***GLAMSHOP***

You asked for it. We delivered. Now, choose from TWO workshop packages!

September 25th

10am-3pm

200 Putnam St. Suite 300, Marietta Ohio

The Glam Bam, Thank You Ma’am – $99 plus tax

• Hot Tomato Studio tour
• Full instructional demonstration in the art of glam hair and makeup styling
• Lunch and cocktails in The Parlor
• Access to the coveted Hot Tomato Lending Wardrobe for dress-up (as cocktails allow!) Ever try on a steel-boned corset? Let The Madame show you how!
• Behind the scenes peek of a session in progress

The GLAM SLAM – $399 plus tax

• Private wardrobe consultation and session planning
• Hot Tomato Studio Tour
• Full instructional demonstration in the art of glam hair and makeup styling
• Personal one on one hair and makeup styling with two of our professional team members
• Lunch and cocktails in The Parlor
• One outfit, high glam photo session on our custom set
• Private proofing session to view your images
• Free 8 x 10 canvas of your favorite image
• New title for your sassy resume of #GDHT ;)

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

We’re looking forward to seeing you there! Grooowl wink ;)

 

 

Photographers, Andi Roberts and Jocelyn Adelsperger

Concierge, Jessica Kufel

Makeup Artists, Lauren Elaine and Tonya Winebrenner

Hairstylists, Veronica Fields and Chelsea Holtz

 Mistress of Ceremony- Jesse Hyde

 

September 1, 2016March 2, 2017 by hottomatopinupacademy8 Categories: All Women, Community, Contemporary, Experience, fashion, GDHT, Local Event, Self CareTags: Contemporary, empower, glam, glamour, Hot Tomato, Hot Tomato Pinup Academy, local, Marietta, MOV, natural light, Ohio, Photography, Self Care, sexy, small business, workshop Leave a comment

Armpits and Swoon

Today we have a post from our Hot Tomato Photographer, Andi. She discusses armpit smell and how you photograph the unseen things that create that sexy feeling.

I love the smell of my gal’s arm pits. Sadly, they almost never have an odor that hasn’t been carefully placed there during her daily routine. But sometimes, if we’ve been camping, or she has just been beating the shit out of her drum kit for three hours in a dark,hot, sweaty bar in July my sweet and usually very clean smelling curly headed love will have the slightest, sexy hint of armpit. I swoon….she showers. The thrill of that scent stays with me for hours.

Why am I talking about this, darling reader? It’s because as a photographer of the half naked lady persuasion (aka boudoir photographer) I tend to think about what other people find sexy. Then I think about how would I photograph that? How would I have another photographer capture my love of her scent without her being there? How would they make it look hot? I have some ideas…believe me, I have some ideas.

But that leads me to the question I am really interested in – what is it that stops your average person dead in their tracks in the middle of a jam packed week with grocery shopping, elderly dog pee patrol and running a couple small businesses to go hey, “I am totally making time to shave my legs and get naked with my sweetie for a fun romp in the hay. Groceries and old dogs be damned!” How do we translate that to an intimate portrait? And still have it feel sexy and authentic?

Maybe it doesn’t take much for you, but between you and me and the interwebs sometimes I just want to netflix and chill. And by chill I mean fall asleep on the couch halfway through an episode of Orange Is The New Black. I mean sure, prison sex is hot, but it’s not really enough to convince me to give up my corner of the couch most nights….but I am a scorpio so you know it really doesn’t take much convincing. What convinces you?

Maybe it’s the look that is the invite, a hot little makeout session or a day of flirting, sexting and planning. Maybe it’s a naughty selfie sent in the middle of a conference call or how soft your skin feels right after shaving. Maybe it’s the whiskey, the safety of your long term love or the thrill of getting caught. Is sexy bright and colorful or dark and brooding? Is it loud, soft and melodic or silent and muffled with a hand over your mouth? The better question is how are we going to photograph that for you? Edgy, sweet, powerful, understated, thrill seeker, secret sexpot, girl next door, or new grandma. Bring me your sexy. I will photograph it. Everybody is capable of giving and receiving pleasure. Every Body.

Disclaimer, random armpit, not Andi’s sugarpiehoneybunch. 

July 1, 2016August 5, 2016 by pinkcrush1112 Categories: PortraitTags: Contemporary, empower, Hot Tomato, Hot Tomato Pinup Academy, Marietta, MOV, Ohio, Photography, Self Care, sexy, West Virginia 2 Comments

The BIKINI Project

The Hot Tomato crew has been in a full tilt bikini discussion all Spring! We send selfies of our current stock and share links to cute ones on sale. It’s become a little bit of a habit with some…(Jocelyn, I’m looking at you!)

You see, once you have been running with this saucy crop of tomatoes for a while, your view of an acceptable body, well, becomes such a non-issue that you’re not even sure how to complete a sentence about it!

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer

Body acceptance doesn’t stop with you. When you learn to love the skin you’re in, ALL bodies become beautiful! You are no longer comparing yours to someone else’s or waiting for it to be a different size or shape! Your body, in this moment, is absolutely perfect *EVEN if it’s undergoing a transformation. Plus, you will ONLY improve upon your shape from loving it. It will never be hated into a shape you desire. Get ready to CELEBRATE it!!

Tess Munster KILLING IT in a stunner of a bikini!

The Goal: Everyone that books a summer session (available dates below) will have the option to add a bikini shot to their session, free of charge, and be part of the Hot Tomato 2017 All Bodies Bikini Promo with our whole staff!

The Dates: 

June- 17th and 18th, 24th and 25th

July -7th, 8th and 9th and 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th

Aug- 19th, 20th and 21st

BEGIN HERE to get on the BOOKS!

 

 

 

June 11, 2016 by hottomatopinupacademy8 Categories: ContemporaryTags: bikini, Contemporary, empower, Hot Tomato, Hot Tomato Pinup Academy, Marietta, MOV, Ohio, Photography, Pinup, Self Care, sexy Leave a comment

June 2016 HOT List!

!! Hot Tomato APPROVED !!

We asked and you delivered! Turns out, Hot Tomatoes LOVE to shop and dine on the regular in our beautiful valley! Here’s what you had to say!

 

EATS

Emanuel’s Bakery & Diner

Located on 286 Front St. Marietta Ohio, Emanuel’s is bringing the best street food from around the world, celebrations and joy to the people!

One of our sassiest VIP’s, Meryl Walker says! “Tucked away along the Ohio and Muskingum River lies Emanuel’s Bakery 286 Front St in Marietta, OH. A unique and ethnic street food style café/ bakery. With street food from all over the world – everything from hummus and falafel to baba ganoush to NY style fluffy bagels and pastries. Throw in some Israeli breakfast, UK flare with fish and chips and the down home Mid-Ohio Valley traditional pepperoni roll. Oh, and there’s sushi, too! There’s a taste for EVERY palate. Service was a little slow at times but almost always friendly and worth the wait. Enjoy the atmosphere and music while waiting. Hot Tomato Seal of Approval”

 

ENTERTAINMENT

Parkersburg City Park will be hosting the 21st Annual Mid Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival

June 17th thru 19th Join us for “The Coolest Thing That Happens in Parkersburg” as we enjoy 3 days filled with entertainment, food and vendors. Come to the City Park and take a trip around the world! Free admission!!!

To stay in the loop about all the great happenings that weekend, be sure to join the Facebook Event!

 

WELLNESS

SWAGG Studio offers the Mid-Ohio Valley’s most unique blend of classes and workshops! Join Cat for a relaxing session of soft yoga or amp it up with a kettlebell class. SWAGG Studio can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.

Hot Tomato VIP and all around #GDHT cohort, Jocelyn Adelsperger has this to say! “If you are looking for a place to shake your groove thing, groove on a new vibe or generally get your groove back…SWAGG Studio is the place to be! Cat Bigley and her merry Tribe have the perfect moves to shake your soul and have your feeling your best. SWAGG Studio is the heartbeat of Downtown Marietta! From yoga to burlesque to kickboxing to personal training all the way to adventures in slacklining and acroyoga and so much more. You simply MUST come vibe with this amazing Tribe! Hot Tomato APPROVED!”

 

 

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 by hottomatopinupacademy8 Categories: PortraitTags: Eats, empower, Entertainment, Hot Tomato, Hot Tomato Pinup Academy, local, Marietta, MOV, Ohio, Photography, small business, Wellness Leave a comment

Silence Which Nothing Destroys

There is nothing quite as restorative as taking a quiet hike in the woods. For some, it can be as different from the noise and business of their reality as stepping onto a different planet. Everything smells so rich and clean, the colors are so brilliant and every inch is vibrating with life. I always feel like every cell in my body relaxes and slows down and I find myself listening with by whole body.

It’s in this state that sometimes I will sometimes experience an unexpected feeling of sadness or heaviness in a particular area. This ground we walk on today has been around for a long time and often has a very brutal story to tell. There is an imprint that has been left in these spaces. There are often blood-stained fragments only moments from where you walk and echoes of tears on the wind.

Take a moment from your parades and family gatherings and get silent in nature. Connect deeply with the painful, frightening stories of the past and send love to the ones that are ongoing. Breathe deeply and honor the sacrifice.

Return then, to the peace of that same space, to the silence which nothing destroys. Bring it back to your hustle and bustle with gratitude.

Consider the following poem by  George Fraser Gallie, written in November, 1943.

It is quiet here now, the valley is silent.

Only the birds and the stream have their noise,
The twittering, bubbling sweet sounds of nature.
Apart from this – silence which nothing destroys.

The smell is a faint one of morning and pine trees,
Of bracken and water, of woodland and stream,
The sight is of rushes, of mill house and lime trees.
The feel is of peacefulness sweet as a dream.

But at one time this valley, this valley of heaven,
Became a most torturous valley of hell.
For the fighting was bitter, the Hun held on grimly,
Regardless of losses, and many men fell.

For the British came north and the silence was shattered,
By rifle – machine gun – trench mortar – grenade.
The Messerschmitt diving bought sickening terror,
The valley vibrated with Death’s serenade.

But the British advanced and the valley was taken,
The fighting moved northward as Gerry moved back,
And the only remains to give proof of the fighting,
Are freshly dug graves at the side of the track.

Again it is peaceful, the valley is silent,
Only the birds and the stream have their noise,
The twittering, bubbling sounds of nature.
Apart from this – silence which nothing destroys.

George Fraser Gallie, November, 1943.

May 30, 2016May 30, 2016 by hottomatopinupacademy8 Categories: PortraitTags: empower, Hot Tomato, Marietta, Memorial Day, MOV, Ohio Leave a comment

Downright Tingly

How did I get so lucky? These women are just a few of the main characters in my life that I enjoy nearly every day! The crew of Hot Tomato Portrait Studio & Parlor are crazy-special. Throughout the last few years, I have heard some version the following sentiment over and over.

“Wow, it really looks like you have an amazing team! You all have so much fun and I love how you encourage and empower women!”

Hot Tomato Crew Photo by Ashly Collins http://www.ashlycollinsphotography.com/

It’s true. Amazingness, love, fun, encouragement, empowerment and so much more. What’s the key to this spinning vortex of awesome??  I believe it’s output.

Let me back up a few months to explain where I’m coming from…

May 4, 2016May 4, 2016 by hottomatopinupacademy8 Categories: PortraitTags: empower, encourage, Hot Tomato, Marietta, Ohio, photography. portrait studio, Self Care, transform Leave a comment

Go “Now Here”

Ever hide from your family? Of course you have! It’s completely natural to want to re-center and shake off the demands of others for a few quiet moments even if it’s in your bathroom with a handful of chocolate chips.

Ever daydream about escaping to the middle of nowhere?  –Read on.

April 27, 2016April 27, 2016 by hottomatopinupacademy8 Categories: ContemporaryTags: empower, gift, Hot Tomato Pinup Academy, Marietta, Mother's Day, Ohio, Photography, Self Care, Wayne Dyer Leave a comment