My time in Page started with a Monday afternoon tour of Lower Antelope canyon with a guide and a few other photographers. Lower Antelope Canyon is called exactly that because it’s below ground. We carefully walked down five sets of steep stairs deep into the ground. It was discovered by the local Navajo Native Americans and the guide was a descendent of the woman that discovered Lower Antelope. The antelope portion of the name came because antelopes used to stroll along that area. Less people visit the lower canyon because it is a bit more difficult to navigate, but still worth every minute. The light peaking through created gorgeous colors in the canyon walls. We gradually walked up at at an angle and at the end of the canyon didn’t use stairs to exit, but rather just crawled out of the ground as you can see below.
After leaving Lower Antelope Canyon, I found my way to Horseshoe Bend for sunset, which is an area of cliffs along the Colorado River where it looks just like a horseshoe. It’s been photographed many times and I couldn’t help but go there for sunset to get my own unique perspective of it. I was a bit frustrated that there weren’t any clouds in the sky to create a dramatic sunset, but I understand, we can’t have it all. :-) I underestimated the drop and how dangerous it was to photograph there though! In order to capture the entire horseshoe, one must hike out a bit and then crawl right up to the edge of the cliff with a 1000 ft drop in front of you on uneven terrain. That night there happened to be 20-30 mph winds too. FUN!
After a great night of sleep with more amazing Mexican food in my belly, I awoke to make my way to Upper Antelope Canyon on Tuesday. Upper is called exactly that because you walk into it at ground level, rather than walking down several flights of stairs. This canyon is known for the beams of light coming in, so it’s important to take a tour that will have you there at noon given that’s the only time you’ll see the beams. It was absolutely spectacular. Crazy busy inside with the guides helping to keep people out of the way for our long exposures (yes, I tipped mine well!!!), but well worth it.
I timed my drive back to Phoenix to arrive just in time for sunset. I made a few stops along the way and then found a spot north of Phoenix before heading to my hotel that had a lovely mountain view with a few cacti.
I spent a week in Arizona from Sedona to Flagstaff / Grand Canyon to Page to Phoenix. I must say, I was impressed.
]]>After our hike, we decided we’d like to start driving down toward the Desert View Watchtower and visitor center area, which is also the east entrance to the South Rim. It’s roughly a 25 mile drive and there are several scenic stops along the way, all of which we took advantage of. We met some fun hikers that were preparing to start their group outing. I snapped a few photos on their behalf in the harsh sunlight and they went on their way. The different views provided various looks at different rock formations and the Colorado River. At one point, we overheard a guide stating that the rapids in the river are so rough at some points that they’re Class 10 rapids – yikes! From a mile away at the top, it didn’t look so bad. ;-)
The last stop was mid afternoon (mind you, we were up at 4:00am and there by 6am for sunrise) at Desert View and the Watchtower. It’s incredible how the view to the east of the desert landscape is so different from the rest of the canyon. There are also gorgeous views of the colorful canyon walls and the Colorado River from the overlook point. The Desert View stop also has a visitors center and a small market with gifts, food and camping supplies. Kara and I took that opportunity to grab an adult beverage (yes, they sold them there!) and relax with a view of the canyon. We also ventured into the historic Watchtower and walked to the top. It was originally designed and built by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1932. As you can see from the photos it’s very unique inside with Native American art from the Hopi tribe. The very last image shows a child peeking through the window of the tower, looking down.
I hope you enjoy this images as much as I enjoyed creating them. It was a wonderful Easter Sunday from the early wake-up to the hike and Desert View drive to the fun drive back to Flagstaff and dinner downtown. I can’t say enough about the Grand Canyon, except that you simply have to experience it. I hope you have an opportunity to!
]]>Friday night in Flagstaff was super fun as we walked around the downtown area and explored shops and restaurants. A local gave us a great recommendation for dinner and we had a cocktail outside in the back alley listening to live music as we waited for our table. How fun! The first photos below show the downtown Flagstaff area. It’s a very fun college town with an artsy sort of feel in the mountains. Just beautiful.
Saturday morning Kara and I got up and at ’em early enough and made our way up to the Grand Canyon. The drive is roughly 1 hr 15 min from Flagstaff. While we would’ve loved to have stayed in the Grand Canyon Village, we simply couldn’t get a room at any of the inns. The drive up wasn’t too bad and the drive back from the east Desert View entrance was quite scenic. We took the first day to explore the “red” Hermit Road bus tour and stop at different outlooks and views. After finishing the bus tour we got back in the car and started driving down toward Desert View, the eastern most entrance point into the National Park. We made a few stops with one of my favorites being Lipan Point, where we photographed sunset the that night. The beauty of the sunset was overwhelming, but sunrise on the next morning, Easter, was even more so. We awoke at 4:00am in order to get to Mather Point just in time for sunrise photography and joining in on the open non-denominational service. We followed that with brunch at El Tovar, the most historic inn there and then a bit of hiking down into the canyon. We made our way back toward Desert View and visited the historic Watchtower with amazing views of both the canyon and the desert.
There really are no words to describe the beauty to the Grand Canyon. If you have an opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it!
]]>Sedona’s beauty actually surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to expect and had done a bit of research, but until you see it first hand, it really is hard to believe just how naturally beautiful the area is. It’s surrounded by the well-known Red Rocks and is an outdoor person’s dream. The higher elevations (~6200 ft above sea level) keep the spring temperatures very comfortable and the sun simply didn’t stop shining. I flew into Phoenix and made the 2 hour drive north, arriving rather late at night. The funny part was that I had no idea what I would see when I woke up and looked out my windows. I was shocked at the enormous red rocks and how gorgeous they are!
My early morning hot air balloon ride was cancelled due to high winds, but I found my way on a few different trolley rides, exploring the area. I managed to sample some great homemade ice cream at the Black Cow (try the prickly pear ice cream!). I also ventured out on the Broken Arrow off-road Jeep tour with “Pink Jeeps”. Their Jeeps have the right modifications and their guides are highly trained and very knowledgeable about the details of the area. Later in the evening after shooting sunset at Airport Mesa, I found my way to Elote Cafe, which just so happens to be the #1 fine Mexican restaurant in Arizona, #2 in the USA. It was sooooooo good! I sampled the Smoked Pork Cheeks and the presentation was gorgeous, but the flavors really won me over. Even better, the chef and owner, Jeff Smedstad actually served it to me! Of course, their margaritas were quite tasty too. If you visit, be sure to order the restaurant’s namesake, elote, for the appetizer!
The following morning I ventured out on a run (which was more difficult than I had planned with the higher elevation and heavy winds!) and then checked out of my hotel, making my way downtown to catch some coffee and check out a few galleries. I highly recommend a visit to Lou DeSerio’s gallery, just down from the official visitor’s center. He studied with the famed Ansel Adams years ago and his photography of the area is stunning. He also offers half or full day private workshops. After the gallery visit and a stop by the visitor’s center, I made my way out to a few different stops, including a hike at Cathedral Rock. I finished out the day as I made my way up to Flagstaff with the scenic drive up 89A with the switchbacks, cliffs and cozy cabins along the way.
What an amazing part of the world. If you have the opportunity, even if it’s just for a day trip from Phoenix, I highly recommend a visit to Sedona. As you can see from my photos below, its beauty will win you over in a heartbeat.
ME! Outside Chapel of the Holy Cross. Yes – I braved it and handed my camera to a complete stranger!
I was up front for the Jeep ride – this is the crew in the back, getting the briefing before our adventure.
Sunset from Airport Mesa. Definitely make the quick drive up to watch sunset and get a nice view of the city!
]]>We have had so much snow that I wasn’t sure how this would work. Do we take snow shoes and poles with all of the snow? The great part is that the pathway was so well packed that so long as we stayed on it, we didn’t sink into the 4 feet of snow. Unfortunately I’m not exaggerating the depth. We noticed that if we stepped off the well traveled areas we sunk right down into the snow. Tuxy, short for Tuxedo (check out his coat), was having a blast in the snow as he ran ahead of us and explored new areas. Thankfully he didn’t jump in the water for a swim! He even had a little puppy crush on this super cute lab puppy that we met. How adorable is that little guy?!
All in all, we covered around 6 miles with our walk. Just before hopping back in the car, I grabbed a few photos of the lobster boats in the basin area at Perkins Cove where we parked. They’re so representative of Maine. Soon we’ll all be sitting out on picnic tables eating lobsters, sipping our local craft beers. That time can’t come soon enough! :-)
]]>We all arrived on Wednesday, a few days before the weekend events and it gave us an opportunity to not only “set up camp” in the infield but also catch the fun “Twin 125s”, qualifying and meet some of our neighbors. It was cold. I mean, really cold, the first few days. Thank goodness for neighbors with awesome bonfires! We had Sprint Fan Zone passes which got us out onto the field and in the pits before the big races, as well as watch the opening act with fellow Michigander, Kid Rock!
When it came to the big race day we moved around a bit, catching the start from the Fan Zone, watching parts of the race from the back stretch at the tiki bar (oh yes, really), moving back to the motorhome for lunch and then finishing up the last 40 laps or so with our friends, the notorious “Daytona Kentucky Boys”, on top of a motorhome between turns one and two. My only regret – not bringing my camera up on top of the motorhome! What a finish! We saw them just feet away from us going three wide at 200 miles per hour around the corner. It was amazing. There was a big wreck in the last lap and Joey Logano was first to cross the finish line … classic stock car racing!
What will I remember from this experience? The racing was amazing, but the people I was with and the new friends I made were what really made the experience memorable. I’m thrilled my sister, Jessica and her uber-generous friend, Jen, invited me to join along. Jen – you’re a rock star. THANK YOU!!!! :-) The people we met, from the folks next to us that shared their campfire, to the guys down the way that let us curl up close to their heating lamps the first night when it was SO cold, to the Daytona Kentucky Boys that entertained us and introduced us to “goeta” (so yummy!!!)…. they are what really made the experience what it was. I can’t wait to go back!
]]>The schedule of events for the evening was a bit different this year, but still just as fun as last. Last year, there were several performers while this year, there was one, Mr. Harry Connick Jr. himself. The night started with a meet and greet with Harry and distinguished guests. There were roughly 40 guests invited for that meet and greet, including the most recent Medal of Honor recipient, Ryan Pitts, and his wife. What an honor it was to shake his hand. At the end of the meet and greet, you can bet that I quickly handed my camera to the other photographer and went in for a quick photo with Harry. I’ve been a fan of his for over 23 years! His album, Blue Light Red Light, came out in 1991 and it forever changed my perspective on “big band” music. Needless to say, I was thrilled. :-)
After Harry went backstage to prepare for the concert, I made my way out to the more general cocktail area to spend some time with Red Sox Legends Tim Wakefield and Jim Rice. They were so gracious to spend a full hour out on the floor with folks, chatting and snapping photos. I lost count of how many photographs I took of them with guests that evening. Folks were so thrilled to just shake their hands! Spending an hour with them was super fun too. They have such great senses of humor! Of course, I totally snuck in for a selfie with them before they left!
At the end of the cocktail hour, I noticed a very tall man to my right who looked to have a very large body guard with him. It turned out, that was the newly elected governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker. He took some time to chat with Tim and Jim, and then shortly after that, Ryan Pitts. I was thrilled to capture a few images of their time together.
The program started and was kicked off with introductions and a call to action to support Home Base, followed by a wonderful standing ovation and a very moving speech from Ryan Pitts. He is one of nine living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. His story is amazingly moving and gut wrenching. The trauma he experienced is unimaginable. I can only hope that his story helped push even more people to donate to Home Base. After he spoke, Tim Wakefield and Jim Rice joined one of the hosts of the evening on stage and had a call to action for donations. It was absolutely fabulous watching hands raise and considerable donations being provided. They were even lucky enough to get a baseball signed by Tim and Jim!
There was a short break and then Harry Connick Jr and his big band joined the stage. What a performance they provided! It was also wonderful to hear Harry speak of his personal connection to the military with his sister being a career officer. He appeared to be more than happy to help support the program and really engaged the audience with some of his classic songs, going as far back to the score of When Harry Met Sally. Yes, he wrote the music for it! I have a few awesome photos from his performance that I’m waiting for approval to share… in the meantime, I’ve been approved to share two from his meet and greet.
What a night! If you’d like to learn more about the Home Base Program, please check out their website: http://www.homebaseprogram.org. Please do consider supporting this wonderful organization!
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We had a late afternoon session planned at a local establishment, Wagon Hill Farm in Durham, New Hampshire. What a pleasure it was to see the great trails, the waterfront access and of course, the old wagon up on the hill! At the time that we met, the sun was starting to lower and provided a nice glow. We went for a nice walk, played catch and even did a bit of “sit, stay!” work. I think it’s safe to say we had a wonderful time.
To date, Diezel is still doing well. Let’s all send a few prayers out for him and his wonderful parents!
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Our day started at a local pumpkin patch and apple orchard. We planned it out and called around to see who allowed photos and thankfully Mack’s Apples (Londonderry, NH) was more than accommodating. Charlie and his parents arrived, looking dapper, and we had some gorgeous sunshine to work with along with some super fun fall colors. With a one year old we need to move fast while we have smiles and we certainly did. Fall colors, pumpkin patches, apple orchards… doesn’t get much better than that!
After leaving the orchard we headed back to Charlie’s house for a little cake smash session. Thankfully, I’m fully portable and I was able to bring a backdrop, stands, lights and all right into their home. It’s hard to travel with a one year old, especially when they’re covered in cake. :-) Portability is key! I decided to work with a white paper backdrop for two reasons. First, we had great color with the balloons, confetti and the cake and we wanted that to come out. Second, it’s fully disposable! Cleanup involved lifting Charlie up (carefully and at arms length!) and then just cutting the paper and wrapping it all up to capture the mess. Easy! Charlie got a quick bath in the kitchen sink and we were done!
Happy first birthday Charlie! Huge congratulations to Kristen and Pete on making it through year one!
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The day started with the ladies getting ready at the Westin, just a few blocks from the Seaport wharf downtown Boston. With a suite and plenty of space to move around in, I had a bit of time to capture a few details with huge windows and great natural light before we moved on our way to the Seaport Elite vessel. It was wonderful watching Kris’ two daughters, along with one of her best friends (and also the officiant!) help her get ready. I could tell they were just as excited as she was and they were so attentive to her needs that day. They helped carry everything out to the SUV that drove us over to the vessel and then onboard.
Once we boarded the boat, we found our way to the small (and I do mean small!) suite where the ladies could get dressed and hide until it was time for the ceremony. The nerves were building and everyone was getting SO excited! Kris had a few moments with parents and close family while I grabbed a few photos of the groom. Soon, it was time! As Kris walked to the top deck of the boat with her mom, walking her down the aisle, she simply radiated joy in the sunlight as she looked at Andrew with the gorgeous Boston skyline in the background. One of my favorite moments was when her mom gave her away. It was so touching!
After the ceremony, the introduction and first dance was followed by the toasts and then a tasty buffet dinner and cake cutting. That’s when the DJ started to really kick up the tunes and get the crowd moving! It was nearly all 80’s rock and roll and it’s safe to say that the guests loved it (ok, so did I!). I’ll bet there were some sore feet at the end of the night! The night ended with a final heartfelt dance by the bride and groom as the boat docked. The last dip of the bride by the groom says it all!
Huge congratulations to Andrew and Kris!
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The day started with the ladies getting ready at the father of the bride’s house. The tall ceilings and great light provided a few opportunities for detail photos before heading out the door. The limo whisked them off to the church and I arrived a few minutes before everyone, preparing to position the wedding party, give them their cues and then be there just as the bride arrived with her father. I could tell Sarah was so nervous, yet so excited at the same time. Anthony kept his cool and was grinning, almost as if to say “that’s ok, I’ll be right here”. The brief ceremony in the historic First Unitarian Church in Providence, RI ended with the traditional kiss and we all escaped to the outdoors for a bit of a breeze.
After the ceremony everyone made short drive to Warwick, RI to the Aldrich Mansion on the banks of Narragansett Bay. We captured more photos and then after cocktail hour, watched the first dances and an entertaining toast by the best man. After dinner Sarah and Anthony chose to have a private cake cutting with parents and grandparents in the dessert room. I’ll admit, I had no idea what I was in for with this “dessert room”. Wow. First, I snuck in for a preview and I was overwhelmed by the smell of buttery rum fragrance flowing through the air, almost like a little piece of heaven. My eyes started darting all over the room and soon, after I could focus, I saw the chef in the back corner making bananas foster. In front of me were countless other amazing desserts. Oh….right…. focus! :-)
The night ended with the DJ’s rocking it out with the crowd and fun dancing. It was still quite warm at the end of the night but I think by that point, everyone was having so much fun they forgot all about it. Huge congratulations to Sarah and Anthony!
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The day started with a few last minute schedule changes and a missing veil. The beauty of photographing weddings is that you’re forced to be dynamic and flexible. Things change and part of my role is to ensure that the bride and groom are relaxed and not stressed about those last minute changes. We had changes in the start time, changes in wedding location (yes!) but in the end, it all worked out. The wedding was initially planned to be at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. However, pending rain and a hesitant officiant had the ceremony shifted to a small area at The Plaza Hotel. Yes, THE Plaza Hotel, where the bride and groom were staying during their time in the city. The hotel really is as stunning as you might imagine!
I arrived early and captured a photographs of the bride getting ready in her suite, accompanied by her mom and maid of honor. The ceremony was very classic with a twist of hand wrapping, signifying their bond and commitment to each other. There were just a few close family members present which made for a very intimate ceremony in the gorgeous wings of the Plaza. Thankfully, the weather held up and we made our way via horse and carriage to Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. The light wasn’t overly harsh and the fountain provided a beautiful backdrop for the newly wed couple. There is also a bridged area with beautiful artwork next to the fountain that we took advantage of. Afterward, Travis and Kathy took the carriage back to the hotel, waving to pedestrians on the street along the way, to join the rest of their family for a private dinner reception at the Boat House.
The magic of the city didn’t disappoint! Congratulations to Kathy and Travis!
The book that Travis used when he proposed to Kathy, which the maid of honor used to carry the rings in.
Waving to the pedestrians on the way back to the hotel – they received many congratulatory cheers from them!
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Mount Washington also quite historic as it is home to the very first mountain climbing rack-and-pinion (Cog) railway in the world. It’s been in operation since 1869 and the design has been mimicked around the world. There is actually a sister Cog railroad on Pike’s Peak in Colorado that I road a few years ago. I wanted to treat my parents to a ride on the Cog and the beautiful views from Mount Washington while they were visiting. We nearly didn’t make it after a few wrong turns and missing our reservation, but we got lucky and found our way on another train. We boarded onto the small railcar that had a maximum capacity of 70 people and it was near capacity. The conductor provided a bit of history for us as we made our way up. He took time to boast that we were riding the second steepest track but by far the most dangerous – thankfully he shared that information after we made it past the risky “Jacob’s Ladder”!
Ok, yes, I went to Purdue and I have a thing for trains too. :-) I am a Boilermaker after all!
The views were amazing, from those behind us as we were riding up to those all around when we reached the summit. The clouds looked magical and the peaks in the distance almost looked like cartoons that were about to come to life. We were fortunate that the winds were relatively calm and we had the sun attempting to warm us which isn’t always the case. My parents even got “photo bombed” by a hiker that was determined to touch the summit marker!
I highly recommend a ride on the Cog at least once if you have the opportunity. You can also take the motor way up or enjoy a nice long hike! Check out more about the observatory and weather center at http://www.mountwashington.org.
Here are some photos from our adventures!
This is what happens when you fumble your camera while hitting your shutter release at the same time!
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The majority of my evening was actually spent photographing guests as they socialized before the event started with cocktails. There was also a fun opportunity for guests to have their photo taken with Tim Wakefield and Ray Bourque of which I did. Both were great sports as the guests were thrilled to shake their hands and have their photo taken with them. All of these photos were taken using a special tool by dwinQ (also a major sponsor of the event) that allowed the photos to immediately be transferred from my camera to their email in-box or Facebook page. Very cool technology!
After guests were seated, I grabbed my longer lens and snuck in for a few photos of the guest speakers and performers. There were several big name folks there, but the one that struck a chord with me was the Medal of Honor recipient, SSG Ty Carter. Wow. His story and acts of bravery amazed me, as well as his heartfelt honesty about his own challenges with PTSD. He is a true hero.
Below is a sample of photos from the evening. Don’t forget to check out http://www.homebaseprogram.org! ;-)
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We hit the road early (by 8:00am!) and drove to Mt. Wachusett, which is about 85 miles from where I live. Thankfully, we arrived safely right on time and got to work with me capturing the ladies getting ready and Kara capturing the men. The champagne was flowing and it was a beautiful and bright sunny day. They did something very unique and actually met each other at the mountain top prior to the wedding ceremony. It was magical watching them see each other for the first time that day. The immediate wedding party joined at the mountain top and we were able to take many of the photos prior to the ceremony, which is a real perk for those that are familiar with how busy a photographer’s schedule can be right after the ceremony. The bride was escorted by her father and step-father and completed the walk down the aisle with her father. The look on Jason’s face was that of pure bliss as he watched her walk toward him. They were both so calm, so peaceful as if everything was simply right as they said their vows. It was one of the most emotional wedding ceremonies I’ve experienced and actually felt myself tearing up!
The cocktail hour immediately followed the ceremony which included chair lift rides to the mountain top for the guests. Jason and Katie took advantage of that time to sneak a few minutes to themselves as they overlooked the gorgeous landscape. After the guests were seated and the wedding party was introduced, Katie and Jason sang a song – yes, SANG! It was wonderful! Of course, the first dance followed later after dinner… but what a special treat to hear them sing! Speaking of special treats, there was a super yummy smores table out by the fire. So perfect for the setting, watching guests roast marshmallows as the sun set. No worries though, soon enough the dancing really took off! I’m sure there were a few guests with sore feet the next day. ;-) Kara and I were there for over 9 hours on our feet, but we weren’t in heels, thank goodness!
Really, I could go on and on about the day… but hopefully a small sample of the photographs captured that I shared below help show how special the day was. I wish Katie and Jason the very best as they start their lives together as husband and wife – congratulations!
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The trip began with a fun family reunion and then transitioned into one of my favorite events of the summer, the US Coast Guard Festival. Grand Haven is “Coast Guard City USA” and celebrates the Coast Guard for a full week with a variety of fun activities and concerts. It is capped off by a great parade and spectacular fireworks. The crowds are so big we put blankets down for the parade and fireworks days in advance!
One of the highlights of the week is the National Remembrance Ceremony for lost members of the Coast Guard during the past year, as well as to remember those lost in the Escanaba (http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcEscanaba/history.asp) 70 years ago. It was a very moving ceremony, complete with a 21 gun salute, the playing of Taps and a flyby of one of the Coast Guard helicopters. The most touching part was when the family and close friends of those that were lost placed flowers at the base of the memorial wreath.
I have incredibly heartfelt respect for those serving in our United States Coast Guard, along with the rest of our armed services. The USCG saved 3560 lives and over $77M in property last year, among many other things. Their motto of “Semper Paratus” means “always ready” and they’ve proved that since 1790.
Below I’ve included a few photographs from the memorial service.
Thank you to all of those that have served and continue to – we’re all grateful for your service. May the fallen rest in peace.
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I’ve been to NHRA races before (in the Dallas area) but it had been several years and admittedly, I forgot how amazing it is to watch these drag races. They are SO incredibly loud and when they take off from the starting block there is so much vibration and noise that it creates a feeling like no other inside you. They burst off the starting line so explosively that I could help but laugh and scream and eventually, take pictures! I started out in the preliminary line up area that they call “Nitro Alley” and was able to grab a few closeups of drivers and their cars. It was fun watching them go through their rituals of getting prepared, from getting in their firesafe suits to prayer with a chaplain to methodically getting strapped into the car. I also grabbed a few of the actual races. This was really my first attempt at anything like this and I’ll admit, it is hard trying to capture something going by you at over 300 miles per hour! I learned a lot and had an absolute blast… I can’t wait until next year!
Oh… and in the finals on Sunday for the Funny Cars it was a father-daughter duel. John Force versus his daughter, Courtney Force (pictured below). It was an excellent race and Courtney WON!
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We had a gorgeous and super sunny afternoon in the beautiful downtown are of my little New England seaside town. The challenge I found myself pondering was “just how in the world am I going to make this work with 4 kids ranging from 18 months to nearly 12 years old??”. I was thinking about everything from posing to making them laugh and smile to well, praying they don’t break down and cry! The other challenge is that I fully realize that time is of the essence with kids. We needed to work FAST! So, we grabbed a few photos under a tree near the waterfront first… they started to loosen up and understand what was going on, that maybe it’s not all THAT bad being in front of the camera. However, the direct sunlight was brutal and we needed to move toward shade. Off we went, trucking toward a garden area with some trees. We snapped a few more and kept moving until we decided to sneak inside a gate in front of an old, historic home in town. Hey, what can I say? I’m a photographer and we’re notorious for trespassing! 
The historic home was a soft color with a nice front stoop and best of all, shaded, so we had a nice backdrop for a few portraits. However, soon enough the youngest was definitely getting restless so we headed toward the bribery point. Yes, bribery. I had prepared the parents: we WILL get ice cream!!! The kids were thrilled and once they started licking those cones, it was nothing but smiles. Admittedly, I didn’t get ice cream and even I was all smiles. They were so fun and messy and just adorable. Funny, I’m sitting here grinning the whole time writing this for you, remember the time with them. I’ve included a few photos from our session below. I hope they bring a grin to your face too!
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The guys were first to be photographed, getting prepared at the groom’s house. We spent a little time indoors on a few details (which oddly included me ironing the best man’s shirt 
) Then we made our way outdoors for some group photos. They were good sports and we got a few serious photos and well, a few not so serious, which is just how it should be! From there, I scurried over to where the bride and bridesmaids were getting ready, capturing all of the little details along the way from makeup application to hair and getting dressed. We made our way out to the back yard and had the backdrop of the lake and granite staircase to work with for photos. The natural light seemed to love the bride. I think it erased the wedding jitters!
The ceremony took place and then they were all off to the reception at a local country club. The clouds had started to move in, but we still captured a few late evening photographs before more dancing, cake and the fun of the reception set in. I captured several hundred photos and will build these into a great story for the bride and groom in a very photojournalistic sort of way. I’m hoping that they can pass the album along to friends or family that weren’t at the wedding and those people can simply feel the excitement, fun and overall joy of the day. At the same time, they’ll be able to look back at these photos years from now and fondly remember the day surrounded by their close friends and family. Below is a small sample of some of the photographs.
Many congratulations and wishes of years of happiness to the bride and groom, Mike and Lisa!
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I had the pleasure of taking engagement photos for two people I consider great friends of mine, Mike and Lisa, a little over a week ago and thought I’d share my experience and some of the results with you. I think I do know their personalities fairly well, so I didn’t worry too much about that aspect of our time together, but I did want to find out where their favorite places were… where they could go and really be happy. My first thought was maybe to do some fun photographs on Mike’s Harley or in their backyard near the swimming pool. However, when I asked, without hesitation they both said they loved the beach. So, off to the beach we went!
Well, kind of. :-) We actually went to a park close to the beach with lots of fun rocks and trees. I’m glad they went along with this as the light was very harsh that morning, with the sun perched high in the sky and not a cloud around. For those that aren’t familiar with how that impacts photographs, I’ll just say that it makes it very difficult to control the light and photographs tend to be very “blown out”. Mike and Lisa were great sports and were willing to walk around and try just about anything. We made our way down near the water, took a few photographs in the trees and even had a little fun! ;-) Here are a few of the final photographs for them…
Ok, ok, I’ll stop talking about the horrible weather. My point is that there wasn’t anyone in the bar. No one. At all. So…. well…. they made the best of it! The performed and I photographed them. I understand later there were maybe 12 people or so. At least those folks got a chance to enjoy some great music that afternoon! I was there to capture some “live” shots for their website and promotional materials. It’s the same band from my last post. Here’s a few from the day and two from the final package of images from before…. Oh! And don’t forget to check out NOWisNOW if you’re in the New England area! :-)
Bring on summer!!!
]]>The photographs below are all processed differently to show the different options to the band. Without saying much more about the band, I wanted to share some of the proofs and find you what these images say to you… what does it resonate about their personalities and the style of music? What would you expect in a performance from them? I’m curious to hear your thoughts!
]]>Here are two photographs. One is of the simple yet beautiful trees. It’s gorgeous to look at them in their white splendor while it lasts… as soon as the wind picks up or the temperatures rise, it’ll all be a distant memory. The second photograph is of the North Church in my town’s city center square area. I’ve photographed it a million times (or thereabouts!) and this time it caught my eye during the magical hour as the sun was going down, even though it was behind the snow clouds. The snow-lined trees and streets add a gorgeous accent to the church. I hope everyone was able to live in the moment and enjoy the beauty before they tried to clear their driveways!
]]>This weekend I had the opportunity to participate in an informal workshop that was organized by one of the photo clubs I belong to. One member graciously hosted and we had a full studio set up with all of his gear and a great model. We experimented with the various phases of lights… one… two… three plus a hair light plus a reflector. There were about ten participants, all with varying levels of knowledge and experience. I found it to be fun in both participant and teacher mode at the same time. It’s interesting how you can find yourself brushing off your own cobwebs when you’re trying to explain the basics about a certain piece of gear, settings or type of shot. I actually didn’t take many photographs, which is nearly unheard of for me! ;-) I was helping others and enjoyed it. Here’s one of our model Rachel, who was great with everyone!
I encourage everyone – get out and sharpen your saws! :-)
]]>Then, there’s the day after. The day we all get to go play and have fun it it! Many are out skiing in the mountains nearby. The kids are sledding (we didn’t have any snow on the ground before the storm) and others are out cross country skiing. I decided to make my way to a local park and try out my snow shoes. I had bought them two years ago when we had a ton of snow (literally, a ton) but didn’t get many opportunities to try them out. Today I grabbed them and headed toward a park right on the ocean about 2 or 3 miles from my house. Of course, I had my camera with me (which I dropped when I got home and shattered a filter on my lens… but that’s a story for another day 
). While there wasn’t as much snow right on the water due to the storm surge, there’s still a lot. You get the idea from the photos below. Some have a fanciful look and others are clear and almost harsh, all managed by clarity and contrast. You can click on them to view a larger image. Enjoy… and stay warm!
]]>I got a surprise text from a friend yesterday inviting me to join he and his fiancée for a hike in the woods through a nature preserve area near an inlet of water from the Atlantic. I hesitated as I looked at the lovely thermometer that was reading all of 22F, but I figured I could just bundle up and go for it. Of course, I drug my camera along. We did our best to stay on the trails… that didn’t go so well. :-) Eventually we found the main road so it all worked out ok!
I was amazed at how much color there was! Shockingly, there were bits of green in the woods, between the evergreens and ferns sprouting on the ground, it nearly felt like spring. Granted, most of the rest of the landscape represented various shades of brown and tan. We walked out to a great area where there once stood railroad tracks and all that’s left are the support posts. I was processing the photographs and having a hard time choosing between color and black and white… I guess it’s just whatever you feel in the moment for some of them. I’ve posted samples of both – any preferences?
Happy Super Bowl Sunday to my fellow football (and crazy funny commercial) fans in the USA! :-)
]]>During my last trip that I just returned from I spent the weekend in Brussels exploring the city and made a point to have my camera, so I took advantage of that when I made my way to Amsterdam for the week. It was quite cold, but amazingly the sun was shining and it was a beautiful afternoon when I arrived. I wanted to explore a few new neighborhoods and found myself taking many photographs of the bridges and canal areas when I was out at sunset. It’s just so beautiful, I couldn’t help myself. I took many photographs, but thought I’d share some of my canal photos with you in honor of their 400th birthday.
I hope you can capture the feel of the city and imagine yourself on a small canal tour boat, sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the view. :-)
]]>I was planning to explore the city on Friday, but work got in the way and I had to take a few calls and ended up working late. My adventures started Saturday after a phenomenal 12 hours of sleep! I couldn’t believe it. I still smile at the thought of that. :-) I did a bit of research before I left and identified a few highlights of the city that I’d like to see. Of course, my thoughts went immediately to beer and chocolate when I thought of Belgium. I mean, it’s Belgium!! Oh – and waffles! Thankfully, I was able to incorporate all three. The city square is gorgeous and I walked for hours that day seeing much of the city and even making my way into a fun musical instrument museum. I think the only thing I might change about that day would have been the outdoor temperatures. It was downright cold. Freezing, actually. I woke up on Sunday to a snow covered city.
I came home with a gazillion photos (well, not quite, but almost) and thought I’d share a few with all of you. If you have the opportunity to spend a day or two in Brussels, I’d recommend it. Enjoy!
]]>I am sharing two photographs from a session that I had with a family last weekend. It was kind of funny. I was scheduled to join them in their home a few days prior, but leave it up to New England winters to give us a snow storm with heavy winds and ice. We delayed a few more days and I trekked over to the their home an hour away from mine. The two kids were home for the holidays and they wanted to remember the joy of that since it doesn’t happen as often as they’d like. They had huge windows in the room and tons of natural light, which is where the first photo was taken, of course, posed. However, I couldn’t keep my eyes off their back deck with the mountain range in the background. The only catch was that it was around 25F outside. A bit chilly! The second photo is from the back deck. I didn’t do much editing on this as it’s not one they’ll print… but I just love how they’re all laughing and having fun. To me, that photo captured their personalities and how everyone was feeling that day.
So, keep shooting! You might just surprise yourself!
]]>So, January 1, 2013 is the new start. I was fortunate to take a little drive a few hours north to Bethel, Maine for New Year’s Eve festivities. What is in Bethel, Maine, you might ask? Sunday River Ski Resort is there. The mountains are beautiful and I believe the ski resort is one of the best in Maine. Thankfully the weather cooperated and I had an easy drive. Those that know me are likely laughing a bit. No, I don’t ski. I’d love to, my knees just don’t really permit me to. However, I have some friends with season passes that wanted to ski today, so we decided to make a little adventure of it and stay up there for New Year’s Eve. Since I don’t ski, I decided to have some fun with my camera.
I arrived right before sunset and headed straight for a covered bridge I had heard about. It’s a gorgeous bridge that dates back to 1872 and has a very traditional look to it. The snow and questionable skies made for an inviting setting. I saw tracks from cross country skiers and noticed someone had drug a snow tube across the snow also, so there must be easy access to sledding nearby. I’d actually like to see it with even more snow and might have that opportunity when I’m back up in the area in March for a friend’s birthday.
After I left the covered bridge, I just started driving… and got quite lost. Mobile phones with GPS programs are quite handy – when you have service. When I got to the point that I was a bit worried about not having a big 4 wheel drive SUV or truck, I turned around. :-) I took a few more landscape shots with the beautiful sky and kept driving until I was stopped in the road by 3 HUGE turkeys! Well, I think they were turkeys. Big, big birds, and not of the yellow variety. Of course, the minute I stopped and got out of my car they started running, almost skipping, and flew away. However it was near a pretty stream and the last two photos are from there in a blue filtered black and white.
Don’t forget, you can click on a photo to see a larger version. Stay tuned….I’ll be back!
Happy New Year to all!
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Additionally, you’ll see some animals, including a dolphin that was stuck in a low tide area and was eventually helped out. My beloved black lab, Tucker, is also included (dog!). There are the decks, danger, drama, door handle, deposit box, dead (leaves), decisions (or delicious, when I think of wine!) and my “D” stationary that I picked up in Italy.
I tried a different option, the gallery setting, for this post. You can simply click on the first image below and it will open up larger, then you can pace through all of the images.
Enjoy!
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I also took some time to capture some shots of the older look of the town, especially with things boarded up for winter. Thankfully summer and the vitality it brings to that area will be here before we know it!
I had a special visit from my sister and my nephew, Colin, and we enjoyed some fun adventures to the Childrens Museum and the beach to collect pretty rocks. I’d like to say that C might stand for cold, but this year, not as much as in years past when they visited… we were outside most of the day enjoying the nearly balmy weather! Cheers to the C’s!
Click to view slideshow.
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I’ll be cataloging my work by letter this year (if it’s not tied to a specific project) and hope to bring you many more great new photographs (and maybe a few fun, relatively pointless stories or thoughts of mine) through the year! Enjoy!
Architecture in New York City just off Wall Street:
Architecture in New York City:
Artsy Asparagus:
Asparagus:
Artichoke at an angle:
Artichoke:
Aprons! Yes, they’re all mine… and yes, the one on the far left really is a Minnie Mouse apron. 
Anticipation:
Apron attempting to be inviting at a storefront:
Amanda and her beau, John!
Architecture in New York City at the World Trade Center Site:
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Or with a photograph!
I have officially gone two full days without taking any kind of photograph with my camera and editing it. That’s the first time in a year. It feels rather foreign, to be quite honest. However, I’m glad to not have the self-induced pressure looming over me to take a photograph and post to this blog. Yes, my friends, my 365 photo a day project is complete.
I have learned a lot over the past year about myself, my writing and my photography. Simply, I’d like to think that I’ve grown. To me, that alone is reward enough for the effort and hard work. The comments and feedback I have received over the year have helped in ways that I can’t even express. Simple words of encouragement kept me going at some of the most difficult times for me. Some of those times were very sad. I tried not to convey that, but sometimes it came out in my writing. Other times were incredibly exciting and adventurous or just down right funny. The opportunity to share those times with everyone through my photographs and brief commentary was wonderful. I don’t think of myself as an exceptional writer, I simply write what I’m thinking most times. I hope that little look into my thoughts helped broaden your view of the photographs and at times, helped you to take another (different) look at certain things.
Thank you, again, to each and every one of you for your support!
I am the type of person that needs challenges and goals. I set goals and have a strong sense of accomplishment when I achieve them. I push through the challenge and do whatever I can do hit that goal. Thus, I need a new project with a new goal! 
Yes, folks, this is fun! Ha! I’ve decided that my new challenge this year will be to work my way through the alphabet. What does that mean? There are 26 letters in the English alphabet and 52 weeks in the year and I will post, at a minimum, bi-weekly. I would like to work my way through the alphabet, starting with the letter A, and share photographs. Those photographs may have objects that begin with that letter or they may spark emotion that begin with that letter. For example, A could have photographs with an apple, an ape or might even demonstrate anger or agility. These will be new photographs that I’ve captured as well as previous work I’ve done.
With all that said, I’m sure that I will also share special photo walks, travels and projects with you too. I am grateful for everyone’s critique! Stay tuned!
Happy New Year! I hope you have a wonderful and blessed 2012!
]]>For my faithful followers (whom I appreciate SO much!), no worries, I’ll be back to write more tomorrow and share my next project idea with you!
Happy New Year everyone!
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