dog days

I hope you all had a fantastic 4th of July weekend! I photographed weddings on both Thursday and Saturday, so I actually found myself at the studio editing on the 4th with my doors open for the First Friday Art Walk.

And here's some of the other things we've been up to lately...

As many of you are wondering, J did not place in the Your Piece of Maine contest which initiated the taping of his marriage proposal at the end of May. He's bummed, and a bit offended, but we're both thrilled to be moving forward with our own wedding plans. We're very close to setting a date and I won't share much else except that it will be very small, some place warm, and during a time in the year when our schedules aren't busy photographing weddings in New England.

I went on my first camping trip! Friends Sam and Kyle, and their two dogs Nikon and Alder, were fantastic hosts and set us up with a pretty cushy experience near Rangeley, Maine. J, Destin, Dakota and I are already looking forward to going again (Dakota went for her first canoe ride with us, right, taken by Sam).

Looking for a place to vacation with your pooch in Maine? Check out this link or this link.

J and I took a pet first aid class. Sounds crazy, but it was quite informative and important. Contact your local Red Cross office to see if a similar class is offered in your area (check out those cute dummy dogs from class!). If not, I'd recommend picking up this book which includes an instructional DVD.

Next week is Roots Workshop, the photojournalism retreat I am hosting on Cape Cod. It has been an incredible amount of planning for the last 15 months, and I am very excited to see how everything finally unfolds. There are 14 terrific participants traveling from as far as Arizona, and even Canada, to attend! Check back for pictures of the week!

I hope you all are enjoying this most amazing time of the year and properly stuffing yourself silly with local strawberries, walking in the grass with your shoes off, and breathing in the sweet, salty air of the beautiful sea breezes.

addressing inspiration

Check out these cool, crafty wrap labels that my friends Cindy and Justin used on their wedding invitations! Cindy, not crazy about her penmanship or calligraphy, spotted a template on Martha Stewart for this modern look. I love it! And friend Meredith Purdue captured the image used as their customized photo stamp!

You are not so formally invited

I love that headline! It's borrowed from a USA Today article that appeared in Thursday's print and online editions written by my dear friend Olivia Barker about the creeping trend of electronic wedding invitations replacing the traditional snail mail variety. Evite reports that 1.2 million wedding invites were sent in the last 12 months. Wow. Sure, it's earth friendly. But also, I believe, a tad tacky, no? I wish there was a more acceptable alternative. What do you think?

** electronic invitation debate article here **



Olivia also had another short piece about the controversy of having an A, B, C and even D list for your guest list with some humorous examples of when that didn't work out so smoothly. Ouch.

** guest list hierarchy article here **

And finally, Olivia has a weekly Celeb Style video series where she visits a local boutique to interview the experts on how to match celebrity style for less. Bookmark this and tune in often! It's very fun!



So proud of you, Olivia, my rock star friend!

the story

Ok. Ok. I have left you hanging in suspense long enough (thanks so much for the congratulatory comments, emails and phone calls today! What a fun day!). Here is how yesterday's proposal unfolded...

If you live in Maine, you may have heard about Your Piece of Maine, a contest sponsored by the Maine Association of Realtors. The rules require that you submit a 3-minute (or less) video on YouTube explaining why you want a piece of Maine. There are 10 prizes; first prize is $20,000!

J had decided that it might be fun to put something together, highlighting that he moved here from California and then feature a few of his favorite local places. He also decided he is ready to trade in his California license plates and officially become a Maine-iac, something we both thought would be a cute angle for the end of his video.

After I came home from work (feels so odd to write that!), we (dogs, too) piled into the car to go for a walk at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, something we do most nights. The weather was particularly gorgeous yesterday, and the sunset was spectacular.

We strolled down the beach with our little point & shoot camera (that also takes video) and my tripod until we found the right spot and waited for the right light for J to talk about why he loves the beach in Maine. He wanted me in this clip, since this is an activity we do together.

He was setting up the camera and asked me to walk toward the water to mark our starting spot. You'll have to watch the video to see what happened next (note how I think he's done and try to pull away to turn the camera off- he pulls me back and goes into his proposal talk)!!



I think it was a pretty ingenious way of a) catching me off-guard and b) capturing a really important moment in our lives forever on tape!

Our family pic.


Let me give you a little back story on the ring...

My grandma June Morgan lives in Scottsdale and is one of the most classy, stylish women you will ever meet. She has bleach blond hair, bright pink lipstick and is always impeccably dressed (she used to own a dress shop). As a young girl, I used to play dress-up in her fancy clothes for hours and each night she would treat me to a facial before bed. Many years ago grandma introduced me to the little blue box magic of Tiffany. I have a drawer full of beautiful keepsakes marking both major and minor milestones in my life, white ribbons still in tact.

A few weeks after J and I met in 2006 (and before he learned of my Tiffany infatuation), UPS delivered a package from J in a little blue box to remind me he was always thinking of me even tho 3,000 miles separated us for the first 7 months that we were dating.

Fast forward to more recent months, where J and I talked more seriously about rings and even tried on a few. During our romantic Valentine's Day dinner I had a feeling that he might propose soon and we talked about what it would mean to have a Tiffany diamond to pass down in our family for years to come.

Here is the stunning bling. Tiffany tracked down a ring in their Hawaii store that is the exact carat weight of my lucky number, a thoughtful detail only J would be so kind to consider.


J, I can't thank you enough for your sweet proposal (and for including the dogs!) and for loving me the way no one else does. You mean the world to me and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you!


Now, to answer the questions everyone is asking:
1. We don't know when/where the wedding will be.
2. We don't know who will be our photographers.

But we will surely let you know when we do! :)

OMG

memorable Memorial weekend

For the first time in 5 years, I didn't have a wedding on Memorial Day weekend! I did have a few client meetings, but otherwise J and I were able to take advantage of "normal" kick-off to summer weekend plans. We readied our gardens for the season, did a little spring cleaning inside, and pulled off a great Red Sox themed surprise 60th birthday party for my father.

I was lucky to grow up summering on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH. "The lakehouse" has seen many family gatherings, and today's was no exception. J and Dad golfed this morning (early! We left Portland at 5:30a to make the drive over for their 8a tee time) as part of our plan to get Dad out of the house so we could set up. When they returned for lunch, Dad was very surprised to see most of his family there to greet him wearing baseball party hats, and adorned with Sox temporary tattoos.

If you're thinking of hosting a Sox cook-out, here are our theme specific party ingredients (there was other food, too):

Cracker Jacks
peanuts in the shell
Fenway Franks
Boston baked beans
Red Sox helmet ice cream cups
Hood Red Sox ice cream
Red Sox wine
Sox temporary tattoos
Sox mini bat (we all signed it)
baseball pinata
blue glitter baseball garland
red and blue balloons
baseball themed-music
Sox plates, napkins, cups

Here is Dad, blindfolded, taking his best shot at the baseball pinata (note the fabulous baseball headband and glittery purple "60" necklace).



Happy Birthday, Dad!


Many thanks to those who are fighting for and those who have given their lives for our freedom, today and always.

Yum!

Need some inspiration for designing your wedding cake? Today Throws a Wedding featured some yummy options from Brides Magazine.

Why

Simply put, this Associated Press photograph of fleeing Chinese earthquake victims easily reminds me why my job as a wedding photographer is so enormously important. How chilling to process this image- these men literally leaving town with their most treasured possessions on their backs- including an oversize wedding photograph. Very moving.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected during this horrific time.

Welcome, Lila Jane

Two years ago I photographed the wedding of high school sweethearts Cora and Chad (Cora and I used to take dance class together in high school). They recently welcomed their first baby, Lila Jane. Days later, a sweet little video of their family appeared on YouTube.



I love how easy it is to share with the world!

If you're looking to capture your life with a video camera, but aren't crazy about investing a lot of money into a video camera I'd suggest checking out the FlipVideo. They're reasonable (starting at $149.99), cool (they come in several colors and are small enough to fit in your pocket) and so easy to use (with an automatic upload feature to YouTube)!
And when you want to gaze at your baby's preciousness on your walls in a frame, give me a call to set up an appointment for a portrait session. I have several sessions in the next few weeks to photograph the little bambinos of my past wedding clients! Congrats, all!

Mother's Day

J and I participated in the Portland Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K to benefit breast cancer on Sunday morning. Up early after a late night wedding, we opted to walk the route but even bleary-eyed, we were so touched by the turnout and enthusiasm from those participating and those cheering us on. It is the biggest 5K in Maine.

This is a very poor quality video I found on YouTube that shows the mass starting. 2200 participants is the highest number yet!

Before the race (geesh, gas prices are nutty!).

Check out my lucky bib number!


Later in the afternoon, my mom and Steve came up for lunch at my favorite place, The Lobster Shack, in Cape Elizabeth. We always get the fish & chips, but I opted for the lobster roll and loved it! We weren't the only ones who had the same idea!

Me and mom, bundled up. It was a little chilly on the water!

Hope all the moms had a great mother's day! You're certainly special! xo

hello, from Miami

J and I have had an amazing time on our 11 day working vacation so far! We are now in Miami for a brief mid-week visit (we're staying at a fantastic boutique hotel called Angler's Resort in South Beach) before heading to the Dominican Republic for another wedding on Friday.

We spent the previous 6 days in Jamaica, in the west end of Negril for Bostonians Lauren and Jamey’s wedding at the Rockhouse Hotel. The wedding was fantastic, and I’ll post more about that soon once I have sorted through the more than 4,000 images we took (!). Aside from wedding-related activities, we soaked up a lot of sun (and I caught up on a bunch of This American Life podcasts, a favorite), snorkeled with a personal guide in a gorgeous coral reef (definitely hire Famous Vincent and his glass bottom boat), jumped from cliffs (J was a bit more brave than me!), and watched some off the most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen (complete with dolphins and even a rainbow!).

I can’t say enough good things about Rockhouse- the location (among the cliffs, as the name implies), the food (we stuffed ourselves silly), the staff (everyone- and I mean everyone- is so friendly and accommodating) and the spa (we indulged in a couples massage perched high atop the water at sunset). It’s very clean and this time of year, there were very few bugs (I used all non-scented lotions, sunscreen, etc., and managed to leave with only 3 bites). The Rockhouse has created a secluded oasis that we’d recommend to anyone looking for a little r&r. We weren’t as impressed with the 7-mile beach part of Negril, but did venture down there a few times for some reggae and change of scenery.

So a few weeks ago I replaced my very outdated point & shoot Canon Powershot with a Sony Cybershot DCS T70 and had a blast snapping away. I am so impressed the results! The fill flash is fantastic, as is the macro capabilities. And, of course, it’s pink. If you need a new p&s, look into getting one! (Don't worry, they come in other colors, too!).


On to some of our snapshots:
This is a view from the water of Rockhouse.

The beautiful pool area. J and I took up residence at this little private patio.

Exploring the resort's many such private nooks.

Pretty entryway to one of the villas (definitely splurge for a villa).

Us, still without a tan on our first day.

Very happy with the close-up feature.



The pathways and exterior walls are all the same stone.

:)

Happy hour on the deck for sunset.

The cliff's at Rick's Cafe.

J jumped from that bridge to the right of the villa. I said I would, too (especially since he bet me that I wouldn't, and agreed to go grocery shopping for a month if I did), but I was too chicken and settled on a smaller jump.

Famous Vincent and his son after our morning snorkel trip. He's been doing these private tours for 27 years in Negril!

In Miami, we were playing around with the smile feature on the camera... it takes a picture automatically when the subject it is pointed at smiles. Technology is wild! Nice sunburn, huh?

Hope you are all having a great week! Ya Mon!

Storytelling inspiration

Congratulations to Preston Gannaway who won the Pulitzer for feature photography this week. I met Preston at the SSC photojournalism conference in Charlotte the other week and am so thrilled for her huge accomplishment. Her images of how a New Hampshire family lived and grieved their mother's battle with liver cancer is a stunning tribute to this woman's legacy through brilliant visual storytelling. It will definitely tug on your heart strings, but I encourage you to take 15 minutes out of your day and watch these interviews.

F-Stop beyond interview

I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Ron Dawson of Cinematic Studios during WPPI in Las Vegas the other week for as part of his weekly F-Stop Beyond audio interview series (I posted a video he made from the week here). A live, unedited interview was a new experience for me so there are plenty of moments where I mess up what I'm trying to say, repeat something I've already said, and I think just about every response I begin with "um."

I was taken aback when, just a few questions in, he asked if my parents are married (which they aren't) and continued to press questions surrounding my parent's divorce. It's something I don't talk about openly very often because it happened so long ago and my family has moved on made peace with what happened. He also asked about questions I was better prepared to answer... how I got into photography, why weddings, future goals, etc.

It's about 35 minutes long. So if you have a spare half hour, click the green link below and have a listen to episode #30 (you can subscribe to the series on iTunes podcast).

F-Stop Beyond

Speaking in Charlotte

I'm very happy to be among the blooming trees and blossoming flowers of spring in Charlotte, NC, this weekend as I hear it is snowing today in Maine!

I'm in Charlotte as a faculty member for the Southern Short Course, the oldest photojournalism conference for news photographers (this is the 59th year!). It's my first time attending and I initially thought it was connected with the Northern Short Course (I attended many NSC conferences in my journalism days) and NPPA (National Press Photographers Association, which I have been a member for 10 years) but I have since learned they they are independent of each other. Many people apparently make this mistake, too!

Marc Kawanishi, the conference's CEO, actually found me a few months ago through mutual friends on Facebook of all places. So never underestimate the power of online networking sites! He invited me to come and speak about News Wedding Photographers, my second business, paired with Grover Sanschagrin of SportsShooter.com and Photo Shelter.

I spoke about how popular wedding photojournalism is, the importance of being a wedding photographer (I think many people overlook how important a role we play as historians documenting the beginning a couple's family legacy on their wedding day), how I got started in weddings and why, and later about how to establish your own business. I showed a slideshow of images from members of News Wedding Photographers because I don't think everyone knows about the bold new world of wedding photojournalism and instead, think of how I used to think of wedding photography before I got into it: posed! I'm so thrilled that the journalism approach has trickled into weddings so that the stiff, traditional wedding photographs of our parents' generation will stay in the past.

The feedback I've received so far has been great. And it was especially fun to have former newspaper colleagues and even college classmates in the audience who I haven't seen for a long time.

Tonight, I'm participating in three hours of student portfolio critiques. Tomorrow is a long day of lectures and I'll have a table at a trade show to talk to folks about News Wedding Photographers. And later, I'll be a panelist in a round-table discussion on daily and long-term storytelling projects before another round of portfolio critiques in the evening.

I'll be one tired puppy when I get home on Sunday night, but very excitedly anticipating my studio lease starting on Tuesday!!

theknot's Real Weddings contest

emilie inc. brides and grooms, have you entered your images in theknot's first annual Real Weddings Awards? Click this link to submit your favorite 7 images from your wedding by March 31st, and have your friends and family vote for your photos. Anyone who shares photos is automatically qualified to win a 10-day safari worth $20,000! Good luck!

Celebrating 30

For my third birthday, I had cupcake cones (yes, cupcakes in ice cream cones). For my 30th birthday, we had wine and cupcakes! Even tho my actual birthday isn't until April 1st (no, I'm no fool!), J surprised me with a fantastic celebration yesterday because I will be out of town next weekend.

We started with a wine tasting at the Vintner's Cellar Winery in Portland, a new make-your-own wine shop and tasting room. The wine, surprisingly, was yum-my! And the ambiance couldn't have been better, including the owner's sister's wedding party (she eloped at the shop just before we got there!) pushed to the back room to accommodate our party providing many loud outbursts of laughter, and tossing wine corks into a tall vase on a shelf (if you made it on your first try, you won a bottle of wine). J was so sweet to decorate with emilie inc. pink & brown delicious cupcakes from Two Fat Cats Bakery in Portland (the pictures doesn't do these justice. They were amazing!), 30 pink & brown balloons, a "simply 30" banner and a gorgeous cheese platter from Whole Foods. It was a fantastic afternoon!

I thankfully had my point & shoot in my purse, but it was terribly frustrating as the flash was too strong when it was on, and the pictures too grainy when it was not. Some of these pictures are from my mom, too.


The group picture...
Top row left to right: Stephanie and Craig (I photographed their wedding 4/07), Kris and Rachel (went to summer camp with Rachel in high school and haven't seen her since her wedding 8 years ago!), me, J, Mom, Emily (best friend from high school), Linda (dear photo community friend), Cindy, Randy, Dan (Dan was cropped from the picture. Oh dear!). Cindy and Dan are my personal trainers from Body of Work (they passed on the cupcakes). ;)

Bottom row left to right: Scott and Kara (Kara is my best friend from college and the reason I moved to Maine), Lisl (best friend from middle school), Steve (stepfather extraordinaire), Sam and Kyle (dear photo community friend and participant at Roots!).


From there, the party moved to dinner at Flatbread Pizza (where Chris and Cyndi, more photo friends, joined us) and after-dinner drinks at RiRa, a favorite watering hole next door.

(Chris Smith photo)

I know everyone's schedules were busy this weekend with the Easter holiday, and I truly appreciate those who could make the effort to come from near and far! I'm so blessed to have such great friends. Thanks for the special day, J! You're the best! xo

What I did today

Curious?

Unfortunately I can't tell you what or who I photographed today. But perhaps if you watch Martha Stewart in the next week or two, you might spot it.

Sorry to be so vague, but I'll post more information as I find out myself. It's exciting!!

Happy Love Day!

In an industry where love is our CEO, I hope you all have a special day filled with love and happiness.

Today marks the busiest day for marriage proposals. From simple to elaborate and everything in between, your proposal story will be told again and again. I've heard some pretty amazing stories from my clients over the years, tho I think my favorite is from my friend Erica:

Her now-husband Steve sent Erica on a scavenger hunt around their city-Philadelphia- visiting places that have special significance to their relationship, collecting pieces to a photo puzzle he had made at each stop. The last piece, which completed a photo of the two of them, led Erica to a private picnic for two- plus a chef- in a park where Steve proposed. Once she said Yes, both of their families came over the crest of a nearby hill and celebrated together!

(pictures courtesy Erica)

Looking for ideas? Theknot.com has a few and here's a recent article describing some ways men have popped the question locally in Maine. They get an A for creativity!

Even tho Valentine's Day is most certainly a Hallmark holiday, I can't help but get caught up in the romance of the day myself. J surprised me with breakfast and roses this morning. And later, told me to be dressed, fancy, to leave the house at a certain time. Our surprise destination? An elegant 4 course meal at the White Barn Inn in Kennebunk complete with candlelight, piano, waiters in white tuxes and an amazing meal. Before dessert J presented me with a Tiffany box (my favorite). I know what you might be thinking... nope, he didn't propose (the thought did cross my mind even tho I'm not one for a scene in public!), and he gave me a charm to add to my Tiffany charm bracelet (that he gave me two Christmases ago). It will certainly remind me of an amazing day. Thank you, J!

Every Valentine's Day since 1976, Portland wakes up to heart print-outs taped to each and every storefront window. Driving around town, you can't help but smile. The best part? No one knows who does this! It's done in the middle of the night and, so far, the identity of this well-wisher(s) has never been discovered. Read more here and here. Cool, huh? I heart Portland.

(2007 pictures by Michelle Souliere, left, and mainetoday.com, right)

And I had to share this picture my sister emailed of my nephew busy making Valentines. Too cute! I especially love the Red Sox pjs. We love you, Nathan!

xoxoxoxo

listing

As tho of you who know me know, I am super organized. My secret? I list! I keep a spiral Steno pad in my bag at all times to jot down ideas as they come to mind, things to do, people to call, etc. I love the (albeit tiny) feeling of accomplishment when I can check something off my list. I recently spotted something to further my habit and thought I would share it with you, for those looking to be uber-organized too. It's the "What To Do" pad found on roomservicehome.com.


I know that staying organized is very important for couples planning a wedding. There are many books and software programs designed to keep you on task and guide you in the right direction. Here are a few software programs that I think look great. Let me know if you have any experience with them or suggestions for others (and don't forget theknot.com's online planning tools too):

Wedding Planner 36.99 (the Apple store carries this one too)
My Wedding Organizer $29.95
Modern Wedding Planner $19.99


(snapshot via Modern Wedding Planner)

Not up for the task? Please contact me for my suggestions for a fantastic coordinator to do the work for you!

thebschoolblog.com

Photographers: if it's not already on your radar, be sure to head over to the [b] School Blog for Becker's daily instructional videos. They're quick, informative, and quite fun.

And a big thanks to [b] for posting about Roots Workshop today (as well as other recent Roots Workshop blog posters like Justin and Mary Marantz, LaCour, Tina Carter from Vrai Photography and Katie and Chris Torres from 6 of Four Creations).