Holiday Traditions. A Maine Photographer

Every year I photograph these little ones.  They were the subject of my very first business card. Some of the faces have changed.  Some have stayed the same.  They are a part of my Christmas tradition.  I was ecstatic to get this Christmas card this year...this photo says it all.
Merry Christmas!

Girls on the Run Maine. A Maine Photographer With the Best Job in the World.

This is how I started my Sunday morning.  Bright.  Cold.  (and early!)
I was asked to photograph this event and I said YES! in a heartbeat.
I overheard the emcee saying she has the best job in the world.
I have to disagree.

Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run Maine

If you do not see an embedded video above, please visit this link
http://video214.com/play/j0Vv02cYrXrW0zlTWASlBw/s/dark

Family Portraits a Moment in Time. A Passionate Maine Photographer

Some say a photo is worth a thousand words...

Take a 15 minute break out of your busy life and let me capture your thousand words.

Where:  Riverton Trolley Park

When:   Saturday October 25, 2014 (15 minute time slots) between the hours of 9am and 11am
              Sunday   October 26, 2014 (15 minute time slots) between the hours of 9am and 11am

Cost:     $50  Please make checks payable to Westbrook Strong.  100% goes to Matt's Scholarship!

What do you get in return?  An unbelievable awesome feeling of doing something great and a beautiful digital negative of your very own thousand words that you can use any way you wish.

In addition, I will offer three different packages for purchase, all at reasonable rates, and  available for a limited time to receive and enjoy in time for the holidays.

Can't make it that weekend?  Then here's a special offer just for you!
$100.  Limited time slots, must be prepaid.  Thanksgiving Day.  My studio in Westbrook.
(12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30).  Half hour timeslots, perfect for those of you who have college students home for the holidays, or extended family you wish to capture in one photo.  No limit on family size!

What to wear?  All photo shoots will be outside.  (if it is monsooning, we will move indoors to my studio)  Identical clothing and colors are not my style, and need not be yours either, however, if you keep your shirts to solid colors with no patterns and large logos, and your colors coordinate nicely together as a family, you will capture a forever moment in time that is also visually pleasing!

How do you reserve a timeslot?  Email me at minormomentsphotography@gmail.com (please just copy and paste...the link is causing issues to my sanity) and list your requested day and preferred timeslot.  Please give me a range if possible.  I will confirm within 24 hours of your email.      

My personal thoughts.  I wish to thank Laurie and Gary Rairdon for letting me share their thousand words.  Their family portrait was my first family work of art as a professional.  There is no monetary value that can be placed on this photograph.

Together.  Let me photograph your thousand words.

Cats Available for Adoption This Week from A Maine Pet Photographer

Here are a few of the beauties I photographed this week at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.

 8 year old Bella

Bianca

8 year old Jerome

4 year old Josie

 14 year old Julius II

3 year old Leah

                                                 Molly

                                                             
                                  6 year old Mouser

2 year old Nala

11 year old Spirit

                             5 year old Sprinkles

                             

                               12 year old Stella

1 year old Sweet Pea

Paws in the Park 2014 A Maine Photographer Having a Tail Wagging Good Time

Give me a beautiful sunshine filled day and surround me with beautiful dogs having the time of their lives, and for me it doesn't get much better than this.
This annual fundraising event for the Animal Refuge League is one of my all time favorites to photograph.  Eye candy for any dog photographer.  I have been volunteering my time and talents for the Animal Refuge League photographing the cats for over four years now.  I love the challenge of photographing the cats on a weekly basis, but it doesn't even compare to being out in the sunshine photographing dogs of all sizes!  Here is a small selection of my favorites.  You can see all the photos on my business facebook page here Minor Moments Facebook Page or you can purchase photos here http://pictage.com/1630857   

Recognize someone?  Please share with them :)

Ground Zero Through the Eyes of a Maine Photographer

Two years ago I visited ground zero in New York City.
On today's 911 anniversary I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from that visit.

Our visit to ground zero, truly a humbling experience.
I've also included an all inclusive slideshow of our family weekend visit to New York City.
If it's not on your bucket list yet, I highly recommend it.

My all inclusive 24 hour family get-a-way to New York City slideshow

Senior Portrait Time. A Maine Photographer

I interrupt this beautiful summer day to remind those of you that this applies too, that Senior Portrait season is happening now!  Most schools require the photos be turned in some time between September and October. I am happy to do that for you.  Book your session with me today and I am happy to submit your choices to the yearbook for you.  BAM another item off your plate :)
My packages are on my website here http://www.minormomentsphotography.com/Pages/HighSchoolSeniorPortraits.aspx
I am doing my best to make this as easy for the parents as possible.
Local Westbrook locations are $99 for the photoshoot and yearbook submissions.  I do that for you!
Outside Westbrook locations are $150
We get it done in under one hour.
 
I've included a little video below.  It's not just Senior portraits.  It's a little something I had put together for my friends who had kids graduation from Westbrook this 2014 season.  Photos I took this past year...BUT there are some of my sample Senior Portraits included...many many good times :)

So, call me!

http://video214.com/play/rNvDsW1DPGSy4ttoDqv33Q/s/dark

Summer Break Through the Lens of a Point and Shoot. A Maine Photographer

So I write to you once again.
This week my blog focus is just catching up on the personal stuff.

It's been a few months, more than I like to admit, that I have been experiencing arm and shoulder pain.
Our insurance deductible is very high and this does cause me to pause before I seek medical attention.
Last June, 2013 one of my boys was hit in the face with a disc golf frisbee.  Insurance didn't cover a dime of the emergency room visit or the followups...and yes...14 months later I have finally paid off this bill.

Fast forward to Spring 2014.  My routine physical brings me news of additional requirements on my own preventive care.  An additional mammo...$$$...then an ultrasound...$$$...I'm happy to report that these tests have left me with a clean bill of health for the immediate future...but the bills are just beginning to roll in.  I finally had to admit that my shoulder issues were not getting better and that I was going to need to get some medical attention.  It was becoming quite evident that I couldn't do my work, the work I do everyday and love so much...because just lifting my 10 pound camera to my eye was causing me extreme pain and discomfort.   I did seek some help and I am getting better everyday.  This past week my other son Nick was diagnosed with Lyme disease. This was caught extremely early so gratefully he should make a full recovery.  I'm not really sure how much of a dent our family is making on that high deductible but I'm guessing by the time Joshua has his wisdom teeth pulled in November we may start to benefit?

So, one of the things I'm doing for myself to help heal my shoulder is to limit the use of my heavy camera equipment to paid work.  All personal family time photos I have been using a small Nikon "point and shoot" that weighs less than a pound.  I know many of you out there have great camera phones...but I am not one of them.  I have a "Love Hate" relationship with my point and shoot...I love that it is light and I can take it with me everywhere...but I hate that it doesn't give me the results I am looking for. Just like anything else that is worth the effort, getting to know my point and shoot is taking time...and I seem to delete more photos than I keep...but heck...most of these are just for fun.  Capturing a moment in time.  Good times :)

First up... a Friday night beach gathering of our boot camp group.  Minor Moments Captured...on a point and shoot :)