daily.mantra.

i may not have gone where i intended but i think i ended up where i need to be…

daily mantra:

i can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself
to hold on to these moments as they pass…{counting crows}

i have to pinch myself. sometimes, it’s just too too good. i had shot a wedding the night before Keagan and Jessica’s session, and woke up early to drive to the beach and watch the sun rise over the horizon. it was 5:15 in the morning as i drove in to Perkins Beach…one of my most favorite spots in Maine, and i sat on big piece of driftwood and saw the entire sky light up. you can see it a million times in your life, but there is nothing more beautiful, more hopeful then watching a sunrise at the beach. Keagan and Jessica woke up early too…they drove all the way from Boston that morning to meet me at 7am for their engagement session. it was a perfect morning…with just enough cloud cover to make the beach like a sleepy dream. phew…some of my favorite images all season!

sometimes it’s just a stroke of luck when you meet the perfect client, and there is no other way to describe the opportunity to photograph this particular wedding other than just that…pure luck. i was actually contacted by Carrie (the bride’s) mom, and even through email there was a genuine warmth about her…and when i met Carrie and Greg, that same comfort came over me and i knew we would be a good match. when her big day finally arrived in September, i couldn’t’ have been more excited to see Carrie and her entire family. there are so many familial, symbolic touches in this wedding…all filled with love and tenderness.

Cynthia, the bride’s mom, found these vintage handkerchiefs for all of the aunts and grandmothers…such a sweet touch.

the flowers in this wedding were SO gorgeous and full of amazing detail. i have seen so many flowers this year, but these were some of the most creative, most well put together yet.

love just radiates from this family…Carrie and her mom, and her twin sister Adrianne, and her brother…as someone who doesn’t have any siblings, it is so beautiful to see.

{the.ceremony}

every  church comes with its own challenges…but i am learning to love shooting without my flash. the ceremony was filled with love, excitement…and a few tears.

it was amazing to see a wedding party where everyone was so close to each other…true friends are such a blessing, and it was evident from the moment i met them just how much they truly loved Carrie and Greg. the reception was held that the stunning Portland Country Club, in Falmouth. it was a beautiful night and other than the photographs of just the girls (taken in the Old Port in Portland), all were taken on their property.

Carrie and Greg

sigh…total fav.

daily mantra: happiness is like a kiss…you must share it to enjoy it…bernard.meltzer

daily mantra: who is rich?  he who rejoices in his portion…the.Talmud

the official end to the weddings season blew through, and i finally allowed myself a moment to take a deep breath. i have always been the thinker, slightly {alright…more than slightly} obsessive, drama-filled {but wishing desperately for simplicity} type of person. as i reflect, it was a great season…filled with awesome couples, and photos to prove such. my third season as a full time photographer did not leave me without lessons. i learn something huge every year in business. having the business has been like having a mischievous child…not without ups and downs, but filled with unconditional love just the same.

i am sure you are thinking…”just spill it amanda, what did you learn already???  get to the point”. okay…i will share.

i.miss.my.kids

a.lot

the summer passed. where did it go? i find myself typing this as leaves are falling and the girls are discussing Halloween costumes and how much candy they are going to eat. the summer was a blur of me rushing off, driving over 15,000 miles in 4 short months, and only having time for the movie trailer of their summer instead of the full length, theatrical version.

lesson.learned

with all that said, i will be taking on just a few {3}  more weddings in 2011 {those set up with current consultations are included}. and you might be asking, why announce it, what does that acheive? because posting it here will make me stick to this simplicity promise and pledge i have made to myself. there is nothing like a public declaration to make one stick to goals they have set for themselves and follow through.

now if i could only say the same thing for my diet.

i met Lindsay and Brandon over a year ago at her sister Caitlin’s wedding, and have been in love with this family from the beginning. when Lindsay contacted me this past winter and asked me to photograph her wedding, i couldn’t have been more excited to join this family for another special event. there is so much love…so much genuine faith and connectedness. i feel eternally blessed to have even the smallest part of it.

i feel like i have been so lucky with weather this year…only one rainy day wedding the entire season…this day was just perfect!

the bridesmaids put together this beautiful scrapbook for Lindsey and this is something i am sure she will treasure for a lifetime. most of her wedding party have known each other since childhood, and it was so wonderful to see that they pictures and sentiments to match their long time bonds.

this is probably my favorite picture…ever…

her going down the stairs of her home, walking past all of the photographs of her childhood in her wedding dress.

the ceremony…

Lindsey and Brandon had SUCH a great wedding party…so easy to photograph and full of fun!

…Brandon and Lindsey….

LOVE it when people provide fun props…like a vintage cab…how awesome is that!

…the reception…

dear Lindsey and Brandon…

there were so many favorite moments in your special day for me, it is hard to describe them all in words. but there was this second in the church, when i looked up from my camera and saw every single glowing face as they watched you say your vows. they were overflowing with as much love and excitement as you were that day. i can’t thank you enough for letting me be a small part of your day, and for making me feel like part of your family.

love and eternal happiness….amanda.