About Our Team

We’re a team of 12 amazing, creative souls who truly feel like family—and that didn’t happen by accident. Our team was intentionally built with heart, purpose, and a whole lot of girl-power. We’re a “girls’ girl” team in every sense of the word, and our mission goes far beyond creating beautiful portraits.

At Castelo, we lead with love. Life is tough, and we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and lifted up. Creating art that honors incredible humans is our passion, and we strive for nothing less than perfection in every detail.

We support each other not just at work, but in life—and we aim to offer that same love and care to every human who walks through our door.

And let’s not forget Dylan—our one and only guy! His office isn’t in the studio, but just nearby, and we adore him. He handles all the backend systems, keeps everything running smoothly, and honestly diminishes all our headaches. That makes him a superhuman in our eyes.

Welcome to Castelo. Be our guest. ♥

Maria Sampaio, Owner

Maria Sampaio is a Master Artist and award-winning portrait photographer with over 22 years of experience. After building a successful studio in Pittsburgh, she followed her dream to Charleston, SC, and opened Castelo Portrait Art—named in honor of her beloved father. Today, Maria leads an incredible team of talented artists who share her passion for creating timeless, heirloom portraits that celebrate family, legacy, and the magic of childhood. She also teaches artists across the country, inspiring others with her heart for storytelling through portraiture.

Dylan

Dylan, our General Manager, grew up immersed in the studio world, watching his mom work behind the camera. After six years in the military, he moved to Charleston to be closer to family and joined Castelo Portrait Art to support its rapid growth. Working remotely, Dylan manages all backend operations—systems, programs, and tracking—ensuring everything runs smoothly. While clients may never meet him, his behind-the-scenes expertise is essential to the studio’s success.

Janis

Janis LeeAnn is our incredible Booking Team Manager, ensuring our 5-star appointment setters have everything they need to succeed. She oversees all client calls and follow-ups, making sure every step of the booking process is smooth, timely, and professional. Janis plays a vital role in delivering the seamless experience our clients have come to expect.

Olha

Olha is a vital part of our team, known for her warmth, creativity, and positive energy. While her main role is guiding clients through the image selection and ordering process, she’s also an incredibly talented artist and a natural problem solver. Originally from Ukraine, Olha brings a joyful spirit and a touch of pizzazz to everything she does. She also helps manage production behind the scenes, ensuring every detail is just right. Loved by the entire team, Olha’s presence makes our studio brighter and our days better.

Callie

Callie is part of our talented team that guides clients through the image selection and ordering process with care and grace. She has an incredible mindset and a calming presence that lifts everyone around her. No matter the challenge, Callie meets it with a smile and a spirit of gratitude that’s truly contagious. Originally from Virginia and now loving life in Charleston, she enjoys yoga, Italian food, and spreading positivity wherever she goes.

Angel

Angel is a nonstop force of nature at our studio, ensuring everything is perfect the moment you walk through the door. As an associate photographer, she brings talent and heart to every session, while also managing outgoing orders with care and efficiency. Angel is known for her kind demeanor, unwavering dedication, and incredible work ethic. She loves music, recently welcomed an adorable puppy into her life, and proudly holds the title of our DoorDash queen. Anyone who works with Angel quickly sees just how special she is—and why we love her so much.

Katelyn

Katelyn is our newest associate photographer, and she’s already making a beautiful impact. Well-trained and incredibly talented, she creates stunning portraits while making clients feel truly special with her warm personality and contagious smile. Katelyn is a kind soul, always ready to help and committed to making every detail just right. In addition to photographing, she also manages our social media—bringing the heart of our studio to life online.

Jessica

Jessica is the sweetest soul and a true joy to talk to. She loves all of our studio projects, but the women-centered ones hold a special place in her heart. Empowering women and getting them scheduled brings her so much joy, and she absolutely beams when she sees their portrait transformations. Jessica is the ultimate girl-next-door—she feels like a lifelong friend, even if you’ve just met her. Warm, genuine, and always uplifting, she’s an essential part of what makes our team so special.

Brittany

Brittany is one of our amazing phone consultants, helping you get scheduled and answering any questions with kindness and care. Always cheerful and incredibly sweet, she brings warmth to every conversation. A proud new mom, Brittany balances it all and continues to shine every day at the studio—we’re so lucky to have her!

Grace

Grace has a contagious personality and a true eye for detail, making her a joy to work with when getting scheduled. She’s passionate about helping clients and loves seeing the beautiful finished portraits that come from each session. Grace is also a proud cat mom to Stash—who somehow manages to sneak into nearly every photo with her! She’s an absolute gem, and we’re so lucky to have her on our team.

Jordan

Jordan—affectionately known as Jordy—is a beautiful soul and a true team player. She’s dedicated, thoughtful, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Jordy has a knack for taking on tasks and making them look effortless, helping our team grow and shine along the way. With her signature lips and warm personality, she’s loved by everyone—and she loves getting you on the schedule and ready for an unforgettable experience.

Riley

Riley is the newest member of our team and has quickly become an essential part of the studio. She manages client orders and intake with care and precision, making sure everything is just right from start to finish. Riley is incredibly sweet, loves her pets, and enjoys spending quality time with her husband. We’re so lucky to have her as part of our studio family!