Single Photo Friday:: Gaga

Lady Gaga speaks in Portland, Maine against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Lady Gaga came to Portland recently and I photographed the event for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

It was all very last minute and a little chaotic (celebs don't make their way to Maine everyday), but such an amazing moment to be part of. I forced my way through the crowd so I could shoot from the front rather than on the press platform that was roughly half a mile away (dramatic exaggeration). By getting up close I found myself surrounded by lots of local college students who were seriously gaga for Gaga. I think being in the thick of their energy and excitement made the whole event an even more powerful experience for me. I loved watching them all go nuts both for her and all the speakers who came out to tell their stories. I watched people's eyes fill with tears one minute, erupt into screams and applause the next. Had I stayed back on the dreaded platform I would have left having felt maybe half the emotion.

And truth be told, I don't care what Lady Gaga wears at a big Hollywood events. The fact the she makes some pretty great music and is standing up for something she believes in are the only reasons I need to like her. And it's always cool to photograph people I like.

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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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Single Photo Friday:: Seagull Attack!

Lookout for seagulls!

Ahh, just gorges. Haha, I mean Fort Gorges, so proudly displayed in Portland's Caso Bay.

 

It's 9pm on Friday evening and I am just now sitting down long enough to remember that 1) today is indeed Friday and 2) I have yet to post to the blog.

I took this shot today while aboard The Lucky Catch - a lobster boat that takes people on tours of Casco Bay and shows them how to catch lobster. My cousin's daughter (therefore, my 2nd cousin) was visiting Maine for the first time, and so we did a touristy thing that ended up being possibly more fun for us locals than those from away. As they got bait ready the seagulls literally swarmed us. I chose to turn my attention and my camera to the flock rather than the action happening on the boat.

I think that was the most fun I've ever had photographing seagulls.


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Single Photo Friday:: Artful Community

Janice @ Portland's Graffiti Wall.

The city of Portland is filled with an amazing amount of creativity, and seems to be working hard at embracing its creative community lately. Here is a photo that shows two examples of this. First, Janice and her body art - a sort of walking advertisement for some local tattoo artists.

Second, Portland's graffiti wall - a public place of ever changing art. It is completely different every time I go by it. And I love to walk by, slow down, and stare. Sometimes I photograph people in front of it, or just photograph some of the amazing art work. Sometimes I try to imagine how a certain piece was painted and brought to life. I have always had a fascination with graffiti, so this spot is a bit of a gem in the Portland landscape for me.

Plus, it's a block away from one of my favorite coffee shops, where creative ideas come to life over laptops and lattes and good conversation.


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Single Photo Friday:: Step Back

It's Friday, the sun is out, and I'm recovering from my first 5k that I ran last night.

I was combing through my photo library thinking of photos that would have something to do with running. I don't seem to have things like that, probably because I NEVER photograph myself running (nor will I). But this image jumped out at me. I was photographing this man in front of a church. I took a step back, deliberately changing my focus, and ended up with an image I have always liked but done nothing with. For me, that is one of those things that I love about having a blog - it gives me a platform to show images that otherwise wouldn't be seen.

Plus I think it says something about my mood today. On one side I'm VERY jazzed up about what I accomplished last night. The other side of me is mellow and somewhat reflective, stepping back to take in some details. The nerves of yesterday are gone, replaced with a calm satisfaction that must be the result of setting out to do something, working really hard, and exceeding your expectations.

It feels pretty great.


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Single Photo Friday:: Sparkle

Hello Friday of Memorial Day Weekend! Today's image is one I took recently of a friend for my ongoing 'photos of real women' project. This image captures a piece of Tricia that was amplified that day as she was newly self-employed and ready for whatever adventure was next.

I hope down the road when she looks at this photo she'll remember how she felt those first few weeks of embarking on this next chapter of her life. The sparkle of things to come in her eyes, perhaps.

If you are up for being part of my Real Women Photo Project, please let me know! I would love to hear from you.

Have a safe, fun, and happy Memorial Day weekend!


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Single Photo Friday:: Smiles

Oh man, it's Friday already, and you know what that means: Single Photo Friday! Only I've had kind of a crazy week and haven't given an ounce of thought to what kind of photo I should share today. Hmmmm... what kind of a mood am I in?

Haha.

Well, I had a reminder today how important positive people are in our lives. I try very hard to surround myself with supportive people and a general positive outlook. I need to find a photo that reflects that, or one that makes me happy....

Joe laughing @ Chowderhead's.

Yes, I do believe we have found a winner! How can you look at this face and not smile or crack up laughing? 

Thanks, Joe for brightening my day! 

I get a dose of double happiness when I look at this photo, since it brings back memories of the visit that brought him to my doorstep. Two friends and a baby who left NYC last summer to hang out in my town and on my back porch and eat as much seafood as possible. So, I see this photo and remember the long weekend I shared with them laughing, smiling, EATING. I love how a photo is powerful enough to bring waves of memories rushing over you, creating instant happiness.

Really good stuff.

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Single Photo Friday:: Wear and Tear

Wharf wall in Portland's Waterfront.

Happy Friday! This week I'm digging this shot of peeling paint on a wall in Portland's waterfront, taken with a lensbaby.

Interesting how when buildings age like this they take on a beauty all their own. If only we had the same deal as humans.

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Single Photo Friday:: Brunch!

Welcome to a new adventure on this here bloggity blog. A little thing I'm calling 'Single Photo Friday.' Not photos of single people (though that is a possibility), just a single photo I like. No big thing. Check back every Friday and see what it is my mind likes from week to week!

And, please feel free to leave comments. I love hearing from any and all of you!

I must have been hungry when I picked this one :)

Delicious Brunch @ Local 188 in Portland, Maine

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Local Plug

Scott Mullenberg of Mullenberg Designs in his studio.

I'm a big fan of collaboration and cross-promotion. I have worked with some amazing people in the past years, which has proven to be mutually beneficial in every case. For me, building community is important as I build my brand. I will share your links, retweet your tweets, tell people amazing things about you. I'm honestly better at promoting others than I am at promoting myself. I'm a work in progress, to say the least.




But I get a high of sorts whenever I work with other creative types and small business owners, and I want to tell everyone how great they are. I want people to buy their products. I want them to be successful. I want them to be important parts of my community.




People let me into their lives and I get to witness things that perhaps other people don't see. But I'm there with a camera, so I'm recording evidence that will be shared with pieces of the world. Still, photos don't tell every story. They can tell a lot, but there are still some secrets that remain. I often use my big mouth or the computer's keyboard to tell more of the story, to let people know how great someone's product might be.




Scott Mullenberg has a studio in an old mill in Biddeford, Maine. He makes amazing portfolio books, and has clients all over the country who have pushed their careers to the next level by having their work displayed in one of his original pieces. I will post a video soon that was made in collaboration with Liquid Creative media (you may remember them from this post)

Earlier this year I photographed Gabrielle Melchionda, owner of Mad Gab's, Inc. They are small company in another old mill in Maine manufacturing the world's best natural lip balm. That's my opinion, anyway.

I recently did the photography and the website work for a local art-based preschool called Creative Pathways - a gem in the Portland landscape, so if you have a creative child and need a great preschool, this could be the answer.

Last night I spent time at a local theater company called Mad Horse Theater photographing what will become the poster and promotional pieces for the next production. I laughed the majority of the time I was there, and the entire time I edited the photos today. I can't wait to put some of those photos on this here bloggity blog. I hope to do a post with info about times/dates to help them get even more people to come see their amazing production.




So, while it may be a bit of a flaw that I still don't promote myself quite enough, I find that building these relationships and sharing their info with others is often what I love to do. I am confident that I will be given the chance to work with each one of these fabulous businesses again in the future, and I welcome that opportunity!


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A Strong Filter

One of my favorite gems of a thinking place.

I am feeling both inspired and frustrated at the same time, and I can't quite figure out why. There is one side that feels great and like new things are taking shape and positive steps are being taken, while the other side feels like nothing is happening and things aren't going my way and I don't know what to do next.

But then I tell myself this all part of the process. "The Process" can be defined in so many different ways, but I think for me these feelings come about every few months. I hit a bit of a wall and the self doubt shadow follows me around for a couple of days, like an imaginary friend who's not really friendly. But, these moments always lead to another break, another step forward, another chance to take things to the next level. SO, I just have to remind myself that I almost need to go through these times to get to the better stuff. Sometimes, it's just simply Life Lessons.

It's also a matter of learning to filter what works and what doesn't. There are so many people out there dispensing advice, but not all of it fits into what might work for you. Or for me. At times, it can seem like information overload. We all need to learn to filter the good from the bad. One of the amazing speakers at Mystic 5 cautioned us all not to "drink the Kool-Aid." Which made me laugh, then think.

So, the strong filter is essential as a photographer, as a creative type, as a human just trying to get by. I usually walk around with an open heart and mind, and try to take in as much as possible. Later I have to remind myself to take in only what I want, only what will work for me. And then move on.

My only advice - don't filter so much that you miss the gems when they appear in front of you. They can often show up in unexpected ways.



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Family History: Priceless

Dad @ Bitliff's, some time in the 90's.

I am fresh off a 3 day Wedding Photo seminar called Mystic5. I'm inspired, motivated and even overwhelmed. I am still decompressing, but my mind has some clear thoughts.

One of my favorite quotes from one of the presenters, the amazing David Williams, is "Put your hand up if you have EVERY picture you want of the ones you love."

No one raised their hands.
And every time I read it I literally get tears in my eyes. I think of my father. On Feb 2 it will be 5 years since he passed away from Mantle Cell Lymphoma. His death is still a very painful thing for me, and it certainly seems hard to believe I've been carrying this pain around for 5 years. But I remember that scramble to find photos of our family to share. That was my task. Logical, considering I'm a photographer. It was painful for me to realize how long it had been since he and I had been in a photo together. I found one from my wedding, the end of the night (we never did the father/daughter dance, sadly), on the dance floor we leaned in and smiled, my lips were bright red from the ring pop I had been eating. It wasn't a great shot of either of us. And, it was 5 years old.

The last photo I took of my father was on Thanksgiving 2004. He was sick, but we didn't really know why yet. He sat on the floor leaning against the couch, because it was the only place he could get comfortable. My nephew had climbed up on the couch behind him and was rubbing has hand across the top of my father's head. He said something and my brother started laughing. I took the picture. My brother said "He just said your head is square!"

We all laughed. We have always teased my father about his square head. I have been accused of having one as well. No surprise there, since I look like him.

It's not a great photo, but it's the last one I took of him so I remember that moment.

The point is our families are part of our history, and photos help us keep track of that history. People really are losing sight of how important it is to record and keep these moments. Looking through a photo album is such an amazing and simple experience that gives people a lot of joy, yet we are starting to forget what that feels like. But our families and our stories are on those pages, and should not to be taken lightly. People need to remember what that feels like, and need to remember the value of images. Imagine if you are just starting your family, and you never take a single image off your hard drive. What would you do if your computer crashed and it was all lost? You could lose valuable family history. Your kids will grow up and never have those images of their childhood. Or worse, something could happen to you and your child may not be able to find a photo of the two of you together. Imagine how that would break their heart.

And technology is a fickle thing. What works today, may not tomorrow. Your DVD of images may not read or work on a computer in 5, 10 years. Again, family history lost. I am no longer allowing my business to operate as it has for the last year. I am restructuring what I offer and what I do. One of those items being that I can't, in good conscience, photograph families without getting albums made. Walking away with just a CD is not enough. Your family needs to be honored.

And, yes, photography is an investment. But so is your family, your health, your happiness. All of these things matter. Everyone wants to find the cheapest & quickest way to do everything, but where does that get you? Usually, having to pay for the same thing all over again, either because something broke or you weren't happy with the quality. How many vacuum cleaners have you bought/ will you buy? My mother spent good money on a Kirby and used it for almost 40 years. She would have spent ten times the amount if she just kept buying the cheapest and first vacuum she found.

I'm a firm believer in what may seem expensive today, will be priceless tomorrow. If my family had photos taken by someone like me back when I was a kid, you would not able to pry that album out of my hands today.

And luckily for all of us, the painful Sears Portrait is not the standard these days. Photographers are doing amazing things that will tell YOUR story, and leave your mark in the family history.

It's a new year, a new decade. Maybe a good time for all of us to remember the value of quality and hard work. And to record our family history.


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Make it Happen, Maine!

I believe in Love.

I believe in Marriage.

I believe in Equal Rights.

I make my living as a photographer, which includes photographing weddings. I would love the opportunity to photograph a same sex marriage, and I'm hoping that after today I will be able to do that in Maine. I also hope to photograph a biker wedding and an Indian wedding, but those aren't items we as a people need to vote on.

If we all want to greatly impact the lives of our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and more, then we need to get out and vote TODAY. TUESDAY NOV 3. It could prove to be life changing for all of us. Especially if it opens the doors to acceptance of those different than you.

Well said.

Places to vote in York and Cumberland County go here .

Support No on 1.

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Pieces

of Janice and her personality....






She's fierce. And so much fun to photograph! There are many more where these came from and they will be gracing the blog soon, so keep your eyes peeled and your computer on. She is the beginning part of an ongoing project to photograph women. REAL women. Not glossed over glamazons, but the people we see and know and love everyday. All shapes, ages, beliefs, backgrounds, and personalities.

Beauty is everywhere, and we don't need to find it places where it's being force fed to us. We can all find it in our immediate lives, in our communities, at our favorite local hang outs, in our backyards. Photographing people lets me do that on a daily basis. I'm a lucky duck.

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Ever Changing Art

Somewhere out there is a sweet and tender hooligan...



who is making some great art work on Portland's walls.


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Lights, Camera, Action!

Harris Cooley and Braden Biddings at the Q Street Diner

And away we go! Here it is folks, the day so many of you have been waiting for. The day when local production company Gitgo Productions (Kate Kiminski and Betsy Carson) launches its highly anticipated and totally hilarious web series 'Willard Beach, The Real Story.'

Ok, so it launches tomorrow, April 1st (no, this is not a joke), but I wanted to give you just a tiny bit of warning.

Denise Poirier at the Empire Dine and Dance

There is something for everyone in this fun new web series, from gossip to local celebrities to lover's quarrels to what happens in everyday, small town America where everyone knows your business. It also features really good looking, local talent hanging out in fun Portland landmarks (think: Q Street Diner, Enterprise Records, Empire Dine & Dance...).

Jennywren Sanders and Braden Biddings at Enterprise Records

Kathryn Morrison and Keith Anctil making their way through morning coffee

It's comedy meets quirkiness meets soap opera meets satire. And just so you don't forget, it's called WILLARD BEACH, THE REAL STORY. You can learn more here and here. You should probably bookmark those two things so you can be sure to tune in every week. That way you'll always have something to discuss at the water cooler.

David Wallace reads the local news and eavesdrops at the Q Street Diner

And why am I telling you all this? Because I'm the project's still photographer. Oh, and because I know a good thing when I see it and I wouldn't want you to miss out.

Time Flies: My Year in Photos

2009 is here, and I am, in some ways, still trying to catch my breath from 2008. It was the year of re-connections and creative inspiration. There were a few risks, some adventures, lots of laughs, and many improvements. And on December 31 I punched out for the last time, leaving the place I have worked for the last four years. I am officially on my own. Self-employed. Unemployed. However you want to look at it.

It feels pretty good. So I spent New Year's digging through the photos of the past year, seeing where I've been and how far I've come. Here are some of my favorite moments....

New Year's Day, 2008. I photographed the Annual Lobster Dip, a fundraiser for Maine's Special Olympics. Crazy people jump into the Atlantic Ocean to support a good cause.

The weekend warrior started making animals out of scrap metal. I took a portrait of his latest, the pig.

The WW and I in a garage in Purcelville, VA. We bought an El Camino on EBay, and took a little road trip to fetch it.

This is my nephew, Max, on Easter. It's amazing how young he looks in this photo.

Tom Brady's love child is born in Portland, Maine. I'm kidding. This is Charlie Ellis, and he's pretty darn cute.

Hanging out with friends and therefore lots of kids is common for me. I'm a sucker for a swing set and always love photos of people swinging, no matter what age they are.

In the spring some college friends reunited in Ithaca, NY. First order of business: hit HotTruck. I saw this as a good opportunity to add to my collection of Ben Photos, and the shiny head in the Hot Truck light was irresistible, photographically speaking. Oh, and our friend Jeremy got engaged the next night. Woohoo!

I hung out on a rooftop with the band memebers of The Lomax. Later we hung out in an elevator and a woodworking workshop. It was cool. They are cool.

Just a family portrait I like. They each have their own personality.

A fun wedding shot. Can't remember what was so funny. I have to assume it was me.

Another photo from a wedding. I like it when I can get artsy while shooting weddings.

The El Camino was a hero driving up the East Coast in snow storms. It spent the summer resting and recovering in our driveway. The Weekend Warrior has a mistress.

These crazy bunch of New Yorkers left the city and spent some time in Maine. We all watch Dana as she decides what she thinks about this ocean thing. The next frame showed her running away from them laughing.

Max started Kindergarten. I of course showed up with my camera.

In September I took an awesome workshop on how to shoot film stills. This is Ryan. He was a very good photographic subject.