David J. Cerven
Owner/Photographer
Height? 6'8" (yes, I am, unofficially, the tallest man in Maplewood)
What is your role at Studio Altius? Being the owner, I have several hats I wear...besides photographer, I am head of marketing and sales, lead instructor, graphic designer, ideas guru, IT department, and at times construction worker.
What is your largest area of expertise? While I photograph several types of commercial and portrait jobs, I am known best for my studio and portrait work. This is where I am most at home and in my element.
What is your favorite thing about your new studio? I love the extra space that we have here for shooting.
You are known around here for having an interesting background...wanna share? Hmmm...well sure! I received a music degree from Washington University...I am actually trained as an operatic baritone (my theater training is actually where I developed much of my portrait and lighting technique). I played Basketball and ran Track & Field in college, then coached both at WashU for 6 years after I graduated. I started photography as a full time profession in 2006, running the St. Louis district of a national youth sports photography company (we photographed about 20,000 athletes that year!) I opened up our original location of Studio Altius at the start of 2007 after the company I was with dissolved. I serve as Councilman, Ward 1 of the Maplewood, Missouri City Council. When I was a kid, I really wanted to be either a comedian or a cartoon voice. Get to know me, and you will realize that I haven't given up on it!
When you are not working, what do you like to do? Not working, huh? What is that? Actually, I have a beautiful and silly 1 year old little girl who I love very much and I like to spend as much time with her as possible. I also enjoy working out, playing basketball and volleyball, singing karaoke, and having fun with friends.
Owner/Photographer
Height? 6'8" (yes, I am, unofficially, the tallest man in Maplewood)
What is your role at Studio Altius? Being the owner, I have several hats I wear...besides photographer, I am head of marketing and sales, lead instructor, graphic designer, ideas guru, IT department, and at times construction worker.
What is your largest area of expertise? While I photograph several types of commercial and portrait jobs, I am known best for my studio and portrait work. This is where I am most at home and in my element.
What is your favorite thing about your new studio? I love the extra space that we have here for shooting.
You are known around here for having an interesting background...wanna share? Hmmm...well sure! I received a music degree from Washington University...I am actually trained as an operatic baritone (my theater training is actually where I developed much of my portrait and lighting technique). I played Basketball and ran Track & Field in college, then coached both at WashU for 6 years after I graduated. I started photography as a full time profession in 2006, running the St. Louis district of a national youth sports photography company (we photographed about 20,000 athletes that year!) I opened up our original location of Studio Altius at the start of 2007 after the company I was with dissolved. I serve as Councilman, Ward 1 of the Maplewood, Missouri City Council. When I was a kid, I really wanted to be either a comedian or a cartoon voice. Get to know me, and you will realize that I haven't given up on it!
When you are not working, what do you like to do? Not working, huh? What is that? Actually, I have a beautiful and silly 1 year old little girl who I love very much and I like to spend as much time with her as possible. I also enjoy working out, playing basketball and volleyball, singing karaoke, and having fun with friends.
Shawna Ventimiglia
Studio Manager/Photographer
When people come to Studio Altius, how do they know who you are? When you stop by the studio, I am the one who will usually greet you as you come through the doors with my charming smile :) If you happen to see David first, all you need to do is look down 18 inches and you will most likely see me nearby! I am the spunky chick with the fun hair, making up for my lack of height with my effervescent personality and fashionable attire.
What is your role at Studio Altius? Besides being a photographer, I am responsible for art curation, marketing, scheduling, shoot preparation, image processing, order fulfillment, and overall client service. Everyday you will find me juggling a multitude of upcoming tasks/events/schedule items in my head at one time. David has often referred to me as "the glue" around the studio.
What is your background? I must thank my mother for being a lifetime contributor of my long time love for photography. She had a camera pointed at me from day one and that same Vivitar 602 (which takes 110 film) remains with me today. Many cameras have managed to live and die by my hands since then. I will never forget when my last point and shoot film camera took its last "breath" the summer before college. While I was an undergrad, I shot with a multitude of fun cameras/formats including an 11x14 camera (it had its own room in the photography building!). In 2005, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Savannah College of Art and Design where I earned a BFA in Photography with a Minor in Fashion Design. I have shown my photography in a number of group exhibitions, as well as solo exhibitions both Nationally and Internationally. For the last few years, I have lived in St. Louis, working as both a commercial and fine art photographer. I am still considering graduate school as a part of my future, but haven't settled on when/where I plan to make that happen.
We notice that you have a unique personal style. Can you tell us about your style…and earrings? I love everything about fashion, especially "recycled" clothing and accessories. Earrings? Ummmmm…yeah!?! It started around age 6 when I told my dad I wanted my ears pierced because I wanted to wear "dangle down" earrings. It is quite possible that I now have over 200 pairs of earrings in my collection. Teehee ;)
When you aren't working, what do you like to do? When I do walk away for the eves and some Sundays, I love to try new restaurants with a variety of styles of food and wine whenever possible. Enjoying good conversation and laughing with close friends and family also reside at the top of my list. I also LOVE to dance. A lot.
Random fact? I LOVE to travel. I want to live in another country someday for an extended period of time. I also have three favorite types of foods: Thai, Japanese, and Indian. I love them all equally and can't pick just one favorite.
Studio Manager/Photographer
When people come to Studio Altius, how do they know who you are? When you stop by the studio, I am the one who will usually greet you as you come through the doors with my charming smile :) If you happen to see David first, all you need to do is look down 18 inches and you will most likely see me nearby! I am the spunky chick with the fun hair, making up for my lack of height with my effervescent personality and fashionable attire.
What is your role at Studio Altius? Besides being a photographer, I am responsible for art curation, marketing, scheduling, shoot preparation, image processing, order fulfillment, and overall client service. Everyday you will find me juggling a multitude of upcoming tasks/events/schedule items in my head at one time. David has often referred to me as "the glue" around the studio.
What is your background? I must thank my mother for being a lifetime contributor of my long time love for photography. She had a camera pointed at me from day one and that same Vivitar 602 (which takes 110 film) remains with me today. Many cameras have managed to live and die by my hands since then. I will never forget when my last point and shoot film camera took its last "breath" the summer before college. While I was an undergrad, I shot with a multitude of fun cameras/formats including an 11x14 camera (it had its own room in the photography building!). In 2005, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Savannah College of Art and Design where I earned a BFA in Photography with a Minor in Fashion Design. I have shown my photography in a number of group exhibitions, as well as solo exhibitions both Nationally and Internationally. For the last few years, I have lived in St. Louis, working as both a commercial and fine art photographer. I am still considering graduate school as a part of my future, but haven't settled on when/where I plan to make that happen.
We notice that you have a unique personal style. Can you tell us about your style…and earrings? I love everything about fashion, especially "recycled" clothing and accessories. Earrings? Ummmmm…yeah!?! It started around age 6 when I told my dad I wanted my ears pierced because I wanted to wear "dangle down" earrings. It is quite possible that I now have over 200 pairs of earrings in my collection. Teehee ;)
When you aren't working, what do you like to do? When I do walk away for the eves and some Sundays, I love to try new restaurants with a variety of styles of food and wine whenever possible. Enjoying good conversation and laughing with close friends and family also reside at the top of my list. I also LOVE to dance. A lot.
Random fact? I LOVE to travel. I want to live in another country someday for an extended period of time. I also have three favorite types of foods: Thai, Japanese, and Indian. I love them all equally and can't pick just one favorite.
David Rabon
Sales Manager/Photographer
What do you like most about Studio Altius? Lack of attitude except in the product the studio creates for its clients. Everyone is very easy to work with and understands that it's not "all about me", it's about giving the client the image or images they come to us for time and time again. Every photograph conveys a feeling, a message, or and attitude, and that's what we are all about.
What is your role at Studio Altius? My title is Sales Manager/Photographer. My job is to let everyone out there know that Studio Altius is the place to bring your business with the confidence that we will produce quality images on time to your specifications.
Tell us about your background. Born in St. Louis, I became interested in photography in high school. I am pretty much self-taught. I studied fashion and product photography by looking at magazines and figuring out lighting i.e. shadows and highlights and trial and error from that point on. I also learn everyday from my friends in the business. I am old school while trying to incorporate a little new cool!
How did you get to be such a nice guy? Golly gee, as the scorpion said in that old joke, it's my nature!
Where can someone get a taste of time and sweet honey? There are stars in the summer sky and if you should ever decide you should go down the seven bridges road, you will find a taste of time and sweet honey!
Brett Hull vs. Wayne Gretsky one on one, who wins? Whomever may be watching, what a treat that would be.
Random fact? Love is like the wind, you can't see it, you just feel it!
Sales Manager/Photographer
What do you like most about Studio Altius? Lack of attitude except in the product the studio creates for its clients. Everyone is very easy to work with and understands that it's not "all about me", it's about giving the client the image or images they come to us for time and time again. Every photograph conveys a feeling, a message, or and attitude, and that's what we are all about.
What is your role at Studio Altius? My title is Sales Manager/Photographer. My job is to let everyone out there know that Studio Altius is the place to bring your business with the confidence that we will produce quality images on time to your specifications.
Tell us about your background. Born in St. Louis, I became interested in photography in high school. I am pretty much self-taught. I studied fashion and product photography by looking at magazines and figuring out lighting i.e. shadows and highlights and trial and error from that point on. I also learn everyday from my friends in the business. I am old school while trying to incorporate a little new cool!
How did you get to be such a nice guy? Golly gee, as the scorpion said in that old joke, it's my nature!
Where can someone get a taste of time and sweet honey? There are stars in the summer sky and if you should ever decide you should go down the seven bridges road, you will find a taste of time and sweet honey!
Brett Hull vs. Wayne Gretsky one on one, who wins? Whomever may be watching, what a treat that would be.
Random fact? Love is like the wind, you can't see it, you just feel it!
Call us today to book your photoshoot!
314-769-9769
314-769-9769
Studio Altius | 2301 S. Big Bend Boulevard, Maplewood, Missouri 63143 | 314-769-9769 | information@studioaltius.com
Studio Altius is a full service photography studio focused on the artistic and communicative power of photography. We provide creative, well-executed professional photography services for commercial and portrait clients. Additionally, we are a valued resource to professional and amateur photographers in the St. Louis area. Our beautiful 3,000 square foot studio is also available for private events.
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Copyright © 2011 Studio Altius. All rights reserved.
Photographer Resource | Studio & Equipment Rental | Workshops & Classes | St. Louis Photographers Showcase | Art Competitions and Shows | Brew-Ha-Ha
Private Event Rental | Staff | Calendar | Contact
Copyright © 2011 Studio Altius. All rights reserved.