CANCER - Relay for Life 2008

CANCER.

We have all been touched by it, one way or another. I have lost many family members and friends to this. It does not discriminate . . . it shows up regardless of age, gender, political view, religion, financial status..... it shows up.

I have lost grandparents, many family members and most recently a very dear friend. It's sad but we HAVE TO fight it. Every effort counts. A few months ago I photographed an event for the American Cancer Society (for their fundraiser) and then just a few weeks ago, on my way home from a job, I stopped and grabbed some shots at Peters Township High School during their Relay for Life event. It was emotional and moving. I sent the images off to the American Cancer Society but thought I'd post some here. If you have never taken part in one of these events, I suggest you help, take part or volunteer to help.... every little bit helps, and every person there makes a difference. I want to personally thank everyone there that showed up... I may not know every single one of you personally, but I am glad that you took time out of your busy schedule to participate. AND.... hope to see you all next year too!!!

Hannah Montana

My 5 year old, Christina, is all about Hannah Montana. She knows every song, every lyric and sings them quite well. (By the way, I also know every song - well, almost) because I listen to it all the time. Someone the other day asked me what my favorite kind of music was... I almost said Hannah Montana -- but held back! Truth is I LOVE all kinds of music, and I will admit that Christina and I have LOTS of fun singing and dancing on her bed, with make up and dresses and high heels. The best part of having a daughter is playing dress up... hands down!

So, the other day at the studio, Christina and I had a little fun..... Check it out!

REAL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

We are always working hard to bring you the best. . . we love the studio but we know that life bring many many wonderful moments that must be captured! Real Life Photography is exactly as It sounds... it is when we go out to capture real life events, so that people can remember them exactly as they were, with every detail in place, and allowing them to LIVE THE MOMENT and then relive it through photographs. Having a photographer capture an event for you, whether it be a baptism, the first hours of your childs life after birth or an anniversary party, it allows you to enjoy the moment fully without having to worry about capturing it yourself. As an artist, I LOVE when my clients give me the opportunity to create... that's when I really go crazy with the camera. I love feeling the love between people and capturing that through my lens.... it is an honor . . . a feeling that is hard to describe. There are amazing connections between people, connections of love that are easily seen by observing them . . . words are not needed. Click here to view an example of a REAL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY event!

Check out their slideshow HERE!

Christy and Loren

There is only ONE word I can use to describe this family and this marriage: LOVE

Watching Chrsity and Loren is like watching the scene of an old romantic movie..... they look at each other in a way that makes even a strangers heart melt. What a fun loving couple. . . and the families....well it's no wonder to me why they are the way they are.

Christy and Loren were married at St Pats Catholic Church on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 and had their reception at Valley Brooke Country Club.... awesome.

I was an HONOR to be part of your wedding Christy and Loren!!! I hope you guys had a fabulous time on your honeymoon. I cannot WAIT until you get back and I can show you ALL of these!

Photographically Yours,

Maria

Melissa and Jamie

Melissa & Jamie got married on Friday, May 16th, 2008. It was a gorgeous wedding at Heinz Chapel, followed by an exquisite reception at the Grand Hall at the Priory. ( see http://www.pittsburghsgrandhall.com/) Check out the images below!

Melissa's smile said it all and the look on her fathers eyes as he watched her and helped out with the wedding plans.... priceless. Miss Ava had a wonderful time too and was very proud of mommy and daddy.

To Melissa and Jamie: thank you so much for letting us oarticipate in this awesome event! Lori, Pamm and I had a GREAT time and really enjoyed getting you know your families! Congrats!
Check back in a few weeks at our website (www.studiom.ms) to see ALL images of their wedding!

Thanks for visiting our BLOG. Check back soon!
Maria

BRETT

It has been so long since I have posted here that I cannot believe it. Things got really busy (which is a GREAT problem to have) and well..... the blog went by the wayside.....NO MORE! From now on this is top notch on our list...sharing our work more regularly..... today I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing Brett. This Fort Cherry senior has a great personality and photographing him was awesome. Brett will be graduating next month. Congrats!

Pet Daze

Click on the image below!

FRIENDSHIP

There is nothing lie having a great friend......you know, the kind of friend that you can laugh with and cry with, the kind that doesn't really care what you look like and they like you just as much no matter what kind of day you are having. Friends can tell you anything, even if it stings a little, you know that they keep you in line for your own good. It's hard to truly find a friend. Someone who cares for you and doesn't judge you. I have very few friends. . . but today I invited a good friend of mine to come up to the studio so I could take some portraits of her. I have never photographed Cassie until today. I like to photograph for myself.... I like to play with the images and the lights just because sometimes, and I love to create images of people I care for.... I dedicate this post to all those poeple who have held me together at some point in my life.... you are all so special to me. Specifically I would like to thank my friend Michele, who has seen me through many highs and lows and has never let me down, my husband Sean, who although he drives me crazy at times he is my best friend.... and my friend Cassie (below) who in the past year (especially) has been such a blessing in my life... I couldn't have made it without her!
God bless all of you. To see these portraits larger, simply click on the image.

SENIOR MODELS NEEDED

We Need Senior models!!!

Click onthe image below for more info!!!

January 5th, 1971

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!!
Here is an image of my parents 37 years ago. I LOVE looking at their wedding photographs. They are beautiful black and whites. Out of this marriage came 3 children, I am the middle child, and in addition to that many many happy years together as a family. Take the time to celebrate and enjoy your family. Cherish your images, look at them often.... they always make me smile.
Mom and Dad ~ may you have 37 MORE years like this!
Love,
"Cenourinha" (little carrot)

Breakfast with Santa

Yesterday, Dec 22nd was Breafast with Santa day at Saint Benedict the Abbot Church. So I headed out early to photograph kids with Santa.... it was so much fun! The excitement was contagious. It was a wonderful celebration and we all had a fantastic time. I want to thank Saint Benedict for giving me the opprtunity to give back to my community. God bless!

So here is Santa carrying LOTS of presents! Many children enjoyed sitting on Santa's lap for a picture and to discuss their wish list! Here is my son and daughter followed by some more kids! Want extra images of your children? Give us a call, we will be happy to help you! 724-745-4405

Thanks!

Busy busy busy....

So with all the x-mas cards and the Christmas craziness around the studio.... what did I not do yet until 2 days ago? Get a Christmas tree with my family! They were starting to wonder if we were ever going to get out there and do it. My husband suggested, that since things are so insane, that maybe this year, the best thing we could do is just buy one that is already "cut down" trees - NO NO NO!!! Tradition is tradition, come rain, come shine, come earthquake..... we always have to cut down our own Christmas Tree at the same Christmas tree farm..... every year and I wasn't about to compromise THAT! So..... Sunday we head out..... after a great breafast we headed to Candle Tree Farm in Taylorstown. It's beautiful there but what is more fantastic than that are the memories we have...they are priceless. So......... as we are driving there it starts to snow... HARD. Hummmmm........... (I hate the cold) Tradition I said. It's a beautiful thing. So we went. . .

Arriving at the farm we parked. It's been not so cold, back and forth and so it was VERY muddy. No big deal. Then the wind started and it was CCCOOOLLLLLDDD!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhh! TRADITION! So my kids start to run toward the trees to "pick" and the same ol' discussion begins..... to big, to small, it's got a gap, it's a Charlie Brown Tree, it's not the kind we like, too prickly and It goes on...... my son says, "let's just pick one already" and my daughter is frozen. They point, "it's that one" - ok my husband says, No hesitation!!! Out comes the saw....

He pretends to not be able to do it..... the kids are helping. They are falling on the floor, they are under the tree..... we are all trying sooooo hard! :-) After a lot of commotion, it's done, the tree is on the floor and all the mud that WAS around it on the ground is now wearing beautifully on our clothing. Get in the truck!!!! We are all frozen!

Arriving at home is always as crazy..... bring it in, set it up, take the net off, put water in it..... lights, garland, ornaments EVERYWHERE.
You know... I am a great photographer but this whole Holiday, go shopping, decorate and stuff.... It's hard for me. I just don't know how Santa does it. The elves must keep Santa organized. Wonder If I could borrow a few elves..... hum. . . now there's a thought!

It's up. Finally! Wash your shoes, do the laundry, clean up the boxes.... get a bath, go to bed! It's a school night. . . so we wake up Monday morning and THE TREE FELL OVER!!!!! OK. . . . I have NEVER had this happen to me..... so what did we do Monday? Decorate the tree ALL OVER AGAIN! Hope it's still up when we get home today..... yikes!


Wishing all of you a fantastic holiday season. May you enjoy your families, your little ones, parents and even that one family member that drives you crazy!!! :-) A family is a beautiful thing. Embrace it, love it and hold onto it. And lastly, thank you, all of you who have shared your lives with us at Studio M. We feel blessed to know so many fantastic people!

Merry Christmas!

Maria, Kari, Pamm and Lori (here at Studio M!)
and my family Christina, Dylan and Sean :-)

It's been a while...

. . . since I have posted. It's amazing how fast time goes. I mean.... it's almost Christmas . . . we are half way through December and we have been crazy busy at the studio with beautiful kids, babies and families . . . it's been wonderful! While organizing the computer files not long ago I ran accross images I had done at the beach this summer in August.... I am always so busy doing portraits for everyone that I forgot about my own!!! So.... just thought I would share. This is my 5 year old daughter Christina . . . she enjoys being photographed and spontaneously hugged herself while I photographed her that day . . . When I saw this image It made me think about how important it is to love yourself . . . thanks for checking out the blog!!!
Maria

NICOLE

Nicole, a soon to be 2008 graduate, came into the studio this weekend for some senior portraits. Not only is his girl beautiful, she is also a load of fun. Thanks Nicole for giving me the opportunity to photograph you...... not only did you make my job easy you made it a great day to have some fun too!!!
See you next week!
Maria

Sara & Matt

A beautiful and brisk fall day, the colors could not have been more spectacular! See for yourself! Sara and Matt had a BEAUTIFUL wedding with the most amazing ceremony ever. Not only was it beautiful, but these two kept all smiling through their vows. Congratulations guys! Sorry for the delay in posting this, we had some technical issues. Check back in a few weeks to view ALL of Sara and Matt's wedding images under the "view my wedding images" section of our website.

Congrats again!
Maria