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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LIFE :: in Black & White

I photograph life. Simple as that.

So I may photograph your life, your business, or just my own everyday life. It is my simple goal to actually make images that have LIFE in them.

Here is a small sample of some past moments I have collected of my own life. Some of them are old scans, and all from my Black & White film days, so please forgive the quality...

 The Weekend Warrior, before he was truly my warrior.

 Family Reunion (Mom's side) in Virgina.

 Family (Dad's side) cooling off in Pittsburgh.

 Family Pig Pile in Maine.

 Friends at an Avocado Party in Bowdoinham.

 My Nephew on any given day.

 Weekend Warrior and his brother power washing the deck.

Nephew testing the waters. My bro and Weekend Warrior try to encourage him into the pool.

 My mom (Jamma) and Nephew (Max). Hard to believe he's now 7!

 Max's first Haircut.

 Max shows me that his Dora gummies are all gone. I like how his hands are shadowed on his shirt, in a similar way to the graphic on his t-shirt.

Weekend Warrior in full warrior mode, and needing a break.

That was kind of a fun jaunt down memory lane, photographically speaking. These are the kinds of things I capture because I like to bring my camera almost everywhere.  I think after all these years it's paying off.

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Moved by Cupcakes

There's just something about cupcakes...


That makes everyone happy. This Gluten-free photog never really gets to eat them (unless I make my own... and these cupcakes inspired me to do just that), but I love to photograph them. Especially when they are served at my nephew's 7th birthday.




First, there were craft projects to work on. The neph made me a fantastic purple bookmark with foam swirlies covered in glitter during craft time at his party. Then there was a game of Twister which seemed to be something this group was not quite ready to grasp. Funny for the rest of us, though. And of course, blowing out the candles and making a wish!



After the kids od'd on sugar, there was dancing to be had. I photographed their legs as they twirled and jumped and shook the house. This one of the red stockings was my favorite.



It's funny how inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. I found myself inspired at my nephew's 7th birthday party, first by the cupcakes, then by all the fun they had doing crafts and laughing and dancing and just... well, just being kids. A few days later I bought a Gluten-free cupcake mix and while I was frosting them all I could think about was how much fun it is to frost cupcakes! And why did I forget that along the way? Or have I just never really done it that much? I'm not sure. But I was kind of digging how one event inspires an action which triggers a feeling and can just keep going from there.

All because of a few cupcakes!


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mullenberg designs-portfolio design studio from lcm=liquidcreativemedia on Vimeo.

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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And, OH Yeah....

I got an awesome new logo! So, some things are gonna change around here. Brace yourselves.


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The 5Year Mark

Showing love to Ferry Beach with my {Dreamy} Diana lens.

Yesterday marked 5 years since my father's passing. I realize that may be a bit personal to talk about on a blog that is linked to my business, but we all have our stories and that info is part of mine. I feel like this a place where I get to share my work along with my stories.

I try to honor him in some way every year on Feb. 2. One year I went to Busch Gardens and rode roller coasters all weekend with the Weekend Warrior, one year I cut off all my hair and donated it to Locks of Love, this year I took a day for myself to enjoy a few simple things.




I ordered myself a photo book by National Geographic and another on the American Family. NatGeo was a magazine my dad always loved (and kept stacks of them in our house growing up), filled with photos I aspired to take. I took my camera and my new {Dreamy} Diana lens to my favorite beach and walked and photographed. Later, my family and I had dinner at a local chain restaurant that has Gluten-free options and animals hanging on the walls that talk every so often. This was really more for my nephew than the rest of us, but the being together part was what mattered. I topped off the night with 3 hours of LOST because I'm a nut and dying to see how the final season wraps up.



That last piece was really just for me, and not so much about my dad.

The rest however, made me think of him in good ways all day. His support in my photography endeavors was unwavering. So, it helps me to spend time working on and loving my craft in his absence, because I think of him often. Every once in awhile I might snap a photo just for him.




So, yesterday my choice was to play with my new Diana Lens - a plastic lens with a price tag around $60 and a dreamy look that could go for miles. Crisp focus is not likely to happen, but I have to say it was a bundle of fun. And always nice to step away from your normal way of doing things and mix it up a bit. One of the things that blew me away was how incredibly blue my skies were. Amazing what a piece of plastic can capture! Seriously. Please try adding something plastic/toy/fun to your camera arsenal. You will be so glad you did.




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Rinse and Repeat

The other day I hung out on a farm in the snow with an actress, a photographer and a videographer. Oh, and the the two camera guys are also musicians, but maybe that's not important right now. We joined forces, in the name of creative collaboration, cross promotion, and style enhancement. Working in collaboration, and seeing what our talents can produce. I think I am in love with working this way.




First of all, creative types can truly benefit by stepping out of their studios or even away from their egos, and sharing with each other. It's easy to get wrapped up in our projects and forget that. But every time I work with others I come away jazzed up and ready to roll. I know I am not alone in this.




One of the many things I learned while at Mystic5 was the concept of Lather, Rinse, Repeat (not just for clean hair, apparently!) In photo terms it can be worded as Shoot, Learn, Go out and do it again. And again. And again.... You get the idea. And since this early January 3 day seminar ended, I have seen that concept repeated all over the place - on blogs, twitter, Facebook, etc., and not by people who were at the Mystic5 seminar. People everywhere seem to know this.

So, go out and try it. Figure out what worked and what didn't. Go out and try again. And do that over and over, as often as possible. There has to be some mathematical formula out there that tells us this is the only way to get better and better at what we do. I'm not a math person, so I wouldn't know the name of such thing, other than persistence.




So, allow me to introduce Casey McDougal, SAG actress, Vegan, and all around fun person. She has to go through the Lather, Rinse, Repeat process all the time as well. No one is going to find her if she doesn't audition, and she's never going to improve if she doesn't keep at it, and learn from those around her, and then head out the door the next day to do it all over again.

There is something incredibly exciting about this concept. Every chance you go out and work on your craft is a chance to learn, to grow, to take yourself to the next level. And isn't that so much better than feeling stuck or working the same way day in, day out? Even the most seasoned rockstar-esque professional has to do this or else they too will get stale, and will watch as their colleagues pass them by. It's one of those things that reminds me at times that our possibilities are endless. I will continually shoot, learn, and head out my door yet again, and still not know all there is to know. There are so many directions I will be able to go. All of us have this chance, should we wish to take it.

The two musician guys and I had two more shoots together that weekend. Each one just as rewarding as the last, each one another step in the direction of building ourselves as individuals and a team. There will be more info coming soon on these collaborations, so please stay tuned.

Don't step away from the computer!

;-)

The Power of Photos:: Jen & Jeremy

Love this moment of them laughing during their ceremony.

My friend Jeremy called me the other day. I photographed his wedding this fall, but our friendship goes back to our Ithaca College days. He wanted to tell me about his recent visit with his grandmother. She's in a nursing home, and from what I understand, she is mostly unresponsive during their visits. This time was different.

Woot! Officially Married.

How cute are they?

They showed her photos from the wedding, the family event she was unable to attend, and watched her become more alert and responsive. The simple act of looking at photos brought a smile to her face and made her interact more with her family. He told me it was probably the best visit he's had with her.

The hair.

The dress.

The last minute phone calls.

Hair officially approved.

The delicate task of getting everything on the dress done right.

"I thought you would like knowing that," he told me. His voice was charged with happiness and excitement.

And he was right. I did like, DO like, actually LOVE to know those things. These kinds of stories are plentiful, and are always nice to hear. [Read my post below for some more thoughts on how important family photos are.] His grandmother may not have been well enough to go to his wedding, but the the simple act of looking through photos of her loved ones brought her to a place she hadn't been in a long time. This is the power photography has: a power to bring joy and happiness in the most surprising ways at often the simplest of times.

Fun, simple, and pretty table decorations.

Love.

Flip through pages of photographs, and relive old memories or create new ones. Pretty amazing stuff, isn't it? Yeah, I think so, too. I'm so glad he took the time to call me and share this. It's a good reminder for all of us that those albums full of photos don't need to collect dust. Take them out for you, your family, your friends, your new neighbors. Share and laugh in each other's moments, old and new.


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