daily mantra: knock on the sky and listen to the sound…{zen.saying}
i had the privilege of photographing Emery and her parents on Saturday, and i think it might have been more fun for me than for them! this 6 month old on the move just dazzled me with her love for the camera and her willingness to pose. honestly, it was as if she were born to be a photographers child. i was spoiled by her laughter and eye contact. thank you, Miss Emery B. for being your magnificent self.
as an on location photographer, i have come to expect a certain amount of surprise and adventure. every time i close the door in my car and head down the road to my next session, there is still a lump of excited nervousness, and a hint of the unknown. but, my day with the McNally’s went above and beyond my greatest expectations: complete with a long road trip, vibrant foliage, beautiful young families, and even some goats….
you may recognize of few of these kiddos, as this family was one of my very, very firsts when i began my photography business. . .it is always amazing to see how families grow and change over just a year….
especially this little angel….
the boys sporting their tattoos. . .
day at the farm complete with a tractor ride….
miss mia is the youngest in the family…and like most people, she finds my sense of humor extremely entertaining…
her handsome brothers….
and some more adorable fresh faces…
after our time at home, we headed to the farm down the road….
it had been a long, fun day…full of adventure, family, and photographs…
daily mantra: the family is one of nature’s masterpieces….{george.santayana}
daily mantra: the human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter…{mark.twain}
oh blog readers…it is just more than divine to be back photographing moms and dads and kids and babies and the crazy perfect imperfectness that is the family unit. my fall family sessions started off last night with the brilliant Miss A who just turned the big 2 this week. the air was crisp, yet the sun was warm and magnificent.
2 year old just know how to express themselves….and Miss A’s laughter was infectious…i love this series
you can really tell this family has a great time together, no matter what they are doing…
living in Maine we know that there won’t be many more nights with warm light like this….
on Saturday morning I woke up to a shocking surprise. something beyond comprehension in the realm of my wedding season. something…..bright. it was the sun. after a very rainy spring and summer, the fall had blessed Jamie, Shane, and {ME} with the warmth of its presence. Jamie and Shane met over 7 years ago, so their relationship is proof that love works and perseveres through it all…through growth and change, college and jobs, good times and bad. i could not think of a better way to end my wedding season this year, than with this amazing couple.
i just loved their stunning rings….simple but all about them…
every detail of this wedding was perfection…right down to the shoes….
not everyone was happy to see Jamie married off…
gorgeous flowers…calla lilies are my absolute favorites!
{the.ceremony} took place in probably the most gorgeous church i have ever been in. Moody Memorial Church is the place that Jamie dreamed of getting married since she was a little girl….i can definitely see why…stunning frosted and stained glass windows from floor to ceiling, the smell of mahogany intertwined with old paper and books….it was heavenly.
Jamie and Shane had such an amazing wedding party….up for anything!
you guys know how much i love animals so when i heard that Remington, Jamie and Shane’s puppy, was at the wedding, i couldn’t resist getting a few shots with him too. the other pup belongs to bridesmaid, Carolyne, and is Remi’s brother… i LOVE puppies….
{jamie.and.shane}
one last {wedded} kiss of the season…..
daily mantra: ” a jouney of a thousand miles begins with a single step”….{lao.tzu}
The morning starts out as all wedding mornings have this season. With rain; me assembling my emergency weather kit, my husband checking the weather radar in fifteen minute intervals; my brides sending emails in panic. But today, the rain didn’t bother me. I knew I would be shooting at one of my favorite locations, with a very special couple, and enjoying delicious and amazing company the entire time. Chelsea and Jason were referred to me by Lindsay and Jared (see 4 weeks back to their beautiful wedding); Chelsea was her maid of honor, and Lindsay was Chelsea’s…so this was a homecoming of sorts for me.
Chelsea had her own flair to her beautiful, classic attire….
I just loved this sentiment on Chelsea’s ring! {from.the.heart}
Let me just say that when Chelsea told me almost a year ago upon booking that she was getting a trolley, I started counting down the days of her wedding…
it doesn’t get any better for a photographer than a trolley…seriously.
{the.ceremony}
Married….
{mr.and.mrs.smith}
dear Chelsea and Jason…
when i got home and uploaded all of your photographs, i was instantly brought back to your truly beautiful day. there has never been a ceremony more genuine and emotional. my heart was so touched by the obvious love that you two share together…a connection i know will last a lifetime and beyond. Chelsea, I have watched you and Lindsay, Jason and Jared…share so many profound moments this year, and i just can’t feel any more blessed than i do right now as a photographer, and as a person.
all my love to you both,
amanda 
daily mantra: put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard…{anne.sexton}
all weddings are special. every single one is different and timeless in a different way. but, this one…this wedding…is beyond special for me. not only did i get to go back home to shoot a wedding, but i get to do it for one of my amazing friend Kali and her soon-to-be hubby, Matt. after my rough weather last weekend, it was blissful to awake on saturday morning to nothing but blue skies, sun, and a gentle sea breaze.
i traveled all over downtown to find the perfect spot for too shoot these gorgeous flowers (notice the small yellow flowers??? its DILL, so all i did was want to snack on the bouquet the whole time i was photographing it). i found a beautiful door in the Farmsworth Museum area. notice the number….
i just loved Kali’s tattoos on her wrist. obviously…ready for marriage in every way…the two most important elements permanently placed on her body and in her soul.
did i mention it was a perfect day….
she is such a gorgeous bride…you could see it on every man’s face in at the wedding {even Noah’s…the ring bearer}
they literally glow…
anyone who knows Kali, knows what a great sense of humor she has. i think she is going to fit right into this family…
{as a side note, i will be photographing Matt’s sister and her finance this fall…she is seen at the bottom of this set. i can’t wait!}
its so amazing to watch someone you have grown up with…someone who you have seen change and succeed, find the love of their life. 
daily mantra: love is what dreams are made of….{anonymous}
RECEPTION PICS TOMORROW…..
I met Jared and Lindsay almost a year ago, and the minute I booked them, I knew this was a once in a lifetime chance to be part of a more than extraordinary wedding day. Why? Not only do they both have just amazing hearts, but they are high school sweethearts and have been together for 10 years. Their families and friends have watched them grow, change and evolve, not only as individuals, but as a couple. This wedding not only married Lindsay and Jared, but two families who love each other just as much. As I wound down through the sweet downtown of little South Berwick, my heart was filled with more excitement than ever before.
The weather was…ridiculously perfect if there is such thing…
This wedding advent calendar was a gift to Lindsay….I just love how personal and genuine it is…and you know I am sucker for the quote!
I could not get over these bouquets…just gorgeous.
Lindsay just has so many amazing friends…all were just as excited as she was for this day. I loved this shot of her and her mom too….it is so clear how close they are.
and the guys got ready across the street….
The wedding took place at the stunning Hamilton House in South Berwick…
My fav….
I was SO lucky to have a fun group willing to try anything…
I just love these girls…
Jared and Lindsay…
dear Lindsay and Jared…
i feel so blessed to have gotten the chance to know 2 extraordinary people over the last year. your wedding day was so special for all involved, and it was a reflection on your inner beauty and the amazing relationship you both have cultivated over the last 10 years. i wish you both the most divine happiness together, and a lifetime of the same love {and even more} that i saw on your wedding day. thank you, thank you, thank you.
all my love,
amanda
daily mantra: “love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” {kahlil.gibran}
The day started off wet with the perpetual showers we have had in Maine since May. However, as I drove down to York County to Caitlin’s home, the showers lifted, and the sun gradually came out from her hiding place and graced us with her presence for the remaining day. I spent the morning listening to wedding day plans, stories about friends, shooting the details, and getting to know this amazing family. Oh…and eating. Caitlin had made coffee cake, and her mom had laid out goodies for the entire wedding party. People filtered in and out to snack and talk…there were really no pre-wedding jitters…just excitement, love, and laughter.
Caitlin’s dress classically inspired with a modern flair and I just loved the texture and gentle, light softness to the fabric.
and she was blessed to be surrounded by 2 dear friends, her soon to be sister-in-law, and her amazing sisters.
as a daughter, and a mom of 2 girls, there are few things more magical than a father walking his daughter down the isle…
and her finance seeing her in her dress for the first time.
I just LOVE the expression on their faces!
and…this one…yay!
quite a lively crew…
…and let me just say…the flower girls were AMAZING. Apparently they are professionals.
and…at last…Caitlin and Matt
sigh….yes…this is why I photograph weddings
reception pictures tomorrow….
I met Anna when she contacted me to photograph her wedding last fall. I had made it a rule when I first began weddings to never photograph a wedding without personally meeting someone face to face. However, with her and her future husband Matt living all the way in Colorado, that proved to be a bit difficult. Anna’s emails were so warm {and e-mails almost never are}…there was something genuine about her from the start, so I broke my rule. I have to admit, I was more than a bit nervous to go to this very first wedding of the season in York Beach, Maine this weekend. Not only because it was the first this year, but also because Anna is a photographer herself…talk about pressure to get it right! But as soon as I saw her, and her amazingly funny and welcoming family on Sunday morning, my nerves melted away with the rain.
Anna wore her mothers wedding dress…just timeless….
with a bit of her own flair…
my favorite moment in any wedding is the one where the groom first sees his beautiful bride…
Anna’s amazing family and friends traveled from Indiana, Colorado, and Florida just to see her and Matt get married. I think it speaks volumes to what an amazing couple they truly are.
{below} Grandpa and Mom….
a pretty unconventionally brilliant group…
dear Anna and Matt {and family}
thank you for sharing your laughter, your tears, your exhaustion, your excitement, your humor, and most importantly your moments, with me. and Anna…i can’t thank you enough for your amazing support, encouragement, and friendship over the past months. you guys are infinitely blessed with amazing family and friends, and of course, the love you genuinely have for one another. {xoxo….amanda}
{i.love.my.job}
daily mantra: “love is like a Rubix Cube,
there are countless numbers of wrong twists and turns,
but when you get it right, it looks perfect no matter what way you look at it”…{brian.cramer}
This year, I am counting my blessings twice. I have amazing brides and couples…each unique, but all extraordinary in their own ways. I met up with Caitlin and Matt yesterday evening in Kennebunkport. A beautiful beach and stunning sunlight was enough to inspire the warmth between this amazing couple. The wedding is coming up in July…and I feel infinitely lucky to photograph their amazing day.
Aren’t they a stunning couple? Their love is completely obvious in every movement they make together. It makes me melt.
See what I mean….L.O.V.E
daily mantra: live through feeling and you will live through love. for feeling is the language of the soul, and feeling is truth…{matt.zotti}
