NH Blog Circle | March: Silhouettes

Welcome to another round of the NH Photographer's Blog Circle. This month's theme is silhouettes and though I don't claim to be an expert or to even practice them regularly, I found a few in my files that I enjoy.

This first one you may have seen before, it is a popular shot from Jess and Mike's July 2012 wedding. Sunset in the exact spot where Mike proposed, such a romantic moment.




These next two are from another 2012 wedding. Amanda and Phil were married at the very beautiful Alvirne Memorial Chapel. I love stained glass windows. Just as much as I love the color and art in the glass itself, I truly love the shape of these beautiful works of art.




A more recent set, from an engagement session with Sarah and Jim (wedding to come this December!). Taken inside her grandmother's lake house.




This next one brings up a controversial hot topic, Plymouth's new ridge line. Times are changing and the world is changing around us so fast. I often wonder what it will look like when Emma grows up and what my grandparents who were so fond of the serenity and beauty of the area would think if they were here today. So much has changed since I was young.......


I hope you have enjoyed what I have shared this month, please be sure to follow the circle and head on over to see what the talented Kristen Reimold has in store for us....

NH Photographers Blog Circle | Favorite Local Haunt: Rattlesnake Mountain, Holderness

It's been a while, but here I am again joining in on the NH blog circle! This month we are posting about our favorite local "haunt". Wonderful local places we each frequent. I will admit I am a bit of a recluse introvert. When I go out, I prefer to get away. For the purpose of solitude and to bring myself closer to the amazing world around me I take to the woods. One of my favorite local hikes is West Rattlesnake in Holderness, NH. It may not always offer the solitude I prefer, but it is beautiful just the same. The other afternoon was a dreary but dry one and the trees in the area offered some great foliage colors. I headed up the small mountain with camera in hand. My ears were flooded with the music of Mumford and Sons and my eyes with a sort of determined eagerness. Though the trip was short I managed to snap a few photos along the way that I really enjoy (normally I don't take too many shots on this particular hike as I see it so much. It was really great to take the time to notice some of the things I generally fly by when I am there). I highly recommend this short but amazing hike to anyone (it offers some good cardio on ascent, but is in no way difficult). Be sure to watch out for roots and if you head up in the spring keep your eyes on the lookout so you can spot some pink lady slippers. Enjoy my perspective of Rattlesnake and then be sure to head on over to Kristen Reimold's blog to see her favorite local haunt! (and don't forget to follow the circle all the way through, you won't be sorry you did!) Thanks for stopping by!

NH Photographers Blog Circle | "Mothers' Day"

Happy Mothers' Day moms, grandmoms, aunts, friends, and anyone who fits into any sort of "mom" role (single dads, if you are playing both roles this means you too!).

This month's blog party is appropriately themed "Mothers' Day". I struggled with this one (believe it or not). I did not even want to attempt to do mother/daughter photos of my daughter and myself. Getting one of us to look normal (no deer-in-the-headlights looks or scowling faces) is a challenge. Getting two of us in the same photo, at the same time, looking normal: mission impossible. So is parenting though. It is the easiest and most challenging thing in the world to do. I see mother's out there that magically fit into that role and have since the day the were born. They were MEANT to be moms. I see so many mothers out there carry themselves with grace and seem to get everything right. I am NOT one of those mothers. Oh how I wish I were. I make mistakes. I don't know how to do this. I have days where I feel all of my energy is maxed out and that I might be failing miserably as a parent. I have been given those looks in stores when Emma was young and would cry or throw fits and I had to simply let it ride out and essentially ignore her while I raced to finish up whatever shopping I could before someone called some sort of authority on us. It isn't all a trip downhill with no breaks however. Sometimes, I feel like I have gotten through. Like Emma has HEARD me. Or I have heard her. For instance, after her birthday celebration, she came to say goodnight to me and gave me a big heartfelt hug as she said "Mom, I have something to say to you; Thank you for making my birthday so special to me. I had such a wonderful time with just you and Dad having a picnic, shopping, eating cupcakes, and driving around". It meant so much to me that something so simple could make her feel so good. I have to be doing at least a little something right here. And so, I continue believing, that somehow, I am not a complete failure and I might just be better at this mom thing than I think.

This afternoon I managed to capture the (almost) impossible capture. Topped only by a few fantastic photos that Meg Hamilton of Rodeo and Co. Photography took at my wedding of Emma and I that I just adore to pieces (I think you know the ones Meg!). Here they are, and it surprisingly did not take us nearly as long (I suppose because I wanted it to be over even more than she did!).

Happy Mothers' Day! Be sure to head on over to Erika Follansbee's blog to see what she came up with! Thanks for visiting!