Happy New Year!

Here's a quick look back at a few of the many wonderful people I've had the opportunity to work with this year. Here's wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2009!

Yes, Virginia...

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun in 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. This article has special meaning for the Dupuis Family this year. Merry Christmas to you all! Read on... "DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? "VIRGINIA O'HANLON. "115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET." VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS at Denise Dupuis Photography - Both inside and out!

There's still time to order portraits from your session for that special gift between now and the December 15th deadline. We offer everything from wallet-sized images on up to 20x30 wall portraits and larger. Call or e-mail me soon and we'll wrap up your Christmas shopping fast!

Happy Holidays!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Free Portrait with Santa
Saturday, December 6th
9AM - 1PM
No Appointment Needed

Denise Dupuis Photography
279 Goodwins Mills Rd (Rt 35)
Lyman, Maine

FMI: 499-2592

Kissing Cousins

Holme for the Hoidays

Bob, Nina, Robby and Trenton were all recently home for the Thanksgiving Holiday... a rare treat now that the boys are getting older and everyone is so busy. That's why it was so important to Nina that she get a family portrait taken... While the gang, (even the pup, Roxy) was all under one roof.

I was so glad that this fun bunch took time out from their busy schedules to squeeze a session in between a family wedding, Thanksgiving, etc. Because we've all heard that there's no place like home for the Holidays, but unless you've actually had family be away, you don't realize how true that is.

All I Want for Christmas...

Prashant and Ruchi have already received the only gift they wanted this year. On Friday (less than one week after these portraits were taken) this new mom and dad welcomed baby girl Malvika into their lives and onto Santa's "nice" list.

As Ruchi recovers from delivery surrounded by loved ones from far away and the new little family settles in to a different routine, (or no routine as the case may be) it makes us think what's really important during this season... family.

Congratulations!

Tis The Season

We still haven't finished the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers yet, but it's definitely time to start thinking ahead towards Christmas.

Our 5th annual FREE Portrait with Santa promotion is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th from 9-1. There's no appointment needed, just bring the gang down between those hours.

Like in years past, our Santa portraits are way more laid back than those at the mall or other places. No stress here! Just come hang out with the big guy, sit on his lap if you'd like, but we love it when the kiddos hug him, dance with him and squeeze him the best!

Something a little different this year... All images from this event will be available for viewing on-line starting Monday, the 8th. There, moms, dads, aunts and grammies can view your portraits, choose your one free 4x6 print and order more if they'd like (we offer reprints, enlargements and even custom Christmas cards at a discounted rate for this event only). All orders placed by December 15 WILL be ready before Christmas!

Here's a look back at a hand-full of images from LAST YEAR'S Santa Event!

Cheeks!

This is a first for me...a blog about cheeks... But how could I resist?

My session with Brady and Ali last week went in several different directions. We did some traditional, formal-type Christmas portraits of this brother/sister duo, then a fun high-key set with bare feet and white t-shirts (my favorite combination). But no matter what the outfits or what the poses, their "cheekies" stole the shot!

Worth the Wait

I've been fortunate to have been photographing this beautiful family since the very day it began... Lorie and Doug's wedding, 11 years ago. Now, with two gorgeous daughters, Doug's successful business and four very busy schedules, Lorie makes her Christmas portrait session a year in advance! So here I sit, blogging about this year's session and I can already hardly wait for next year... and it's like that every time! Lorie always comes in with great ideas, smiling daughters and a little patience too, so every year, it's always well worth the wait!

Guys and Dolls

If you're a loyal blog reader, you may recall when I posted Carmen and David's engagement portraits and romantic love story here last Spring. They promised lots of surprises for their guests and I on their special day, and earlier this month, they delivered!

Carmen and David are a fun and creative couple and their wedding fell right in line with that... everything from the 1920's themed wedding attire to the tommy-guns the boys carried to the pistols the gals had strapped to their thighs...not to mention the hats and boas as favors for the guests...every detail was unique and special!

Every guy and doll in the joint had a wonderful time on this timeless day!

Little Miss Olivia

Oh Miss Olivia was full of smiles,
Mom's arms were full of clothes.
While dad just stood there aimlessly
And tried hard not to doze.

First we tried out this pose,
Then quick...moved on to that.
Let's do one of these like this,
Then one without the hat!

Now turn and smile and look this way,
Then sit and look above.
Cause Christmas comes just once a year
and you, our dear are LOVED!

Wraskly Wabbit

Last year, Scott and Christina must have had to explain to all their family and friends why their beautiful daughter, Abigail was seemingly glued to a rockinghorse in nearly all her Holiday portraits.

This time however, with another year of life, love and portrait sessions under her belt, Miss Abigail was all about having her portrait taken! She spun, she sat, she laughed, she wiggled, but she did NOT rock on the horse (Well, just for a minute). What a big girl!

Of coarse, there are a few images that include her favorite "wabbit", but beggars can't be choosers. Maybe next year, Abigail's choice accessory will be a cell phone! It's so fun to watch them grow!

Peanut Butter

Photography and framing are like peanut butter and jelly... you could have one without the other... but boy, they sure go good together!

Well, meet my peanut butter, Erin Watkinson. Erin is the owner of and Certified Picture Framer at Red House Custom Picture Framing in West Kennebunk. If you've been to my studio in the past 5 years, you've seen her beautiful craftsmanship on my own walls, and a few of you have used her expertise in design and conservation yourself. I know some of my clients have raved that they've found her standing in their livingrooms measuring and snapping digital images of their space one day and then back there to personally and professionally hang their family heirloom above the mantle once it's framed.

Erin was in the studio yesterday for a headshot for her new website, www.redhousepictureframing.com, and the next thing I know, the website is up and running already! That's why Erin is the peanut butter... she's that good!

WRAP Up Your Holiday Shopping

Gallery Wraps are a beautiful and timeless way to "wrap-up" your Holiday shopping. Call us today to order this unique gift that will quickly become a family treasure.

The Perfect Gift

During these tough economic times, I'm finding that folks are being very discriminating about the gifts they buy. I don't think people are going to run to the mall to pick up a sweater at the last minute this year. I think that when times are tougher, like now, people (and gifts) become more thoughtful, more unique and very special. That's why I think that photographs, and photo-related gifts will become a staple under the tree this year.

Because it's not a last-minute gift idea, I thought I'd remind everyone nice and early about one such form of thoughtfulness. What mom or grandmother wouldn't LOVE to wear the special kiddos in her life close to her all the time?

The jewelry we offer is 24k gold or sterling silver...very high quality. And the image is etched right into the piece, so she can wear her gift in the shower, etc. Give me a call or shoot me an e-mail if you're interested in seeing the entire line!

Holiday Cards

Personally, I start thinking about our family's Holiday card about a year in advance...but I know I'm in the minority. For those of you that are "normal", you've probably just started preparing your Thanksgiving guest list, never mind the internal debate between wreaths vs. snowmen accents... but around here, it's never too soon to order your Holiday cards. You can even leave the tough part up to us!

Even summer portraits make for beautiful winter cards. Pick a favorite or two and give us a call. Each card is custom designed around your images. You can add a message of any length and make it as personal as you wish. Your cards will be gorgeous and unique and most importantly, crossed off your to-do-list.

Order your cards (any size/quantity) before Thanksgiving Day and receive 10% off when you mention this blog!

Be Yourself

"Be yourself" is good advice on any day, but a great idea when having your family portraits taken. Thankfully, Maureen and Mike heeded this sometimes cliche saying when I recently met them at the Monastery in Kennebunk for a session.

The four McEnaney kiddos are so wonderfully carefree... it would have been a shame to have them cooped-up in the small studio in matching, freshly ironed clothing. I LOVE how mom and dad were so relaxed and let the kids run and be themselves. I think three of the four kids had grass stains on their knees about five minutes in... isn't that great?

Someday, when Ian is a banker or Hazel is married with four children of her own, Maureen and Mike will be able to look back and remember (like they can forget) when they were just so little without a care in the world!

Stinky Feet and a Soccer Ball

Now that I have your attention, you may be wondering what stinky feet and a soccer ball have in common? Well, they are both secret weapons in getting new big-brother Ethan to smile.

Just a few months ago, Ethan and his parents were in the studio, anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby Chloe. Now that Chloe is finally here, the gang came back for some family shots... and I'm so glad they did.

Ethan was so cute last time, kissing his mom's belly and "listening" to his sister move around in there. Even though he couldn't see her yet, we could tell that he was going to be a great big brother. Now that Chloe is a little more "real" for Ethan, it was a riot seeing him smell her "stinky feet" and belly laugh like crazy. It won't be long before Chloe either laughs along or turns the tables on Ethan, but for now, Chloe was content to be the punchline to all of Ethan's jokes.

When the feet smelling got old, we turned to the tried and true soccer ball games. There's absolutely no room in the studio for dad, Donaldo to do his fancy footwork, but just enough room for a few laughs when the ball bumps the silly photographer. It's worth all the stinky feet and soccer balls in the world to see this little guy smile!

I Do

You may remember Melissa-Jo and Rob from an engagement blog I did this summer. Well, their special day finally came when they tied-the-knot recently at Southern Maine Community College's McKernan Center. The same lighthouse that overlooked their engagement session also stood guard over their beautiful seaside ceremony.

I feel like I've really gotten to know Melissa-Jo and Rob well since we first met at their wedding consultation over a year ago. They are a beautiful couple who have already learned that the secret to a happy life together is laughter. Because of that and their obvious love for each other... it's clear to me why they said "I do."

Home Is Where the FUN Is

Home is Where the fun is for the Murphy family, so when I was commissioned to capture their yearly portraits, it made perfect sense that home is exactly where the session should take place.

Jillian and Tenley felt comfortable in their back yard, showing off their favorite climbing tree, a pile of leaves perfect for jumping in and a make-shift sheet ghost that hung from a tree limb in the front yard, all great backgrounds for natural portraits.

Special thanks to Tim and Karen for letting me pop in on them on a busy weekend morning. I think we'll be hard pressed to find a better spot than this next year!

Election Day

What a great country we live in, really.

I hope that there ARE long lines at the polls today... there should be! Each one of us is being asked where our tax money should go and who we want to be our next President... Little old us... that's a big responsibility!

No matter what your political views or party, I hope you make time to go vote today!

Happy Halloween

To all the ghosts, goblins, super-heros and princesses out there... Happy Halloween! Have fun and be safe!

The Floyd Family

The University of New England is still one of my favorite locations...especially in the fall, so when the Floyd family met me there for a session, it was bound to be a fun time. I think the three kiddos had fun too. We played in boats, climbed some rocks and threw a few leaves around too... all while snapping away! I love it when I can just let kids be kids. You get the best images that way!

Meet Meryl

The last time I had the pleasure of photographing Nicole and Ryan, we went to the beach with their 11 year old Springer puppy, Rocco. Well, a lot has changed in this little family since that last session...namely, the arrival of baby Meryl! Congratulations guys, thanks so much for inviting me to share this special time!

Brooke and Jason

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Brooke and Jason. Brooke and Jason had been planning the wedding for well over a year and it was great to see all their great ideas come to life. But my favorite of all their great ideas was when Jason brought his project car to the formal picture spot! I think that this image really shows who Jason and Brooke are... a fun, outgoing couple! Congratulations Brooke and Jason!

Fall Family

Fall is the perfect time to get out and play... and get family portraits taken!

The C. family made it a point to schedule their session in the fall, so we could have a gorgeous foliage background at UNE and so that Derek could get a few shots in for his Senior Portraits as well.

What a fun family this was! The boys came armed with tons of ideas and were really "into" getting pictures taken. Mom and Dad let the boys have fun and just went with it. It made for such a great session!

The gang then "made a night of it" and Dad took everyone out to dinner. I think it's great when memories are made during a portrait session... with a background like this, and a family like that, it's really hard NOT to!

Save the Date

Take Two

Anthony and Jess' engagement portrait session officially began over a year ago, when Anthony called with a grand plan. Back then, Anthony came to me with a unique idea and an engagement ring in his pocket. At the specific time in the session that we had predetermined, Anthony would pop-the-question and I'd catch the whole thing on camera. Well, Jess said "Yes!" and the whole thing went off without a hitch.

The other day, Anthony and Jess came in for "take two". Though they got engaged during their first session, one year later, they came back for their actual "engagement pictures". We had so much fun talking about the wedding plans and Anthony in particular was more relaxed the second time around, knowing that the wedding is already scheduled for May (in Jamaica) and there was nothing pressing he had to ask Jess this time!

I always love engagement pictures because I really get to know some great couples. I feel a special connection to Anthony and Jess because with them, I got to do it twice!

Click below to see some images from Anthony and Jess' most recent session...

Fall Is Bittersweet

Senior portrait season is slowly winding down. I haven't been accepting any new senior appointments for a few weeks now in order to accommodate the sessions that are already booked. It's been a bit crazy, but a lot of fun too.

In the next couple of weeks, I'll be photographing the last of the seniors that currently dot my appointment book. It's bittersweet in so many ways (as I imagine it is for the moms and dads of the seniors). It means that I have another successful season under my belt in a job that I love, but it also means that we all take a giant step forward in growing a little older. The students I photographed this summer and fall will be going off to college, or entering the working world, and will no longer be "kids" any more... what does that make me? Not an adult, I hope!

The above image is from Matt's recent in-studio session. He's a Massabesic High Senior who is a super-fast text message-er (OK, I AM OLD) and has fabulous hair. As we wind down the senior season, I'll miss chatting with students like Matt... but that means Santa is coming soon, so it's not all bad!

Touching

The "O" family is expecting their second and last child (According to mom, Sarah). There will never be another time to capture images like these. I find it so touching when families commission me to capture life's most precious moments. There's no bigger compliment.