CreativeMornings Portsmouth: Parallel Lives, Shared Moments

This was my first time photographing for CMPKX (CreativeMornings Portsmouth Kittery), and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. From the moment I walked into The Music Hall Lounge, the energy was welcoming, creative, and real. Being behind the camera at an event like this—surrounded by thoughtful people, meaningful conversations, and one seriously good spread of Lil’s crullers—was an experience I truly enjoyed and felt grateful to be part of.

The theme for March was Parallel, and Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley delivered a powerful and deeply personal talk titled The Tension of Walking the Line. As the first Black person elected to Portsmouth City Council—and the first Black Assistant Mayor in New Hampshire—Jo shared what it’s been like to navigate two parallel identities: one shaped by the White world that raised her, and the other rooted in the Black community where she finds belonging.

Her honesty, vulnerability, and steady conviction gave the morning a quiet gravity. It was more than a talk—it was a moment of shared reflection. For those of us lucky enough to be there, it was a reminder of how layered identity can be, and how important it is to hold space for stories like hers.

Visually, this kind of event is a photographer’s dream. There’s a rhythm to the morning: warm greetings, early coffee, side conversations, laughter, stillness, and then the crescendo of the main speaker. I focused on capturing both the wide moments—people gathered, engaged, present—and the quiet ones: hands around mugs, nods of agreement, thoughtful silences.

Amanda Shedonist opened the morning with a burst of poetic energy, setting the tone for a session full of creativity and reflection. From the poetry to the personal storytelling, every part of the event held space for truth and connection.

One of the things I love most about photographing events like this is the sense of community you can feel in the room—and even more, the sense of intention. CMPKX is powered entirely by volunteers, and yet every detail feels considered and cared for. I’m excited to be joining this team for future events and to continue capturing these mornings of inspiration, one frame at a time.

You can view all the highlights from the day here:

Big thanks to Jen and the CMPKX crew for the opportunity, and to Joanna Kelley for sharing her story with such courage and clarity. I’m already looking forward to the next one.