Meet Celeste Giuliano of Celeste Giuliano Photography
Celeste Giuliano is the owner and photographer of Celeste Giuliano Photography. Specializing in pin-up photography and portraiture, Celeste has nearly 10 years experience in studio photography and her pin-up transformations have received national press and been featured in numerous niche publications. Celeste is incredibly talented and has an infectious bubbly personality that translates into her photography!
When did you realize you wanted to be a photographer? Do you consider photography your calling?
I always knew I wanted to work in a creative field. In high school, I adored all of my art classes but it wasn’t until my senior year that I narrowed that love down to photography. As a senior, I took my first photography class and from then on, I was hooked! My mom bought me my first Nikon camera for that class and every free minute I had I during my senior year of high school, I spent taking photos and processing them in the darkroom. I wanted to study everything and anything about photography so, I decided to continue my education in college by attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Photography is my passion – my one true love! To wake up each day and have the opportunity to be creative is a dream come true!
You did not originally shoot pin-up photography, what inspired you to begin shooting women as pin-ups?
My main focus in college was studio photography. I always wanted to focus on fashion and editorial portraits and upon graduating college I needed to build my portfolio in this direction. I have always been a huge vintage collector and was inspired by my grandfather’s pinup collection. I loved that the focus of these vintage pinups was capturing the girl next door – the everyday woman so, I figured why not photograph a few women as pinups to add to my portfolio.
Describe your “typical” work day?
WOW… my days are VERY LONG!
My day starts early prepping for photo shoots by making sure the sets and wardrobe are ready to go prior to the arrival of my first client. I then usually spend anywhere from 7-9 hours working in the studio with clients for their photo shoots. Once these shoots are finished, I begin meeting with clients in the evening for their in studio consultations, where we discuss their ideas and pick out their wardrobe. Then, I may have a few phone consults after my in person consults are finished. After those phone consults, I will grab a late dinner and then it is onto my post production work of editing proofs, airbrushing print orders and answering emails until early in the AM.
On days when I am not shooting in the studio, I am either spending about 14-16 hours in front of my computer on post production or meeting with clients for consultations and building sets.
It’s very hard work having your own business but the blood, sweat and tears are totally worth it!
Describe your work environment? How does it foster your career?
I am very fortunate to have an easy commute to work as my studio and home are adjoining lofts! Since I love to collect vintage furniture, housewares, posters etc., I am able to have all these collections on display in both my home and studio. They help serve as inspirations for my shoots.
My studio walls are filled with my work as well as framed vintage pinup illustrations that are part of my pinup collection. I love to collect old hairdryer chairs, hairdryers and anything beauty related (probably because when I was young I wanted to be a stylist) so, I have them throughout the studio on display. I also have a collection of vintage album covers, pinup statues, movie posters on display … you name it and I most likely have it!
{Celeste’s Time Warp Studio!}
What do you love MOST about working for yourself? What do you like LEAST?
I adore being my own boss. I enjoy having the opportunity to meet so many amazing women and give them the opportunity to step outside the box for the day. My least favorite part is the amount of hours I work. It is definitely hard for me to turn “work” mode off and have time for myself.
What tips would you give to aspiring photographers looking to make a living off of their craft?
When you own your own business, you will work harder then you’ve ever worked in your entire life. It is important to stay dedicated and persistent. These days it is easy to buy a digital camera and proclaim yourself a professional photographer but to really succeed you need to learn as much as you can about your craft as well as the aspects of owning your own business.
The road to entrepreneurship is paved with hard work, dedication and passion. What was your road paved with? Tell us some of the struggles and triumphs you encountered?
When I first began photographing pinups in 2005, many people had no idea what a pinup actually was as it was not as popular as it is today.
The first studio I ever rented I had for one day. At the end of that day, when the landlord heard I was a pinup photographer, he told me he would no longer be renting the studio space to me because I photographed porn! Looking back on it now, it makes me laugh but at the time, I could not believe that someone would think pinup photography was synonymous with pornography. I remember after that I was terrified to rent another studio space for fear I would be kicked out again. Thankfully that was not the case.
One of the best moments of my career was being able to leave my “day job” to focus on my business full time. When that day happened, it was definitely scary to give up the steady paycheck but it was exciting to think of all the wonderful adventures that were ahead. Now I feel such a sense of accomplishment knowing that I have built my own business from the ground up and am successful enough to make photography my full time job. I hope to be fortunate enough to be able to do this for years and years to come.
What advice would you give to young women hoping to strike out on their own?
Love what you do – the money and success will follow.
You have been featured in local and national publications for your unique photography, what is next on the horizon for Celeste Giuliano?
One upcoming project which I am very excited about is my Retro Lovely Magazine Special Edition. Retro Lovely is a magazine dedicated to showcasing the work of pinup photographers all over the world. The magazine recently asked its readers which photographers they would like to see have a special edition magazine and I was one of the two chosen! This means the entire magazine – over 88 pages – will feature only my images. This project is going to be a lot of work but I am so excited to have such a wonderful opportunity! Currently, I am busy planning shoots for this as the magazine is due out this summer. This Special Edition will focus on my new work.
I am also hoping to come out with the first Celeste Giuliano Photography Pinup Calendar this fall. So, stay tuned!
Life can’t be all WERK! What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you are not werking it?
I don’t have many days that I am not working but, on the off chance that I do have a day free, then I love to go antique shopping! I adore scouring flea markets, home sales and auctions for that one of a kind find! Plus, when doing this, I oftentimes find props that I can use in my photo shoots. So, my collection is constantly growing.
Thanks so much to Celeste for sharing her passions and stories on being a female entrepreneur!
Visit her at Celeste Giuliano Photography
I love pin-up art, have some original Olivia’s, and LOVE these of yours. They are really nice! Good Job.
Thank you! These are the photography of Celeste Giuliano. She’s amazingly talented and loves retro photography!
Thanks for the comment!
I think pin-ups are my epitome of sexy. There’s something so perfect about the way normal women are coiffed to seem like minxy little dolls. In terms of the interview, I think when Celeste said, “Love what you do – the money and success will follow,” nothing more had to be said. That is the best thing anyone can learn. All the hard work in the world couldn’t have made Celeste as successful as her love of photography.
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