February Special, we have done these special for the past 5 or 6 years and everyone loves the images. You can reserve your session with just a $10 reservation fee. Call the studio with your credit card ready. There will be day and evening appointments available. More to come about special sale products like canvas gallery wraps and canvas composite storyboards.

Ben & Erin - Page 3-4

Model Search Class of 2014

Here's a preview of my Senior Model Class of 2014. I am searching for members of the class of 2014 who would like to be models. The program will be very different this year. I am looking for energetic people who want the BEST senior portraits for themselves and are willing to work hard at spreading the word to their friends about Savarino Studio.

What will you get?  All of your sessions are FREE. There will be many different sessions with various styles and as many outfits as you wish. There will be an up front commitment deposit of $100 which will go towards your package. You will pay regular prices for your senior portraits. You will get "Model Cards" to give to your friends or anyone who you feel are honestly interested in having me create their senior portraits. For every card that is returned to us, you will receive $40. If you haven't placed your order yet, you will receive payment as a credit towards your portrait order. If you have already paid for your order, you will receive actual checks for your referrals. Online applications for the "Senior Model" program will be available soon.

Second Page of Erin & Ben

Here's the second page of Erin and Ben's album. I have about 8 spreads done. I'll post them all when I can.

Weddings

Here's the first page of a wedding album that I am designing. I just did this page tonight. I have many more to go, but I think this is a good start.

Erin and Ben Bestic, August 18, 2012

I just updated my wedding webpage too. Weddings by Dave Savarino

Hey Monessen Seniors !!!

We just got word today that the Monessen yearbook deadline is December 19. We can still meet that deadline if you are photographed this week or next week. Call TODAY to make your appointment. You can select your yearbook pose immediately after your session.

Check out the NEW $99 Senior portraits.  LOOK Here :)

$ 99 Senior Portraits !!!

Introducing a new concept in affordable high school senior portraits. For just $99 you will receive three 8x10 gift selections from one outfit. A "Gift Selection" is either an 8x10 or 2 - 5x7, or 8 wallets. If you are wanting only a yearbook pose it will only cost $99 plus tax. Add a second outfit and three more gift selections for another $99, a third outfit for $99 and 3 more gift selections. You create the package that you need and suits your budget.

These are called "Express Collections". That means that you will see your images just a few minutes after your session. You will select your poses and your customized package immediately. Normal delivery time will be one or two days.

I will be experimenting with this concept during the next few months. If it is well accepted, this is how I will be pricing senior portraits next senior season for the Class of 2014. Although most of these sessions will be in the studio, it is conceivable that outdoor sessions can also work for immediate viewing.

NEW !!! $99 Portraits !

Coming Very Soon!  $99 Portraits for ALL genres!  Families $99, . . . Children $99, . . .  High School Seniors $99, . . .  Portraits of Seniors (Senior Citizens) $99, . . .

I will be testing the marketing for the next four months with new, lower, special pricing. You can have the same Savarino Studio quality for just $99. Stay tuned for more info.

Portraits of "Seniors"

For the past decade, I have been know for my "Senior Portraits", that is portraits of high school seniors. Today I am introducing my new product line, Portraits of "Seniors", that is senior citizens. Here is a classic black and white portrait of our family friend Maxine Hollowood. I believe that I have captured her personality in this portrait.

I am officially asking for models for my "Portraits of Seniors". Please tell all your "senior" friends that there is no session fee. The portrait creation session is "no charge". If there is something that you like, there is a special seniors price schedule.

I'll Be Home For Christmas"

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" Family Portrait Special

Your whole family will be home for Christmas. What better time to have a Professional "Classic" Family Portrait created by David Savarino, Master Photographer? Either "classic" or "casual", you pick it. Call me at 724.258.6206. Appointments available between Christmas and New Years to accommodate you. The Hyita Family Casual attire.

http://www.savarino-studio.com/facebook/home_for_xmas_casual.htm

By Appointment ONLY. . .

I have been photographing in my studio for over forty years. I always felt that someone needed to be there to answer the phone or greet walk in clients. Well, I have discovered, after forty years, that there are VERY FEW walk in clients. Most of my clients call ahead to tell me they are coming in for something.

My photography has always been by appointment since I have to know ahead to set up for a session. If it's a family, I have to set up the camera room for as family. If it's a high school senior, I have to prepare for a senior. So, every session is a custom session. My studio is not like WalMart or the picture people. My sessions are all SPECIAL.

When you call for a portrait session, I want to know what your thoughts are, what you want as a final product. I want to guide you as to what type of clothing is best so that I can create something special and unique for you.

I have figured out that I do not need to be here every hour of the day. If I do not have a session, I do not have to be here. SO, I have finally decided to adjust my operating style to "BY APPOINTMENT ONLY".

Please call ahead. If I am not in the studio, I plan to have my calls forwarded to my cell phone, BUT, in the event I can not answer, or if I am on the line with another client, the phone will go to voice mail. AHHHHH, VOICE MAIL. What a concept! Do you know that more than half the people who call me DO NOT leave a message! What good is it? Rather than call back, PLEASE leave me a message so I can call you when I am better prepared to help you. PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE. I will call you back.

SAVARINO STUDIO        724.258.6206

Steeler Family Portraits

What a way to show off your Steeler Family!  Put on your Steeler Jerseys and have a Savarino Family portrait created! The basic special package includes your session, View and order minutes after the session, Three 8 x 10 Portraits and Eight Wallets Portraits. There is also special pricing on all Wall Portraits, Wall Collages, and Christmas cards. The complete basic package is $99. Call today 724.258.6206.

The Savarino Studio is now open by appointment only. Day or evening sessions are available. CALL TODAY.

The Borodaty Family - Lana & Dennis and the Grandchildren

Here's another branch of the Borodaty Family tree. The two young grandparents and their grandchildren. This is what a family group portrait is supposed to look like.

The Borodaty Family - All the Grand Kids

Here's the next generation of the Borodaty Family Tree. All the beautiful grand kids!

The Borodaty Family - Tricia's Family

Here is the next branch of the Borodaty Family. Daughter, Tricia and her beautiful family. They reside in South Carolina.

The Borodaty Family - Greg's Family

Here is another branch of the Borodaty Family Tree. Son, Greg and his beautiful family, reside in Thousand Oaks, California.

The Borodaty Family - A Family Tree

Here is the beginning of the family. Mother, Father, Daughter and Son, this is a David Savarino family portrait. Beautiful lighting, so you can see every detail in everyone's face. Creative posing, that makes the family be together.

I recently photographed a 50th Wedding Anniversary party of a couple whose children's weddings I photographed years ago. It was a surprise party and the children took their families to the picture people in the mall. These photographs were displayed at the party. When I saw them, I choked! The lighting was horrible. You could almost NOT see the faces. The posing was worse. It looked to me that the people were told to just sit where they wanted. I can't believe that people pay good money for this stuff. I just don't get it.

I would love to do those portraits! By the way, they are not even retouched.

This image is the beginning of the family tree. I will post each component of the family as I get them retouched and show you what REAL PROFESSIONAL Portraits look like.

I will be featuring family portraiture between now and Christmas at SPECIAL pricing. Call the studio to make your family portrait appointment. Evenings are available.

This is Amazing !!!

Welcome Brandi Duvuvei !

I am happy to welcome Charleroi Class of 2013, Brandi Duvuvei as our newest Senior Rep. I will have the pleasure of photographing Brandi on Monday. I am looking forward to a great session.

During my busy week of photographing Senior Reps I also had to babysit Susan's young Springer "Remy". That's 1 year old Remy on the left and his uncle 10 year old Reily on the right. They had a fun week together.

The dates for bunny portraits have been reduced to only 2 days, Friday March 9 and Saturday March 10. Now you can schedule your session on our Facebook page. Look on the left side for "Schedule Now" to make your appointment. Then call the studio on Monday to pay the $20 session fee.

Today's Session - Nicolette Hardison

I just photographed Nicolette on Monday afternoon. This is her mom's favorite. I still need Senior Reps from Charleroi High School.

Class of 2013 Senior Reps

I did my first senior rep session last Friday with Taylor Carter from Monessen High School. Taylor did a great job. Beautiful smile. She's already on facebook and has 80+ "Likes". Keep on going Taylor! I'll have senior rep cards for you very soon.

How about this wood floor!

I love this look. This coming senior season is going to produce some really awesome portraits. I'm going all out for totally NEW looks.

Another new background

Here's Passion again with another new 8 way background. This my favorite.

ALL NEW BACKGROUNDS

I just received two new backgrounds this morning. This is one that can be used 8 different ways. This is a portrait of Monessen Class of 2012 senior Passion Harrison. Way cool background!

Shannon in the Loft.

Our exclusive loft makes for unique and especially beautiful natural lighting. It's really hard to believe that this image is natural window light.

Another great studio outfit.

Super Saturday Session!

Wow!  I had an exciting, energetic session on Saturday with Shannon Robison, Ringgold Class of 2012 senior. Shannon waited until now to do an extended session. I did her yearbook poses during the summer. She is involved in the Ringgold Marching Band and Ringgold Volleyball, so she was really busy.

We did a really great studio session. This was her first outfit. What a classy pose. Isn't that red hair just beautiful!

"The Classic Collection" for Your Wedding

This used to be my most popular wedding package. I have done quite a number of these over the years. The "Classic Collection" as shown here, is a "basic documentary" package with six hours of coverage. Well here's a SPECIAL offering. If you book your wedding with me before April 30, (the wedding can be for any future date) I will give you unlimited coverage with my total documentary coverage. In other words, this will be the same as my "Fine Art Collection" but the album will be a 10 x 10 with 90 images.


What a GREAT deal for $2,995 !!!

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY the best thing . . .

to happen to photography and the WORST thing to happen to photographers. I've been saying this for the last couple of years. As a matter of fact, this is my statement. I coined this phrase. "Digital is the best thing to happen to photography and the worst thing to happen to photographers." Dave Savarino

What do I mean? Digital capture is like comparing High Definition TV to an old black & white TV. The resolution, image quality is the best that I have seen in my 40 years as a professional photographer. I have seen it all. I printed my own photographs in the darkroom for many years. Now I still print my own images, but on archival inkjet printers. These images will last a hundred years compared to the 15 to 25 years printed in the darkroom. Yes, the quality of photography is many times better since digital photography appeared.

Why is it the worst thing to happen to photographers? Everybody who buys a camera thinks that they can do the same that I can do. The photography industry is changing so rapidly. I really don't know where it is going to go from here.

It has taken 40 years for me to accumulate the knowledge of photography that I have today. Lighting, posing, composition and how to process the image. It's not all that easy.

I'm going back to the studio. Classic portraiture.   MODELS WANTED !!!

Do You Remember the Family Scrapbook?

I can still remember the old photo album that my mother had with the family photos of days gone by. All my aunts and uncles, my grandparents when they were young, and the snapshots from family holidays were all there in that book. There was also an old shoebox filled with loose black & white photographs. Of course, all the photos were black & white.

I can't help thinking about the future. How about 10 years from now or 20 years? Will you have a family photo album? or the old shoebox full of photos. I'll bet not.

I am shocked at how many weddings that I have photographed in the past year that the bride only wanted a CD with the images and no album. Think about how fast technology has moved in the last 10 years. First the home computer used 5 1/4" floppy discs. GONE. Then it was the 3 1/2" floppy discs. GONE. What about the home computer you had 5 years ago that has since crashed and all the data on that obsolete hard drive is gone. Oh yes, you backed it up onto CD's. How long will those be readable?

Photographs, photographic prints are timeless. When properly cared for, they will last for generations, even in an old shoebox. Something to think about.

Doggy and the Deer, they are best friends.

I was visiting my cousin today. She needed some computer help. When I was there she received an email from her girlfriend in Utah which led to this link. If you are an animal lover or a dog lover, you will love this. http://www.dogwork.com/ddsff4/

Enjoy,
Dave

A Composite Sample

This a NEW product for the Bunny Portraits.

More than just Bunnies!

We will be offering multi-pose composites this so there will be a variety of closeups too! These closeups are timeless so they are not just for Easter.

Live Bunny Dates

OK. Here are the tentative dates for our Live Bunny portraits for this year. Since there were some requests for a Saturday, we are including one Saturday this year. The portraits will start on Friday, March 9; Saturday, March 10 and then carry over to Monday, March 12, and Tuesday, March 13.

The Bunnies are coming!

I have had so many inquiries as to whether we are going to do the live bunny portraits again this year. The answer is YES, YES, YES.

I am planning on extending the event over a 2 week period including one Saturday. Check back for the exact dates in March.

Another Favorite

This Garman Family portrait is a perfect example of my style of family portraiture. I love coordinated clothing and a fun interacting pose.

My Favorite Family Portrait

In my 40 years experience I always have my favorite images. Not because they are technically superior, but because they achieve the goal that I was working toward.

The Marshall Marra family portrait is displayed above the mantle in my reception area because I think it is one of the best family portraits that I have created. I will show you more of my favorites here on the blog.

Working on the studio

I have been spending the last few weeks reworking the studio for the upcoming season. I'm creating new sets and backgrounds. I can't wait to try new things this year. I going to use our NEW Senior Reps as models for the new backgrounds. I already have the new hats and headbands for infants.

It's going to be a great year!

My Daughter's Wedding

This has been a long time coming, but I'm sure you would understand that family work is always last. My daughter Susan was married on September 25, 2010. So who does the photography at a photographer's daughter's wedding?

I happen to belong to Triangle Photographer's Association and the Professional Photographer's of Pennsylvania as well as the Professional Photographers of America. I am proud to say that I serve as a board member on both Triangle and PPA of PA, and I serve as a councilman of the PPA. I have many friends in the photography industry.

Two of my very dearest friends agreed to photograph my daughter's wedding it was a fabulous day. Being on the "other side of the camera" was really cool. Pati and Bill Livengood of "Photography by Pati" and Gerry Solan of "Gerard Photography" were my photographers. I am so happy to have these true professionals as my dear friends. I owe both of them wedding photography for their children. "Thank you, Pati, Bill, and Gerry!"

I designed this album using the beautiful images created by my friends. I have to say it was a challenge because there are over 200 images used in the design. It took a few months.
Here's a link to the album as a slideshow. http://savarino-studio.com/Website%20Page/Wedding%20Page/Susan_Derek/Susan.html

Please enjoy!