Hope & Help

I have to start by saying that the thing I miss most about all of this social distancing is you. I’m not lying or exaggerating. Taking pictures and making portraits is fulfilling in a way that I have taken for granted for many years.

I am going to get a bit real here, too. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I also miss taking pictures because when I don’t work, I don’t have any income. Zero, zilch, nada. This is not a side hustle or a hobby. This is a profession that I love and that I have been lucky enough to pursue in order to provide for my family. I work hard to constantly improve my skills and run my business responsibly. Quarter one is typically a lean time of year for portrait photographers anyway, but a complete shut down is something else altogether.

The last time I had a client was in early March when the concept of “social distancing” wasn’t the household phrase it is today. Within a couple of hours of the first person in Maine testing positive for COVID-19 I lost all client work scheduled in March and April… which makes perfect sense.

Sigh. But boy does it stink. I love my job. I love documenting your lives and capturing moments in time that show your family dynamics so beautifully. I am daydreaming about the time when we can be silly and carefree in front of the camera again. I am hoping the day comes sooner rather than later that struggling small businesses will prevail and I can continue to serve and celebrate you & your family.

What’s this REALLY all about, Meg?

Well, maybe you’re in a position to help a small business during this challenging time. Or maybe you aren’t but you can share with someone who might be.

Here are a few ideas for how you can support your favorite photographer (and many other small businesses):

1. Buy gift certificates for a future shoot.
You can purchase gift certificates that can be used at any time in the future.
*Option 1 – Purchase your session and pay in full, locking in your rate.
*Option 2 – Purchase a gift certificate in any amount that can be applied dollar for dollar when you book your session.

2. Buy ART Prints
We’re all spending a lot more time in our homes these days! Why not order a fine art print to beautify your home? You can visit my store and purchase a regular print or an amazing metal print. Here’s the link to current offerings. If you apply the code “WARM” you will save 20%.

3. Order Prints from your Last Session
Want to order items from your session? Just ask! I’m happy to re-open your gallery (whenever possible) without applying the reloading fee so that you can order prints or digital images. Heck, maybe we’ll even use the “WARM” code to save you 20% on these, too!

4. Book a Future Session This situation will NOT last forever. Look ahead. Book a senior session for the class of 2021 or a summer or fall family session. Give your current 2020 seniors the gift of a “friend” shoot to celebrate graduation (not NOW, but when the dust settles…) No, really. Think about that. What a fun thing to look forward to.

5. Please don’t cancel your session
At this time, I am planning to resume sessions as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are concerned about a date we have already agreed on, just reach out and we can discuss smart & safe options.

This pandemic is one for the history books. So many small businesses rely on a steady clientele to thrive and pay the bills. I’m reaching out in hope. Hope that you’ll plan on getting back to normal AND plan on getting in front of my lens soon.

Things might not look the way we expected them to, but we can still do extraordinary things.

Be well.
Be kind.
Look out for one another (you know, from 6 feet away).

With love,

Meg

THE 365 PROJECT {2019} | March – MAINE FAMILY AND SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

March is OVER!!

89 days into my 364 (I started January 2nd) day photo challenge.

1/4 of the way thru the year.

Some days my image didn’t feel fresh. Some days were a struggle. One day I was in the hospital 2 hours away with Rob so that day I had to use my iPhone. (He’s on the mend, by the way!) But I didn’t miss a photo. And now the days are getting longer and the snow is nearly gone and pretty soon I’ll be knee deep in the waves with my camera in hand! I’m booking families and seniors and while life is warming up the calendar is filling up!

Here are my March pictures… have a favorite? Let me know!

 

 

Thank you for the likes, the comments, and the encouragement!

Warmly,

Meg

 

THE 365 PROJECT {2019} | FEBRUARY – MAINE FAMILY AND SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

TWO months down! I love so many of these pictures. And I have to say, my girls are such rock stars about this. So often when I ask, “want to help me make a picture” they jump right on board. My favorite is when they say “how about if we…” Thank you, Lucy and Sitota!

And I love- so much- when they come in after a long day and they ask, “what’s your photo of the day, Mama?”

Their encouragement and interest are so motivating for me!

Here’s February, friends!

Thank you for following along. Thank for your encouragement in the form of your likes, your shares, and your comments.

Here’s to MARCH!

Warmly,
Meg

A STRONG Update

About this time last year, I launched a personal project that shined a light on strong women. It allowed me to tell a story of how when and why we feel strong.

It was life-affirming, empowering and humbling to be a part of this storytelling.

Real Talk:

As I do from time to time, I underestimated the whys and wherefores of making this a weekly project. Then I kicked myself when I wasn’t able to stay on course. Then I found some grace that reminded me that the day of the week or week of the month or even month of the year were not the important aspect of this endeavor.

Creating a visual for all of the different ways we, as women, feel strong, was the end goal.  The ultimate accomplishment was to show that in spite of the times we feel exhausted and undervalued and beaten down and flawed and unequal, and weak, we can rise up. We can resist. We can lift one another and we can stand tall. We are, in fact, STRONG.

Then I kicked myself again because work became busier and my STRONG project really, really lapsed.

But today, on International Women’s Day, I am inviting you again to show me your STRONG. Because now, more than ever, we need to believe that we are strong,  and we need to share our STRONG with the world.

If you are interested in being featured, please complete THIS FORM RIGHT HERE.  

If you completed the form last time around, I am starting FRESH this time around, so please do it again.
I’m not setting a time frame for completing this project. I’m not promising myself (or you) weekly features. I’m going to roll with it and just keep telling these stories. I want little girls and big girls and young women and old women and white women and black women and brown women. I want wild and crazy and calm and serene. I want to see all of the ways we show our STRONG.
Do you want to be a part of this?

P.S. STRONG portrait sessions are offered at no charge to accepted participants. To thank you for your participation, any products you wish to purchase will be offered at a 25% discount. Of course, there is no obligation to buy.

Tracy Family: Extended Family Session in Standish, Maine

One morning in Maine… yes, that’s right, I said morning.

<Pause>

I shoot almost exclusively during the Golden Hour, the hour-ish before the sun sets. The sun is at an angle that lets me play with rim light and sun flare and the warm golden tones are… magical.

But when you talk about gathering 17 people across 4 generations it becomes more about scheduling and less about the sun. After all, regardless of the sun, the true magic comes from the people. Always.

<end pause>

So, one morning in Maine I arrived at a family farm in Standish. It was a beautiful fall day and the sun shone on vibrant leaves to create a spectacular backdrop.

The property was gorgeous. The family’s creativity and vision were clear. My first set up allowed me to capture the environment. I knew when I snapped the picture that it would be suited to a large HUGE print or canvas. No dinky print for this one. In my home, this would be a 30×40 canvas hanging over my fireplace. Hmmm. Would it be weird to hang a canvas of this beautiful family in my house? Something to ponder…

Next, we moved into some closer shots of the whole crew:

Now we’ve captured the crew together. So we’re done.

 

Except we had all of these cousins to capture. I love cousin pictures. They’re so special.

There were also a few families. With the prevalence of smartphones, we take a LOT of pictures. My own camera roll currently contains 7,670 photos and 489 videos. (It might be time to back-up and clear it out, eh?) With the prevalence of smartphones, we don’t print a lot of pictures. There aren’t a lot of current pictures under magnets on our refrigerators or in frames on out bureaus. Oh, but there should be.

 

And couples? When was the last time there was a picture of you and your beloved?

So, now we’re done. Except for the pictures with the parents. And grandparents, and of course the great grandparents… We’re so not done…

And a bunch more that makes the family The Family… such sweetness in these moments.

And last but not least, I share this picture that will forevermore be in my top favorite pictures ever taken.

This groom eloped with his bride 60 years ago. They don’t have wedding pictures from that day.

But they do have this one.

This picture, which, when paired with the others from that October morning, tells a beautiful story.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Tracy, for allowing me to spend time with your beautiful family. It was so special.

-Meg

BEAUTY REVIVED: #50beautifulseniors

Meg Hatch Photography is honored to be one of 50 photographers who’ve been chosen to participate in Beauty Revived’s 2018 senior campaign. This is an opportunity to shine light on a local high school senior who is beautiful. It’s an opportunity to find the good, and tell a great story. Light & storytelling. 2 of my favorite things!

We are looking for a unique member of the class of 2018. A person who shows their beauty through large or small acts of strength, kindness, leadership, compassion, grace, and love. Or any combination thereof.

You know.
Someone who totally rocks.

 

The selected senior will receive:

A super-sized photoshoot with Meg Hatch Photography.

Professional hair & makeup.

Professional wardrobe styling.

A chance to win a $1500 Beauty Revived scholarship.

A published article sharing their story in Beauty Revived Jan 2018 Print Magazine and Online

Please visit Beauty Revived to learn more about their mission.

I cannot wait to read your nominations! (Nominations will close on August 20, 2017).