2024 {The Favorites} | Maine Family, Senior, and Newborn Photographer

Happy New Year!! 🎉 It seems insane to me that I am already sitting down to share my favorite images from 2024. Last year was one for the books in so many ways, and this is my BIGGEST favorites post EVER. Maybe I’m just indecisive, maybe 2025 me has decided not to be an over thinker, maybe it was just one of the best years EVER! Whatever the reason, I am so glad you are here, and hope you are able to sit back and enjoy my little anecdotes and all my favorite photos of the year.

Coming into 2024, I was feeling pretty burned out. The weather in the fall of 2023 brought a new level of stress to my world. I was very nervous heading into this season, wondering if I could possible handle another year with double digit reschedules and a schedule that never felt consistent. I have a feeling a LOT of us photographers were praying to the weather gods over the winter because we had an AMAZING summer and fall, with a very low number of reschedules due to weather and a much easier to manage calendar. (Now, life with a teenager in the house brought on a whole new level of running around, but that’s a different post for a different day. 😂)

Besides the weather, the theme of this year was clearly longevity. August marked my fifteenth year in photography, and I am incredibly blessed – INCREDIBLY BLESSED – to have many families who have been with me for 5, 8, 10, and even 14 years. This not only means that I have made friendships and close connections to my regulars, but I’ve also had the unbelievable honor of watching families grow, and this year it felt like ALL the families just GREW! My little babies are now big kids, and my little kids are tweens, and my tweens are teens – some of which are taller than me and their parents too! I felt like a broken record in my blogging and social media this year talking about how many years it has been with each family, and how much all the kids have grown. There will never ever be words for what it means to have the honor of seeing so many families year after year for years on end. It is everything I dreamed of when I started my business.

In between my regular families, I also had 21 new families in front of my cameras. I love meeting new families, learning about them, photographing them, and seeing the sparkle in the kids’ eyes as they figure out who I am and what kind of fun we are going to have. I am so hopeful to see these families back in 2025 and have the honor of watching their kiddos grow as well.

This year took me on some pretty amazing adventures, from MDI to the top of a mountain in New Hampshire, and to the big city too. I photographed a senior on Burnt Island, where we took photos at the TOP of a lighthouse, and another in Boston, my favorite city in the world. I hiked Foss Mountain in New Hampshire for a family session that literally took my breath away. I traveled on boats in Casco Bay, and explored new towns while visiting some of my favorites. We had in-sane sunsets, a RAINBOW, some wind, and very little rain. I met brand new family members, friends of the family, and missed some that were unable to be with us this year. And in the middle of it all, I found myself time and time again stopping to take it all in – feeling SO MUCH gratitude for this job, these clients, the places I get to visit. I am so.damn.lucky to have this be my world and to have you all in it.

So – as I mentioned above, this is my biggest favorites post ever – this year with a whopping 31 images from 30 different sessions. What. A. Year.

Tomorrow I’ll be back to share my favorite scenic images of 2024 because this year was just that good.

From the bottom of my heart, my soul, the roots that keep me going – thank you all. From every client, to every referral, every “like” and “share” – I literally could not do what I do without all of YOU. ❤️

Here is to what was an amazing 2024, and what will hopefully be an even better 2025. ✨

1. The BG Family – Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth, May 

If you’re ever wondering how to get a toddler to smile, I say swing them up, or swing them down. It almost never fails. This was my fourth year with the BG Family and we had a gorgeous evening at Crescent Beach State Park in Cape Elizabeth. I instantly knew this photo would be a favorite – I love how little Mila is looking at her dad, and Hugo’s expression and flying hair make this photo extra magical.

2. The R Family – Higgins Beach, Scarborough, June

On a night that was truly full of “Higgins Magic,” I photographed the R Family who had all come together here in Maine for their middle child’s high school graduation. The light on this evening went from fog to haze to pure insanity, but it was this moment of Esme and Phoebe laughing at something while the others looked on that has stuck with me since this incredibly fun night.

3. The C Family – Higgins Beach, Scarborough, June

This photo stopped me in my tracks while editing. Ashley, Nik, and their 14-year old son Ryan have been dear friends of ours since our kids were babies. But I have always loved the story of these two – how Ashley always wanted to marry Nik when they were little, and how it happened many years later. I have loved watching their love grow in the decade plus that we have been friends and this moment of just the two of them soaking up a quick moment together in the middle of our family session made my heart skip a few beats.

4. Grace, Class of 2025 – Public Garden, Boston, June

Boston is my most favorite city in the world, so when Grace’s mom Tiffany reached out to see if I would be willing to travel a few hours south for her senior photo session, I jumped on the opportunity. I met Grace five years ago when I photographed her grandparent’s 50th anniversary party, and was so excited (and not a little surprised!) to see what a beautiful young woman she has become since then. Her mom and sister joined for our photos, but it is this photo on the iconic bridge of the Public Garden that is my favorite. We had a very lucky and fleeting few minutes where we had the bridge almost to ourself, and I was excited to be able to give Grace a very “Boston” senior photo.

5. The F Family – Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, July

For years now, Alisa has wanted her family photos taken at the Botanical Gardens, and this year luck was on our side, because they had a members’ night the night of our session, allowing us to be there when the light was right. And even better, storms were rolling in around our session time, so we were one of just a handful who took advantage of the evening at the gardens, and we managed to avoid the storms, too! I love this moment of the three of them under the pergola, and love the balance of James’ colorful shirt with the pink chair in the foreground.

6. The N Family – Higgins Beach, Scarborough, July

Here is a favorite from a night that almost didn’t happen! My family was lucky enough to stay at a house on Higgins in early July, and the beach was totally socked in with thick thick fog all day long on this day. Angela and I decided to reschedule the session, but ten minutes later, the fog lifted and I texted her saying she needed to get to the beach! We had an incredible night with so much insane light, but it was this photo of Maya that has always stopped me in my tracks. I love the joy and the freedom in her expression, and the way little sister Julie looks on in the background. I know this is one of her mom’s favorite’s too, and a photo that brings us both so much joy.

7. The B Family – Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, July

I LOVE my sessions with this family, and this year we all arrived at Goose Rocks Beach to winds that threatened to knock us over. Jill, Dwight, Shawn, and Quinn were total troopers and we had some pretty crazy light, too! I asked the four of them to hold hands and walk in front of me, and Quinn – so full of spunk, I adore this kid!! – pulled hard and fast, leading the charge of her family across the beach. With the wind in their hair and the determination on Quinn’s face, I knew this photo would make this post the second I edited it.

8. The B Family – Wells Beach, Wells, July

There is so much I love about this photo. These kids – they make my heart so happy when I see them every summer. Getting the youngest, Ben, to climb up the lifeguard stand at Wells Beach was a bit of a challenge, but once he got up there, he was all smiles as he sat next to his big brothers. The light in this photo brings me so much peace, and the joy of the three of them at their happy place here in Maine makes me smile. It was very hard to choose just one of the handful of photos they got from this part of our session, but in the end, this is the one that makes me smile the most and remember how much fun we had at this year’s session.

9. The F and G Families – Peaks Island, July

I knew I loved this photo the moment it popped up on my screen. Every year I have the extreme pleasure of hanging out with the F and G Families for two whole hours. This year we ended our session with a sunset swim before I had to return to the ferry. The lobster swimsuits had me shaking in my flip flops excited, and this moment of little Rosie splashing Ginny and Rock while the sun sets over Casco Bay makes me laugh every time I see it.

10. The SM Family – Maine Audubon, Falmouth, July

Oh Miriam, how I love you so, girl!! My session with the SM Family at the Audubon was so special for so many reasons, but it’s this photo of Miriam that makes me smile huge!! It’s so reminiscent of a Kate T Parker “Strong is the New Pretty” photo (one of my favorite photography books!). Miriam is so full of life and energy and big hugs and love, and this moment of her cheesing it up for the camera (literally moments after being as shyyyy as could be!), makes me remember all of the amazing energy this awesome kid brings to the world.

11. The extended K Family – Reid State Park, Georgetown, July

I love the few moments during family sessions where we slow down and just take some photos of the adults. Usually the kids are running a little feral behind us, but for a moment we are able to push it all aside and soak up the love of just two. The sky overlooking the beach at Reid was so soft and pretty as I photographed Whitney and Sam at my favorite overlook in the park. I love this sweet moment between the two of them, with a peach sky matching their soft skin tones and a Maine moment made just for their love.

12. The extended K Family – Reid State Park, Georgetown, July

I usually try really hard not to pick two photos from the same session, but I just could not decide between this one and the one above. After we finished with photos at the overlook, I took the K family down to the beach. This crew just had one little one with them, cute little Mason, who was a HUGE fan of the beach. I love when grandparents play with the kids during our sessions, and this moment of Mason so in his element, as the waves crash, the fog rolls in, and Rick plays with his grandson is full of so much love and joy, that it was instantly one of my favorite photos of the year.

13. The F Family – Footbridge Beach, Ogunquit, August

Ok Amber, don’t kill me for this one! 😂  I love this photo so much and it always makes me laugh! This family might be some of the nicest people on the planet, and their youngest, Max is a pretty busy guy. There was so much laughter, wave jumping, and running in this session, and this moment of Amber taking a breather for a hot second – with a smile on her face! –  is so representative of life as a mom with busy littles. This evening was sooo gorgeous and this session as a whole was one of my most favorites of the year.

14. The extended D Family – Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, August

I love, love, love, this photo. The first half of this session was pretty challenging. Sometimes photo session are just really BIG for kids – overwhelming and new. Usually my tricks work pretty well, but sometimes we just need to let the nerves run its course, and this was the case with one of the kiddos at this session. As things slowly started to improve, I asked the kids to stand together for a photo. A “normal” photo didn’t seem to be in the cards quite yet, so I asked them all to jump. Two of the three tagged in, and I just love all of the expressions, the flying sand, the hesitation, the decision to look at the camera, and the bewilderment of the youngest. To me, this photo just screams “kids!” and it makes my heart happy.

15. The G Family – Barretts Park, Boothbay, August

I have been working with Jessica, Tim, Kallie, and Abby for many years now, and one thing I’ve learned is what a goofball Tim is at heart. He is also terribly uncomfortable in front of the camera, and often uses humor to get through our sessions. This year I decided to have a little fun with Tim, and as they were all walking towards me in a nice line, I shouted “now show me your best ninja moves!” My only regret is not capturing his face at that exact moment because it was as if all his photo dreams came true. The ninja moves were quickly followed by dance moves, and this is my favorite photo from the bunch. I love that this crew is always up for anything, and I always have the best time with them!

16. The O Family – Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit, August

I’ll be surprised if many of you don’t remember this one, because it took my breath away, and I think it did for many of you, too! In 2023 I photographed this family LITERALLY in the rain at Ogunquit Beach. Driving to the beach this year, it began to rain again, and my heart sunk for them. But when we arrived, the skies cleared and we were treated to the most vibrant rainbow right in the exact spot where we were photographing. (If you look closely, you’ll see it’s a double!!). The joy, the love, the color – all of it – I love this family sooooo much and they so deserved this incredibly special moment during our session this summer.

17. The CN Family – Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth, August

Ingrid, Allyson, Miles, and Lydia have been with me for 13(!!) years now, making them the second longest clients on my roster. The benefit of working with a family for so long, is being able to ask if I can play a little while we photograph. I asked Ingrid and Allyson to stand still while Miles and Lydia ran past them, and I love how this photo came out – the stripes in the kids’ shirts making the blur even more cool. Blur in family photos is always so representative of the busyness of life with kids, and I love how this one represents two amazing moms holding strong as the rocks of their family while the blurry life of motherhood is all around.

18. The M Family – Sebago Lake, Standish, August

I have many beautiful photos of this family at the lake, but it’s this photo of little Alexander’s toes in the air that makes me smile most. This was a busy session, with two toddlers, and a beautiful momma who was 8-months pregnant. The youngest, Cameron was having a bit of a hard evening, so we took a few minutes with both kiddos on the swing (swings, like tosses, almost always cure toddler grumpiness!). I just love this shot from below with Alexander’s little feet poking out and the beginnings of fall in the maple tree above. It’s one of my most favorite faceless photos!

19. The M Family – Foss Mountain, New Hampshire, September

If I had to pick only ONE favorite of the year, this would be the one. Wow, wow, wow, was this night special. I was nervous about this session, having read horror stories of the drive to the trailhead, and knowing I would not have any trees on top of the mountain to help filter the light as it set. We literally would have no moments of normal golden hour on top of a mountain. But the light was perfect, the drive easy, and we had the entire summit all to ourselves. I have soooo many favorites from this session, but this silhouette is by far my most favorite – capturing these four and their pup on top of the world in their most favorite place.

20. Pluto, Class of 2025 – Burnt Island, Southport, September

Picking just one from this session was nearly impossible. Pluto and their parents took me on their boat from Boothbay to Burnt Island – a place totally unknown to me until this special evening. The island is small and on it sits a lighthouse, which a very kind keeper opened up for us to take photos at the top (scarest 5 minutes of my life haha!). We explored the area around the lighthouse and the beach, and took photos on their boat, but it is this one that is my favorite from our evening. I love how Pluto’s hair matches the lighthouse, and I also love the purple in the sky, the motion in their skirt, and the look of total contentment on their face as we took their senior photos in their happy place. I’ll remember this special evening forever and am so grateful they chose to take me on this special adventure.

21. Kate, Class of 2025 – Higgins Beach, Scarborough, September

I had some really incredible senior sessions this year. Kate is a Yarmouth senior with a love of the beach, who really wanted her senior photos at Higgins (my personal favorite, too!). The tide was high the evening of her session, but she was ok with it, and I was pumped because high tide Higgins sessions are even extra magical. The light that evening started with a soft haze and slowly became a cotton candy sunset so beautiful that it totally matched Kate’s vibe and her beachy personality. I love this photo of her walking along the shores and taking in the beauty around her as the sun set on this stunning August evening.

22. The C Family – Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth, October

The C Family participated in my fall mini sessions, and this year they had the last spot of the day for my beach sessions. The sunset at Crescent was absolutely stunning on this warm October evening, and as we were leaving, Eland asked if we could take some photos by a tide pool that was so beautifully reflecting the sky. I am a BIG fan of kids requesting photos (it means they are having fun!), and I happily obliged. I love this photo of this cutie, with his sweet smile and blue top popping in front of the fluffy clouds and gorgeous cotton-candy reflection in the tide pool behind him.

23. The M Family – Crescent Beach State Park, Cape Elizabeth, October

This was another session where it was so hard to pick just one. But at the end of the day, it came down to this photo of Myah, a senior at Yarmouth High. Our session was a mix of family and senior photos and this one stopped me in my tracks the moment I clicked the shutter. Not only is Myah stunning, but in the short time I got to know her during our session, it was also obvious that she is kind and thoughtful, and just so easy to be around. I love this moment of her with the soft wind in her hair as she sits and quietly takes in the ocean before her.

24. The R Family – Fels Grove Preserve, Yarmouth, October

I have been photographing the R Family since their oldest Ciro, pictured here, was just a baby. This family is full of silly and fun energy, but both Ciro and his brother Hugo are also deep thinkers (as are their parents – both college professors!). There was a lot of silliness happening at our session this year, but as we stopped to sit and do some storytelling, Ciro laid on the ground with his head on dad’s leg. I love this quiet moment – such a “Ciro” moment as he quietly takes in his family’s chatter during a more serious moment of our fun session.

25. The M Family – Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth, October

On a VERY windy night in October, I met the M Family for the first time. With the two eldest kids home from college for the weekend, Christina and John wanted to have family photos taken at their favorite place. I asked the crew to walk in front of me so I could capture the sky, the moon, and the bright orange maple behind them, and at just the right moment, Owen decided to do a little jump dance, making everyone behind him – and me too! – giggle out loud. It made for a fun family image full of personality and was an instant favorite.

26. The W Family – Maine Audubon, Falmouth, October

Ok, full disclosure, this is my wicked cute nephew, Corbin! Corbin, Maggie, and Jake live in Massachusetts but traveled up to visit and participate in my fall minis in October. Corbin was SUCH a goofball at our session, making for some really fun images. I’m a big fan of upside-down-kiddo photos, and I love everything about this one. His smile, the arms out to his side, his awesome hair falling below – this photo just screams fun and is so representative of life with these three who I love so very much.

27. The D Family – Bayview Beach, Saco, October

Oh I was so excited to get this family on the beach this year! After several years of photographing this awesome crew at home and in the woods, this year we headed to Bayview Beach in Saco. I had no idea how much this family loves the beach, and Abe and Luke were totally at home on the sandy shores on a warm late October afternoon. I love the joy, the surprise, the colors, and the love in this photo – so much happy in one moment captured of this family that is so special and sweet.

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28. The C Family – Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth, October

This was my first year working with the C Family, and we wrapped up our session at Fort Williams at the off leash area with their beautiful golden retriever pup. I still can’t look at this photo without laughing out loud. If you’ve ever held a chuckit to a retriever, you know the restraint it takes them not to grab the ball before it is thrown, and little Own is certainly making his pup show her patience in this moment captured. This might be one of my most favorite kid and pup photos I’ve ever taken!

29. The V Family – Bayview Beach, Saco, November 

I think I can count on one hand how many summer-like cotton candy skies I’ve had on the beach in November, and this one with Valerie, Ryan, Jack, and Ben might be my most favorite to date. We were not supposed to be on the beach on this evening, but our original location was closed so we headed down the street instead. It was totally meant to be, and we had a whole evening filled with skies and reflections like this that just got better and better as the evening went on.

30. The W Family – Maine Audubon, Falmouth, November 

Amy, Amy, I just adore you. 💕 Amy and her family have been working with me for FOURTEEN years, making them my longest running clients. Every year I photograph Amy and her immediate family alongside her sister and parents (who were unable to attend this year). I have many favorites from our glowing session at the Audubon, but this one of Amy is by far my most favorite. Amy will tell you that being in front of my camera has not always been her favorite thing, but with a lot of trust and love, she has slowly become more comfortable with herself and me. This woman is so beautiful inside and out, and I especially felt her glow during this year’s session. This portrait of her makes my heart so happy, and I only hope she and her family love it as much as I do.

31. Baby Mae {8 Days} – At Home, November 

Last but certainly not least is sweet baby Mae, one of my final sessions of the year. Mae was just eight days old on the day of our session, and was hands down the easiest baby I’ve ever photographed. I love crib photos of newborns – so tiny in their little space. I love the way her little hands and legs are curled up, and her little puckered lips just make me swoon. I had many favorites of this sweet little human, but this one for me, takes the cake.

I hope you enjoyed my little trip through 2024! Check back tomorrow for all of my scenic favorites from the year! Happy New Year once again, and I can’t wait to see what magic 2025 brings to my camera. ✨