Wild Orchard Studios | Maine Portrait Photography

Hi friends! Things have been a bit extra crazy around here since my eldest daughter and her Odyssey of the Mind teammates took 1st place in their division at the tri-state OM tournament in March. All 1st & 2nd place teams have the opportunity to represent their state at the World Finals (this year held at Michigan State University.) Her team -and our school's 5th grade team- put months of creativity, hard work, and some tears into their solutions and we are so excited for all of them to have this opportunity. It's been non-stop planning, fundraising, and all the other stuff that comes with taking a plane trip with your family. 😅 

All this to say - we have an online raffle fundraiser and I've donated a 35 min photo session! It's a small way to support our amazing kids and at only $10/ticket, the winner will score an amazing deal on their session. Details on what's included in the second slide. Link to the raffle in my stories. Drawing will be held this Sunday, May 7th. Good luck!!

#wildorchardstudios #maineportraitphotographer #maineseniorphotographer #mainefamilyphotogtapher #maineodysseyofthemind #mainelifestylephotographer #mainechildrensphotographer #mainematernityphotographer #mainephotographer

"I am not the things I do. Those are the things that make up the tapestry of my existence. But if we put too much pressure on ourselves to live up to an external expectation, we will always fail. That expectation always changes, so if you can find comfort and rooting in your WHY, in who you are as a person, then it becomes easier to manage expectations." - Serena Bishop Gordon 

@serenabg was in a recent episode of the @thelisacongdonsessions and this fit so many of the things running through my head most days. I've always struggled to manage external expectations and separating these from what I truly want and expect of myself. It's a learning curve, for certain.

This is a favorite from a few minutes of creative shooting with my daughters last fall - allowing myself to photograph without expectations for the results is extremely rooting for me. I can't fully describe the elation afterward, only that it's profound.

I'd love to hear, what do you do to "root" yourself and get in touch with your own desires and expectations? 
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#wildorchardstudios #creativespark #creativeportraits #mainefamilyphotographer #mainechildrensphotographer #mainetweenphotographer #mainephotographer #creativepractice #zenfolio

I've lost count of the number of times I have wished for a fraction of her energy. Today she vacuumed part of the house, though, so I'm falling more on the side of thankfulness than the usual amazement and exhaustion.

Any other parents out there have an energizer bunny impersonator for a child?

We had a chilly start to this sunrise session. Lilly's Nana helped her wrap up in an extra layer while we walked between locations, and you'd never know from any of the photos how cold she was. 

I'm immeasurably thankful for kind, trusting clients who roll with whatever the weather or location might throw our way. It can be hard sometimes to get up for those early sessions, and then also be in front of a camera. You all bring the magic every time, and make it easy to love what I do. 

Lilly's one request for this session was having colorful foliage and flowers. I think we nailed it!

A few favorites from Carter's senior session. I could not have asked for a more fun, easygoing evening; we climbed over rocks, kept shooting through some light rain, and walked back to the cars soaked to our knees from some big waves at the end of the shoot. You know it's been a good night when you end a beach session with salty, sandy feet.

Parenting is lots of conflicting things; hard, beautiful, funny, frustrating, delightful, exhausting...

Sometimes I watch a moment unfold, and think "These are some amazing humans," in awe of them. This is quite a task, the process of preparing them for the world. And hopefully, preparing the world for them. 

First image: 9/2022
Second image: 8/2016

It feels so good when weather cooperates with your session plans 😅. We had amazing light for Olivia's senior session, and she rocked it. Could not have asked for a better night!

There's nothing like a quiet morning at home with a sleepy baby snuggled trustingly into your chest. Their weight somehow both slight and heavy against you, the rhythm of their breathing sometimes so soft that you watch more closely for a moment, to make sure they're still doing it. 

You gently pat their irresistibly silky soft skin in a slow, soothing motion, and one little hand tightly clasps a crumpled section of your shirt. 

Tiny dots of sweat form on their nose in the summer heat and you wonder if you'll still remember this feeling when they no longer take naps on you. 

You close your eyes and slowly inhale their sweet baby smell, uniquely them and still reassuringly similar to all babies, and concentrate on noticing.

Waves, sunshine, and an adventurous family. It was just the kind of night I needed. ❤️

It's been hard to get my creativity flowing "just for fun." Yesterday I pushed myself outside so I could partake in a photo scavenger hunt/work social and turns out it was the right nudge at the right time.

This spring has been a busy one with school things for my own children, so I'm feeling extra thankful we were able to squeeze in this session the other day. I can't find the words to express how good it felt to be photographing a sweet family INSIDE their home again. It's a completely different, more intimidate vibe and I love it so much - and cameos from the fur babies are always a win! I truly love outdoor sessions, too, so let's hope I never have to choose.😅

Breastfeeding my babies was: 
- sometimes exhausting (I see you, mamas, sleepily getting through another 1, 2, or 3am feeding)
- occasionally stressful (dealing with nursing in public, ridiculous societal pressures about nursing vs bottle feeding, milk production)
- ALWAYS when I felt the closest to them, their small bodies pressed intimately against mine, their complete trust evident, their tiny hands resting on my chest or playing with their toes. And then one day, poof! They are too old for this and you are left with mixed feelings of joy and sadness, one of the first stages of your children becoming their own individuals apart from you, searching for new ways to maintain a similar feeling of closeness in the next stage.

If you're still here, lol, all this is to say - Mamas, whether you bottle feed or breastfeed, having photos of this time with your babies is basically priceless. If your photographer doesn't offer to take some, please ask. Capturing what is important to you is what we do. ❤️

Putting this here in case anyone else needs a little extra joy today, too. 💓

There's a lot in the world that feels overwhelming, complicated, hopeless, and draining. 

But there's also my daughters' laughter. 15 minutes spent watching the sunrise /sunset. A message from a friend; "I see you. Love you." A satisfying meal that hits the spot. A good phone call with my sister. 

Where are you finding the moments that help you see where they light shines through?

So happy to be sharing these images at last, from one of the most beautifully intimidate weddings I've had the honor to photograph. I love every moment spent with these three. ❤️

I'm always amazed by the transformative powers of light; not only in how we see things, but in how we feel about them.

Sometimes a session doesn't go to plan. No worries; that's where the magic can happen. ❤️

Thinking back to this blustery day in September, the memories that stand out the most are of silliness and laughter, the best homemade lemon cake ever, new friends, and a lobster dinner to round out an amazing day. 

All this to say; be flexible, have fun, and don't let someone else's (or your own)  idea of perfection stop you from taking photos with your loved ones. You (and they) are worth it.

That evening light and a wild, confident, girl who knows how to enjoy the simple pleasure of sand between your toes.

I first met and photographed Lauren and Kyle when they were still new in town, during the #frontstepsproject. I had so much fun catching up at our maternity session and couldn't be more excited for them as they prepare to welcome their first baby!

Hey friends! Things have been out of whack around here with back to school and fall photo season in full swing, but I'll (hopefully) be posting a bit more again. 😊

If you've ever been partway through a photo session and thought "My children are driving me crazy, there's no way we're going to get any good pictures because they are acting tired/grumpy/manic/etc." 

Let me just reassure you... Pretty nearly EVERY SINGLE PARENT feels this way at some point. A few magical things about photography are:
1: we get to show you how WE see your family- it's all in the perspective
2: we can pause or switch gears whenever a little one needs to move around more, or less, make faces, or have an impromptu dance party. 
3: YOU. Your stories, your lives, your connections - they are magical. It's what I'm there for. Roll with it; the magic will be there. ❤️

Impossible as it may feel - because in my heart and sometimes my mind that she's still my teeny baby, the one who made me a mama - this girl is 11. And her hair hasn't been this short since she was about 2. ❤️

Over a year later, and @thefrontstepsproject community and positivity is still going strong. I'm still so thankful for the families that helped distract my worries while giving back to their community in the early days of lockdown. These pictures will forever bring me joy. 

The originators of The Front Steps Project wrote a guest post for my content team at @zenfolio, and I'm so happy with how it came together. On the zen blog, & preview in my stories right now. ❤️

For our families, celebrating the 4th is gathering together with family. It is enjoying the beautiful state of Maine where where are so lucky to live and raise our children. It is hope for a future where the world is better than we found it; more just, more empathetic, more care for our planet... the list is long. 

It's a rainy one around here this year, but wishing you all a safe & Happy 4th, friends.✨

Shout-out to all the wonderful dads I know - I hope you were shown love and appreciation in the way you like best today!💕 We're extra thankful for @dwhitegiver; For his support, humor, tenderness, silliness, empathy, and thankfully the strength & stamina to be the jungle gym/ circus partner our children always wanted 😉. Happy Father's Day - we love you.

Reason number one zillion that a session at home can be just as amazing as one located elsewhere: Moments like this.

The most important part is you and your people being together, your connection captured... The location is the icing on the cake. You definitely *need* good icing, but just like you trust a good baker, trust your photographer to make the most of your location.

...and now I think I need to go order a cake! 🤪

Congrats to these ladies and the class of 2021! You faced so many challenges this year, on top of the expected ones. Wishing the best and more to you all!

It's going to be a hot one this weekend! We're planning to spend as much time by the water as possible. How are you planning to stay cool?

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Wild Orchard Studios Photography by Amanda Whitegiver is based in Southern Maine. Specializing in portraiture for all ages, documenting intimate, warm, & genuine moments in the places you love or call home.

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