Originally from Long Island, Michael Stahl took a job in Fairfield, NJ 30 years ago, which made him, and his wife Wendy, decide to look for a home in NJ. One May weekend, they drove down Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair and when they passed Edgemont Park, they knew Montclair was the town for them. They’ve been in town ever since, raising two children who attended the public schools.
Photography was Michael’s hobby so he built a darkroom in his house. While developing a photo he took of his dog, he thought he was on to something— photographing people’s pets. Best Friend Photography was born, originally focusing on our “best friends,” but quickly morphing into provided families with gorgeous memories for the past 11 years. First in their home studio on Valley, then to Church Street, Best Friend Photography is excited to open its new studio on Midland Avenue.
A spacious, loft-like, beautifully decorated space (thanks to Wendy’s design background), the Midland Avenue studio offers a spot for comfortable photo sessions and consultations at the boutique photography studio. I toured the studio yesterday and had a chance to talk to Michael and Wendy about their business and hometown.
Michael explained that families are the majority of work, whether it’s with small children or generational. There is a studio fee for the shoot, which usually takes about an hour, but they allow for plenty of time so everyone can relax and not feel rushed. The next step is having the family meet at the studio for a consultation where they see the shots shown on video. Michael specializes in black and white portraits, but also shoots in color. Michael and Wendy then work with the family to decide which photos to print, whether to frame them or print them on canvas and Wendy will even go to your home to see which size and format works best.
Michael said that the range of prices for it all can be from $1,500 to a couple of thousand, depending on how many people are photographed and how many prints are ordered.
They were both so excited to have the large studio on Midland Avenue. Being on Church Street was a great location, but the new space allows for a more comfortable work space.
The Stahl’s love Montclair, so I had to ask them some “favorite” questions:
Baristanet: What’s your favorite restaurant in town?
Michael: I’d have to say Samba.
Wendy: And Uncle Moustache!
B: Best place to get coffee?
M: We grind our own at home, but we do love Red Eye Cafe.
B: Favorite place in Montclair?
M: Edgemont Park, especially since it was what brought us to Montclair.
W: We also like Eagle Rock Reservation where we bring our dogs for walk.
M: On leash!
Best Friend Photography
11 Midland Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042
A great portrait photographer. Highly recommended.
Excellent work, beautiful prints, very talented photographer!
Cary
What’s with the next to last photo in the article? The one that shows the floor.
Sooner or later
Everything must hit the floor
Gravity’s a bitch.
Nice advertisement…
Michael and Wendy are wonderful people who are great to work with. Michael is a truly talented artist with his photography. I wish them the best of luck in their new space.