What Do You Bring to the Table

A glimpse into our whirlwind 24 hour trip to Portland Maine.  Checking in to the Portland Regency we were welcomed warmly to a charming hotel situated in the Old Port perfect for walking the cobblestone streets and exploring this city by the sea.

While waiting for the rest of our crew to arrive we happened upon the Blyth and Burrows cocktail bar during our stroll.  It had just the vibe we were looking for - we sat by the window and enjoyed a couple of their specialty cocktails watching the evening come to life.   The Penny Cap was a hit in my book.  Smoky, mysterious and quite a lovely presentation!  Of course.... in true T&L fashion our waitress comes over to us and asks "do you know about our secret speakeasy room....?"  Needless to say we brought the rest of the clan back and stayed for dinner and libations as we waited for concert time with Elton John.

The following morning Cathy and I found ourselves walking about the city streets with our cameras.  Meandering through some shops and taking photos.  We would meet up with the other girls here and there through our jaunt feeling the city wake after a "night on the town".  Our pace slow and our chatter vibrant.  It's more about being together than it is about the photos.... but the photos sure are fun!

"allow a fragment of your life to wander free...." 

Saw this woman sitting down at a french restaurant... her pose and the way the light was coming into play was lovely in my mind.  I love the sheer elegance of the scene.  In a fraction of a second she offered this glance.  The non-photographer girls were asking "what are you taking a photo of...?"  Cathy and I more just smiled "this...."

As the afternoon closed in it was time to work our way down the road towards home.  A friend had told me about the beer and cheese soup at the Run of the Mill Public House in Saco from her visits there in the summer.  It has been on my radar as a place to explore and it surely didn't disappoint.

 A bit of beer and cheese soup followed by a bit of "muscle"

 That broth was almost "soup" worthy!

This quick trip with dear friends, friends of friends and friends we hadn't met yet reminds me just how wonderful life is.  We meet people each and every day.  Some stay the path others go their own way.

 Life is truly an adventure each and every day.  A chance to experience something new that will broaden your mind and open your heart.

It's not that we are never going to have a bad day going forward.  But maybe it's more about keeping that spark of hope, curiosity and trust that all will be well if we channel our thoughts positively and with kindness towards others but more importantly towards ourselves.

tk T

enjoy,

k

Sir Elton John ~ on stage ~ singing "Tiny Dancer"

Our anticipation has been growing for months as we began the trip to Portland Maine to see Elton John in concert at Cross Arena Friday night.  We all converged on the Old Port mid afternoon and our mood was that of giddiness to see one of our all-time favorite musical artists.  I have been an Elton John fan since the early 70's.  I can remember sitting in my room listening and singing along to his songs.  My love of music expands a broad range and I don't see myself as having too many "favorites".

Elton John is a favorite!

This is the second concert that we've had the opportunity to see with Elton John on stage and the excitement was comparable to that of a young child on Christmas morning.  Sir Elton has a gift and talent that he has been sharing with all of us for decades.
He is truly a "diamond"

Elton John singing Tiny Dancer...

embrace the dance within you!

enjoy,

k

"That" One

There's always One.

The one that doesn't follow what everyone else is doing.

The one that finds
their own way.

A friend shared a conversation she had with her mentor.   He said...

"just go shoot, shoot and shoot.  Don’t come up with a pre-conceived notion of what you want to do or try to find something clever to work on.  He said to just let it go and get messy" 

enjoy,

k

Light It Up - Use what You Know

Headshot session for John in an environmental setting.  The entire area was in open shade so it would have made for nice flat even lighting.  Nice - but I'm striving for something more than just "nice"

John commanded the dramatic look.

John's strong attitude and vibe set the tone
for his session and we went with it
creating different lighting scenarios
that matched his vibe.



Simple placement of my light
whether it be the ambient or strobe
allows me as the photographer to
dictate the tone creating diversity
within John's portfolio.



By choosing a location that creates
interest and multiple possibilities
I'm able to utilize its features to
bring separation of my subject
from the background.  In this case
using the white wall for an
extra added bounce of light.




Seeing in my mind's eye what
I want to produce within each image
and working the scene to create it.


Making my clients comfortable is
paramount.  Trust is formed within
minutes after our general introductions.
It allows my clients to be themselves.
A necessary component to create portraits
that embrace their personality.

Work - Collaborate - Create - Share

enjoy,

k

First Snow

First Snow

Each year when the

 first snow hits the ground

I get the same feeling

of pure joy like that of a child

Today was no different

 I stepped outside for a while

with my sandals on no less!

Less than two weeks ago it was almost 70 degrees out

and I'm a slow one to change.

So through my child-like eye I see the world out my back door as an
adventure just waiting for me to join in.

enjoy,

k

To Our Veterans ~ Thank You

enjoy,

k

Forgotten

One Word Project

Forgotten

This photo was taken back on 13Oct
and we just got around to sharing our
"word" this week.  Life does that -
sometimes we need to take some time.
It doesn't mean that we've forgotten....

Funny thing when I went out this morning pre-dawn I saw this same tree in the same light as it
was back in October.
Early morning fog..... pre dawn

With a friend earlier this week she spoke about embracing the dark of November.

I seem to always say that November is my least
favorite time of the year.  I think I've shifted
and will from now on

"embrace the dark of November"

enjoy,

k

Standing Together

I often refer to "I love where I live days" 

These are days where I am truly enjoying life,

my surroundings and the people I hang around with.

So many of us will say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else...

Don't get me wrong I do "love" where I live for many different reasons.

I'm an outdoorsy gal, I enjoy the four seasons.... etc etc

But I'm realizing the older I get that the main reason we "love where we live" is the people we have in our lives.  Family and friendships that feel like family.  People we meet and instantly feel a bond with and become fast friends.  It's what makes where we live our community.  We share this place with one another and we nurture.  

This is a photo of a grove of trees in Rambin' Vewe Farm.  A strong storm swept through this farm last week and devastated some of the trail network within it.  A group of volunteers came together on Sunday morning to clear the downed trees and open up the pathways.  

 The roar of chainsaws could be heard throughout the area for a few hours as folks worked to clear debris.  We worked together each taking a job to complete the task at hand.

 We all know that lesson.  If you stand alone it will be difficult to weather the storm.  But if you stand together you will have the strength of each person to support you and get you through. 

 I've experienced so many times when this community that I call home "comes together".  

This may have been a small thing in the grand scheme of life.  

But to me it's as grand as those trees that stand strong beside one another in that forest grove.

And for the record this was absolutely one of my "I love where I live days....!"

enjoy,

k

Sweet As Honey......

We all have the power to make anything appear 

as "sweet as honey"

but....

 in reality we know it's not

 Everything around us has the power to move and change us

For me, it always comes back 

to that age old saying

"trust your gut"

enjoy,

k

One Whirlwind of a Week

A trip to New York City with my youngest son Tom last week.

It was to be a "adventure" of sorts.  No major plans etched in stone.

Just spending time together and taking in the sights and sounds of NY.

We arrived midday and took a walk through Times Square - just because I guess everyone "has" to take a walk through Times Square!

Our evening was our one "plan".  We had tickets to see Bette Midler in Hello Dolly at the Shubert Theater.  The Orchester Box seats weren't too shabby and Ms Midler was just fabulous along with the cast and crew.    After the show a second stop to Amorino's for a 

gelato flower - our encore you could say!! 

The following morning we meandered towards lower Manhattan.  A walk down Broadway where Macy's was experiencing a fire alarm.  Then on to the Empire State Building - through Little Italy and China Town.  Hop on Hop off bus was a great way for these two tourist's to explore on such a gorgeous day.

We walked around the 911 Memorial Pools for some quiet time 

deciding to save the museum visit for another day. 

Tom's adventurous spirit brought us to the Citi Bike rentals.  We enjoyed a fun pedal over the Brooklyn Bridge.  He was trying to convince me to ride uptown but I just didn't have it in me.  

Brooklyn Bridge or Central Park I told him - no street biking for this gal! 

First time visiting NY 

when the ice rink was open

 at Rockefeller Center.

Watching folks skating around
and enjoying the evening together.

We can appreciate all the countries we
represent living together within our nation.

I had put in for two "lottery" tickets for seats to Bruce Springsteen on our second night.  Unfortunately no tickets came our way.  But while heading to dinner we found ourselves walking past the Kerr Theater.  Paid our respects to "Bruce" and I figure that will be the closest I ever get.  It was a bit of a thrill knowing he was just across the street! 

Sitting down to dinner past 9 pm we were starting to feel like we were getting into the 

"New York" state of mind!

As much as I love New York ...I've got to say there is no place like home!

Arriving back to New Hampshire ~ a storm walloped the region leaving us without electricity for a few days.  So from "city slickers" to "pioneers" we rolled with the punches.  Went into a simpler mode of daily life and made the inconveniences into more adventures on a smaller scale.

Now within a matter of hours of our power being restored - life is back to normal with a bit of a refreshing feeling.  I guess losing something once in a while makes us realize just how good we have it!


enjoy,

k