Come as You Are

What if you could come just to the studio for your session… as you are?amr_3200_bw-5

Sleep in that day. After a long shower, the kind where you just stand there in no particular hurry and let the water just run all over you. Drain the hot water tank until you are in a thick cloud of rolling steam! When you push the curtain to the side, stroll out like a super-star emerging from the fog at a rock concert. Cover your body in your favorite body cream or baby soft powder. Leisurely dress in your soft cotton tank, over-sized sweater and favorite faded jeans. Welcome your curves to spill and remain soft and pliable. Pile a love-worn scarf loosely around your neck and shoulders and slip on leather loafers.amr_3295_hh-9

Go out and start your car well before you intend to leave so it’s too warm when you head out and you have to crack the window as you start down the road. (My favorite scenario is when the heat in the car is unbearably blasting and I open the sun roof when it’s snowing!) Your favorite mug in hand, the one that molds to your hands and warms your heart, you breathe it in deep and turn on music. Drive like a tourist. Notice the interesting architecture and natural landscape of the neighborhood you usually speed through.amr_3196_bw-4

When you arrive in our space, you’ll smell coffee and hear laughter. Your time with us will follow the natural path of self care that you’ve already started.

Your session is just that, yours. You. Not always a dressed up, cinched in and painted version. Rather, soft, natural, relaxed and unfettered. I know this kind of session speaks more to me where I am at this moment in my life. Maybe it speaks to you as well.

I’d love to here your thoughts. Begin Here <3

***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 2016 HOT LIST

First off, you might be saying to yourself “Where the heck was the August Hot List?”

That’s a totally legitimate question. The answer is this: I was in Aruba.

Now, the idea was proposed that I do an Aruba Hot List while I was down there but I was much to busy on the PIRATE SHIP, at THE SPA, dining at MY FAVORITE FIVE STAR RESTAURANT , lounging on my private dock at THE BEST PLACE TO STAY ON THE ISLAND, hiking to the NATURAL POOL and jumping out of a PERFECTLY GOOD AIRPLANE!!

Yeah, do all those things.

OK! Onto September! The mornings are cool, the sun is golden, the kids are in school…Let’s see what’s HOT!

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A Cheers of sorts, it just doesn’t get more “everybody knows your name” than the Sixpence Pub & Eatery! From organizing cruise-ins and poker runs benefiting the community to offering a great line-up of local music, this place is always filled with good vibes!

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Meet Becky Goings! She’s the featured artist at the Sixpence on September 28th

With a full bar, traditional pub food and a happy and attentive staff, you can bet on seeing Hot Tomatoes there on the regular…ESPECIALLY on Wednesday night! Open Mic with Woody Hupp never disappoints! He regularly features some of my very favorite musicians like Chris Hogsett and Nick Hunter, Becky Goings, Smokestack Betty, Lydia Hyde and so many more.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

ARTS

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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.Debwm-8

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.

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Disclaimer, random armpit, not Andi’s sugarpiehoneybunch. 

The BIKINI Project

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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!!

The BIKINI Project

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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!

 

 

 

Hot Tomato APPROVED!

Hot Tomato Pin-up Academy logo, Hot Tomato Portrait Studio & Parlor, 200 Putnam St. Ste. 300, Marietta, OH 45750

A note to area businesses: There are HUNDREDS of Hot Tomatoes in this sweet Valley of ours! These women know what they want and they don’t mind indulging! As a business owner, I know that no matter who your target demographic is, this is a desirable quality.

SO with the help of the amazing Hot Tomato community, I will be offering a monthly HT APPROVED article featuring our very favorite local places for eats, entertainment, wellness, and style!

CONTRIBUTOR QUALIFICATIONS

  • You must be a verified Hot Tomato.
  • Please limit to actual places of business in the MOV (No Direct Sales)
  • Never be afraid to ask for exactly what you want or need. Good business owners and staff are always willing to go the extra mile for a customer.
  • Be generous and kind to the establishment staff. (Hot Tomatoes are always excellent tippers!!)
  • Have fun! This is an adventure to compile a list of the BEST places in town!
  • Submit a brief review including your name, the business name and what you LOVED about your experience.
  • Send your review to hottomatopinupacademy@gmail.com or shoot it to us on fb!

We can’t wait to hear from you!!

 

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!”

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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…

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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.

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A Different View

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

Some women hate their bodies. I dearly hope you are not one of these gals, but if you are, or if you know someone struggling with body image, please read this short post.

Do you know that when you look at a thing, anything, you change it? Yep. Quantum Theory. Hot, huh? Good or bad, your vibes are affecting that amazing body of yours so send it some “Damn, Girl!” and a little “Hello, Sweet-Ass!”

Ok, baby steps…

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If you are constantly looking in the mirror and pummeling your frame with thoughts of too fat, too bony, gross wrinkles, weird mole, sagging this, puckering that, grey hair, no hair, hair THERE?? Body is totally like, I’m ON it! More of the same, coming up! And believe me, your body will defend your truths till the bitter end no matter how many crunches, lunges and wheat grass shakes you put it through.

I saw this quote on Facebook last week and it really struck home for me.

“You will never positively change you body because you hate it. Positive change only occurs  from loving it.”

So, try this on. You are perfect this instant. You will also be perfect after micro-derm abrasion, a 30lb weight loss, a margarita and 4 tacos, a triathlon or a shower! The point is, you’re lovely (love, actually) and it’s only through a serious of beliefs you have adopted at some point from a guru like Kim Cardashian, Maury Povich or the Pillsbury Doughboy, that have you riding the body hatred train.

Time to look at that amazing system with a fresh perspective, especially if you want to make a change! Smile at your reflection and watch it smile back!

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FYI, this is kind of our thing over here at Hot Tomato ;) Let us know if we can help.

It all starts with a Parlor chat…click here to experience a “Different View”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hot To..Mombie?

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…and wine. Seriously.

If you are lucky enough to have one of these super hero types around your house, please read on.

Meet one of Hot Tomato’s favorite little families! The Fortune family has been blessed with three gorgeous boys and when I think of super-hero Mom’s, Nicole is one of the first smiling faces to appear in my mind!

 

“Ah! Mom! You so bootiful. Your lips smell like apples.” -jrf

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