Vail was amazing to work with. She picked up on my first call and quickly explained her services…read moreand which might be the best for my use case. The shoot went great, she was super receptive to what I was looking for and immediately knew how to get the affect. On top of that she's just a great human, making the whole process enjoyable. Very happy with my shots, I wanted something a little more experimental than a simple headshot for an editorial piece and she nailed it.

From a quick response to my inquiry, to explaining the process and giving great instructions while…read morein front of the camera, Vail is an all-around professional. I had trepidation about having a headshot done but Vail calmed my nerves and the session was great! I'm SO happy with the finished photos! If you need a professional headshot, hire Vail. DO it, you'll be amazed at the result.

Working with Kris Ventresco of Starlight Photography was one of the best decisions we made during…read moreour wedding planning process. From our engagement session to the big day itself, Kris was a total professional--talented, patient, and incredibly easy to work with. He has a remarkable ability to put people at ease, which made our sessions feel natural and relaxed, even when we were feeling nervous (and awkward) in front of the camera. Kris has an incredible eye for detail and composition, capturing not only beautiful portraits but also the candid, in-between moments that truly tell the story of the day. Our engagement photos felt authentic and personal. Every image was full of emotion, light, and artistry and he managed to capture all of the joy, laughter, and love. We cannot wait to see our wedding photos, but we already know that they are going to be amazing! Kris was an absolute joy to have around on our wedding day. He was calm, organized, and blended in effortlessly with our guests, all while capturing everything perfectly. He truly went above and beyond to make sure we felt comfortable and supported throughout the entire process. We are so grateful to have had Kris document such an important moment in our lives. If you're looking for a photographer who is both gifted and genuinely kind, we can't recommend Kris Ventresco of Starlight Photography highly enough.

In a world of "selfies" it's easy to forget the importance of professional photographers. But rest…read moreassured, John is adding value back into the position. From the first moment of contact, John was professional and knowledgeable. He made every person who's gone to him feel comfortable and confident. His studio is absolutely charming and his talent is irrefutable. Our business card photos came out PERFECT. We won't use another company or photographer again!

I had to get a professional headshot for my company's website and Maura came highly recommended by…read more3 different people (my hair stylist and 2 different makeup artists). She does a great job with the photographs but also making clients feel comfortable knowing that it is not a natural thing for those of us who are generally uncomfortable with our picture being taken. Her rates are VERY reasonable. She does a combination of oufits/jewelry, hair in front/to the side, indoors/outdoors. I haven't received the finished product yet but even the proofs came out nice! Tips I learned from getting my photograph taken: yes to getting my hair done and makeup professionally done. If you have long hair, wear some photos of your hair framing your face and keep it simple with the clothing - solid color and textures don't always translate. Also, keep jackets buttoned up as they can gape in an unflattering manner if you are a female with a chest. These tips have nothing to do with Maura's skill at taking photographs (she is, indeed, very skilled) but more to do with you doing your part to ensure a good end result. She is renowned for her editing abilities so I can't wait to get the final photographs but the unedited ones were really good and I am as unphotogenic as they come. If I ever need to take a professional photograph in the future, I wouldn't hesitate to contact Maura. She was very pleasant to work with and talented at her craft. Her rates were very reasonable ($225 for over an hr photo shoot and 5 edited photogpraphs)!

Maura from Abbey Knoll is excellent!! She did our son's senior portraits and they came out amazing!…read moreWe had such a hard time choosing our favorites. She was friendly and has a great eye, she was even great with 104lb Rottweiler Queen. We even referred her to other family members for their senior photos as well!! We highly recommend her and we will definitely be trusting her for other photos in the future!

I booked a session for my mother's 70th birthday. Sarah was amazing! Her direction was great and…read morethe final project was fantastic. Can't say enough good things, had a really great time!

As the parent of a toddler and newborn, I really wanted to capture some great photos of the kids…read more Whenever we walked down Main Street we always noticed, even prior to having kids, the beautiful photos in the window at The Studio by the Sea. We scheduled a session with Sarah, the owner, when our son was just a few weeks old. Of course, during the session, the baby wanted to eat again and our toddler wanted to run around. It was chaos but Sarah didn't flinch and got some beautiful photos. Our recent photo shoot was a family shoot on the beach. It was amazing! We got some great posed shots, but Sarah lives up to her calling as a photographer of life. She caputred the kids playing, enjoying the ocean and really stamped the moments in time. She is patient, loves working with kids and goes the extra mile to be sure the photos are amazing! Her rates are reasonable and her talent is amazing!

Last week, I went to the Opening Reception for the South Shore Art Center's current Media Mix…read moreexhibition (one of my pieces is in the show!) What a lovely evening! And, crowded, too -the entire gallery space was packed! There was food, beer, wine, live jazz music, awards, and lots of beautiful artwork! :) If you have never been, there are basically 2 main gallery spaces, the Bancroft Gallery & the Dillon Gallery. The Bancroft gallery is the larger space where Media Mix is being shown. I like this space very much! It has large walls on one side of it, and shorter walls on the other side with ample lighting. The walls seem to be some kind of upholstered plywood which makes for easy positioning of paintings. (No worrying about hiding nail holes!) There is also a hardwood floor which makes the entire space look modern and clean. The Dillon Gallery is smaller and darker. There was an exhibit of Italian paintings in there, which I enjoyed very much! This was really my first involvement with the South Shore Art Center, but overall, it seems to be a great place to view and learn about art! Everyone I met there is very friendly, and happy to meet local artists. It is also located in a beautiful town! I highly recommend stopping by to take a peek: http://blog.thelonebeader.com/2010/03/media-mix-opening-reception.html

From the owner: Art education for adults and children of all levels and abilities. The Artist-in-residence program…read moreis offered to schools in the region, bringing over 1400 4th and 5th graders to the Art Center each year. Rotating exhibitions of contemporary art by regional and national artists. Over 170 Juried Gallery Artists participate in exhibitions in the galleries at South Shore Art Center, the Paul Pratt Library and South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, MA. Annual Arts Festival on Father's Day Weekend draws over 9000 visitors to the three-day event.

My son has been taking dance here for about 3 months and my daughter took violin lessons for about…read more6 months. I am always pleased with the staff and the teachers are great! They have an incredible variety of classes for all ages abd a preschool as well! Looking forward to more dance lessons and possibly art in the future!

From the owner: At the Cape Symphony, our mission is to inspire joy. We do this through outstanding entertainment…read moreand educational programs. Cape Cod's very own professional orchestra, the Cape Symphony, performs at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center in Hyannis. From popular hits to magnificent classics, highlighting hidden gems and putting a new twist on standards, the emphasis is always on fun, surprises, and beautiful music. The Cape Symphony commitment to education for all ages includes private lessons, classes and ensembles at campuses in Barnstable and Falmouth as well as online. Its acclaimed preschool program is known for blending traditional academics with the arts. Through community outreach, the Cape Symphony brings an array of engaging programs to the Cape Cod community.

I took a class with Suzanne Merritt when I was visiting Boston and had a fantastic time. I learned…read morehow to take my camera off automatic and actually learn how to use my camera. Suzanne has a real gift for explaining things and was extremely patient. The workshop was so much fun. We got handouts that I now keep in my camera bag for easy reference. We were given assignments and instructions before each activity. We had time then to practice then gather back as a group. After the class we went for coffee and had an opportunity to share our photos and get feedback from Suzanne. It was the best photography class I've ever had. I can't wait to take another when I return to Boston. I highly recommend the Curious Soul Photo School!

From the owner: Hands on photography classes, photo walks, photo tours, and field trips in Greater Boston…read more Professional, dedicated, experienced instructors. We believe it should be fun and easy to learn how to create beautiful images of Boston. Perfect for visitors and locals who want to learn to use their camera to its full potential while seeing the key sights and neighborhoods. Group size less than 10. Go at your own pace. We go slow to see more and be more connected to the experience, not just get the shot. Discover the beauty of Boston as seen by local professional photographers. Chinatown, North End, South End, Beacon Hill, Boston Gardens, just to name a few of our favorite destinations.