When you think about fashion capitals of the U.S., your mind is sure to go to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. Two local women are working to put Pittsburgh on the list of the most fashionable cities in the country.
Brittney Thieroff and Kaela Speicher both own fashion-related companies headquartered in Pittsburgh. They co-own Iconic Image Workshops, a company offering hands-on workshops to help anyone feel confident in front of a camera and elevate their image to the next level. The workshops include confidence building, identifying your image/brand, understanding body language, posing demonstrations, how to dress for success, social media 101, how to find flattering lighting, and more.
Iconic Image Workshops offers group workshops that are open to anyone. The group workshops are held once a month at the Kaela Speicher Photography studio in Bellevue. Kaela and Brittney believe that in today’s digital age, a single headshot doesn’t cut it anymore.
“Your potential clients and audience need a sense of who you are, your personality, and the unique insight only you possess for your craft.” Kaela and Brittney said. “The focus is gaining confidence from the inside out, refining your brand identity, and conveying that to others. Once you remove fear and be more comfortable in your own skin, your boundaries are limitless.”
Along with group workshops, Iconic Image also offers private one-on-one workshops to people looking for a more customized learning experience. With private workshops, Kaela and Brittney tailor the 3-hour workshop according to specific needs, goals, and areas of improvement. Past sessions have included simulated photoshoots with one-on-one posing guidance to become more comfortable in front of the camera.
Since Iconic Image Workshop’s 2018 launch, their clientele has included CEOs, real estate agents, entrepreneurs, aspiring models, and small business owners. One theme is common for all — when you are the face of your brand, you have to take your image seriously.
Iconic Image Workshops is expanding in 2019 to include custom workshops for small businesses to large corporations. Business workshops include opportunities for company-wide seminars and headshots. Kaela and Brittney are optimistic that these workshops will boost companies’ moral and overall professional image.
Brittney Thieroff
Brittney is the founder of The Thieroff Agency. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and has worked for American Eagle and, most recently, ModCloth. When she was laid off in early 2017, she took saw that as her opportunity to officially start her business. She would apply her background and skills learned during her time at ModCloth as the Model Scout and Manager.
The Thieroff Agency represents models of all ages and will expand to represent photographers, hair and makeup artists, and wardrobe stylists. All of her models go through extensive, one-on-one training which she refers to as “model boot camp” to help the models gain confidence, learn how to pose properly in different types of clothing, and deepen their understanding of the industry. Brittney’s goal is to infuse everyone with confidence and self-awareness while focusing on self-care and safety.
Brittney was featured on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s 12 People to Meet in 2018. She is also a counsel member for Style412, which is taking on the tremendous task of forging fashion industry in Pittsburgh. Each counsel member has a different task. Her specialty is mentoring, educating and preparing Pittsburgh’s young creatives to be marketable.
Kaela Speicher
Kaela Speicher is an internationally published photographer, regularly commissioned to shoot fashion editorial, beauty, portraits, and commercial photography. She attended Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and Alfred School of Art & Design in New York, where she graduated Cum Laude and earned her degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Photography, and minored in Art History and Equestrian Studies. She gained experience in the fashion industry by photographing for ModCloth and freelancing for American Eagle.
In addition to fashion photography, Kaela offers Personal Branding and Luxury Portrait sessions, complete with a Pre-Shoot Planning Consultation and professional hair and makeup. These sessions go hand in hand with the teachings of Iconic Image Workshops. Confidence is boosted from the inside out and clients are able to see themselves in a new light.
Kaela has received a number of publications and accolades. She is proud to be an 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. Her work has recently been featured on Vogue Italia and has been awarded the Silver Award in the Portrait Masters Competition.
Follow Kaela and Brittney on their journey to put Pittsburgh on the fashion map.
