Well, my daughter Annabelle turned 15 on the 3rd.  We went to the mall – she wanted to hang out with some friends – and then on the way home I took some fun photos of her and her friend Mary.  For the most part they came up with all the fun & silly things to do during their session.  We all had a blast!  Hard not to with warm temperatures along the coast of Maine, especially in April.

To be young and having a good time being silly.

I guess they can’t read!

Taking time out for a quick “sword” fight!

And a little “kung fu”

Some tree hugging.

And airplane flying.

And rock throwing.

Good to know 15 year olds still like to play.  How about you?  What did you do when you were 15?

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

There can be no great love than the one shared between a child and its parents. I had the privilege and honor to witness such love, and even better, to photograph some very tender moments.  It also gave me a chance to practice using textures and vintage actions.

When you have brought up kids, there are memories you store directly in your tear ducts.  ~Robert Brault

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

Annabelle had her friend over for the weekend and they have been wanting me to take pictures of them for quite some time now. But of course, I thought! Usually I can never get her to practice with me so to actually be asked was a wonderful thing. I need to practice getting everyone in focus and the first go around was not successful. Any ideas on settings for taking photos with multiple subjects that you want in focus would be great. It would also be great to maintain a shallow depth of field as well.

I’m pleased with the following images.

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

In late October I photographed Carly and her horse, Pepe’.  It was a secret.  The photos were to be used for Christmas presents so I couldn’t post them until now.  I remember Kirstie telling me – “good luck!  She doesn’t like to have her picture taken.  She usually makes funny faces.”  I thought, okay, I’ll work with it.  When I finished editing them and sent Kirstie a preview she said, “no one has ever captured Carly like that!”  Needless to say, we were both pleased.

“On Friendship” by Kahlil Gibran

Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay.”
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

Today is it – the final day of 2009.  In terms of weather, this day represents the calm before the storm.  We are in for a major nor’easter – two storms converging and taking three days to move through.  A lot of wind.  A lot of snow.  A mixture of rain and ice.

To me storms are about release and change.  There is no better time for release and change than at the beginning of a new year.  Maybe a thick blanket of snow will erase all the dirtiness beneath.  For some the white beauty may represent a clean slate, an empty canvas on which to create a new life.  A different life.  For better or worse, but different all the same.

A new year cloaked in snow can be a symbolic reminder of peace – in our lives.  In the world.

A blanket of snow is a time for dreams.

A raging storm is the collective voices of life upon our dear earth.  Chanting untold stories.  Unleashing rage and power.  Creating beauty.

The following images are various moments from this year.

The Fire of Dawn

True Love

Walk with me into the end of daylight.

The magic of childhood bliss!

Cowgirl Love

Partnership

Summertime

Daydream

Hands of Time

Sunrise and Meandering Fence Line

Heart to Heart – Soul to Soul

Two Worlds Collide

A Peaceful Moment

Lets See What Tomorrow Brings

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

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!

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

This was a really fun photo session to do.  You can tell this family has a lot of good times together.  I loved the fact that they all dressed in black and white.  Even more amazing is they wanted to include their four dogs in the pictures – two black and two white!  Needless to say the black and white photos are my favorite, although the color images really show the beautiful lighting I had to work with.  I hope you all enjoy the results!

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

It was a most perfect day when I photographed Ms M at Pemaquid Point.  She’s creating a website and needed some photos of her doing what she loves.  Oil painting fits the ticket here.   Creating art in one of the most beautiful places along the Maine Coast can truly inspire the soul.

This next image is one of my favorites.

Of course we had to get some head shots in there, too!

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits