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!

Top 7 of 2010: #2

My number 2 photo of the year is another one of those sweet wedding moment. Kirsten and Ryan were married at Dimillo's in Portland in June. It was a very small wedding with only about 15 people in attendance, which gave us lots of time for photos of the couple. Like my number 3 story of Eliza and Scott, there were a lot of goofy and sweet moments with Kirsten and Ryan, but this picture just speaks to me every single time I look at it. It was taken as we explored Dimillo's private docks for the yachts visiting the city, and I love that Kirsten and Ryan were able to completely forget that I was there and take in the moment as they celebrated their new marriage.

 

Have a safe and fun New Year's Eve and check back tomorrow for my favorite picture of 2010!

Top 7 of 2010: #3

Number 3 was nearly a tie, and both pictures were from the same wedding. Eliza and Scott were married at The Portland Company in June, and choosing just one picture from their wedding to make the top 7 list was a challenge. The day was such a mixture of goofiness and sweetness and there are many pictures capturing both sides. However, in the end, I'm going to go with sweetness, because to me, this photo is what one's wedding day is really all about. Eliza and Scott's first dance was so sweet that even I was choked up by it (and I promise it wasn't just the pregnancy hormones!). Maybe I just remember what it was like for me to enjoy that moment with my husband on our wedding day, but this photo just speaks to me and you can tell that although there were over 200 people in that room, Eliza and Scott were all by themselves in this very special moment.

Top 7 of 2010: #4

I chose photo #4 because it just makes me smile. These are our good friends Brian and Corinne and the picture is from their engagement session last month. I took this outside of the Portland Museum of Art and I just love how the shot came out. Brian is one of my husband's fraternity brothers, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know him over the past several years. It warms my heart to finally see him with someone who truly loves him and I know they have many happy years ahead of them!

Top 7 of 2010: #5

In July, Danielle, one of my best friends from high school was married at The Point Lookout Resort in Northport. While I wasn't hired to shoot this wedding, I couldn't resist bringing my camera along even as a guest. I loved the pictures from her gorgeous wedding, but this shot of her bouquet is one of my all time favorite shots, not only because of its beauty, but also the story.

Peonies are a spring flower. July is not in the spring. But Dani was determined to have a peony bouquet for her wedding. So in the spring she cut the bulbs, wrapped them in newspaper, stuck them in the fridge, and prayed her heart out that they would bloom when the time came. And they did. And they were perfect. So, here is my number 5 favorite photo of the year, congrats again Dani on both the wedding and the gorgeous bouquet!

The Top 7 of 2010: #6

Today's photo is of a couple I was fortunate enough to spend two days with. Caryn and Patrick were married in May, and at the beginning of the month we met up on the University of Maine at Orono campus, where they met, for their engagement photos. This picture was from the tail end of the shoot, and it has been one of my favorites all year. Caryn is completely lost in Patrick's eyes and I love how this shot shows how in love this wonderful couple really is.

The Top 7 of 2010: #7

It's hard to believe 2010 is coming to a close. Today I realized there are just 7 days left, and as luck would have it, 7 is my lucky number. So, I thought it would be fun to do a "top 7 of 2010" series. For the next 7 days I'll post my top 7 pictures of this year, starting with number 7. Choosing was no easy task..I had so many fun sessions and my list of favorites was well over 7! But I think I've narrowed it down to a pretty good collection, and I hope you all agree!

So, here is number 7. In June I met up with Kelly and Luke, and their adorable kids, Carson and Lauren. I asked Carson to give Lauren a kiss on the cheek, and this is what I got. I think this is absolutely priceless!