Santa Pictures at The Animal House - Damariscotta, Maine

Posted on November 25, 2009

On December 5th from 10-2 I will be at The Animal House in Damariscotta, Maine photographing animals with Santa!  Children and pet owners are welcome to be included in the photo as well.   No sitting fee and no appointments necessary.  I will be offering several options, which include packages, ala carte and Holiday cards.   The Adoption Clinic Maine Greyhound Placement Service will be there from 11-2 and I will be donating 10% that is generated through the photo sessions that day, so come help support this awesome service!

Here is the list and further down are samples of the card styles.  I used my own animals in the sample styles so you’ll just have to imagine your cat or dog in the image.   Hope to see you there!!

Ala Carte

20 4×8 flat cards w/envelopes - $30

50 4×8 flat cards w/envelopes - $60

100 4×8 flat cards w/envelopes - $90

4×6 prints . . . . . . . . . . $5

5×7 prints . . . . . . . . . . $15

8×10 prints . . . . . . . . . $30

Packages

Package A: $75 ($25 Savings)

20 cards

5 4×6 prints

1 5×7 print

1 8×10 print

Package B: $140 ($60 Savings)

50 cards

10 4×6 prints

2 5×7 prints

2 8×10 prints

Package C: $265 ($105 savings)

100 cards

20 4×6 prints

4 5×7 prints

4 8×10 prints

Package D: $45 ($15 Savings)

20 cards

2 5×7 prints

Package E: $70 ($20 Savings)

50 cards

2 5×7 prints

Package F: $95 ($25 Savings)

100 cards

2 5×7 prints

Package G: $65 ($30 Savings)

10 4×6 prints

1 5×7 print

1 8×10 print

HorsePlay - A Celebration of Life

Posted on November 14, 2009

For several years now I have known that one day I would photograph Lea playing with her horses.   The thought would come and go, there was no dwelling as to when and where.  I just knew it would come to pass when the timing was most significant.  About two weeks ago I knew it was time, so I contacted her.  Last Sunday I arrived at the farm she is care taking and for the rest of the day it seemed a magical spell was hovering.

There are many people who own horses, but sadly there is a scarcity of true partnership between human and horse.  As you will see unfold in the following pictures, partnership and a deep, unconditional love permeates from Lea and her horses, Spartacus and Xena.  Please notice the sweet contentment in Lea’s face in all these images.  None of these are posed or rehearsed.  There were few words spoken between us.  We were both in the midst of what is most passionate to our souls, and so there was no need for words.  I hope you enjoy this beautiful dance as much as I did.

And Lea, for you I gift you with a look through the window I spent hours peering through on that day.  It was an honor to witness the beauty and the pain.  I shall hold this day forever in my heart.  I was deeply touched.

Spartacus

Xena

Lea

People can talk to one another about all these things and remain distanced and lonesome.  In partnership with a horse, one is seldom lacking for thought, emotion and inspiration.  One is always attended by a great companion.  - Charles de Kunniffy

Horses afford us the luxury of enchantment.  They fuel the imagination of children and nurture the youthful souls of adults.  -Melissa Sovey-Nelson

I am not only free to be myself with a horse, I am encouraged to find my brilliance.  -Melissa Sovey-Nelson

Our youth is raw, wild, both fearless and fearful, and fiercely independent while secretly in need of contact.  Horses are ageless and non-judgmental companions who teach me responsibility yet help me find my wings.  When it is difficult to express my feelings, I’m still okay when I am with horses, all I have to do is just be.  I love them and they know it.  -Melissa Sovey-Nelson

We are spirit, the horse and I . . . vital and animated, essence and substance, specter and apparition, boldness, enthusiasm and ardor.  -Melissa Sovey-Nelson

We are sprites, the horse and I - mythological figures empowered with magical gifts and the stuff of childhood tales.  Often diaphanous or forced to be in the shadows, we appear with deliberate intent when messages need to be delivered.  -Melissa Sovey-Nelson

Forever choreographing in daydreams whenever music stirred me, my visions have changed to the percussion of hooves and of rolling muscles lifting and pushing in cadenced performances together.  We are dance partners even when we are apart.  -Melissa Sovey-Nelson

We all hunger for the enigmatic, the veiled unexplainable which is beyond human understanding.  Some of us satisfy this appetite with the archetypal majesty and power of the horse.  -Melissa Sovey-Nelson

Crossing Over ~ In Honor of Nonsh

Posted on November 10, 2009

My day began with the delightful anticipation of photographing a friend playing with her horses.  The air was warm.  The earth was carpeted in wheat colored grass and fallen leaves.  I drove along the back roads, entering territory I have never traveled before.  Had I known where I was really going, I may have had this aching in my gut that has been with me, on and off, for these past two days.  One never knows where life is truly leading us.  I believe there is always a divine plan, but how many of us know its course in advance of our arrival?  I didn’t.  Not that day.

After nearly two hours of witnessing one of the most beautiful relationships between a woman and her horses, the events turned towards Nonsh, a 27+ year old horse with Cushings Disease.  Her condition rapidly began to deteriorate, and a decision must be made on her behalf.   Below are images from the final hour with Nonsh and the woman and her pasture mates that loved her.  And will always love her.

You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.  (Kahil Gibran)

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?  (Kahil Gibran)

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?  (Kahil Gibran)

The Viewing

The above image and the four that follow are the horses expressing their grief.  They ran, bucked, whinnied, rolled.  Their emotions were on fire, and it was beautiful to watch.

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.  (Kahil Gibran)

Nonsh, you may be gone from this world but your mark shall always be present in the hearts of those you touched.  I knew you for less than a day but I will always feel the teachings you imparted to me in your final hour.  Thank you.

Annabelle - {maine lifestyle photographer}

Posted on November 3, 2009

My daughter inquired last night why I don’t put pictures of her up on my blog.  I was surprised by the question but answered to her, “you always said NOT to put any of your pictures up, that’s why!”  She replies, “well you can now; I like what you’re doing.”  I love feedback like that, especially from my opinionated daughter!

I love her many expressions and I’m quite surprised she’s allowing me to put a couple of these up.  Enjoy!

I just love this one!