This is easily one of my favorite shoots I’ve done this year. While we don’t do many maternity shoots anymore, this is the only way that I like to do them–creative, fun, natural. Chelsie has been a client of mine since she was 17 years old. When we first moved to Maine she and her cute younger twin sisters all came to our studio to do modeling sessions and I loved working with her right away. Since then I have done other shoots with her (and Andy) and she has gone to Paris for modeling and had some great opportunities. Chelsie is due in a few weeks and we wanted to document her pregnancy in a unique way that was reflective of her and Andy’s life  – Andy works at his family’s potato farm which someday is where their baby boy will work! So we have the model and the potato farmer. I cannot wait to meet their little spud in a few weeks!

1. Model winter editorial shoot (more here), 2. Couples boudoir, 3. Cory & Erica’s After Session, 4. Model studio shoot, 5. Manu & Jensine’s engagement shoot (2009)

Things you should know about the Werner family:

1) They are seriously one of the coolest families ever. We don’t say that lightly. From the way they interact with each other, to their interests and how amazingily cool, open and down-to-earth they are, they are awesome.

2) Photos are REALLY important to them. Every year we start talking about their shoot in the summer (to shoot in fall) and they want to capture their family in a cool and creative way. Last year we recreated the Beatles Abbey Road album cover with them. This year they rented a schooner from the Portland Schooner Company and we all went out for a sunset cruise for two hours. It was the most beautiful day/evening and could not have been more perfect.

3) See number one. Here are some of the photos from the session, a mix of candid moments and posed shots. And wait until you see what we have in store for the 2011 shoot!

Our weekly blog series is back! Check in every Friday to see 5 new photos (or from our archive).

1: Adam Royer, currently on MTV’s Real World Las Vegas  2: Kirby and Anthony’s November wedding  3: Rachel, Cayman Islands  4: Morgan, model  5: Rani and Gabe, engagement session

Earlier this week I had the honor of documenting Baby G’s birth! I have wanted to do this forever, from a photojournalistic point-of-view it’s such an amazing thing to document but in the past when I’ve set it up it hasn’t worked out. Garrett and Jenn are former wedding clients of ours from 2009 and really wanted this experience documented and invited me to do it. Jenn is a photographer herself so this was very important for her to have this captured. On Valentine’s Day I spent the day waiting with them and at 10:37 p.m. Baby G arrived via c-section. The staff at St. Mary’s in Lewiston was nice enough to let me in the room for the surgery to document it all, and what an incredible experience it was (the first birth I have ever seen!). It was so moving to watch Garrett and Jenn in their first moments with their son and to capture that and their family with him. They will be such great parents! Check out the photos below which are just a few from the entire day.

Due to the popularity of last year’s boudoir marathon mini sessions weekend Jess will be shooting another one January 8-9, 2011! There will be 4 slots for each day available for just $250 (normally $450). Includes: one hour session, makeup by professional makeup artist Rebecca Morrell, a $100 product credit towards either an album or print package, as many outfits as we can shoot during that time (average 3-4), help with styling/posing. Plus complimentary champagne and strawberries.

E-mail now to reserve your spot as they will fill up quickly. Couples are welcome too. I have some amazing ideas for these shoots, so please get in touch to reserve your spot. All products are guaranteed to be in for Valentine’s Day! If you are interested in purchasing a session for someone else please let me know (would make a great Christmas gift). Please see our boudoir gallery on our website for more examples (due to the nature of the shoots and privacy we have limited photos available to view).