Photo by Rene Minnis
Welcome! Let’s chat!
I received my first camera, a Kodak 110, when I was just a tween and with it came the opportunity to be creative. In middle school, I graduated to my mother’s point-and-shoot 35mm camera and was allowed to “play” (supervised, of course) with my father’s Pentax 35mm SLR camera. The Pentax opened up creative avenues the point-and-shoot did not. High school and college photography classes bolstered that passion. Couple the passion with a degree in journalism and I had started to discover my style: photojournalistic.
In 2001, I graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in journalism, but ended up working at the university’s printing department as a typesetter (aka: graphic artist). That job instilled in me a passion for graphic arts and desktop publishing as well as an education in how a printed product goes from concept to finished product. I was also responsible for proofreading, project development, and customer service. I enjoyed the creative aspect of my job at Printing Services, but also continued to develop as a photographer.
In 2001, I got engaged and while planning the wedding, I learned how difficult it was to find a photographer that fit into our $5,000 budget. My family offered to do the photography, but I wanted them to have a good time and visit instead. We found a photographer we could afford and who produced nice pictures. One candid shot got me thinking: I could do something more than just take photos. I could make other people happy and get paid for it!
A year later, my brother-in-law got engaged and with their severely limited budget they hired me to do their photographs. I agreed and instantly got hooked: I had to do this! I did my research on starting a photography business and opened Bell Imaging & Design in 2003.
Since then, I’ve documented wedding days, senior portraits, family portraits, and photographed children and babies. I’ve branched out to photograph group and church directories, pet potraits, and special events. And I love every chance I have to make a person smile or fill a need. How can I help you?
Really seeing: That’s the point.
The technical term for my style is photojournalistic — capturing the moment without orchestrating it. But I view my style as more than that. It’s about capturing the moments, large and small, while setting people (or pets) at ease. A photojournalistic eye also lends itself to more relaxed natural pictures. With photojournalism there are no phony smiles or uncomfortable looks. It’s all you, looking and feeling your best.
I also strive to make all photo sessions fun. Especially with kids and pets, having fun is elementary. Plus, if you’re having fun, you’re relaxed, and that’s when the magic happens.