Congratulations Nicole and Corry!

My first wedding of the late spring/early summer was on May 30. Nicole and Corry tied the knot at Messiah Baptist Church in Bangor. Despite a brief thundershower, the couple said their vows in front of an intimate gathering of family and friends.

They also decided to do the majority of their group shots (but not together) prior to the ceremony, which is a great option, especially for couples who want to get right to celebrating at the reception! The couple's children were a major part of the specialness of the day!


We did the remainder of their group shots after the ceremony was over and then headed off to the reception at Meadowbrook Dance Studio (home of Back Door Dance Studio: www.backdoordance.com). The gathering of family and friends was intimate and fun -- just like the couple.

Congrats again Nicole and Corry! Here are a few pictures of the happy couple's nuptials.

Babies, weddings, and dog playdates

May has been a busy month.

I had my gall bladder removed mid-month and I'm feeling great! My parents are moving to Bangor to retire. My childhood home is now sold. And we're in the process of prepping the garden for its first planting in years.

Photography wise, May has been a month full of babies!

I had the opportunity to photography my best friend Trina's little boy Emmett who came into the world on April 24, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. He's a sweetie who will no doubt keep them on their toes!

On May 31, Kathy invited me into her home to photograph 8-month-old Bella who is all smiles and cheer. She was the perfect subject, even when she got tired from being a star!

May also started the summer wedding season. I was on hand to witness with my camera the wedding of Nicole and Corry. In a beautiful ceremony at a gorgeous church in Bangor, even the downpouring of rain couldn't dampen the spirits in the church. Photos will be posted soon of some of the day's highlights.

Now as June starts, I'm preparing for a busy portrait and wedding season -- plus a little time to hang with the family!

I also and a proud greyhound mom and Laura goes for weekly play dates with other local greyhounds at Green Acres Kennel (www.greenacreskennel.com). The greys have a greyt time running and hanging out in the fenced in play area. If you're looking for a great place to get pet supplies, grooming services, boarding, doggie daycare or training, Green Acres is one of the best in the area! Keep an eye open this fall to have your pet get their picture taken with Santa. More information to come!

June and July still have openings for wedding photography or portraits. And I'd love to see a few more young faces in the lens of my camera. Call today about half-price sessions this summer!

Busy month, beautiful weather

Congrats Tristine and Barry!

It's been a busy month here in Hermon and Bangor. In addition to a month full of special sections, the weather is turning into a delight! So in addition to photographing the beautiful bounty of spring flowers, I'm busy doing home improvements and getting ready for wedding season.

In February, I had the delight of photographing a very small and intimate wedding ceremony for Tristine and Barry. She was a beautiful bride and he a handsome groom. Thank you for allowing me to share in your special day!

Currently, I am open for weddings and portrait sessions all through June and July. Many brides and grooms seem to be opting for off-season weddings, which is always a delight. That means that there's so much more time to schedule summer portrait sessions.

Last weekend, I had the delight of photographing one of my co-workers precious new baby Cora. Cora was about 6 weeks old when we took some photos of her, and her parents, at the Palmyra Golf Course. Photos from our session will be coming as soon as they're edited.

And now I'm waiting with baited camera for the birth of my best friend's first born son. She's due today, but with babies, you never know if they'll come on time, early or late. I attended her baby shower earlier in April and she's radiant. Come on out, Emmett. The world is waiting for you!

And because the weather is so nice, please consider taking advantage of this beautiful time of year to update your photo albums. I am running an online special of $60 for a portrait special if you mention the blog. Otherwise, I'm offering $80 portrait specials for the months of June-August.And for those of you who are greyhound lovers, the Maine Greyhound Placement Service in Augusta is holding their second annual open house and reunion on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21. Our greyhound Laura (above) is from MGPS and she's been a delight in our lives. The open house will feature lots of events for dogs and humans alike plus a silent auction for items with the proceeds benefiting MGPS. Consider visiting, especially if you're thinking about adopting a greyhound! Bell Imaging & Design is donating a pair of portrait sessions to the silent auction. We'd love your support.

Sunny thoughts and warm days

Spring is here!

There's no more glorious time of year than spring. In Maine, mud season usually precedes dry ground and planting. In fact, Mainer's refer to "mud season" as the fifth season. But it's not muddy everywhere. In fact, there are flowers blooming by my home's foundation! The little purple crocuses pictured above are just some of the flowers taking root and poking their head above ground.

Just as the winter doldrums are giving way to a spring in my step, my dog Laura is still the consumate couch potato. She loves to snuggle up on my pillows and just veg out. She loves cuddling on the couch almost as much as a peanutbutter-and-kibble-filled kong. But because the weather has been getting nicer, she's enjoying going for long walks with us and jogging with my husband.

Now I'm itching to get out, do some yard work and photograph!

Still booking too for family portraits and weddings. I'm also polishing up my senior portfolio and can't wait to start working with area seniors!

The reason behind the vows

I did my first wedding on February 28 (not the pictures from above) and it was an intimate, beautiful ceremony. It reminded me how much emphasis is put on the planning and not the actual marriage.

Don't get me wrong. Weddings are fun to plan and even more fun to attend (especially when there are lots of personal touches), but after the cake is eaten, flowers wilt, and presents are opened, the couple is left with their consecrated marriage. And it's for better -- or for worse.

I'm helping my soon-to-be sister-in-law plan her wedding which should happen in 2010 and there have been a lot of questions about what SHOULD be done. I keep reminding her that it's what she and he WANT done that counts. If it's an unusual day of the week or a casual at-home wedding, that's what counts.

So for all you brides out there planning your big day, involve your groom and decide on what will make you both happy. Don't worry about disappointing your guests. They should be attending because they love you, not for freebies and elaborate hosting.

Some quick ideas on how to set your wedding apart (without breaking the budget):
• Make your own favors that represent your interests (and that can be used again by your guests. Think seed packets, coasters, bookmarks, or personalized pens.
• Buy fresh wildflowers from a local farmer's market or the supermarket and put them in bud vases for table centerpieces.
• In lieu of favors, make a donation to a charity close to your heart.
• Create your own flower arrangements using fresh flowers you've purchased or artificial flowers.
• Put out blank CDs for guests to take with them to burn photos from their digital cameras on. This is a great alternative to disposable table cameras. Your guests can burn the images to CD then send them back to you.
• Use items from previous family weddings such as a hankerchief, a ribbon from a prior wedding, a family pin or heirloom, cake topper.
• If money's really tight look for a reception location attached to your ceremony location (such as a fellowship hall) or book a reception location that will allow you to bring in an outside caterer. Some couples I've photographed have had potluck buffets or they've done a smaller food spread. Or consider doing an afternoon "tea" with appetizers, cake and drink instead of a whole big spread.
• When dress shopping, check out some discount dealers as well as well-established bridal boutiques. If there's a veil you like, consider making it yourself if you're handy. When I got married 7 years ago, I found a veil at David's Bridal that I LOVED (for $200), but couldn't afford. I took the same look and recreated it for $20.
• Help your bridesmaids out by allowing them to either choose their own dress, or having them purchase one they KNOW they'd be able to wear again. Same goes for groomsmen. If you're not tied to tuxedos, consider having the guys buy the same color shirts, ties and pants.

Whatever ways you choose to set your wedding apart, remember that it's not the money that matters... it's your marriage.

Gearing up for spring portraits and weddings!

Spring is fast approaching even though we can't see the green ground yet! And while I have the studio, I love doing outdoor photos.

Now is a great time to look ahead and start planning for those photo album updates! May is usually when the buds start blooming (and before the bugs start buzzing) and it's the perfect time to schedule an outdoor portrait session.

It's also a great time to do that engagement portrait for all you soon-to-be-wed's. What better way to express your love and passion than at a time of year that's full of promise.

I also still have lots of available dates for weddings. I know that with the economy in a downturn, photography might be one of the first things to be trimmed, but don't assume that a pro is out of reach with your budget. I work with a lot of budget brides and can develop a package perfect for your Big Day!

Need more incentive? Mention that you read my blog and get 5% off your wedding or 10% off a portrait session!

Looking forward to a beautiful spring! And because I'm a photographer, here's a picture of my adopted greyhound Laura. She's three and a perfect fit for my family!

Debra Bell

Beauty in everything... my start in photography

Really seeing: that's the point

What is it about capturing a brief moment of someone's life in a still frame? For me, it's about really seeing my subjects -- be they animal, human, or nature. And I think that's what the allure is... it's a chance to make a memory of a moment in time that will stand forever.

I've had a camera in my hand since the time I was a grade schooler. Granted, it wasn't MY camera, but that 110 film camera opened up possibilities... chances to learn how to document the beauty (and quirks) of life.

I gradually graduated to a respectable point-and-shoot 35 mm camera when I was in middle school and my father allowed me to play (supervised, of course) with his consumer level 35 mm SLR camera. I fell in love with the Pentax and all the possibilities it held. My friends, of course, didn't have the appreciation I had for the camera and my first attempts were decent, but amateurish. However, I took the camera everywhere my friends and I went, documenting our exploits. They rolled their eyes and obligingly posed for pictures.

Senior year I took (after much whining to my parents) a course in classic Black and White photography through the art department. It was exhilarating and freeing! I was hopelessly hooked.

When I graduated from High School, and before our big class trip, one of my graduation gifts was my own 35mm camera and some film. I had a ball on our cruise and happily snapped shots of everything I could... friends, the Scotia Price, my friends on the ship, food, sunrise, etc. I was more than hooked. The spark of photojournalism was born in that one special senior year trip.

In college, I continued annoying my friends with my camera and for Christmas got my very first Nikon N-60 SLR film camera. I still have it today although it's been replaced by two digital Nikons. I don't have the heart to get rid of it... It's the impetus for adding photojournalism to my skills in my journalism degree. While the University of Maine didn't offer much in the photojournalism field, I began toting the camera with me and documenting the people, places, and things around me. I interned at two newspapers and used my skills to accent the stories I wrote with photographs I took. When you work at newspapers where the photographers are usually busy with other assignments (and you're an intern) having that one blessed skill is paramount to success.

Then I graduated. There were no journalism jobs open in Maine and I didn't want to move out of state and away from my family and boyfriend. I went to work in the printing field as a typesetter. But when I wasn't working, I was photographing things around me. Fall leaves, summer flowers, animals (particularly squirrels and horses), my friends and my boyfriend, my family. I learned about lighting through books and magazines. And I continued to become hooked. There was just something about using the camera as a vessel to document events and beauty.

When I got engaged, we looked for a photographer but they were all so expensive (keep in mind this was 2001-2002... things have changed a lot, especially pricing). My parents suggested we have my aunts photograph the Big Day, but I stuck to my guns. My aunts, I knew, would do a decent job... but I wanted them to be free to have fun and relax and visit with the other guests. I didn't want them to take on the stress of snapping photos all by themselves. Even though we were on a very limited budget ($500 for photos) we managed to find a great guy from the Lincoln area who did weddings as an added income. They came out lovely and that set me thinking... I love weddings and happy events, I could potentially do wedding photography. A year later, my brother-in-law got engaged and with a severely limited budget they asked me to do their photos. I agreed and got hooked. So I did my research on starting a business and opened Bell Imaging & Design in 2003.

A year later I did my first wedding for a client from Nevada who got married in southern Maine. With a successful wedding under my belt and a thirst to photograph these beautiful events, I branched out and did another springtime wedding. Then a reception for one of my co-workers at the Bangor Daily News.The next year I did six more weddings. Then nine more weddings. I'm already off to a great start this season and can't wait to see the unique things my clients will bring to their nuptials! And the best part of all is that I get to share their day and document every facet. There's nothing like love to make you love your spouse even more and to remind you that in these hard times, it all comes back to basics... the love and support of friends, family, and neighbors.

I tell everyone that my job at the Bangor Daily News (I started in 2006) is enjoyable too... it's my bread and butter. But my photography job is a fun-filled job and I LOVE meeting new people and keeping up relationships with old clients.

That's why my approach is quiet and observant. I'll arrange and "direct" the group pictures, but it's not my job to interfere with the Big Day... just document it. That's where the marriage of photojournalism and artistic touches come into play. I make sure all my client's photos are the best they can be and will do minor retouching when needed to emphasize the photos.

I take the same approach with my portrait clients and event photography. It's not my job to direct your session, just provide insight and quiet guidance. I like to let the natural beauty shine through. After all, my start with photography came with photographing my friends and family. And I can't wait to meet new people! Feel free to visit my Web site at www.bellphotostudio.com to learn more.