Business & Tech
Photography Business Specializes in Showcasing Cars, Owners
St. Peters photographer Michael Shea specializes in unique photo sessions that feature ultra-cool cars and their proud owners.
Studio 101 is a St. Peters-based photography business. What sets Studio 101 apart from other area photographers is owner Michael Shea’s unique picture-taking style and passion for automobiles.
The photographer has been a lifelong car enthusiast. Shea said he grew up in the muscle car era and anticipated every year when the month of September came along.
“Back in the 60s, September was when the new year model cars hit the road,” he said.
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His business encompasses both of his passions as the shutterbug not only specializes in unique photo sessions that feature ultra-cool cars and their proud owners, but he also snaps pictures at various car shows in the Midwest.
“I try to capture that special angle and style of American Classics," Shea said about his style. "Then I marry the car with its owner and create a piece of artwork."
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Studio 101 offers prints in a wide-range of sizes, from a standard 8x10 size, up to 20x30 poster-sized photos to showcase those special rides.
“I am very partial to the early muscle cars, especially the iconic models, but I like to stay true to my motto: ‘Cars ... if you love 'em, I will photograph 'em,’" Shea said.
Shea said he decided to take the plunge and turn his hobby into a business last year after losing his full-time job as a truck driver.
Shea got his start in photography after he joined the Army in the early 70s. The young soldier was stationed in Virginia away from family and took up photography as a way to avoid boredom in his free time.
“When I got to Vietnam my unit needed someone to record events, and I got the job,” he said.
Shea saw the duty as an opportunity to learn more about photography.
“I got started using film and darkroom processing,” Shea said.
Prior to starting his business, the photographer said from about 2004 through 2008 Shea photographed youth "action" sports.
Shea said he also shoots other photo sessions besides cars and their owners, and he was recently a photographer at an event for The Darryl Strawberry Foundation, which raises autism awareness.
For more information about Studio 101, visit their website or via email: studio101photos@gmail.com.