Happy Birthday, dearest Nikon!!!

Then (August 15, 2007)...


And now (June 15, 2009)...


He takes up more room on our couch. And in our hearts. The bestest of birthdays to Nikon, the softest snugglebug I know, who today turns two.

(Advance) Amanda & Kevin: Harpswell, Maine Wedding

Couldn't have prayed for a better day for Amanda and Kevin's Harpswell wedding on the water. Look for complete coverage of this wedding on the Samantha Warren Weddings blog soon.

Lisa & Dan Engaged: Camp Ellis, Saco, Maine

I first photographed Lisa and Dan nearly three years ago, at the wedding of Lisa's dear friend (and now mine too), Cady, in York at the Dockside. Even then, Lisa knew she and Dan were destined to be married one day, and that she wanted me to photograph her wedding. Finally, this past Christmas, Dan proposed in the most romantic of ways (Lisa had me in tears as she told me how thoughtfully he had given her the gift she'd always wanted). Their wedding is next June in Massachusetts, but in late May, we met on the beach at Camp Ellis, a classic coastal community located on a peninsula in Saco where Dan's father lives, for a seaside engagement session.

While I've gotten to know sweet Lisa over the past three years through time spent together with Cady both at the wedding and at several gatherings since, it was the first occasion for me to really get to know Lisa and Dan together. Their tenderness and devotion toward each other is grin-giving, and I am beyond thrilled for them to have found each other and the deep friendship they've created as a result.

This was literally my first shot. As I've worked on defining my style over the years, one of the commonalities I keep seeing in my work and that others point out as well is my way of positioning people within their environment in my photographs. Many of my clients - like Lisa and Dan- are from out of state and I know they come to Maine for its unique beauty, and I strive to situate that setting in my shots. Camp Ellis has become such an important place for Lisa and Dan, and I know they'll cherish this image because of that.


This classic red lobster boat added a fun burst of color to the images.



This gritty black and white works well with the industrial fishing boat in the background.


Lisa tossed off her flipflops so they could wade into the water a bit. It was such a nice day out!


I always love how just a slight shift in body positioning can change the entire look and feel of an image, as seen in these next two shots.




Here they are walking across the beach. Again, I love the range of expressions displayed in just a few short seconds and the different effect those emotions have on the look and feel of the images. The affection these two have for each other is so apparent, as is the fact that they have such fun together.




A favorite for sure.


As is this one- something about that moment before the kiss and all the anticipation that's stored up in it.

When the sun came out from the clouds, it was so bright that Dan naturally dropped his eyes down, and nuzzled Lisa's neck, resulting in some very intimate images. The light kept shifting, which created a range of cool and warm tones in the photographs.








There was no shortage of kisses, which is much appreciated.


While I love for my images to convey a sense of place, I always enjoy shooting up with the empty sky as my background as it isolates the subjects in a very powerful way.


This nearly 150-year-old jetty is creating many problems for the residents of Camp Ellis, as its eroding their beaches away. But it provided a private place for this favorite photo.




I love that this bikers were enjoying their lobster rolls and fried clams so much, they didn't even notice Lisa and Dan.




A quick outfit change. I always suggest that couples bring a second set of clothes to change into, as it's nice to have several looks, as Lisa and Dan did here.




And yet another favorite. There were so many beloved images from this session and Lisa and Dan were as in love with them as I was. Here is what she wrote to me: "I just want to say again how much I love them and how amazing you are! I can't stop looking at them. You are the best!" Ditto. So happy for you both and cannot wait until next June!


A note to my readers: I am trying a new watermark on the images, using just my logo rather than the brand strip with the web address so as to not detract from the images. Like? Dislike?