Horse Racing Hall of Fame Jockey Jose Santos and Jockey/Saratoga Restaurateur Filiberto Leon visit the Men’s Barber Spa at Complexions in Albany NY~Thea Coughlin Photography

Three days ago Kelly from AlbanyMommy mentioned to me that Denise from Complexions was looking for a photographer on Twitter. I went to twitter and looked up Denise and left her a tweet (I am so new at twitter that I am sure I will make many faux pas when talking about it. Like hello my home page says lets be tweets. )

I went to the Complexions web site and started to read Denise’s blog. Not that I am any expert on Spas, but I was really impressed with the scope, breadth and array of interesting topics Denise blogs about. I learned that in May of 2008, they opened the new facility at 221 Wolf Road ” – one of the very first new construction energy-efficient day spas in the nation. We are registered with the US Green Building Council and recently received Gold Level LEED Certification. Complexions is also an Internationally accredited CIDESCO Beauty Center, one of only a small number in the United States.”

I also learned a bit of the back story on the event she was looking to have photographed reading her blog and listening to her interview with with Megan Baker & Paul Vandenburgh from Talk Radio 1300. In her own words “decided to roll the dice and ask Future Hall of Fame Jockey Jose Santos if he’d like to stop by the Men’s Barber Spa sometime next week for a shave, polish and trim. August is a pretty busy month for him, so you can probably imagine how thrilled I was to hear him say yes.”

From the interview I learned of Megan Baker of Baker Public Relations. I have been looking for a Public Relations person to work with, so I contacted Megan to discuss working together. Looking through their website I really liked what I saw, and talking with her revealed that she could definitely help me with some goals I have in mind. I am really excited to work with her.

So Tuesday Megan contacted me to let me know that Denise would like to have me come do the photographs of Jose and Filberto’s visit to the Male Spa at Complexions. I was so excited and a bit nervous. What would the lighting be like? How would I be able to take photographs in an intimate  peaceful, zen spa without ruining the peaceful feeling of the experience for them. Sometimes I feel a bit clunky with my camera, flash, fong light sphere. I imagined myself bumping into the barber just as he was shaving with the straight razor. Not a pretty visual:) I managed to do ok, but I felt like a cartoon elephant tip toeing around a china shop.

Lucky for me Denise, Megan and Pat (from 1300) were all so friendly and laid back, which put me at ease while we waited for Jose and Filiberto to finish with their massages and steam.

Filiberto and Jose were warm and friendly. It made perfect sense to me that “Santos won the coveted George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1999. The George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award has been presented annually since 1950 to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey in North America who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct both on and off the racetrack. It has long been considered a very high honor to win the George Woolf award as the winning jockey is selected by his or her peers. Santos also won the 2003 ESPY Awards as the outstanding jockey in the United States. Santos has long been a fan favorite and one of the most well liked and respected jockeys in the sport.” from wikipedia

So both gentlemen were in for the full treatment. I never conceptualized a true manly Spa experience but Complexions has it mastered. The Barber Spa ambiance is as stated on their website “New Age grooming with an old world charm “.  The Barber Spa has it’s own side of the Spa and feels like a mens club you see in the movies.  The layout of the Barber Spa combined with the beautiful and well dressed barber and stylists makes for a truly wonderful feel. Complexion’s Barber Spa is a uniquely new concept that combines traditional barber shop services with aromatherapy skin treatments. It features a men’s lounge with steam and shower, private manicure and pedicure services and master barbering services. For the ultimate indulgence, experience our Royal Shave, scissor haircut, or skin treatment performed by our expertly trained barbers & stylists.”

Filiberto started with a “no-nonsense gentleman’s manicure that pays particular attention to nail and cuticle condition.”

While Jose began with a hair cut.

Next Filiberto received a traditional hot shave. Watching him get the treatment made me feel relaxed. It was the first time in my life, I wished I had facial hair!

Ladies, trust me when I say, you can buy your husband a Spa certificate that he will appreciate!

The barber- Zack- is a real pro. He was knowledgeable, professional and friendly.

After his haircut, Jose moved on to his manicure.

After the hot shave, Filiberto got a hair cut while Jose got his traditional hot shave.

I had to leave before the gentlemen were finished so I was only able to grab a photo of Jose with Denise and Megan.

Thank you Denise and Megan for including me in this fun Day at the Men’s Barber Spa. And Thank you Jose and Filiberto for allowing me to photograph you enjoying these amazing Barber Spa treatments.