I am so lucky to have met Cassie almost a year ago, when she contacted me to help out with our youth cheerleaders.  After all, in a few short years those same girls will be heading to the high school to work with Coach Cassie and they ought be trained right ;) The thing I didn't know then, is that both Cassie and Jason would turn out to be pretty great friends too.  So when Jason finally got down on one knee this past December, I couldn't wait to get some engagement shots captured! 

When I ran the idea of posing for our first ever Creeps and Peeps gathering, Cassie was all over it.  Jason took a little convincing, but like any good man we got him to cave fairly easily.

How stinkin' cute are these two? As if, Jason really needed us to beg...after all, what's better than snuggling up with the love of your life in some random alley in Lewiston, Maine?

After having to reschedule due to horrible weather, it was finally Michael's turn in front of my lens this past weekend. And well, yep...he rocked it!  For some reason it cracks me up just a little when my reps step in front of the camera for the first time.  I don't like to give a lot of direction since letting them be themselves kind of brings out their personality, and really that's how you leave a legacy. There are usually a couple forced smiles and fidgetiness (that's a word, right?) the first couple frames and then they realize 'hey, this isn't all that bad' and the rest is history.
Of course, I am not saying that I like seeing people uncomfortable.  It is the transition from unsure to 'yeah, I'm a superstar' that I just love.  The most amazing thing of all is that to an outsider, you would never know which portrait from the session was actually from the unsure stage of their session.  This is especially true for Michael.
Oh yeah....those eyes!  Mike's kind of a quiet guy.  But those gorgeous eyes...they tell stories :)

Now, that we are nearing the end of this sneak peek I have to say that I am so thankful for some great Senior reps this year.

Many times in life we meet people and things just click.  We know right away that they are great friends and we are ever so blessed to have them in our lives.  Often times we say things like...I wish I had known you all of your life. Here is a recent excerpt from an also recent Facebook status by Alison: You know that saying that what ever you put out to the world comes back 10 fold? I wasn't a nice kid. I was mouthy and sarcastic. In conversation, Alison has also touched upon the "mean girl approach" she took on in high school to keep everyone from really knowing her.


Dear Alison, I am glad I didn't know you all your life.  I love you to pieces and am blessed to have met you as you shed that mean girl persona.  Great friends may seem few in this life, but when our guard is down it is amazing how many more can sneak their way in. <3 Deb


I love how this little series shows her serious side and then just breaks into complete silliness..







Monday afternoon I met Alison for her lunch break to go exploring the alleyways of Lewiston.  This is her playground if you will, and being the sweet and outgoing person she is she was more than happy to share some of her favorite locations. Since exploring portrait photography, I have often encountered other photographers who are quite competitive and not always kind.  Not Alison, she is always willing to share her own experiences and eager to lend an ear and learn from mine.






 And one of my favorite things about Alison is that she thinks I am funny (I think).  I shot the images in this collage while she was super busy shooting me....yes, I am hilarious:)
I am super-excited about our first photographer shoot out next month in these same alleyways.  Of course, the beautiful Miss Alison conjured up this idea so what better place than her very own playground to get out and shoot.  Thanks Ali for just being you!!