It’s snowing… beautiful little white flakes of snow falling ever so gently outside my window, making me feel excited for the upcoming holidays. And here I am playing catch up with posting my daily photos. You’ve seen perhaps January, February, March, April, May and June. If not, click on the months in the previous sentence and it should pop up. Now, it’s November on the calendar and July on my computer. Celebrate a little warm sunshine, blooming flowers, beach scenes, lobster and fresh berries. And then get back to the snow. 🙂
“In the summer, the days were long, stretching into each other.
Out of school, everything was on pause and yet happening at the same time,
this collection of weeks when anything was possible.”
March Madness. It comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Well, it definitely came in like a lion as I was scheduled for a flight from New Orleans to Portland on March 2, only to have it cancelled because of a Nor’Easter. L O T S of snow. So I flew out two days later, was here for two weeks, and guess what … two more Nor’Easters hit. Yowza!
So here’s my merry month of snow, beach, crawfish, scrabble, knitting, nashville and the Grand Ole Opry, and just basic madness … in pictures. #playingcatchup
xoxoxoxoxo
Jane is a portrait and lifestyle photographer based in southern maine and sometimes new orleans. Contact Jane by emailing her at jane@janeberger.com for more information. And just to say hi!
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!
xoxoxoxoxo
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.
Ah, yes. With the arrival of a crazy June, comes flowers — a very particular flower. I like to think of this as our gift in the north for enduring a long winter and many times a rainy April. And really, nothing says spring in Maine like Lupines, amiright????? Those tall, beautiful, bold spikes we all spy on the highways and in the fields during our road trips. They’re mostly purple (ahem, my favorite color thankyouverymuch), and sometimes pink and white. And that gorgeous foliage, deep and bright green, from which they grow? Oh, lawdy! Eye candy at its finest.
“Happiness radiates like the fragrance of the flower and draws all good things towards you.” I’d like to think that I’m creative enough to come up with this sweet prose that pretty much sums up my feelings, but alas, I’ll stick to photographing these beauties and credit this little goodie to Maharashi Mahesh Yogi.
We went north. My friend Joanne and I went north not because we knew we would find these wild and gorgeous blooms (wink, wink), but to engage in a shooting spree starring one of Maine’s iconic lighthouses along our beautiful coast — Pemaquid. (I just had to get yet another reflection of that structure in the puddle of the rocks…. *sigh*) Our travels also took us to Fort William Henry, site of where one of my dear friends got married several years ago and it is lovely! In addition to more lupine (or is it lupines????), we stumbled across phlox, iris, pine cones, a cairn, a coke and a few smiles. Winning!!!
The cloudy sky didn’t dampen our spirits. Sometimes I prefer the greyness to bright sun. This was one of those days.
Warning: This blog post might contain enough purple lupines to last you a few seasons. Proceed at your own risk. 🙂
You must do something to make the world more beautiful. Says Miss Rumphius.
— Barbara Cooney
xoxoxoxoxo
Jane is a Maine photographer specializing in elopements, children and lifestyle. Contact her for more information at jane@janeberger.com.
For those of you who know me, know that when I pick up my camera, I’m a very happy person. I love my job, which isn’t a job at all because I have tons ‘o fun and meet some truly wonderful people. I’m grateful for finding photography and for photography to have found me. I’ve made this a business, and it’s a happy little business indeed!
But when I pick up my camera with no agenda, expectations and demands — when it’s just me, myself and my camera –my heart sings. Lllllaaaaaaaaaa …. Can you hear it???!!! THIS! This is what fills my soul, feeds my creativity, allows me to observe, to look at seemingly meaningless things in a whole different way, and capture those moments — just for me. It’s crazy good and I love it!
I just don’t do it enough.
2017: Project 52
So last year I participated in a Project 52 … that is, making and posting one personal photo per week …. which got me shooting more than I might have otherwise. It was overall very fun, challenging, fulfilling, and oh so pleasing to see the final 52 — my year — in its final form. It’s worth noting that I do have one exception — week 48. Well, that week was incredibly sad because we said goodbye to a man I have loved dearly for almost my whole life and my focus was not on making photographs, but rather on making a slideshow of his life to share with family and friends. However, you will see his handsome and smiling face still added to Week 48 — a photograph I took when he was inducted into the Chevrus Hall of Fame a few years back. It just feels right.
Before I share with you my Final 52, let me tell you what I’m doing for 2018….. any guesses? Yup … a 365!!! Stay tuned as I’ll share some of those throughout the year.
Without further ado ….. My 2017 week by week…
Enter to win!!!
Did you get all the way through? Thanks for that! Tell me your favorite image and why …. and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a free one-hour session* anywhere between Boston and Portland, or New Orleans. Use it for headshots, a family portrait, an engagement session, anniversary, a people and pet session, or just for fun! Comment on my Facebook page and you will automatically be entered! Drawing will take place on January 31, 2018.
*Session only is free. Digital files and prints may be purchased separately. Non-transferrable.
xoxoxoxoxo
Jane Berger is a Maine, New England and New Orleans capturer of memories who loves making images of people connecting with people. Or pets. Or nature. Well, you get the picture. 😉 Contact Jane at jane@janeberger.com for more information.
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.
llmontgomery, anne of green gables
xoxoxoxoxo
Jane is a lifestyle, portrait and elopement photographer covering Maine, New England, New Orleans and beyond. Contact Jane at jane@janeberger.com for more information.
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
xoxoxoxoxo
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.
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.
xoxoxoxoxo
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.
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.
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!
