The M Family {Ocean Point} | Boothbay Maine Family Photographer

A few years ago at an opening for an art show, I met a woman named China. I didn’t know her at all even though we lived in the same town, and even though we spoke for just a few minutes, I instantly knew I wanted to be this person’s friend. I left the show hoping our paths may cross again some day. A few months later the house next door sold, and we were anxiously awaiting news of who was moving in. I could not believe my luck when I learned that it was the one-and-only China. While I did know at this time that I still wanted to be China’s friend, what I didn’t know was how much she would become like a sister to me in the coming months and year ahead. I’m going to get a little vulnerable and sappy here so stick with me (seems to be the case whenever I talk about my incredible neighbors! 🥹). I’m a person who feels deeply, thinks deeply, and shares openly. Sometimes this can make friendships challenging – I’m an open book that people sometimes don’t know how to read. But as luck would have it – China and I seem to come from the same cloth (well, except for the fact that she’s an incredible cook and I am good with takeout every day for the rest of my life, but that’s a different blog post…). It took no time at all for both of us to realize that in this friendship we can be open, honest, vulnerable, and full of trust and love. We laugh until we cry, we cry until we laugh. She is a soul sister to me for a million reasons and I totally think the universe brought her to my back yard on purpose for both of us.

China and her family have summered at Ocean Point in Boothbay since she was a child. Over the past year and a half she has mentioned wanting to do family photos there, but the timing was never quite right. When she asked me in July if I had a certain date open in August because most of the crew would be together in Ocean Point, I almost fell on the floor when it was the one open date I had that week. Again, the universe delivered. So on a hazy and beautiful August evening I met up with China and her three grown kids – Emma, Liam, and Moss; her parents Dave and Pat; her sister Heather; and her sister Mattie Byrd with her wife Beth and daughter Parker. I know China’s parents and kiddos, but it was so wonderful to meet the rest of the crew (minus Heather’s family and their sister Megan and family!), and capture them together. We explored the beach and the rocks, were very well entertained by cutie Parker, and laughed as everyone let their awesome personalities shine as they enjoyed a special evening together in their very special place. I’m so happy we could make this evening happen, and am excited to share my favorites of our gorgeous Ocean Point evening.