September Issue, Vintage Life

Hi there darling, I'm sorry for my hiatus. I've been busy with new shoots, I can't wait to share with you! You can follow my updates on Instagram here. Before September is over, I'm posting a Pin-Up portrait of a dear friend of mine, the talented and lovely Lottie Ryan, featured in this month's Vintage Life magazine. In this article, she writes how vintage styling and her first pin-up photo session with me, literally helped her recover from a major surgery, "rediscover her femininity" and love for glamour again. Not only is she one of the gorgeous pin-up girls selected for my collaboration with Goorin Bros. hat collection this year, she hosts a website devoted to women living with chronic illnesses. Her story is truly an amazing one and I'm so proud to know her and share her story with you. To read and purchase a physical copy of Vintage Life, click here. For digital, click here. I have more gorgeous new photos to share with you soon, so stay tuned! xoxo Kelly

Vintage Life Magazine, July Issue

I had the honor of photographing Anna Delis, Design Director of Goorin Brothers, and some of their talented staff, for an interview published in this month's issue of Her Vintage Life magazine. My friend, writer Lottie Ryan gives us an insider's view, as she speaks to Anna about her hat design process, love of vintage styles, and inspiration behind the "California Girls" hat collection. You can get your copy of Her Vintage Life here, and digital version here. Seen as the #1 Vintage-inspired fashion magazine for enthusiasts worldwide, you won't be disappointed. I'm looking forward to reading this cover to cover this holiday weekend! Have a Happy 4th and thanks for stopping by! xo Kelly

Milliner extraordinare: Ron Schiller making custom hats in North Beach, San Francisco

Hat merchant Kyle Jameson McDaniel outside the Goorin Bros. North Beach, SF storefront; a stack of Goorin hats and a peekaboo inside the "Lady in Red Fedora"

Photos © Kelly Hsiao 2014

Goorin Bros. + Official California Girls Hat Launch!

Goorin Bros. the official hat makers of the legendary "Heisenberg" for AMC's hit show Breaking Bad, releases a new collection called California Girls, which features my pin-up imagery! I'm so excited to share that these hats are now available online and in selected stores nationwide! If you haven't tried on a Goorin hat, I highly recommend visiting one of their shops- it's truly an experience like no other! Not only is the quality of their hats amazing, you'll feel like you're stepping back into time when men still wore dapper suits, donned tweed flap caps, and women looked absolutely grandeur in broad-brimmed sun hats and beautifully tailored clothing. For those of you who own a Goorin, you know what I mean when you feel instantly transformed into an even more dashing you. I absolutely love their fedoras and I'm so honored to have two of my images featured inside the California Dreamin' and Lady in Red fedoras. Please check out this new collection and tell me know what you think! For all you surfers out there and outdoorsy folk, the Bay Watch Hat, was made especially for the sporty/active gal and guy like you. Stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes interview from the Design Director, Anna Delis of Goorin.Bros in an upcoming issue of Vintage Life magazine. Thanks for stopping by! xoxo Kelly

The Lady in Red fedora in black along with the final draft of California Girls lining tip stickers.

The Lady in Red cotton fedoras available in red and black

{ images above courtesy of Goorin Bros.}

Interior of Bay Watch Hat with California Dreamin' Straw Fedora in foreground. Both have my Surfer Pin-Up Girl on inside lining.

Collaboration with SF's Goorin Bros.

I'm so excited to share that I will be working with SF hat company Goorin Brothers on an upcoming product line and ad campaign! The "California Girls" collection will debut Spring 2014 and feature my pin-up imagery. Here's a sneak peek at one of the images below. More details to follow! Thanks for stopping by! xoxo Kelly

Happy New Year! And a New Beginning...

Wow, it's a new year once again! Wishing everyone an inspiring and fresh start to 2013 and may your best dreams and moments be accomplished in this year. It's so important to live each and everyday appreciating the little things in life and the abundance of opportunity we have. I feel very fortunate to be doing what I love, yet there's always a time for change, transformation, and new challenges. That said, after much contemplation, I decided to take some personal time off from my studio and to focus on other projects this year. So unfortunately, I will not be taking any new clients at this time, only wrapping up final orders from 2012. I thank you all for your wonderful and continued support, I'm very proud of the work I've created during these 5 years. I want to thank all the wonderful women I had the honor and opportunity to work with, it has truly been a joyous experience to create with and for each of you. Remember to appreciate yourself, your body, mind and soul always. I believe every woman deserves to have some breathtaking photos, to celebrate yourself, and you can do so at any age. Stay beautiful inside and out! May this year bring out the very best in you and I hope our paths will cross one day. xoxo Kelly

Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season and bright prospects for the new year! 

xoxo Kelly 

                                                       

       Hair & Make-up Styling by Ann Ho

Boudoir

Here's one of my favorite Boudoir portraits taken recently. With a more dramatic and moodier feel, I love black and white images that make beauty timeless. Kinda reminds me of an Estee Lauder ad, you know? Beautiful... Enjoy! xoxo Kelly

Hair & Make-Up Styling by Nikki Ngo

Surfs Up in October!

This sun-kissed image is honoring the start of Surf season here in Nor Cal (which starts in October and goes throughout winter), leading to the great Mavericks in Feb/March. As I was anticipating some nice cool autumn weather this week and planning hearty fall recipes (like roasted acorn squash with cinnamon...) temps soared over the Bay Area, making me think of a classic surf film, The Endless Summer. I photographed this lovely real-life surfer girl (a total sweetheart) in my studio, but layered the image with watercolor effects. Hope you like it as much as I do! Enjoy! And now booking holiday sessions! xoxo Kelly 

 

Make-Up and Hair Styling by Ann Ho

Happy Friday + Early Holiday Special!

Now that fall is here and Halloween is just around the corner, it's time to start planning your holiday sessions! Schedule yours in time for a special gift to remember this year! We book out quickly so contact me before the last-minute rush and get a free Custom Print ($100 Value!) Must book by October 31st. Contact me at bayareapinups@gmail.com, find me on Facebook or check out my main website here. Hope to see you soon! xoxo Kelly 

Hair & Make-Up Styling by Maggie Runner

The Girl Next Door...and Winner of the Pin-Up Giveaway!

Earlier this year when my Facebook Page hit over 1000+ fans, I was so thrilled I offered a free Pin-Up session through a random drawing. Featured here is the lucky winner Linda! We did her photo session this week and here is a sneak peek at one of her gorgeous pin-ups! I'm so impressed by her natural "Girl Next Door" good looks and fantastically fit figure. Linda is an avid soccer player and you can see where she gets those killer legs! Her adorable outfit is from Pin-Up Girl Clothing, and aren't those just the cutest shoes? What are some of your favorite pin-up poses and outfits? I'd love to hear from you! Find me on Twitter and also check out my Pinterest boards for more inspiration. Remember, pin-ups are a way to celebrate you! Hope to see you soon! Congrats again Linda, on your amazing pin-ups! xoxo Kelly 

Hair & Make-Up Styling by Maggie Runner

Vintage Glamour

I had the pleasure of photographing a remarkable lady recently, a dear friend and vintage aficionado. I first met Lottie when she interviewed me in early 2011 for her blog about vintage inspirations. I was immediately enamored by her grace and style, her charming British mannerisms, and kind, gentle spirit. When she told me she was the winning bidder for a photo session I donated this year to a local school auction, we were both so excited for that day to come. Alas, that day has arrived and here are a couple "sneak peeks" from our fabulously fun session! Nicki, a friend of Lottie's, did her exquisite hair & make-up styling. The gorgeous lingerie set Lottie is wearing, (a gift from hubby) is from What Katie Did. Shouldn't all husbands gift something lovely like this? So here's to celebrating a wonderful and beautiful person, mother, talented writer and creative spirit. I'm delighted to finally return a blog post about you! I'll be posting more pics from our session on my Facebook Page so stay tuned for more... Thanks for stopping by! xoxo Kelly

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Hair & Make-Up Styling By Nicki Jones

Lady in Blue

Never judge a dress on it's hanger. That's my motto. I love it when clients bring in outfits that initially surprise me but end up photographing remarkably well for pin-ups. This lovely lady had a beautiful wrap dress but I wasn't sure at first how it would work with poses. Once she put it on, the royal blue just fit perfectly with her petite figure and it inspired us to do an "Elvgren" style shot. It ended up being one of my favorites! With the telephone and rose, it's such a classic! Let me know if you have an outfit you think would make a classic modern pin-up! And remember, never judge a dress until you try it on! xoxo Kelly

Hair & Make-up Styling by Emily Nguyen