dogs & photographers!

I think of myself as extremely fortunate to share my life with someone who not only has an interest in photography, but who even likes discussing certain industry trends or going over marketing ideas with me.  Because he’s showed this interest in my business and photography as a whole, I make a conscious effort to try and not let it dominate our dinner conversations or evening walks with Orvis.  Trust me, when you’re this passionate about your craft & your business, it’s hard not to talk about it 24/7.  I know for certain that even if I didn’t set these limitations of mine, Michael would still listen, graciously and even intently, about my business.  And for that, I am truly thankful.

Even after hours of listening and brainstorming, every encouraging significant other needs a break now and then!  And that’s why having a few photographer-friends can certainly come in handy . . .

In preparation for our trip down to Boston to meet up with Alex of Alexandra Roberts Photography & Stacey of Cold Nose Photo and their respective dogs, I wanted to make sure Orvis was nice and exhausted. Even after ten hours at doggy daycare the day before, where he literally doesn’t lie down all day, and an hour of hardcore fetch with the Chuck-it in the morning, this dog was not even close to being tired.  As soon as he saw Alex’s pointer, Emma, and Stacey’s adorable boys, Brewer & Bromley, his eyes lit up with this unstoppable light of energy.  Oh, great… was Orvis really going to lose me two fun-loving photographer friends because of his pure craziness?

Luckily for me, Stacey & Alex didn’t even seem to mind the 95 pounds of wet black fur tearing through the woods, nearly knocking them (and their nice cameras) down at every turn.  That’s how down to earth and easy going these two are!

I started following Alex on Twitter after discovering her  awesome website through another Boston wedding photographer.  A few days later I found out that Alex was the sister of Chris Roberts, one of the geniuses behind Barkwheats, one of my very favorite Maine businesses!

Alex was just as cool in person as I thought she’d be!  Here she is with her sweet Emma!

When the time came to take a few pictures of Stacey & her dogs, I was trying to distract Emma & Orvis, who wanted to join Stacey’s family photo too!  I caught a few moments here and there.

I also came to know Stacey once I started exchanging blog comments and communicating with Stacey online.  I was totally psyched when she made the trip up from Cape Cod to attend the & unlimited studio opening in April!  We also got to spend a few minutes together during her last trip to Maine a few weeks ago.  She knew what she was getting into with Orvis this weekend after she met him in our backyard in October…

After we finished up our photo session at the Fells Reservation in Medford, we stopped by a Starbucks for yummy warm drinks and lots of photo-chatting.  It was great swapping stories, tips, tricks, inspiration, etc. with other female photographers.  Thankfully, we’ve now vowed to make these get-togethers a regular event.  Is it weird that I’m already excited about the next one?