Wedding Gown Sessions...

I loved my wedding and, of course, my wedding gown.  What a beautiful dress and we, usually, only wear it one time.  I do know of some who have worn theirs more, like on their anniversaries and now with the fun "trash the dress" sessions.

While files were uploading, I bribed my girls, now eight and ten, to play dress up for me.  With two strong clamps from my studio, I was able to get the dress not to fall off my little angels.

Like most things, they complained about doing this, but after it was over...they had fun.  It's been twelve years since I wore this...probably much more than that in the future when my girls might want to use pieces of it for their own wedding gowns.

High School Seniors are Awesome!

It's been such a great experience working with high school seniors.  I am blown away by how sweet they are, they are open to try new things and have fun.  Their spirit is pure and they are excited about their future.

Soon, I will be looking for some Rising Seniors...Rising Stars for the class of 2013.  I will be announcing what you will get to work with me and represent Debbie Ellis Photography to all of your friends.  Be sure to be following my page on facebook!

Who wants to have some fun?

Why I love Weddings...

My now husband and I got engaged shortly after we moved across the country to Seattle, Washington.  I was ready...I was 31 and so excited.  I always knew I would get married one day.  There was no rush.  I had lots of fun in my 20's...I highly recommend that!  Travel, live with girlfriends, by a new car of your very own, be successful in your career, etc.

I flourished in my planning three thousand miles away...I traveled back to Massachusetts every other month and made the plans happen.  Everything went smoothly, for the most part, for our planning of our big day.  I even connected online to other brides planning weddings in our month (and still keep in touch with some of them...they are awesome!)

As I work in the Wedding Arena in New England, I get giddy with excitement all over again.  Talking to brides and their fiance's about their plans really gets me so excited.  I am thrilled to be a part of the wedding field, helping brides and grooms with capturing the emotion of their day...creating the perfect package for them and their desires and needs.

I thought it was awesome to see a photograph I had staged is still on our wedding photographer's page almost twelve years later.  I enjoyed our wedding photographer, but I wish I had shopped around a little to find someone we connected with personally.  Our images are awesome and we love our wedding album.

I have decided only to do one wedding per month.  I want to give that wedding my all...I don't want them to have to wait too long for their images and products like albums and wall art.  Also, my family is a priority too.  :)

Contact me asap for a consultation for your wedding photography!  I will buy the coffee/tea!

Bridal Fair Time!

Gearing up to do my first ever Bridal Fair tomorrow! So much preparation...and I committed just a couple weeks ago.

I am so excited to meet engaged ladies and chat with them about their plans for their wedding day.  It was a blast when I was planning mine and so thrilled to be a part of others' excitement as well.

I will have a super fabulous offer for brides and grooms to be at my booth tomorrow at the Radisson in Manchester, NH, you don't want to miss it!  Also, if you need a ticket, I have a few passes.  Just email me at Debbie@debbieellisphotos.com and I will give you a couple.  Lots of other fabulous vendors and giveaways as well!  Be sure to be there, it's 11-3, right before the Patriot's game...perfect timing.  :)

Can't wait to meet you!  Be sure to share this with all the engaged couples you know in New England!

Lindsie and Paul are Married!

A beautiful sunny July day in Meredith, New Hampshire, right next to Lake Winniepesaukee, a sweet couple said "I do".  I was lucky to be able to help a friend in capturing all the magic of the day.

Design and Decor by Private Weddings and Events, florals by Emily Herzig Floral Studio and the reception venue was Lake Opechee Inn and Spa in Laconia, New Hampshire.  Wedding venue was Church Landing in Meredith, New Hampshire.

Maternity Portraiture

Pregnant ladies just glow.  They are so happy and can't wait for their new one to make an arrival.  It's fun to capture all of this in photos for them to remember this quick window of time.

I am always amazed with pregnancy.  Mostly, everything happens in perfect order.  A human being is created and grows and follows a step by step plan.  And, at the end of nine months, we get to welcome our new love into the world.

I did have my Pregnancy Photos done.  At the time, I didn't much care for them (thought I looked fat, unattractive, etc).  Now, I am so happy to have them to remember that brief time in my life.  I hope you consider getting some Maternity Photos done, if only to put them on a shelf for you to visit.

And, yes, it is true...your life will never be the same.  It will be filled with another to love and share your world with...and you will have your own family!

So Much Summer Fun

As much as I try, I fall behind...but that is a good thing.  How so you wonder?  It means my life is bursting at the seams with love, friends, fun and photography.   I am in catching up mode and wanted to pop in here and say hello before I get outside to enjoy this summer day!

My girls head back to school this coming week, so early, but it is what it is.  (does anyone really like that saying?)  This will allow me to devote the many hours I need to catch up on everything from organizing my office to folding laundry to editing beautiful moments captured.

For the time being, take a quick peek of some summer fun...and enjoy every minute.  :)

Newborns. Aaaahhh.

Having had two of my very own, I know the magic of Newborns.  They are so tiny, so sweet and innocent and grow so fast.  All the while mom and dad are in a sleep deprived daze!  I love working with tiny babies, creating the perfect peaceful environment and helping them into the coziest of poses.  

Ten things...

Ok, I have never shared much about me...except for the fact I love photography...so, here goes...ten random facts:

1.  I love playing tennis, but it can stress me out.  I want to win and do well, if I am not doing well, I am stressed out.  Sigh.
2.  I love animals...we have an eleven year old black lab named Beaumont.  Also, two cats names Lola (10) and Jack almost (3).  They all get a long, pretty well.  I don't mind twisting and turning in my sleep to avoid to bother the kitties.  :)
3.  I wish my mom pushed me to stay in activities when I was younger.  I tried dance (ballet, jazz, tap), gymnastics, skating when I was younger.  My mom said I complained and she didn't sign me up again.  My kids complain and I still push them.  I wish she pushed me to stick with something!
4.  I had the highest IQ in my kindergarten class.  Not sure what it was, but they gave me books to read with another smart boy named Billy Mellhouse.  Wonder where he is now.
5.  I love cars, nice cars and am so lucky to have a nice car.  :)  Driving is fun in the right car.
6.  My feet are a size 11.  It stinks.  What really stinks is they used to be a size 10/10.5 until I had kids.  A whole new shoe wardrobe was in order, and I got some great deals and have awesome shoes.
7.  My first brand new car was a Honda Del Sol.  It was white.  It was named the Tic Tac.  I loved that car and it's removable roof and two seats.  I drove it for eight years and sold it for $6k in Seattle before buying my dream car.
8.  I am not a morning person.  Enough said.
9.  I avoid gluten.  Yes, no subway sandwhiches for me.  No pizza.  No wonder bread or pasta (unless it's rice pasta!).  My body just says "no thank you" in it's own way.
10.  I lived in Seattle for seven years.  I think everyone should live away from where they grew up.  It's awesome to move somewhere, start a new job and meet new people...creating a life!  I loved the life we had in Seattle; it just wasn't home.  I love and miss my friends there often.  It was an amazing experience.  Both of our girls and our dog and one of our cats were all born in Seattle!  And, yes, it does rain a lot...from November to April...but it is also 50 degrees almost every day of the year.  (even in the summer)  But, it is sure beautiful when the skies are clear...and it stays light until 10pm.  :)

Contest winners!

These two photographs earned me two red ribbons this spring at the annual convention for NHPPA in North Conway, NH.  This was my first time entering and I was very nervous.  Next year?  Entering five and shooting for blue...and then on to the regional competition!  

A contest is afoot! :)

No, not having a contest about feet...just trying to be silly/funny!  (only baby feet are really cute, don't you think?)

This is my first contest winner's new baby girl's foot.  Since I have completed her session, I wanted to do another contest.  This contest will help us both!  Do you know someone having a baby soon?  Do you need to give a gift to someone having a baby? (contact me for affordable shower gift of a session) 

Are you having a baby?  

My contest is this...refer me to friends/family on fb to like my page of people who are having babies in the next nine months, or even those who just got engaged/married that will have a baby someday.  Let me know you did in the comments section below, and you are in to win a full session *up to two hours with location changes and outfit changes up to six people.  And, even more?  A $35 print credit.  

This will run for one week...so get busy!  Ends Sunday, May 22, 2011.  Thanks so much for your kindness and support! :)

Cape Cod Bride

Beautiful lady, Hyannis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, April 2011.

With this ring...

I love weddings.  Planning my wedding was so fun...even if it was 3,000 miles away!  The internet was relatively new ten years ago and I have a blast getting all the details set.

It's not surprising to me that my Photographic journey is pointing me in this direction.  I am looking forward to opportunities to capture the most of memorable days for people.

Lots of hours have been invested and more are soon to come!  I am not one of those, "hey I got a new camera let me be a photographer" peeps.  I have been studying for a couple years now and learning all I can through numerous resources.  In two weeks, I will be heading to Cape Cod for a week of intensive training with NEIPP.  This is going to be amazing!  Five days with two amazing teachers.

I love learning and look forward to applying all I learn to create what you dream of!

If you know of any brides to be in need of a Photographer, please share my information with them.  My first few will be getting special pricing.  I am available to all of the New England states.

Inspired.

Yesterday, I drove two hours to Connecticut to see Jasmine Star.  Since I began studying Photography, I have been reading about her and following her blog.  What an inspiration to listen to her story and meet her in person.

She hasn't been at her Photography career long (2006!), but has made a splash.  She had a couple of lucky breaks and encounters, but she has done so very well for herself and now is an A list Wedding Photographer.

Her focus is on doing good and helping others.  I agree with this wholeheartedly.  You get what you give.  And, that the tortoise does always win.  Little by little, I will get there!  Every day I am closer to my goals.  Whether it's advancing a rank in tennis or a certain earning level, with hard work and focus, I am on my way.  And, I will continue to give back along the way how ever I can!  

Work Hard, Play Hard

This has always been my philosophy.  Funny how my play is mirroring my work.

After 22 years, I picked up a tennis racquet again last summer. I wasn't sure how it would go, because, I wasn't even so fabulous the last time I played (in high school).  I took lessons, practiced and set a goal for myself...to achieve a certain level by the end of the summer.  I did it!  And then, got crazier and joined a team for winter play.  I kept practicing and taking lessons and hey, I was getting better.  The Captain asked me to play first doubles.  Wow, really?

First match, we win!  Second, we were slaughtered.  It was painful.  I wanted to cry.  (There were tears during one practice game, actually)  Who did I think I was thinking I could play tennis?  I was never the athletic type.  I should just go back to crafting and be done with it.  Nope.  Kept practicing and playing and realigned my thinking.  Played again in a match yesterday and we won.  Played at practice today, and didn't do very well.  Must keep practicing and learning to move forward!  It's a lifetime sport, right?

Anyhow, I share this story because it has hit me recently Tennis is like Photography.  I have studied and practiced and taken a zillion lessons (seminars, classes, etc).  Some days I feel like the best Photographer on the planet (well, not really, just making a point) and the next day, I am frustrated.  But, I know this is my path and I continue on learning, practicing and realigning my goals.

Professional Photographers aren't born when they are handed a nice camera.  They grow from the time invested in the craft and in learning...and the learning never stops.

Life can be like a roller coaster or like a merry go round.  I have always chosen the roller coaster.  It's a wild ride, but worth at the end when you get off and are so exhilarated, you can't wait to get on again!

Are you a roller coaster lifer or a merry go round?

Life, here it is, catch it! :)  He may only get snow, but he's going for it.  There just might be a treat in it.