Busy, busy, busy!

Studio M has just loaded two new websites! First our communion website just in time for Communion Portraits this year! Check out our communion site at:
COMMUNION WEBSITE

and our new Pets website as well, at:
PETS WEBSITE

It's been a fun and eventful winter with lots going on.... the past two weeks have been filled with seniors, babies and a cute little dog too! )Lots more dogs next week during our Tail waggin winter event!!! Interested? Call now! We only have 2 spots open! We are still looking for senior models from Wash High and Bentworth!

Have a GREAT Sunday everyone!

Chelsea

We have been busy photographing our senior models! In fact we have photographed 5 this week alone. Here is Chelsea! Chelsea is one of our 2010 senior models from Peters Township High School. Chelsea was a TROUPER being photographed in very low temperatures and yet by looking at the images you could never tell. We were all over the place in Pittsburgh but my favorite images came from the Strip District. We took a break and warmed up while we ate some sandwiches at Primanti Bros too - and that was awesome! I have known Chelsea for a few years now for I did her family portraits a few years back. GREAT Family!
I LOVE to photograph senior models because we get to drive around and have fun and just create. We are still in need of a senior model from the following schools in case you know someone interested: Wash High, Trinity, Fort Cherry & Upper St Clair. I think we are set on all the other schools. :-)
Check out a few of Chelsea's images! This is just a LITTLE preview!!!!

LINDSAY

Meet Lindsay! Lindsay and I had a LOT of fun out in the South Side this week! Lindsay is one of our senior models from North Allegheny HS. She was a lot of fun to work with! Check out a quick video of her and the images below too! Thanks Lindsay! Looking forward to seing you soon!

BELIEVE

It's been an amazing and busy beginning so far... 2010 has been interesting. I just flew in from Nashville, TN yesterday where I spent a week at the Imaging USA conference. The conference was amazing.... photographers coming together from every state and even a few countries. You could feel the excitement as you walked through the convention center, the displays were breathtaking. I love to look at images created by other photographers. I am amazed by their creativity and talent and it makes me want to work even more.
Today I got to thinking about where I am and where I was at one point in my life. A few years ago I was struggling a lot with a job I didn't care for . . . it's hard to get out of bed everyday when you are unhappy. It's hard to get up and spend hours doing something you don't want to do. It makes you feel tiered, It wears you out and it brings you down. Nothing is worse than that. You become bitter, not such a great mom, wife and friend.
A few years ago I took a leap. I was told not to, by many. I was told it would be too hard. I was told I was crazy... after all, "You have a secure job" they said... "and health care and a good salary" - but all those things didn't matter... because inside I was dying. I wasn't myself anymore, I was stuck like a lion in a cage, pacing back and forth, back and forth. It wasn't an option to stay.... I couldn't anymore. Leaping into my business was the hardest thing I ever did and people said to me, "How can you do this, how do you know it will work?" Well, the answer is I didn't, I just BELIEVED. Failure just wasn't an option. I have the best job EVER. In fact, it's only a job because I own the business and have the responsibilities that goes with that, because when I am behind my camera, the world is a different place. Time stands still and I am free to create. Nothing can bother me when I am in that state. Besides, who can resist a beautiful baby, the wonders of pregnancy, growing families and those awesome seniors? Who doesn't smile when they watch two people commit to each other for a lifetime? Doing what I do is such an honor.
I saw this movie clip recently and it made me think of so much. Where I have been, where I am heading.... and how lucky I feel.... but Rocky is right.... he said the most important thing ever....
"Until you start believing in yourself, you ain't gonna have a life" -- check out the clip.
Wishing everyone an AWESOME new year! I know that I am really excited about all our plans!
God bless!

Almost the end of a GREAT year... a little about me and my family!

So I am currently in Sarasota, FL... came down to spend some time with my parents who live here and had the chance today to see my two nieces, Jamie and Jenna So... OF COURSE I ran out the day before and bought the kids some clothes just to get a few great shots. So here are my kiddos, Dylan, 9 and Christina, 7 with their cousins. They are getting big SO FAST and I just cannot stand it. Below you will see an image from today... This has been such a wonderful and exciting year in SO MANY ways.
I got to take some amazing trips this year and spend lots of time out there in different places with my family.... Brazil, Washington DC, Mexico, Nashville, Florida ... I LOVE to travel. We are considering a trip in 2010 to Greece ... I really hope it works out. I hear Greece is amazing and I have never been there... so that would be awesome. Anyone with any tips.... I'd LOVE to hear them!
The studio got really crazy with the Xmas rush but it was so much fun going to people's homes to photograph their families. Some of them with as many as 20 family members. I LOVE photographing in peoples homes.... it's personal and ads a touch to an image that I could never offer in a studio setting.... it does present challenges too but I love that... keeps things different.
I will be coming home in a few days but heading out a few days later to Nashville again, where I will be for a week. Imaging USA should be a great time and learning experience. I will also be taking my CPP exam there :-)
January also happens to be my birth month... I'll be 35. Scary.... 35... doesn't round down to 30 anymore.... it rounds up to.... ____ well..... moving on to bigger and better things.....!
Thank you to all for your love, friendship and business. It has been the BEST YEAR EVER and I know that 2010 will be even better!
I also want to take a moment to thank all the girls at the studio... without them, Studio M would not be what it is!
Happy New Year Soon! YAHOO!!!!!

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION!!!

As many of you already know, I worked for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition this summer in Erie! Working for the show was such an honor and was a blast! The show I worked on airs TOMORROW, Dec 13th, 2009 @ 8pm on ABC and is a 2 hour special! It's going to be so much fun to watch since I was there and know the story. Here is an image someone gave me of myself, my assistant Michele and Ty Pennington. Ty is a hoot, a fun person and is no different in real life then he is on TV. Can't wait to watch! Tune in if you get a chance! I haven't been able to share anything about the show since it had not aired yet and that was tough! Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

CONTEST WINNERS & RESULTS

Words cannot express how elated we all were at the Studio with the results of the Oh Bebe Mio contest! We really wanted to contribute to St Jude's this year and had set a goal to raise $5000 ... the results however were even better!

We are ecstatic to announce that together we have raised $6357 for St Jude's Childrens Hospital in TN. Many babies, children and families will benefit from our efforts.

THANK YOU so much for your time and your generosity. All these babies are beautiful and we had a fantastic time photographing, editing and preparing for this event. Although the fundraiser took weeks of preparation and many hours of hard work between designing, advertising, website building and then the event itself we feel it was WELL worth our time and efforts.

God Bless all of you! Enjoy your families this holiday season and feel great in knowing you helped the lives of children who really needed it.

Sincerely,
Maria, Megan, Renee, Susan, Danielle & Janet

BABY WINNERS

Elisabeth

Dominic

Last day to Vote!!!!

Hello everyone!!! Thank you for making this contest such a success!!! Today is the LAST day to vote!!! Voting ends at Midnight!! Wanted to give everyone a quick update on the current winners!!!

Boys
1) Tommy M
2) Dominic D
3) Aaden K
4) Joshua L
5) Conner S

Girls
1) Malana W
2) Elisabeth T
3) Lia V
4) Amelianna T
5) Jordyn H

Thank you for supporting St. Judes!!!

Monday Update!

Hello Everyone! Wanted to give a quick update on the Oh Bebe Mio Contest!

The current winners are:

Boys
1) Dominic D.
2) Aaden K.
3) Tommy M.
4) Joshua L.
5) Conner S.

Girls
1) Malana W.
2) Elisabeth T.
3) Lia V.
4) Amelianna T.
5) Jordyn H.

The votes are really close!!! Remember voting ends tomorrow at midnight!!! Thanks for voting and supporting St. Jude's!!!

On Yahoo this morning

Here is a story that I came accross on YAHOO this morning... it is so sad to think that there are children out there suffering this much... let alone the families. THANK YOU to all who have been donating to this WONDERFUL cause!!!

Thanks and Giving campaign Meet Alejandro

Contest Update - SAT 10pm

The contest is going GREAT!!!! It's so wonderful to see votes coming in from ALL OVER the country!!! Here are the current winners.... it is INCREDIBLE how close these babies scores are! Both the boys and the girls! Happy Voting everyone! THANK YOU for your generosity! We are SO EXCITED to send a check to St Judes Childrens Hospital! It feels WONDERFUL to help such a great organization!

Girls...

1) Elisabeth

2) Malana

3) Lia

4) Charlie

5) Amelianna

Boys...

1) Joshua L

2)Aaden K

3) Dominic D

4) Conner S

5) Tommy M

Hey Everyone!!!

A quick update on the contest!!!

Girls
1) Elisabeth T
2) Lia V
3) Charley M
4) Jordyn H.
5) Amelianna T

Boys
1) Conner S
2) Aaden K
3) Dominic D
4) Joshua L
5) Tommy M

Have a great weekend! Remember to tell your friends about the contest and help us raise money for St. Jude's!!!

Friday Update!!!

Hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving!!! Thank you for voting and raising money for St. Jude's!!!

Our Current Winners are:

Girls
1) Elisabeth T.
2) Lia V.
3) Charley M.
4) Amelianna T.
5) Malana W.

Boys
1) Aaden K.
2) Conner S.
3) Dominic D.
4) Tommy M.
5) Jace C.


More updates to come!!!

UPDATE!!!!!!!! (and Thank you!)

The support for this has been overwealming! I am so excited every few hours when I see more votes! Here are the current winning babies! The votes are SO CLOSE! Hope you guys all had a GREAT day and pleanty to eat :) Happy Thanksgiving again!
Maria

KEEP VOTING! E-MAIL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR SUPPORT! MORE UPDATES TOMORROW!

GIRLS:
1) Elisabeth S
2)Lia V
3) Amelianna T
4) Malana W
5) Charlie M

BOYS:
1) Aadan K
2) Conner S
3) Dominic D
4) Tommy M
5) Jace C

A PERSONAL NOTE & MORE

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

I want to start by saying that this year has been such an amazing whirlwind. I have SO MUCH to be thankful for... Many of you know that I am not a natural born American, although I have been a citizen for a few years now... I was born and raised in Brazil. Thanksgiving does not exist there of course and I never really knew what a pilgrim was until much later than most :-) BUT none the less, it is my FAVORITE holiday ever! It trumps birthdays, Easter and even Christmas. I LOVE the idea of family, food and existing together... something that these days is so hard to come across. Its non-commercial, there is no stress of gifts... it's just a day to exist, eat and love each other. SO.... I am now in Florida now... flew down this morning and I am staying at my little sisters house. She has an adorable house in Sarasota, FL and her and her husband are having us for a few days. My children are having an awesome time between their aunt and uncle and my parents who also live down here now. They are currently in SPOILED zone. :-)

So what am I most thankful for? Well, I have so much I am thankful for ... I could not possibly list everything, so I think this year, I will share what I am MOST thankful for other than my children and their health. This year, I am more than anything, most thankful for my husband. Now... considering my husband is not much of an internet person unless he is searching for something... he will probably not read this blog posting unless someone says to him, "Hey! Did you read what Maria wrote about you?" I am not writing this for him to read, rather I am writing this just to share. Like all couples that have been married for more than 5 minutes, my husband Sean and I have had our moments. It has been 13 wonderful years but it has not always been a bed of roses. The stress of daily life and children can at times be overwelming and I know that you are now, at this very moment nodding your head in agreement.....right? BUT, here is why I am most thankful for my husband this year. My husband has, this year more than ever, become my best friend, my psycologist, my rock. He is always so quick to help me at the drop of a hat, he makes me THE BEST iced non-fat lattes in the morning (he has is down to a science) and he is always concerned about me. He often shows up at the studio with lunch for me (even though I never ask) but most of all, he is so kind and loving towards me. Every morning when I am leaving the house, he tells me how beautiful I look (I trained him REALLY well!!!) and coming home he always eager to hear about my day. I LOVE to share with him about my babies, my families and seniors etc... I often go on and on about what I did and images I created. Some people may think that this is just my "job" BUT it's not. My camera is like an organ to me. I need it for survival. It is who I am, not just what I do. I love to create... and there are certain images that move me so much. We talk about them... we share ... and it's awesome. So this year, I am most thankful for my husband. He provides me with a huge source of strength and confidence. I could not do what I do without him... he is an honorable man, a great husband and an amazing father.

This past week as many of you know... I spent 3 days photographing babies for our baby contest... I was SO MUCH FUN and exausting too!!! They were all so cute! ALL the proceeds from the votes will be going to St Judes Childrens Hospital for children with Cancer. Now, I don't know about you guys BUT Canvcer has taken SO MANY loved ones from me, both young and old. I have lost many friends to this awful disease and it angers me. So... I came with the idea to do this contest to help St Judes. I love how St Judes helps ALL children, including those that cannot pay for their care. NO CHILD, NO FAMILY should have to go through this .... let alone have to worry about money! So PLEASE.... vote on your favorite baby and donate money to a GREAT cause! It's only a dollar a vote.... so vote as many times as you can afford. We are NOT keeping any of this money at all.... and we are super excited to see the results of the contest. So far, it's doing AMAZING. Both baby winners (one boy and one girl) will get $500 gift certificates and a $100 savings bond too! Here are the current numbers....

Wednesday night at 8:55pm.....

GIRLS:
1) Elisabeth
2) Lia (Elisabeth and Lia are SUPER CLOSE!!!)
3) Amelianna

BOYS:
1) Aaden
2) Dominic
3) Dante D
(ALL three very close as well!)

Contest Update!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who is voting!!! The contest is going great so far!!!

Our current winners are:

Girls
1) Elisabeth T.
2) Lia V.
3) Amelianna T.

Boys
1) Dominic D.
2) Joshua L.
3) Jace C.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Contest Update!!!

Wow! The contest is really close!!!!

The current winners are:

Girls
1) Elisabeth T.
2) Lia V.
3) Amelianna T.

Boys
1) Dominic D.
2) Jace C.
3) Dante D.

Thank you to everyone who is voting and helping St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital!!!

The Contest Has Begun!!!

Our Oh Bebe Mio contest is off to an AWESOME start! Thank you to everyone who has voted so far!!! Remember voting ends Midnight, December 1st!

Our current winners are:



Help those who are less fortunate this Thanksgiving season! All money raised will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital! Voting only costs $1 and it is a fun way to help those in need!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Oh Bebe Mio!

As many of you already know, the past three days we have been working with babies! We started shooting for our Oh Bebe Mio Contest on Thursday and finished today.... SO MUCH FUN! These babies were BEAUTIFUL! As you know, this is our big fundraiser this year! Images go up for voting on Tuesday at 7pm! Please vote for your favorite baby as many times as you wish.... it is $1 a vote and ALL money goes to St Judes Childrens Hospital! There will be two baby winners.... a boy and a girl.... each baby will recieve a $500 gift certificate to the studio and a $100 savings bond...and last but not least... THANK YOU to all who came out the last three days! Of all people, I KNOW how crazy life is and how time is precious.... so thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your cutie and for helping out in a GREAT cause. We should all be extremely grateful for our healthy children and willing to help those who are not as fortunate.
Here is a little preview! These are only a handful of images there are SO MANY more! I just wanted to give a sneak preview and we quickly picked some random images! I am going home now to enjoy MY babies.... and even though they are no longer "babies" - they will be my babies forever. Grin :-)
Maria

Senior Tryouts ... more!

Here are some more images from our senior tryouts! It's going to be SO HARD to pick! Thanks to all the 2011 that came! We will be contacting you soon!

2011 Senior Model Tryouts!

Today we held the first day of senior model tryouts! It was a lot of fun! Here are a few of the 2011 seniors who entered for try-outs! More to come...

Elena & Gary

Beautiful wedding on a somewhat cold October day! Had a GREAT time at this wedding on Saturday! Have fun on your honeymoon Elena and Gary! See you soon!

Our trip to Cancun, MEXICO

Just came back from Mexico a few days ago! The weather was fantastic and we had a GREAT time! Here is the view from our room during the day!

Here is an image of Dylan (my son) and my husband Sean .... BEAUTIFUL day!

Here is the view I saw when I woke up in the morning.... looking out the window alone put a HUGE smile on my face!
The arrival in Cancun was not as pleasant as my view. Delta airlines REALLY needs to rethink their bagage people/ machinery and the REALLY REALLY need to rethink their customer service. After 5 days and 1,000 phone calls from me they finally did give me a new piece of luggage...... I dealt with the issue by placing a LOT of phone calls and drinking many margaritas, mimosas and of course Mexican Water... CORONA! lol

Swimming with the dolphins was AMAZING. I hardly ever see my husband laugh this hard..... here he was being pushed by two dolphins..... they swim up behind you and push you by your feet...amazing!
Christinas was in LOVE..... wanted to bring "silver" home with her..... and put it WHERE I said?
It really is a LOT of fun..... here they are pulling me.
Kisses are always nice too :-) We all had a GREAT time.
Here is Dylan and Christina before dinner one night. The weather was warm and the view was fantastic no matter where you were at the resort. GORGEOUS.
OK. This falls under the category of I LOVE MY SON. I am deathly scared of this kind of stuff but guess what... I went with Dylan and I did not break his hand.....although I did sqeeze it VERY hard! He told me it was "ok" and he was right. My little baby boy is becoming such a BEAUTIFUL kind hearted little man.... he is so wonderful :-)
Anyone who knows me know s I LOVE Forrest Gump. The moview is awesome! Here we are at the Bubba Gump Shrimp company. I bought a Tshirt :-)
Gotta love days ike this!
Took a day trip .... drove around in this awesome little thing and went snorkling. This was probably my favorite day of all. Just the four of us, the ocean and a gorgeous day. We all got VERY tanned too!

Snorkling was AMAZING. There are so many different and wonderful creatures in the world. Seeing this in real life is such an opportunity and a gift. Life does not get any better than this. I cherished every minute with my family and every beer that came my way throughout the day :-)
On the boat...
Underwater with a cheap little water camera :-)
At the water park....
Christina with her non alcoholic strawberry daquiri :-)
Thought I'd share. It's been an amazing year at the studio filled with awesome moments. We have SO MUCH in store for the end of the year AND we are remodeling the entrance of the studio... it's going to be BEAUTIFUL!!!

Have a great day everyone and STAY WARM :-)

Maria

Alyssa & Rob

Alyssa & Rob, I had such a WONDERFUL time at you wedding. You are blessed with your love but also graced with such a wonderful family to support you. Thank you for letting me be the one to capture one of the most important days of your life! I am honored!

Can't wait to see you two again! Have a GREAT time on your honeymoon!

Maria

It's been crazy around here!

PLEASE forgive us for falling off the face of the earth! Things at the studio have been wonderfully & insanelly busy! We are still shooting at least 8 or so seniors a week, our newborn and bebe collection babies are steadily coming in and it has made for a wonderful few weeks around here! I actually got an e-mail from a client (and good friend :-) telling me that our BLOG has been "dead" for too long..... so sorry! Sometimes it's hard to keep up with everything! So......below you will see some of the reecent bellies and babies I have photographed... we will update some seniors soon too! The girls and I just came back from Chicago from an AWESOME photographic convention where we met some other amazing photographers and saw the newest products and things out there.... so.... brace yourself! There is a LOT of new things coming in 2010! We are updating so much around here that it makes even my head spin! Yesterday Megan talked to me for like 20 min and NOTHING registered..... haha.... it was actually funny. (Although I am not sure she appreciated repeating everything to me!) STAY TUNNED to the clipper magazine, our fall newsletter that is coming oh so soon and also for our ad in the expectant mothers guide. Lots of GREAT offers coming up! Anyhow, ALL is wonderful in our neck of the woods. It's always fun around here.... the babies, the cute little kiddos and their siblings and the seniors that we shoot are awesome.... love those.... they're like mini modeling sessions! Its been a VERY EXCITING year! Well....gotta go! Got a BEAUTIFUL Wedding to go to today! Smiles to all and have a GREAT weekend!!!
Maria

ELIZABETH

Meet my niece, ELIZABETH. Elizabeth is a 2010 Senior soon to graduate from Altoona High School. I had the pleasure of shooting her this weekend... it's hard to believe that back in 1996 she was my ever so adorable flower girl. Time really does fly by... photographing Elizabeth was a lot of fun ... I am so excited for her and I cannot WAIT to see what the future brings!
Love you Liz!
Aunt Maria

Maddux & Levi

Meet these adorable newborn baby boys! They are identical twins! It's going to be a LOT of fun to watch these two grow!
Meet Maddux and Levi

Christina & Malkin

Meet MY baby girl Christina (who just turned 7!) and our puppy Malkin! Today I was able to find the time in my crazy schedule to photograph them together!
People always say to me... "Wow Maria, how WONDERFUL that you have this gift and talent ... you must capture beautiful images of your children!" - I ALWAYS want to laugh histerically when I hear this..... OK YES, I have stunning images of both my son and daughter but let me just tell you.... It is NEVER easy. This adorable angelic looking little girl was anything but! Every year I look forward to and yet dread this day and If I do not schedule it in... it never happens! Anyhow.... here is Christina and Malkin! Check out the show below too!

Melissa & John tie the knot!

Lauren & Russ tie the knot!

Beautiful wedding! Congrats to Lauren & Russ!