That's where we're headed. We want to be the best/coolest senior studio in West Virginia. Last night someone asked me if we had lots of different backgrounds. I just sort of looked at them. Not because it was a dumb question, in fact, we do have lots of backgrounds. We just don't think in terms of "backgrounds" We are about sets. Just like tv and movies, we are set builders. We build sets for each outfit a senior wears. We have an endless variety of combinations indoors and out. I'm a shopping junkie. I constantly scour auctions, malls, catalogs, the internet, antique stores and yard sales for unique items to use for our sets. Anthropologie is one of my favorite places for ideas. Their window displays are like no others. Hollister, Banana Republic, American Eagle, Abercrombie are other inspirations. CD covers, magazines, movies.......whatever pop culture is doing, we are watching. Geez, it's a wonder I have time to work! A few years ago we added a new camera room and built a ton of new sets outside. At the rate I'm going, we'll have to add on soon to store all our cool senior props!!!
Susie and I just returned from a week at a national high school senior portrait convention. We were able to meet, network and learn from our crafts top artists. We are so pumped!! We've learned tons, and can't wait to apply it to your one-of-a kind senior pictures. Check out our work on the websiste or click on the FB link on the homepage to see even more of our 2010 Seniors. Give us a call, we will be glad to show you what I'm talking about!
A MWAC is short for "Mom with a camera" and honestly, it is not used in a complimentary way. Now, we have nothing against Mom's who own camera's (or Dad's or anyone else). We are after all, people making our living in the world's most popular hobby. What we do have a problem with is the zillions of people who own nicer consumer or even pro-level cameras, and have dabbled a little in photoshop thinking they can be professional photographers too. The bottom line is some people will pay for bad photography because it is inexpensive. In most cases, you get what you pay for. I read somewhere that "Cheap isn't good and good isn't cheap". So true in this business. I can list lots of things full time pros spend money on each year, from a license to do business to insurance to cover us AND you if we screw up your wedding, to new props and constant continuing education. Those things a MWAC doesn't do, so she/he can sell you 1000 pictures and a cd for 19 dollars. We can't pay, train and educate ourselves and do that. We are full time. This is how we make our living. We are committed to creating beautiful portraits for a lifetime of memories.
I invite you to compare our work to that of our competitiors. Photography is an investment you will enjoy for years to come. You should shop for a photographer with your eyes and your heart. Study the images on our website. Look at the faces, the poses, the light on each subject. These people look their very best. They don't have harsh shadows or squinty eyes. Their clothes compliment one another, the emotion in their relationship is obvious. A good photo tells a story or evokes an emotion. We are committed to giving that to everyone of our valued clients.
Wow! We made it thru the holidays without any casualties! I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. Time do fly!
I just wanted to let you know it is time for the Winter sale here at the studio. For 2009 portrait clients, any print that you ordered in 2009 in an 8x10 or larger can be ordered in any size we offer at a 50% discount!! This is a great time to get that wall portrait that you just couldn't fit into your budget last year. PLUS, framing is currently on sale, so you can have it framed and save 50% off the moulding! We have hundreds of frames to choose from. In stock mats are also half price. Special orders and Engelson moulding are not included in this sale.
This sale is for a limited time only, so do not delay! Call the studio for more details and/or questions, we are happy to help!
Does everyone have their pumpkin pie made? I'll be baking mine this evening. Our 20lb bird is still thawing. Scott will be baking him tomorrow along with his wonderful "Yankee" dressing. We are generally a "southern" bunch, so my Mom will bring her cornbread dressing. Always a big debate about which is better! We will of course have mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, homemade bread and my favorite, brussel sprouts! Or as they are called by my kids, "nasty little cabbage heads" And of course, we can't forget the cranberries. Real ones, not that weird jelly stuff that comes out in the shape of the can. I'm pretty sure that's just wrong!
The best part will be the family there to share the day. Aunts and Uncles and cousins, my children and their "significant others" and my parents. Saturday my brother and sister-in-law will arrive, and we will do it all again-if not at home, at Oliverio's! Family gatherings bring stress and strife to many, I am lucky enough to say that just isn't an issue in our family. We have a great deal of love for one another and really enjoy the times we are able to be together.
Sadly, so many will be alone and/or hungry during the holidays. Remember those folks in anyway you can. Donate food to your local food bank, volunteer your time at your local soup kitchen, or take a plate of food to your shut-in neighbor.
Whatever you do and where ever you are, I hope you have a safe and memorable Thanksgiving!
Aren't we all glad to hear that! It's been a busy week here, and even though we have appointments tomorrow, there's just something about Friday that makes you feel good. An expectation of fun and relaxation that you don't get any other day of the week. Our big plans include a trip down Stone Coal Road to Larry's Hillbilly Grill for the Friday filet mignon special. The steak is huge and you can't beat the price.
Here's a couple things that happened here this week. Scott hooked up the new Frame Vision computer for Lanora to use. We can now show you what your finished framing project will look like! We think it's pretty cool. Scott and I had fun picking out a zillion different frames and mats just to see what they would look like. Bring your framing in and check it out!
On Wednesday, one of our senior guys from P-BHS had a smoking jacket for one of his outfits!! We thought it Hef cool! We were sorry we could provide the Girls Next Door as props!! He'll go in our top 10 most interesting seniors for the year! We love creating new sets for your ideas, so bring it on!
Fudge extravaganza! One of our favorite clients brought in a huge container of peanut butter fudge for me. I recently had surgery to repair torn cartilage in my hip, and in case you didn't know, peanut butter fudge aids in healing!! I shared it with everyone here, so we are all healthy now! Thanks Katrina for the goods!
It's game night. After dinner, I'll be heading over to a friend's house to watch the WVU game. I am no football expert and WVU may not win but you can't beat an evening with friends. Hope you have fun this weekend no matter what you do!
Did you know Main Street Studios is also a full service custom frame shop? Our framer, Lanora Wentz is well know across the area for her talent as a framer. With more than 20 years experience, Lanora can make recommendations on the best way to frame your project. We have literally hundreds of mouldings to choose from. Each frame is custom made in our shop by Lanora. Some recent framing projects include Kenny G's saxaphone, a memorial quilt made for a relative of the Sago mine disaster, an antique doll, art work by a local artist to be displayed in an art gallery, and a dozen pieces to be used in a regional restaurant.
In the next week, we will be adding an exciting new feature to our frame shop. When you bring your project in, Lanora will photograph it, plug the photo into the computer, making it possible for you to choose your mats and moulding, then see what the actual finished piece will look like. Frame Vision is an addition to our frame shop that we are very excited to offer!
The holidays are fast approaching, with just 49 days til Christmas. I know, scary isn't it? With that in mind, framing deadline this year is noon on December 16. Ordering your framing by this date guarantees Christmas Delivery.
Our prices are very competivite, much cheaper than national craft stores. Check with us first.
Here's an unadvertised special for high school seniors. Because our Veteran's Day sale was so popular (yes, I know it's not here yet, but we are booked!) we are going to offer half price off the session fee is you schedule an appointment Tuesday - Friday between 10 am and 2 pm. This offer is good those days and times only, so if you have a day off from school, you can save money! Call the studio now and take advantage of this special!
We already have several booked the week of Thanksgiving, so do not delay!
Carmen Lee commented on October 27th, 2010
I have a 12 x 18 picture I would like to have matted. I would like to have a price for matting only.