About Me...References - Monte Photography

2002 Calendar for Cystic Fibrosis

"Most of the photos are by Berkley photographer Maureen Monte, a celebrated portrait maker who last month visited the governor's mansion for her fifth year of snapping the official Christmas card shot of the Engler triplets. Monte charged nothing for the calendar photos. Instead, she recalled a high-school friend who died from Cystic Fibrosis. "I just feel for the families," Monte said. Her calendar shots are bathed in soft light.

- Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press.

Each page of the calendar features softly lit black and white portraits of people afflicted with CF. The shots spanned a year and a half, and Monte was unsure of what the mood would be during each sitting. "They were refreshingly positive," says Monte. And without exception, they all seemed to enjoy the process.

Monte was also unsure of how she would handle the shoots. "I have a tendency to hide behind the lens and not feel the emotions until later," she says. "I focus on the photo, the person, the place and don't actually realize how I felt about it until later."

The average lifespan for a person with CF is 32 years. Just before Christmas, 2002, 25-year-old Josh Sheldon died. He was the April subject of the calendar and Monte calls him a kind, gentle soul. You see that in his eyes in the photograph, she says. His death came just one week before the calendar "kick-off" party Monte hosted at her studio. The calendar raised more than $32,000.

- Conny Coon, The Big Idea

Customer Comments

When I was at IBM, I focused on customer satisfaction with a software product. In my own business, I offer every client the opportunity to rate their experience with me. Over 95% of my clients rate their experience with me as "Excellent". Below are some of my client's thoughts in their own words. Some signed their name, some didn't.

"I cannot imagine how you could improve - every aspect of our experience was fabulous. Thank you for the treasury of pictures. They are priceless!"

"We'll be back with the new baby girl! Thanks!" - Julie

"Maureen - both you and your assistant - Terrific! Worth every penny. Thanks!"

"The entire experience was exceptional; from initial conversation through the process of picking photos - that was the hardest part! Thank you!"

"Your pictures aren't just pictures - they are works of art! Keep up the good work - both of you are great!" - Megan

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