My name is Krista Massey. I am a Raleigh native and a self-taught makeup artist with a passion for all things creative. I loved makeup, costumes, hair styling and photography at a very young age. I think it was the combination of how the right makeup and hair could make people feel, how certain makeup could transform you into something better, or more confident. I knew no matter what I choose to do in life, it would have to be something that made a person feel like their best self.

Being a person that has always struggled with my weight and self-esteem, I knew I needed to be a part of changing how people saw themselves, and how people felt about themselves on the outside as well as the inside. I never wanted anyone to beat themselves up when they would stare in the mirror, the way that I did.

Life took me to many places, many countries, through many relationships, only to end up with a man that couldn’t be more perfect for me, and makes me feel beautiful in any situation. He is my rock and the love of my life. I’m so inspired by how he loves.

My best friend is the truest soul you could ever pray for, and my biggest fan. She reminds me of who I truly am when I forget. I can honestly say I have the most phenomenal circle of friends and parents. We all need a strong circle, I think, if we have big dreams.

The only thing I could love as much as them are my furry pup kids. I rescued my “Louie” 7 years ago. He is named after Louis Armstrong, because his voice was the only thing that would calm my baby as a pup. He blesses me every day with snout kisses and unconditional (goofy) love. “Smokey” my pit bull, is the man of the house, and is particular about who he snuggles with. It melts me that that person is me. Then there’s the boxer lady “Gemma,” who just wants to be loved. I would give them all my last breath of air.

I have traveled all over the world. Studying makeup, people, and diving into charitable works to really see where everything fit, hoping to find a way to make all the things I loved to come together. I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. That took me to dozens of different countries. So many beautiful faces. I donated my long hair to St. Baldrick to raise money for child cancer research. I volunteered with beautiful special needs children and the Special Olympics. I also took part in activities with my local rescue mission, helping with food prep, delivery, and collections. I was hooked.

It was somewhere along the path of all these beautiful people, from all over the world, that I picked up a camera. Something about being able to capture what I saw; how it made me feel, and having something I could hold in my hands to revisit those moments, was something I knew I needed. There was still that lingering question of how to bring it all together. I tried my hand at all types of makeup and design. I studied The art of Drag Makeup, the thrill of special effects, film and television, bridal and boudoir and commercial and corporate head shots.

It was while doing head shots that a close friend referred me to a photographer that needed a makeup artist for his clients.

That’s how I met Jack. He was so different in his process. His work was impeccable, but his attention to detail is what stood out to me. He had no desire to over Photoshop the faces he photographed. He kept them true to life only tweaking the smaller things to bring out their best self.

We worked together for a few years, and started to notice how we both brought something beautiful and encouraging to an already sound work environment. He noticed how I was with people, and my eye for photography. Jack being the genius he is, saw the bigger picture of what could be. He was full of talent and know how, and I was full of the passion to make people realize their true beauty.

One day jack came to me with the idea that we, as a perfect team, could take the average woman with an inability to see all of her attributes, and use our talents to bring out the best in each woman, no matter size, color, or age. The idea was my dream come true, and here we are. I have to say I was completely honored when Jack presented me with the opportunity to begin a business together. I was very excited.

In the process of getting all of this together, somehow I had forgotten the fundamental reason for wanting to follow this path in the first place, until it was time for me to take my own head shot.

I’m older and heavier now. I started to feel so much anxiety when I thought about being on the other side of the camera. I stressed over what to wear, how to pose, smile or don’t smile ? How should I wear my hair? What will people think if the pictures don’t come out good? Why don’t I photograph as well as others? I started to think I should just cancel. I felt so nauseous.

I washed my makeup off 3 times. Sound familiar??? I built my entire life around making others feel beautiful, empowered, and confident. So why now, when I needed it for myself, could I not shake it off? I collected myself and headed to shoot with Jack. When I arrived he could tell I had been beating myself up. He immediately started reminding me of the “truths”. We are all unique. We all have our own beauty, and no one compares to each of us because of our individuality. We can’t take ourselves too seriously all the time, and there needs to be room to celebrate who we have become.

He kept talking as he adjusted his lighting, positioned me and began to click. With every click making my worries smaller and smaller, until the laughter started! I felt the joy take over, and I remembered that I am me, and that’s a great thing to celebrate. I didn’t even care how the pictures turned out (even though I knew I’d love them) because I felt gorgeous, accomplished, and hopeful.

That’s what a photo is suppose to capture. How you feel inside shining through. A imagine of how you are uniquely beautiful in your own way.

Jack and I together as a team can do this for you. We love nothing more than to prove you wrong in thinking anyone is just average or not photogenic. To us, there is just no such thing.