Meet the Parsons!!! I went to high school with these two and Justin was also on my brothers little league team that my dad coached years ago. I asked them to meet me up the road from my house in Brownfield. No fancy location for this shoot just the side of the road at the edge of a field. These two are so cute, happy, totally in love. Their daughter Kaiya was not feeling the photo shoot and took off with their digital camera taking photos of some rocks and sticks near by. My assistant in the making perhaps? Luckily we did get her to make an appearance for a few shots here and there!
Check back tomorrow for more from their session!
.it's all about the character.
The house has to have spirit. I have to get that warm, cozy, comfortable feel when I walk in. There isn't as specific style, age, size or location that makes a house feel like home. Although, for me personally I do have a tendency towards older homes. Original wood floors are something I tend to get very excited about. Yesterday I got excited! My dad (also my real estate agent), my mom, Silas and I went to take a look at two houses in the Conway area. Both are older homes from the early 1900's and have a lot of original details. This first house is the larger of the two and sadly isn't in the most beautiful neighborhood. However, it is still a great house and has a fantastic backyard. It has a large front porch and even a little side screen porch with an outdoor clothes line! Mmmmm can't you just smell the clean laundry sent as the sheets blow in the breeze?
I have to be able to see myself living in the house- I have to be able to visualize myself living my life in these walls- I didn't have that feeling inside this house but man did the back yard make it easy to picture spending summer nights around a camp fire and throwing sticks for Coby to run and chase!
There were a few details in the house that are REALLY cool. The living room still has the original tin ceiling, the entry way has a great window...
and the bathroom has the original sink. I grew up with one of these sinks in my bathroom.
Now remember how I said I had to be able to visualize my life in the house? On Chase Ave. right in Conway village is this adorable, very tiny old house. I'm not sure I would ever choose to paint my house this color but I actually really love it. This is just a happy house. You look at the front door and it just smiles at you welcoming you to come inside and stay awhile. There is also a back deck on the house with a very nice hot tub- which doesn't exactly hurt the whole happy feeling I was getting from this house- Before I even went inside this house I could start to see my life here...
The inside of this house needs work- I can't lie and tell you its as perfect as I wanted it to be. The kitchen leaves a lot to be desired. Especially by someone like me, who loves to cook and is a huge fan of really big kitchens with all the bells and whistles. But once again focusing on the good things the front porch is perfect. It's screened in for the summer and has glass windows that you can put in for the colder months. Standing on this porch I could see myself sitting with a book and a glass of wine on a beautiful summer evening- I was starting to visualize. The bedrooms are small but for an older house they've managed to find some decent closet space.
The living room has horrendous ceiling tiles. But if you try to avoid looking at them you can see that this house is happy. There just isn't a better word for it. I talked to my mom about this house off and on for the rest of the afternoon and evening. We kept talking about the spirit the house had and how even though its not ideal and unfortunately it isn't a great investment for me- it is a really great house. Although I won't be buying this house I hope someone will feel what I felt when I walked in and will make it their home. I wish this house continued happiness and those who buy it the same happiness.
So the search continues. Stay tuned because I have a feeling there might be a lot more houses to go. Is it a bad thing that I like house hunting so much? And that the idea of finding the right one- although exciting will be bitter sweet? Ehh what can I say... I love houses!
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!
