Kicks & Kisses- Sabattus Maine Maternity Photographer

She is sweet, outgoing and had an amazing laugh.  He is funny, bright, and has a killer dimple when he smiles.  She settles against him as if they were made to fit together. He wraps both of his girls in his arms effortlessly.  He grounds her, and she does the same.   As they wait these last few weeks for their little girl to arrive, they share the excitement, the apprehension, and the dreams. They fit, they make sense.

Meet Tyler and Bre (and their daughter too!)  

Bre, you are absolutely beautiful.  Just had to make sure you knew that (though I am sure Tyler tells you often!)

I am torn on my favorites from this session between the first image and this one above.  

Bre & Tyler, thank you for coming to hang out with me at the studio. Your willingness to consider outdoor photographs in January was amazing but I am very glad we vetoed the negative temps!!  It is such an amazing time of life and I so enjoyed capturing it for you.  I am looking forward to meeting your little girl and photographing your new family as you continue to grow and change!

Bits & Pieces: Breanne & Tyler- Maine Maternity Photographer

New.  The emotions- all 987,896 of them.  The excitement- the smallest moments that mean the most. The movement- that first moment you realize you are not the only being occupying your body. The fear- self doubt and worries that can creep in.  The love- unconditional love for someone you have never met.  The months waiting for a new life to arrive come with so many new things. It can drag on forever and rush by in an instant at the very same time. 

In the middle of that rush, of that waiting, Breanne and Tyler came to the studio yesterday to capture the right now, the last few weeks before their little girl arrives.  

If you are new to the blog, Bits & Pieces posts are quick peeks at a session that usually involve anything but a face.  Be sure to check back and like my Facebook page (the little link at the top of this page!) to catch when the full peek is available!  

Quilts & Cocoa- Sabattus Maine Family Photographer

They are each others opposite. She is the talker, the list maker, the whirlwind. He is the quiet one, the observer, the rock. They are each other's biggest cheerleaders in everything they do. And oh my do they have chemistry. Together they have built an amazing family and chased their dreams.  Together, they are unstoppable. 

Meet the Lawlor family.  

This little guy has grown! Last fall Rylan was just getting his feet going. This year, he is interested in everything (except having his picture taken) and loves the leaves we found.  He has the best laugh I have heard in a long time and is just too sweet for words.

Brennan and I played a lot of hide and seek getting some photographs of that amazing smile.  He had me laughing so hard with his crazy faces and then I would see this sweet little face peek through.  He is so bright and full of life, it is contagious. 

Oh Miss Hyland.  I wanted to wrap her up and take her home with me. She is so kind, so sweet and such an amazing big sister.  If she hadn't already won me over, the huge bear hug I got at the end of the afternoon sealed it for me! Um, Jenn, your little girl is growing up into a beautiful young lady.  

Jenn is an amazingly talented photographer based out of Georgia. I am so glad we met by accident almost two years ago and I am honored to watch her business continue to grow and flourish. 2012 holds some amazing things for this woman and I will be in the front row of her cheering section!  

 

This moment is exactly what I mean about Jenn & Brian being each other's rock. In the middle of shivering in the Maine cold and the kids were done, there was this moment.  Definitely my favorite of the day.  

Sometimes, no matter how much we want that family photo, things just aren't going to work.  What I love about Jenn and Brian is they just adapted.  And every single time I look at this shot, I laugh.

Jenn and Brian, thank you.  You endured some brutal cold for your southern bodies and didn't lose your sense of humor.  I am grateful for your friendship and really, lets do summer next year:)   

Merry & Bright

I went over the list again in my head.  It only takes one distraction for me to lose my train of thought.  Of course the stickie note I wrote it down on is still three stories up on my computer.  The light turned red as I approached.  I impatiently flipped radio stations and looked at the opposite light to see just why it hadn't changed already. I had too much to do and only a short time to do it.  Sitting still wasn't an option.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him.  He was perched on the bench in front of the Lewiston Library in a patch of winter sun.  His black jacket was zipped against the breeze. His guitar was cradled against his chest as his fingers strummed.  His eyes were closed and his head flung back with a huge smile on his lips.  I couldn't hear a thing, but I could see the music streaming from within him. 

The light didn't matter any more. I had to hear what could possibly give this stranger so much joy. I pushed the button to drop my window. The sound of a rough, worn voice and guitar chords floated across the intersection. He wasn't terrible. He wasn't amazing.  But he was so in love with that music at that moment, it was infectious.  A second later, he finished his song with a huge flourish and he threw his head back further and let out a laugh.  Not a quiet giggle, not a fake performance laugh.  It was something from deep within, something filled with great joy and satisfaction.  It was contagious and I found myself alone in my car laughing along with him.

I don't have any idea who he was or what his story is. But for that moment, watching him so involved in his love of his music, in that moment of simple joy, I was jealous. 

We complicate things and we lose track of the very things that bring us joy and satisfaction in life, make our hearts full and soothe our restless minds.  We get so busy with running here and there it is easy to for get to slow down.   It is next to impossible in the overwhelm of technology and constant contact to carve out those moments to just be with who we love and do what feeds happiness in our souls. We forget that it is not things that  that feed our souls.

The car behind me reminded me that I was driving with a honk of its horn and I rolled through the intersection still thinking about this man.  It was a simple moment, but it reminded me of what this season is really about. To show kindness. To sing (in the car with the windows rolled up, but to sing anyway) because it makes me happy. To write because it brings me peace. To snuggle in for that extra few minutes with the kids. To help others who may be in a tougher place. To love because it is all that I am and make sure those around me hear it. 

I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, or for those who do not celebrate anything, happy Sunday. May you have many moments of joy, much love, and many blessings.

Bits & Pieces: The Lawlor Family- Maine Family Photographer

Some days, you just want to hide from the world and no amount of sweet talking, mama kisses, and bribery will change that.  Other days, life is good and everyone is your friend.  The awesome days are the ones where both overlap.  Fortunately for me, I found one of those days.  

 I had such a great time with the Lawlor family yesterday shivering and braving the cold winds. This is even more remarkable when you learn they are visiting from Georgia!  In the year since I met them last, the kids personalities have grown and blossomed and I had so much fun chasing them around a bit. 

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Bits & Pieces posts are a first sneak peek at a session that usually show the less notice details and anything but a face. Be sure to check back soon to see the full sneak on the blog.