What sparked your interest in retro pinup photography?
     
I remember seeing my first pinup when I was in grade school. My grandfather was a clothing designer and had a collection of Rolf Armstrong, Al Buell and Gil Elvgren calendars hanging on the wall of his workroom.  It wasn't until after he had passed away when I was going through some of his things that I rediscovered these pinups. By that time, I had just graduated from University of the Arts in Philadelphia and wanted to expand my photography portfolio. Since I had always loved and collected everything retro and already had a closet full of vintage clothes, I thought the pinups would be a great starting point for a new collection of work! Photography - especially pinup photography - is my passion and I feel so lucky to be able to wake up everyday and do a job I love! 

 

Who have been your favorite models and why?

I draw tons of inspiration from Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth. They were women who epitomized class, beauty and sophistication. And of course, Bettie Page, is one of my all time favorites too.

What do you find most enjoyable about shooting pinups?

Definitely my clients excited reactions when they look into the mirror the first time after their pinup transformation - their expressions are priceless.  These women come to my studio as everyday girls and leave as bona fide pinups, holding their head a little higher and glowing with confidence.  

It's also incredibly rewarding when I receive emails from men who have been given the pinup photos as a present from their girlfriends or wives. Many of my clients have loved ones overseas in the military and on several occasions a soldier, sailor or a marine has emailed me saying that they absolutely loved the pinups and appreciated having such a gorgeous photo of their gal to carry with them while away from home. Words can't describe how happy that makes me!

Plus, I meet so many great women with wonderful stories behind their reasons for posing as pinups that I feel so fortunate to be part of their lives, if even for a brief time. It's a great feeling knowing that these women trust me to transform them into perfect pinups.

 

What famous dead or alive pinup would you love to add to your portfolio?

Hands down, my number one choice would be Marilyn Monroe.  To photograph her for the day would be a dream come true! She had amazing versatility and such a presence in all her photos which is the reason why I think many images of her are so iconic. Marilyn could be the sweet, innocent girl next door while simultaneously being the alluring, sensual sex kitten and that takes tons of talent!

What are the first steps in booking an appointment with you?

I suggest that anyone interested in booking first visit my website  (www.celestegiuliano.com <http://www.celestegiuliano.com> )  to view the various Pinup/Vintage Photo Packages I offer - as there are tons of options! I have Individual Half or Full Day Packages to Pinup Party Packages for groups of gals to Pinup For the Troops Packages for women who have loved ones in the military. There is also an FAQ section on my website that answers many questions possible first time clients may have before booking a session.

For questions, package prices and availability I can be reached either by phone or email  - my contact information is posted on my website. I usually book about 2 months in advance so when scheduling a photo session it helps to plan ahead - you can never book too early.

Also, after booking a session, come ready to have a fun and unique experience. My stylists and I strive to create a relaxed atmosphere for our clients where they can have a day of pampering and feel like a glamorous starlet.

I noticed you are in the Philly area. Would you be willing to travel to models out of state or do you recommend models to come to you?

Traveling would be great, but my full shooting schedule keeps me in Philadelphia most of the time.  When clients come to my studio they have a lot more options with clothing and props as I have endless closets jammed packed with tons of stuff. I am very fortunate as women from all over the country have traveled here to Philly to pose as pinups for me.  Scheduling travel dates to a few cities is an option I am definitely exploring for later this year or sometime next year as I always receive emails asking if I do this. I love what I do so, if I can expand my clientele and make it easier for out of state gals to be pinups then, I have no problem trying to do it! 

What would you suggest to models just starting out both professional and saftey wise?

If your just starting out and trying to break into professional modeling the most important thing is to get professional photographs.  This means doing your research on photographers.  Make sure you like their work and check their credentials. See if they have testimonials on their website from other models or clients who have worked with them in the past. 

With this digital age of photography, anyone with enough money can purchase a camera but it does not mean they know how to light portraits, pose models or compose photos. I know it is oftentimes hard financially when just starting to pay for a photo session with a professional photographer but doing this will definitely help build both your modeling portfolio and resume.  Plus, it oftentimes helps with networking and making connections in the industry, which is extremely important. On a few occasions, I have had aspiring models book me and they posed so well in front of the camera that I brought them back to the studio for editorial work or for personal work which further helped to build their portfolio. You never know when one thing will lead to another!

Just remember, you want a photographer who not only takes amazing photos but also handles themselves professionally.  

What qualities make a good pinup and do you find them innate?

Wow ... there are so many!

Facial expressions are something I can't stress enough! I tell my clients to practice a range of pinup faces in front of the mirror before their session such as smiling, winking, smirking and that quintessential puckered lipped "oops" expression. Many pinup photos capture the art of tease so it helps when the model or client can be smiling or winking one minute then giving an innocent yet alluring pouty face. The facial expressions capture the viewer and bring more life to pinup photos. 

It's incredibly important to relax, have fun and go with the flow when posing. This makes your pics look natural instead of forced and produces great results.  It may take a few frames to warm up but that's normal - I find that after the first 5 minutes my clients inner pinup shines through.

No, I don't find these qualities to be innate - it is definitely something people can learn - especially through practice and experience.
Lots of my clients are not used to posing in front of the camera - especially as vintage pinups. They may be nervous and shy but it is amazing how their personalities transform once they are in full pinup mode. It is as if they channel this inner vixen they never knew existed.
 
Do you find the pinup culture gaining in popularity?

Absolutely - especially within the past few years. When I first began photographing pinups a lot of people had no idea what a pinup was. Now, when you mention the word, everyone immediately knows what you are talking about. Many magazines such as Vanity Fair, Maxim, GQ and of course, Esquire, have featured or feature on a monthly basis spreads of both celebrities and models photographed as vintage pinups. America's Next Top Model (yes, I watch the show - it's a guilty pleasure) did a Pinup Photo Shoot for their contestants. You would never have seen pinups this prominent 4-5 years ago.

Do you sell your prints online and if not, why?

Yes, I have an online store through my website where prints as well as some novelty items such as t-shirts, magnets, mugs and much more are available for purchase.  I plan on expanding this in the next month or two and include more prints and merchandise as I am currently working on a new and improved website!