Erin & Brent (& Leah) Eloped: Eastern Prom, Portland

Erin and Brent are two of the most selfless people I know.

They'd originally been planning a more - shall we say- exotic elopement, but when they decided earlier this year to adopt a black lab mix puppy who had been badly injured in a hit-and-run, they turned their focus and their finances to loving and caring for her. Instead of traveling several thousand miles east over the Atlantic, they headed south for a few hundred of them, spending a week visiting friends in the Washington DC area for a pre-elopement honeymoon and then returning to Maine to be married on Monday at Portland's City Hall.

In between the "are we there yet" and the "I do's", the three of us met on Portland's Eastern Prom for a photo session that would serve as their wedding announcement. Of course, the lovely Leah came along for a few minutes, and while she is understandably still a little skittish, she is growing up into just the sweetest girl there is, and I love how adorably expressive her face is. She patiently held it together for a few quick family shots...





Then it was time to photograph just Erin and Brent together. I've actually known both of them longer than they've known each other. Brent and I did our undergrad at the same school, and were in a journalism class together, and Erin and I were in the same Master's program and I also volunteer as a photographer for the American Red Cross of Southern Maine where she works in community development. It's such a small world here in Maine, but that doesn't take away from the "whoa- so cool!" factor when two of your friends find -and fall for- each other.

As I do with all my sessions, we started out with some more "traditional," camera-aware shots. It had been such a stunningly sunny day, but the clouds rolled in within minutes of starting the shoot, turning the skies to silver. Though the sun peeked out for a quick burst of bright a few times during our shoot, we never got that buttery golden light I schedule my sessions for if I can, or a seaside sunset, but we didn't mind.





Comfort before the camera came quickly, and I encourage the couple to turn their attention toward each other as I worked to capture their connection and closeness.







I love how playful Erin and Brent are with each other, as it's been my own experience in nearly five years of marriage that a little laughter can make whatever comes to you in your marriage all the more manageable.






















You'd never know that some local kids picnicking with their families were throwing rocks into the water next to us in the next few images. At least we hope that was their intent, or else they were just throwing rocks right at us. You'd also never guess that all of these images in this post (except for the ones with Leah) were taken within a few hundred feet of each other. By using different angles (shooting up at the couple with the sky behind them, or down on them and the rocks), I'm able to capture a variety of backdrops and thus create a variety of looks in the images.











And as it was getting a bit chilly on the bay, we headed to the field of wildflowers between the road and the water for a few final images.








Congratulations, Erin and Brent. I'm so happy to see you both so happy (and Leah, too), and we cannot wait to celebrate grillside with you soon!

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(Advance) Amy & John: Peaks Island, Maine Wedding

Their wedding is one I've been looking forward to ever since Amy and John announced their engagement following The Preakness one year ago. And it's one I was so eager/excited/elated for, that I couldn't even sleep the night before it.

Amy and then John came into our lives as fellow Moxie Mangler dodgeballers and fast became a familiar staple in our social circle. And so when I documented their late May wedding day on Peaks Island recently, the joy I felt wasn't just for my job, but for my two friends who had finally found each other, and who I get to witness making each other laugh long after the Casco Bay Ferry returned us all to port in Portland.

Check back here on the Samantha Warren Weddings blog for complete coverage, as there are so many images from this wedding I cannot wait to share with you, from the details of Amy's dress (which she and her mom made together) to the couple hauling up traps onto the Lucky Catch (the lobster boat that brought them to the island) to a dance floor that never stopped pulsing to my two friends, so, so, so happy. And also make sure to sign up here to be notified when Amy and John's Peaks Island wedding gallery images are released on Pictage.

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It's in the (it) bag

You know that girlfriend of yours- the one who is so terrifically talented, carefree and chic, hot and humble that even if your husband admitted to a mini-crush on her, you wouldn't actually mind because, heck, you've kind of got one on her too!

Well, I'm actually blessed to have a bevy of fabulous friends who are just that, and the Maile Wilson must be counted among those ranks! Kyle and I first met Maile (along with the captivating and oh-so-cool Kate Mefford - yeah, she's also one of those girlfriends) when I attended the Digital Wedding Forum Convention in Florida several winters ago. When she's not shooting Eva Longoria and Tony Parker's Christmas card or Brooke Burke's nursery for the latest celeb weekly, this down-to-earth Texan is being a friend to many, a mom to three, a wife to one, and creating real images under the name of Relish Photography (don't you just love that name!) that have women around San Antonio seeing themselves as the sexy, smart and soulful people they truly are.

And as if all that isn't enough, Maile just added designer to her resume. Handbag designer, to be exact. Marrying her love of shooting and style, Maile's launched Epiphanie Bags, a functional yet flattering line of camera bags disguised as purses. Really, really cute purses (that hold your camera body, a few extra lenses, memory cards, flashes, batteries and any other accessories you need at your side when shooting).

Popular Photography magazine called them the "it" bag, saying - and I quote- "A toney bag you'd never guess held a camera. We've seen good-looking camera bags before, but none as attractive as Epiphanie's line of gear-toters--- dead ringers for the latest department store finds. The bags ($165, www.epiphaniebags.com) have space for a DSLR, lenses, and accessories... For photographers who want a hot bag that holds a DSLR, event shooters who need to dress like a guest, or fashionistas who wouldn't be caught dead in ripstop nylon, this is the It Bag."

Ever generous, Maile recently sent me one of my choice as a gift - I picked the "Belle" bag (see below)- and I have to say, I was as grateful as I was impressed. In the words of our mutual friend Kate, "Anyone who uses a camera can benefit from these bags. Heck, even if you don’t, it’s still a cute purse!"

Those who know me well know that while I'll wear Hanes and drugstore mascara, when it comes to my handbags I don't mess around. The clerks at the closest Cole Haan actually know me by name. So when I tell you these bags are nice, believe me. And then go get one. I debuted mine on our recent Vermont vacation, and actually found myself slinging Belle over my shoulder, even when it didn't have my camera inside. Here's proof (pic by Kyle):


And here's a look at the lineup.

Beautiful Belle (which I have)...


Gorge Ginger (Check out the inside of these bags, and how everything all fits in just right. You can configure the compartments anyway you'd like as the soft padded panels have velcro on them- you'll also notice the inside is a contrasting color from the rest of the bag, so your items really pop and can be easily located. Brill!)...


The Lovely Lola, in black...


And also in racy red...


More styles and colors are expected so stay tuned to www.epiphaniebags.com for the latest. Congratulations (and thank you) Maile! I hope to visit Texas soon to thank you! And yes, I know Kyle will want to come ;)


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(Advance) Dena & Jeff: Providence, Rhode Island Wedding

Providence was the place for Dena and Jeff to say their "I Do's!" in a sunset ceremony at the chic Westin Providence. Afterwards, we snuck out and onto the city sidewalks for a few dusk-lit portraits of the couple, who are at once playful and patient with each other.

Check back here on the Samantha Warren Weddings blog for more images from this elegant and easy-going (translation: very FUN!) celebration!

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The tart life

In our house, Kyle is the cook (lucky me) and I am the baker (though I can cook- I swear).

Baking grounds me.

Like photography, I like how baking is a blend of equal parts science and art, with a generous pinch of good genetics and a splash of good luck. You must be methodical, yet imaginative, a follower and a leader. The process forces me to focus, something my 12-tabs-open-in-Firefox-while-carrying-on-two-text-message
-conversations-on-my-iPhone-while-eating-lunch-which-I-am-actually-still-in-the-process-of-making fast moving mind often needs. There is nothing that slows me down like coming to this sentence in my favorite chocolate torte recipe in the Joy of Cooking: "Use a rubber spatula to fold one-quarter of the eggs whites into the chocolate mixture, along with the nut mixture." Hold up? What is this nut mixture you speak of?

Some Sudoku for sharpness, I create cakes and cookies, tortes and tarts.

Following our trip to the Caribbean for Luke and Tracy's Grand Cayman wedding, I aproned up and settled into the kitchen as a way of reconnecting with myself and my space. Nothing gives you more of an urge to cook for yourself and your family than 10 days away of eating all meals out. And there is one simple recipe I can't get enough of this spring, found on a foodie blog referred to me by my good friend Amy, a fellow baking buff and Maine wedding photographer. Developed by pastry chef turned Parisian cookbook author (titles include Room for Dessert, The Perfect Scoop and The Sweet Life in Paris), David Lebovitz's Tart au Citron is a dessert like none other. As I see it, fruit tarts are the sushi or salad of the dessert world. Because the sourness balances out the sweetness, you feel refreshed and healthy after indulging on them, instead of heavy.

Recently, I'd made this trio of tarts seen above- two to go into a birthday basket for Amy and one to enjoy at our house when our ski team buddy and New Hampshire wedding videographer Meg Simone came for a sleepover, and both friends were so impressed that I thought I'd share the recipe in all its simplicity and easy-to-find ingredient list glory. The start of my wedding season in late May also marks the kickoff to BBQ season, and bringing a dessert is always in good taste (plus, as the last thing people eat, it's what they'll remember most). Enjoy!

Lemon Tart (makes one nine-inch tart) - Adapted (with a few modifications) from David Leobovitz's Tarte au Citron Recipe

Please note: I actually double the recipe as I like my tarts a tiny bit thicker, and I can use any extra lemon curd in a side mini tart given as a gift or kept for ourselves if the main dish is going to a party. You can also substitute limes for lemons. And finally, David Leobovitz uses a pastry tart shell, but I make a simple graham cracker crust instead because pastry dough is always such a hassle. You can also use as filling for dessert crepes, on toast, etc.

For lemon curd
1/2 cup (125 ml) freshly-squeezed lemon juice
grated zest of one lemon, preferably unsprayed
1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
6 tablespoons (85 g) butter, salted or unsalted, cut into bits
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks

For crust
1 package of Graham crackers & half stick of melted butter

Preheat the oven to 350F

1. Pulverize graham crackers in food processor until crumbs. Add melted butter for a few pulses and press into tart pan (I also use a springform).

2. In a medium-sized saucepan (I use our Le Crueset cast iron), heat the lemon juice, zest, sugar and butter. Have a mesh strainer nearby.

3. In a small bowl, beat together the eggs and the yolks. (We give the extra whites to the dogs with their breakfast the next morning or you could make an omelet.)

4. When the butter in the lemon mixture becomes melted, whisk some of the warm mixture into the eggs, stirring constantly, to warm them. Scrape the warmed eggs back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly so the eggs don't cook, until the mixture thickens and almost begins to bubble around the edges.

5. Pour the lemon curd though a strainer (I've never done this myself but it would help get rid of any cooked egg) directly into the tart shell or crush, scraping with a rubber spatula to press it through.

6. Pop tart into the oven for five minutes, just to set the curd. It will not rise so its height when it goes in will also be the same when it comes out.

7. Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing and serving. I garnish with a basil leaf and blackberries or slice lemon as you can see above. (I'm currently experimenting with making a lemon basil tart, and was told by a professional chef at a cooking class I recently attended in Vermont to melt the butter for the lemon mixture with basil leaves in it and then add when called for and wait to warm before proceeding with the egg steps.)


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