beach – True Life is Beautiful

365 | documenting daily life | maine and new orleans photographer

FebPics … what?

Remember when I said that personal work takes a back seat? You can click here for a refresher. And now you’re witnessing just how true that statement is. Today is July 3, and it is hot and muggy. Seems like a great time to post my February images, don’t you think? 😉

According to all the moments I’ve captured during February, I’m pretty sure I started in Maine and spent the better part of the month in New Orleans. We enjoyed our sweet little granddaughters, partied Mardi Gras style with family and friends, started a knitting project went to the beach (that was definitely down south!), and even though the weather was on the chilly side in the Crescent City, it was nowhere near the cold New England was experiencing during the winter.

During this hot hot hot … hot …. spell, you may want to find some air conditioning. Then take a look at the images that follow. I recommend reviewing them s l o w l y so as to breathe in some of that coolness. Enjoy! As always, your feedback is welcome! 🙂

Thanks for being here. Watch for more catching up on my 365 daily and personal project!

Jane is a lifestyle, portrait and small wedding and elopement photographer, taking some time this year to work on this personal project — 365 photo a day. Come on along!

If your’e interested in having Jane photograph the special people in your life, email her at jane@janeberger.com.

family expansion | maine family photographer

Last week you saw photos of my maternity session with Val. Well, it was really HER maternity session with me. Let’s just make that one clear…. 🙂 If you missed that post, then click }here{ It’s really sweet!

Val is the sweet wife of my awesome, handsome, smart, funny, kind and loving nephew Joe. They were married seven years ago (last week to be exact…) and are now expecting their second child — a girl! — and her name is Riley. How cute is that? Riley’s big brother, Cam, was on hand for the maternity session that was also a sweet family session with some heart-stopping father and son moments. We’re at Kettle Cove, on the beach, with a sunset. *sigh*

So feast your eyes on this wonderful family who I love with all my heart! They will soon be four, and we can’t wait!!

The love in our family grows strong and deep ~

leaving us memories to treasure and keep.

Jane is a family, lifestyle and event photographer covering southern maine, new england, new orleans and beyond when the opportunity arises. For a session that stops a few moments in time, email jane at jane@janeberger.com.

Taking a little time — Cape Cod Event Photographer

If today were Tuesday, this would be a “turnback” post. If it were a Thursday, it would be a “throwback” post. But it’s Wednesday, and so perhaps we will take a little jaunt with Sherman in the wayback machine. These images are from last fall when I was on Cape Cod at the Chatham Bars Inn photographing an event for RE/MAX Integra of New England.

I mean, the Chatham Bars Inn! Have you been there? It’s quite lovely with cozy and spacious rooms that overlook the beach — the gorgeous beach that is even gorgeous out of season smack dab in the middle of fall. So that’s where I headed, with a few friends, very early in the morning, each of us with our camera in hand.

Now, when I photograph with other photographers, I want to be sure that I don’t copy them. However, at first I can’t help but watch what they’re doing (out of the corner or my eye, of course) — Where are they pointing their cameras? What are they seeing that I’m not seeing? Should I be photographing that too????? This particular morning was no different and I don’t mind saying that it took me a few minutes to find my own groove. It wasn’t until I remembered that when I changed my branding a few years ago, I also wanted to dedicate my camera to shooting what I love. Shoot what you love, Jane … that was very important to me and something that I had lost sight of for those first few minutes. I had to reach back and find that desire, and so I did.

Here’s what I saw that morning, and here’s what I focused on. The nice and unexpected surprise? Seeing the beautiful and colorful flowers on the way back in when it was light that we missed on the way out when it was dark. For me, that’s pure joy.

Enjoy.

a beautiful morning — scenes at Chatham Bars Inn

beach grass — pretty no matter the time of year

Happy Wednesday, y’all! Thanks for taking this little wayback journey with me.

Jane is a lifestyle, portrait and event photographer who loves her personal shooting sprees. She focuses on capturing love and laughter in Maine, New England, New Orleans and beyond.

For more information, contact Jane at jane@janeberger.com.

Friday Favorites | Maine Lifestyle Photographer | Higgins Beach

Beach Yoga Lifestyle Session

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

As a Maine lifestyle photographer, I find such joy in making your ordinary extraordinary. Let’s talk! 207.730.1894.

cape elizabeth engagement photographer | a dog, a sunset and a whole lotta love at kettle cove

I could photograph engagement sessions all day long. Really I could. I love working with couples whose love for each other knows no bounds, and whose connection is so very strong with the anticipation of starting their future together. It’s always fun, it’s always special, and it’s always — always — so meaningful. It’s an honor to share this special time with these newly engaged couples. That they put their trust in me to document their very own magic is so thrilling to me! I am always humbled.

This sweet, lovely couple’s session was no different. The bride-to-be is from the midwest and wanted the session to convey all that Maine has to offer so that the folks back home could get a feel for where she lives now. We had a hard time deciding where to do the session because there are so many beautiful options! (Oh, and did I already say how lucky we are who live in Maine for that very reason?) So this session is actually a three-location session. Our first stop was behind a lovely little church in Scarborough where we knew there would be some spectacular foliage.

I mean, how handsome is this couple??? Next, we moved on down the road to Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth for another Maine experience. This beautiful spot has it all — woods, ocean, sand, and a rocky shore ….

And then when they told me they had a dog? My little bit of heaven just got a little brighter! Bring your fur-legged bestie, please!!!!

At the end of the session, we were in the perfect spot for a killer sunset. It was a wonderful way to end the evening.

There’s more to this session so stay tuned for Part II!

“What if I told you I know someone who thinks you’re the center of the universe?”

-Kol Anderson, Once Broken

Jane is an intimate wedding, elopement and engagement photographer who relishes the opportunity to capture love. Contact jane at jane@janeberger.com for more information.

portland, maine family lifestyle photographer | ferry to peaks island on a summer afternoon

The leaves are falling from the trees and there’s a chill is in the air. That makes this a perfect time to take a walk down memory lane, to a time when the air was warmer and the closet was full of open-toed sandals. *sigh*

But first, I first met these folks several years ago when I was photographing their home to sell. They were warm and engaging, and I knew almost immediately that I’d love to hang out with them, get to know them a little better, and photograph this beautiful family.

So we planned a short trip, stayed local, and had great fun while I was able to capture this sweet family’s love, laughter, and spirited personalities!

The afternoon was warm and cheery — perfect for a ferry ride out to Peaks Island. We boarded the ferry (Casco Bay Ferry Lines) and began our mini adventure!

It really was such a pretty day for a ferry ride on Casco Bay!

Our first stop was the ice cream shop on the corner and we were in a hurry because, really, who doesn’t LOVE ice cream??

We grabbed a handful of bubble gum for later use and took a stroll down the street of this quaint, beautiful Maine island.

And for the rest of the time, we just played, explored, and had fun! Are these kids gorgeous or what?

This was such a fun few hours. I especially love the candids that captures their closeness, joy and love!

Family is not an important thing … it’s everything.

–michael j. fox

jane is a lifestyle photographer who delights in capturing the connections between people who love. Contact jane at 207-730-1894 for more information.

Saco, Maine | Bayview Beach Family Photo Session

a beachy morning

For those of you who have sessions with me, you know that it is a necessity to work the session around the best light. That typically means either early morning or early evening into dusk when the sun is at a slant, providing the most glorious and flattering glow. Most people choose the early evening option … not that I blame them! But not this family! And I love it! This is the second time I’ve photographed this family in as many years, and both times were early morning sessions. This was so great for so many reasons ….. the light, as I mentioned above, is just lovely, and we had the beach virtually to ourselves except for a few other early morning beach lovers. We had the opportunity to run around, play, have fun, and capture some really great moments. The boys have grown for sure, but still have the same handsome smiles I remembered. They were full of energy, a little mischievous, and full of love for each other. I mean, look at their happy faces!

We were done by 8:00 a.m. So I snuck back for a few minutes of solitude. Breathe in. Breathe out. Aaaaahhhhhh.