maine photographer – True Life is Beautiful

documenting daily life | new england and new orleans photographer

It was all so very innocent. My New Year’s Day Facebook post said something about 365 new days, 365 new opportunities. I mean, that’s what a new year is all about, right? I wasn’t meaning anything more, and that’s when it all started ….

Here’s a little background. My friend (and a fabulous photographer) Kristina did a killer 365 project last year. If you aren’t familiar with that term, it translates to mean 365 images over the course of the year, taken daily. It’s a daunting task if you ask me. Several of my photographer friends were planning on participating and were in the process of creating a special FB page for sharing images, challenges and successes. Me? I was on the fence.

As an aside, you may recall that last year I participated in a project 52 … yup … one photo per week. If you missed it, click here to see my year in pictures, week by week. I didn’t realize how special this project was until I was already done. I put all the images together into one file (wish I had thought of that at the beginning of the project!) and was pretty darn thrilled to see the entire year — all 52 images — pulled together and in one place. I even felt a little proud!

Back to that Facebook post about new days and new opportunities … another photographer friend Judy piped up with one simple question … “Does this mean you’re doing the 365?” Gulp. I threw caution to the wind…. I’m in!

To keep me honest, I’ll share my images monthly. Granted, we’re already well into February, but you know what they say about personal work? It takes a way-back seat. Plus, in order for this to work for me, it has to be on my terms without added pressure … a photo a day is pressure enough! Speaking of that, daylight is winding down, and since I haven’t made my image yet today, I better get going. 🙂

Here is January through my lens.

I walk, I look, I see, I stop, I photograph.

leon levinstein

Jane is an elopement, intimate wedding, event and lifestyle photographer covering Maine, New England, New Orleans and beyond. Contact Jane at jane@janeberger.com for information on documenting your special occasion.

a fall break | maine scenic photographer

Fall is typically my busy time of year. If I’m not behind my camera, I’m in front of my computer — culling, editing and posting the images previously shot. This year provided some breathing room and so it was a great time to take a little time off.

Where to go in Maine in the fall? I would run out of fingers and toes tenfold counting all the beautiful spots in this great state. So we settled on Point Lookout in Northport — not too far that it would take more than a half day to leisurely make our way there, and not too close so that it felt like we were going away on vacation. My honey and I, and my sister and her honey bunked in a sweet, rustic log cabin nestled in the woods and warmed by the fire in the cast iron stove. We took the short trip up Mount Battie that overlooked the lovely little coastal town of Camden, and then went into town for dining and some therapy shopping(!). Belfast wasn’t too far up the road and it turned out to be a delight, and Lincolnville was well worthwhile for getting up and out before the break of dawn.

We had such a great time that we’re thinking we’ll do it again next year! I’m happy to share snippets of our mini vacation with you!

I’m so glad to live in a place where there are Octobers.

— anne of green gables

Jane is a lifestyle and portrait photographer covering southern Maine, New England, New Orleans and beyond. Contact Jane at jane@janeberger.com for more information.

albums from maine event and lifestyle photographer

Digital photography isn’t going anywhere, and if you’re like me, you have a lot (and I do mean a LOT!) of photos stored on your phone, computer, the cloud, or other means of storage. Prints are great, and I love the gallery I’ve created in my stairway … framed prints of people I love …. that I see every day as I go up and down the stairs. And how many of you make albums with your images? Looking at them on a screen may do the trick, but holding an album in your hands, passing it around to your friends and earmarking it for a future generation is so much better!

I recently discovered a new album company — well, new to me — that fits the bill so perfectly that I have to share. The process with my client was easy. The colors are lovely and varied. Ordering was a breeze and they were delivered within a week! I got one with a leather cover and one with a linen cover. The leather album has thick pages, the linen album has thin. Each album comes in a sturdy box for safe keeping in a neutral and very pretty grey (which happens to be perfect for my branding, but more on that another time!). And for delivery, they get wrapped up in a pretty bow, making this a very special parcel to receive.

Jane is a lifestyle and portrait photographer capturing love and laughter in Maine, New England, New Orleans and beyond. Many lifestyle sessions include a book. If you’re interested in a session designed around your lifestyle, contact jane at jane@janeberger.com.

Friday Favorites | maine photographer series

Spring!

Such a great word. It makes me think of when I was young and bounced on a pogo stick, or when I got engaged and found myself with a spring in my step, and, of course, the season which is now upon us. (Technically, anyway!) It’s a word that conjures up happiness in my mind no matter how it’s used. Right now, I’m thinking of the season.

I love the spring. To me it means the promise of yellow jonquils, purple hyacinth, and pretty pink blossoms replenishing the bare trees. In that vein, it also symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts, so when our New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten, we have another chance to set things right. Right? How cool is that?!

In the spirit of new beginnings, I’m starting a new blog series called Friday Favorites. This series will highlight a particular session — it might be a wedding, an engagement session, or a lifestyle or portrait session. I’m asking my clients to share with me their top three favorite images from that session, and I will then share them with you. I’ll choose my favorites as well, and we’ll each share why those particular images are our favorites. I’m curious to know how our favorites might differ and why.

I hope you’ll like it, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride!

Jane is a small wedding, elopement, intimate celebration and lifestyle photographer based in southern Maine. She covers Maine, New England, New Orleans and beyond. Contact Jane to talk about how she can capture your love and laughter at 207.730.1894.

yarmouth, maine family photographer | a special celebration

turning 90 and surrounded by love

I met this woman years ago at a Seadogs baseball game that was also a fundraising event for ALS. From the first time we said hello, I really really liked her. You know how that happens … that instant connection and that instant fondness. I photographed a family wedding for her not too long after we met, and as the years went by, every now and again we’d touch base. This last time we communicated it was about photographing her and her extended family in celebration of her sweet mother’s 90th birthday. 90!! How wonderful is that??? The party would be held on the fourth of July in her mom’s backyard.

everyone wanted a picture with the birthday girl!

caught with his hand in the popcorn bowl... — caught with his hand in the popcorn bowl…

It was a delight to spend an hour with these folks and be a part of a very special birthday for a very lovely lady.

The advantage of being 90 is that there are a lot of people to love.

Jane is a family and event photographer covering maine, new england and beyond.

Contact Jane to schedule your family session.

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!

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!