Trick or Treat | Halloween 2012

Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween! We are buzzing with excitement as we head out for a fun night of trick or treating!

Early Morning Family Session | Meredith, NH Family Photographer

It was a slightly chilly morning, I was exhausted from a late night wedding adventure, and I could barely describe what I needed to relay for posing/positioning/etc. Apparently that all worked to my advantage because these images ROCK. We had the dreamiest light and this little grotto of willow trees to hang out in. Stella was super cute and her parents didn't look to shabby either (LOVE mom's sweater - ok, the whole outfit was awesome.....). I cannot thank this family enough for being wonderfully accommodating, fun, friendly, welcoming, and understanding (they didn't seem phased by my inability to speak in proper sentences or know left from right that morning).

I had such a great time playing around in the early morning light......

(Now, whenever I see someone rocking a super short hair cut such as this one I always think I should too, and then I remember I would probably look like some sort of love child of a mouse and elf - however, look at the highlights and cool almost chunked airiness of it..... kinda jealous)

Stella seemed to enjoy the idea of the picket fence as much as I did, but she had her own plans for how to incorporate it... Of course, with little girls, you always want to try to have them wear some cute accessories. And it always goes the same way in three....... two...... one..... Many thanks to the wonderful family!

The First and Last Heath Hurrah for the Summer of 2012

I have a feeling many of you can relate to the idea of this summer having not gone as planned. So many unexpected things came up this year and all of them were incredible time hogs. My husband was fortunate enough to be able to take on some overtime shifts this year (which we typically don't pass up and being that we would LOVE to have a little more room to stretch out for those few moments when all three of us are home at the same time, the more we can try and save the better....). I found myself being far busier than expected at all of my little jobs and of course, with my own business. Unfortunately as a result Emma often found herself overcome with boredom. Thankfully, I have a very dear friend that has provided Emma with a little bit of summertime blues relief (thanks Lori!). 

After feeling the wrath of life as adults Aaron and I decided to make sure we took at least one day to hang out as a full family of three away from home. No pagers, no phone calls, no emails. I had a fantastic day planned out to the minute (literally, Aaron particularly loved my "coffee/gas/etc - 20 min" note on my itinerary - he actually laughed out loud and sat down on the couch still laughing with his hand to his forehead that was shaking back and forth in that "I can't believe this is my life" motion). 

As fate would have it, none of that worked out. Some of us woke up late, others were fretting about the weather (I may have a small issue with being stuck in the woods during thunderstorms - thank you Mt. Moosilauke). We did not leave the house at 0800 sharp. Lunches, snacks, and waters were not packed and since I run both hot and cold all the time I was having some attire anxiety (you can bet that is a very real thing that I suffer from regularly - I often pack extra clothes for even the most mundane trips). Somewhere around 0840 the three of us piled into the truck. Our little family complete: one quiet tired dad, a frustrated mother, and a rather sullen nine year old girl. If that doesn't sound like an awesome cohesion of individuals ready for a fun-filled day together I don't know what does. 

We arrived at the parking lot for Cannon Mountain sometime after 0930 and after a much needed trip to the restroom (remember, we had a coffee break scheduled in there.....) we boarded the first available tram car up. We were fortunate enough to catch Ketchup, Emma's personal favorite (and probably Aaron's as well...). Seven minutes and twenty seconds later we arrived at the top, bombarded with a fast moving misty fog. Now, given the weather conditions and temperature at the bottom I was expecting to be far colder at the top. I had my fleece and rain coat on which seemed appropriate down in the parking lot and immediately ripped them off. We walked the short rim trail and despite our lack of a view Aaron really enjoyed being up there (Emma and I are both veterans of Cannon Mountain and have been lucky enough to visit on some very clear days). I have to admit, it was a really cool feeling to not be able to see anything beyond the trees directly in front of you. 

Upon arriving at the base again we decided to head into the gift shop, my dear husband being the last to exit, of course. I enjoyed watching a little elderly lady trouble him for some sizing help with a shirt she was purchasing for someone of a very similar size. Too cute. Meanwhile Emma and I sat outside and waited patiently (well, not so much, I can't stand people who dawdle in stores and Emma can't stand not being in them herself) for his return. For the first time ever I was dragged over to the ski museum (which was neat, but I am more for being in the woods). I have to admit, it was really neat to see Bode Miller's Olympic medals too. Again however, Aaron lingered and Emma and left quickly to sit outside and watch the tram cars. 

We took off to head to Crawford notch a little later than originally planned and decided to stop for food along the way. We were skeptical of finding anything decent in Twin Mountain (which looks a little like a small third world country as you drive through....) but came across Catalano's Pizzeria just in time to order..... we were followed by an enormous crowd. The pizza was delicious, hot, and flopped when you picked it up (which I love). It was definitely loaded with pepperoni and covered in grease, but family outings often involve a few risk taking adventures. 

We finished the day out by heading through Crawford Notch where we welcomed the downpours while driving and were happy they parted in time for us to stop at the Willey-House site for a bit. Aaron took a hold of the adventure reigns and instead of stopping in North Conway for a snack before driving the Kanc, we took a short cut straight from Bartlett to the highway. We enjoyed stopping and seeing many Monarch butterflies along the way even though the views were taken over by some much needed precipitation. Back in Lincoln we decided to hit up the mini-golf course. There were no photos of our time there as I was far too busy concentrating on my fantistically awful short game.

Hello "A" Family! | Bristol, NH Photography

Last year I met up with this family and we attempted to do an outdoor photo session. Knowing it would be a little chilly we set out to take some wonderful fall family photos. We froze. It was so unexpectedly cold and windy we snapped a few before the stuff dripping from the kids noses (and mine) froze, it's much easier to wipe in liquid form. While we had some nice ones and plenty for the intended purposes we decided to meet again this summer and a few weeks ago it finally happened.

Addie agreed to cooperate in the family shots and do a few "poses" if I let her snap a few shots with my camera ;D Now, you might not be able to notice Teagan's footwear in the photo above, but surely you'll notice it in the one below. I have an older brother and grew up playing with legos, GI Joes, and Transformers. This must be what happens when you have an older sister..... too cute! How can you not have cute kids with parent's like these? Many thanks guys! I had a great time hanging out and am so glad we didn't freeze this time!

Baby Aubree | Vermont Newborn Lifestyle Photography

As usual, this family is very special to me. It was just last summer that this whole photographing people thing found me and Heather and Jason were some of my first victims, I mean, subjects. They allowed me to practice portrait photography with them by way of an engagement session. It was slightly awkward, but we made the best of it and had fun. Almost one year later and I am very comfortable behind the camera directing people and trying to make them laugh and feel happy and Heather and Jason are now parents. So naturally, we did some newborn photos. Though I did a few newborn photos once before (the very first photos I ever did for someone other than myself) this was almost a whole new experience for me. I think it went well, we had a great time, and of course, I fell right in love with little Aubree. Many thanks and congratulations Heather and Jason!