.Second Photographer.

What are the benefits of having a second photographer?

I get asked this question a lot.  Possibly because I encourage everyone to include the 2nd photographer option in their custom package- so they often ask "why".  My answer to this question can be found on my website under "frequently asked questions" but I thought I should share my thoughts here and go a little more in depth.

I often brings an extra shooter to larger wedding.  Having a second photographer is a great option because it allows me to be in once place, like with the bride getting ready, and the second shooter to not miss a moment of the groom goofing off with his guys.  Its always nice to have two angles and you never worry about missing a moment.  As often as possible I bring my friend Debbie as my 2nd shooter.  She owns her own wedding photogarphy business in the Boston area (Deborah Zoe Photography).  She and I studied photogarphy together in college and often second shoot for one another.  She is fantastic!!!  When Debbie is busy shooting her own wedding or off on a romantic vacation with her hubby I do have a few other names up my sleave for other photographers who are also very talented and a lot of fun to work with.

These are both images I shot of Debbie working with me-  One is on an engagement shoot (Vanessa & Marty) while the other was at a fall wedding.

Having that second set of artistic and creative eyes is worth the additional investment in your wedding photography.

.Snow in mid April.

Don't get me wrong-  I do love snow.   I love snow all winter long, I love to ski and I'm a sucker for a white Christmas. I am not however a fan of snow in april.  Both yesterday and the day before it snowed here in Mt Washington Valley.  At first it was just a light dusting that melted within a few hours.  Then when I was going to bed night before last it started coming down and sticking.  I woke up yesterday to no power and 4-5 inches of fresh snow.  Not exactly a good morning.

I managed to find one positive in all this-  The birds were eating the suit outside my window and I managed to snap a few pretty pictures.   I didn't even realize that I got pictures of both the male and female woodpecker until I was editing the images- kinda cool huh?

Hopefully all traces of snow will be gone by tomorrow because I am so ready for another 70* sunny day.

.The Parsons Family. | April 2010

I'm so glad I got a change to do this mini session with Cassandra and Justin yesterday when it was still warm and sunny, considering today we had  rain and snow.  Just looking at these warms me up a little. These two made my job easy.  Cassandra is one of the most outgoing people I know and she has a laugh and smile that are contagious and beautiful!  I'd put them in a spot with great light and say "hold hands" or "look at each other and be cute" and they just did it.  Naturals I tell ya.

Don't you just love their bright and happy pink?  Perfect with the golden mid afternoon light.

At first Kayia didn't really want anything to do with modeling for the camera.  After a few minutes she started to warm up a little and at one point decided to chase me down the street... Ok, so running backwards and trying to take an in-focus picture isn't easy- but I did manage to get this shot with her adorable, possibly even a little devious, smile.

What a picture perfect family- all smiles.

These are two of my favorites from the day!  When I was little I always wanted to be up on my dad's shoulders.  When Justin lifted her on to his- her face lit up and my heart melted!  Just look at these two... I think we have a Daddy's girl.

In this last shot, Kayia was actually running off to take some pictures with her parents digital camera and avoiding my camera in the process.  Little did she know running away made for a great shot.

.Cassandra, Justin & Kaiya | Sneak Peak.

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!