Celestina Ando Photography, LLC — Local services in Montclair

I seldom take the time to write reviews of any kind, negative or positive, but when I have an experience as rich and inspiring as my experience with Celestina Ando, I felt I needed to share for those who haven't yet had this great opportunity. First of all, I am the last person you would ever find posing in front of a camera at this point in my life. This is coming from someone who closes his bedroom door just to change his socks, so to say I'm uncomfortable with a spotlight put on me is putting it very mildly. I knew I needed to update my very old headshots and had seen and admired Celestina's amazing work, not only headshots, (make sure you check out her website, you won't be sorry!) but taking the steps to actually pose myself was a completely different story. I have grown very self-conscious as I've matured, yet from the moment I walked in to her lovely and inviting studio, I was made to feel so comfortable, that I almost completely forgot why I was even there. Any self-consciousness or vanity I had prior was somehow missing, and replaced with a confidence I haven't felt since...well, ever. I could feel I was in the hands (and eyes and mind) of a very capable and creative professional who has done this many times before, yet gave me the feeling that this was her most important session ever (which, of course it wasn't!) There was just an aura of positivity and acceptance (judgement-free zone!) the entire time. We immediately connected, laughed (a lot, which put me completely at ease) and somehow I felt that this was more than just taking a few pictures. It was a feeling of empowerment and confirmation. She was definitely the driving force, but was always inclusive and welcomed any ideas that I had. I was wise enough to trust her vision and expertise, and couldn't believe when I saw the "reveal" of the finished product on how rewarded I was for doing so!

I can't recommend booking Celestina fast enough for any event in your life, or just to get the chance for a truly positive experience that you'll be able to keep for a lifetime. Whether you want to gift them to someone else, or maybe you just want to experience her ability to create and catch you in moments, that you had no idea you could achieve, and keep them for yourself, she will over deliver any expectations you have. She taught me that photography is more than just capturing an image of a moment in time, it's capturing the experience of that moment, as well. Celestina has set the bar very high for all other photographers, and all other business professionals, in general...and it will be difficult for anyone to reach it. Thank you for inspiring, creating and giving me such a rewarding few moments of your time, and I am SO looking forward to the next time...and there will DEFINITELY be a next time! ...

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!

When Celestina quit her corporate job for her love for photography, my daughter just turned 10 month old. Always skeptical about studio photography myself, I decided to give it a try to have some family photos taken. Upon arrival at her home studio, we immediately fell welcomed and at ease, even my 10mo who's usually shy around strangers started to play with Celestina and Juan. We laughed throughout the entire photo shoot and the moments Celestina captured were priceless!

Then I was pregnant again! Celestina did us the honor of photographing us at South Street Seaport on a super windy day. She's so creative in incorporating the beauty of our surroundings while capturing the most lovely moments of our family, the shoot was another home run! During this shoot, I managed to spend more time getting to know Celestina, and it struck me that she's not only an amazing photographer, but also someone who valued integrity, virtue, and tradition. Her dedication in empowering women through photography opened my eyes to see photography from a different prospective, and my respect for her as a photographer and a wonderful woman had grown 10-fold.

With the birth of my son, I barely had time for myself. Having 5 minutes for makeup was considered a luxury. When Celestina proposed the idea of doing a makeover shoot on me, my first reaction was 'maybe I could take a nap during the makeup section'. It turned out to be one of the most unforgetable experiences I've had!

A professional makeup artist pampered me with a 5-star treatment, and I was in awe the whole time and forgot about the nap. The photoshoot was beyond amazing! Celestina knew exactly how to showcase my 'beauty' and taught me how to pose. Wow what a fun and liberating experience! When Celestina showed me the 'before' and 'after', I was in tears. Maybe I was just hormonal, but I would have never imaged that I could look so beautiful and strong at the same time.

Thank you Celestina for providing my family and I the memories of...

I had the privilege of working with Celestina Ando as my photographer, and I can confidently say that she is absolutely amazing. Not only is she incredibly talented, but she also possesses a high level of professionalism that instantly put me at ease. From the moment I met Celestina, her warm and friendly demeanor made me feel comfortable and welcomed. She took the time to understand my vision and goals for the photoshoot, and she went above and beyond to ensure that I felt empowered and confident throughout the entire process. Celestina's ability to create a comfortable and empowering environment is truly remarkable. She has a natural knack for making her clients feel at ease, allowing their true personalities to shine through. Her positive energy and encouragement helped me embrace my unique qualities, resulting in stunning photographs that truly captured my essence. Not only is Celestina technically skilled in capturing beautiful and captivating images, but she also has an innate talent for bringing out the best in people. Her attention to detail, composition, and lighting is exceptional, resulting in photographs that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. Working with Celestina was an absolute pleasure. Her professionalism, expertise, and dedication to her craft were evident in every aspect of the photoshoot. She effortlessly guided me through poses, provided valuable feedback, and created a collaborative atmosphere that made the entire experience enjoyable and rewarding. I wholeheartedly recommend Celestina Ando to anyone in search of a photographer who not only delivers outstanding results but also empowers and builds confidence in her clients. Her ability to create a safe and supportive space while capturing breathtaking images is truly remarkable. Thank you, Celestina, for your incredible work. You have not only provided me with stunning photographs but have also helped me embrace my inner beauty and feel confident in my own skin. With heartfelt...