Single Photo Friday:: Sock Monkey

Happy Holidays everyone!



Well, the holidays are in full swing and I know that not because I have a calendar in front of me but because the sock monkey has made its way out of a box and onto our tree. I'm giddy.

And note the blue lights in the background - a throwback to the Christmases of my youth. Big blue bulbs that overheated and matched the blue/green shag carpet of our home. I'm happy to see they have made a comeback, only now they are a little safer, less chipped, and seem to go nicely with the wood floors and orange walls. Oh, and of course they look great next to the Sock Monkey!

What kinds of things do you do that help you get into the spirit of the holidays?

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Single Photo Friday:: Cake

I forgot to post on Friday, and now it's Sunday. I am happily celebrating my birthday all weekend long and thought this photo would be a good fit.

These are not my cupcakes, but ones my nephew decorated for his own birthday back in April. Still, I like the mood they convey - which is one of happiness and fun. And there's something about already blown out candles that create a feeling of moving forward, being ready for what's next.

So, here's to many creative moments in the year ahead!


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A Piece of America

Months ago I mentioned a trip I took to Virginia that brought me to the town of Floyd. My cousin Ron, who is a musician, square & contra dance caller, as well as husband, dad, and owner of a few self-serve car washes in Pittsburgh, brought me to this tiny town where music seems to thrive. I was excited.

First, I was excited to see him play. Plus, I love string instruments. I can't really explain it. I have no idea how to play them, but I am drawn to their beauty. I love the shape and look of the wood. I could watch people play them for hours.

Lightning Jack. His real name is Bill.

And he didn't stay seated for long.

At first I sat on a chair in the circle, next to Ron and Lightning Jack. But like Jack, I couldn't stay seated for long. Some moments could be captured from the angle the chair provided, but I quickly needed to change my angle, my viewpoint. Since I can't grasp what musicians are doing when they play their violins, fiddles, cellos, and guitars I tend to fixate on their hands. Which is where I end up pointing & focusing my camera.

Ron, keeping up with Lightning Jack.

When I look at these photos I can remember how Lightning Jack seemed to be playing off Ron the most. Perhaps because he was new and unfamiliar, but also because he seemed to like how he played. He got out of his chair and kept getting closer and closer to Ron as he played. He was listening to something I would have never heard. But I could watch. It was, for lack of a better description, pretty cool to witness.

People gathered to listen. Ron's face shows him listening to another man in the circle, who had not been playing for long. But I was focusing on Lightning Jack's hand.


Beyond the music circle you can see other musicians starting to gather in the streets. This is the scene on Friday nights in Floyd!

And how else would I have been able to witness this if not for my camera? There are details that present themselves when you have a camera that maybe you wouldn't notice otherwise. Not only did I spend a lot of time watching their hands, but also their eyes as they followed each other and tried to keep up or figure out each other's style. I noticed this ring Lightning Jack was wearing and took several shots trying to show it off. I kind of made my own assumption that there is a story and some meaning behind it. Just like so many things in life.

Ron and Lightning Jack playing off each other. At one point Lightning Jack stopped playing, smiled, and said "Man, where you from? I like how you play!"

I am not a musician, which may be why I am fascinated by watching those who can do this craft. I'm also from New England, and this scene was so different from what I normally see in my own town. But part of what I loved about this night in this part of the country was this sense of community. A small town community, a community of musicians and artists supporting each other - listening, playing, creating. It's the stuff that makes America great. And why it's so good to leave the comforts of home every once in awhile.



A piece of Floyd, VA - the country store where these musicians were gathered next to. Friday nights of music continue inside the store once it gets dark.
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Single Photo Friday: Open

My neighborhood is looking festive. Shot on Nikon D3 ISO 6400.

I got a new camera! Well, new to me. It came my way when I wasn't in the market for anything (though visions of camera gear dance in my head on a regular basis). What once belonged to the fabulous photographer and storyteller, Jim Daniels (whom I worked for over 10 years ago and whose work I admire greatly), is now sitting here in my office with me. Check out his site, and get ready to be moved.

Jim passed away earlier this year after battling cancer. His absence is felt throughout the photo community, but especially in the homes of his family members, and throughout parts of the world where he has made an impact with both his photos and general being.

Using a piece of Jim's camera gear carries a decent amount of weight for me. I walked in the cool air last night, cranked the ISO up to 3200, 6400, and even 10,000(!!) and took a few shots of my little neighborhood. It felt amazing! I have been trying to justify the buying of this camera when I am worried about other things I need more, when Christmas is right around the corner, when I'm in the middle of upgrades to our new home, when I already have 2 digital bodies that work fine.

But sometimes FINE isn't good enough. Earlier that day I packed up my first digital camera (the Fuji S5 Pro) and shipped it off to KEH. I felt more relief than anything else. That camera and I were never an ideal fit. It simply couldn't keep up with me.

But Jim's camera (which I think is what it will always be called) is fast and shoots in low light and fits nicely in my hand and by my eye. It can keep up with me AND push me to the next level.

When I got home I stood in front of my house and just stared at it. There were a few festive lights in the windows and I found myself needing to pause and take in the moment. I just used Jim's camera, photographed in the dark, felt alive and grateful and inspired. I stared at the warm glow coming from parts of my house and felt a wave of emotion that let me know I made the right decision - both in moving to this home and in buying Jim's camera.

Being open can really pay off at times.



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Single Photo Friday:: Thankful Tree

On this Friday after Thanksgiving I thought I would share with you what has become a new tradition in my family. More specifically, my brother's family. They bring construction paper cut into the shape of leaves to the big feast and we write our names on one side, and what we are thankful for on the other. Then my nephew (Monkeypants) and his mom (the Wild Weedin' Woman) find a branch in their yard and make a display in the house with everyone's thankful leaves on them. It's called the Thankful Tree.

They keep them from year to year, which partly tracks where my nephew is developmentally, but also where we all are/were as a family. Here is a photo from the first year we did this together.

The Thankful Tree, in its first year.

2007, and the leaf in the middle says 'Everyone is healthy' - which carried a lot of weight in my family at that time. My father died of cancer in early 2005, my brother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer just over a year later, my mother had a patch of skin cancer removed from her face not long after that. So, having everyone healthy was a big deal.

I can look at this photo and still feel the heaviness that followed me around during that time. The way Thanksgiving would sneak up on me and deliver a big plate of emotional overload. But this year things finally seemed lighter, easier. So, I'm thankful for that.

My nephew has been thankful for some other things besides the health of the adults around him, including (but not limited to):
Wind
Llamas
Gazelles
Energy
Mommy, Daddy, Jakey, Jamma, Goat, and Juju (this would be his family)

and - one of my favorites - his hairstyle.

What's on your list of things to be thankful for?

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Single Photo Friday:: Graveyard Walk

Many years ago, while attending Ithaca College as a photo major, I learned about a style of shooting known as 'shooting from the hip.' It is safe to say that this was a turning point for me in falling more in love with photography, and learning about my own personal style.

I can clearly remember doing the assignment with one of my classmates. While I got more and more excited, she got more and more frustrated. I had walked into my comfort zone, she was very far from hers. I would say it was a pivotal moment for both of us in that sense. She turned more and more to the lighting studio after that, while I kept my camera at my hip and took to the streets.

Shooting from the hip can literally happen with your camera around your neck, dangling at your hip and very far from your eye. Push the shutter without looking through the lens, develop your black & white film, and find 36 surprises. Or, so it would go back in 1990whatever. The element of surprise was part of what I loved about it.

The other side is how much it teaches you about your equipment. You start to see things in terms of whatever lens you are using, which is crucial for a photographer anyway. It almost seems to speed up your ability to learn about and make that piece of equipment work for you. Almost 20 years later and I'm still using the technique, though it varies and is often not dangling at my hip (except when it is). Lately, my camera strap gets wrapped around my wrist (just in case..) and that camera is put on the ground or into a bush or on some hard surface that has caught my eye. Pavement, rock and brick walls, rusted fences, piles of leaves... there are just so many places to try out!

So, the other day there was frost on the ground and an electrician in my house. When he shut the power down my camera and I went for a walk. I have often shot with a wide lens when shooting from or around the hip, but this time I put on the 85mm and walked through the graveyard. Yes, my camera went on the ground, into the frosted leaves, next to someone's grave, to get that shot you see here. It is my favorite from that day's photo excursion. And yet another reminder of why I love my 85 so much!


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Neutral is Not Always Best

This photo cracks me up. I see future teenager mayhem when I look at this.

What images come into your head when you think family photos? Everyone dressed the same standing in a straight line? It doesn't have to be that way. Dressing in neutrals works well for some people, but it may not suit everyone. If your kids are colorful and energetic, perhaps they should be able to show that off to the camera.

I was a little obsessed with Natalie's shoes.

Corinne and Natalie came to me on Halloween weekend, in costumes, ready to laugh and smile. There is no way I could have rejected these outfit choices! They are, quite honestly, some of the best I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. They were both going as butterfly princesses, which is quite a difference from the standard toned-down neutrals intended to blend in to whatever landscape is nearby. Blend in, or perhaps just not stick out too much. You walk down to the beach with 2 little girls wearing wings, tutus, striped socks and sparkly sneakers and there is no blending in. All eyes will be on you, and everyone will want to somehow be part of the fun, even if just for a moment.

Strangers' smiles followed us everywhere we went.

People wanted to talk to us.

Natalie wanted to pet every dog she saw.

Corrine wanted to play and run and jump and climb and and and...

The light was slipping away, the air was getting cooler. I knew I had a limited window of opportunity before the fun drained, the light faded, and the cold air started wearing everyone down. But the other side of family photos is kind of letting things happen and seeing where the pieces come together. Capture them where they play, encourage them to show mom some love, try to get all eyes in the same place, all faces happy. But when girls are wearing butterfly wings and tutus, smiles and laughter come easily.

2 years ago, almost to the day, I photographed this family only Natalie was still a few weeks away from arriving. When I look back at those photos I see the same sparkle and sass in Corinne's eyes and smile. I love how her spirit unfolds in front of the camera. How she is often so aware of the camera, while her sister could care less if it's there.

Corinne ready to pose at every chance, Natalie waving to strangers as they walk by with their dogs.

I loved watching the two different personalities come through.

This photo makes me think we should all wear wings every once in awhile.

Telling Mom a secret.

Always ready to pose with mom.

Getting Natalie into the shot took a little more work. She has a pretty strong independent streak, which I love.

These photos would have been totally different had everyone been dressed the same, had the colors been more muted. And the bright color palette suits them and their personality. People always ask me what they should wear for family photo shoots. They see their friends' photos hanging on living room walls and think they should do the same thing, that if they dress like their friends did their family photos will come out as good, or the same. But that is not necessarily the best approach.

I continually laughed at her tutu being in her armpits, and how much she didn't care. :)

First, each photographer has their own style (hopefully) so if you want photos that look like your friends' you could hire who they hired, but realize different personalities mean different images. Whoever you are is going to come through, and you should celebrate it.

But more importantly, hire the photographer whose work speaks to you and who you want to tell your family's story. The story of YOU is important, not to be trusted to the inexperienced, and will come together easier if the person photographing you GETS you, gets your kids. I always tell parents that the photos are for them now, for their kids 20 years from now. Natalie and Corinne will not remember what they were like at this age, but the photos will tell the story.

Best. Shoes. Ever.

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Single Photo Friday:: Cup of Coffee

It's not quite 5pm on Friday of Halloween weekend. I am sitting at my kitchen table pondering a late afternoon cup of joe. I can hear cars go by outside my window, and hear the distinct noise of tires going through water. It must have rained earlier and I somehow didn't look up long enough to notice.

I can hear the washer going in the basement, and U2 is playing softly. Soon I will hear the click of the front door opening as the Weekend Warrior makes his way into the house. These are the sounds of home. Tomorrow the sounds might be different when the electrician arrives and starts to bring our home into this century. And once that happens I will be able to move my computer into my office and off the kitchen table. Hard drives and all sorts of fun extras will get set up again and things will move forward and work will resume. I am so looking forward to that!

But for now, I think I will grab that cup of coffee. Here at my kitchen table by the window that lets me watch the sky shift colors as the sun sets.


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Last Minute Senior Session Special

I have recently decided to expand my business and start doing High School Senior Portraits. People have been asking me for years and I never pushed the idea too much. Then one day it occurred to me that I love working one on one with someone, capturing their personality, telling their story. This is possibly my favorite thing about photography and exactly what is needed when high school seniors say they want their photos done. They want to remember who they are NOW.

So, while the ship may have mostly sailed for this year I am offering a last-minute special to those who have still not had their photos done. This Sunday I have opened up my schedule for the last minute people out there still needing Senior photos done.

Sunday October 10 at SMCC campus I will be booking one hour mini SR sessions for $99 starting at 10 am, until 4pm. I am also available Monday (10.11) and Tuesday (10.12) afternoons for a mini session at the location of your choosing.

For example, these photos of Janice were taken at Portland's graffiti wall on Free Street - a location that suited her personality and look. Please take a look at them and think of ways to bring your own personality to life, then call me and let me know how I can help make that happen! Edgy, creative, athletic, straight-laced... whatever your personality is it should be celebrated and remembered.














Call (207.510.1322) or email (info@beedlephotos.com) for more info and booking a time. Waiting to the last minute sometimes has its advantages!!




The not-so-fine print: Sessions must be scheduled ahead of time and directly through me. I will send you an email confirmation. Payment due at time of service. A la carte options for ordering prints and/or books will be available, and images will be uploaded to online proofing gallery. 5 web size/facebbook files and one file for yearbook will be given. More can be purchased later if wanted.

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Two photos

... that can sum up my weekend:

During some hang time with the neph I took this one.

While having a delicious dinner with friends I took this.

Both events were fun and filled with laughter. Laughing with a 7 year old and cooking up crazy ideas can be as fun as laughing with creative friends gathered in a kitchen together. A reminder of the importance to spend time with the people who make you smile.

Could you pick two photos that tell a story about you? Two photos that describe your weekend or your mood or maybe where your life is headed? I love a photo's story-telling ability, and how the same image will say different things to different people. I'd love to hear what these two photos say to you. Could be a good starting point for a short story...


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The Non-driving Photog Update

What will today's post bring? One never knows. Some days I have a plan, other days I don't. It's just how I live my life. A state of structured flexibility, you could say.

I flip back and forth between focus and fun. I bury my nose in a project, then I step away and do something creative. I edit photos for hours, then I slap on roller blades and spend time cruising around my neighborhood. I whip up a batch of gluten-free granola bars, then I call my insurance company and end up on the phone for 45 minutes figuring out recent errors and how we can fix them. I am a wandering homebody, a lover of the outdoors and time spent on the couch with a good book.

I start my day jolting my brain awake with coffee and new ideas. I sit and write them out. I finish my day reading good books and laughing at funny television shows. I go to bed looking forward to my new morning routine of coffee and and idea writing in the cool air on my back deck. I go to bed wanting sleep but already excited to start the next day. This seems like a whole new outlook for me. I don't remember feeling this alive... ever.

I have a possible explanation, and it lies somewhere between loving what I do and coming off medication I have been on for over 25 years. Is it possible that the last 3 weeks of reducing my epilepsy medicine has had this much of an impact on me? I think it's very possible, I just never imagined this was going to happen. All I knew was that I was so ready to come off this medicine, but I was completely unable to get a sense of what it would do to me or how I would feel. I honestly was happy with the thought of no longer being dependent on a medicine, no longer paying for it, no longer remembering to take it and panicking when I forgot.

Instead I'm 3 weeks into this process and I feel great! Sure, I'm still the photographer who can't drive herself anywhere, but I'm also more focused and alert than I think I have ever been. My energy levels are cranked up a few notches. It's very exciting and bizarre at the same time.

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And here I am, a few days later on day 3 of feeling like a human bobble head. Weeks 1-3 were bordering on awesome, Week 4 has had me very housebound and unable to get much done. I couldn't take charge right now if I had to. So, I won't. I will hope to get through the day without upsetting the balance too much, much like I did all weekend.

Saturday I was so out of whack that I spent most of the day on the couch in and out of sleep. Sunday I made attempts to get things done. I packed up my basement studio (our awesome home has been sold and we are moving), with breaks taken on the couch. Today I sit at the computer unable to focus long enough to do much at all. It's okay that I can't drive right now because I honestly have no desire to even be in a car. Every few minutes there is a different symptom somewhere: loss of balance, tingly hands, overheating, loss of focus, fatigue, chills, head full of cotton. It just kind of keeps looping itself like bad elevator music. The thought of socializing is more than I care to think about for now. I am essentially a drug addict in the middle of a detox.


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Today (October 1) I step out of my foggy mind only to stand at my window and watch fog weave through the trees in my yard. I return again to watch the sky open up and pour down on the same trees. I believe I have made it through the worst part of this medicine removal. I feel better, and yet my life feels like it's in a holding pattern of some sort. I am waiting for the energy of a few weeks ago to return.

Having my life kind of on hold, and yet moving forward at the same time, is a tricky thing to sort out. I am keeping my work load light in the months when I normally do the most, because I just can't stand the thought of possibly coming up short for my clients. The not knowing what to expect, not being able to drive to get simple errands done, the working around other people's schedules, all require a certain amount of patience and flexibility. So, I'm using as much patience to ease through this time and come out the other side ready to move forward in a stronger way. I will be so glad later when I look back at this time, but now I worry about all the opportunities I may be missing.

I share this non-photo part of my life because it is an important piece to who I am. Doing so has caused others to share stories as well that perhaps I never would have heard otherwise. Conversations started and ideas shared that may have helped where answers weren't being given. It has been a comfort but also discouraging to learn how many of us are coasting through medical situations, with many questions going unanswered and getting tips from each other rather than our doctors.

I am mere days away from being done with a 27 year prescription. Monday I will take my final pill, probably cry many joyful tears, then move on. Literally. My house and office are being packed with plans to move in the next few weeks. I don't know what the final weeks of adjusting to no meds will mean, but I do know the new home and office will mean great things for my business and life in general. I am very excited to see how it all plays out!


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Single Photo Friday:: Weather Shift

Matt heads to his wedding ceremony on a rainy day.

I hear there is a hurricane headed our way, and his name is Earl. I don't actually pay too much attention to the weather report so I am not really sure what we are in for. I'm going to confess that I am sitting here hoping for rain and a pretty strong shift in air temperature. This girl is ready for fall weather!

Perhaps the perfect end to a very sunny summer is some much needed rain. I can't remember a better summer, weather-wise, than the one we have had this year. Maybe that's not the case for everyone, but here in Maine things have been sunny and hot. And it's been great, of course. But as a lover of cooler air, and one who doesn't dread winter the way many do, I am beyond happy to see Fall arrive. This is, without a doubt, my most favorite time of year. How about you? Are you as happy to see Fall arrive as I am?

Those of you in Earl's path - stay as dry as possible this Labor Day weekend. Hope everyone enjoys this final weekend of a very excellent summer!

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Photo Excursion

Recently my nephew Max and I went on a little photo excursion together. It was loads o' fun exploring and watching him take photos. I thought I would share some of my photos from that day...

A photographer in the making, perhaps?

I love the way he looks at me when he's wondering what I'm doing.

I dig photos of swings, with or without people.

Swinging and chatting about life.

Spying through the rings.

A playground made from recycled materials? Cool!

I just love these rings. Again, he's wondering what I'm doing.

Photos taken 'Max style.'

So much concentration!

We can learn a lot from kids. Like how important it is to shoot from all different angles.

A photo he took of me, complete with head cut off. I've taught him so well.

Let's go back and hula hoop! Or something like that.

Our reflections on the hood of our car. This shot just makes me laugh.

It's great to find inspiration in as many places as possible, including your own backyard. Or hanging out with a 7 year old who looks at things totally different than you might. Try it out and let me know how it goes!

Here we are! Oh, I didn't take this photo :)

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