True Life is Beautiful – Page 5 – True life is beautiful.

maine artist lifestyle photographer, south portland

Maggie Bokor Jewelry — feel more you

Maggie Bokor is a real gem. She’s one of those lovely people who speaks from her heart, who is in touch with her soul and is in tune with all that surrounds her. She is talented beyond belief as an artist, jewelry designer and creator, writer, marketer, Nia dance instructor, Reiki practitioner, musician, singer, songwriter … oh, the list, I’m sure, could go on and on. I’ve known her for years — we’ve collaborated on projects several times, and she’s my good friend.

Inspired by nature, Maggie’s jewelry is organic, timeless and elegant. She pours her heart and soul into each piece she creates, and it shows in the beautiful sterling silver earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings she produces. I love that she ties each of her lines to a natural element, and that each line is meant to awaken a feeling of self empowerment, strength, and serenity. One of my favorites, her Echo collection, arouse feelings of connection. But instead of me telling you all about this and her other lovely collections, visit her website and see for yourself. (Maggie and I have had a few model sessions and you’ll see much of my work on her website. More on that in another blog post.)

Maggie’s beautiful work is available across the country in many exclusive galleries and shops, including Abacus here in Portland and Archipelago in Rockland. She makes it easy, too, by offering on-line shopping.

My own line … whaaaaat?????? Get this …. Maggie is in the process of designing a line of jewelry specifically for me to offer my brides. Imagine that! I’m so darn excited!

So a couple of weeks back I spent a few hours with Maggie at SoPo Art Studios in South Portland where she works her magic. It was a joy to capture her as she worked the details — sketching a design, crafting the clay, smoothing the rough edges, adding gemstones, soldering, polishing and packaging.

Be sure to visit her website and reach out. Like I said, Maggie is a real gem and her jewelry is special and unique. As is she.

each piece id'd as a maggie bokor original — each piece id’d as a maggie bokor original

ready to fill a lucky someone's order — ready to fill a lucky someone’s order

“Curiosity about life in all its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.” — Leo Burnett

#truelifeisbeautiful

* Lifestyle sessions are designed to capture the seemingly ordinary moments of your everyday life in an extraordinary way.

* Artist lifestyle sessions are available by contacting Jane Berger through her website here.

* Jane is a small wedding, intimate celebrations and lifestyle photographer located in the Portland, Maine area.

Maine Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer

A sweet celebration for a new beginning.

I was a little nervous and a lot hesitant to host a “launch party” for my new website and business direction. I like to stay under the radar for the most part, and it’s just not in my character to toot my own horn. Don’t get me wrong … I love a celebration as much as the next person and will go to great lengths to honor someone else’s achievements and milestones. I’m just not crazy for celebrations where I’m the guest of honor. It feels … awkward.

So it took a little bit of coaxing but I finally decided that a sweet and (very) small celebration would be just right. It was also in keeping with my new business model — small and intimate, where everyone has the opportunity to connect with one another.

I invited a few people to join me on the porch of the Black Point Inn in Scarborough. The weather couldn’t have been better with sunny, blue skies and a warm, gentle breeze.

A little swag was in order, because for those who know me, know that I like people to leave a celebration with a parting gift. In the swag bag was a set of photo greeting cards, a candle with my new logo, and a special cookie made by the Two Fat Cats bakery here in Portland. Yum … so good!

I’m overwhelmed with all the good wishes coming my way. It’s more than fantastic having so many people in my corner.

So thanks to those who came out to my perfect and sweet little launch celebration. The evening could not have been any nicer for me!

A few more, just because it’s so beautiful…

“We’re not meant to fit in. We’re meant to stand out.”

-Sarah Ban Breathnach

Images by Leigh Doran, Nadra Edgerly, me and and one by my darling husband!

Maine wedding & lifestyle photographer

Starting over again … or, if you build it, they will come.

I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching over the past several months in both my personal daily living and my professional photography business. I’ll save my personal tidbits for another time. Right now, I’m thrilled to share with you where I’m taking my photography business and why.

First, let me tell you that I love … I mean really LOVE … going through life with a camera in my hand. It allows me to step back and truly watch what goes on around me. People, animals, events, nature — I find them all fascinating, and I’m thankful that I have a way of capturing the moments as they unfold in a way that tells the underlying story. This thrills me!

So while my business has always been a business that I love, I’ve decided to hone in on what speaks to me and focus on what truly feeds my soul, and know that this will make my business a very happy business for me and make for very happy client experiences for you.

I know this is cliche. I know it but I just can’t help it … I love love. There — I said it. And happiness. And fun. And emotions. And affection. (And hugs … oh, I love hugs!) And then I go back to love. So I will be focusing on all that and especially the connections between people — including couples, siblings, friends, family, parent/child — you know … people who share, people who connect and people who love. Melts my heart…..

Weddings

For me, this means small intimate gatherings that can include elopements, vow renewals, engagement sessions, proposals, small weddings, fun little gatherings and intimate celebrations. My perfect couple wants to share their experience with those who are closest to them, and they adore the relationships with the people they love the most. Click here to see more about my wedding packages.

maine_portrait_photographer_0002 — a flower girl’s dream

Lifestyle Stories

Portrait-wise, you’ll hear me talk about lifestyle stories. These sessions are designed to capture the seemingly ordinary moments in your everyday life in a very extraordinary way. I love these sessions — they are so real, so true and so fun! Learn more about these here.

massachusetts_lifestyle_photographer-1062 — family joy

massachusetts_lifestyle_photographer-1064 — i feel like dancin’

“Follow what you love and it will take you where you want to go.”

-Natalie Goldberg

That’s exactly what I intend to do. I invite you to come along for the ride!

#truelifeisbeautiful

Jane Berger, Photographer ….. new blog is live!

I’ve been wanting a blog for a very long time! So many times when I’m out and about photographing, I’m thinking of what I want to share with my clients, acquaintances, friends and family. And while Facebook provides a good vehicle for sharing my images, it’s rather limiting in how much I can write. Or at least it seems so to me.

So now I’m looking forward to sharing more of my images along with my thoughts as they relate to my escapades, visits, experiences, and sprees.

My first thought: I brake for purple! About a week ago while running errands, I found myself at the gorgeous East End of Portland in search of the color purple. Knowing the lupines were in season, I was not disappointed.

Come on along …. I’m happy to have you!