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!