Maine Family Photographer:: Shumway Family

Step into the time machine with me as I play catch up in blogland, and find myself feeling so ready for Fall to show its face around here. Another family photo shoot at another farm. I love beach sessions, but the quiet and the color and the beauty of farms is easily becoming a favorite place to gather with families.

Negotiations with Truman :)

The dynamic is different when it’s 3 teenage boys with a younger sister. And she definitely runs the show whenever I have captured this family! Her energy and silliness makes the boys smile, despite their efforts not to. It’s actually fun to see what she might do to make them crack.

This is also your reminder to get those family photos done before the teens 1) don’t want to 2) get super busy with jobs and other activities or 3) graduate and head off to the next life adventure. It’s hard to make time for family photos once they become teenagers, it’s even harder once they head off to college! But trust me, it will be so worth it.

Thank you, Shumways and Truman the dog for another fun round of photos!

Maine Family Photographer:: Weber Family

It’s September, and as recently mentioned I am suddenly trying to play catch up in blogland. So, hanging on to those beachy Summer evenings, while experiencing the first real stretch of heat all Summer, I am excited to finally share images from this session and this family.

Family photos can look different depending on where a family is in their journey. Chasing toddlers to navigating shifting moods of teenagers are all part of the process. Photos in the early days of family life, with one barely walking creates a different kind of images. Once the cute face adjusts to this stranger following them, pointing a camera at them, they start to perhaps smile and enjoy and take in this new environment, this new experience, looking to their parents for information or even validation. It’s fun and at times exhausting. All parties involved tend to leave a bit tired out. I love it!

It’s also a great way to get images with plenty of affection, honest smiles, and a heap of sweetness. Emmett delivered on all fronts. I mean, just look at that face!

It’s never lost on me what a privilege it is to be asked to capture a family, especially when it’s possibly their first family photo session. So, thank you, Amanda, Dan, & Emmett, for a fun and sweet evening, complete with sandy toes and and salt drenched clothes!

From The Archives:: Dava of Portside Real Estate

Dava found me years ago as she was starting a new real estate business known as Portside Real Estate. Since then her company has gown and grown and expanded to have several locations in different zip codes. I have been doing the head shots for her company since they started, and it’s been pretty great to watch from a distance how much her company has grown and her life has shifted. She also remains one of my most decisive family photo clients. Nobody picks their final images as quickly as Dava does!

Whenever I see her, she has a smile and a hug for me, and I think it’s safe to say we are always glad to see each other. I can’t imagine how tough things were when this all started and gears needed to shift, knowing how many people’s livelihoods were relying on her. I know for many the tough part was the uncertainty and not knowing how long things would be shut down (and that is still the hard part even though things have started to shift), but I think for some too much time spent in that worry is not an option. Dig in and find a way. And maybe be grateful for some of the shifts that start to happen. Shifts like more time with your kids and at home. More time to listen and think and come up with solutions. Something a lot of smart, hard working people I know have managed to do. Dava is one of those people.

Dava and her boys in front of the Portland Museum of Art.

Name: Dava Davin

Occupation/Business: Portside Real Estate Group, Founder + CEO

1. What is one notable change in your life since Covid19 has changed how we are able to do things? I unequivocally know that I would not want to be quarantined with anyone else but my handsome, kind-hearted husband, my two smart and funny boys, and the cutest pup in Maine. 

2. What has been most challenging? Figuring out how to make this time the best it can be for the 100ish Portsiders. Sleepless nights of trying to solve the puzzle when the pieces keep getting sucked up by the vacuum. 

3. Have you found any silver linings you care to share? Oh yes, I have been strangely inspired by all of this to be a better leader, to serve more people, and to do my part to be helpful. We don't know what we are capable of until we are knocked down. 

4. Are there any shifts you are hoping to stay in place as we move forward? The less full schedule, having dinner every single night with the ones I love the most. 

5. What are you most looking forward to being able to do again? Hands down, seeing my mom and dad, those two beautiful humans that taught me to follow my dream and take risks, to work hard, and see the beauty around me. 

***

So, thank you Dava for years of photos and for sharing a piece of your story with me for this project! Looking forward to the days when Portsiders are gathering and raising money for another great local organization… whenever that can happen again!

From The Archives:: Jan, Midwife & Nurse

Jan is someone I have known for decades, and every few years we get to do family photos together. And because I love this photo of her in her kitchen in this shirt, I knew I needed to include her in this project. Besides, a nurse’s perspective is one we should definitely be hearing during this.

Thanks Jan for taking risks and making sacrifices every day to keep others healthy!

Janice Locke 

Occupation/Business: Nurse Midwife, Central Maine Medical Center.

1. What is one notable change in your life since Covid19 has changed how we are able to do things?

Work is very different. We’re all being asked to use vacation days to save money for the organization. Some staff have been furloughed. Providers were asked to take a 10% pay deferment. Like most healthcare facilities, we are financially struggling. Office days, we’re doing a lot of Telehealth prenatal and postpartum visits. Routine appointments/procedures are being postponed. The hospital itself feels like a ghost town. When we get to work, we line up at the front door to be screened for symptoms and get our daily mask. Both staff and patients are required to mask. Labor patients can only have one support person- no big birthday parties. Expectant moms cannot leave the room to walk the halls in labor, nor use the labor tub  (that was a tough pill to swallow.) They have to wear that infernal mask when pushing out their baby which interferes with breathing. But we are fortunate at CMMC (so far) no laboring mother has had Covid, therefore has not had to face the impossible prospect of being separated from her infant after the birth. Of course, our unit is prepared to care for covid positive labor patients if/when the time comes. It feels like a very prolonged calm before the storm.  Everybody’s a little on edge and vigilant.

2. What has been most challenging?

My world has become smaller. I’m either at work or at home. I used to be out and about a lot: restaurants, concerts, road races, kid’s activities. I haven’t even seen my partner since March 17th. Because we both work in the medical field we are both higher risk to be exposed and spread virus to vulnerable people. We’re being conscientious, but it’s hard. 

3. Have you found any silver linings you care to share?

Well, even though I’m bringing in 10% less, I’m not spending much so I’ve actually been able to save a bit. For this I am very fortunate. I know so many are struggling.  Also it’s been nice having more quality, unstructured time with the kids. My kids are doing well and that always warms a mother’s heart.

4. Are there any shifts you are hoping to stay in place as we move forward?

Maybe more general awareness that we’re all connected. That our choices impact those around us. I love the sparks of kindness, helpfulness, generosity and compassion that arise when we look out for each other. It’s cliche, but we all really are in this together. I hope that spirit sticks around once we have treatments and vaccines. Oh, and I hope people keep washing their hands.

5. What are you most looking forward to being able to do again?

Seeing people, being social, hugging my parents. I just really miss hugs. I’m a total hugger

Jan and her daughters during our last family photo session.

I am ready for one of those hugs when the time allows! Thanks Jan for sharing!

xo ~ jb

{Maine Family Photographer}: 5 Years of Davins

I thought I would try something I haven’t done before — combine multiple years of the same family in one post (YAY for people who get family photos every year! & YAY 21 days of blogging!). It’s crazy to see all these photos of the same family all at once. And it’s also a little crazy that I somehow still think of Cole and Ty as they were the first time I met them and photographed them. Now when I see them I’m shocked by how tall they are and how their faces have shifted.

The first time we hung out with my cameras we met in Portland, by a park with a graffiti wall. Things got a little silly. I may have encouraged some of that…

This is actually one of my favorite family group photos - I love the colors and the angle and how they are not perfectly lined up yet.

haha! :D

Our final attempt at a photo of the 4 of them. Worth it!

The next year we met at SMCC. I loved Cole’s red shorts on that really overcast day. And you will see things were also pretty windy that day…

That wind :D

The next year we met at their home and the dogs got to hang out with us, which was a great way to keep the boys smiling and not worried about the camera (pro tip).

Some years it’s more about the boys, and less about all four of them. Until the next time we can all be in the same place for photos again :)

Then the next year we met at the Portland Museum of Art. Which is a great spot for photos, especially if it starts to drizzle a little.

This was the year I almost fell over when I saw Cole. I couldn’t believe what a difference a year made! And sweet Charlie made another appearance…

And then another year in their yard… some quick shots with dad before had to leave. Then the majority of the time seemed to be all about Charlie.

Charlie is the dog, by the way. He’s a little star at their home and at Dava’s work.

Haha! Charlie is trying to play with everyone, so Cole put his foot over the tennis ball which of course made me chuckle.

The star of the family :)

So, these were some of my favorites from each of our sessions through the years. It was fun to look at these all again! Photos are so amazing, and I am always honored by the people who come back year after year and value how important family photos are.

Thank you, Dava, Jim, Cole, and Ty! And, of course, Charlie!!

Walking to get photos in year 5. Maybe I’ll save those for another.post! But also, has me wondering if this year Mom will be the shortest in the family…

{Maine Family Photographer}: Evie's Birthday Fun

Hello Saturday! Here we are, 16 of 21 days of blogging…. with these fun friends celebrating a birthday together at the beach.

Sometimes as humans we don’t do everything with the intention we originally set out with. Sometimes life happens. Sometimes things take longer than you planned. Sometimes a restaurant you love announces it’s going to close and your friends want to go while we still can, so the task that kept getting put off throughout the day ends up being pushed aside. Because honestly, time with the people who matter is often worth more than a blog post. So, ooooops I missed yesterday! But also… totally worth it!

Which brings us to yesterday’s post that is now today’s. These Friends. This time in their lives celebrating a birthday, laughing, playing, and being together before things in their lives shift. Before different schools and different activities set them off into opposite directions. Glad Evie’s mom had the foresight to realize this is a time and an event that needs to be photographed. For them.

The snapshots of friendship, of a warm evening together, of a slice of time in their lives. This was a photo shoot that hit all the points for me. Snapshots of friends, then just document as they hang out, laugh, be silly, and go to an arcade. Freedom to capture what was happening as it unfolded. No emphasis on trying to make the kids look perfect, but instead just capturing who they are now.

Yes please!

Sisters xo.

Photos with friends but of course a few with Mom as well.

Sometimes after posing for a photo you just need to dance it out. Makes sense - there is a birthday to celebrate and there is still an arcade to get to and prizes to win and eventually cake to eat. I know it’s hard to contain all that excitement!

Sometimes a group photo turns into a mini mosh pit. I’m ok with that. :)

Thank you, Evie and friends for being so fun to follow around with my camera!

The next/ really the previous post contains the images from our time in the arcade. This was one heck of a birthday! Glad I got to be there with my cameras to document it.

{Maine Lifestyle Photographer}: Arcade Birthday Fun

Today I played a little hooky. The advantage to working for yourself. I figured since I’ve been blogging so much well after dinner time, maybe I deserve a few hours of floating and away from technology. SO, I went to Sebago Lake, floated, and came home to get back to work. Well, ran around some more, then sat down to get more photos ready for more blog posts.

So, I got to work on these photos of Evie’s birthday, where her mom wanted a photographer to document this group of friends before they head off to different schools. That age where life starts shift and with it some friendships.

Seriously, how awesome is it that her mom thought to do this? Answer: very awesome.

I decided to break this session up into 2 posts. We first met up and did friend group photos on the beach, then all headed to the arcade and I continued to follow them around. So, pretty much a dream come true for me.

I’m posting the arcade photos first, so that later it will appear in the actual right order. I’m not sure that even matters, but right now after a day of floating and a little too much sun, this is where my brain is.

Isn’t it funny how entering an arcade can feel exciting and full of promise? Sometimes that excitement is rewarded, sometimes it’s not. So, you might as well cheer your friends on when it all works out!

Tomorrow I’ll post the other photos from our time at the beach….

This post is reminding me I haven’t taken my annual Summer trip to OOB and maybe I should remedy that. SOON.

{Maine Lifestyle Photographer}: Another slice of Life

It’s 10:39pm on day 14 of 21 days of blogging. It rained a lot today, and today’s photo shoot needed to be rescheduled. The Niece came over and played games and laughed with the broken hubs. The Neph and I went out tonight (somewhat spontaneously) for tacos. So, it was perhaps a slightly imperfect but very good day. I’m tired and ready for bed, and this photo grabbed me as a photo to use for today’s blog post.

The niece has this hooded blanket thing that says Princess across the top and the back. She throws it on her when she comes home and is done with her day. I so feel that right now.

If they made this in my size I would likely have one as well, and throw it on after a productive day. But maybe with a different word across it.

And with that I need to be done with the day and head off to get ready for whatever tomorrow is going to bring….

{Maine Family Photographer}: Summer Vacation Family Photos

When you are vacationing in Maine, it’s smart if you also include time to do family photos. The Buchanans did just that, so between family gatherings and duck boat tours we hung out together in Portland.

Portland has so many spots that make for good photos, and there are ways to dodge the other tourists - even though it’s not always easy on a busy Summer day in Portland’s Waterfront!

I love the colors they chose, and the good mix of silly and …. well behaved :)

So, if you need a little inspiration for a Summer urban photo shoot with good smiles (seriously - note the lack of fake kid smiles!) and great outfits, please enjoy these images from my time with the Buchanan family…

Those eyes and smiles!

I can’t remember what was so funny, but whatever it was it was worth it to have these smiles happen.

I can’t get enough of this one.

haha! I love it when one of the siblings brings the silly.

And also this because it’s pretty funny……

😁

{Maine Lifestyle Photographer}: A 365 Outtake

It’s past 8 pm and I haven’t gotten to today’s blog post.

*GASP!*

The Niece and the Hubs getting ready to beat me at Hangman.

But that’s what happens on a full day when you didn’t prep ahead of time. Or it’s just a reminder to get some things done early. I’ll try to remember that in the future.

No promises, though. :)

Today the niece and I sent some fun mail to some people who may not know it’s coming. We made things and wrote cards together, then headed to the post office with hopes of making some people smile. Yesterday the ankle injured hubs got his cast off, and is moving on to a boot with crutches, and then eventually walking again.

So, it’s been a productive few days.

I came home, sat down to blog, scrolled through some images, and chose this photo of these two. Seemed like the right fit after today’s goodness.

And now I’m going to crash because I feel that kind of tired where words are not coming easy…

{Maine Family Photographer}: King Family

It’s that time of year! Time to get outside, get your toes in the sand or grass or water and call up your favorite photographer to get your family photos done. Maine beaches/forts/trails/ are waiting!

Meet the King Family. Years ago I photographed Ben & Michelle here before they were married, back when they thought maybe it would just be the two of them. Then a few years later I photographed their wedding (and then said goodbye to the wedding industry, but I swear it has nothing to do with them!). Then we finally got to head back to our favorite fort and beach with a few extra fun humans with us.

So, again we laughed and played and ran around and captured who they are at this time in their lives.

This blog post is the perfect example of why I needed to give myself the challenge of blogging for 21 days - I started this post in June! So, I guess I’ll get around to finishing and publishing it now.

Thank you, Kings! You are ridiculously fun to photograph. I’m looking forward to doing this with all of you as the years go by, and then trying to get your kids to recreate some of these photos when they are teenagers. My hope is they will be super into it.

:D

Maine Family Photographer: Morales Family

I like lists. I like crossing things off the list as they get done, and seeing the list get smaller and smaller. I REALLY like those days when I get lots of things crossed off the list. I know I am not alone in this. Today I made a list that will guide me as I head into blogging for 21 days. A list that will give me a sense of accomplishment as it gets bigger, which is opposite of my usual to do lists. This will be a GOT IT DONE list, and will have 21 things checked off at then end. Maybe more. We’ll see.

So, it’s day 3 of blogging every day for 21 days (I keep repeating that so it will become habit). I want to share some favorite photos, some stories behind a photo, or just sessions that are more focused on the images and less on the words. It’s going to be a real mixed bag around here.

So today’s list included: Post to IG | EDIT | laundry | EDIT! | find pot holder loops (because the niece and I have plans for crafty fun times) | Make a blog list | BLOG | get the broken husband out of the house | Barre class | make potholder | EDIT | read.

(Yes, I have some editing to do, haha!)

Most of things are getting done. So may I share with you a few faves from a quick session with the M fam, from a day cooler than today, where snuggles were needed and silliness was unavoidable. I loved every minute of it.

And now I think I need to add BUY TOPHAT to my list.

Thank you, Victoria, Alberto, Sylvio, Wilow, and Lucas! Let’s do this again soon…

365 Photo Project {July}

July. The time of year we Mainers live for. Personally I don’t live for the heat too much, but do live for the time of year when jumping in the water as much as possible is a thing that can happen.

This July was a little different than others. I kept my calendar lighter than normal, and took some time off the week of 4th of July. Then my better half fell off a ladder, and things shifted. So, we are a few weeks in to healing from a fall - no driving, no working, not able to put weight his right foot. So, there have been doctor appointments, paperwork, casts, surgery, a lot of sitting, binge watching The Walking Dead, and simply trying to heal. So, this July delivered a bit of a curveball, and has changed some of our daily routines.

But there was also a trip to New York with my brother and nephew, a mini college reunion, a World Cup win for Women’s Soccer (!!), time by lakes, ponds, oceans, and pools, gathering with friends for food and conversation. So, a disruption of normal routines, but still lots of good life stuff and camera time.

Here are a few of the daily winners as life played out in front of my camera…

7/1.

7/2.

7/3.

7/4.

7/5.

7/6.

7/7. World Cup WATCHING!

7/8.

7/9.

7/10.

7/11.

7/12.

7/13.

7/14.

7/15.

7/16.

7/17.

7/18.

7/19.

7/20.

7/21.

7/22.

7/23.

7/24.

7/25.

7/26.

7/27.

7/28.

7/29.

7/30.

7/31.

So, July felt like a weird month, yet still a good one. I came home from a trip and the next day the hubs had surgery, so healing part two started almost 3 weeks after the initial injury. it’s a weird thing to have your life be forced to a slower pace, but there’s also something in there that may be good somehow. Maybe that’s gratitude.

We’ll just keep doing things one day at a time, sort of like this project….

365 Photo Project {June}

It’s only July 8th as I sit down to write this blog post and already June feels like it was forever ago. I did a thing this past week for July 4th - I took a semi vacation! There was just so much water to be jumping into and people visiting and offices not holding regular business hours and any other things to help me lose my focus. So, I mostly checked out, and though I meant to do this post several days ago I am glad I tuned out for several days because I think I needed it. So, when I look at these photos from June it already feels like awhile ago because I am climbing out of my little tuned out staycation time warp.

June showed up and then Summer decided to finally get here. It brought sun, rain, out of town visitors, good food, live music, a few late nights, laughter, sweat, dancing, goodbyes, splashing around in water, and people doing awesome things to help and lift others. So, again a pretty good month! And again, thankful for daily photos for the reminders of the good moments that otherwise may not really be remembered because they seemed so simple at the time.

Here is a glimpse at how my camera and I saw June….

6/1.

6/2.

6/3. Maine Roller Derby Practice | Portland Expo | Portland, Maine.

6/4. Nabil and Scott reunited | South Portland, Maine.

6/5. Spry in my kitchen.

6/6. Walk to ice cream with Lisa.

6/7. Happy Birthday to this guy!

6/8. PortFringe rehearsal | South Portland, Maine.

6/9. Hanging on my brother’s back deck and the Neph needs help with his tie.

6/10. Home.

6/11. Midnight hola hooping because need to get my photo for the day!

6/12.

6/13.

6/14. Last day of school for the Neph. He wore his No Colon Still Rollin shirt which is one of the many reasons why he is an awesome human.

6/15. PRIDE PARADE! Portland, Maine.

6/16. These cute neighbors.

6/17. This delicious meal | David’s Restaurant | Portland, Maine.

6/18. Reggie | PortFringe | Portland, Maine.

6/19. Neighbors.

6/20. At Portside Real Estate’s annual Rooftop REcharge to benefit Girls On The Run | Portland, Maine.

6/21. Bayside Rooftop | Portland, Maine.

6/22. When Hello Newman and Maine Roller Derby cruise around Casco Bay together | Portland, Maine.

6/23. Sometimes I put on the ancient nifty fifty and find things to photograph at f 1.8.

6/24. This Summer’s Pool buddy got new goggles.

6/25. Some friends visited from NYC, so I photographed her daughter, Lila, while we waited for a table at Eventide | Portland, Maine.

6/26. Lying around waiting for class to start | Tula Studios | South Portland, Maine.

6/27. Brother and niece and my new mirrorless camera | Scarborough, Maine.

6/28. Summer floating friends | Auburn, Maine.

6/29. My dad would have been 79 on this day. So, food and family silliness is how we choose to honor him on this day | Sinful Kitchen | Portland, Maine.

6/30. Fan weather

{Personal}: An LOL Birthday

My niece recently had a birthday. She’s now 7. A few weeks ago there was a small celebration that involved photo booths, fashion shows, cupcakes, unicorns, all things LOL, a ridiculous amount of noise, and me somehow getting trampled by a bunch of giggling kids.

So, that was fun.

So once I got out of the trample pile, I was able to get back to the task of taking photos and watching my family try to navigate this level of energy with a birthday girl who doesn’t do well with loud noises. One friend decided it would be funny to have a food fight, so naturally I laughed and hoped it would happen for photo sake. But instead she just got frosting on her nose and giggled about that.

Eventually we went outside, they ran around, and had these handful of sweet moments that I’m glad my camera was there to witness/capture. These are the kinds of images that need to get printed. The snapshots of life and celebrations that you can look back at for years. I know they will want to remember who was there, how they looked (those missing teeth!), but also that very awesome jean jacket with those fantastic patches.

Photos! Or it didn’t happen. Right?

(Not really, I know. But PHOTOS so you can remember what happened :D )

So, this is not just a post about the niece having a birthday party, but a reminder to capture these moments in life (or hire a professional to do that so you can enjoy and be present) and the final piece of getting your photos printed! It’s important. For many reasons. But only having your life stories in photos on disks and hard drives and phones is not enough.

Trust me.

Friends. xo

Happy Mother's Day from JBP!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you working hard and loving fiercely in the name of raising good humans! In my many years of photographing families, there are lots of great moments with moms, but here’s a few favorites I pulled after spending time with my mom today…

Thank you to all you moms out there who do what you do every day! And thank you for trusting me to be in your space with my camera, waiting to capture a hug, a laugh, a tear, or a moment of imperfection.

And to those who struggle on Mother’s Day for various reasons, I want you to know I am thinking about you as well.

If this is the year you want to get your family in front of my cameras, I am ready for you!