five very important words.

It feels like the weekends just fly by.  I spent a lot of this past weekend on the road or in southern NH and the Boston area.  After spending a good 5 hours of the beautiful saturday afternoon in Londonderry NH, Silas and I went down to spend some time with his brother Ethan in Belmont- just outside of Boston.  We spent the evening having dinner at a local bar and watching a movie.  The next morning we met my best friend KC and her little sister Anya downtown for brunch- only to loose track of time chatting and had to speed down 93 South to get to my wedding consultation on time (Sorry Erika- I swear I'm not always late).  After the meeting Silas and I once again got in his truck and headed back north because I had to be at work by 6pm. We found a few minutes on the way home to make a short pit stop at his current logging job in Ossipee, NH.  For those of you who don't know- my boyfriend Silas is a logger.   Though he does not wear flannel plaid shirts (not for my lack of trying) he is defiantly the real deal woods-man!  We stopped because he wanted to show me where he has been working and what he has been doing.  To be honest it isn't the most exciting thing in the world to me, but I know as well as anyone how when you are excited about something you've accomplished and worked hard on its fun to show it off.  I often make him sit and look at my "oh so pretty" pictures even when he is not exactly the kind of guy that gets excited about a great flower or wedding ring shot.  He obligees and tells me how nice they are and then tells me he is proud of me.

Those five words mean so much to me.  'I am proud of you'.  Its amazing how much hearing that can make my day.  Silas has always been one of my biggest supporters.  Since day one of this photography business adventure, he has been telling me I can do it.  I am so lucky to have someone in my daily life who tells me that they believe in me.  While we were walking around his job site I took a few pictures just to show it off to all of you.

I also snapped a few images through Silas's windshield on our way north on 93 going through Boston- figured I'd share those as well :)

Have a happy tuesday everyone!

Portland- Old Port Details

While walking around the Old Port last week I found some great details.  A store down on Commercial Street was selling some of these colorful flower pots, some indian scarves and pillows.  They were all displayed out on the street in front of the shop.  I got a few strange looks while laying down on the side walk to take some photos but I've become so used to that look now it never bothers me- especially when I end up with images like these.  I just love these colors!  The green is such a great spring green and I think I really should have bought one of those blue pots- my mom would love that color. Around the corner from this little shop was a restaurant with a golden lab tied out front- I just couldn't help myself.  What a face.

Right next to this restaurant they are doing some renovations to another building- I wasn't quite sure what they were doing but they made a HUGE hole in the brick wall and had a pile of broken bricks.  After I snapped this image the guy asked me if I wanted any bricks.  I said no thank you but looking back I'm sure there is some cool project I could have used these old bricks for.

And of course.... the flowering trees- I can't seem to help myself when it comes to pretty flowers.

I had a great time in Portland last week- I think I'm going to try to spend a lot more afternoons in Portland this summer.  Anyone want to join me?

A walk around the old port.

After the Wedding Photographer luncheon yesterday I decided to spend an hour or so just wandering around the Old Port.  Portland it such a beautiful city!  The Old Port is full of cool little shops & restaurants.  It has so much character with the old buildings and cobble stone streets.  Even though it wasn't as warm as it has been the last few days I thought I might as well take this opportunity to walk around.  Even though its only an hour away I rarely get to spend time in the Old Port. Vanessa is one of my brides for August this year and she told me a while back that she was interested in doing some of her formals in the Old Port before heading to her reception.  Can I tell you how stoked I am about this?!!! (and yes I just used the word stoked).   I figured why not scout a few locations while exploring.  Even though it was a bit chilly the light was beautiful and there were still hints of spring everywhere.

This first location is one I know very well... This is the door to Street & Co. which just happens to be one of my favorite restaurants!  They specialize in fresh seafood and its to die for!!!!  I have always had a love for the short wide door- don't ask me why seeing as I almost hit my head walking in.  This spot is down a little back alley street that is all brick.  I think it could be a great location to play with Vanessa & Marty.

This second location is just a street in the old port.  I'm not even sure which which street to be honest... Maybe someone can tell by the shops and signs on the street but I wasn't really paying attention to street names.  I just love the feel the old port has.  I think these streets have so much spirit and style with their brick sidewalks, old buildings and eclectic signs and shops.

All the great architecture creates these amazing backgrounds.  These particular windows caught my eye.  I love the color of the building and the different windows all the way up.  I really hope there are no cars parked in front of this wall when I bring Vanessa & Marty to this spot.

This last spot is my favorite!!!!  In my mind all it needed was a cute couple kissing on the bench.  Had it not been cold and drizzly and had I seen any couples walking around at that moment I might have asked them to sit for a moment just to oblige my vision.  But there were very few people around and no happy love birds were spotted.  I took a photo anyway and even minus the cute lovey-dovey couple its one of my favorites from the day.  I mean come on doesn't that bear with the little penguin just kill you?  SO CUTE!

I thought I'd end todays post with one of my pretty pink flower pictures.  As cliché as it might be- I just couldn't ignore the first blossoming trees of the year.

I took quite a few detail photos while walking around yesterday and I'll post those soon!

Maine Women Wedding Photographers Spring Luncheon

Today I am headed to the Danforth Inn in Portland ME for the 2010 spring luncheon for the Maine Women Wedding Photographer group.  This is such a wonderful group of ladies from all over the state.  Last fall we got together at a frame shop in Portland and had a wine tasting!  We chat and network and enjoy some great food/wine twice a year.  I missed last spring's event because I was in Bay St. Louis Mississippi shooting a wedding.  Speaking of which this is a good time to say... Happy Anniversary Aaron &  Jess! A few days early.

Aaron & Jess were married April 11, 2009 in Bay St. Louis Mississippi on a beautiful sunny day.  While getting ready that morning, Jess told me that the weather was the one thing she never worried about because it was out of her control and thus a waste of effort.  Her non worrying paid off because they had PERFECT weather.  I hope to shoot another wedding on gulf coast- it is a spectacular place to get married!

A quick note to say to my lovely friend Shannon "THANK YOU" for the fantastic night out last night.  We went to White Mountain Cider Co. for some food and drinks and had a BLAST!  Fantastic food, great drinks and fantastic company to boot.

.unofficial house hunting.

I love houses.  My dad is a real estate agent here in Mt. Washington Valley and has been for my whole life.  My mom loves old houses and I guess its just in my blood because I love HOUSES.  I spend hours searching online looking at houses for sale just to see what's out there.  I think I'm a perpetual house hunter. Today my dad sent me a new listing that is pretty much amazing.  I'm sure there is more then meets the eye because it's a lot of house and land for the money.  I'm trying not to get my hopes up but having a new space to live that has an actual office rather then my dining room disaster of an office would be amazing!!!!  I have an appointment to see it at 1pm today- so fingers crossed it might be my diamond in the rough!

I will leave you with some photos of a few of my favorite homes I've come across recently:

These first two is located in North Conway, NH-

This second one needs some work but look at that potential!!!!

This house is in Baldwin ME... its actually across the street from my old elementary school- They have done such a great job taking care of this beautiful old house.

This house is in Saco, ME-  I drove by it yesterday and had to look it up once I got home to see the inside... they liked bright colors.

This last one is my favorite!!!! It's in Kennebunk ME (which is where my father grew up).  Its a beautiful old house that has been updated and is pretty much my dream home!  I want the old house but I also want that amazing updated kitchen...

We'll see how today viewing goes- The house isn't quite as exciting as these are but really any house right now gets me a little excited.

UPDATE: The house was very intresting but needs a lot of work-  The land is beautiful and I think it could be a fantastic house but I think with the amount of work its just out of the budget.  And the unofficial house hunt continues :)