Charlie • 3 Year Update

So Mara & Charlie stopped by the studio the other day for Charlie's 3 year update. Seriously, I can't get enough of this kid. Getting a 3 year old to stay still and in a good pose is usually a challenge, but Charlie rocked it!! It doesn't hurt that his giggle and smile are insanely contagious. He brought the charm and we got some great shots.

I suggest having a special theme for each birthday update, something that is consistent in each one. With Charlie I purchased him an adult size dress shirt and tie. We will take at least one picture of him in this same shirt and tie each year until he is 18 or he outgrows it, whichever comes first. Here he is in the shirt & tie for his two year and three year update.

2 Year

3 Year

Here are some other favorites from this shoot.

I have a bunch of ideas on different themes to carry through yearly shoots. Want to hear more? Contact me & we can talk about starting a theme for your little one!

Simple Question Project - Gordon

So I started this project one day after three unexpected people stopped into the studio. Originally I thought I would like to photograph each person who came in, however seeing as many people may be put off by that idea, word would travel "She's the girl that takes your picture upon entry", then I would have no visitors, I soon revised my idea. I also wanted a story behind each of my visitors. So I came up with a (in my mind) simple question, "What is your dream job?".

For the dreamer that I am this is an easy question for me to answer. It is also a question that was asked of me during an interview almost two years ago, and one that I have since asked a handful of people. It is a question that after I honestly answered for myself started to solidify my plans to open the studio. Would you care to guess what my dream job is?

Gordon was one of my unexpected visitors the day this project was born. A sweet, simple older man, Gordon was a regular at the Pharmacy I managed before coming to the studio full-time. He is now a regular to the studio stopping in most every day to say "hello" and get a hug.

When asked "What is your dream job?" His reply was simple, to work at the new inn across the bridge as either a dishwasher or maintenance, doing odd jobs. Everyone has dreams, I am hoping I can help to make Gordon's come true, even if just for a day.

Gordon - Dishwasher, Maintenance Man

Simple Question Project - Abdi & Aden

Yesterday I heard two guys outside the studio talking about the chalkboard I have out front with the question written on it. I peeked around my computer screen to see one of them peeking back at me. I stood and invited them in. At which I introduced myself and asked them, if they could have any job in the world, what would their dream job be. I found it very interesting that these two young guys didn't even have to think about it as they are still at the age of dreamers.

Abdi said he wanted to be a weight lifter and Aden a soccer player. I hope to see them back soon to give them their portraits and encourage them to follow their dreams, and at the very least to dream.

Aden- Soccer Player

Abdi - Weight Lifter

Simple Question Project - Roger

I have a chalkboard sitting in front of my studio with a question on it. That question is meant to start a conversation, and at the very least make people think. The question has been outside for 4 days now. I just had my first person come in to inquire.

Roger: Is this serious?
Me: Yes, I want to know what your dream job is. If you could have any job in the world and money was no option, what would it be?
Roger: I would like to take all these empty buildings and make them into housing for single women and mothers.
Me: So almost like a housing developer?

This started the conversation of how when he was younger he wasn't to ask his parents for money but went out and worked for it, weather it be a newspaper route, raking hay, painting houses, raking blueberries. He worked for any money he needed/wanted. And his opinion of this ask and you shall receive mentality of the younger generation is leading to no where good.

I then asked Roger if I could take his portrait. He agreed. With this, I have the start to my simple question project. Meet Roger.

J. Family • Maternity Shoot

It finally happened!! I took my first shoot in the new studio!!!!

It wasn't entirely finished, still had a good part of the floor to finish, but the shooting area was complete and that's all we really needed for right then. We had other dates set as possibilities as baby J. wasn't due until the 24th, however it is really good we did them when we did, as baby Analena made her appearance less than 48 hours later!

The family, Amber, Adam & Evan J. are good friends of ours having been on our bowling league for the last three years, and Adam & my DH going way back to elementary school.

I had a blast with them, Amber had some really great ideas! I could tell with all the pink props she brought she was excited to not be the only girl in the house finally :-)

The rain held off so we took a walk to the top of the Auburn River Walk up by Great Falls for some outdoor pictures before heading back to the studio for some shots indoors.

This one was Adam's idea, too much fun!

I really had a great time with them and am happy to call them the studio's first customers! I can't wait until they come back for Analena's newborn shoot!! I'm also thinking about adding something to my maternity marketing about shoots with me lead to baby's in less than 48 hours. Whaddya think??

Miss Alexa • Easter Shoot

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing little Miss Alexa. I had met her grandmother about a month prior while getting my nails done. She had previously gone to Sears and was upset that there wasn't anywhere to go for portraits anymore. I told her that I actually used to work for the Sears Studios for about 6 years before they closed, and actually trained the one photographer she liked to go to. Needless to say, she took one of my cards & booked a shoot! A little networking goes a long way :-)

I took my gear and some fun new backgrounds to her great grandmothers home in Auburn where we had the shoot, and I had so much fun with it! Alexa was super friendly and I was able to get natural smiles easily. I think the fact that we are both blue-eyed-red-heads means that we connected on some other plane :-p

I'm glad I found this fabric at Joann's -- I think it makes a really fun backdrop!

I had so much fun with Miss Alexa and cannot wait for her next shoot! She had a mind of her own and made the portraits fun, for instance her grandmother & great grandmother REALLY wanted a portrait of her in her Easter hat, well Alexa had other ideas. We were able to get a few cute ones, like the one below, she is just too silly, look at all that mischief in her eyes. 

Alexa's shoot was also my first shoot (since I worked at SPS) where I did an in-person sales presentation. It was a learning experience and I look forward to the next time I do one! 

Maine Source Homes & Realty -- Corporate Photography

I was first introduced to Maine Source Homes at last year's area Home Show. Kevin & I were there with our wheels turning and we ran into Jon, one of our bowling buddies. With talking to him more we learned that Maine Source not only does real estate for homes but also builds homes! Kind of the perfect place to start when you don't know if you want to buy or build, which was the discussion on the table between Kev & I at the time.

Fast forward a few months and Kevin & I are still pondering the buy or build question. While we were still undecided I searched for commercial real estate in the area, found the listing for this cute little building which would be perfect for a studio, in a great location with an apartment for additional income! Back into the picture comes Jon -- he worked with us the whole way through to get us through all sorts of ups and downs with a great deal of knowledge and a great network of people to help out from home inspections, to banks & insurance agencies. Since we have signed on the building and it is now ours, he hasn't stopped helping when I have questions about renters, credit checks, and leases!

Jon contacted me a few weeks ago because some of the team at Maine Source needed updated head shots, I was able to work with their schedules (and they mine) and get a nice selection for them.

Weather selling, buying, or building, Maine Source is your one stop shop -- I know we will be back once we do decide if we want to buy or build!