New Website! New Blog! A Contest!

I’m so thrilled to announce that my website/blog/brand have all received a giant makeover! WAHOO!

This has been in the works for a long time. My previous site didn’t really reflect my personality, and (let’s just be honest) it was no secret that my website was outdated and slow. I assure you, that has all changed. Now there are polka dots, so many fresh photographs…and I even found a way to include my love for Dunkin’ Donuts! The URL hasn’t changed – you can check everything out at www.marycostaphotography.com.

I’m forever in debt to a number of people for making this happen. For starters to Jessica Kucinskas, who designed my logo…and the entire site!
She translated all of my late-night rambling emails into a gorgeous creation. Case in point – the graphics she made for the Contact page:
I also adore her design of the Featured Gallery page, where you can check out an entire wedding or photo shoot!
 Secondly, Aileen Cheng is the graphic genius behind the hand-drawn polka dot pattern! She was beyond wonderful to work with. I am amazed at how she created something so me without us ever meeting in person! Truly brilliant.
While beautiful designs are incredible, they would be lost without functionality! Jeff Hayford, programming extraordinaire, made all of this possible. Even if something was a bit of a challenge (like the Things I Love page), Jeff didn’t rest until he figured it out. He and Jess were in constant communication, and their teamwork really blew me away! I am sooo grateful for his patience and hard work, and for his intuitive mind – like how he built a secret pause button underneath the images!
It wouldn’t be right to leave out a few other major players from this thank you list. First off, George. He has been unbelievably supportive throughout this process. His patience and kindness have been endless. He’s held strong and hasn’t let me watch any of my favorite TV shows until this launch was complete (Fringe, here I come!). Let’s not even count the number of times he did the dishes while I was hunched over my laptop! Secondly, to Rebecca – for participating in the mass portfolio sort of 2012, for taking my bio photos (like this one here), and for always cooking amazing dinners. Thirdly, to Jennie – for being brutally honest (in the most loving way), for allowing me to monopolize Jeff’s time for days on end, and for being such a great sounding board. Also – to my family, for listening to this journey from 3,000 miles away and supporting me wholeheartedly every step of the way.

Now that my speech to the Academy is done, it’s time for the….

Here’s what you get: a free two hour portrait or together photo shoot!
Here’s what you have to do:
1) Go to my brand new Facebook Page here.
2) Like it. A lot.

3) Write on the wall with a) your favorite ice cream flavor and b) a photo you love on the new website.

The winner will be picked at random at 6:30pm on Friday, June 29!

Thank you so much to everyone who has given their support – by being in my photographs, by reading this blog, or simply by sending out lots of good vibes.  I’m extremely grateful and can’t wait to see what the future brings!