I still have prime dates available for 2018 & 2019 weddings. 2019 packages start at $1500. To schedule a consult and discuss over coffee, please call 207-689-1288 or email seamistphotography.com
A 20% deposit is required to hold your date.
I have been taking sports pictures in and around our community for the last 6 years. I am looking to expand into other towns as well as market my individual sessions and game packages for those who may be interested in a different approach to documenting/celebrating athletes in their favorite sport(s). A travel fee may apply to locations over 30 minutes from Lisbon, ME. For more information, please call 207-689-1288 or email [email protected]
What does "family lifestyle photography" mean to you? This will be my focus in 2018--capturing the family IN ACTION--something I try to encourage during my sessions. We're going to have fun in the new year...more location shoots, themed sessions, and stepping outside the box (less intrusive, with more focus on those candid shots). We'll be bringing the "REALNESS" back to photography. Real smiles, raw emotion, and true happiness--2018 is going to be a fantastic year.
Lifestyle photography is the goal for 2018. We'll do some standard posing, but it's not going to require those "CHEESE-y" smiles and all eyes at the camera. The rest is up to you. So how do we achieve it? Here is my list of ideas and areas of focus that will make your session as real as possible without forcing it.
1) The most important thing--HAVE FUN! I want you to feel comfortable. I have 4 kids of my own. Nothing brings me greater happiness than seeing kids in action, even if they are throwing temper tantrums, crying, or they refuse to cooperate. They're kids. It's natural, and an important part of "lifestyle photography."
2) Pick the location that works for YOU--A favorite spot, the beach, a playground, the park, a farm, the woods, your own house. Your location sets the mood for the shoot. If the kids are comfortable and happy, it will show. Instead of telling them your having family photos taken, tell them you're going on a family outing or adventure. I'm just there for the ride!
3) Bring "tools"--Bring a picnic lunch. Pack a special treat. Don't forget your favorite blanket and everyday "props" you would like to include in your photos--nothing unnatural--from here on out, we won't even call them "props," we'll call them TOOLS. When a writer tells a story, he uses a pencil and paper (we'll keep it old-fashioned). A painter uses a canvas, paint, and brushes. A carpenter uses wood, hammer, and nails. You see where I'm going with this...and two of the greatest tools we could possibly use to compliment all of the wonderful things that will already be present are the great outdoors and natural light.
4) Do your thing. Play with your kids. I'll chase after you! I'll be there to capture those moments--expressions of excitement, the action shots, the silliness, the sincerity, the positioning of hands, feet, and everything in between. Focus on each other. I'll do the rest.
I look forward to the year ahead, and the next chapter of this beautiful journey. Every family has a story, and a picture IS "worth a thousand words." Let's keep it simple, real, and true to life, and most importantly, let's keep it FUN!
Moxie…you either have it, or you don’t. What is Moxie, you ask? If we’re referring to the drink, it’s a rather disgusting carbonated beverage, (in my opinion), but has a huge cult following of people who nearly worship it. For the sake of my blog, however, I’m referring to someone or something having “moxie” because he/she is full of courage, vigor, nerve, guts, and so on. For people-watchers like myself, it becomes apparent almost immediately that a majority of the people in attendance during Moxie Days have “moxie.” It oozes out of their pores like it flows out of THE can.
This year, in particular, I was amazed at how VIBRANT the crowd was. Jubilant, you could say. Perhaps everyone had consumed their “nerve food” before the parade’s start? It was a little odd, because I have always noticed that the majority of people watching the parade were a tad grumpy, rude, inappropriate, and maybe even embarrassed that their children insisted on having the best view in town–the closer to the Kora Karts, the better. It was different this year, and it was all because of the man with the goat.
We sat next to the man with the goat, and I couldn’t help but stare. The man exuded moxie. Have you ever seen a man bring his pet goat to watch the parade? It’s wild! So, this “moxie” man and his goat (who was the epitome of moxie, because ALL goats have moxie), sit on the curb (yes, the goat sat there and observed), and you can see the crowd is fascinated by this. The parade begins, and there is a brief shift of excitement, because the heat was unbearable, and for the moment, we were beyond ready to see the clowns, floats, politicians (UGH), marching bands, and so on, so we could all enjoy the festivities to follow. It lasted only a moment, and then everyone was fixated on the goat again. Every participant in the parade stopped to see him, photographers (like myself) couldn’t help but capture this oddity, local news stations and their camera crews interviewed them, and even politicians took a moment of their time to meet the man with the goat. They were the star attraction. THEY WERE MOXIE. In all my life, I have never seen anything like it. During a time when we’re so caught up with politics, the economy, our ability (or inability) to make ends meet, a man and his goat emerge to steal the show–to make everyone stop for a moment to stare, laugh, smile, gasp, admire, and most of all, APPRECIATE the little things–a man, a goat, and Moxie.
Few places are so captivating and romantic that you feel drawn in the minute you step out of your vehicle. Owls Head Light State Park is such a place. We decided on a whim to pack up our four kids, load the van, and travel 65 miles along scenic Route 1 to see what all of the hype was about.
When I stepped out of the van, I was immediately taken aback by the sweet smells–of the ocean breeze, wildflowers, and that rustic, earthy smell of a forest untouched by the influences of modern man. It enveloped me. With camera in tow, we began to traverse the path toward the lighthouse. I took a few moments to take pictures of my children as the warm sun tickled their faces. As we neared the clearing of the lighthouse, there were periods of giggling sandwiched between dashes toward our destination, and then gasps as we finally arrived at the light.
The lighthouse keeper’s house was nestled in front of trees to our left. The light was perched at the top, and there was a vast expanse of ocean to our right. I can still remember the childlike anticipation I felt with each step, and when we finally reached the top, I was overwhelmed by the breathtaking view. We were surrounded by picturesque mountains, and the ocean was teeming with activity. We spotted a ferry, lobsterboats, sailboats, patrol boats, and many species of seabirds. The sun was positioned closely to the horizon, so the lighthouse seemed to glow with natural light, and it gave off its own warmth as we huddled closely together in awe of its simple beauty. I couldn’t help but think of its significance in maritime history, like all other lighthouses in Maine, and my gratitude to the United States Coast Guard and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands for working together to preserve, maintain, and protect its grounds for future generations to enjoy.
After taking it all in, we decided to visit the beach so the kids could swim and explore. We had no idea that the beach on the other side of the lighthouse was equally beautiful, and boy were we thrilled when we saw it. The shape of the beach itself was inviting. It was a crescent beach, with exquisitely-shaped rocks, protected by jagged cliffs to the right and large mountain-shaped ledges on the left. All four kids ran off in different directions. Their personalities were attracted to different features and aspects of the beach. Our oldest, most daring child immediately ran into the water, and spent his time body surfing the waves. Our middle son, who is the most reserved of the bunch, sat on the beach scanning for glimmers of vibrant colors in search of sea glass. Our youngest son, the little explorer, examined every piece of driftwood, turned over every rock, admired every seabird, and smelled every wildflower. The princess, hand in hand with her father, walked to the other end of the beach to take it all in. I captured it all with my camera. It brought me so much joy to watch all of them enjoy Owls Head Light State Park in their own way. It was an experience we will never forget, and one we look forward to repeating in the near future.