Merry Christmas 2012

Time to Breathe. A Maine Photographer

I certainly haven't been good about blogging lately.  I have a crazy life this time of year.
For three weeks I have been planning to take my dog Chloe to the Mall to have her photo taken with Santa.  For the past few years I've photographed other pets with Santa at the Animal Refuge League, and I've photographed Chloe with Santa too...but this year I was scheduled to work the phones at LLB...so I knew in order to fit in a Santa photo I needed to do it one Monday night at the mall...pet night with Santa.

So, for three weeks I planned it for tonight...I even prepped my oldest son to accompany me, so we could bring Max, our inherited dog, who isn't so good around people, and I knew I couldn't handle both dogs by myself...

But, the weather is crap tonight.  We managed to get both dogs in the car...but Chloe just kept trying to crawl into our laps from the back seat to the front seat.  Nothing about our adventure was safe.  The roads were icy, and my dog was a huge distraction...so I decided the safest thing I could do was to return home and forgo a Santa photo this year.  With all that our country is going through right now...traveling icy roads with a 80lb dog on my lap just didn't seem like the right thing to do.  I returned my dogs and my son to the house, grabbed my camera and walked up the icy street to grab a photo.

Such a contradiction.  So dangerously beautiful.

 

A Typical Sight at my House

As I mentioned in my last blog post, there is no free time at the Minor house right now.  Here's a simple example.  I pay a monthly subscription charge to Blockbusters, and I have one movie at a time delivered by mail.  If I time it right, I can have a movie every weekend for us to enjoy, as long as I drop it in the mailbox the day after we watch it.  The one I have now...well...we've had it for three weeks...with no time to watch it.

I know it's important to recognize the good things in life, even when life is so busy it's downright exhausting.  Here is something I wanted to share with you.  It's a constant in my house, but something I don't always take the time to enjoy.  My cat and my dog.  Never far from each other.  They make me smile:)

Milo. A Maine Dog Photographer

OK, here goes...a few weeks back I gave myself a challenge to blog for 7 straight days because I had so much to share that I hadn't shared, and I was in desperate need of challenging myself with something, feeling like my blog was taking a back seat in my life.

Now, several weeks later I am admitting that I failed miserably at this challenge.  I'm happy to say that it's ok, because it's about the only thing I have failed at lately, and I'm accepting that it's ok to fail once in a while, and admit that this time of year, year after year, I tend to bite off way more than I can chew.

So here's a quick recap of whats going on, and keeping me from my blog.  The biggest impact is that I've gone back to LLBean to answer the phones for my sixth holiday season in a row.  I started back mid October, and in the beginning I'm always pretty good with keeping my life and business in balance...but...as the end of November arrives, so do the extra hours at Beans...and ever so quickly my work-life balance gets a rude awakening.  Anyone who knows me well knows that when I make a commitment, I follow through to the best of my ability.  Even though Beans is just a seasonal gig to me, I do give it my all and show up for all of my scheduled hours.

In additional to my commitment to Beans, is of course my commitment to my family and my business.  I continue to volunteer and photograph the cats at the animal refuge league every week, and both of my boys have active extra curricular activities.  In addition to all of this, my husband and I decided jointly that it was time to renovate the side of our house that is home to my business, and rent it out for income.  We put a self imposed deadline of December 1st, and despite our best efforts, this deadline is failure number two for me.  (...so new deadline is December 15th!)

Despite all of these activities, I still have many new photo sessions to share with you all.  I'm guessing the next few blog posts will not have as many words as this one has, but...once again, I'm going to try and keep you all entertained with my crazy December schedule...because I haven't even begun to share!  (we have 4 brand new kitchen appliances being delivered on Thursday...and a new kitchen floor to install before then...:)

So, what did I do this weekend in between filling up a storage shed with many of my personal belongings?...I photographed the Westbrook High Hockey team...finished up a wedding album, and photographed a home for sale with a local realtor...and I still managed to help my husband pull up an old carpet and lino!

Please, feel free to drop me a comment with words of encouragement...December hasn't even begun yet!

So, now, a bit about the photos I'm sharing today.  This is Milo.  He was one of my Dog Wash portraits this past summer.  Milo is a three year old first generation Labradoodle.  Milo was welcomed into a home suffering from broken hearts from the loss of a wonderful dog named Madison.  Milo's sweetness and joy and boundless affection and antics mended these broken hearts and earned him his own special place in their lives.  These photos were taken at Avant-Garde Pet Care in Windham, where Milo takes agility training.  I fell completely in love with Milo...but then again...what's not to love?

   

Sunrise on Acadia Bar Harbor. A Maine Photographer

This past Labor day my husband and I accompanied my son's scout troop to Bar Harbor for a weekend of biking and fun.  Our biking was cut short with the rain, but we were blessed with a rainbow, and both a beautiful sunset and sunrise.  Again, I've lived in Maine my entire life, and tried and failed on several occasions to view the sunrise from on top of Cadillac mountain, where it rises to those viewers first of any other place in our country. 

I've got to hand it to this group of kids...we got them there, and they kept us awake and entertained until the big reveal...and to say it was worth it all is an understatement.  See for yourself!

If you want to see more photos, please click on the link for a 3 minute slideshow.

http://animoto.com/play/1acF1zvzim91qwdSTkxNTw

Engagement Photo Shoot in Portland Maine by a Maine Photographer

Hello!  As part of my seven day posts, this is definitely one of my highlights!  I photographed Gus and Shannon in Portland's Old Port on Saturday, two days before Hurricane Sandy hit.  It was a beautiful day, and I'm forever grateful that our Maine coast was spared from Sandy's wrath.  I love working outside, I love my wonderful State, and I love spending time with fun couples in love!  Here are a few photos from our engagement session, and please view the slide show too.  View it big from a big screen or click on the link for a small view.

http://animoto.com/play/0WgkpoQuFuZmvvNWlW190A

Birthday boy, a Maine Photographer

Today is my husbands birthday, and I've paid him no attention today, so rather than write this post, I'm going to go pay him some attention.  I have a GREAT post for tomorrow though, so I hope you will stop in then!

Dogs Hunk and Pie. A Maine Dog Photographer.

Holy Moly...I have been away from my blog a bit more than I like to admit, so here goes my latest proclamation to you and to myself, I will post everyday for the next week.  I certainly have the material for it, so here goes, in no particular order.

My monthly Dog Wash portrait winner for August was a dog named Hunk.  When I met up with Hunk's owner Jennifer, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Hunk had a brother...named Pie...short for Whoopie Pie.  Jennifer explained that her kids thought of the name "Oreo"for his coloring...but thinking Oreo was too common, she opted for Whoopie Pie.  (and anyone who knows me...knows I bake a pretty mean whoopie pie...so for me...it was love at first sight!)

Hunk is nine years old, he is a black flat coated retriever.  Pie is 3, he's from the Beau Buddy Rescue
and he's a border collie mix.

Both boys behaved admirably and were quite well mannered.  Jennifer thank you for sharing your boys with me, and I look forward to hanging their portrait at the Dog Wash Etc soon!

 

NYC 911 Memorial at Ground Zero Views from A Maine Photographer

A few weeks ago my brother-in-law informed my husband that he and his family would be weekend vacationing in New York City on the weekend of October 19th.  He asked if we wanted to join them?  When my husband asked me I said "yes...absolutely!"  My husband could care less about visiting NYC...he had never been before, and it wasn't on his bucket list.  I, on the other hand, knew it would be a photographers playground, and although I have been once, when in grade school, I really wanted to go as an adult.  I also wanted to visit Ground Zero, and I wanted my boys to see the Statue of Liberty...and...my brother-in-law and family(Mark) live in Florida and the opportunity to visit doesn't come around too often so it was a great opportunity to visit and spend time with them!

So, we started to plan...just a little bit.  We found out where Mark and his family were staying, and we reserved a room "nearby".  We didn't make too many plans because we knew it was going to be a quick trip...just 48 hours...12 of which would be spent driving...so we figured whatever Mark had planned would be our agenda too.

We arrived in NYC at 7pm Friday night.  We checked into our hotel "The World Center" hotel.  I had no idea that our balcony would be overlooking Ground Zero.  I really hadn't paid any attention to the reservations or done any research what so ever, I was just grateful for the opportunity to visit NYC and was pretty much along for the ride and the great weekend getaway.

After a few pics from our balcony, we hooked up with Mark and family, who happened to be in the hotel just a few hundred feet from ours!  We took our first of many, crazy cab rides to Times Square.  Once there we boarded a double decker tour bus and took an evening tour of the city. 

The next morning we took a harbor cruise to view the Statue of Liberty, and the NYC skyline.  We then got back on the tour bus and did a bit of daytime sight seeing.  We ate dinner in Little Italy and then walked Wall Street for an evening stroll. 

Sunday morning we visited the 911 Memorial up close.  It was a very powerful, and sacred experience for me.  I am an American, and just standing there where so much pain happened, it was humbling and intense, all at the same time.  And being there with my family, with my children, the same boys who were in preschool when the attacks occurred.  These boys who I carefully shrouded away from the news in those dark days.  I was proud to visit this sight with them.

As I mentioned before, this was a quick trip for us...truly a trip of a lifetime.  I am sharing a few photos of the Memorial and the Freedom tower, now known as One World Trade Center, taken up close, or from my 10th floor balcony.  Also, I have put together a slide show of the rest of the weekend...because as I said before...NYC is a photographers playground!

 
...and here's the link to my slideshow.
http://animoto.com/play/doDNWh11M03ZTcMrcp1Iaw

Making Strides for Breast Cancer A Maine Photographer

It's been six years since my breast cancer diagnosis. Pretty easy years health wise...but this year wasn't without concern. I had my usual annual mammogram, but then received a phone call to come back and "re-take" it...which set the ball in motion for another call to have an ultrasound...which then let to an aspiration...in the end all was good...for me. However, this day, the "Making Strides" day, always seems to get me counting my blessings. I have fought this fight...and may have to again someday...and so many are fighting it today. So this blog post is in honor of us all...fighting the fight! God Bless!

Paws in the Park 2012 via a Maine Photographer

Yesterday was the Paws in the Park walk, which is an annual major fundraiser for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.

I spent the day there, at Payson Park in Portland, capturing all sorts of doggy expressions.  I have a wonderful collection of expressions to share with you in the 4 minute slideshow below.

if viewing from a small screen, go ahead and click the link...if viewing from a larger screen, click the arrow in the photo, and you will have a larger easier viewing experience!
http://video214.com/play/B9P406LbTQVJFLzsrw9MkQ/s/dark

I Sold my Soul to the Westbrook Soccer Boosters

Yes it's true, a few weeks ago I sold my soul to the Westbrook Soccer Boosters.  I said YES, I will take team photos of all four teams, YES I will take photos of all the seniors, YES I will take lots and lots of action shots of all the teams.

Remember when I wrote that blog post about one of my favorite movies YES MAN with Jim Carrey...I tried to look for the link to that post...but I can't find it...and to be honest I'm trying to just quickly blog this so you don't all think I've gone into hiding or something...but let me just say...I loved that movie...it was a bit far fetched...but the message was clear...the more you give...the more you get!  It's about time for me to watch it again...cause sometimes it's so easy to forget why I say yes.

So, here's the scoop.  A few weeks ago I told you how I was going to be teaching a class called Photography 101 at the local community center.  Yes that I am doing.  I also told you I would recap each class here on my blog, so you could participate a bit even if you couldn't join me in class.

What I didn't tell you was that I had sold my soul to the Westbrook Boosters...and that really I wasn't going to have time for much of anything else.

I'm happy to say that as of today, I have completed my project for the boosters, and I'm ready to resume spinning the other plates I currently have in the air....
...so that means you...Amanda, Victoria, Kathy, Cady, Milo, ...and all of the students in my class...and oh ya...my husband...hello everyone...you now have my full attention!

Here is a peek...(ssssssshhhhhhhhhh...it's still a secret)...at some of the photos I took for the WHS soccer program.  Don't tell anyone...it hasn't gone to print yet...so I can't even say it's hot off the press...I can only say...Hallelujah...it's done!  (and for this year...so am I)...  :)

OK...so half an hour later I still can't get this blog post to accept the photo format I'm trying to post...
so I took all of the photos out...except for one...and I'm going to try again...

OK...another half hour has passed...and I still can't get this post to work...I keep getting errors...I guess I can't give you that peek after all...I will try and scan some of the photos later this week...for now...I must get back to spinning those other plates!

To purchase 2012 WHS soccer photos please visit http://pictage.com/1306390

Cady's Senior Portraits. Maine Photographer

A few years ago one of my best friends from college asked me to do her daughter's high school senior photos.  A day like that is one in a million!  I get to spend a day with a great friend, get to know her daughter, reminisce about old times and capture memories forever!  It doesn't get much better than this...(until weddings and babies...)

Anyhow, last week I got to do this again.  My post college BFF brought her high school senior daughter, Cady, to Maine, to hang out together for the day and do her senior portraits.  Cady looks just like her mom did...all those years ago when we first started hanging out together.  Crazy...how quickly time marches by...and yes next year I will be blogging about my own son...and how can it possibly be time for his senior photos...but...that blog post can wait another year!

This wasn't just a normal photo shoot...it was a great visit with two of my favorite people!  An awesome day in itself...great friends, great weather, beautiful views, and of course a great lunch too!  We started out at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth, we also made a quick trip to the Spring Point lighthouse.  After we left Spring Point we had an awesome conversation and lunch at $3 Dollar Dewey's and then walked up to the Asylum for some fine urban graffiti shots. 

Within a few days of our photo shoot Cady got word that she has been excepted into the college of her dreams, to study both photography and equestrianism.  Congratulations Cady, may you have a great high school senior year, and thank you for allowing me to capture this milestone memory for you!

Here are some random sights throughout our day, and I've added a quick slideshow of some of my favorites from Cady's senior photo shoot.

you can view the slideshow below...or if you do not see one, please click on the link below. 
http://video214.com/play/EXNCyY7wzpJ8KlXNt4XKOg/s/dark

  

ARLGP Live and Silent Auction. Maine Photographer

If you are a regular reader to my blog you already know that I photograph the cats every week at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.  I only photograph cats that are new to the center, and each week I photograph between 15 to 30 cats.  That is a lot of cats!  After two years of doing this, I still find it hard to wrap my head around that number...the volume of cats looking for a home each and every week. 

Last year I was asked to photograph the annual auction, a major fundraiser for the ARLGP.  Of course I said yes!  (I love photographing cats...but...I like photographing people too!)  I was delighted to attend this very classy event, held at the Portland Country Club.  It was fun to see many of the staff and volunteers dressed up...something not seen when working with the animals!  So this year, I can't remember if I was asked to attend...or if I did the asking...but it was an event I didn't want to miss.

I don't know what the final numbers were, but the auctions, both silent and live were a definite success.  I've put together a 3 minute slide show to share the atmosphere of this great event.
I hope to photograph it again in 2013...and of course...I hope to see you there too!
Link to slideshow below.

http://video214.com/play/fw0DdN8ZYJ0YvolV4sjHcg/s/dark

Digital Photography 101

I want to let you all know I'm teaching a BASIC digital photography class here in my home town at the Westbrook Community Center.  It will be on Wednesday night, 6:30-8, beginning September 19th.  If you are local, here's the link to sign up.
http://www.westbrookcommunitycenter.org/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29253

For those of you who are not local, I'm giving myself the challenge to update my blog once a week with the the material I am covering in class.  It's a six week class, so look forward to six blog posts in the weeks to come.

These are the goals for the class.  Do you want to take better pictures with your digital camera?
That's it!  I'll cover aperture, shutter, depth of field, focus, ISO, image quality, size/resolution, histograms, white balance and composition. The emphasis of the class is on basic concepts geared towards the novice.  You don't need a 1" binder or a number 2 pencil!  Just bring your camera, and your camera manual (I know...you need to find it first...you have time, the first class is on Wednesday September 19th).  I can't wait to see you!

Jake and Victoria Kennebunkport Wedding Maine Wedding Photographer

I love photographing weddings...that is not a secret.  It's a highly packed emotional day...always in a good way...and I love being smack in the middle of it! 

Two weeks ago I photographed Jake and Victoria's Kennebunkport wedding.  They invited me to the rehearsal on the eve of their wedding...in case I wanted to check out the sky...where the sun would be at that time...where the chairs would be...etc etc.  I did go to check out all those things...but I was completely distracted by the two little people who would be playing a part in the ceremony.  They captured my heart right from the get go...and to be honest...from that point on I really didn't care where the sun was...I was enjoying another story...a "minor moment" I hadn't expected...and a blessing of a perk...all in a days work!

Thank you Victoria and Jacob for the beautiful moments...and for allowing me to capture them for you!
Here are a few photos from rehearsal eve...and I've included a slide show of the wedding too!

If you don't see the slideshow below, just click on this link.  http://video214.com/play/jjuYCFsVOdHcKRYtMV2zww/s/dark