Goodbye, '09

As 2009 comes to a close, I realize how much I have to be grateful for. I always take time to reflect on the passing year by looking at photos from the past 12 months. While I continue my personal tradition this year, it comes with an entire new world of meaning and sentiment. I have said for many years now that it would be my dream in life to take pictures professionally. The chance to photograph a wedding was something I have always dreamed about but never thought would actually happen.

I'm going to warn you now, this is going to get a big corny.

This was the year my dreams came true. When my husband bought our new camera, I was angry. I said we couldn't afford it, it was too much, too complicated. After having it my hands for a full five minutes though, I was hooked. When my co-worker Kristel asked me to shoot her wedding in August, I told her she was nuts...I couldn't shoot a wedding! She convinced me to give it a try however, and as I sat at my computer editing the photos of a day I never thought I'd get to experience, I had tears streaming down my face. This was my dream.

I don't mean to make this a big sap fest, but I do want to take the time to thank all of those who have literally made my dreams come true in 2009. I feel as though I've found my niche, and I don't want to let go. Stay tuned, because I promise you, there is much, much  more to come.

Here's a selection of some of my favorite shots from our adventures in the past year.

In July, Jim and I took a mini-vacation to Camden and Rockland, Maine for our two year anniversary. We visited the Rockland breakwater (right), with views of the Samoset resort (left), and made a stop at Fort Edgecomb State Park (middle) on our way back home.

Kristel and James, thank you so much for asking me to photograph your beautiful wedding in Bar Harbor. Your trust means the world to me, and I owe so much of my beginning success to the two of you!

Every summer, we join my college friends at a camp in upstate New York on Great Sacandaga Lake. Its been a tradition for many years now, and this year did not disappoint!

My brother Rion is a senior in high school this year (for those of you who know me personally, you understand how frightening this is!) We had a blast shooting his senior pictures behind my in-laws house. Rion gave me the confidence to shoot Kaylee's senior pictures later on this fall. Thanks buddy!

I had so much fun bringing my camera along on different adventures. The Yarmouth Clam Festival brings the carnival to town every summer (left). In October we helped our friends Eric and Kerri move into their first home (middle), and in July I had a ball taking pictures of my favorite band, Guster (right), as they played at Baystock Festival on the Maine State Pier in Portland.

Our friends own an island, (yes an entire island!) on the St. Lawrence river in upstate New York. In August we were able to spend an entire week with them. Living without running water or electricity definitely brings a sense of peace we don't often find in our crazy lives! My favorite shot is of my dog, Rowdy, doing his classic jump into the water!

 I still can't believe I was able to shoot weddings this fall...what an amazing experience. Thank you so much to Raina and Jason, Kelly and Lee, and Ed and Coleby for inviting me to be a part of their beautiful weddings!

Our good friends (left) were gracious enough to be guinea pigs for my first family session, and we had a blast at Falmouth Landing! Following the shoot I was excited to spend a morning with Amanda, John, and Isaiah for their family session at Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport.

Labor Day brought Jim and I to Crescent Beach State Park. Jim is a Notary, and was marrying a couple on the beach, so I took advantage of the time to snap some shots of the ending summer and early fall.

Learning how to take portraits was especially fun! Thanks to baby Arianna, Hilary and Craig, and my mom's puppy Tucker for being such good models!

I love taking scenic shots. Here are my favorites from summer at Walden Pond, fall in York, and winter at Pineland Farms.

And finally, I could never end 2009 without thanking my amazing husband, Jim, for his incredible support as he encouraged me to do what I love, and never complained as I spent hours upon hours editing photos and creating my new business.

Thanks again to everyone. I wish you all a prosperous and safe 2010!