At this time of year it is easy to fall behind in keeping up with posting my sessions on the blog.  But I try!  So much work and not enough time, but no complaints here.  I am grateful, to say the least.  I am especially grateful to have the opportunity to meet such wonderful people from all over the United States who seem to gravitate to Maine for a summer vacation.   Molly and David, you have such a beautiful family, so full of good humor and love.  Thank you thank you for giving me the pleasure of meeting your clan and spending a few hours photographing all of you.  I had such fun and I believe these images portray the fun you have with each other.

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

I think the Round Pond Parade on the 4th of July is one of the biggest highlights of the summer here in Maine.  At least it is for me and what I would guess for thousands of others who gather together on this day in a very tiny town on the coast.  The images below will have to tell the story because I am way too tired for words!  Enjoy!!

I decided to add a handful more.  So much easier to do after a night of sleep!  So the images below were added 7-5-2011

Great location to raise funds!

Love to see the dads involved to promote a local diaper business!

Oh how I loved these bright heart shaped baloons!

What a gorgeous float, with such creative costumes so full of color.  Great job!

The “Tacky Tourist” group come every year.  So unique and fun!

Always a water fight at the parade!

And last but not least, a very sweet wannabe fireman!!

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

A photographers dream is having a whole town turn out in costume, spilling through the streets in splashes of color, donning pirate attire and behaving, well, like pirates!  If anyone was trying to get through Damariscotta, Maine yesterday,  they could have been taken captive by pillaging pirates who take over the town at the annual Pirate Rendezvous.

I almost didn’t make it this year because I had to work, but luckily I got out early and made it for half of the events.  This is why there won’t be the variety of photos I usually get, but I think you’ll get the idea of how much fun it was!

First lets start with a few pirate details.  I decided to edit most of these in color because everything was simply that – colorful!

And then there were the children.  Oh my, the children!  I just love how they become so completely enraptured by the experience.  I know they believe in their heart of hearts that they, too, are pirates.

There were some beautiful ladies roaming as well, all dressed in fabulous costumes.  I just love street photography!

What would Pirate Rendezvous be without pirates, right!  And here they are.  I know, I know, I didn’t get photos of all of you, but I tried!

A little music and dancing as well.

If you are  interested in purchasing prints of any of these images, please contact me.

Please note that all of the photos on my blog and website are copyright and owned by me, Darlene Terry.  Please do not copy or take.  Thank you, and enjoy!!

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

I had some time between clients today so I took out my new camera – a Nikon D300s – and took some pictures of the beautiful apple blossoms and magnolia blooms.  I am so in love with this camera I don’t know how I’m ever going to want to use my D90, even as a back up!  But I will and it will be fine, but wow,  this new one is amazing!!  Check it out and see for yourself!

The first three images were taken before the sun was fully out.  The rest of the pictures were taken late morning.

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

I absolutely love photographing children!  Given the opportunity, I would have children in front of my camera every single day.  I decided to go back and sift through the hundreds of child photos I have had the privilege of taking, and narrowed it down to a select few to highlight as a celebration of children.

I love their honesty.  I love how they have no fear of being exactly who they are in front of whoever they are with.  Because of this, the images I am able to capture of them are priceless, one-of-a-kind moments, some of which may never be repeated again.  People can go to Wal Mart, Sears, JC Penny or any number of indoor, controlled settings to have portraits of their children taken, but I can guarantee they will never give you the same results as I can get by following them around in an environment that is fun and familiar to them.

I am not out to create the “perfect portrait.”  Life isn’t perfect.  I strive to capture authentic, real life moments.  Forced poses and smiles are simply not my style.  So bring your kids out, let them play, get dirty, have fun and I will create memorable keepsakes for you to treasure for all the years to come.

The following images are just a few I have created for past clients.  Enjoy!!

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

I’ve been working on so many photo projects that I’m going to simply post a variety of images from everything!  It’s been a great season and I want to thank all of my families, high school seniors and brides and grooms for making these past few months full of fun and simply stunning venues in which to indulge my senses in.  You are all awesome and I can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Now, just because the summer months are behind us and Autumn is coming full circle, doesn’t mean I put away my camera and quit doing photo sessions.  Are you kidding!  I LOVE taking photographs in the winter!  The light is beyond anything from any other season, so if there are people out there brave enough to have your family or engagement sessions done during the colder months, I’m game!!

Now, onto the pictures!

My two clowns in the pasture that keep me entertained & give me reason to laugh – a lot!

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

Elegance and simplicity define this wedding I was so fortunate to be the chosen photographer for.  As per the request of the bride and groom, there will be no names and faces disclosed.  You won’t be disappointed.  The details alone tell their story.

No flower girl – everyone threw rose petals as the bride and groomed walked down the aisle at the end of the ceremony.

For any bride contemplating whether to wear a veil or not, photographically speaking, a veil takes your images to a whole new level.

Who would have thought white on white could be so extraordinary!

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

To see more of the pictures from the play, click this link:  THE GALLERY.

I will continue to add pictures to the gallery as I get them edited.

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

Whew!  I’m finished editing the rest of the family session at Popham Beach!  There were a lot of images and I just didn’t have the heart to delete!  But it was worth it in the end.  Yes, I did delete quite a few, but I started out with a few hundred.  Trigger happy I suppose!!  Once again, this family knows how to have fun and knows how to express their love for each other.  Enjoy the rest of the preview!!

Now this family LOVED jumping, and they do it so well, don’t you think!!

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

I have finally finished editing the rest of the pictures of Lea and her horses.  I decided to create a gallery rather than put them all in a post.  For anyone unfamiliar with these series of pictures I have been taking of Lea since last November, you may want to know that none of our time was rehearsed.  All images are candid.  My intention is to document her relationship with her horses, all the little moments that create a story.

If you would like to read the posts from the beginning, here is a link to the first one.

And the second one.

The third one.

Here is just a taste of what is in the gallery. . .

And now here is a link to The Red Streak Warrior gallery.

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

I have finally finished editing the many, many pictures from the Pirate Rendezvous, which took place this past weekend, June 12, 2010 in Damariscotta, Maine.  It was packed with pirates, children dressed as pirates and even adults dressed as pirates.  What fun!!

I have created two galleries of pictures.  One with primarily the children, both young and older.  And one of the pirates and crowds.  One thing I must apologize for is the images in the galleries are not 100% in order.  I used two SD cards and my pictures are filed in numerical order, so they are a bit jumbled up!  There was no way I wanted to sort them out – too many!  I hope you enjoy just the same!  Click on the following links to get to the galleries.

Pirates and crowd gallery

Kids Gallery

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

High School Senior Portrait Special & Contest

1 person – $300

2 people – $450

3 people – $600

4 people – $750

Let’s have some fun with your senior pictures! After all, it’s your last year in high school, and for some, it’s your last year in school with your friends. Here’s my idea:

Bring up to 3 friends along (who are also seniors and need their senior portrait taken) and I will take group pictures as well as individual ones. What I’d like to encourage is creativity. You can design your photo session however you want, as long as it’s clean and legal.

• wear costumes
• have a theme
• include pets
• incorporate your sport
• bring instruments if you’re musicians
• dance
• play!
• (insert your idea here)

Contest: for the individual or group that has the most creative photo session, you will win a 40 page hard bound photo book using the images from your session.

Included in your session:

• high resolution CD of artistically edited images from your photo session which include rights to reprint
• 1-3 hours of my time photographing your session
• up to 3 locations within 10 miles of each other
• unlimited wardrobe changes

Alright Seniors, let’s have some fun!

Schedule your sessions now before I’m all booked up!

I am only doing a limited number of sessions.

Contact: Darlene Terry ~ 563-7464

drt555@yahoo.com

Being able to look at a photograph and suddenly be transported back in time to a moment that only lives once, is an investment well worth its weight in gold.

To view more senior pics, click here!

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

I spent this past weekend, May 21-23, at the Windsor Fairground in Windsor, Maine photographing more children, teenagers and animals than I can even begin to count.  In the course of the three days, I most likely walked as many miles as I drove to get there!  But it was worth it – every mile, every minute and every click of my camera’s shutter button, which most likely exceeded 5,000!  But I’ve whittled the number of images down to about 1,000.  Oh my!!  Hey, there were a lot of kids and a lot of animals and A LOT of events.  I really hope I didn’t leave anyone out.  I am so sorry if I did.  It wasn’t intentional or personal.  How could it be – I didn’t know any of the participants.

The kids, all in 4-H, showed sheep, cattle, alpacas and goats.  They made posters that represented what the Northeast Livestock Expo means to them.  And several teams cooked a meal, incorporating either beef, lamb or goat meat, with potatoes being the common ingredient.   I’m telling you, these looked like very elegant dishes and the smell was mouth watering!

The images below are just a small sampling of what I have edited so far.  I’ll put the rest up in a gallery when they’re all finished.  Just wanted to give you a peek of your weekend, from my point of view.  Stay tuned for the rest – hopefully by next week!

The lighting was quite challenging, but I’m pleased with the results.

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

I believe I have found the perfect thing to do in my spare time – babysitting adorable children!  Endless photo ops – oh yes!  I’m trying out different photo actions and I really like these from Florabella.  They don’t work on all images, but when I find a match, the effect is really dreamy.

I love dandelions when they are in the seed stage.Playing I Spy up at the top of the hill.  This is a rare, quiet, serious moment!Heading back to the house.

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

A couple of weeks ago I had an amazing time with Lea and her horses, watching them play and documenting the day.  It had been six months since my last visit, which doesn’t seem possible at all.  Time does seem to fly faster as one ages.  All of these images are in color because I couldn’t resist how brilliant they were.  I hope you will see the incredible connection between Lea and her horses.  I am always in awe when I see them together, interacting, experimenting, trusting.  Enjoy the show!

I love the details.

So simple but I really love this.

The light in the forest was so beautiful.

Lea always keeps the horses on their toes.  I’m sure they wonder “what is she doing now!”

I’m in love with how this turned out!

I love how unique and intimate this one is.

The eyes say it all.

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

I’ve been going through some pictures that I didn’t even edit yet and I completely forgot about these!  The good news is I’ve learned new techniques and have different tools for editing so the results are usually better.  I’m sure if I weed through all of my 962,000,000 images, I’ll find more that need tweaking.  No, I really don’t know if I have that many pictures, but most days it sure does feel like it.

These pictures were taken just minutes after I met Beth & Mike.  We were visiting the location of their wedding on Pemaquid Point.  I remember it being very overcast and a bit foggy, but those are good conditions for photographs.  Beth’s father was also there.  He chauffeured them in his antique Volkswagen Bug.  What a beautiful ride!

I just love the love between these two.  It has been nearly 8 months since I photographed their wedding.  I can’t get over how quickly time flies!

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

The first week in March just ended and for those of us living in Maine, I’d have to say we have been fortunate. Granted the last few days of February brought us near hurricane conditions, creating much damage and inconvenience, but having temperatures edging very close to 60 in March is quite a blessing.

So, what did I do this weekend? I cleaned out my garden on Saturday and on Sunday I visited my friend’s farm, hanging out for over an hour talking and taking pictures. The following images are all about joy and the carefree bliss that is so evident in children and animals.

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

Here are some more images of Rosy and her mom and dad. Such a beautiful family.

When we choose to be parents, we accept another human being as part of ourselves, and a large part of our emotional selves will stay with that person as long as we live. From that time on, there will be another person on this earth whose orbit around us will affect us as surely as the moon affects the tides, and affect us in some ways more deeply than anyone else can. Our children are extensions of ourselves.
– Fred Rogers

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

I am continually awed by how light can either make or break a photograph. Yes, I have gone out with my camera on a cloudy day and the images captured were beautiful. They even glowed with a particular light found only on cloudy days.

What I love, however, is the sunlight that exists towards the end of the day or the first couple of hours after sunrise. “The golden hours.” The magic of light.

The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness.  ~Vladimir Nabokov

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.  ~Aaron Rose

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

Emotions. Life can be summed up as a series of unending emotions. What I strive to capture in my work as a photographer are the emotions of my subjects. It doesn’t matter if I’m shooting people, animals or plants. Emotion exists.

The following images portray a variety of emotions.

Sadness. Letting go. Adoration. Contemplation. Bliss. Joy.

What stirs your soul?

Post inspired by the Shutter Sisters.

The four images above were taken an hour or two before their beloved horses had to be laid to rest.

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

Inspired once again by a post from The Shutter Sisters.

If I’m ever in a down mood or when I’m feeling uninspired, all I have to do is usher my two dogs outside to the pasture and hang out with my them and my two horses and 11 hens. It really helps that one of the horses thinks he’s a dog. Well, I suppose he can’t help it, being a pint sized miniature horse! He always initiates play when we are out in the pasture.

He and one of my dogs, Cody, especially love to play together. They chase and play tug-o-war. The images below are from two days ago, plus I included some from last winter that I think really demonstrate lightheartedness. Needless to say, I am very entertained by their antics. In between shots I engage in the play, too!

This one just makes me smile.

Yikes!!

Dressing up for Valentines Day!

Feel the love.  How can I not smile!

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

It is so easy to get comfortable with a certain way of doing things. In regards to photography, post processing in particular, I have found myself seeking new ways of bringing to life the images I take. I visit hundreds of blogs. I sample hundreds of tutorials. I read hundreds of “how to’s.” But in the end I found myself slinking back into a familiar way of presenting my work. Maybe it’s my “style” or my “signature” – a way for people to recognize my images. For them to be able to say, “yep, that’s Darlene.”

But I want to grow. I want to feel expressive in a multitude of ways. I don’t want my post processing to be my signature. I want the emotion conveyed in the images to say “this is Darlene’s work.”

The following images are from a session I did towards the end of November. I’m still working on them. The good thing about taking so long is the images and I are evolving together. I am stepping outside my “photography comfort zone” with the intention of being open to many forms of expression. These images below have been treated with a vintage look. The hardest part about this change is when I put the original image and the vintage image side by side. I have to let go of the fact that the colors are different, especially skin tones. But what I’m loving is the energy shift. It really brings to life the feeling of the moment.

The direction of this post was inspired by the latest post on Shutter Sisters.

This image represents such a sacred moment.  I just love the synchronicity between Lea and Spartacus.

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

I have been waiting for Christmas to come so I could post these images.  I photographed Justine and her horse, Emma, in November with the intention of documenting their connection.  The resulting images were to be used as gifts, so I didn’t want them to be made public until they were given.  I love how they turned out.  We had less than an hour before the sun disappeared, and during that time the sun was in and out of the clouds.  And Emma was a bit antsy so I just watched and clicked away.  No poses, just pure moments.  A lot of love going on between these two!  And such beauty!  (I will be doing a post of her sister and her horse later in the week, so stay tuned!)

This is my personal favorite.

And this one, too.

Yes, the colors were that vibrant!

And this is a picture of her other horse, Otis, that I made into a poster.

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

It isn’t even officially winter yet but it feels like January already!  I hope these past few days aren’t a preview of what’s to come.  I love winter, I truly do, but the extreme wind and cold is hard to take in big doses.  However, regardless of the temperature outside, the light of winter is extraordinary, especially in the morning or late afternoon.  Morning at my house is better than late afternoon because of the way the sun is able to shine in my pasture.  The following images were taken this morning as the sun was still climbing.  Every once in awhile it would peer through the tree branches on one side of the pasture to illuminate the trees on the other side.  I think the effect was quite beautiful.  Enjoy!

Notice the “little Muffin” watching in the background.

I think Sonny just ate some horse poop!

“Anyone wanna play soccer?”

“Hmm, guess not . . .”  Just look at that round, happy belly!

Isn’t that the most kissable nose you ever did see?  And believe me, it gets kissed many times a day!  Ah, morning light!

Time for a game of tag!

I hope your morning was as beautiful as mine was.

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

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is a little over 2 weeks away!  I’m actually looking forward to the New Year.  To me it is symbolic of fresh starts, beginning anew, leaving what no longer serves me behind.  I feel like I’m in transition, and for those of you reading this that are women who have gone through labor and bore children, you know what I mean!  It can be painful, you become ugly and monster-like, wanting nothing more than to release what is aching to come out because you know, in the end, it will be beautiful.

I am not giving birth to a child (whew!) but I am birthing a new life that has been growing inside me for a long time.  This “nesting” phase is both exciting and exhausting, creating a new joy to be shared with all.

The images below were taken over the past month or so.

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

I absolutely LOVE the Fall season!  For me, the colors signify accomplishment and a brilliant end to the busy, full days of Summer.  I love the turning maple leaves, but even more, I love the opened pods of  milkweed.  For the past month as I drive to and from town, I’d scout the roadsides for the first signs of this amazing plant.  And today, on my way home from a massage session, I actually had time to stop and photograph some.  I was hoping for the sun to be shining because I love how the light illuminates the cottony white.  The sky was overcast  but I love the results anyway.  The problem I’m having is choosing a favorite.  One may wonder, how many images of a milkweed one can take?  After all, a milkweed is a milkweed, looking just like the last milkweed. Wrong! I’d love to hear from you which image you like best.  Just leave a comment at the end of this post to tell me.  There are 16 images and I’m going to post them in the order that I photographed them, so you won’t think they are in order of preference.  Enjoy!!

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

Each time I do a photo session I realize how blessed I am.  I love what I do!  Combine that love with the opportunity to capture the essence of family makes my love for photography increase tenfold.  Thank you Stella and Erin for entrusting me with your girls, allowing me to create keepsakes for you to enjoy for all the years to come.  The images below are just a sneak peak of your day.  Enjoy!

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

I know that daisies are a common flower, found scattered in practically every field from east to west.  I love them for their simplicity and for the way they bring back memories of childhood.  I love how they seem to last forever, even after they’ve been sitting in a vase for days.

As a photographer, I have become aware of light in ways that I never was before.  I am especially attracted to the light that shines during the golden hours of the day – around dawn and dusk.  The different seasons have their own special light, and believe it or not, I find late winter to have some of the most spectacular light.

The following images are certainly not from winter, but just from a few days ago.  And they are daisies, illuminated during the golden hours.

These are not daisies but I couldn’t resist!

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

As of today I have images for sale!  You can view them HERE I will continue to add images to the gallery as I see fit. Right now there is a wide selection, all photographed in Midcoast Maine. The subjects range from Pemaquid Light House to Seascapes, Lupines to Animals, which include my miniature horse, Muffin. I also have some of geese, winter scenes, sunrises and sunsets.

Here is a little glimpse of what you’ll find in the gallery.

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