Top 7 of 2011: #1!

It's here! The last day of 2011, and the reveal of my favorite photo from the year. Looking back at all of my work from the past year has been such a reminder of how blessed I am to do this job. I could not love my clients any more without being creepy! In all honesty though, they mean more to me than they probably know, and I am reminded of this as I look through their photos.

If you follow me on Facebook, my number 1 photo probably won't be much of a surprise, as I have used it for my postcard for the upcoming Portland Bridal Show with the Maine Wedding Association. It is from Abby and Jay's wedding in Deer Isle in early August. Picking just one photo from their day was nearly impossible. The scenery and unbelievably genuine nature of Abby and Jay and their guests made their wedding one of my all time favorites. The simplicity of this photo is something I am incredibly proud of (they thought I was nuts for being so excited about the boat!), and I keep coming back to it and feeling all dreamy. I'm happy to share it with you as my favorite photo from 2011.

I wish you all a safe and happy New Year. I hope you enjoyed this year's Top 7!

Top 7 of 2011: #2

We're almost there!! I'm so excited about my top two photos. It was nearly impossible to choose between the two. But the runner-up slot goes to this ring shot from Kelsey and Ryan's wedding in November. There are many reasons I chose this shot. I love the color of Kelsey's parents' deck with the ring and the leaf. I also love that their adorable dog was hanging out with me while I was laying on the deck setting up this shot. I'm sure she was thinking "who the heck is this lady?" And, I also have learned in the past few years how difficult it is to get a ring shot that truly shows the cut and clarity of the ring. It's not an easy task, and to be honest, this one isn't even perfect, but I think it's pretty darn close, and I definitely squealed when I saw it on the computer screen for the first time.

Number 1 tomorrow!

Top 7 of 2011: #3

We're getting closer to my favorite photo of the year! Number 3 is another engagement shot. I honestly think it could be a tie between my top 3..they all make me swoon in their own ways. This photo is of Tedda and Jeff during their early November engagement session in Portland. I love absolutely everything about this photo - the simplicity of the colors, the way their outfits fit perfectly with the backdrop, Tedda and Jeff's pose, and the winter beach feel of the washed up log. Beach photos can be beautiful at any time of the year, and I thank Tedda and Jeff for being willing to tromp around in the sand in November so I could snag this shot.

Top 7 of 2011: #4

As we get closer to my favorite photo of the year, I am excited to revisit Meredith and Chris' engagement photos from back in June. We took their photos at Meredith's parents house and private pond in Parsonsfield Maine, and this shot was a fast favorite from our afternoon. I love it not only because of their expressions, but also because of the story behind the shot. I had them laying on their backs on the dock at the pond and the sun was staring them directly in their eyes. Looking up was not doing us any good so I asked them to quickly look at each other. I snapped one shot, disappointedly said "this isn't working," and we moved on. Lucky for me, that shot was a hit, and it is my 4th favorite photo of 2011.

Top 7 of 2011: #5

Number 5 is a detail shot, and one of my all-time favorites. Amber and Alex were my first Peak's Island wedding and I spent quite a bit of time with Amber and her girls before the ceremony at a cabin they had rented on the far side of the island. I actually remember gasping as I opened the door to the bedroom upstairs and saw the perfect backdrop for dress photos. With the help of one of her wonderful bridesmaids, we hung her beautiful dress from one of the rafters and I snapped away grabbing this shot. To me it screams "Maine coastal wedding," and I have spent lots of time staring at it with a nostalgic smile of Amber and Alex's amazingly fun wedding day.

Top 7 of 2011: #6

My #6 photo this year is of the L family, whose pictures I took on a crazy 70 degree day in early October at the Royal River Park in Yarmouth. The light that afternoon was just incredible and I was literally in my glory as I watched them interact on this bench in the park with the sun spilling over them. The combination of the light, and the genuine candidness of this photo still makes me smile, and it secures it's spot as one of my favorite photos from the year.

Number 5 tomorrow!

Top 7 of 2011: #7

Merry Christmas!!

It's that time of year again! I'm so excited to share with you my top 7 favorite photos from 2011. Choosing just 7 photos seems to me an impossible task, and to be honest, I still haven't completely decided them all, but looking back through all of my shoots from the past year is so fun, like getting to hang out with all of my awesome clients all over again!

Number 7, is a photo I have shared a few times. It's from Memorial Day weekend in Boston. I was meeting Preston and Laura for their engagement photos, and when I got off the T at the Public Gardens, I about fell over when I looked back and saw literally thousands of American flags lining the small hill overlooking the city. It was one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen, and I still get chills looking at the photos.

I hope those of you who celebrate Christmas are enjoying a wonderful day with family and friends. Check back tomorrow for number 6!

{Tedda and Jeff} Engaged

Tedda and Jeff are one of those "woah it's a small world" couples to me. A few years back I worked in Human Resources. I knew Tedda's name, because when you work in HR, you know everyone's name. At a bar on Christmas night, I met her and her boyfriend Jeff, while hanging out with my best friend Danielle and her fiance Greg (remember their wedding photos?). As it turned out, Tedda knew my husband through college, one of her parents worked with my husband's father, and Jeff was in my best friend Danielle's upcoming wedding. Is your head spinning yet?

At any rate, a few months back Jeff popped the question to Tedda, and I got an email literally the next day asking if I would be their photographer. I was thrilled, and after spending a few hours with these two in Portland, I'm even more excited for their upcoming wedding in September. They are full of energy and smiles. Tedda's giggle is contagious, and Jeff is awesome at being goofy with her. Here are some of my favorites from our session!

Sometimes the sillyness gets out of hand...these are my favorite times :)

Tedda and Jeff, I absolutely cannot wait for September!! Enjoy!

{Kelsey and Ryan} Married

When I got an email from Kelsey this summer looking for a photographer just four months later, I was excited to be available but also assumed she had just waited awhile to book. What I quickly learned however, was that she and Ryan had just been engaged, and they were planning their wedding in a very, very short time. Standing in the middle of it all on the day though, you'd think they'd had years to plan. Everything about their day at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester was perfect, from the incredible 60 degree weather in November, only 7 days after a freak nor'easter snowstorm, to Kelsey's perfectly fitting dress, to the adorable details, and the chipper guests. This was such a great way to end my 2011 wedding season, and I'm excited to share their day with you.

 Ummm, how beautiful is this pup?! Look at those eyes!

 

 

I love this picture of Kelsey truly being the day's princess!

I love it when the boys try to be all "GQ"

Kelsey and Ryan wanted lots of pictures of the two of them...I was happy to oblige!

The food was amazing! Many thanks to The Black Tie Co. for feeding us all so well!

Check out that sunset! Wowza! It was amazing!

Kelsey and her dad had hands down the best Father/Daughter dance I've ever seen. It started out sweet and traditional...

...and then exploded into a HILARIOUS medley of old dance songs! I'm talking MC Hammer old! I was in tears!

These two were having a ball on the dance floor all night long. I told them I needed to hire them as stand-ins for my weddings..they were awesome!

Kelsey and Ryan, you were the best way for me to wrap up my 2011 wedding season. Thank you so much. Enjoy every second of this amazing marriage!