It was so nice to get to know these two and spend some time with them for their Storytelling Engagement photos. I love capturing people in environments that they go to often, where they are the most comfortable, without the pressure of having to pose... with genuine emotion, telling the story of  relationships. 
             These two enjoy spending time at the local natural food store, Whole Life Market. They have spent a lot of time at Bad Little falls where Cody plays music during the summer festivals, we spent some time at both places for photos. We made a quick stop to get a few photos on their front porch where he proposed to Angleana on Christmas and finally to Roque Bluffs, where they will be married this summer, 
                 What a special couple they are, I am so glad that these photos will not only hold meaning because they represent their engagement, they also will be a reminder of some places that hold   some very special memories for them together.  
They will have a beautful July wedding. Congratulations you two! 

           These two are a joy, they are a fun silly- in-love couple. They have a wonderful story full of love and redemption.  I wanted to really tell who they are as a couple in their pictures. I was inspired with the idea to go on a mini date. We talked ahead of time to find out what was special and important to them;  what they like to do as a couple, some special places they liked to go. We spent some time at Bagel Central, where they often frequent and around Downtown Bangor. We spent some time visiting so we could get to know one another a little, I mostly just let them be themselves as I observed and took photos, we took some time here and there to get some nice relaxed posed photos as well. 
I enjoyed this so much I decided to start offering it as a new session; Storytelling Engagement Sessions are one of my favorites to do now, I love capturing genuine emotion,  it enabled them to relax and just enjoy the time together, I know they can look back on their photos years from now and truly cherish them.

Congratulations you two, it was a blessing to spend this time with you and get to know you more, I'm looking forward to your wedding next month!!

Its been a month, I really have enjoyed this project of the attempt of taking a picture everyday for the year. You will see I haven't done it very consistently the last month, I have missed days at a time and even a whole week. I am however still glad I challenged myself to do this, I have still be picking up my camera up for my family much more than I have had the last few years. By challenging myself, I have able to preserve some great memories.
I think our month has focused a lot around food. I have been enjoying cooking a lot this month and I love so much when our family comes together around a meal, whether to make it or to eat it. We have a lot of fun, I hope this post doesn't make you too hungry !

We love having a big meal on the weekend together after daddy has worked so hard all week.

I cant get over the fact that i have a little mini me, she's my partner through and through!

Irish soda bread is a very important tradition in our home, as I made my first loaf when I was engaged to my husband. It was a present for him, we were living in different states,  I went to visit on St Patricks Day, I'm not Irish but wanted to impress my very zealous Irishman, when  it was time for me to return  home I left him a loaf of Irish soda bread to enjoy. I try to make it every year, I have changed the recipe a little; when I can't get currents, I use chopped dates instead. Also I now make a Downeast version for my children who dont care for dates, but prefer blueberries instead.

I hope to be able to continue this little personal challenge the hardest part is taking time to organize and share the photos, but it also keeps me going and forces me to organize them all. Spring is on its way, and we will be even more busy with gardening and canning, and finishing up homeschooling....never mind weddings! looking forward to a lot of wedding this year! 

Melissa shared with me some words about how special it was to be married in the church her  husband grew up in and she is now a part of; 
"Our favorite part of the marriage was definitely the ceremony. It was special because my husband grew up at the church and was personally trained by Pastor Ken who got to watch him grow up, and then marry us! I loved how glorifying it was to the Lord, and how much of the work of Christ in our lives was brought to center stage. It made all of the waiting worth it."

For their couples portraits they choose to go back to the very place he proposed on the night they got engaged, this made them so very extra special!

God bless your marriage! You two have a life time of joy ahead of you!

My personal project of taking a picture every day for a year is going well, this last week ai missed a few days but thats okay It was bound to happen. These last two weeks we got more snowfall combined than any previous winter we can remember, we are up to our necks in snow and we are waiting for spring. Lots of Homeschooling and snow playing with a birthday and a Valentines Day party these pass two weeks. 

We like big breakfasts and reading aloud stories theres a lot of that around here.

I little green to break up all of the white... I need lots of color in winter.

Nachos and Valentine card making chaos!

My rabbit lover girl made such a creative box for her Valentines! We had a super fun party with all of our homeschooling buddies! Its always so fun to get together and see what everyone comes up with.

I love the full moon in the winter. I had to go out and see If I could capture the light and shadows on the snow. This was handheld with my ISO's at 5000, f2.8, 1/5.  It took a few tries, not too many came out, focusing was hard, but I got this little gem; a fun little latenight adventure. This was not quite the 42nd day as it was before midnight but who's keeping track anyway?!

My Baby turned 14! we had a big breakfast instead of our usual big dinner since it was on a Monday and was a snow day that day.

My boys are becoming men this year as they shovel and bring in wood all the time, its so great to witness.

So much snow!!! 

Have a nice next few weeksas we get closer to March and closer to spring!