A Weekend At The Lake

This weekend we packed up the dog, our "weekend at the lake" gear and hit the open road. We were off to Maine (middle of no-where Maine to be exact) to spend a few days with my sister in law and her husband for their annual Memorial Weekend Celebration. Steph and Tom have been asking us to come up to their lake house to celebrate the holiday for several years now and this was the year we finally were able to make it happen! 16 people, 5 dogs and lots of laughs make for one memorable weekend! The boys went fishing, the girls sun bathed and read. We played card games and went for walks. I even manged in a few runs. In general it was a weekend of relaxation with a "do whatever you'd like" attitude. It took a bit, but by the second day we were able to sit back, kick up our feet and relax.

As a small business owner it can be hard to make boundaries for yourself. It's easy and often justifiable to work day, night, and weekends without much differentiation between real life and business life. What can be even harder is giving yourself permission to put the work down, to step away, and to have some time for yourself.

But every time I make the time to carve out space in my life for Dave and I, I return more refreshed, more ready to tackle the work, more excited to do what I do. So while it was hard for me to "let go", I did my best to allow myself to relax and enjoy a weekend full of friends, family and DOGS. I hope you did too!

Maya was SO excited to hit the open road, feel the wind in her fur and ride free! ;)

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Schoodic Lake is one of the prettiest and best kept secrets of Maine!

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Nothing beats some good ole s'mores!

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There is nothing more peaceful than watching the sunset on a calm lake with a cool breeze blowing in the air while the loons sing to one another.

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Playing peek a boo with Maya... she won. :)

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Relaxation is copious amounts of Vitamin D and fruit salad!

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After a long walk with the dogs they zonked on the deck.

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Are you obsessed with Instagram or just want to see an obscene amount of photos of Maya? Join me @deborahzoe !

Who I Am.

I'm quiet.

But once you get me talking I don't stop.

I talk with my hands.

I might hit you for emphasis or squeal with excitement.

I laugh a little too loud.

I have bright red hair.

I wear my heart on my sleeve and have never been able to hide my emotions.

I love being athletic. But athletic I am not.

I'm not thin. I'm pleasantly plump.

I love my husband and our little animal family.

We live simply but we live life to the full.

We are surrounded by friends and family who we love dearly.

I am blessed to work with some of the most amazing people in the world.

I love chocolate and salt. Too much.

I love Kate Spade and Coach and Sperry's and Target.

I believe in Jesus and God and miracles.

I care to much about what people think of me.

But then I don't care at all.

I'm shy, timid and an all together wall flower.

But then again, I'm outgoing.

I'm a contradiction through and through.

Love me or hate me, this is who I am. And little by little, I'm learning to embrace it all.

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Photo credit  Justin & Mary.

Love Grows Stronger

Having been married for almost six years (in July, what what!) Dave and I have learned a thing or two about marriage. But one of the major themes that I have noticed in the last few years that keeps coming back and back is: love grows stronger. When Dave and I were married six years ago, I never imagined being able to love him more. I thought I knew him deeply and I couldn't fathom how that could grow any more. HA! I was oh so naive.

Because that is exactly what marriage does. It grows your love, it matures your love and it deepens the relationship you share. The more life Dave and I have experienced together, good and bad, the more I have known him. And the more I know him, the more the intimacy of our relationship deepens. And the more intimate our love is, the more it grows.

It's hard, I think, at times to fathom spending a lifetime together with the same person. How could you possibly love one person for the rest of your life? And that statement is partially true. How could you? How could you continue to love the same person for the rest of your life if your LOVE for that person never changes? If my love for Dave stayed stagnant, in the same place that it was six years ago when I said "I Do", we would never grow and our relationship would suffer. It would never acknowledge the history and experiences that we have shared together and it would never be an accurate reflection of our current relationship. Love only grows stronger because we change and grow together

On our wedding day, when I thought I couldn't love him more, I had no idea what the future held for us. And make no mistake these past years have been work. We have worked diligently to grow and mature our relationship. Sometimes fighting for it. Today I'm so thankful for that work.

Looking back makes me excited for the future. Because honestly I can't imagine loving Dave more. But we still have many more years of life to go. A house full of kids, college tuitions and grey hair. How will that grow us, change us, shape us and mold us? How different our love will look? How much more filled will my heart be looking back on a life shared together? What a great day that will be when we are old and grey, seeing the grand picture of how our love has changed and grown and shaped who we are.

Love only grows stronger.

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One Whole Year Later

I can't believe it. One. whole. year. We've had our little Maya Boo for one whole year! I remember when we were signing the documents to take her home, I looked to Dave, anxious about what we were doing. The woman who was helping us adopt Maya looked at me and said, "Don't worry! Puppies are a lot of work, but they are so much fun!" Ok lady, if you say so. Little did I know that taking Maya home that day would be one of the best decisions we've made together. She is the love of our life, my constant companion and I can't imagine our family without her. I just love her so. And despite the fact that she is a "special" dog (meaning she's anxious and very afraid of Dave) we are so proud of just how far she's come in this past year! She's almost a fully adjusted dog! Which if you knew her when we first got her, you know this has been no small feat!

As I write this post, she just popped up to say hello, gave me a kiss on the hand and went back to sitting by the window. Eepp, love her. For someone who never grew up with dogs I find it hard to believe that I am now the woman who has to meet every dog that comes by. I never thought I could own a dog, and yet now I can't imagine my life without one.

Maya is the best dog. She is so much fun, brings so much life to our home and is a bundle of adorableness. She is by far the best birthday present I've ever received! Here's a little look back on our past year together! Can't wait to see what she'll do next!

This is us taking her home. For the first few weeks she hid in that corner by the couch. Ok, so she still kind of likes to do that. What can we do? She's a cave dog:)

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For the first few weeks we kept her crate out in the living room. Hard to believe that she's twice the size that she was!

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Ohhh, little puppy ears!

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Can't wait for the spring! Walks in the Fells are in order!

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It was about half way through last year that she grew into the size she currently is:)

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Maya with her girls:) Aka the puppies of other photographers:)

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She is the most adorable huh?!

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Love this dog so much!

Welcome 2012! It's Time To Get Personal!

Happy New Year everyone! I'm back to the grind today after a much needed and restful few weeks off:) It was great spending time with family and friends and being lazy with the husband. We enjoyed Christmas and New Years with lots of days of laying around the house doing NOTHING. I felt so guilty at times, but it was good for both of us to just take a moment to relax. We deserve to be able to sit on the couch and read a book all day, especially Dave! I also took advantage of the fact that Dave was home and organized the basement. It was his favorite activity of the whole week. *cue sarcasm* Anywhoo, our time off has left me refreshed and ready to take on 2012. I'm so excited for what this new year might hold in store, although I'm not really sure why. Perhaps because it's an even numbered year? Or because I am moving in to my second year of working from home? Or because a new year holds so many possibilities? Whatever the reason, I can't wait to start things off right!

Part of starting the year off right is making a commitment to the blog. I blog regularily, five days a week and use my blog as one of my main ways of communicating with the world. I love blogging and feel very passionately about sharing with you here! When I first started this blog WAAYYY back in 2009, my goal was to share both my personal and business life with you. And because I was just starting out in my business most of what I had to share was personal! But as the business grew and as the blog grew more and more posts were dedicated to weddings and engagements and portraits, as it should be! The downside to this though, was that the blog lost a little bit of that personal feeling that was so important to me at the beginning.

To start 2012 off right I am making a commitment to share more of my life with you here on the blog. Of course I will still share lots of beautiful couples and families and friends but in between those posts my hope is to sprinkle in a bit more about who I am and what is happening in my life. I want this blog to be a digital scrapbook of life. I want you to read this blog to see images but also get to know who I am as a person, because so much of who I am as a person makes up who I am as a photographer!

So get ready 2012, it's time to get personal!

Here's a look at how we enjoyed the last two weeks of 2011:) 1. We hung out with our besties who we only get to see twice a year:( 2. We made home made ice cream with our new ice cream maker!! 3. I am finishing up Entreleadership to share on Bookworm. 4. I was sick on New Years Eve and spent the day eating soup and watching movies. 5. We bought some sparkling wine for New Years and were able to find MUMM!! Our favorite spot in Napa! 6. We visited Dave's family farm and saw all his cousins. There were an abundance of red heads in attendance:) 7. Maya boo found her new favorite blanket. 8. Maya was all tuckered out after all the Christmas festivities were said and done. 9. That Santa has been in my family since 1958 I believe and it sits in our backyard every Christmas. It is so special to me. 10. Christmas Eve in New England revolves around the Patriots game. Duh. 11. My Godson Mason (he's 2) picked out this book for me for Christmas! Maybe with a little help from mom;) 12. We painted the bedroom! Operation Bedroom Revamp is underway! 13. Maya got a duck for Christmas. 14. I scored some awesome Target deals the day before Christmas Eve. 15. Our besties surprised us with the best presents ever! Dave got a package of bacon products and I received a beeswax camera candle! 16. I'm becoming preppier every day! 17. I conquered on of my fears and GOALS and vlogged!! Hopefully more to come in the 2012! 18. We had lots of fires in our fireplace! 19. Dave has made a goal to hold Maya more and talk to her in a lady voice. We'll see if this make her like him.... 20. I got stuck in traffic on the Zakim Bridge, but at least it's a beautiful site!!

Out On The Edge

When I first decided to make the leap to become full time wedding photographer I was scared. No, petrified. I was leaving all that I knew, all that I had worked SO hard for. I went to school to become a news photographer. I spent five years working nights and weekends, covering floods, funerals, courtrooms and football games. I won awards and accolades and our newsroom became my home. But suddenly here I was giving my two weeks notice. What was I doing? I knew what I needed to do. My heart was screaming "Follow Your Dreams" but my rational side was pulling me back, into reality. How could I make a living as a wedding photographer? It's too risky. This is safe. This is where you belong. Stay.

But I knew better. The call to follow my dream was stronger than any rational fear I conjure up in my mind. Now was my time to step out on the edge and jump.

Almost nine months later, I've worked just as hard as I did these past five years, to build a strong foundation for my business. I've enjoyed every minute of celebrating with each couple I have worked with.

On Saturday I was reminded of how much I love what I do. I was reminded WHY I do what I do. I was reminded of how important my job is, documenting the beginning of a couple's love story, documenting the power of  a great love story.

As I drove home I thought about my previous job. I thought about how long I struggled with the question of whether or not I should become a wedding photographer. And I smiled knowing that I followed my heart and trusted in God to provide a way. I took a step of faith, out on the edge, and jumped.

Now here I am living it all out.

I had to add this. We all know I love everything about Indiana Jones....

J'Adore: So You Think You Can Dance

Wednesday nights during the summer are a sacred time in the Parker household. Why? Well because it's So You Think You Can Dance night!! Every summer since this show aired I've been a dedicated fan, loving every minute of each choreographed hour. Perhaps it's the fact that I danced until I was 13 or the fact that music has been such a huge part of my life since I was born. Either way, this show, just speaks to me.

Dance speaks to my soul. I find pure expression through movement set to music, there is just something so special about these two things put together.

So it's not surprise that I just love So You Think You Can Dance, my weekly summer escape. Here's my all time favorite routine from the show's 8 seasons. Enjoy and take some time today to just let go and dance. (Like no one is watching of course:))

Maya Is Growing Up

Happy Fourth of July everyone:)! I hope you are spending time with family and loved ones on this beautiful, albeit, HOT day:) This year, I am extra grateful for the time that I get to spend with my family. Last year at this time I was still a news photographer and for those of you who don't know already, the news never sleeps. That meant that we'd work holidays, nights, weekends you name it. After five years of the uncertainty of having a holiday off, this year was a welcomed change. I'm so thankful to own a business that let's me make my own schedule. One that allows me to spend with those I love. What a joy.

Speaking of family, it's been almost seven months since a white little puppy named Maya came into our lives. It's been a challenge, a fun, but difficult challenge. Rescuing Maya has been one of the best decisions that we have made but that doesn't mean it's been easy. There have been accidents, things have been destroyed, not to forget that Maya is STILL scared of Dave. We've faced a strong learning curve when it comes to dog ownership.

But despite all of this we can't imagine our life without this energetic little fur ball. She brings a certain life to our home, a sweetness that we adore. And so while we still find ourselves saying "Leave it,", "Maya!" and "Oh no, what does she have?", life is just so much better with her around.

Some of Maya's favorite things as of late:

• PUPPIES
• Food
• Running
• Our back yard
• Chasing Jasmine
• Food

This is Maya relaxing in our backyard. The ever vigilant dog making sure that the strange bird noise she just heard isn't some sort of monster trying to eat us. What can we say, she's our dog; she's dramatic;)

So I hope that you get to spend time with those that you love. And if you have to work today, I feel your pain. But just think what a year could bring. A new profession? A new freedom? Or just maybe a little white furball all your own?

Happy Anniversary House

The other day as my husband walked into our home, arms full of dog and cat food, Joe from the market across the street, yelled to Dave. "Why don't you get rid of those guys and just have kids?!" Welcome to our neighborhood. Two years ago today we closed on our first home. A quirky, uniquely built cape on the top of a hill. We never dreamed of some of the things that have happened in the last two years in this home. Most recently the welcoming of a pup named Maya. Last year I wrote about my thoughts of living in our home after one year. And while perhaps the rose colored glasses have turned more into a normal shade of reality, I can say that we still love our home, our neighborhood, quirks and all.

Where else could I run across the street to Jim's Market when the thunderstorms are blaring up above (did you know I'm petrified of thunderstorms?) Where else could Maya help us meet our neighborhood of dog lovers? Where else could I train for running on some of the steepest hills in Boston? Where else would Joe make fun of me for the rest of the year for being scared of thunderstorms? Maybe we could do all these things other places. But they wouldn't mean as much. These experiences, these memories are what make our house, a home. A place where we can come at the end of the day and know that we can leave the stress at the door. A place where people are welcomed and loved. A place where Dave and I can grow together and fall more deeply in love. We may not be here forever, but this home will always hold a special place in the story of our life. And I just know, that someday when we move, a piece of our heart will be left with this house.

I had grand plans of walking around the house with my 5d and making "real" photos of our home. Instead my trusty point and shoot will have to do. Welcome to our humble home. A place of love, joy and puppies.

An iPhone Weekend

Ooohh technology. It's changing so fast and I'll be the first to admit that I'm not good with change. I JUST purchased my first smart phone this past Spring and while it took just about forever for me to buy, I can't imagine my life without it! Only down fall? It aids in my addiction to Facebook... With this iPhone comes the camera. People are doing SO much with their tiny iPhone camera. So in an effort to embrace change instead of ignoring it, I thought that I should start playing more with my iPhone. This weekend on a short trip to New York City to visit our good friend Courtney, I decided to make a effort to find images within my iPhone.

Let me tell you... it's HARD. Shooting with that iPhone and actually making a successful image is challenging. None of these are award winning images, but they're fun. So here's to a new challnege. And to fun trips to visit friends. And brunch, glorious, glorious brunch.

1. The Subway.

2. Brunch at Madiba in Brooklyn

3. Zoe. It's my store.

4. The view from a park in Dumbo and the place of many many weddings...

5. Who knew our street was in Brooklyn too? ;-P

6. The view from Courtney's rooftop in Crown Heights.

7. Tom's Restaurant, amazing brunch.

8. A vanilla egg cream, a Brooklyn creation.

9. The view from our short shopping trip to Union Square.

10. The Flat Iron building.

Courtney, thanks for living in NYC. We love visiting you. Even if we have to run like crazy people through the streets of Manhattan to catch our bus. It's all worth it just to spend time with you:)!