Tony Llerena Photography - Bangor Maine Wedding and Portrait Photographer

God Bless America Land That I Love

Tony Llerena — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:53:34 +0000

In June of 2012, my family and I embarked on the longest road trip of our lives. We decided it would be a great idea to drive from Hampden, ME to Denver, CO in order to save money and see the country on our way to a wedding. While the kids will probably have been too young to remember it, the trip was long and memorable and one of the coolest experiences of our lives. Two weeks of driving doesn’t leave a lot of time for photography but I tried my best to take the camera out every so often.

Below are some of my favorite images from the trip. Do you recognize any of the locations? Let me know what you think and where I should take the family on our next trip!

Jeff | Bangor Model Photographer

Tony Llerena — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:51:37 +0000

I can’t wait until the temperature warms up and it’s easier to shoot outdoors. We had a lucky break in the weather in that it was merely really cold instead of bitterly cold. I was able to put my strobe to good use even though it was windy. My decision to go with the Paul C Buff beauty dish over the PLM seems to have paid off since I can actually use it in adverse conditions. See for yourself.

Jeremy and Stacey’s Wedding Day | Morgan Hill Event Center

Tony Llerena — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:54:09 +0000

December weddings are quite a bit more challenging to shoot than at any other time of year. The days are extremely short and the temperature is in the teens. Outdoor shooting is a negative. Even an impending snow storm couldn’t put a damper on what turned out to be a fantastic wedding. Jeremy looked outstanding in his uniform and Stacey’s dress was amazing. Throw in some really cool lighting supplied by the DJ and my job was pretty easy shooting this gorgeous couple.

Location: Morgan Hill Event Center

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence | UMaine Hockey | Commercial Photography

Tony Llerena — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:59:18 +0000

IMHO, there’s no better sporting experience in the greater Bangor area than a UMaine Hockey game. Although the team’s record is pedestrian this year, there’s still enough of a draw to fill the arena, even on Super Bowl Sunday. This is why I was absolutely thrilled to be contacted by the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence to cover the game. MCEDV was giving away rally towels and was honored before the game. The hockey team’s first home win this year in overtime was an added bonus. GO BLUE!!

A Winner is You | Maine Photographer

Tony Llerena — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:41:42 +0000

It has been a long while since I last posted an entry so I thought everyone might like an update. 2012 was an extremely exhausting, gratifying and successful year. Here’s a quick recap:

Completed the 365 Day Portrait Project
Summited Mt. Katahdin
Graduated from UMaine with my Masters in Business Administration (My wife earned her Masters too!)
Drove across the country (from ME to CO and back)
Visited Washington DC for the first time
Saw a Wallenda cross Niagara Falls on a tight rope in person
Watched several sunrises and sunsets in Acadia National Park (see lighthouse above)
Tony Llerena Photography had its most successful year yet!
Probably a bunch of other things I can’t remember right now…

Bottom line, I thought I would be burned out by everything that I went through, everything I accomplished. The truth of the matter is that I’m actually more energized now than I’ve ever been. I feel great creatively and have so many things I’d like to do. I have the tools and skills now to take my photography to the next level, and I have some ideas about how I’m going to get there.

I received so much love encouragement last year that I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get me through the tough times. I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thank you for all of your support!

Megan | Old Town High Senior Photography

Tony Llerena — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:45:09 +0000

I found parts of Bangor that I didn’t even know existed. Where in the world did this bridge come from? I will admit, it was a bit sketchy, and I’m not sure I would want to be there after dark, but there are some really great locations in the area if you know what to look for. It certainly helps when you’re working with a beautiful young woman but I didn’t actually take pictures of Megan’s mom Lisa. I keed, I keed. Megan did a phenomenal job although she kept saying how awkward she felt. Ladies and gentlemen, this is what “awkward” looks like! Absolutely stunning.

The Souder Family | Bangor Maine Family Photography

Tony Llerena — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:25:37 +0000

I’ve been photographing Jacob now for several years now and I’ve had the pleasure to watch him grow. I have a special place in my heart for this family because they are a veteran family that I have worked with for a long time. I’m honored to be their family photographer, and I’m both sad and proud at the fact that thy will probably be moving away once Lon finishes officer candidate school and earns his commission. I chose Fort Knox for the location because it’s such a historic site with beautiful masonry. Jacob didn’t seem to mind either since there was so much to see and so many things to climb.

Location – Fort Knox

Hannah and Trevor | Orono High Senior Photography

Tony Llerena — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 19:09:04 +0000

I’m still amazed at what a small world Maine is. Maybe I’ve lived here long enough since I now know people who know people, a phenomenon I found to be alien when I first moved to the area. I never know how my clients contact me but my general assumption is referral by word of mouth. I guess that’s why I was intrigued when Karen (mom) mentioned that she found me through a regular internet search. I guess my SEO is working!

In any case, Hannah and Trevor were a pleasure to work with, which was great because we were at a location I was unfamiliar with. It worked really well with my style of shooting which involves a lot of walking around, pointing, and shaking my head.

Location – Leonard’s Mills

Ken and Kerrie’s Wedding | Bangor Public Library Photography

Tony Llerena — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:23:34 +0000

Walking with a bride, camera in hand, through the hallways of a public library, watching the surprised faces of the visitors as we went past has to be one of the coolest experiences I’ve had as a photographer. Kerrie certainly got many looks as well as several congratulations from the onlookers. I have to admit, I was hesitant when she mentioned that the ceremony was to take place at the Bangor Public Library, but boy was she right! The nearly 100 year old building has some of the most beautiful architecture in the Greater Bangor Area. There are so many options and locations for photography throughout the library.

Ken and Kerrie did a magnificent job staying relaxed and having fun throughout the day. Their silliness certainly came through in some of the images. I can’t complain. In my experience, a relaxed couple equals a relaxed photographer and vice versa.

Hotel – Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway
Ceremony - Bangor Public Library
Reception - Schooners Seafood and Steakhouse

Great Falls Balloon Festival | Maine Photographer

Tony Llerena — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:08:56 +0000

I’ve wanted to go the to Lewiston-Auburn Great Falls Balloon Festival for several years now but have always had a conflicting event to go to. Hampden Children’s Day typically falls on the same weekend so we have usually stayed to watch the parade on our front lawn. This year we made a commitment to go and ended up staying in Lewiston the night before to make the 6 am launch. I had never seen a hot air balloon in person before we arrived at Simard-Payne Memorial Park just before dawn.

It was an amazing sight to see. You could walk right up to the balloons and feel the heat from the burners as they were inflating them. Watching them defy gravity and launch just feet from you was pretty cool too. We ended up coming back for the evening launch and were treated to a different perspective as we watched from the bridge this time. The kids all agreed that the stunt balloon was the most fun to watch. Who knew you could do stunts… in a BALLOON!!