  Nice perk right?

Lina can be found online through her website, Facebook, and her Etsy store. 

Blog RSS

A View From the Top: My Brush with Fame

She was even more gorgeous in person.

If you work in the arts, or in the world of sports, there’s always the chance that you’ll work with a celebrity.   I was lucky enough to have such an opportunity recently, and although I wish I could share the photos and all the tiny details of the shoot, the terms of my contract prevent me from doing so. 

So, instead, I’d figured I’d just give some tips on what’s it like to work with a celebrity.

The one thing that I’ve always carried with me is that celebs are human too.  They’re not an object of worship.  Many of them are on the road all the time, and are tired from traveling constantly.  They’re away from friends, family, and the comforts of home.   This is especially true when you think of all the “weird” items seen on riders of music artists. 

When you think about some of things you have when you’re at home, asking for a fridge stocked with Red Bull doesn’t seem so ridiculous.  Thankfully, I only needed to provide champagne.

Mostly, I just feel lucky that I’m getting a bit of their precious time and a rare glimpse into their life.  I got to see a side that most other people don’t get to see.

Any good shoot requires the right balance of curiosity and sensitivity.  I avoided gushing about her career, and focused on her like I would any other client that I’ve never worked with before.  It’s all about trust because ultimately, my client will choose how much of herself she chooses to reveal to me.

I broke the ice by talking with her like I'd talk about anyone visiting the area.  I asked how long she was staying for, or if she'd eaten at any good restaurants.   

I also tried not to be overly familiar with her; in other words, I didn’t call her by her first name.  I addressed her as Ms. Celebrity until she asked me to address her by her first name.   The point is, I did’t want to come across like a rabid fan.

Was I scared sh*tless?  Yes, but if something doesn’t scare you, it’s probably not worth doing anyway.   I allayed that fear by telling myself that I was chosen because I’m excellent at what I do, and then I created some kick-ass portraits.  

Yeah, I’m bummed that I can’t share them with you, but any good portrait deserves more than five minutes of Facebook fame.  

Blog RSS