Jessica's Family Photoshoot

I had the honor of taking my friend Jess' family photos on Saturday which was such a beautiful day! How many Maine days in October are 80 degrees and sunny?! I was lucky to have the beautiful weather, a beautiful setting, and beautiful subjects! This is Jess and her two wonderful daughters, Hailey and Alessandra...

Thank you so much Jess for letting me photograph your beautiful family! 

Goals for Summer 2012

Now I know it's still early but I have made a few goals for myself that I hope to fulfill next summer. I hope to be selling at the following venues so be sure to check them out!

I will post the dates for the 2012 summer as soon as I am aware of them!

The Saco Sidewalk Art Festival
Date TBA
Main Street, Saco

Art in the Park
Saturday August 11th, 2012
9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Mill Creek Park, South Portland Maine

The Portland Sidewalk Art Festival
Date TBA
Monument Square, Portland

I also just had to add this photo I took in the early fall of last year...I hope to get many more beautiful foliage pictures this fall!

Movement

Usually a photographer tries to eliminate movement in photographs that cause blurriness but sometimes I think it can add a lot of interest. I love to go for walks outdoors and shoot on whatever roads or trails I visit. This first photo was taken on a dirt road near my camp and the second was while walking with my dog, Desmond on a local trail in Scarborough.

Is it just me or does it make you feel a little bit dizzy?! Careful viewing! :)

I'm so mad that I didn't realize the date stamp was on for this photo though!

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather, it's been (somewhat) cooler lately! I can't wait for the foliage to be in full bloom!

Strange Weather

The weather has been so odd lately around here, this shot was taken after a little bout of rain.

Maine Cemeteries

There aren't many places in Maine where you can drive around and not see a cemetery, and for some strange reason, I love walking around in them (as long as its broad daylight!) They are peaceful and quiet and each one is different from the rest, ranging from small family cemeteries that have only 4 or 5 gravestones and hardly anyone knows about them, to huge and crowded ones containing hundreds upon hundreds of stones. I'm not sure what it is about them that I particularly like, its just that they seem to have so much history. I can't help think about what a particular person did during their lifetime, who they knew, what they accomplished, or the thoughts they had.

Today, even though it's been raining, I took a short walk behind my house to the cemetery that only a few people know about.

Abbot Family Cemetery Saco, ME

Taken at a cemetery in Buxton, ME

Taken at a cemetery that I can't remember the whereabouts

Everything Creative and Unique- etsy.com

Yesterday I visited one of my favorite websites, not only for the great products you can buy for yourself or for someone else, but also for the inspiration it gives me every time I visit. Every item on this website has to be hand made or vintage, and you can find everything from clothing, to food, to fine art paintings.
www.etsy.com
Yesterday I ended up purchasing the cutest hand stamped dog tags for my two papillions, Charlotte and Desmond. One is made of aluminum, and one made of copper (well, with the price of copper lately, I'm pretty sure it isn't real copper!) This is the one I got for Desmond: Copper Dog Tag I must admit, the handmade jewelry on this website is a weak spot for me, I usually find wayyyyy too many things I want to buy- it is all so unique and beautiful, and I love the idea that someone actually made it with their hands! I bought a naval ring yesterday as well that I originally found on etsy.com. The company that makes them started with one woman who wanted beautiful body jewelry that was also easy to get in and out. The result: Tummy Toys

Be sure to check out this site whenever you want a one-of-a-kind dress, a special gift, or just for some creative inspiration!

My dog, Charlotte- Desmond's mother

Like Firefly Photos on Facebook!

I've just created a Facebook page where you can see my latest photos, hear about my latest news and promotions, and contact me! Check it out!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Firefly-Photography/206562516063660

Family Portraits

Its best to get your family portraits done before summer is over! Perfect to use for your holiday cards this winter!  I know its been cold and grey lately but with patience we can get great shots in the sunshine! Call 207-229-3056 to set up an appointment today :)

Day Two

Today was a grey and rainy day and of course when I let the dogs out, they got all wet and couldn't wait to come in from the unseasonably cold weather. But first, I had to take a picture of their anticipatory faces- they were just so cute! Sophie's face was priceless! :)

365 Day Challenge

Looking on other photography blogs, it seems like more and more people are trying the "365 Day Challange" where you try to take at least one photo every day for a year. I've been warned. Apparently it is a lot more tedious than one might think, but on day one, I'm inspired and hopeful that it will make me a better photographer in the end. However, I am worried about running out of ideas and getting stuck with the same old subjects. I started a list with some pretty broad ideas; water, romance, kitchen, mechanical, ect., hoping each one will give me an idea to interpret through a photograph. Today I chose the word vegetable, and took a short walk to our little pumpkin patch where the pumpkins are still pretty green. I couldn't help but notice the pretty little flowers that the pumpkin grows out of, they are certainly unique. I'm not sure if the rules of this challenge include only posting one photo a day but I can't help myself! I'll make my own rules. :)

My Mother's Garden

My mom has the most beautiful garden this summer and I just wanted to share a few photos with the world! I don't have much time for this post but I hope you enjoy these...

4-H Horse Camp 2011

So today I am heading up to Fryeburg, Maine because I was invited to give a demonstration to all the great kids attending the 2011 Southern Maine 4-H Horse Camp. I was in 4-H myself for about 6 years before I was too old to be a member, but the time I spent in it was fun and informative. In my opinion, when you know the right people, the horse community in Maine is great and full of talented, intelligent, and passionate people. All this week I have been getting ready for my demonstration. I will be teaching the kids how to make homemade horse treats, so I've been printing recipes, buying supplies and grating a TON of carrots! But hopefully it will go well and all be worth it!

Kendra's horse Guiness, taken at last year's horse camp

So one of  the best things about going to the Fryeburg Fairgrounds is that the scenery of there is beautiful. The fairgrounds are surrounded by mountains and the scenery makes sunsets and thunderstorms seem much more bold. I must say, I take it upon myself to be official camp photographer during the time I am up there, and I usually am lucky enough to catch some great shots. Hopefully this year will be no different! So I am heading up tonight and will be back late tomorrow afternoon with, I hope, some great shots of the horses and all the kids who love them!

A shot of one of the horses at camp last year

Thank you to all the volunteers and demonstrators who have put so much time and effort into making this year's horse camp such a success! The campers may not always say it, but they sure do appreciate all of your hard work!

The Haunted House

Last weekend I spent the day with my family at my camp near Augusta, Maine and, despite the hot weather, went for a walk on our dirt road. At the top of a rocky hill there is an abandoned house that the kids wanted to go into and explore, despite my mom's protesting. Even though it is run down and somewhat delapitaed, there is something beautiful about it. Perhaps it's just that the vegitation is growing in all around it. I must admit, I'm curious to see what is inside and the front door is unlocked...But anyways, I got some really great photos that I hope portray the feeling of what the kids like to call the "haunted house"!

Scarborough Grounds

Some of my photography will be for sale, starting tomorrow, at Scarborough Grounds Cafe and Eatery on Route 1 in Scarborough, Maine. The prints are in color, sepia and black and white and are all 8"x10" and are $30 each or $80 for a specific set of 3 photos that were taken at a beach in Kennebunk. Here are a few of them...enjoy!

8"x10" Prints- Set of 3 $80
Shot near Gooserocks Beach Kennebunk, Maine
Located at Scarborough Grounds

Edit: There are 2 more prints for sale at the cafe if you're interested. These are $30 each and all you have to do is contact me to buy one! Each frame has a business card tucked into it which you can take along. I can be emailed at fireflyphotosmaine@gmail.com or call me at 207-229-3056. Hope you like them!

A barber shop in the Old Port, Portland Maine

An old abandoned barn, I loved photographing this place!

 

A Foggy Day on the Coast

Today is such a beautiful, sunny day that I thought it would be nice to visit my campus and photograph the spots I didn't even know were there during my entire first semester. I only wish I had found them sooner! Of course, after a 30 minute drive, as soon as I got close to the shore I discover the entire area blanketed in a dense fog. But my dog, Desmond, had to get out and stretch his legs so I figured why not bring the camera too. I thought maybe the old forts would look more interesting with the fog surrounding them. As we walked around the fog lifted away and the sun came out in full force! I'm glad I got such a good variety of photos!

Fog still blowing away....

Part of the fort wall- it's amazing how far archetecture has come