Happy International Women's Day 2018 my friends!! I am celebrating the amazing women in the world today by releasing another podcast telling the story of a strong woman! 

Today's story is one of sudden trauma, how your life can change in a split second, and how the inner voice in your head can decide a lot about the way we heal. Your entire life is hugely effected and somewhat decided, I think, by your attitude. Sometimes we forget what a huge role that voice can play. This story is a reminder of how powerful it is to keep our inner voice a positive one! 

What I love about traveling is how different the world is from where I live. The color of the world there is so punchy and vibrant versus what I see here from day to day. It is reflected in the ocean, the flora and fauna and the paint color of the buildings.

I got a glimpse inside who she is at this pivotal time in her life. I got to take portraits of where she is at and what she really loves to do for her and her parents and loved ones to remember as the years pass. I am grateful for the people I meet and what they all teach me. 

I love that this week in images starts and ends with a blue sky and birds. One in Maine and the other in Nassau Bahamas!

Here is week 4. I think the variety of images this week is interesting to me. I like that a week can change so much in where you go and what you do. And how you see the things around you. 

I hope you enjoy these moments. For what else is there in life, but a collection of beautiful moments to be enjoyed. 

On our walk home from school one day Charlie spotted Ollie in the window of Willa Worth's jewelry shop near our home. She stopped and talked to him for a long time. Unbeknownst to me Willa was inside the shop taking this same portrait of Charlie looking in the window. In Willa's shot you can see Charlie's hand pressed against the glass. She posted it on Facebook with a thought about unconditional love. It got a lot of attention. And yes, this is just another moment in day to day life that would be easy enough to see and forget or rush through. Taking the time to slow down and watch Charlie and let her talk to the pup allowed me and Willa both to experience and think about how much love there is in the world. It was a gift for us all. 

Here it is. The second week in January. I have quickly realized this will be a great way to record all the things that happen in a year, the mundane, the hilarious, the walks to school, the fits of giggles, the regular sunsets up here on the Eastern Prom, the messy house, the games we play and much more. But also, the passage of time. How things are just the same in our daily routines and yet time passes so quickly regardless. 

Do you love the head shot you currently have? Does it feel like it really represents you? Or does it make you cringe to look at? 

Come update your head shot Thursday January 25th and Thursday February 15th.  Special bonus - An additional digital file with the package at no cost. 

A photo every day this year. Honestly, that seems pretty daunting even to me. Don't get me wrong, I love getting to look at the world through the lens. I enjoy watching people with my camera. I like the challenge that comes from finding the light and getting the composition that is 'just right'. But doing this every day. In my personal life not my professional work. Even on the days when nothing seems very interesting. When the light is just totally flat wherever I look. When I don't feel inspired or compelled. That is going to be tough, I know it. All the things I listed- have already happened in this first week. 

There are so many times every year that I realize I am so much more than a photographer. I am the secret keeper. The observer, the orchestrator, the calm presence or the one who stirs the pot for laughter! I hold your hand and tell you that you are indeed worth it. That it's ok to give yourself permission to celebrate yourself. That it's ok that your family fights in front of me. That it's ok that your children won't sit still. 

Did you know that you can order a gift certificate and have it arrive at your home beautifully packaged in time for the Holiday!? Just use the link below to choose the type of gift certificate you would like to have. Then give us your shipping address and what you would like the card to say and we will take care of the rest!

We all learn different lessons in life and they come to us in numerous ways. Jesseca shares a lesson that she never dreamed that she would have to learn. It has taught her about love and acceptance of those that she loves in a whole new way. I respect her so much for the way she handled herself in the middle of watching her life fall apart. I also respect what she let that time in her life teach her about the world, accepting others, telling the truth, true love and kindness to ourselves.  There are so many things that life will teach us if we choose to learn them. 

This special holiday mini-session allows you and your family to update your album just in time for the season.  A quick and intimate shoot at my studio that will result in beautiful images of your littles perfect for holiday cards, updated prints for your portrait wall, a canvas for grandma - now's the perfect time to print your memories and share them with those you love!

What is there left to say about this dreamy senior portrait session!? Sophia is a doll. She is super sweet and kind and was so easy to work with! I told her she should be the poster child for diabetes with her fancy purple pump that she is sporting. (: I loved that she shows it off in these portraits instead of trying to hide it!

Stefa's story shows that all of us have the capacity to endure things that we don't think we can live through. Not only that, but we can come out the other side of these repeated difficulties, that seem unbearable, to be a kinder more compassionate person. She is a beautiful example of just that.  

Are you a parent who loves taking portraits of your child?! But the images aren't what you envisioned...

Did you buy a fancy new DSLR (not a point and shoot) and can't figure out how to do anything outside the 'Auto Mode'? 

Do you know the basics but can't seem to get to the next level? 

Then this is the class for you! 

Learning to cope with the anxiety our brain creates and how we can take back control is the subject of the this podcast. Bambi suffered from panic disorder and debilitating anxiety and learned how to control the panic before it escalated to a full blown attack.  She is now a brain coach and helps people learn how to control their brain and anxiety. 

One of my favorite images is the black and white in the van. The kids all talking at the same time, singing, and with their heads in their own world. It shows the chaos that is 6 kids, 9 and younger all together. But also reminds me how an image can stop a split second in time, the fleeting light at dusk, and a glimpse of the energy and love in that moment. 

As this story shows a lot of how things play out it life may depend on your heart. And your actions. And on the way you treat and respect others. 

Listen to Michelle's story for proof of just that. I love a story with a happy ending. And I am so excited to share this uplifting story as the start to our second season of storytelling!