This past weekend, the NYC-based band Black Taxi played the Bayside Bowl venue in Portland.

Having only heard of the band through friends, but not being thoroughly acquainted with them, I showed up open-minded and excited to hear their sound. Going to live bands is usually pretty fun, most of them time not knowing their songs is fine if you enjoy the vibe they put out. Black Taxi was no exception. The lead singer rocks the stage switching between keyboard, trumpet, to cowbell (yes, I did yell “more cowbell, please!”).  His energy is palpable throughout the room. Behind him every step of the way is his rocking band keeping the momentum going.

I was having an off day, okay, not going to lie, an off weekend, and there are not too many things that can get me out of a funk in an hour in time for a social get together like a live band. Well, there is one thing – my camera. Yes, as cheesy as it sounds, and I’m aware it borderlines velveeta, when I have my camera in my hands sometimes the world disappears and I just focus on what I love. Capturing the shot in challenging low-light conditions with red/blue/yellow spotlights hitting at weird angles. Maintaining a high enough shutter speed to capture the movement of the guys bouncing around the stage, but yet low enough to capture enough light to make it pop. Dropping down to get the shots from the bottom of the stage and then changing lenses to get a wide of the crowd cheering on the band. Ah, heaven.

Despite the fact they only played one set, I was left wanting more, which I suppose means they achieved their goal. Great show, Black Taxi, I’ll be on the lookout for you the next time you are in town. Check out more of the photos from the evening at my facebook page: HAL Photography – Black Taxi.

Happy Holidays to all!

Thank you for a fantastic 2011 full of smiles, fun and laughter.

The simple answer is this: All of my latest, greatest, and awesome photoshoot samples are on my Facebook page. I know, not everyone is on the book. No worries! You don’t need to be a member to check out the group pages. Yes, exciting, right?

Don’t worry, I will be updating on my blog as well after the rush is over. At the moment, I like to make it easier for my clients to instantly see, tag, and share their photos with friends and family from facebook if they have it and choose to have them posted to the site.

So what are you waiting for? Check out my HAL Photography Facebook Page to see what photoshoots are happening now at HAL Photography!

HAL Photography Holiday Portrait Season is underway!

Check out our Holiday Portrait Special for December 2011:

- On-Location Family Portrait Session (backdrop and lighting included)
- Custom editing and posting to online proof website
- Print package including:
- 50 Custom Holiday Cards (Custom Templates to choose from)
- One 8×10″ professional print
- $10 gift credit to use toward any other prints on the proof website
($149)

Email heather at heather@halphotography to book a December Holiday Portrait Session today!

On November 5, 2011 over twenty students in the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia program will be donning their black robes and caps (for real this time, not just for the photoshoot!) and taking those final steps to receive their degree.

I was honored to have been asked to photograph the headshots and formal group portraits of the program’s participants. A fabulous group of students who are on their way to taking on the Nurse Anesthesia world!

Congratulations to you all. You rock!

Fall is my favorite time to photograph. Seriously.

Don’t get me wrong, I love summer beach photos and splashing in the ocean, holiday photos with christmas hats and decorations, but something about the fall crisp air and autumn sunlight just makes it feel special. Enjoying those last few days of warmth before the winter sets in when we are covered from head to toe in layers of clothes… Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. It’s only early fall, so let’s hang onto it for as long as we can.  While we are at it, let’s capture it too!

HAL Photography is filling up quickly for our fall portrait sessions. We have a few openings left for Columbus Day Weekend (Oct 8 – Oct 10). Leave us a comment below or email HAL photography to find out more info about booking your family fun portrait session today!

Meet the Somma Family!

We had a fantastic day at Ft. Williams  / Portland Headlight in Cape Elizabeth, Maine recently with the Somma Family. They were a fun and laid-back family who were heading out on the road to move away soon and wanted to grab some portraits of their new addition to the family in one of their favorite Maine locations.

The weather was perfect, their baby girl was adorable and such a beautiful ‘tiny human’. We couldn’t have asked for a better day or setting before they began their journey to their new home.

Congrats again Somma Family. Thank you for choosing HAL Photography as your maine family portrait photographer!

Check out my Photographer’s Favorites – Slideshow to view some of my top pics of our day:

late summer | tiki torch

hal photography

Meet Elliot! He is a fun little man with a head full of curly hair! As in the past, many families want to get photos of their little boys before they need to chop off their hair for one reason or another. (For many, it’s a few too many lollipops getting stuck…) Of course, the hair grows back, but that first batch of beautiful hair is always the best.

Elliot was so much fun to photograph. It took him a bit to warm up to me, which allowed me to get some fantastic candid/serious shots of him. However, once his mom told me that he loves chasing her around the park and cracks up hysterically, I knew it had to be done. Word to the wise, when running backwards in flip flops on uneven grassy terrain, keep a very solid hold of the camera when you’ve got it down at knee level and firing off shots! Ha.

Elliot’s birthday is coming up in a couple weeks and he’s going to be, you guessed it, two years old! He’s learning to tie his own shoes (see below), put on his own pants, and of course, dress up like a fireman!

Happy 2nd birthday Elliot!

Recently, I captured the momentous wedding day of Jess & Mike on York Beach.

It was an absolutely magnificent day, filled with sunshine, a few clouds, and a light breeze. The ceremony was small with only immediate family attending. It was exactly what they wanted at the picturesque location of York Beach, Maine. I would sit here and type about their undying love and admiration for each other, how every look was one of trust, happiness, and love,  but I’ll let the photo speak for itself :-) Oh how I do love wedding days!