About 3-4 years ago I began to use a digital camera.  I knew nothing about the technical side of photography, but always owned a camera and loved being behind the lens.  I remember that I didn’t have much work at the time that first year I got my Nikon D40, so I decided to make use of all my spare time and teach myself to take pictures the way I envisioned them.

Everyday, early in the morning, I took the dogs out with me to feed the horses.  I brought my camera, too.  It was at that magical hour or two after sunrise that I learned all about light and how it gave meaning and depth to anything I photographed.  I could take the same exact picture three hours later, but it wasn’t the same picture.  At all.  There was no life, no energy, no feeling.

I finally understood why it was said that photographers were always on the lookout for that “perfect light.”  It was necessary to convey emotion.  It was the thread that wove itself around subject and its’ soul.

I have been photographing people primarily for the past three years, but this morning I yearned to go out with my camera.  To be in the golden light as morning was waking up.  Pies were in the oven, my daughter asleep, the animals were enjoying the freshly fallen snow.

I wanted to go back to where I started this journey.  To remember my roots.  To discover how far I have gone and how much more of this amazing life I have yet to discover.

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

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

Utilizing available light is one of the most precious joys I find in photography.  Normally I prefer to shoot pictures during the two different “golden hour” times of day, which are early morning, just after sunrise, and evening, before the sun sets.  Yesterday, however, I was at a friend’s house in the afternoon while the sun was blazing high in the sky.  They have a magnificent field of lupines and I just couldn’t resist photographing them.  I adjusted my camera settings to ‘spot metering’ and I decided to shoot towards the sun so the lupines were back lit, creating a magical feeling with the glimmering light in the distance.

The following images are from the lupine field.  The first one I did a color treatment called Golden Vintage.  I really like the effect – very ethereal.

This next image is the original, which I also love.  The colors are more true, but I like the above image for its magical qualities.

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

. . . that’s what photography is all about – light.  You can take the most simple, everyday subject and turn it into an extraordinary work of art.  It doesn’t matter what I am doing – driving, sitting by a window, feeding the animals, cooking dinner – I am always aware of the way sunlight is affecting my surroundings.  Couple light with freshly fallen snow or dew on the grass or the morning after it has rained and you will see a completely different world.

The following images are the result of capturing the light at just the right moments.

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