New Product Offering:
Custom Photo Jewelry

Season’s Greetings to all! I hope everyone is enjoying the build-up to the Holidays and you are out there finding good bargains on your Holiday gift buying. I actually ventured out on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) at 5am to get an excellent deal on a brand new large widescreen monitor to make my Photoshop work much easier. I was so tired that day, but it was well worth it!

It’s been a while since I’ve updated here, but I’ve been extremely busy these days. The business of photography is a lot more than just taking pictures and I’ve become an insomniac working late hours into the night on my website, business planning, marketing materials (all written and designed by me!), etc. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it!

Earlier this month, I attended a major professional photographer’s expo and convention in the Big Apple and met a lot of new vendors that included professional digital photo labs, equipment distributors, unique photo product suppliers and many others. One of the vendors that highly impressed me is a small photo jewelry maker. I’ve done my homework and have been approved as a professional photographer distributor. So I’m happy to announce the addition of these beautiful pieces to my product line.

They are portrait tiles that are made into necklaces and bracelets. They are absolutely exquisite! And the price on them is phenomenal. They would make fantastic holiday gifts for any mothers, grandmothers, mother-in-laws, friends – whoever! But here’s the catch. I’m late on signing on with them and won’t meet their regular holiday cut-off deadline of December 3rd. Their RUSH deadline is December 10th for an extra $15 charge. However, there’s no time to schedule a bunch of photo sessions to make that deadline. So, as an introductory offer, I can order these products with YOUR images (as long as they are good quality images). For first time orders only, I will also offer a 10% discount! Not bad, eh? I just want to get them out there so when people ask where you got them, you can tell them Maria Vasallo Photography!!!

Don’t forget I also have Photo Bags as well. These are a huge hit with my clients. Email me for more information and a price list on either product line!

Additional products offered:

 Collages
 Storyboards
 Photo Cards
 Holiday Cards
 Invitations
 Baby and engagement announcements

Wishing everyone a fun and joyous Holiday Season. Happy Shopping!!!

Holiday Cards Available Now!

(See the limited-time offer at the bottom of this post)

Well, as of today, there are only 11 weekends left before Christmas. Can you believe it? That's a pretty scary thought when you consider all those things we must get done by that time, including getting those family Holiday portraits taken and cards sent out.

The great news is that I have a bunch of unique Holiday card designs available for purchase with images from your photo sessions! So, if you've been thinking about getting a family portrait done, but dreading the trip to the mall with dressed up kids, spouses and everyone expected to behave their best (and look perfect) throughout the whole ordeal, I have wonderful news for you!

I can help you kill two birds with one stone! Book an appointment with me and I'll come to you for your portraits. All you have to do is relax and be comfortable in your own home -- on your own turf -- and I'll do the rest. You'll come out of it with a beautiful family portrait AND your Holiday cards. And best of all, you'll have avoided the "mall" trip and the blood, sweat and tears (literally) it takes to accomplish these Holiday "must do's."

How's that for crossing something off your list right away? (Maybe this year you can actually keep that promise to yourself to do it sooner rather than the hectic later this time of year brings!)

And as a great incentive to lighten your load, I'm offering a limited-time special: Receive a FREE 8x10 portrait with your paid sitting and Holiday Card purchase!

Check out the gallery on my website: www.mariavphotography.com for all the available Holiday Card designs. And if you really have your heart set on something a little different, just let me know! I'd be happy to design a card especially for you!

So don't wait. I have limited appointments available -- they're filling up fast! Call or email me today!

NOW OFFERING BEAUTIFUL PHOTO BAGS!

I am happy to announce that I am now offering photo bags featuring images from your photo sessions with me. These bags are of an elegant and durable microfiber material of excellent quality and value. The styles range from the smallest coin purse, to tote bags, purses, and beach totes, among others. They range in prices from $40 to $190.

Please let me know if you are interested in being the proud owner of one (or more) of these practical and beautiful bags. For those that have already had photo sessions with me, I'm offering a 10% discount off the price as a thank you for helping me build my portfolio.

Email me for more information and a detailed price list, bag descriptions, photos and specifications.

Wow, I'm so incredibly grateful for all the interest in my photography services! I am just about wrapping up my portfolio building and am ready to start booking real photo shoots.

My official website is now up and may be viewed at www.mariavphotography.com .

I am still looking for volunteers for maternity shoots, so if you are visibly pregnant, please email me at maria@mariavphotography.com

Thanks for all your support!

Photography

Well, I am going to take the suggestions that some of my friends and family have made with regards to my passion for photography and digital imaging. I am contemplating doing portrait photography and simple, yet classy photo invitations, greeting cards, birth and/or engagement announcements as well. I love my hobby and want to expand my abilities while making a little money on the side.

Since I am in the process of building a portfolio, I would like to offer my services to you and your family with no sitting fee. I don’t have a studio, so I plan to shoot the photos on location either in a public setting (i.e. a park, beach, etc.) or in the subjects’ homes. This is also going to be a learning process for me, so I can’t promise you “professional” quality images—yet, but I am certain I can achieve high-quality candid and posed portraits that are positively a cut above your everyday snapshots. My passion is babies/children/maternity and family portraiture.

Soooo, if you are interested in helping me out, please let me know so we can set up a time and place for your session. In return, I will provide you with free prints up to 5x10 and and an 8x10 of the best shots, including creative manipulation as I practice using my photo software. For anything larger or prints on canvas, for example, or other photo products, I can offer discounted rates. I also ask for permission to use the images on a website and other marketing materials, should I decide to focus on this long-term.

For now, I am only extending this offer to a few key people to get started. I don't have a full-blown website or a price list, but plan to have a few things in place by mid August. In the meantime, please let me know asap if you are interested. I am mostly available on Mondays and Wednesdays for now, but we can discuss scheduling later.

Please email me at maria@mariavphotography.com for more information.

Thank you!