2019 {Personal Favorites} | Maine Childrens and Lifestyle Photographer

Did I say I would share my Top 10 from my 365 Project? I apologize, I meant Top 20. ????I am officially the worst at narrowing down favorites, and to be honest, I’m ok with that, because it means I have a year to look back on that I am pretty proud of, and that’s something to celebrate. This year I completed my second 365 Day Project, something I was nervous and excited to tackle once again. In the next few days I’ll be posting a longer post with reflections of the project and the year, but I thought it would be fun to tease the final project with my overall favorites from 2019. You can see the full project here (December to be added very soon), and check back in a few days for the big recap and slideshow of this project that is very near and dear to my heart.

In chronological order, here are my top 20 favorite {personal} photos of 2019!

1. January 6, 2019. Maine Audubon, Falmouth, Maine

I was determined to get outside more this year for this project, and while Molly and I walked the Audubon on a chilly January day, I turned around and these big trees stopped me in my tracks. I sent her up the hill to walk between them, and this photo has been a favorite ever since.

2. January 15, 2019. Yarmouth, Maine

The screen in our second story bedroom window broke last fall, so without it, this quickly became a favorite up-high spot of mine for a different perspective on my photos. I loved the pop of color on Molly in the snowy yard as she waited for her friends to come join her and play.

3. March 9, 2019. Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

I hit up Kettle Cove quite a bit in the summer months for client sessions, but on this chilly March day, Molly and I went exploring with our friends Jen and Olivia, and I loved the way the setting sun hit on a watchful Molly as Olivia explored the rocks below.

4. April 11, 2019. Yarmouth, Maine

Spring came late this year, and we finally were treated to a day warm enough for a little street wiffleball in the middle of April. For this shot, I was excited to play with a high sun and long shadows and loved the final result of the girls enjoying a much-anticipated spring day.

5. April 17, 2019. Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

The gorgeous weather finally decided to stay for awhile, and Molly showed off her ninja skills on the monkey rings at the playground at Two Lights with a bright sun cheering her on from behind.

6. May 7, 2019. Pine Point, Scarborough, Maine

This was hands-down one of my favorite nights of the year. Molly and I had been shopping at Target, and the weather was just gross – rainy, grey, and damp. We still needed a photo of the day, so we decided to venture to Pine Point where we might get a little more light, if we were lucky. Lucky we were, and I was totally geeking out as we rounded the corner to a surprise sunset that brought us the most gorgeous pink, purple, blue, and orange skies of the entire year. A pair of boots and a pair of Toms may have been ruined to get this shot and several others, but Molly and I both agree, it was totally worth it.

7. May 24, 2019. Ferry Beach, Scarborough Maine.

2019 was a tough one for us, with many losses, including the loss of my Aunt Cindy, who passed away from cancer on this day. In my family, us women have named ourselves “Rubies”, and we wear these ruby slippers when we need strength, love, prayer, and support. Molly and I could think of no better way to honor Cindy than to head to a place where we could put our toes in the sand, and capture the power of the ruby slippers through the camera lens.

8. June 28, 2019. Wells Beach, Maine

Every year, one of my best friends from college, Katelyn, and her entire family travel to Wells from New York for a week on the beach. We usually try to join them for a day, and while I have many favorites from our time playing on the beach, this moment of Molly and Michael vegging out like teenagers by the pool had me in stitches.

9. July 7, 2019. Reid State Park, Georgetown, Maine.

Family days were rare this summer as both my husband and I work seasonal businesses, but on this July day, we headed to Reid State Park, which quickly became a new favorite spot. As Molly climbed to the top of the rocks, I asked her to stop for a second and take in the gorgeous warm summer day, and this photo of my best girl soaking in summer in Maine quickly became one of my all-time favorites of her.

10. August 3, 2019. Sebago Lake State Park, Casco Maine

Another family fun day brought us to our one lake day of the season, where Molly learned she is never too big to jump off of dad’s shoulders, and dad learned she won’t drown him quite yet. ???? I didn’t love this photo at first, as the colors were muddy and orange, but when I converted it to black and white, I absolutely loved how the contrast let this moment pop, and the expression on her face is just priceless.

11. August 13, 2019. Portland International Jetport, Portland, Maine

When Molly was little, Jim used to grab a pizza and some chocolate milk and take her to watch the airplanes take off while I was in class. After doing some shopping nearby, we stopped by the viewing parking lot, and I let Molly hang out of the sunroof to watch the planes. My plan was to get a photo of her re-living the moment she used to have with her dad, but then suddenly the sun popped out of the clouds making for gorgeous dramatic light and sky, and I knew I had to capture her in the light. Also, she looks like a teenager in this photo, and my heart simply cannot handle it. ????

12. August 18, 2019. Otis, Maine.

In August we traveled north to Otis to celebrate my niece’s third birthday at her Aunt’s house on Beech Hill Pond. I loved this quick and candid moment of Ellie hanging out on Molly’s lap with friends Olivia and Natalie on either side. We head to Disney in just a few weeks with all four of these girls and I cannot wait for the memories we will all make together!

13. September 14, 2019. Great Wolf Lodge, Fitchburg Massachusetts

This year, in lieu of a birthday party, Molly opted to head to Great Wolf Lodge with her best friend Tessie, for a trip that included waterslides, wizarding, a middle of the night fire alarm, and some serious cool-kid strutting in their jammies at 10pm in the arcade. Needless to say, her 9th birthday is not one we will soon forget.

14. October 13, 2019. Yarmouth Maine.

One of the best parts of doing a 365 is finding light and color in places you never thought of before. I knew I wanted to capture Molly with the foliage in our yard, and as it turned out, the roof was the best place to do so. Not shown in this photo: killer hornet that almost caused us to jump off the roof, and beads of sweat on my face as I attempted to get this shot without either of us dying.

15. October 21, 2019. Madeline Point, Yarmouth, Maine

A rare warm October day obviously lead us to the water, and Madeline Point was the perfect place to soak up a fall sunset and warm temps. 2020 goal: a client session at this gorgeous spot!

16. October 23, 2019. Target, South Portland Maine

I’m not sure a caption is needed for this one. I love this kid and her zest for life and being goofy. This may not have made it as the final Halloween costume, but we sure did get a good laugh in the middle of Target while we got this photo.

17. November 10, 2019. Morse Mountain, Phippsburg, Maine

In November, we finally made it to Morse Mountain, a super cool, and super easy 1-mile hike from a parking lot to a stunning beach, with a cool overlook in the middle. I had intended to get our photo at the beach, but it was so windy that sand was blowing everywhere, so I kept the camera in the bag and grabbed this fun posed shot of my little hiker as we headed back to the car.

18. November 11, 2019. Yarmouth, Maine

This is one of my most favorite “everyday” moments of this year’s projects. Years ago, we purchased this desk from a neighbor, and it has been a favorite perch of hers ever since. It’s where she reads, where she creates, and where she keeps her treasures and memories. I love having her “office” in my office with me.

19. December 2, 2019. LL Bean, Freeport, Maine

If you’ve never been to the Northern Lights Festival at LL Bean in Freeport, make sure to add it to your list for next year. They bring the magic of the season to Freeport in a big way, and on this night we somehow ended up having the warming hut to ourselves for a few moments, making for a private and fun opportunity to capture Molly soaking up the beauty of the lights and the excitement of the holidays.

20. December 28, 2019. Hampden, Maine

One of my goals this year was to photograph Molly with her grandparents more often, and I have to say, in that respect, I failed. But the other day we headed to Hampden for Christmas with my family, and as Molly hung out with my mom in the kitchen, these incredible rays of light poured onto them, and I couldn’t resist capturing the moment. I debated keeping this in color, but loved how the black and white let the moment between these two pop, and part of my has to wonder if those two rays of light are my aunt and my nana looking over their two special girls. ❤️

I cannot wait to compile all 365 photos of the year – thanks for checking out my favorites, and be sure to check back in a few days for the full collection! Happy New Year, Everyone!