I look at these pictures and I can't not smile. This is the part of Maine everyone told us about -- the part that we knew existed but still surpassed our expectations. Within just a few miles of Camden, the seaside village where we stayed, are four gorgeous lighthouses, each ruggedly beautiful in their own way. 

The first lighthouse pictured is at the end of a mile-long breakwater. We were lucky enough to go there with our friends and owners of the Towne Motel. I couldn't think of a better way to spend an afternoon. The sky was clear, the sun was bright and the smell of the sea filled the air as we walked, talked and took in the scenic views.

The second lighthouse we visited is the Marshall Point lighthouse, famous for it's appearance in the movie Forrest Gump. (We didn't know that at the time, and even if we did, I don't think the knowledge would have changed our perception). We loved Marshall Point! It was peaceful, quiet, sophisticated and charming!

Owl's Head lighthouse was the last lighthouse we visited by land. Fog was thick the morning we went, but that didn't matter. We loved getting a sense for how and why these coastal icons are so important. After exploring the lighthouse, we went down by the water and spent hours walking up and down the shore. Cliff was brave and stuck his toes in the water. To my chagrin at the time, made me do it, too. The water was freezing, but I'm so glad Cliff stuck to his guns. That one silly memory is going to stay with me for years to come :)

Finally, we took a ride with Camden Harbor Cruises where we hung out with a lobster and sailed past the Curtis and Indian Island Lighthouses. During the first half of the ride, the fog was so thick we could barely see the shoreline, but it made for some really unique photos!

Have you been to Maine? Tell me what you love about it! Or, better yet, add your own list of places you think we should visit!

I can't believe how long it's taken me to get these photos ready! I took more than 1,000 photos when we were in Maine! I'm so excited to finally be able to share them! 

I've heard so many great things about this state and have always wanted to visit. Over Christmas, Cliff made my wish come true by surprising me with a weekend getaway to Camden, a quaint little seaside town. We didn't go in December, because who wants to go to Maine when there's four feet of snow on the ground? Instead, we went earlier this month.

This trip was so special for both of us. Not only was it a gift to me, but Cliff's choice in getaway location was no coincidence. Camden is home to the Towne Motel, a cute little inn owned by two of his former college professors, Katja and Siobhan. 

Because of our slight age difference (Cliff is four years older than me) I never had the opportunity to meet these two, but staying with them was delightful. They welcomed us with open arms and it was wonderful being able to catch up and tour the area with locals. Not to mention, the Towne Motel is perfect! It's just three blocks from downtown Camden.

Maine definitely lived up to, and even surpassed, our expectations. After visiting, I'm convinced its one of the most beautiful states in our country. The atmosphere was so laid back, the people were incredibly friendly, and the food was out of this world! What more could you ask for?

No blog post about the Towne Motel would be complete without photos of kitties. Owners Katja and Siobhan have four resident cats at their motel!

Every photographer has one of these. I call mine The Vault. It's a collection of photos that, for one reason or another, has never before been published. In my case, most of the photos that fall into this category were taken years ago, years before I thought I'd ever start a a blog or a business. 

I started thinking about these photos when a friend announced she was battling a serious medical condition. As part of her treatment, she specifically requested that friends send her photos of adorable kittens. She was obviously referring to animals already on the interwebs, but I figured why not see what I've got stored on my external hard drive? After all, I go home to Nebraska almost every summer, and every summer, I have to photograph farm kittens.

Turns out, my hard drive is storing a lot more than I ever could have imagined -- and I'm not just talking about photos.  You see, the most amazing thing happens when I look at old photographs. I remember exactly where I was when I took each photo (or set of photos) and how I felt at that moment. It's almost as if I'm being transported back in time. I know this sounds super corny, but it's quite magical. I have my friend to thank for showing me this great, new world.

So, in her honor, and as a way to highlight some photos I've never before shared, I'm starting this series I call The Vault. A few times a year, I'll choose a photo from my unpublished collection to share here on my blog -- and I'll tell the story behind it. I hope readers will enjoy this experience as much as I do! 

Cliff and I became home owners last fall and knew right away that the bathroom was the first room we wanted to redecorate. Walking into an orange cave when you need to do your business is jarring to the system. It HAD. TO. GO!

It took us awhile to decide what we wanted to do, but once we had a plan, putting the pieces in place was a piece of cake! We used our shower curtain from Ikea as inspiration and went from there. I can't get over the difference a new coat of paint and some accessories make!

It definitely helped that the previous owners of our condo kept things in great shape. The only changes we made were on the surface, which kept costs low. There was no turning off of water, no mortaring of tiles, no new-toilet or vanity installations. That also meant that the renovation was quick. Once we decided on our paint color, we were  finished the project in about 48 hours.  

I have to give a huge shout out and big thank you to Cliff who made this project possible. He did all of the taping, priming, and painting -- and everything that goes along with those chores. I think he did a pretty good job, don't you?

This isn't the only home-improvement project we've been working on this summer. Here's another preview. If you think I'm excited about the bathroom, you have no idea how I feel about our kitchen!

1. Bring toys! 
If your little guy or girl is under 5, I highly recommend parents bring toys to the session. They don't have to be in the photos, but it doesn't always hurt if they are. Toys -- especially a favorite one -- are a great way to help a little one who is shy feel comforted. 

2. Don't worry about matching.
Family photos are often seen as formal occasions -- and that can often lead to new clothes and matching outfits. For little tykes, sometimes it's just too much. The new clothes, the camera and the stranger (me) making weird faces and giving art direction can feel like pressure to perform. My goal is to make everyone -- no matter their age -- feel relaxed and confident. I'm going for authentic smiles and happy laughs. Clothing has a lot to do with that, which is why I always encourage parents to let their kids take a small lead when it comes to family photo wear.

For toddlers, that might mean letting them dress themselves -- yup, pink cowboy hat, tutu, striped socks and all -- for the day. For 7- and 8-year-olds, that might mean letting them choose a favorite shirt, skirt, or hair piece to wear.

3. Choose a distraction-free location. 
If you're interested in photos with me, then you probably already know that I do most of my work in Sligo Creek Parkway. It's peaceful, quiet, and a great place for kids and family to explore.

If you're reading this just looking for advice, that's okay, too. One of the most frequent questions I get asked is about location. When kids are involved, the answer is simple: a place that's quiet and without distractions. This can be a small park, an open field, a backyard, or walking trail. It should not be a fair, outdoor market, sports stadium, or party. 

As enticing as they might sound, the aforementioned locations (and other places like them) can be overstimulating for kids. They can also make it difficult for communication -- which is key when it comes to any kind of photography. Places that are quiet and distraction-free give clear signals to kids that family photos are the priority. They can also foster creativity in children, which can lend itself nicely to those beautifully unexpected candid moments.