If any of you are from Massachusetts you know we now hold the great honor of just surviving record snowfall.  The record was 108" and we broke that in certain areas, with all areas coming pretty darn close.  The "bragging" rights come from the fact that most of this snowfall happened between late January through the first week of March.  Did I take pictures of these huge mounds of snow?  Yes I did.  Will I ever show them to you.  Absolutely not!  I am not a fan of winter and this sentiment was shared by many this year.  The good new is most of us thought the bigger piles, known as snow farms would not disappear until June.  Well it's happening a little faster than that.  After all, we need to see the spring flowers and green grass.  

I haven't been able to post to my blog because of a fall I took, during the first big blizzard in January.  Long story short, my right arm is a mess and I haven't been able to hold a camera properly.  If I did get out with my camera, I used my tripod, however even that was limited.  Now, finally I am having surgery on my shoulder in a week and will then be on the mend.  I'm a little bummed that I won't be able to hold my camera for about three months.  I will miss capturing our beautiful summer and people enjoying our beautiful summer!  However, it's all good.  Life gives us little speed bumps once in awhile and then we move on.  This surgery is my speed bump and I'm blessed to know I will once again be out with my camera.  

So even, though it hurts like crazy to hold my camera and the pictures are less than wonderful because of my lack of stability, I'm capturing as many pretty moments as I can this week end.  Yesterday I had the chance to see spring in all its glory.  Here is one of my favorites.   I have one more photo shoot today and I will post those later.  So Happy Spring to all and may you be blessed with the knowledge that after the winter, spring will come.

I must admit, I am not a winter person.  As I look out my window and watch the third, fourth or fifth snowstorm in two weeks (lost count) wreak havoc on my beautiful gardens I thought I would post a few pictures I took a few weeks ago.  I had a chance to get inside a lovely greenhouse where flowers were blooming, pottery was displayed and there was a definite reminder that Spring will come and all this snow shall also pass.  Here are a few from that day.  The first one was so much fun.  To be able to make a jigsaw puzzle out of my image and then have just one piece misplaced is so out of the ordinary for me.  But, I love it!  The rest are to remind all of us, that the last of winter is closer than we think.

As I look forward to 2015, it is also time to look back to 2014 and reflect on all those moments that made this year.  By doing this, I have picked my 12 favorite images for 2014.  Actually, it's a baker's dozen for me. What makes a "favorite" for me is an image that tugs at me just a little in a wonderful sort of way.  I start with my portraits simply because I love capturing those special moments.  Most are candids or as I call them "the moment in between the pose".  How can I not love these first two?  Mom and Dad with their babies.  Both were not planned or posed.  

                                                                               I love this next one because this little cutie decided she didn't want her picture taken.  So I had to sneak the shots and this one worked.  Such a pretty little girl.

                                                                                                                                              Then just a few months later and she is the perfect little model!  I love to photograph children because you just never know how it is going to go, however there is always a few gems when they are just allowed to do their thing

I love to photograph small weddings.  There is a simple sweetness about them.  I've already done a full blog on Sarah and Tom however I would be remiss if I didn't at least post one picture of this awesome couple.  If you scroll down my blog you will see more about them.

This is Lauren and Andrew.  I know it may seem strange that I would pick this picture instead of a typical bride and groom picture, however I have my reasons.  As I said earlier, I select pictures that tug at me and this one does.  As in most weddings, there is the family portraits that need to be taken and I love this one.  Maybe it's the mom in me, I don't know, however Andrew with his mom and his bride Lauren in the distance waiting patiently to step forward to be by Andrew's side is so sweet.  I have a video of Lauren and Andrew that I posted earlier if you would like to see more.  They are such a fun couple.

Senior portraits are so much fun.  For the most part the guys start out feeling awkward and uncomfortable.  More than likely Mom is the force behind these sessions.  However somewhere along the way they relax and become themselves.  This handsome guy was no exception.

I blogged earlier in the year about our trip to Sao Miguel, Azores.  I can't explain the beauty of the island, so I think pictures tell the story best.  Here are a few that I did not post before.  The first is cows.  Just cows walking down the road.  I love this picture!!!  I know it would not win any awards, but I just loved the simplicity of this island and no picture shows it more than cows walking down the road after a day of grazing and heading into another pasture.

This next one was taken at the Cha Porto Formoso tea plantation.  Outside of the rich colors and textures, what make this picture is the bathtub.  Seriously?  Love it.  Actually this tea plantation had some of the most beautiful landscapes on the island.

Next is the tea room inside the plantation.  So quaint.

Shifting to somewhere else, this was taken on the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburn, MA during early autumn.  I just like the simplicity of it.     

If you have never been to Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth, MA, the museum is a replica of the early pilgrims and their living area.  Not only do the staff dress in traditional clothing of the time, they also speak as they did then.  They perform the everyday tasks of the period and one woman was actually plucking a chicken.  I wish I had a better picture of that, however here is a woman working with herbs in her home.

 I am very fortunate to live near the ocean, which of course provides all sorts of photo ops.  This beach house is in the forefront of the Scituate Lighthouse.  Actually, the picture of Sarah and Tom above was taken at the same location.  A friend of mine wanted a picture taken of anywhere along our coastline to give to her sister as a wedding gift and this is the one she chose.  That is all the more reason for me to like it

That is it for 2014.  I have wonderful memories to share with you.  I wish all of you a Happy New Year and may 2015 bring you many blessings.  Come back and visit me once in awhile and I'll keep you updated.

Warmly,

Nancy Carey