limited spring mini-sessions | Meredith, NH photographer

growing | Boston Marathon 2013

In 1985, I was in 7th grade, with very short curly hair (with curly bangs) that allowed me to pass as a boy on occasion if I wished (I didn't).  I was remotely into sports and wore pins on my acid-washed jean jacket that proclaimed my love for The Bangles and Dirty Dancing.  Yeah, I was cool.  With my parents away for the weekend, I spent the night at my friend Victoria's house.  After a late night of watching The Princess Bride and making prank calls where we three-way called Burger King and McDonalds (see, there's that coolness factor again), her father woke us early on a beautiful Patriots Day to head into Boston along with her three siblings.  We were going to watch the marathon.  The whole marathon.  As in, we wait for Johnny Kelley and we cheer him on. 

I watched the frontrunners at mile 20, moving at such a pace I stood there with my mouth wide open, trying to comprehend running under 5 minute miles for 20 MILES.  I got caught up in the crowd, obsessed with cheering each and every runner on the course.  Naming them.  "Go Red Sox shirt! Here we go lady with leggings! You're awesome!"  I imagine "You're awesome!" was my go-to phrase back in the 80s (as it continues to be today, of course).  Knowing Victoria's family, I imagine we held signs and perhaps had some goofy hats on.  We were there to support, to encourage, to cheer until the last runner passed us.  We, the crowed, were a team whose job was to carry those runners when they couldn't carry themselves any more. 

About three hours in, a pack went by and one runner stopped directly in front of me and puked all over the pavement.  I may have even gotten splashed a bit. And my seventh grade self witnessed this and, instead of being grossed out, was fascinated and inspired-  by the depths to which this athlete was reaching in the name of a goal.  And something in me shifted.  I suddenly understood sports and athleticism as a means to stretch and engage beyond what might be reasonably possible, beyond what you think you can.  The mental factor suddenly made sense to me.  I studied the runners, observing that they were making it to mile 20 in all shapes and sizes, with different levels of fitness.  This was not just about elite runners; this was about regular folks taking on an extraordinary challenge.  It was a belief that you can do something seemingly impossible.

A few hours later, Johnny Kelley passed.  He must have been close to 80 years old in 1985.  The crowd was small then, but we felt his presence in such a powerful way that I can still remember goose bumps on my arms and tears in my eyes as I watched him pass.  There was such a palpable respect for him in that crowd.

And the shift in me was complete.  I was in love....with the marathon....with Boston...with shear power of determined runners and a crowd rocked by what they were seeing.....with a gorgeous sunny day in the city where everyone was exerted such a positive energy.  The Boston Marathon opened up itself and said, “take what you want.  There is so much to give.” I took hold of that in a fierce way.

Throughout my life, I have called on that day.  It usually happens when I am sinking below a line of potential, of a vision of what can be true.  When I feel resistance building up, I can tap into that feeling of "anything is possible." Because, on Marathon Monday, in Boston, at the beginning of spring, anything IS possible. And to be part of it, whether you run, cheer, or follow the Instragram feeds of the spectators, you become part of that feeling.  And as you draw on that and you take some of its energy and belief in the unattainable, you make it stronger.  You add to it because on some level, you are inspiring someone else, cheering them on as they head towards their finish line.  You are helping it grow.

The irony, of course, is that anything IS possible.  And beyond the horror of the deaths and injuries, of the gross amount of fear and panic of the day, or the runners who came so close to the finish line only to find themselves wondering the city alone and confused, is that for each of us, the intangible essence of the Boston Marathon has been scarred. In a big, permanent way.

As I drove to work today with a heavy heart grieving this disaster on so many levels, I heard the well-known words of Mr. Rogers while listening to NHPR.

 

And I realize that elusive feeling I have been trying to describe, the Boston-Marathon-I-can-achieve-anything-and-we-are-all-in-this-together feeling, is still there.  The inspiration, heroism, unity, and achievement that I witnessed back in 1985 was there yesterday.  It was in a different form and for a different reason, but it was there.  It was in the people running to help immediately after the explosion.  It was in the scores of people and businesses offering up food, shelter, and comfort to anyone who was in need.  It was in the commitment of all the safety personnel who have not been home since yesterday morning.  It is in the unified pride and support that the city is offering us as we unpack this nightmare together.

Our Boston, our marathon, our Patriots Day at the beginning of spring- the power is still there.  The potential is still there.  And it still offers it up for our taking. Despite the horrors of yesterday, it still says, "Go ahead.  There is enough to go around."  Look for it.  It's there. And it's growing.

just one | Bristol, NH newborn photographer

More from this sweet, love-filled newborn session to come....

love | Sandwich, NH family photographer

Sarah was one of my very first clients back in 2010.  Since then, this family has moved to CA and back; they have also added a little girl to their clan. We spent the chilly February morning making play-doh, taking tubs, cuddling, and reading books.  As always, it was a joy to document this family's love.  

March Blog Circle | Bristol, NH Family Photographer

Welcome to the March edition of our NH-based blog circle!  This month's theme, silhouettes, was a challenge for me as I rarely concentrate on silhouettes in my personal work.   With a few hours getting our car serviced, my daughter and I got creative with a balloon, some dancing, and my camera.  

Please go check out how Kelli, owner of  Lumina Life Portraits in Nashua, made meaning of this month's circle.  Enjoy!

brrrr....winter senior portrait session | New Hampton, NH senior portrait photographer

We weren't afraid- of the wind chill, of the cold, of the quickly setting sun.  This New Hampton School senior was pure joy!

just one. | Lakes Region, NH newborn photographer

a day in the life | February Blog Circle 2013

Welcome to the first blog circle of 2013! Once a month, a group of NH-based photographers explores a common theme, connecting our blog posts to one another so that our readers can get a taste of portrait photography in New Hampshire. Be sure to click around the circle! This month's theme, a day in the life, allows you a glimpse into our lives.

I wonder how many of us begin with a cup of coffee! My boys begin the day with some Pokemon trading.  It is only 6:30am.  They have the day off from school.

My oldest loves to get his sister up as soon as he hears her stir.  He knocks on her door.  She requests her favorite page from her favorite book.  

She seriously is obsessed with that one page!

Some help getting into the upper bunk...

This image is from my photography project from last year- to get into the frame more.  I love this piece!

strawberry-banana muffins from Annie's Eats...

We welcome some friends for a skating party at our home rink:

Some lunch:

Skipping naps to head to Concord for some errands and an eye doctor appointment...

Off to Target for some valentines. Boys- Ninjago and Star Wars, Sister- Angry Birds

Brother helps sis sees the fish in the lobby at the doctor's office.

second wind:

20/20 for this lucky boy:

On the drive home...

I attempted to sneak some swiss chard into sausage soup.  Middle brother picked it out, piece by piece.

A little Geronimo Stilton before bed:

Next, please visit Julia's blog from Julia Russell Photography out of Portsmouth!

Caring Family Dentistry Headshots | Concord, NH Photographer

It is no secret that I spend a lot of time at the dentist.  As in, I have had a root canal ON a root canal while pregnant (did you even kow that was possible?), a few crowns, and an implant, just to name the highlights.   Although I am quite an optimistic person (and I religiously brush, floss, and rinse with fluoride), I am realistic that I will have more dental work in the future.   My husband, on the other hand, just had his first filling at age 38.  Really.  To have found a dental office that is professsional, efficient, accomodating (I once had my teeth worked on with my infant daughter on my lap in her bucket seat, crying her eyes out), and fun is such joy.  Yes, I just said that my dentist's office is fun.  Great music, happy employees, modern decor, wonderful senses of humor, and an ever-changing drawer of kids' toys.  My kids even get excited to go there!  Be sure to grab their complimentary lip balm on the way out the door...

This past fall, Caring Family Dentisty asked me to do some updated headshots.  We met on a brisk fall day in downtown Concord to capture some images for their marketing materials.

2012 year in review | Bristol, NH photographer

With my second year in business under my belt, I can only look back and appreciate how far I have come.  I have been so fortunate to document not only cherished family portraits for so many, but also the day-to-day of local schools and headshots for local companies.  I now display my work at Plymouth Pediatrics and have been published in the Plymouth State University magazine.  I look forward to all that 2013 will bring!  Thank you for your support!

A few from the Glove Hollow Christmas Tree Farm sessions:

 I loved doing a downtown Concord Urban shoot with the team at Caring Family Dentistry:

 A few from the mini-sessions at Surowiec Farm:

A senior session with one of my former advisees!

School pictures for A Lakes Region Montessori:

Capturing the daily life at the Montessori school:

Spending time at the Sant Bani School to showcase their school culture:

I am looking forward to re-branding myself this winter, taking a few classes on-line, building our blog circle of NH photographers, and documenting my own family in a 365 day project.  What are your plans and dreams for this year?