true life is beautiful – True Life is Beautiful

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.

cape elizabeth lifestyle photographer | the happiest witch of the east

Part II of this two part series 🙂 has no flying monkeys, no falling houses, no threats against little dogs and no hourglasses counting the minutes to doom. And much to my chagrin, no ruby slippers either.

However, in honor of Halloween — the spookiest and chilling holiday — we have the happiest witch of the east, and her name is Kristi! (If you missed part I, click here for a brief lesson in Wicca — the practice my friend loves and lives.)

I’ve been wanting to do this session with her for quite some time and when the moon and the stars finally aligned (well, actually, when our mutual schedules offered some free time….), we decided that we couldn’t wait any longer! A little background here …. a few weeks before, while covering the Laudholm Craft Fair for Maine Magazine, I came across the nicest ladies who were hand crafting — wait for it —- BROOMS!!!! Sweet, beautiful, hand crafted brooms, made by Haydenville Broomworks, and there was one that was just perfect for our witchy session!!!! (Housework? Don’t be silly…..)

Fast forward to early October, and we are at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth. Having just finished observing and photographing Kristi’s Wicca practices, it was time to have a little fun! The sun was setting and the full moon was a-rising! Magic? Perhaps. I say bring it!

We should educate people that “Witch” is not evil but ancient and positive. The first time I called myself a “Witch” was the most magical moment of my life.

–Margot Addler, Wiccan Priestess

Have a spooktacular Halloween! And as Kristi often says … Blessed Be!

Jane is a lifestyle photographer, making the most of the seemingly mundane moments. Contact Jane at jane@janeberger.com 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.

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 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!