Stefa's story shows that all of us have the capacity to endure things that we don't think we can live through. Not only that, but we can come out the other side of these repeated difficulties, that seem unbearable, to be a kinder more compassionate person. She is a beautiful example of just that.  

Are you a parent who loves taking portraits of your child?! But the images aren't what you envisioned...

Did you buy a fancy new DSLR (not a point and shoot) and can't figure out how to do anything outside the 'Auto Mode'? 

Do you know the basics but can't seem to get to the next level? 

Then this is the class for you! 

Learning to cope with the anxiety our brain creates and how we can take back control is the subject of the this podcast. Bambi suffered from panic disorder and debilitating anxiety and learned how to control the panic before it escalated to a full blown attack.  She is now a brain coach and helps people learn how to control their brain and anxiety. 

One of my favorite images is the black and white in the van. The kids all talking at the same time, singing, and with their heads in their own world. It shows the chaos that is 6 kids, 9 and younger all together. But also reminds me how an image can stop a split second in time, the fleeting light at dusk, and a glimpse of the energy and love in that moment. 

As this story shows a lot of how things play out it life may depend on your heart. And your actions. And on the way you treat and respect others. 

Listen to Michelle's story for proof of just that. I love a story with a happy ending. And I am so excited to share this uplifting story as the start to our second season of storytelling!

Sam is on the cusp of being an adult. She is full of passion for dancing and has a wonderful smile! I am always so amazed by what the human form can do. I fall in love with dancers every time I get to watch them through my lens. I am so grateful for the opportunity to capture people doing the things that they love. 

Cheers to your amazing self, Sam!

Are you a parent who loves taking portraits of your child?! But the images aren't what you envisioned...

Did you buy a fancy new DSLR (not a point and shoot) and can't figure out how to do anything outside the 'Auto Mode'? Do you know the basics but can't seem to get to the next level? Then this is the class for you! 

This is a specific series. It's about claiming the feminine. About seeing that as wonderful, beautiful, and delicate, as well as strong, fiery, and fierce. Because I know lots of fierce girls who love to play dress up and who also climb trees, dig in the dirt, play sports, and stand up for themselves. I want them to know they can be all those things at the same time. That they can be feminine and fierce.

Nora's story is heart breaking and powerful. She suffered a huge loss as a teen and spiraled into darkness that wouldn't lift. It lead her to rock bottom. More than once. She hid her feelings and pretended she was fine for many years. She learned the hard way how hiding and stuffing sadness down doesn't work for her and what she needed to do to change the course of her life. She learned to live. It was a long hard road. 

Once in awhile I like to post something personal. Because I like to share that I have a life that I love and it's what motivates the work I create. And also, because sometimes I just can't resist. I adore these images and the pure joy of friendship and love of baby animals that they captured. I just had to share them. 

Kathy is just like you and me. Someone you might see in the line at the grocery store or meet in your networking group. She is married and has two kids and a runs a successful business. That's the stuff we all know about each other. The things that we share with people. What we let people see of us. Then there are the things that we don't share. Kathy decided that she wanted to get brave and share her story about dealing with depression and anxiety. She has dealt with both of those things her whole life. 

One of the things that can strike at anytime is disease or illness. It can sneak up when you think everything is just fine. I am guilty of being afraid of this for my daughter for sure. So what happens when your child gets diagnosed with an illness that currently isn't curable? How do you deal with that pain, and then learn to cope with it every single day? That is Maura's story.

If you have a child with a vivid imagination or who loves to play dress up these portrait sessions will be right up their ally! Call to get more details 207-318-0467 or head on over to the contact page (click this) to get in touch. 

When I first heard Elizabeth's story my mouth hung open. Then I immediately teared up and cried as she kept talking. I remembered all the times I didn't stand up for myself. The times I can look back on when I knew I wanted to say something, but just didn't for all the reasons that we don't. And the ways that not speaking up didn't serve me or totally changed me. 

Part of my goal for The Gardenia Project is to not only help women feel empowered by sharing their stories, but to shine a light on the realities of our lives that we are often too afraid or embarrassed to talk about publicly. I want to change the dialog. I think that by sharing our stories (however dark they may seem to us) they will loose their power over us. Things that are hidden remain big and scary. Things that are shared remind us of the ways we can connect to each other, that we are not alone.

I have so many families that get in touch with me year after year for sessions. They tell me how much having these images on their walls beings them joy every day. It is the memories with our family that are the fabric of our lives. 

Dance is the hidden language of the soul- Martha Graham. I work hard to really connect with the people I take portraits of and yet I immediately can see the soul of a dancer.  What truly drives a dancer is all on the outside, when they dance. It's why so many people around the world want to be dancers or go to watch dancers.

Maybe as you look at these images you will see snakes as just a little more beautiful than you thought of them before. I would love that. 

Then the realization that this is it. This moment. This chocolate batter. This cake. This child.

This is the best. The best that life has to offer. I have it. It is mine. It is here. And now. So I savor this. I smell the rich dark chocolate, hear the harmonies of the background song, listen to my daughter chattering on. Drink it in. And smile to myself. I totally win.

 These tween years are tough for girls. I remember them well. You aren't a little kid, but you aren't a teenager yet either. You still want to play with toys that you have always loved, but your loves are evolving into older girl stuff too. It can be tricky to navigate the emotions that come along with all these changes. I offer these Little Women sessions to try and help girls feels positive and powerful during this time.