Kaela Speicher

Owner - Fashion, Portrait, and Commercial Photographer at Kaela Speicher Photography
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Contact Information
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, US
Languages
  • English -

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Susan Gregg Koger

Kaela was a key part of the team that created ModCloth's unique visual identity. Kaela is a fast learner and she is equally comfortable executing a vision or brainstorming and creating her own direction. She is also just a pleasant person to be around! I wouldn't hesitate to work with her again.

CARRIE THOVSON

Kaela's middle name should be "Organization," her aptitude for lassoing in projects is ridiculously amazing. I had the pleasure of working with Kaela during her employment at ModCloth. She is a highly intelligent person with a quick wit and a keen eye for detail. Kaela has the capacity for creative thinking and problem solving. A talent behind the scenes set-building, lighting, retouching, collaborating and concepting, she is just as amazing with follow-through and accountability. Most importantly, you can rely on Kaela. (Oh, and she's fun to hang with at off-site work parties too.)

Briana McDivitt-Smith

Kaela is, first and foremost, an incredibly talented photographer. She is a free-thinker with amazing organizational skills that enable her to handle multiple ongoing projects with efficiency and composure. Kaela is a fantastic problem solver and a true team player; She is always willing to put in the extra effort to make sure the job is done right. These qualities alone make Kaela a valuable asset, but where she shines brightest is behind the camera. Some of the best work I have ever created was in collaboration with her. I am fortunate to have worked with Kaela and I know she will continue to produce outstanding work.

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Credentials

  • Cactus Image Ambassador
    Cactus Image
    Jan, 2017
    - Sep, 2024
  • Professional Photographers of America
    PPA - Professional Photographers of America

Experience

    • United States
    • Photography
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Owner - Fashion, Portrait, and Commercial Photographer
      • Jan 2006 - Present

      Professional Photographer | Educator | Branding Expert Kaela Speicher Photography specializes in Fashion, Portrait, and Commercial photography, with over 12 years of experience providing photography services in the Pittsburgh area and beyond. Kaela has been fortunate enough to receive a number of publications and accolades; she is proud to be a USA Ambassador for Cactus Image, a student of the world-renowned Sue Bryce Education, and an active member of Professional Photographers of America and ASMP American Society of Media Photographers. Specialities include working with local to worldwide modeling agencies for model/talent portfolio updates and coaching. Agencies include MAJOR Models Milan, Scarlet Models Norway, Wilhelmina Denver, Pro-Model and Talent, Docherty Agency, and Theiroff Agency. Experienced in studio and on-location shoot production and creative direction. Highly experience with eCommerce photography for major brands (Sony, ModCloth, American Eagle, Trusst Lingerie), and individual client work. Quick to adapt and mold to new situations. Creates great rapport with every client and is successful at accomplishing each client's vision. Highly involved in the Pittsburgh art and photography scene by attending workshops, webinars, galleries, and artist's talks regularly. www.kaelaspeicher.com www.kaelaspeicherportraits.com Show less

    • United States
    • Professional Training and Coaching
    • Co-Owner
      • Mar 2018 - Present

      Iconic Image Workshops offers group and private hands-on image workshops geared towards bringing out your best self. These workshops give you valuable knowledge to gain confidence, branding, update your professional image, how to dress for success, and feel great in front of the camera and every day. Elevate your image to the next level! Available for companies, small groups, and 1 on 1 private sessions. Our workshops cover a lot! Including shoot prep, wardrobe styling, posing techniques for all body types, expression and angles, flattering lighting, the Do's and Don'ts, and more. You will leave feeling confident to tackle that next audition, public appearance, blog shoot, networking event, casting call, and more. Instagram: @iconicworkshops (Iconic Image Workshops) http://www.kaelaspeicher.com/iconic-image-workshops Show less

    • United States
    • Book and Periodical Publishing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Owner/Editor in Chief of SOLA Magazine
      • Jan 2017 - Present

      Web + Print Fashion Magazine Kaela Speicher created SOLA Magazine to celebrate and publish rising and established talent from the fashion industry. SOLA believes that every individual in an editorial team should be recognized for their dedication to their craft. We are proud that our magazine highlights worldwide talent inspire thousands. We strive to publish fresh quality content and bring recognition to industry talent. At SOLA, we proudly represent industry talent of all kinds throughout the world. www.sola-mag.com Instagram @solamagazine Show less

    • Software Development
    • Architecture/Interior Photographer
      • Jul 2011 - Aug 2018

      •Contracted by Airbnb to photograph Pittsburgh listings. •Selected by Airbnb to do Pittsburgh and Ohio based Featured Listings, which get high amounts of visibility and press on the Airbnb website. •Efficiently edit, color correct, process, and upload the photographs directly onto the host's Airbnb profile page within 48 hours of the shoot. •Produce consistent professional, accurate, and on brand imagery. •Published in numerous online articles that feature unique Airbnb listings, and positively reviewed by numerous hosts proclaiming that my photographs tremendously increased their bookings. Show less

    • United States
    • Artists and Writers
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Head of Studio eCommerce Photography
      • Sep 2014 - Jun 2018

      •Head of photographing all Fine Art and auction items for the gallery website, art database, auction catalogs, social media, and marketing material. Manage, edit, shoot, and archive a collection of 10,000+ photos for our inventory and auctions. •Updated the gallery’s existing photography to a full studio photography set up with professional equipment and programs. •Assist with appraisals, work with gallery represented artists, schedule installations, organize shipping and packaging, educate customers on current shows and upcoming auctions, sell museum grade framing, and set up private viewings and sales with collectors. •Co-manage all gallery auctions by organizing, cataloging, photographing, writing condition reports, clerking, and conducting live telephone bids. Show less

    • United States
    • Retail
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Creative Merchandising Photographer, Styling Assistant
      • Aug 2013 - Jul 2014

      •Created competitive, on-brand, studio and on-location merchandising images for ModCloth’s website, Style Gallery, blog, social media, press, and advertisements.•Photographed a diverse range of apparel and accessories on regular and plus sized models for functional photography. Photographed model castings, blog posts, behind the scenes imagery, corporate and event photography, vintage hanger shots, and products utilizing table top, lay down, and enviro sets.•Assisted with creative shoots and concept development.•Worked for the Styling Team photographing on mannequin forms, styling, steaming, and prepping apparel/products. Created two organizational systems in under 30 days to manage Studio Internal Orders and the workflow of Apparel Organization.•Designed/built sets, and photographed for monthly ModStylist and employee shoots in conjunction with the Customer Care team.•Managed ModCloth's Vintage collections. Created a new organizational process to manage the collections, which resulted higher levels of efficiency, accuracy, and faster processing through all departments. Point person in leading the Writing, Styling, Photography, Product Launch, and Intake Teams in processing the vintage product.•Worked closely with and assisted the Creative Merchandising Photography Manager in building custom photo sets and executing each month’s photography vision, goals, and prop needs.•Trained new employees, managed prop inventory, archived images, and maintained studio and equipment. Show less

    • Creative Merchandising Photography Intern
      • Jun 2013 - Aug 2013

      •In depth shadowing and assisting of the Creative Merch Photography Manager, the Senior Product Creative Merch Photographer, and the lead Functional Photographer.•Photographed all aspects of the Visual Merchandising Department after only one month of shadowing, which included: apparel and accessories on regular and plus sized models, weekly ModStylists and employee shoots, accessories and products on table top, products in self styled on-location enviro sets, and content for the blog. •My images appeared on the ModCloth website and blog, advertisements, catalogs, e-commerce, signage, and direct mail pieces.•In charge of designing photo sets for product enviros and creating a new ModStylist background each week. Assigned to organize, archive, and document ModCloth's photo prop room, which consists of over 500 props.•Featured in a blog post about ModCloth's internship program: http://blog.modcloth.com/2013/08/12/internal-report-modcloth-interns-get-an-a-in-style/•Immediately offered a position at the end of the internship, as a Visual Merchandising Photographer with added roles of assisting the Styling Team and managing the Vintage collections. Show less

    • United States
    • Photography
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Photographer, Retoucher, and Lighting Assistant
      • Jul 2011 - Aug 2013

      •Worked side by side with the owner, David Mihelarakis, as a co-photographer and professional partner. •Integrated in all aspects of the business, with emphasis on: photographing, studio and on location lighting, location scouting and planning, advanced retouching, graphic design/branding, product design, hair and makeup, wardrobe styling, sales, employee training, and all aspects of marketing (ex: social media, website, advertising, blogging). •Grew the David Designer Facebook page followers from 200 to 800+, increased website traffic by 35%, and escalated the website’s Google search rankings to the first page for “Pittsburgh Senior Portraits”. •Created a new element to the existing Senior Model Representative Program- the High Fashion Photo Shoot. This special shoot gave each girl an opportunity to be a "fashion model for the day". In charge of pre-shoot consulting, wardrobe styling, doing each girl's hair and makeup, location scouting, props/set design, and finally executing advanced retouching of the images for every shoot. Since 12 shoots had to be completed in 2 months, I had to be highly organized, work at a fast pace, and be exceedingly clear in my vision. The High Fashion Photo Shoot proved to be a huge success, resulting in high numbers of referrals, increased traffic to our website and Facebook page, and even immediately advanced some girls into the modeling industry. •David and I are currently co-owners of Studio 412, a side project featuring our fashion, editorial, and commercial based photography. Show less

    • United States
    • Photography
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Certified Lead Wedding Photographer
      • May 2011 - Jan 2013

      •National award winning wedding photography company, Bella Pictures, selected me as one of the seven nationwide Interns to participate in their highly acclaimed Wedding Photography Internship Program. •Hired immediately after the internship as a Bella Certified Lead Photographer. •Photographed 6-12 hour weddings, processed the images, and mailed them to the company on the next business day. •On top of being a great wedding photographer, working for Bella Pictures required high levels of efficiency, professionalism, and punctuality. Show less

    • United States
    • Photography
    • 200 - 300 Employee
    • Photographer
      • May 2011 - Sep 2011

      www.bellababyphotography.com •Conducted photojournalistic styled photo shoots with newborn babies in the mother’s hospital room. •Edited, retouched, uploaded, and created a slideshow from the pictures for the mom to view immediately after the photo shoot. •Placed orders, kept track of inventory, and participated in monthly group meetings and photo contests. www.bellababyphotography.com •Conducted photojournalistic styled photo shoots with newborn babies in the mother’s hospital room. •Edited, retouched, uploaded, and created a slideshow from the pictures for the mom to view immediately after the photo shoot. •Placed orders, kept track of inventory, and participated in monthly group meetings and photo contests.

    • Gallery Curator, Sales
      • Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

      •Preformed tasks in a gallery setting: set up/took down shows, designed store displays, hosted show openings, assisted artists, worked register, provided excellent customer service. •Preformed tasks in a gallery setting: set up/took down shows, designed store displays, hosted show openings, assisted artists, worked register, provided excellent customer service.

    • Retail
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Camera Sales/Image Lab
      • May 2008 - May 2009

      •Processed film and digital media, color managed, printed, and packaged 500+ photos a day, worked the register, assembled specialty photo services, sold cameras and photographic equipment, and provided knowledgeable and upstanding customer service. •Processed film and digital media, color managed, printed, and packaged 500+ photos a day, worked the register, assembled specialty photo services, sold cameras and photographic equipment, and provided knowledgeable and upstanding customer service.

Education

  • Alfred University - School of Art And Design
    Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA, Concentration: Photography; Minors: Art History, Equestrian Studies
    2008 - 2010
  • Temple University - Tyler School of Art
    Fine Art, Foundation Art Program
    2006 - 2007

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