Holiday Portrait Fun Oh Yeah!

It was so much fun, I'm doing it again!  

This Sunday, Dec. 12th from 2pm-6pm

Come in your best or play with holiday outfits-we have lederhosen!

It's a lot of fun, and so different than going to the mall.  

No sitting fees, pay for the prints you want 

and take them with you after the shoot.  

Inexpensive & fun, hot cider

and ...  chocolate.  

Here's a link to the Salmon Falls Artist Mills that has directions.

What a great time we've had with so many cool people having a blast dressing up for their holiday portraits!  I absolutely love the enthusiasm and the complete willingness to be wild.  Here are some of the jewels, people just need a nudge then it's all downhill from there!  I had include the great family, the Marzloffs.  Great spirit and man, you folks really knew what you were doing!

Holdiay Portraits at the Open Studios

Have fun with your holiday portraits!  

We have loads of costumes, including Lederhosen!

All sorts of outfits, or wear your holiday best!

Come to the Open Studios Nov. 21 & 22, 10-5! 

Walk away with prints in your hand 

Prices as low as $7 for 4x6s! 

Artist Portraits of four Fab!

These four artists are the finalists for the Piscataqua Artist Grant.  I had an absolute blast working with the all to create these shots!  Part of my Bread in the Bone portrait series, I just wanted to share them with the outside world.  Bread in the Bone-a compunction we are born with, in the marrow, making us crave, driving us towards some indefinable pursuit.  It is in the blood.  Infecting all our wishes with desire to...

Bear Kirkpatrick

Lauren Gillette

 

Lynn Szymanski

 

Rose Umerlik

The White Claw

She who wakes us to early and demands everything.  Armed to the two teeth she has, and I am not joking.  Never seen a cat with such sharp and frequently used claws.  Just like the white whale, it is the color of fear...  Actually, do love having her around, even if I'm not in control.  The other pets don't agree with me though.

Holiday Portraits Help those in Need

I love the (H)EAT campaign's drive to provide 10,000 meals and 10,000 gallons of home heating oil to those in need.  That's why I am donating 20% of my portraiture proceeds to the campaign as a gift from both me & you!  The donation comes from you as much as me.  For each family, couple or individual who gets their portraits done at my studio, you will become part of the great list of donors to the campaign at the website for (H)EAT.

I am scheduling 40-minute portrait sessions at my studio in Rollinsford, NH, right next door to the town of Dover, at the Salmon Falls Artist Mills.  The above flyer has all the details.  Set up an appointment to come by the studio after school, into the evening, on Sundays.  I will be shooting all through the holiday weekend after Thanksgiving-catch the whole family together!  You can walk away with prints and have digital images within two days.  Still plenty of time to get those cards made and out to those on the "nice" list.  I also offer beautifully designed GIFT CERTIFICATES.  Call or email anytime.

Lisa Jeff Elly and Hanna are the first!

 

Aye it is fine Brewing time!

I could be classified as a beer nut, not just the free ones of the bar. I think I went a little too far this year and planted a dozen hops, with the idea of making a beer garden. Maybe more like a beer forest! I brew beer a few times a year, at least once a year religiously with one brewing partner. I've had the pleasure of knowing the folks over at The Portsmouth Brewery for a number of years; Joanne, Peter, Tod and Brent. A great group of people, who I enjoy getting to know better each year. I enjoyed the opportunity to photograph Tod Mott and the inner bowels of the Brewery for their award of Best Bar and Brew Pub from Taste of the Seacoast. It was great to hang out with Tod for half a day. The entire crew there are light of humor and excellent people. Tod himself even indulged me to make a portrait of him I had been thinking about for a while, "the madd brewer." Click on the photo above to check out the shots, and to see into a touch of Tod's humor.

Halloween Slide Shows

You ardent fans of the Portsmouth Halloween Parade & musical aftermath are in for a treat! Here are a couple of slide shows featuring two of the bands who performed at The Coat of Arms Pub after the parade; The Frosting and Humpmuscle. Humpmuscle's show contains only shots from the show while I tossed a few images from the parade into The Frosting's slide show. Just click on the images to see below.

Humpmuscle



The Frosting

Peggy and Chuck's Family 50th Anniversary

Chuck tries to surmise the joy of family life.
Peggy with her man.

A little love for his grandmother
What a hoot! This was the tone of the day, laugh a minute.


Peggy and Chuck were celebrating their 50th anniversary, and so was the rest of the family! A fun loving group by nature, they were all so ebullient about sharing this day together. So much laughter, a few tears-what a lovely tribute/blessing Dan gave his parents, and so many broad smiles. I was overwhelmed by how many natural beautiful grins I saw that day; from kids to the eldest adults!! Previously, I had a grand time photographing one of the granddaughter's birthday's; what a cool fashion-shoot celebration. Even then I could tell Mary Beth, one of the five kids, was part of a caring family-yes you are still a kid in this context Mary Beth! Amidst weeks of storm clouds we got a great break for beautiful blue weather. The shade of the trees did help with the hot weather, but no complaints here. I'll take any hot weather we can get. Here's to many more great year Peggy & Chuck!

Orrin's First Year Photos: My first portrait

Brian & Amy brought little Orrin into their home up the street from me just over a month ago. This is the first portraits in a year-long portrait series: every three months we get to document what Orrin is up to. He has such lovely expressive blue eyes! My crazy beard caught his eyes for a few moments, but he preferred the overhead ceiling fan. It was great to hang out with these folks. Brian is on the fore front of taking care of energy consumption, producing his own Biodiesel and cofounder of the Southern Main Biodiesel Collective. Cool, down-to-earth couple. Can't wait to see what he thinks of the ginnea hens boping around the yard!

Emily & Sam Oceanside Wedding

Emily and Sam said their vows on a point overlooking the Whaleback Lighthouse on Kittery Point, Maine. For all the worries that the day would be rainy these two were fantastic; Emily event had red goulashes for just-in-case. They were just thrilled to be married to each other. Sam was just brimming with joy from the moment I caught up with him as he got ready. A certain silent smile was always lurking below the surface. They were wo much fun to photograph all day long. Both happy and very willing to spend a little more time to capture the beauty of the environment they love so much. The weather, in fact, gave us a bit extra splendor for the day!

Maryan & Derek Pregnancy

A lovely couple and very genuine people. Maryan and Derek put their hearts into their home and family. It was a very fitting location to photograph these two on their home turf. Especially with all the work put into the place. A beautiful space to bring another life into. In the living room I caught Derek being more comfortable in the moments when he didn't think he had to pose, just being close with his gal. The three photos together speak of their relationship.

Walk in the Woods Engagement

A truly beautiful spot at the right time of day!




Yes, a very hollywood of old pose, dashing couple in front of turbulent falls. How cinematically romantic. Maria & Eduardo are much more down-to-earth than this images suggests, but it was fun to create.


I had a great afternoon hiking with Maria & Eduardo right nearby both of our homes. They love the outdoors and so do I. Originally, we were going to drive further North to capture some engagement shots on a nature preserve in Wells, Maine. But the light was just right when we got together so a more local walk was the perfect choice. It was great to share one of my favorite close hikes in the little town of Gonic, NH. A waterfall in our backyard. A dramatic setting for a very laid back couple. Really it was just a gentle walk in the woods. Here's to sharing a lovely afternoon with such fun people.

Happy 2nd Birthday Pearl!!

Pages from the flip book! Jack loved his personal mark in my studio, Tessie not so much.

Pearl and Angelo

Melissa came to Johanna and me when she was pregnant with a great idea, a Pregnancy Flip Book! We spent six months shooting every two weeks in my studio, that is Melissa, Jack and Tessie. Most days we were a happy bunch, some days not so much, but we documented on. Melissa commissioned the project as a father's day gift for her husband Angelo, can barely believe we kept it a secret for four months-Jack eventually spilled the beans, ha Jack's beans. Once the lovely Pearl came into our lives Angelo came into the studio to finish the book as a family. The images not only document Melissa's pregnancy, but her family's personality. I loved spending time with them all and personally cherish what we created. If you are interested in seeing more of the images just email me.