It was the ad caught my eye. I mean, it was called The Mad Hatter, and it was being held on Kentucky Derby Saturday. Hmmm …. Kentucky Derby, Mad Hatter and fancy bonnets? The eye candy dancing in my head was on overload. So I volunteered to photograph this fundraiser for The Maine Historical Society six years ago, and my photography career took a little bit of an unexpected turn.
a very important date…..
It was there that I briefly met Kevin Thomas and Susan Grisanti, publisher and editor-in-chief, respectively, ofMaine Magazine and Maine Home + Design, along with the photographer they hired to cover the event for their magazine.
Just a few weeks later, I received a call from the Maine Magazine office asking me if I’d like to photograph events for them. Um, sure!! I was caught completely by surprise, and was incredibly flattered. Since then, I’ve photographed upwards of 100 events for them, traveled from Kennebunkport to Camden/Rockport and lots of places in between. I’ve covered fundraisers, special dinners, elegant galas, auctions, races, family outings and receptions. I’ve made some great friends and terrific connections. And I’ve had a great time doing it!
So this Friday Favorites blog focuses on some of my favorite images from a few events I’ve shot over the years.
jazz at the shipyardjazz at the shipyarddancing at jazz at the shipyardbike maine lobster ridebike maine lobster riderelais chateau celebration at Camden Harbor Innrelais chateaux celebration at Natalie’s at Camden Harbor Inncinq a septcinq a septcinq a septfarnsworth museum galaILAP Cele Soireemaine livemaine livepig & poet openingpig & poet opening
(True life confession …. I kept that very first message on my phone from almost 6 years ago until just a few months back when I had to reset my phone to back to factory default. Yes, that’s right.)
xoxoxoxoxo
Jane photographs events, small weddings, elopements and lifestyle in Maine, New England, New Orleans and beyond. Visit her website for more information. www.janeberger.com
If you know this lovely woman, then I’m sure your world is just a little bit brighter than it might be otherwise. Lianna is a gem! She’s caring and generous, focused and ambitious, and a whole lotta fun! I met her when doing some volunteer photography for the Center for Grieving Children in Portland — a terrific organization. When she started doing yoga, I wanted to photograph her doing what she had grown to love — at sunrise.
Here are Lianna’s favorite images from this beach lifestyle session, and her own words.
Jane captured so much in this photo and may not even have realized it! Wheel pose is so uplifting, not only does it open your heart, but it helps to create a sense of emotional stability. The sun rising at just the right moment foreshadows the burst of energy that you feel throughout your body when you reach the peak of the posture.
sunburst yoga
Higgins Beach is such a special place to me. Filled with childhood memories and fun times with family during the summers. It especially reminds me of my late grandfather, who loved this beach more than anyone. During this photo, I remember looking up and thinking of Thomas Donahue with a smile. Such a special moment for me, and Jane captured that.
sending love
This sums up how I feel about my husband in a nutshell. I could scream it from the mountain tops everyday—but icing on the cake was a quick vertical jump that Jane caught brilliantly, while being surrounded by the sand, sun and ocean.
jumping for joy
My turn
Ha! Two of Lianna’s favorites are two of my favorites! Here are my choices, less the ones she already chose….
This moment of content sums up this early sunrise yoga session so nicely in one image. Solitude — we were alone on the beach. Beginnings — the sun was just coming up. Calmness — this quiet second of contemplation. And for me, the capture — camera at the ready; time stopped.
sunburst, sunflower
I really like this image! I like the strength represented in her shoulders, and her hand leading to the enormous ocean and world — full of possibilities and there for the taking.
within reach
I am in awe of what this image represents. First, the promise of a new day is pretty fantastic, is it not? And I don’t take nearly enough time to reflect, to ponder, to just be. This is a reminder to do just that. And when you practice this self caring on a beach? That’s pretty darn cool!
peace
Lifestyle sessions can take many forms, and this is just one. It’s those seemingly ordinary moments that make up this thing we call life. They aren’t so ordinary after all.
xoxoxoxoxo
As a Maine lifestyle photographer, I find such joy in making your ordinary extraordinary. Let’s talk! 207.730.1894.
Kathryn and Alex traveled from Mississippi (Ole Miss alums and die hard fans!) to get married in front of the iconic Portland Headlight. As a Maine destination elopement photographer, this was right up my alley and after months of planning, I was delighted to finally meet them and their parents. Kathryn and Alex were beside themselves with happiness and excitement, and their parents could not have been nicer. You know when things just “click”? Well, this was one of those times!
Kathryn chose her favorite three images from her Maine destination elopement. Here they are, in no particular order, and in her own words ….
after marriage bliss
This picture reminds me of how happy and blissful we were right after the ceremony. It couldn’t have been in a more perfect setting and we were just so happy to be husband and wife.
bridal beauty
This picture is one of my all time favorite pics. It shows the beautiful setting as well as my dress, bouquet, and veil. We have it framed in our house. Jane did a beautiful job capturing everything including this moment.
the masked groom
Just looking at the picture reminds me of how fun the day was. My parents rented a limo for us and we all wanted to ride together so I made him wear a blindfold all the way to the ceremony. His reactions to things happening on the ride were hilarious and we still laugh about.
My turn
If I had to choose one word to describe this Maine destination elopement, that word would be intimate — which is why I am in love with this particular wedding! However, choosing just one image as my favorite is a difficult task. Here are my top three…
the happy bride
Kathryn was so very happy on this day, and this smile/laugh makes me remember perfectly what this lovely day was all about. Plus, she’s gorgeous, yes? (on the inside as well!)
high five
This was both a fun and sweet moment. The high five with the bouquet screams YES!!! … and then looooook … he’s holding her dress! It just makes my heart go pitter patter!
love and lighthouse
I love this wedding portrait for many reasons. I see their happiness and excitement for starting their future together. The iconic Portland Headlight is in the background so for a Maine destination elopement, nothing could be more perfect. And the third element that makes me love this photo is the yellowish greenery (is that even possible???!) in front. One of my favorites for sure!
Plus, I was delighted when I was contacted by Maine Weddings and they used one of my images from this elopement on the cover (as well as several on the inside!). I was thrilled!
cover couple
xoxoxoxoxo
Jane is a small and intimate wedding and elopement photographer based in Southern Maine. She covers events in New England, New Orleans and beyond, capturing love and laughter. Contact Jane at 207.730.1894.
Nick and Heidi are transplants to the Portland area. She’s from Minnesota …. he’s from New York. So when they got engaged, they wanted to do their engagement session here and show their families back home their lovely adopted town. Heidi was happy to revisit the images from her fall session and as she told me, had a hard time choosing just three, which, of course, is music to my ears! In her words, “I starred my favorites … (in order if I realllllly have to, 5 seemed way easier to pick than 3!! 😉 ) And, since it was nearly impossible to just pick 3, I went with the strategy of picking 3 favorites based on 3 different aspects I liked about all our pictures. It was fun to have a reason to pour through all of them again!”
No. 1
heidi’s favorite pick
I love the lighting and colors in this picture, and that I can see our sincere smiles having so much fun that day exploring and taking pictures. Walking along the wooden pathway was so fun to just appreciate the fall colors along the coast, and the beautiful evening. It’s my favorite portrait-type picture of us.
No. 2
love in the old port
This one I love because it shows the town we now call home. Since we are both transplants to Portland, ME it was fun to take pictures in the old port to capture the personality of the cobblestone streets and brick buildings of this fun-loving ocean side town! I love how it has us centered in this beautiful street capturing some of Portland’s energy in the photograph. This was my favorite picture that captured a more scenic view.
No. 3
puppy love
Now, this picture may not have a whole lot of us in it, but, our dog Dobby is pretty much our favorite of all time & it was so fun to have him be a part of our engagement session-so I had to include it! He may have been over excited to be exploring new areas 95% of the session, but it was so fitting for us to have him along-plus look at that face. How could you not love it?!
My turn
Overall, I loved this session. We really split this session into three to get the full Maine experience. First, we found a location with beautiful foliage. Next, we went down the road a piece (that’s Mainespeak!) to Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth, and then a few days later we met in the Old Port. So much fun spending time with this couple!
Unlike Heidi, I don’t have a favorite. I have several. Her first selection is also one of my favorites, so I’m happy to have the chance to pick a few more! Here are mine in no particular order….
warming up
I love the warm feeling I get from this image. The setting sun gives it a beautiful golden glow, the blanket tells me they’re going to get cozy, and his arm on her back tells me he loves her. 🙂
the look of love
The happiness in this image takes my breath away. It’s a moment in time, captured. While it may not be the “save the date” choice — the happiness, the connection, the love — is clear.
save the date
I, too, am a sucker for four-legged furballs and chose this image for that reason. Dobby is clearly a huge part of their lives, so I especially like this one-big-happy-family portrait!
One more for the road ….
silhouette
Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I like to end a session with a silhouette. This evening didn’t disappoint.
xoxoxoxoxo
Jane loves engagement sessions! Capturing love and laughter is her specialty. Contact Jane at 207.730.1894 for information on a session for you!
