I met Jess, Grant and their fierce little lady, Ava, a few months ago for their Engagement Session. As we were chatting I asked how did they meet? They both chuckled and exclaimed that they had been together since middle school... OOOH my heart! This wedding has been more than a decade in the making and I am so honored to be able to document it for them!! What a blast it was!! <3
Audrey + Gunner | Classic Coastal Backyard Wedding | Bath, Maine
It may have been the most beautiful day of the year, last Saturday.. The perfect day for a Maine Wedding<3. Audrey and Gunner are the sweetest couple and I am SO thankful they chose me to document their amazing day. They wed at a friends house on the Kennebec River with views that would literally take your breath away. The bride made all her own florals and an army of friends and family pulled the event all together. The couple met at Portland Pie years ago so it was only fitting to have them cater the event. It was the BEST day.. here are some of my favorites.
Mitch + Heather | Portland, Maine | Engagement Session
I met Mitch and Heather last week for their Engagement Session.. when we were chatting about ideas Heather had mentioned maybe going to the Old Port. I was so excited I had to stop myself from jumping up and down! We had the best time wondering through Portland and then wrapping things up at Fort Williams Park. These two are SO stinkin' lovely and I cannot wait for their wedding!!
Matt + Breanna | Maine Wedding | Granite Ridge Estate
I love these two SO much. Matt and Breanna tied the knot at Granite Ridge Estate and Barn, in Norway, Maine.. and it was the most gorgeous day possible. An overabundance of sunshine and love. Thank you so much for having me share your beautiful day!!
Photography | Kelly Carey - Venue | Granite Ridge Estate & Barn - Catering | Fire & Co. - Florals | Amber Holmes Design - Videography | Hindsight Wedding Films - Hair and Makeup | Rebecca, Jaime and Sarah from Sia Bello Salon and Spa.
Jess + Grant | Engaged<3
Spring in Maine is so unpredictable.. just when you think it is starting to warm up and the leaves are starting to bud, it all takes a turn and the freezing temps come roaring back! After a few beautiful spring days the cold set back in just in time for Jess and Grants engagement shoot! But you know what? It didn't matter.. I had the best time with them and was so happy to meet their little lady that snuck into a few pictures herself<3. These 2 loves have been together for 11 years!! I can't wait for their wedding come July! SUCH a celebration!!!
Running of the Brides 5k for Hunger!
A few of my favorite highlights from this mornings beautiful-fundraising event! Delicious beer, yummy breakfast pizza, wonderful raffles and so many FANTASTIC wedding gowns! What a wonderful event! I can't wait for next years run! Great job Misty!!
On a personal note...
I have been thinking about this post for a long time.. Maybe it is the terrifying solidification of preschool registration this week that I was finally able to pull my thoughts together. If you had asked me just a few years ago what I envisioned motherhood would be like, I would have most definitely painted a different world than the one I actually live in today. It would have been so romantic.. my kids would be so clean and always polite and never watch TV because we would be too busy making sweet little arts and crafts.. The truth is, it is a little more chaotic than that. But SO full of love I could burst. Since becoming a mom I have learned far more than I ever could have imagined. I have learned the true meaning of love, faith, purpose, friendship, loyalty, pride, defeat and the list goes on and on...
But this post is really about Liam. Liam is truly the most remarkable child I have ever met and I thank God each day for letting me be his Momma. Liam is the happiest, silliest, most charming, stubborn and adorable little boy, and in his short 3 years he has climbed some mountains.
Liam was born with plagiocephaly and torticollis.. meaning he had a flat spot on his head and a crooked neck. This was most likely because Nicholas sat on top of him the entire time in the womb! We started physical and occupational therapy when he was just 3 months old. Somewhere around a year we switched to an osteopath that focused more on manipulation and after 3-4 appointments every week he graduated with a fine round noggin around 18 months... Mountain conquered.
Ironically it was about 18 months where Nicholas started talking up a storm.. non-stop actually. While I know good and well that we are not to compare siblings, I couldn't help but notice that Liam was not. After countless sleepless nights and far too much research from Dr. Google, I decided to seek early intervention. Just a week before Liam's 2nd birthday he had his first speech evaluation. My intuition was with reason and we started therapy right away.
Liam liked speech therapy, and enjoyed meeting new people away from his brothers.. but progress was SLOW. Nicholas was now telling us full stories of world domination and Liam was still only saying Dada..
This picture was taken on Liam's 3rd birthday.. that week he was placed with a new speech therapist. I also started Liam on fish oil and some essential oil blends that I read helped with speech delays. With this new combination and continued prayer Liam has started making some real progress. He is finally calling me "Mama" which literally brings me to tears every time I hear it.
Liam doesn't have a formal diagnosis yet.. we suspect he is suffering from Apraxia of Speech. "Apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder. The messages from the brain to the mouth are disrupted, and the person cannot move his or her lips or tongue to the right place to say sounds correctly, even though the muscles are not weak." Imagine understanding everything around you and not being able to respond the way you want. It. Is. Hard.
This mountain has been difficult. I admit that most nights I wake up in a panic and my husband will find me deep in research, looking for a new treatment, or book, or doctor, or school that may help.. Some days are easier than others but it is never far from my mind.. I am always worried about Liam. I know my guy is strong but I also know how mean kids are. Regardless of the stress and fear, we still have a happy and loving home. Liam is lucky to have 2 brothers that are going to have his back no matter what and 2 parents that are going to push him all the way up this mountain. We may still be just at the bottom.. and there is no doubt that it is a long way up. But we are going to trek on. Darren and I have learned some perspective and we will continue to celebrate each and every tiny step. We must always remember to stay humble and that everyone is climbing their own peak.
While Liam has struggled to communicate with us verbally, he has no trouble 'talking to us'.. He may not say "I love you" yet, but I know he does when he holds my hand or rubs my arm while we read books. When he is naughty he might not say "I am sorry" with words but he gives the most heartfelt hugs and kisses. I have no doubt in my body that Liam will reach the top of this mountain. I will be his voice for as long as he needs.. I can't wait to watch him get there, and when he does I have no idea what he will shout.. But I know that it will be AMAZING.
Kelly + Dan | Married<3
Kelly contacted me in January about a little Valentine's Day wedding she and Dan were planning.. I was excited to be part of their love on such a special day.. BUT when I met with her to go over the details I quickly learned this was far more than just an intimate wedding.. It was a COMPLETE surprise to everyone involved!! My heart!! Dan's girls were going to be in town visiting, so the couple planned every little detail to have them all celebrate together! Dan and Kelly visited Coolidge Family Farm earlier in the week to set things up and lay out all the clothes for the kids. Nothing was spared, especially the romance<3I was able to be there the moment the kids read the sweet reveal and caught all of their beautiful-loving reactions. It was SO amazing! There were tears, endless hugs and joyous laughter the entire day. I might just ask them if we do that again next Valentine's Day!!<3
Photography- KELLY CAREY PHOTOGRAPHY / Venue- COOLIDGE FAMILY FARM / Wedding Coordinator- MISTY COOLIDGE / Florist- BLUE FERN DESIGNS / Caterer- AT YOUR SERVICE CATERERS / Hair and Makeup | Randi Preis- STYLE ME PORTLAND / Wedding Cake | Nancy Pyzynski- A SLICE OF HEAVEN CAKES
Jessica + Roger | Engaged
I don't get 'home' very often, but each time I do, it warms my soul. The people are the sweetest and the wide open country roads fill me full of lovely nostalgia. This past trip north was even more exciting.. the chance to meet a dear friends new baby, see my grandparents, and a snowy engagement session!? Sign me up!! Roger and Jessica chose to do their e-session at Goughan's Farm, a local staple in the community. The sun was perfect, the snow was lush and this couple pulled on all of me heart strings! I simply cannot wait for their big day this fall<3.
What a year<3
Without question, without doubt, 2015 was my most amazing year yet! Both personally and professionally I learned a million and one things and found myself exactly where I always wanted to be. A mom. A photographer. Living each day in the moment and being able to capture it.
We welcomed our third baby boy the day after Christmas, 2014.. Jacob has brought so much joy and love to our lives, I can't imagine a life before him!? And even though he never took a bottle, and Darren had to bring him to every wedding I worked all year, I wouldn't trade a second of it!
Liam and Nicholas grew so much this past year! Turning into their own little people.. they couldn't be any more different! And yet, their love for each other is unfathomably strong and is no doubt, the most precious friendship I have ever had the pleasure to watch grow.
Through all the sleepless nights, two jobs, toddler tantrums, potty training and everything else that life throws at us.. Darren continues to be my rock, my center and my heart.
Weddings, Engagements, New Babies, Beautiful Families, Seniors.. SOOO many amazing clients. I got to connect with old familiar faces and made some new lifelong friends! I can't believe I get to do something I LOVE and be a part of so many people at pivotal points in their lives!!! I am so lucky.
I am so geared up and ready for 2016!! With 10 weddings already on the books! New babies on the way! My first corporate event this weekend! Countless and priceless moments ahead that I get to be a part of!?! Stay tuned!! You don't want to miss what is ahead!! Happy New Year and Thank you dear clients, family and friends!!
Matt + Breanna | Engaged
I can't remember many late November days that have reached 60... I can promise you I will never forget this one! Matt and Bre are seriously the sweetest couple and I had the best time trekking through the woods with them. I could stare at this gallery all day.. Love, beauty, fabulous fall colors, blissful sunset, mountain views, did I mention this sweet couple!? These are a few of my favorites.. enjoy!
Nick + Loree | Til death do us part.. <3
Loree and I have been friends for more than a decade and she introduced me to Nick at some point during the Tuesday night Sly Chi shows at the Big Easy.. Boy, weren't those the days! She contacted me about doing their wedding right after they got engaged, and I am SO happy she did. I knew this would be the craziest, most fun wedding in the history of weddings. And I was right. Every detail of the Hallo-wedding was thoughtfully imagined and carried out to a T. Eleven years, 2 beautiful kids and now hitched.. Nick and Loree, thank you for including me in your happily ever after!!
Andy + Amanda | Maternity
Amanda and I have been friends since middle school.. she knows far too much about me and loves me anyway. We have been through it all.. But seeing this newest version of Amanda has got to be my favorite! She has found her match and they compliment each other so well.. and a BABY on the way!? OHH my heart!! They are beautiful and lovely and so happy.. what a pleasure to be able to capture this time for them.. The calm before the storm called parenthood! I can't wait to meet baby Greaves.<3
Mike + Holly | Freeport Engagement Session | Kelly Carey
I met Mike and Holly at Wolfe Neck State Park for their engagement shoot last weekend.. we had good intentions of going down on the rocks and getting some classic coastal Maine images BUT high tide had other ideas. Instead we hiked around the trails and found a gorgeous golden sunset on the farm.. and it was delightful<3. I loved how Mike couldn't keep his eyes off of Holly and their smiles lit up the whole town of Freeport that night. Sweet, sweet loves.
Nicc + Kelsey | Kennebunk Engagement Session | Kelly Carey
After chatting through email for a few weeks, I met Nicc and Kelsey at their home for their engagement session. Annnnd I fell in love with them. It might have been their raised bed gardens, or that they were both bare foot.. either way, we had a great time. We started with a few of their favorite spots around the house and then ventured down the road to this sweet little beach... which I learned is where they got engaged. Love.
So looking forward to next summers wedding!!
Will + Sarah | Casco Bay Engagement Session | Kelly Carey
Sailboats and Salty air mixed with a perfect Maine sunset are a sure fire way to my heart.. add in a beautiful couple and I am toast. We chased the sunset around Casco Bay with a little view of Peaks Island off in the distance.. which is where these two will say "I do" next summer! Will and Sarah are SO much fun to be around and their love just radiates. I had the best time. It was perfect, it was magical, it was just everything. I feel so incredibly lucky that I get to be a part of such a special time for these two. I cannnnnnot wait for the wedding!! <3
Cousins Family | Deering Oaks Park | Kelly Carey
We started our session with tutu's and bows, mixed things up for some formal family shots, and then ended by smashing some cake! You can really get a lot accomplished in one hour if you put your mind to it! All the girly stuff gave me a little urge to have another baby... Just kidding we are done! For now...
Tristan + Jacqueline | Moosehead Lake Wedding | Kelly Carey
I love LOVE. Tristan and Jacqueline's lakeside wedding was full of it and I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. The sky threatened rain all day but by the time this sunset ceremony came around the skies painted us the perfect pink and purple backdrop. All of the bride's nieces escorted Jacqueline and her father down a path out to Tristan on his families private dock... it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen<3. Jacqueline's brother performed the ceremony and left not a dry eye (myself included) with his beautiful words and prayers for the two. So many congratulations Tristan and Jacqueline! I wish you all the love and blessings!
Kara + Derek
Derek and Kara got hitched in the Solon Meeting House, surrounded by family and friends. Their reception followed at The Maine Lakeside Cabins in Caratunk. This just happens to be the prettiest-best kept secret in Maine! I had an amazing time with these two and their outrageously hilarious wedding party! It was the perfect mix of sunshine, love and laughter.. just the way I like it!
