Practicing My Craft by a Maine Photographer

I belong to a group of Maine photographers, and about a month ago, instead of a monthly indoor meeting, someone came up with an idea of having an outdoor photo shoot for practice.  The location, time and weather were spectacular and the models fun and beautiful.  Our models were Seth, Erin, and I believe Marissa...but If you find that I've made a mistake, please let me know and I will be happy to correct it.  This was a fun evening...and a bit competitive.  Although I tend to thrive in that environment, this one made me slightly uncomfortable.  I really enjoy being the only photographer photographing a person or event...so I was a bit out of my comfort zone with all the other great photographers around but I loved watching other photographers at work...how they interacted with the models and the creativity that came out of it.  It was great fun.  Icing on the cake...my maternity photo scored a first place thumbs up!  Here are some of my favorite shots I took that night.  I welcome your feedback...and I would love to photograph you someday too!

An Animal Affair through the lens of a Maine Photographer

This was my third year photographing The Animal Refuge Leagues annual auction, their largest fundraiser of the year.  This event has grown so much, we really needed a larger space, so this year it was held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay.  This is such a fun event to photograph, and I was very happy to volunteer my time and skills to document it for the ARL, and to be able to share it with everyone.  I've put together a quick 3 minute slide show, complete with music to help you enjoy the event...just click on this link
http://video214.com/play/69lagMmGqjRTPW38oRcgYQ/s/dark

...and on a side note...I want to thank Kreative Kakes by Maggie K for providing a scene stealer for me to photograph.  I have photographed a few wedding cakes in my days...but these were cakes in a class of their own...go on...try picking just one!

Westbrook High School Lacrosse viewed by a Maine Photographer

If you follow my blog...I pledged last week to get back to blogging weekly, and that this weeks post would be focused on my beloved dog Tasha, who passed away in December of 2009.  Upon looking for some comforting words to share with a friend I realized that I had never written them down.  I'm not concerned with the time that has passed, I will still find the words to properly eulogize Tasha, but I am concerned with rushing the post just to get it done...that I cannot do...it's been 3.5 years...a few more weeks won't change anything.

So switching gears completely, here's my weekly post, this one like no other, it's about Westbrook High School Lacrosse, and I'm going to throw in a bit of "Photography 101"with it.

I've taught three rounds of Photography 101 at my local community center, and I will be teaching again this fall, so please if you are interested in getting to know your DSLR and what you can do with it, please check out my class this coming September at the Westbrook Community Center.

In the meantime, one of the things I talk about in my class is "back button focusing".
I had read about other photographers using it, and I had read that it takes time to get used to...but I had not yet gone into my camera manual to make the switch...

Until, I was asked by the Westbrook Lacrosse boosters to photograph some Lacrosse games.  Typically my Spring photography season is pretty light, so I thought this was a great opportunity for myself and for trying something new.  New.  Yes.  I had never been to a lacrosse game before.  I suspected though that it moved rather fast.  If you recall this past winter I said "yes"to the challenge of photographing hockey, so again, always working toward improving my skills and getting exposure with the local community, I said "yes" to photographing lacrosse.

Anticipating a fast moving sport was the perfect motivation I needed for trying "back button focusing" For those of you interested, you have to pull out your camera manual and look up how to set it up.  How it changes what you do is, instead of pressing the shutter button half way down to achieve focus, you now press a button on the back of your camera (that's how it works with Nikon anyway) and you achieve focus, then you press your shutter button to take the photo.  Also, the focus doesn't reset, until you press that back button again...so...if your subject moves out of your focus range your camera doesn't refocus on the background thus leaving you with a blurry subject and a tack sharp background.  It does take some getting used too...but now that I've kicked the learning curve I won't be switching back.  I'm totally lovin it!  I've included some shots from the last game of the season...some very fast moving action...and some very clear focused shots.  At the end is a photo of all the seniors and their parents.  Thought I would give them a little "shout out"for a great and fun season.  Yes, I would totally do this again!
(and only if you wish to watch, I've included a 10 minute slideshow of additional shots I took this season...just click the link at the end)

  link to slideshow:  http://video214.com/play/Uvl0UfJybSnHLeC6miJscA/s/dark

Coco the Dog. A Maine Photographer

I feel it's been awhile since I posted, and yet I have so much to say...well...there isn't a good enough reason for me to explain without making excuses...so here's  to a new strategy...post once a week...every Wednesday perhaps?...yes...I will try.

The photos I'm sharing with you today are of Coco.  I took them about a month ago, so of course I can't remember lots of the details...including that I can't remember if he was a she...but I'm pretty sure Coco is a he...I'm pretty sure he's 13 years old...and I'm pretty sure he's a chocolate lab...but I'm going to send this link to his Mom Julie, of Portland, and she will let me know if I need to update these simple but important things I've just stated.

I do remember my conversation with Julie over the phone, when I told her that she was the monthly dog portrait winner from Minor Moments Photography and the Dog Wash Etc and Julie told me that her daughter would be going into labor at any moment and that she was expecting her first grandchild...but that her dog was 13 years old and so I told her I was available RIGHT NOW because her daughter was not yet in labor, but that her dog was 13 and really, there was no time to waste!  Julie agreed to meet me at Jewel Falls just a few hours later so we could do a small photo shoot with Coco.

We met at Julie's house, and I got to meet her two cats also...yah yah....you guessed it...I don't remember their names either...but I think her kids call the black and white one cow?...Julie forgive me...and feel free to set me straight!  (heck...I'm assuming we have a baby name by now too...and I won't even venture a guess on name...or boy or girl for that matter...)  Yes, I'm pathetic when it comes to remembering certain things, but I truly do make up for it in the images I capture.  I am certain to capture a memory that will last your lifetime and beyond...because that is how important the "Coco's"and "Cows" of our lives are...it's their sweet faces and their eyes that we will look back and remember fondly how they filled our busy lives with love and joy.

 ...and lastly, I'm dedicating this blog post to one of my new friends, who already has become a dear friend...yet I didn't even know she had a dog...and she is currently dealing with the anguish of having had to say goodbye forever to her dog.  I'm not in the habit of asking my new friends if they have a dog and to please let me photograph their dog for them...so I'm putting it out there again...to all of you who have pets, please know that my business and pleasure is to capture forever moments for you.  I am honored...and blessed.  I was searching through my own blog, so I could share with my friend the words I put down when I grieved the death of my own beloved Tasha three years ago.  Tasha was the first and only dog I ever had.  In researching this morning I realized that I never did complete a blog post on losing Tasha.  I never shared some of the many photos I have of her...and I never eulogize her in my blog.  The pain was great, but I had also lost my big sister just three weeks earlier and I remember feeling torn of how to express my grief differently over a sibling and a pet.  Three and a half years later I have discovered that I must not have been able to do it, so I chose not too.  I believe I am ready now.  I have unfinished business to attend to, and it appears blogging material for next Wednesday...I hope you will visit again soon!

The photos below are of Coco and the cats...who shall for now remain nameless.

Memorial Day 2013. View of a Maine Photographer

I love Memorial Day.  A day set aside from all others to say thank you to all those that have served and all those still serving.  Thank You!

 

Follow up on Junior Prom Photos. A Maine Photographer.

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for all the great comments on the photos.  I loved either seeing your kids, or meeting some of them for the first time.  One thing is for sure, an incredibly polite and beautiful bunch of kids!

Now, I'm going to try and clear up some confusion on viewing the photos on Pictage, which is the third party site I use to sell my work.

The link to Pictage is http://pictage.com/1418082
I believe if you watch the slideshow to the end, from MY BLOG, the link works just fine.  If you watch the slideshow from a face book link...in some cases it doesn't appear to work, yet in some cases it does.  (I am not sure why...)

When you go to this link and register, you will get a message that says the photos are not yet available to view.  The note will also tell you that you will receive an email once they are available.  So, please register.  Once I get the photos all edited, I will upload them, and you will receive notification from Pictage that they are available.  (I hope to have them available very soon!)

If you picked up a form from me at the prom to purchase a package, the package from me is a better deal than online, but not by a huge margin.  Basic difference is my package includes shipping and tax, and if you wish to purchase the 4 minute slideshow, that needs to be done through my package.  If you did not receive a form, that is completely understandable.  My intention was for each student to receive one when they purchased their tickets.  That did not happen, so we did make the forms available prom night for pickup.  If you did not get the form and would like this option, please email me and I will send it to you.  The form and check must be returned to me by Sat 05/25/13 for this option.  If you do not know the photo number yet because photos are not posted yet, that is ok, just return your form to me (address is on form) and you and I can work out the photo number together.

One last additional, personal note. 
I volunteered my services to the prom, and to the class of 2014.  I was not paid, I volunteered.  Photos were done of kids who stood in line to have them taken.  If there are no photos of your child please do not feel this is a reflection of my work.  Having formal and candid photo booth photos taken was 100% voluntary, and the opportunity was there for everyone in attendance.  If you like the photos, please keep me in mind for Senior portrait photo time!  I enjoy giving when I can, and I enjoy being hired to capture these "minor" milestones too! 

Westbrook High School Junior Prom 2013 A Maine Photographer

OK, this is a very quick post, because it's after midnight already, and I would love to put this girl to bed.  I photographed my sons Junior Prom last night, and I am ready to share some photos!  Here's a four minute recap...I did my best to include all those who were willing to be photographed!

Click below for the slideshow :)