The theme of this podcast is, Belief. Right now in the United States we are a part of the #MeToo movement and just finished the Kavanaugh hearings. It is devastating for many many women to know that if they spoke up they would not be believed. While so many women have come forward to share their stories of sexual abuse and stand together there are still so many more that stay quiet. That live in fear lest they should be judged. Sarah was brave enough to speak up. I thank her for those of us that stay silent.

I always like to make sure that kids have plenty of time to really play and relax. When kids enjoy themselves their smiles are genuine and they remember the session as fun instead of stressful! It helped that mom was so laid back and knew that her kids were best when not forced to do canned smiles. Her mellow demeanor kept everyone happy!

Sara was born in Calcutta, India and adopted at 6 weeks old by a family in Maine. That should have been the biggest change for her life, but it wasn't, by far. She faced alopecia as a child and then vitiligo too. Sara was super shy growing up and then found a way to deal with it. Recently she had a baby who also developed alopecia as well. All of these things taught Sara a lot. She shares her journey from India to America, sickness to health, and all sides of her personality with us along the way. Her story reminded me of that we all can learn from each other. Always. 

Love this podcast? Want to buy me a cup of coffee...figuratively? You can support Stephanie (my producer) and I here on Patreon:

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Britt's story is truly unlike any I have told here before (or ever heard for that matter). It is one of an early teen life full of sadness that ends up with her being kidnapped. And then it spirals out from there. I won't say more, but this is an episode you won't want to miss. Because like all the rest of the woman who have shared their stories Britt's life now is a wonderful happy success story that she is proud of. Often though when we look back we are embarrassed or ashamed of our story. More often those emotions come from things that were outside our control, but we still blame ourselves. And that is one reason why I share these stories. So we know that we aren’t alone. That we all feel the same.

Mom had searched around and found some images that she loved online and wondered if we could do something like it? I love a challenge! I took a look at the idea and the lighting that would need to happen and we made a plan. These are the results. <3

Summer is coveted in Maine by most everyone. It is our shortest season and therefore quite treasured by the locals and visitors alike. It is the time for dips in the ocean and trips to the ice cream shop down the street. This particular ice cream shop called The Scoop Deck in Wells, ME has been around since 1983...35 years! So my dear client Elizabeth who vacationed in the area as a child grew up going here for ice cream. It is one of her favorite places in Maine. What better spot could there be for a whimsical portrait session then this spot full of happy memories?!

I have fallen in love with this 365 project. I have leaned into creativity in a new way. Some days are still hard and I feel like there is nothing new or interesting happening. And other days are about documenting our life which I do love and know I will be very grateful for as time passes and many years from now I can look back at this year day by day.

But every few weeks there is an image that I am so proud of. That is new to me. An idea that works. Something I tried that I haven't before. Some moment that catches me off guard. Light that is just perfect. Or how I realize I got lost in the thoughts and effort of creation of the image. That is when I know how much this challenge has changed me and how grateful I am that I started something that at first seemed so daunting. (s

Cheers to starting something that makes us nervous. To being outside our comfort zone. Where surely we grow the most. 

Here are 3 more weeks of our life. Of friends, sleeping, talking, pet guinea pig, protesting, walking home from school, using an electric typewriter for the first time, looking at the ocean, watching the fish swim, snow, rain, appreciating the amazing state of Maine that I love, and much more. 

I feel so lucky to get to be part of a world where there are things as magical as horses. Truly, these big majestic creatures are just so gentle and intelligent and yet so powerful. It is no wonder there is so much myth, legend and lore attached to them. I grew up in the horse country of Kentucky. I learned to ride by sitting on the back of a horse…

his story from a dear friend of mine may be hard for any of you that have lost a child. As Kim shares the story of the loss of her baby Garrick, I want to make sure that you have that warning before listening since it is such a delicate subject matter for those of you that have experienced this loss. However, her story is one full of love and laughter. She talks about the things she learned from her son, Garrick. How he taught her to see all the beauty in life and be grateful for it every day. How the love from friends and family really does carry you through. 

"Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards" - Soren Kierkegaard

Sometimes I am taken aback by how beautiful the world around me is, by my daughters laughter, and how fun it is to watch her with friends and then other days I find myself searching for something to spark my interest to capture.

So grab your best friend, your sibling, or your whole family and come make memories that will stay with you forever. These sessions are just 25 minutes and will be held in my studio on Saturday April 28th - one day only!! 

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.