Some Reasons Why You Should Hire Maria

I don't think I can gush enough about Maria. She is one of the most talented people I have ever met and it's been great watching her photography and business grow over the last year. She's married to an equally talented husband who not only shoots pictures with her, but seems to fully support her in this business venture.

I mentioned previously that I did a trash the dress session with them and while I haven't seen all of the pictures (seriously, no rush Maria) - she did post a sneak peak on her blog. Check it out here.

I am obsessed with these pictures. I'm not smiling AND I don't look like I crapped myself! I just love her style. She has far surpassed my love of many of the photographers I have linked on this blog as "photography inspiration".

Anywho - reasons why you should hire Maria:
1) She is probably the sweetest person you will ever meet. If she isn't, I need to meet the person you think is sweeter because that just can't possibly be true. I've never known this girl to say a bad thing about anybody. And when she's shooting your picture, she compliments you left and right. I felt like an f'n supermodel after our shoot was done. She complimented the fact that we lasted 4+ hours but honestly - it's because she pumped me up so much. Flattery gets you everywhere, people. And swedish fish don't hurt either.

2) With her you get her husband, Drew! It's a package deal. And to watch them work together is frickin' adorable. He'll be standing taking the picture, and she'll be on her knees shooting by his feet. They fit together like a puzzle. That alone is worth it.

3) She's amazingly talented. I mean, how many times do I have to say it? Just go look at her site now or even her blog. While I'm at it, just go to her frickin' Flickr pics. Do I need to say more?

4) She will spend hours upon hours ensuring that the pictures she gives you are fabulous. She just told me that she edited 750 f'n wedding pictures for the last wedding she shot. 750! Show me another photographer as dedicated as she is? I can tell you right now that my own photographer didn't edit HALF that amount. Come to think of it, he probably didn't really edit anything unless it went into the album.

5) She gives great customer service! Upon referring Justin and Abbey, she sent me and The Mr a sweet thank you card and a little gift certificate to Starbucks. And no - that's not why I keep referring her to people (although I do love Starbucks). It's just a nice touch. And without ruining the nice touches she does for her clients, Justin told me they received a package from her and LOVED it. It's the little things that matter, people.

6) While shooting our pics during Honfest, we met a group of lovely Hons that we posed for pictures with. She gave one of the Hons her business card and the woman contacted her to see the pictures. Despite being incredibly bogged down with editing the 750 wedding photos, Maria busted her butt to get some pictures ready for this nice Hon. Here are just a few (and Maria dubbed these "fun outtakes". OUTTAKES. These aren't even her best work!):




These "outtakes" are a million times better than anything I can do. I'm weeding through the 350 pictures I took at Ian and Katie's wedding and am finding that I apparently can't hold a camera still! My pictures suck balls compared to these.

7)She's always willing to help out a budding photographer. The Mr and I aren't even looking to do this as a business (although it would be a cool profession) but we do enjoy taking pictures and are still learning a lot. She has kindly offered to let us "second shoot" a family portrait session with her and Drew this weekend and even offered to let us tag along for a wedding just to experience it!

Okay - that's it for now. I don't want to freak Maria out with all of my blog love for her but seriously - hire her. I know some of you are getting married out there and if you live in the Baltimore/DC area, HIRE MARIA. Her prices are fabulous considering what you are getting with that deal. Actually - you don't even need to be getting married. Just hire her.

HIRE MARIA!