Mackenzie and Stewart's Maine Engagement Portraits in Cape Elizabeth
Mackenzie and Stewart's Maine Engagement Portraits in Cape Elizabeth

When I met these two a few months ago, I knew right away they had a special connection. I was so excited when they decided to do a winter engagement session at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Two Lights State Park was the perfect place for an engagement session. The land overlooks a rocky Maine coast and two historic lighthouses are the park's landmarks.

The freshly-fallen snow was perfect for this outdoor winter session. I loved how they braved the cold and hiking through the snow effortlessly! The couple also brought along their dog, Pogie, who made his appearances a couple of times. He seemed to really like the camera and even posed for me at one point!

I asked Mackenzie and Stewart to share a little about their relationship and engagement:

 How did you two meet?

We actually grew up in the same hometown as children and technically met in 2nd grade. We had a brief (3 weeks at best!) junior high romance that we love to laugh about now. We remained friends throughout the years and kept in contact with each other throughout our various life stages. After college we became close again as the summer months drew us back to our hometown in Midcoast Maine which is where we fell in love. 

What did you do on your first date?

We spent the day boating on the lake together basking in the sun followed by a romantic dinner. 

When and where did your engagement take place? Please describe the proposal.

Our engagement happened on July 26, 2014 and coincidentally resembles our first date in many ways, but with a lot more history and memories to fond over! We were at Mackenzie's family cottage on the lake spending a day with close friends. The day wound down and we were preparing to leave for dinner.

"Stewart swears that I brushed my hair for 2 hours inside the house as he awaited for me to join everyone outside. Once I rejoined the group, Stewart took my hand and asked me to go for a walk onto the dock. Surprise! Stewart got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said YES!  Of course, our friends were all in on the proposal and had champagne waiting for all of us to celebrate. It was my perfect proposal."

What are some activities or hobbies that you love doing together?

We love spending time with our dog, Pogie. We enjoy boating, hiking, camping, flying in Stewart's plane, traveling, exploring new places, bowling, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and many more activities.

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I'm looking forward to photographing the couple's wedding on September 10th, 2016 at the Falmouth Country Club.

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Rebecca and Daniel's Fall Themed New Hampshire Wedding
Rebecca and Daniel's Fall Themed New Hampshire Wedding

I had the honor of working again with the lovely and talented Autumn Wells of Autumn Bliss Photography. I already knew before the big day that Autumn and I make a great team. Earlier this year, Autumn had been my second shooter for Elizabeth and Jason's Rustic Farm Maine Wedding. This time, our roles would be reversed, as I would be second shooting for her. I admit that as much as I love shooting my own weddings, I really love second shooting too. It allows me to tell the story from a unique and creative perspective.

Rebecca and Daniel's wedding took place on Saturday, October 24th, 2015. I arrived at St. Mary's Church in Rollinsford, New Hampshire where the couple's wedding ceremony would take place and I began photographing family and friends as they arrived for the wedding. Rebecca and Daniel had a full mass, traditional Catholic wedding.

The wedding reception, which took place at the Portsmouth Country Club in Greenland, NH, was decorated beautifully with fall themed décor and dark blue accents, such as silk tablecloths. Even the DJ lighting matched the décor, as it glowed a deep blue throughout the dining room and dance floor. The wedding party ventured outside for formal portraits with a scenic fall backdrop. It was by far the chilliest wedding I've photographed all season (it is also the last wedding I will photograph in 2015).

After Rebecca and Daniel were announced into the reception for their Grand Entrance, everyone in attendance of the wedding gathered outside for a large group photo. Autumn and I took the photos from the second story balcony. When everyone was back in the dining room, the couple shared their first dance and heartfelt toasts were given by the best man and maid of honor. The rest of the evening, the couple and their guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and an overall wonderful evening of celebration.

Autumn Bliss Photography and Trina Dinnar Photography are Maine wedding photographers traveling throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond!

St. Mary's Church Wedding - Rollinsford, NH
Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
My 2015 Year in Review [from Behind the Lens]
My 2015 Year in Review [from Behind the Lens]

As 2015 comes to an end, I find myself reliving the year through the images that I captured. There were so many amazing moments both in my professional work and in my personal life. The year began with my daughter's two year cake smash session, which was more work than I'd ever put into any session ever. Most of the items I handmade, including the cake! We had one of the longest winters I can remember. Amy and Eric's Engagement session on Willard beach was the coldest session I've photographed to date -- a mere -8 degrees!

In March, I had the opportunity to photograph a dear college friend and the arrival of her first child. I am so very happy to have captured this very special time for her. As the year went on and spring came, the daffodils were in full bloom. I did a family session for a college friend, Holly and her husband and two boys. The location was so beautiful, I took my daughter, Lydia to the same location for a mini session. Next came Elizabeth and Jason's engagement session on the farm. They included their horses and steer which I thought was a really great idea!

When May came, I had my first wedding of 2015, which was Amy and Eric's wedding at the Bethel Inn. I'm proud to say that the Inn now has these images framed and on display in their lobby. Also in May, I photographed my neighbor's kids with their cousin for their annual photo session. Later that same month, I photographed Jessica and Kyle's engagement session in Lewiston, Maine.

In June, I had the opportunity to second shoot for Jessica Jaccarino from Jessica Jaccarino Photography at the Barn on Walnut Hill and Leah Arsenault from Leah Fisher Photography in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

July brought three more weddings. First was Elizabeth and Jason's rustic farm wedding followed by Devon and Michael's Boothbay Harbor wedding. The final wedding in July was one I photographed as a second shooter for Annemarie Kopey of Blossom N' Bloom Photography. It was a gorgeous wedding at the Nonantum resort in Kennebunkport Maine.

In August, I photographed Amanda and Paul's beach wedding at Joseph's By the Sea in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Also that month, I did Deanna's senior photos and second shot a breathtaking Pineland Farms wedding with Amy Foy of Soul Child Photography.

The fall was the busiest time of 2015. It included Nicole and Kyle's backyard wedding in South Berwick, Jessica and Kyle's wedding at the Franco American center in Lewiston, Maine and Diana and Curt's wedding in Alna, Maine. I also had the opportunity to second shoot with some amazingly talented local photographers including Angela DiPhilippo of Life Portraits by Angela, Andrea Simmons from Andrea Simmons Photography, Cassandra Henri from Cassandra Henri Photography and Autumn Wells from Autumn Bliss photography.

In late fall, I photographed two wonderful engagement sessions: Sara and Jeremiah in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Emily and Tom's in York, Maine. Lastly, in December, I photographed Cassandra Henri with her recent fiancé and son, Julian on the Polar Express train ride in Portland, Maine. That brings me all the way through yesterday, where I took my daughter outside to play in the first snow that has fallen this season.

Wow, it's been an amazing year and I've met some wonderful people, made new friends and traveled throughout New England capturing special moments in people's lives. I'm so honored to have documented each and every person's precious memories and I am so excited for what 2016 has in store!

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Maine Portrait Photographer | Polar Express 2015
Maine Portrait Photographer | Polar Express 2015

I'm taking a little break from blogging weddings this week to share a unique family session I had the wonderful opportunity of photographing. When a friend of mine (who also happens to be a wedding photographer) asked me to photograph her family's trip to the Polar Express in Portland, Maine, I was so excited! I've never had the opportunity to experience such a ride and I'm very glad she chose me to document this special Christmas occasion.

As for the back story, Cassandra and I met through a local photography group and have photographed a couple weddings together. Being in Portland brought back memories of our last experience photographing a wedding together — one which we'll likely not soon forget (but that story is for another day).

The Polar Express train ride departed from the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine. The lobby was decorated in Polar Express decor and I watched as all of the families that were to ride the train arrived. The kids wore their pajamas as to mimic the movie. It was also very nice that the train conductor stopped to take pictures with all of the kids.

The train soon arrived and we all got on board. The conductor went around to all of the train cars and punched the tickets of all of the children. Next, the chefs arrived and served hot chocolate and cookies while the music from the movie's soundtrack played in the background. The chefs read the entire Polar Express book while holding up the books so the kids could look at the pictures. The train then came to a stop and when we looked out the windows, we saw houses lit up for Christmas and Santa's sleigh. Santa came onto the train and greeted all of the kids. They were so excited!

The first gift of Christmas was announced and all the kids got a shiny silver bell (which only they could hear, of course). I am very glad I got to photograph this wonderful occasion. A big congratulations to Cassandra and Derek on their Engagement!

Trina Dinnar
Amanda and Peter's Elegant Garden Wedding at Pineland Farms
Amanda and Peter's Elegant Garden Wedding at Pineland Farms

I had the fortunate opportunity to photograph alongside Amy Foy of Soul Child Photography. When we met to discuss the details of the day, I knew this wedding would be one to remember. The ceremony and reception took place at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine. It is truly one of the most beautiful, immaculate wedding venues I have worked at to date. Pineland Farms is a 5000 acre farm currently working as a business campus and a recreational and educational facility. It's also a perfect place to get married — as the breathtaking rural landscapes, floral gardens, and apple orchards are sure to make any wedding both scenic and memorable.

Amanda and Peter's wedding took place on August 15th, 2015. Photographing the guys getting ready was so much fun. The men gathered around a laptop and watched YouTube videos on how to tie a bow tie. Specifically, they watched a Bill Nye the Science guy video!

When I arrived at Pineland Farms, dark clouds were rolling in and it began to rain quite heavily. The ceremony was about to start and no one quite knew what to do. When the time came, we grabbed our rain gear and headed out for the apple orchard, where the ceremony would take place. The miniature apple orchard was splendid, and I soon forgot about the rain. Everyone gathered in carrying umbrellas and sat in rows of white chairs that lined the apple trees on each side. There were moments when the rain subsided during the ceremony. Nevertheless, the ceremony went on and couldn't have been more perfect.

The couple's portraits took place in a nearby flower garden. Quite simply, it was one of the most beautiful settings for wedding portraits I've seen. Amanda and Peter soon greeted their wedding guests at the reception and enjoyed all the usual wedding-day festivities. From the cake cutting to the last dance, the wedding reception was a wonderful celebration that included the couple's closest family and friends. It is my  hope that I have another opportunity to work with the talented Amy Foy and that I will photograph many more beautiful weddings at Pineland Farms.

Intimate bride groom portraits by southern Maine wedding photographer, Trina Dinnar
Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography