From The Archives:: Sean

Sean and I have crossed paths here and there over the years over what I like to refer to as “the Portland thing”. One day we were on set together and I took this image of him. I LOVEloveLOVE shooting behind the scenes images for film and video productions (and anything really that needs that kind of documentation of a process). And if I’m not following the camera crew around I definitely gravitate to the sound person. I can’t fully explain why, it’s just what always seems to happen.

Had I not been doing this project, it is unlikely I would have ever reached out to Sean and learned of some of his challenges during this time. I think when I got his email I had that feeling that YES, this was a good project for me to take on. In the middle of a pandemic people shared their stories and worries just so I could share it with a photo of them I liked. So, although focus has been hit or miss for me during all of this, I’m glad I picked this project to not only work on but to look forward to. It’s reminding me how good we all can be, even when things aren’t easy.

So, thank you Sean for sharing with me! One day so many of us will be on a set again, grateful for the work and the camaraderie.

Sean Slaughter. Musician/ Sound Mixer in the TV/film industry 

1. The most notable change in my life has been I’ve barely worked in 2 months (Location Sound Mixer in the film/television industry). I’ve been at home all that time, except for going out for necessities and taking the family (wife Marie and 14 year old son Evan) our for family walks with our dog, Arrow. I haven’t played music with anyone in person for all that time either. Thankfully I’ve done some fun remote collaborations with other musicians through the internet. 

2. The most challenging part of this era is trying to make sure my wife and son are happy and well taken care of. Our son has Autism and he doesn’t really understand why he can’t go to school or see people, aside from my wife and I. He has limited communication skills, but we know he’s lonely and sad. Also a distant second place answer here is-dealing with all the idiots who think this disease is a hoax. That is VERY challenging. It drives me insane. They are going to prolong the problem by not following proper protocol. This is a tug of war between humans and a virus. You can’t have humans jumping over the line and pulling the rope on the virus’ side and expect good results. 

3. The silver linings for me are-

A-Spending more time with my family

B-My mind being temporarily free of the normal hustle and bustle of being a free lance worker

C-Since my mind is less occupied I’ve picked up my guitar and have been writing lyrics and music. Haven’t done that in a long time. I’ve been doing more creative passion projects in general (Editing music and videos). I’ve missed that. 

D-Mother Nature is getting a long overdue respite from the constant abuse we humans dole out. 

4. I hope there is a global shift in the way that humans operate. On all levels. This could be a great wake up call. Hopefully greed and stupidity won’t win out. It’s been winning here in the USA for so long it’s hard to see it not winning here, but hopefully humans will treat each other and the environment with more care and compassion. Also I hope my mind stays more relaxed.

5. I can’t wait to be able to connect with humans again in the real world; loved ones, friends, acquaintances. Playing shows, working film/tv shoots, going to restaurants and picnics, going to the beach, having fun with real live people.

6. PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, DON’T BE PART OF THE PROBLEM, BE PART OF THE SOLUTION!! BE AWARE THAT REFUSING TO BELIEVE THIS VIRUS IS REAL, IS BEING PART OF THE PROBLEM!

***

Until we meet again… on a set or at a show…. I will take your advice and try to be part of the solution!

~ Judy

From The Archives:: Michelle

Weeks ago I reached out to my friend Michelle to get her perspective. I knew her salon was in the early stages of figuring out how to open back up. Since she shared these words with me, they have re-opened. I’m sure there is more I can add to her story at this point, but this is what happens when I don’t blog at the same time as I share the images on Instagram! (* note to self).

Anyway, it’s Thursday so apparently that is blog catch up day and I’m here to share more stories of people’s now with a photo of them from my archives. A photo project I can do in my yoga pants and favorite red sweatshirt?! YES, I’ll do that thankyouverymuch.

One of my faves from a session with Michelle on a very cold day.

Michelle King || Hairdresser/ Co-owner Studio 119

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

On March 19th my business partner and I made the very difficult decision to close before a mandate was put into place, we made this decision to keep ourselves and our clients safe. My day to day life has changed incredibly staying home now with my two young daughters who would normally be in daycare and school. 

2. What has been most challenging?

Staying present with my daughters has been my biggest challenge, in the stress of the situation it is easy to withdrawn myself. I had the opportunity to stay home for a few years when my girls were infants and while I was thankful to have this opportunity I have always admired stay at home moms, it was not easy for me, this experience has reaffirmed my admiration for teachers and daycare providers! 

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

I have enjoyed the slow down and have tried really hard to appreciate small moments; my older daughter for instance has her adult two front teeth growing in, I’m sure I would have noticed, but within isolation we have watched every fraction of an inch. 

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

I will be scheduling clients very differently, in larger blocks of time with no double booking. I’m actually looking forward to a slower schedule that will allow me to not only ensure the cleanliness of the space but also to focus and be more present with each of my clients. 

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

I am eager to be working freely again, I miss my clients and the relationships I share with them, it will be hard to return to the salon with heavy restrictions but it will be necessary to keep everyone safe. 

**

Thanks Michelle, for sharing a piece of your story! I am looking forward to the days when we can all be in the salon again at the same time, sharing stories, and laughing our heads off. I for one know that a visit to your salon has a way of curing whatever might be ailing me, so those days will be welcome again when the time is right!

For now, safety precautions are the hot new trend xo.

From The Archives:: Edie From Locations Real Estate

Edie Fontaine is the co-owner of Locations Real Estate in Falmouth, Maine. My photo life has brought me to her several times over the past few years. Each time I hang out with her and her team there is a lot of laughter. So, of course I had to reach out to her and include them in my current photo project.

Mo & Edie, Portland City Hall.

Even though we just did another round of photos for their company right before everything went crazy, I am sharing this one from the archives because it remains one of my favorites of her and her business partner/friend, Maureen Zemrak. And I know this image is also hanging in Edie’s house, so that makes this photo matter even more to me. If you take the time to print, frame, and display a photo then it’s an image that makes you feel something. It’s a moment that matters. And that’s worth sharing.

So, thank you Edie for making me laugh. And for being open and honest as we navigate this strange new normal we are all in in…

Edie Fontaine, Broker/co-owner of Locations Real Estate Group

“I think the most notable change is I have been forced to slow way down.  I really haven't taken what anyone would consider a vacation in about 20 years.  Ive noticed that I'm LIVING in my home now as opposed to home being a landing spot in between appointments.  I discovered I really like my house!

The most challenging thing so far is keeping my "worst case scenario" personality in check!   I really can't think about this global pandemic, shutdown, toilet paper emergency too deeply or I will become full on agoraphobic.  Right now the thought of going into Hannaford is like dipping my toe in a rolling pot of nuclear waste.

Silver linings - time with my youngest son, Taemin.  One of the finest 12 year old boys you could ever hope to know.  We are reading together, talking about life and reconnecting in a way that I would never have been afforded without this crisis.

I'd love to stay as connected to home and family as I am now.  I'm not sure that life lines up that way, we tend to lean way into the familiar.  What has been familiar, is working at a breakneck pace.

I'm looking forward to the time when I can safely injury myself and go to the hospital without leaving with a COVID-19 parting gift!!!  Slightly accident prone, I am.

I'd like to share that I officially understand now what a shit show this world is.  I discovered you can't trust "grown ups".  I understand too that we are capable of astounding things, like sheltering in place, wearing masks, and the willingness to do this with relative ease because if not we can hurt people.  That's encouraging to me.  Lastly, I find myself feeling like getting back to normal may not be what we should be hoping for.  I'm not sure "normal" was all that worthy of our affection.”

You can find Locations Real Estate (and their recent new photos!) here

From The Archives * Gab of Mad Gab's

We are in strange times. And it seems like every day is a new adventure, a new challenge, a different step in what we can and can’t do. I am in the boat that we have both an obligation and an opportunity to be better citizens right now. This is our chance to slow down down and also step up. Listen to the experts, maintain social distance, find new ways of connecting and new ways of living our day to day.

But, no joke - I know that’s not easy!

So, I’m here with a new photo project. A dip into my archives and a reach into people’s current lives to see how they are doing, coping, adjusting, and if there are things they hope stick around as we try to start to move forward. The community of people my camera and I have spent time with are proving to be extra awesome on the human scale, so I am going to share their stories. Or small chunks of them.

If a pandemic teaches us anything, it may be who we can rely on when things get weird. The people who are trying to work and be good humans and do the right thing are the ones I want in my corner on any given day.

First up, Gab! Owner of Mad Gab’s and big time hugger, high energy problem solver, and feeder of all the people who enter her world….

Gabrielle Melchionda, owner of Mad Gab’s Inc.

Name: Gabrielle Melchionda
Occupation/Business: Mad Gab’s

1. What is one notable change in your life since Covid19 has changed how we are able to do things?  Having my crew work remotely or not at all. It’s very lonely and quiet, and on some days I feel like I did in my 20’s when I was a one-woman-show.  (except I’m almost 50 now, so I get tired way easier). I went from being on high-alert-disaster-recovery focused, to high anxiety, to calmer, focused, and determined. 

2. What has been most challenging? Not being able to hug people I love, and feed them. 

3. Have you found any silver linings you care to share? Yes! So many!  I have found a space for gratitude that feels significant. I’m appreciate inside, and quiet, despite my extrovert nature, I have re-discovered puzzles, and I’m cranking on my book! Also, like many small business owners, I feel like we’re all in this together. Most of the other disasters we’ve survived were ours alone, but in this moment there is solace in knowing we are all going to work through this together and somehow we will figure it out. 

4. Are there any shifts you are hoping to stay in place as we move forward? I am excited to continue my local farm delivery service, and morning self care ritual. 

5. What are you most looking forward to being able to do again?  I’m excited to share space, have dinner parties, and hug. (see #2)

6. Anything else you want to share..?  I want to share this: I believe that in spite of all the horrors and realities of what we’re going through, this is an involuntary pause that we can look at as possibility and promise, and I believe we will find our way. If we embrace what we are given, find gratitude and kindness, we will get through this, and perhaps, become better versions of ourselves.

Having been to Gab’s place for dinner, I can say without hesitation that the world is a better place when you can meet in your friend’s kitchen and leave with a full belly and full heart.

Thank You, Gab for all you do and share. I’m honored to have you kick off this project! And looking forward to gathering around a table with you over eats and ‘all things welcome’ conversations.

xo ~ jb

You can follow along with this project on Instagram @judybeedlephotography :)

From My Archives I Got An Idea

I have a favorites folder on my hard drive. Usually I have one for every year. Favorites in the form of photos. I have found myself scrolling through the favorites folder more than once since we have been in this holding pattern/ new life adjustment time of not knowing when we can work like we used to or what changes may lie ahead. I look through and at first feel happy. There is a lot of joy, people laughing, celebrating, hugging, smiling. I see patterns in my work, and I feel good about some of these moments I have captured.

Portland Pride Parade, 2019.

Then I also have a mild sadness of wondering what the future holds for these kinds of life events my camera and l love to capture. Pride parades, birthday parties, theater events, weddings, sporting events, concerts, fundraisers, collaboration projects, family reunions….

I try not to think about it too much, to be honest. But that’s how I keep my head somewhat above water as we navigate the ever changing somewhat new normal of the week.

Friends in a pool.

So, I decided I needed to pull from these archives and tell some stories. Photos from before, coupled with stories of now. A very safe and wicked socially distant way to do some sort of photo project right now. And hopefully a way for us to connect while we can’t hang out.

I went through the favorites folder(s) and reached out to some humans I know and have good photos of, then asked them a series of questions. One by one, they responded. So the first chunk of this project is gearing up and getting ready to happen!

Please join me as I start a photo project I’m calling From The Archives * a very distanced photo project. I will share here at times and on instagram all the time. Feel free to follow along - you can find me @judybeedlephotography or click on the instagram logo here on my website. Perhaps some of you will see some familiar faces….

As people I have photographed share their stories with me, I find myself feeling extremely grateful for the people I get to work, share my community, and hang out with. So maybe that’s my silver lining.

Can’t wait to celebrate life stuff with people again. But I will wait because we need to.

Give Me Your Huggy Smiles

Is it better to share past moments as a reminder or better to share present moments, even if they seem less happy? Is it too hard to see reminders of what you can’t be doing right now?

Maybe. For some. But for others we need the reminders. The smiles. The glimpses of moments that make us feel, that remind, that ground us both in the past and in the present, while looking forward to what may come. Folders and folders of images unshared, blog posts unpublished. And I find myself looking at my work differently these days.

Leaguemates! Maine Roller Derby skaters Slammin’, Wrex, and Ax at Happy Wheels, December 15, 2019.

In December our local roller rink closed. This winter a story was published sharing news of the possibility of another rink to be built. In March the Corona Virus showed up on our shores and everything started to change and shift quickly. Weeks into school closures and stay at homes orders, I find images in my folders needing to be shared. Friends sharing final moments on skates, at a roller rink that no longer is, way before we knew that soon all sports and gatherings of people would also come to a halt.

So, do we share these moments and risk feeling sad? Or do we share and remember and smile? Find a thing to focus on, a thing to get back to…?

I think we share. We keep pushing forward and tell the stories and share the moments but somehow remember and focus on the now at the same time. Because believe me I never thought I would be so badly craving having my camera capture a hug between friends/family/teammates/strangers. I always knew that’s where it was for me, I never thought I would have to know what it feels like to not be chasing down those moments.

So, while I normally gravitate to the photos where people are less camera aware, or are at least not mugging for the camera, I am suddenly wanting more and more of the silly huggy smiles FOR the camera. These shared bits of happiness between people.

So, YES I can’t wait to get back to gatherings of humans for my camera to capture. But I also know some things will be forever changed. And that is somehow ok, even if we don’t know yet what it means.

Last Maine Roller Derby bout at Happy Wheels, 12/15/19. Happy Wheels Skate Center, Portland, Maine.

All images in this post were taken at Happy Wheels Skate Center, Warren Avenue, Portland, Maine on December 15th, 2019 during the final roller derby bout at that facility.

For now, we skate separately on our neighborhood streets and basement floors…. waiting for the days when we can gather in groups and skate our hearts out.

Be safe & don’t forget to hydrate!

xo ~ jb

Make a Smoothie, Call Your Mother.

Anyone else out there a list person? Anyone as nutty as me and enjoy making lists with as many colors as possible? I have a ceramic mug filled with my colorful pens, and as I sit each morning to write I pick a pen based on mood. Isn’t that what everyone does?

My To-do lists lately are shifting. I’m sure I am not alone. And they have a different feel as right now I am not facing as many things on deadline, but still need to get things done. And need to keep some sort of focus and a splash of hope. I have recently decided that with this shift in our daily lives my everyday list is: write | move | learn | read.

SO, today I sat with my coffee and my jar of pens and my journal getting these items in there, and I wrote down ‘But first, make a smoothie and call your mom.’

One of the good things happening lately is people in my life just picking up the phone and calling or Face timing. We seem to have stopped that. Well, many of us have. A text to check in is great, a face to face conversation to know your people are doing ok / or they aren’t sure right now if they are ok but they are trying, is actually making my day as we navigate this new normal that feels very far from anything normal. So, friends, make your healthy breakfast and call your mother/brother/father/nanna/friend/trusted colleague. Share a laugh or an idea or feedback on their project, check in, say hi to their pets. It’s a thing that will help us get through these strange days.

And while you’re at it don’t forget to hydrate, create, and stay home as much as you can!

In Times of Uncertainty, CREATE.

I haven’t known what to say lately. I have half written blog posts sitting unfinished. Then things got a little crazy and our cities and towns are in a holding pattern and people are being forced to stay home. Simple, mundane tasks now need to come with a strategic plan and a dose of caution. So my blogging silence has become even more so.

I have watched others panic, others adjust, new ways of working being implemented. The hardship and uncertainty getting to so many, and yet making us all better somehow. At least that’s my hope.

So, while I have a backlog of jobs to blog, my ongoing lovebutnotalways relationship with blogging is at another crossroads. A reminder that we photogs don’t always need to be showing what we are getting paid to do. We can share other things. Real life. Feeling uncertain. Business mistakes. Camera experiments. Images that don’t align with our current business or brand (many will not agree with me on this, but it’s ok for us to loosen the reigns every so often). I am here, working from home (which is my normal) but feeling a little isolated at this point and trying to make sure I don’t fall into a funk. Every image I want to share on the insta shows something we are not supposed to be doing right now, and I wobble between is this a thing I should be sensitive about and not share or is this a thing I should share with the reminder of hope for things we will get back to? YES. Both.

So, maybe this is the time to blog fun, happy life moments. Or images I love but don’t know where they fit in with what I do normally. A time to share and work on my craft/style/vision. This is a scary time for so many of us, but the artists are here to remind you that creating will help you through it. Creating whatever it is that brings you a slice of happy or calm or focus or even control (because that is what some may need right now) and it helps shift your brain and use parts you don’t always use in your everyday, working, living, cleaning, provide for your family kind of way.

Today I feel like I need go share some COLOR. Maybe another day it will be some gritty Black and White…

This photo of my nephew is what grabbed my attention today, both for the colors and for the feel. Plus, it’s so very Max.

Last year when the Neph hung out with friends for his birthday. Will they get to do that this year? Maybe on Zoom…

Be good to each other. Take care of you. Find a place to put your focus and let’s see what good we can put out into the world. We got this!

365 Photo Project {September}

September. Do you remember? Of course I do, because I have the photos. Otherwise, I would likely forget much of it.

As September rolled around, I’ll admit I was feeling unsure about continuing this project. Lots of little things and distractions and excuses and some days where my heart just wasn’t in it. And that can be hard when you are trying to push yourself and grow creatively. But there are other days when I can’t wait to see what I get with my camera. So, life balance. But September marked that point when I thought it’s possible I should be done with the 365 round 2. But I’m still here, still chasing light, still sticking my camera in people’s faces, still seeing how I can push and learn this mirrorless camera, still documenting people living life. A handful of days where I forgot or didn’t want to shift gears from whatever I was doing or was actually bored by what I was capturing are really just those points that help push you further, rather than stopping in your tracks.

Besides, September is pretty much a favorite for us Mainers. I’m still wearing flip flops. But also a scarf. Still jumped into water when I could (and still might in October). Still making potholders with the niece, and seeing the Neph on stage. Still laughing with friends and trying to find new details in my house and trying to get more human interaction/less time in front of a screen (hard in this line of work, in this day and age). And putting in the quiet work to get me to some shifts as we head into a new year in a few months. So, September you seemed to go by in a blur, but also seemed to stand still at times. Either way, I’m always glad to see you.

9/1. Our last hoorah weekend at my pal’s camp.

9/2. Everyday things that grab my eye.

9/3.

9/4.

9/5. Reminder to look up sometimes.

9/6. Friend Birthday shenanigans in OOB.

9/7.

9/8.

9/9. Our sidewalk apple tree went crazy this year. But mostly just dropped apples to the ground.

9/10. Got a new book to read.

9/11. Alison. She and I met at a photo conference a few years ago. Then her family packed up their lives and moved to Portland. So we try to get together to eat food, drink drinks, and talk about life. And sometimes laugh about the terrible hashbrowns neither of us could manage to eat.

9/12. Paige. I used this moment to play with some B&W editing and I love some of the tones not just in her face, but around the rest of the image. Taken with the Nikon Z6 (as are many others in this post/project).

9/13. Potholder mayhem.

9/14. Met this human at an event. I could relate to many of her facial expressions.

9/15. Sundays & potholders & snacks. LET’S DO THIS.

9/16.

9/17.

9/18.

9/19. The Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck at Portside Real Estate’s Annual Autumn Equinox | Maine Audobon | Falmouth, Maine.

ps, they live up to their name!

9/20. Agents of Change Conference | Portland, Maine.

9/21. Floating day!

9/22. Delivering Smiles (aka home made potholders) to friends. And this goodbye hug.

9/23.

9/24. Took the Neph to a college fair, so naturally we took a photo under this sign. But in fairness I wanted the better light.

9/25. Home.

9/26. A fractured tooth no longer lives in my mouth. So here’s a selfie of my laying around with an ice pack on my face.

9/27. More found things that catch my eye.

9/28. About to see the Neph in Matilda | Lyric Theater | South Portland, Maine.

9/29. Hula hoop dance off with the niece.

9/30. Lazy time.

So another month down, another shift into another season. I feel like October is going to be pretty great. And not just in front of my camera…

😁🎃

365 Photo Project {August}

August. What even was that?

An interesting month, I guess. Kicking off with surgery to put the broken hubs back together again, humid and/or rained out photo shoots, crafty fun times for this Aunt (and the broken Uncle), a handful of plunges into water, news of a local favorite restaurant closing, ice cream, silliness, good conversation, plotting, some Netflix binging, and way more time with the hubs than pretty much ever.

Some Summer moments, but also the feeling that Summer disappeared while we were driving around to appointments, grocery shopping, sort of adulting, and watching six seasons of The Walking Dead. Some days where I didn’t feel like I had my heart in this project because my brain was needed elsewhere. Other days where I felt like I was definitely putting in the effort to continue to grow at my craft. So, a month like no other in some ways, yet like so many months in other ways.

August 1 / Scott Surgery day and the day I didn’t pick up my camera. So here is a photo from another day I the broken guy diaries.

8/2. 1st day of surgery recovery. This was my view for a large portion of the day.

8/3. Band in a barn.

8/4. Niece visit to entertain the healing broken guy. Instead she took his scooter and rode around the house.

8/5. One of those ‘waiting for a client to show up’ photos.

8/6. Pool Time. Same pool I spent my Summers in as a kid. Back in my day floats were not allowed! *please read that in your best old timey voice*

8/7. Post Photo shoot view.

8/8. Crafty fun times with this one. We started our potholder party fun times that we plan to continue for roughly until the world runs out of potholder loops. Oh, and I painted her nails.

8/9. That’s handy.

8/10. Broken guy wanted some plants, so I stopped everything to get him to a plant place :D

8/11. Brothers.

8/12. Tacos! And this tasty beverage.

8/13. Scooting around like a pro.

8/14. Check up day!

8/15. The day we ‘mailed smiles’ which is our new thing based on our potholder party fun. Assemble packages, write notes, add glitter to some, hit the post office, then hit the pool! But this image won for the day, even though there were 20 others I also liked.

8/16. Summer Fest turned into Hula HoopALOOOZA for us! So fun.

8/17. Wall in my office.

8/18. Got to hang with these friends ❤️

8/19. The lawn needed mowing. The lawn mower wouldn’t start. The broken guy got a part and got it fixed. Then stood on his crutches trying to get me to mow the way he likes. I can guarantee you it didn’t go his way. 😁

8/20. In the yard.

8/21. Another play date with this one. She brought ALL HER GAMES.

8/22. Sebago Lake.

8/23. CAKE!! Last Supper at Silly’s with these pals.

8/24. Lake day with some derby pals and we stopped for ice cream.

8/25. Broken guys is healing. This photo actually shows progress, even if it doesn’t look that way.

8/26. Happy Hour and people watching with my pal, Gab.

8/27. One of those 365 moments where I love the shift I see from my regular work, even if it doesn't grab other people the same way.

8/28. GLITTER and a laptop.

8/29. Having out after the first day of school. I added some of the glitter to her nails…

8/30. Another fun afternoon in the pool with the Niece and then she sat right in a super good spot of sunlight and we chatted about snacks and other things.

8/31. Camp with my super long time pal and her daughter. There is always a little September sadness at their camp. This year it’s more since this may be our last time here together. I know of a good camp for sale if anyone wants to buy it and let me hang out with you!

A lot can happen in a month, as this project continually shows me month after month. But when you are hurt, have surgery, can’t drive or work, looking back over a month’s time is also pretty crazy. Broken guy made serious progress from August 1 to the last day of the month, making us both feel like we are over that hump. Or at least the worst part of it. Which is great since technically the best month of the year is now here!

Bring it, September.

{Maine Lifestyle Photographer}: Celebrating Day 21 of 21

Well. Here it is. Day 21. Day 21 of a challenge to blog for 21 days. Yikes/Wow/Yipppeeee!

Celebrate the things in life. Like getting your license. Or blogging for 21 days.

Real Talk: that wasn't easy. I’m trying to think about the pros and cons of this challenge. But it’s probably simple: Cons were 1) it was a lot of work, 2) there were so many days where I simply didn’t want to or had no idea what to blog about, and 3) for me it’s a CON when I start to feel like it’s too much MEmeMe HI look at ME. I’m a little weird about that.

But the PROS of course were I made the time, buckled in, created content, and I DID IT. Now there is actually more work out there and not just on hard drives. More stories shared. And for me, it’s worth it to get to share things that aren’t always about professional work.

Nephew.

Neighbors.

I have times when what I am photographing for people is not my story to tell, not really my thing to share first.. Head Shots for professionals starting a new job or rebuilding a brand (not my story to share before they do!), Images for an organization working on their website and needing to put the imagery out to the world when they are ready (so get the images for them, and let them share when things are ready for the world to know about them), and lately some work that is sensitive because it involves humans trying to get established after many hard months of uncertainty. So many things I don’t share on the blog, but maybe can eventually when the timing is right and whatever dust needs to settle does.

Dinner with friends/ celebrating birthdays.

But I liked sharing little snippets of life and small moments in photos. I’d like to think I will continue to feel free to do that. I’m also hoping that from now on when the calendar says BLOG, I will find the time to do it. If I’m smart, I’ll also be better about prepping for blog posts ahead of time. A thing that as a photographer should be part of our workflow. Being human is a funny tale in being imperfect. And I can tell you many, many tales!

Sawyer wants to show me his fort upstairs.

Because in addition to sharing photo jobs, and the ongoing 365 project, there are thousands of life moments that may not get seen because they weren’t a thing for pay or they didn’t make the cut for a single photo on a certain day. But life unfolds in front of my camera on a daily basis (even if some of those days are WAAAAY less exciting than others). There is joy and laughter and uncertainty and fatigue and victory and good food and self consciousness and exploding confidence and quiet moments of thinking to capture and possibly share. It doesn’t always have to be for pay. It can be simply to document, and maybe to spread happiness and a little humanity.

Ice cream on a cold day with Molly and Kristina.

I have a project I am currently really proud to be part of. But I can’t share until they do. I want to promise to do so when the time is right. Because capturing people who love their people and love what they do is definitely a thing we could all use more of.

After School time with the niece and my mom.

There is a belief that people photograph what they are most afraid of losing. I photograph humanity. Even if it’s on a small scale of my family/neighborhood/community/friends/local business owners and non profit organizations. Maybe this challenge helped me see that a little clearer.

So my day 21 features a few photos that didn’t make the cut this year in the world of 365 photo project 2019, but that I want to be seen and shared. Little slices of life, that seem like not much at the time. But when seen with others, it’s a good reminder that these little human moments and exchangers are what end up being full of all the good.

And I’m up for that.

Pool buddy.

{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 Lifestyle Photographer}: Roller Derby Practice

Do you know what kinds of people play roller derby?

All kinds.

All backgrounds. All sizes. All careers. All of it.

So, maybe it takes a certain something in your personality to get you to the point where you walk through that door and sign up to try out, but that one small thing in any of us isn’t enough to say ‘everyone who plays roller derby is ( fill in the blank )…’

Because they aren’t all one same thing. Except human.

‘Roller derby is bad ass!’ people love to say.

Yes, it is. But that doesn’t mean everyone who plays fits into your mold of what bad ass might be. Because social workers and art teachers and writers and cooks and doctors and students and engineers may be sharing the track and the bench at any given time. The loud with the quiet, the assertive with the shy, the hot mess with the super orgnanized. All of it.

Last night after my photo shoot, I met up with a friend for dinner. She had something she wanted to give me. It was a book of roller derby photos she found in Montreal. By a photographer who had also been a skater. So, that was pretty thoughtful and also a pretty perfect thing to gift me.

When I looked at it I felt like some of the photos could have easily been taken of my league, at one of our practice spaces. I looked for my friends in some of the images. It’s possible that thoughtful gift may have influenced this post which I didn’t really think about until I got to the very end of this quick post.

Fun how art and life keep influencing each other….

{Maine Lifestyle Photographer}: Summerfest

If there’s one thing my niece is used to, it’s me following her around with my camera. I have been doing a photo a day project since the first day of 2018, and a photo a week project in 2017. So, that’s a lot of months of me always showing up and having my camera. And often turning it towards her.

I recently went to SummerFest, so of course the camera came out. I never thought about it much before, but at this outdoor celebration of Summer it occurred to me that perhaps at times it might look like she has her own personal photographer following her everywhere.

But how can you not want to photograph this face or that balloon hat?

So, here are a handful of photos taken with the new Nikon Z6 as I followed my niece around while still learning what this new camera can do…

Darts!

We said hi to our pals Hello Newman.

So after glitter tattoos, darts, a train ride, pony ride, saying HI to Hello Newman, kettle corn and fried Oreos, we found some hula hoopers and took turns with their extra hoop. Which was ridiculously fun and also a great test for the new camera and to see what I can get it to do.

Pretty much a perfect Summer night.

And I have to say, the niece has got some serious hula hoop skills!

{Maine Event Photographer}: Palm Springs Wedding

Once upon a time, I did photograph weddings. Then I decided it was time to break up with them. So, I say I don’t do weddings anymore…

But sometimes the right people can convince me to pack up the gear and show up to their wedding and work my way through a big life moment I know matters to them. Sometimes that happens twice with the same friends, the second time came with the promise of a trip to Palm Springs. A trip to California? How fast can I say yes?!?

Jamey & Kori’s California Wedding | Palm Springs Air Museum.

So, these two fantastic humans first got married in my yard in Maine in a sweet ceremony with a small group of people. Then later it was wedding part two in the desert, at an air museum. Seriously. This ocean girl loved LOVED this background and light! Plus, I got to see these people I care about share their love with an even bigger group of people who love and support them.

So, I (pretty much) don’t do weddings anymore. Except every so often when things line up right and maybe I just can’t resist because I know it’s going to be just that awesome. And this wedding was!

Thank You, Jamey & Kori for being such important people in my life, for getting married TWICE, and for including me in such a big way both times!

xoxo

{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}: Behind The Scenes / Film Stills

I love being on set. I love the lights and the chords and and the light stands and all the gear weaving in with the humans working together in a bit of controlled chaos (but a few notches down from actual chaos). All working together to make something that will be seen either on the big screen or in your family rooms.

I love following the light to see what it can help me capture. And I love documenting people creating.

So, yes being on set and behind a camera is one of the things I love.

The images in this post were all taken on a shoot for The Campbell Brothers, on a sound stage in Portland, Maine where there was dry ice being used. I am not sure why I needed to mention that other than the fact that these images look a little different than some of my work because I guess dry ice (is that right? It may have been a smoke machine…) definitely give things a different look and feel than what I am normally photographing. And I like it.

There will definitely be more photos from other sets to share soon….

And as always, be in touch if you are in need of someone to document the behind the scenes moments of your business or project!