Studio M Portraits co-owners Marvin Hall and Mary Gajda both have full-time jobs in other fields. But their passion for photography makes the long “extra” hours worth it.
“I just love it so much,” Mary says. “We’re so lucky to have partners who can work with our crazy hours.”
Unlike Marvin, who has been behind the camera for some 30 years, Mary caught the photography bug a few years ago when her husband gifted her with a digital camera. She took a few adult education photography classes at Holt High School—but, by her own admission, she wasn’t exactly a natural.
“I was terrible,” she says.
Along the way, though, Mary met Marvin, who gave her a lot of guidance. ey also discovered they shared “a really good work vibe.”
Mary notes that there are a lot of photographers in the market, but relatively few who have a brick-and-mortar operation like Studio M. In addition to proper lighting and equipment, the studio provides a comfortable environment.
“We’re really huge on the whole ‘experience’ aspect,”
The comments—and the photographs—on Studio M’s Facebook page con rm that the experience is a good one. Now entering its third year in business, Studio M specializes in senior portraits, commercial photography, business headshots and weddings. And this past Christmas season, the studio hosted its rst photo session with a certain white-bearded man in red.
Studio M Portraits is at 2006 Cedar Street, #2, Holt, 517.709.3757, studiomportraits.com.