Manually Focused - Maria Sabala Photo Blog

A Positive Public Breastfeeding Experience

2009-12-21T13:25:00.002-05:00

So this has nothing to do with photography, but I have to take a few minutes to comment on a postive public breastfeeding experience I had today. I hear a lot about negative experiences nursing a toddler in public, but rarely do I hear anything positive. I thought this needed to be noted somewhere, so why not here?

Today I took my son Owen to a nearby hospital to get blood drawn. The older he gets, the more difficult it becomes to keep him calm during blood draws. He cried as he watched the nurse slide the needle into his arm. As the blood started flowing down into the tube he was screaming, "Go bye bye car!" His face and chest were turning red and he continued to scream as I tried to console him along with the three nurses in the room. They offered stickers and toys and I promised goldfish crackers when we were done. I knew what would make him feel better, but the chair we were in just wasn't big enough. He hid his sobbing, wet face in my neck and I smothered him with kisses, the best I could do in that confining chair.

We finished up and I took my crying son to the waiting room. I offered him the goldfish I promised, but he pushed them back to me, tears streaming down his face. I asked him if he wanted milk and just the sound of that word calmed him slightly.

At the time, there was no one else in the waiting room, so I snuggled up with him on the couch. He nursed and the crying ceased in mere seconds. I was happy to still be able to offer something so soothing for him. I swear it's like magic.

Just then an older gentleman and young college woman walked into the room. He smiled and she sat near us despite the wide open room. The man turned the television so I could see better, insisting that I needed a better view. Then a nurse approached to ask Owen's birthday so she could verify it for the bloodwork. When Owen finished nursing and we were getting ready to leave, he ran over to the young woman and asked her to color with him. He handed her a blue-green crayon. She was happy to do so and commented on how adorable he is as he swapped crayons with her a few times.

No one mentioned the fact that I was nursing. No one looked away. No one seemed uncomfortable. No one gave unsolicited advice about when I should wean my child. There in that room, nursing a toddler two weeks shy of his second birthday was normal to all that could see.

It gives me hope that there are secret supporters out there of breastfeeding. I had expected the worst and got the opposite. I always hear about mothers' bad experiences nursing their toddlers in public here in the U.S. where it just isn't the norm. I'm happy to report that today in that hospital waiting room, it was normal.

In love with canvas prints!

2009-12-01T14:56:00.011-05:00

So I'm totally in love with canvas prints now, as if I wasn't already! I thought I'd snap some pictures of my latest order so you can see how awesome these canvases are! They come gallery wrapped, with hanging gear and rubber bumpers to protect your wall. Just unwrap it and hang it up!

NEW Products! Just Added!

2009-11-14T14:26:00.002-05:00

These will make great Christmas gifts!

Calendars:
8x10, single page, 12-month view - $12
8.5x11, 12-month, 12-page calendar, spiral bound - $45
12x18, 12-month, 12-page calendar, spiral bound at top - $45

Puzzles:
4x6 (20 pieces) - $18
8x12 (50 pieces) - $35
12x18 (300 pieces) - $50

Keychains:
1.75x2.5" double-sided in clear acrylic frame - $5

Magnets:
3x4.5" (sold individually) - $9
2x3.5" (sold in sets of 2) - $9

Playing cards:
Clear-coated deck of photo playing cards - $30

Return address labels:
Sets of 140 - $40

Mini-Sessions this Sat. Oct. 24th!

2009-10-22T13:42:00.004-04:00

Get updated family or kids' pictures now and be ready for the holidays!

When: Maria Sabala Photography will be hosting another wonderful series of mini-sessions on Saturday, October 24th (weather permitting). The available session times are 9:00 AM, 9:40 AM and 5:00 PM.

Where: I will meet you at the covered bridge beside the Olmsted Falls library. Ask me for directions if you need them! In addition to the covered bridge, this great location boasts trails, trees, rocks, hillside steps, a river, giant rocks to sit or climb upon and more!

Cost: Only $30!!!! Your $30 session fee will give you 30 minutes of shooting and at least 10 pictures in a 2-week online proofing gallery that you can share with family and friends.

*****PLEASE NOTE: Mini sessions must be paid in full to book the session time. If weather does not cooperate, session fee will transfer to another day/ time. If client fails to show or does not cancel within 48 hours, fee is non-refundable.

Prints: May be ordered at any time during your 2-week proofing time. Fees apply for re-posting gallery. Print prices are listed on www.MariaSabalaPhotography.com

Email now to book your mini-session! MariaGSabala@yahoo.com

Can't Keep These a Secret Any Longer!!!

2009-10-10T09:21:00.009-04:00

Here are my holiday card designs for this year!!!! There may be more later, since I'm having soooo much fun making them. But here's the first 32! :)

First Mini-Session Series October 13th

2009-10-06T14:54:00.001-04:00

Get updated family or kids' pictures now and be ready for the holidays!

When: Maria Sabala Photography will be hosting the first series of mini-sessions on Tuesday, October 13th (weather permitting). The available session times are 5:00 PM, 5:40 PM, and 6:20PM.

Where: I will meet you at the covered bridge beside the Olmsted Falls library. Ask me for directions if you need them! In addition to the covered bridge, this great location boasts trails, trees, rocks, hillside steps, a river, giant rocks to sit or climb upon and more!

Cost: Only $30!!!! Your $30 session fee will give you 30 minutes of shooting and at least 10 pictures in a 2-week online proofing gallery that you can share with family and friends.

*****PLEASE NOTE: Mini sessions must be paid in full to book the session time. If weather does not cooperate, session fee will transfer to another day/ time. If client fails to show or does not cancel within 48 hours, fee is non-refundable.

Prints: May be ordered at any time during your 2-week proofing time. Fees apply for re-posting gallery. Print prices are listed on www.MariaSabalaPhotography.com

Exclusive Maria Sabala Photography holiday card designs will be available within the next 1-2 weeks! Prices range from $1.25 to $2.25 per card, minimum of 25 cards.

Announcing NEW Session Packages!

2009-10-01T10:04:00.002-04:00

Deluxe session $225 (sale price $200 through Nov. 30, 2009)
- 1-2 hours of shooting
- Minimum of 35 proofs
- You choose the location (within 20 miles of 44138, additional miles charged at $0.55/ mi.)
- Your choice of one 8x10 print
- CD of proofs with printing rights for 4x6's (print, email or use on social networking sites!)
- 2-week online proofing gallery to share with family and friends
- Additional prints sold individually at regular prices listed on site
- Great option for scrapbookers who want to make lots of thier own 4x6 prints, especially for baby books!

Standard session - $125
- 1-2 hours of shooting
- Minimum of 35 proofs
- You choose the location (within 20 miles of 44138, additional miles charged at $0.55/ mi.)
- 2-week online proofing gallery to share with family and friends
- All prints sold individually at regular prices listed on site
- Best option for those wanting to decorate their homes with high quality professional prints, canvases and books!

Mini session - $30
- Mini sessions will be offered on limited days as chosen by photographer
- Mini sessions will take place at a location of photographer's choosing
- Must be paid in full in advance to secure session date and time. Fee is forfeited if not canceled at least 48 hours in advance or if client fails to show for session.
- Sessions will begin and end promptly because multiple sessions will be booked back-to-back.
- Minimum of 10 proofs
- 2-week online proofing gallery
- Mini session dates and times will be announced regularly on blog and Facebook, and occasionally through special emails.
- Perfect option for those looking to get just a few nice family portraits to hang on the wall or for holiday cards!
- Sorry! Absolutely NO discounts on mini session fee. Gift certificates from monthly giveaways may NOT be used for mini sessions or print purchases arising from mini sessions.

***Website will be updated soon to reflect these new offerings.

Have you seen my new website?

2009-09-02T12:23:00.002-04:00

My webmaster - Ethan Sabala - has redesigned my website and added some fabulous new features!

Most exciting, an online proofing gallery! You'll get your proofs faster than ever and be able to share your login information with family and friends so they can easily see your pictures. (CD's have been discontinued.)

Every gallery is packed full of new and wonderful pictures!

NEW product offerings: Gallery wrapped canvases, spiral-bound flip books and GORGEOUS hard cover, soft suede coffee table books. Check out the "About Prints and Products" section for all the info!

New "Community" tab lists the charity organizations I currently support either personally or professionally.

Enjoy looking around!
Maria

Two More Days to Win Big!

2009-08-23T19:47:00.002-04:00

Could this month's gift certificate be worth $100?! You can't win if you don't enter. Email your name, mailing address and email address to MariaGSabala@yahoo.com to enter. It's easy! You could win $25, $50 or even $100! The next drawing is on August 25th. Here are the rules:

1. You can only win one gift certificate per calendar year, per household.
2. Awarded certificates expire 12 months after date of issue.
3. Gift certificates are non-transferable.
4. Awarded certificates may be used to pay for session fees and prints, but not other photo products.

Enter now! Good luck!

Brand New Family, Outdoor Pics

2009-07-28T12:00:00.000-04:00

Newborn Nestled in Cocoon

2009-07-27T12:00:00.003-04:00

Brand New Family - Congratulations!

2009-07-26T12:00:00.002-04:00

Caution!!! Tiny, cute newborn in a tutu!!! Very cute!

2009-07-25T12:00:00.001-04:00

Outdoor Family Pictures

2009-07-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Whole Family!

2009-07-23T12:00:00.003-04:00

What a beautiful family! And so fun to work with. Not to mention great friends. :) Enjoy the pics, guys!

I gotta get one of these blankets!

2009-07-22T12:00:00.002-04:00

I love the texture of these bubbly blankets... I must have one - or two. One blue and one pink, of course. On my list. This one belongs to Audrey. :)

Audrey in Pink Tutu

2009-07-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

Enter Now to Win a Gift Certificate on July 25th!

2009-07-20T12:23:00.002-04:00

On the 25th of each month, I have a drawing for a Maria Sabala Photography gift certificate worth $25, $50 or $100. There are still two $100 gift certificates up for grabs. It could be this month! And it could be you!

It's easy to enter. Just email me at MariaGSabala@yahoo.com with the following information: first and last name, mailing address and email address.

There are only three simple rules.
1. You can only win one gift certificate per calendar year, per household.
2. Awarded certificates expire 12 months after date of issue.
3. Gift certificates are non-transferable.

Welcoming the New

2009-07-20T12:00:00.003-04:00

This sweet baby girl is Audrey, the new little sister of Jack, from my very FIRST blog post (the tiny, adorable feet in his mom's hands). As you can imagine, I was so excited to be able to photograph Audrey and the rest of the family. We had a wonderful day with everyone and got some beautiful pictures, too.

Oh, and she's modeling my new cream-colored cocoon. Audrey was the original model for the gray one as well.

The thinker...

Little Boy and His Tag-A-Long Friends

2009-07-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

Oh-So-Cute, Big Brother and Little Sister

2009-07-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

In Spite of the Weather

2009-07-17T12:00:00.002-04:00

We did not have good luck with the weather and had to reschedule this shoot twice - once for me being "under the weather" with the flu and another time because it was pouring big time. Then on picture day we dealt with a soggy ground and a sky that was too overcast, but I managed to get some super cute pictures, anyway. You can't stop me from taking cute pictures of cute babies!

What Began as a Mistake Made a Cool Prop in the End

2009-07-16T12:00:00.001-04:00

This red fuzzy "blankie" was originally meant to be a scarf and was started by my sister. Then, I tried my best to turn it into a "hammock" but did not succeed at that, either. That's ok, it turned out to be a really cool blankie to lay babies on. Especially one with dark hair and eyes like this one. The color and the texture give it a dimension not seen before in my pictures. I like it.

Just a Little Softie, Newborn Baby Skin

2009-07-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

Sweetly Sleeping, Hand-Knit Gray Cocoon with Irresistable Occupant

2009-07-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, I can't get over how cute this baby is. Seriously. I know I say this about every baby I photograph, but I actually think it! Maybe it's because I get to know them so well through the hours of editing their pictures, making each shot as perfect as I can. Oh yeah, and I really just LOVE babies! Ok, on to the pics.