stina's post

Goodbye blogger…

2008-12-18T17:28:00.002-05:00

So, I'm sorry old blog, but this will be my last post here. Sniffle…tear. But don't worry, your old posts will live on here for people to come back to in years to come.

But hooray, I'll still be posting on the new blog!! Yes, I've made the move so that I can bring you bigger and juicier photos! If you're a regular visitor…and I so appreciate that you are…just click this link and you can either bookmark or re-subscribe to the new one. I'm sorry to be a pain, but I promise it will be worth it.

I'm going to spend the rest of this month posting on the new blog a look back on the past year in photos for Stina Plant Photography. I'll also be posting updates about plenty of good stuff, like my website(s), special offers and just new things going on. It's been a great year and I'm excited for 2009.

So don't forget,

CHECK OUT THE NEW BLOG!!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T10:52:00.004-05:00

After such a crazy summer it was nice to get out of town and spend some time with family again. This year was our turn to head down to Manchester for the feast. While I missed my fam, it was so great to see everybody in Jason's family!

BJ and Sandi got a new puppy who stole the show…little Juniper.

She was at first a little scared and then super interested in what Maddie and Tobi were up to. Maddie, having helped us raise Tobi was great with the pup, but Tobi who is essentially an 85 lb. baby was a little "touchy." Especially when she got near his sensitive toes.

He was actually pretty scared of her. It was a lesson in teaching both the puppy boundaries and the dog not to be rude.

But with this kind of treatment, it's no wonder that he's spoiled.
Maddie, who runs a little hot, turned out to be a good door-sock.
And yes, our fascination with frying things finally took over Thanksgiving. Now that we have our own frying pot, it was time to cook the bird Texas-style. Jason's little MacGuyver move did the trick in keeping he and BJ from getting splashed with boiling oil.

It was deelicious. And we had a great time. Nothing better than good friends and good family!

My mullet

2008-11-19T18:20:00.003-05:00

Ah, the good ole' days. My former softball coach, Tim Smith, from…jeez I can't even remember, I think it was fourth grade… dropped this off at the studio today. Apparently the rec department has been cleaning out some closets and has dug up more than a few old photos.

Yup, I sported a mullet back then. I can't wait to send this to Kate, one of my best friends who was actually just over yesterday for a visit while she's home from Seattle. Kate is just finishing her PhD in chemistry (super smarty pants) and goes back after Thanksgiving to defend. So proud of her… I think playing softball was really when we became friends so funny timing that this photo should pop up. We seemed to have different opinions about tucked vs. untucked.

I don't remember too much about the team, but I vaguely recall being some kind of champions?! Of course we were…

St. Albans Fog

2008-11-08T15:02:00.002-05:00

On my way home last night, it was super foggy so I just had to stop to take some pics. This one's straight out of the camera. I'll post more later.

Whew!

2008-11-06T18:34:00.004-05:00

It has been a while since I last posted, mostly because I'm still trying to catch my breath from the crazy summer I just had. But wedding season was officially over for the year a couple of weeks ago so I'm starting to get caught up.

I have a TON of senior photos to share from this fall. I'm excited to show you some of my favorites. …And engagement photos from some of my happy couples gettin' hitched next summer.

In recent developments, I left my job at the St. Albans Messenger not long ago. After a 5.5 year stint it was just time to move on and really focus on what I want to do. It's been a weird adjustment and I have NO IDEA what's going on in the news! I'm definitely happy with the decision and soo ready for this next phase of my life. But it really struck home when I was recently asked who my employer was and I had to say "self-employed"!!!

And I'm also engaged myself now and planning my own wedding for next summer at the same time that I'm booking dates for other couples! Another strange adjustment to be on this side of the fence, but it's such a happy time! And no, I do not know who my wedding photographer will be. Sheesh…I feel like Adam Sandler (you know, the Wedding Singer?)

So soon I promise I will post some pics!

Gregg & Danette

2008-10-24T16:14:00.009-05:00

Last Saturday marked my last wedding of the 2008 season. And what a great note it was to go out on…

Again, this was like a mini high school reunion for me. Gregg, the groom, and I graduated together. I guess we're all just that age! He's been living out in San Diego since college so it's been a good 8 years since I've seen him.

I don't know why, since this happened a few times this summer, but when I'm booked by someone I know I don't even think about how many guests I'll probably know until the day of and then I suddenly get all excited that I'll be seeing some old friends!

Saturday turned out to be a great day too. Somewhat chilly but that's to be expected in October in Vermont.

I stopped by the groom's parents house first to check on the guys. The rings were awesome…

Gregg buttoning up…

My first time meeting Danette was on Saturday. I was so happy to find a bold, beautiful and happy bride!

The beadwork on the dress was stunning and I looooved the champagne color. Perfect for fall.

Let's do a count… I shot five weddings this summer at the Holy Angels Church in St. Albans! It's a popular spot. I love this area where the groom waits pre-ceremony.
Danette only lost her cool for a brief moment before the ceremony, but she pulled it all together perfectly once it was time to walk down the aisle.

And rumor has it that these Californians (I can't say California without thinking of the way Arnold says its…he,he) might be trading the sun for the snow soon. After the ceremony, we took a drive to the plot of land the couple recently purchased with a great view of Lake Champlain.

And we caught the last of the good foliage last weekend too. Gold and orange make a great backdrop.

I love this dance sequence. The reception was held at the Edson Hill Manor in Stowe. I had not been there before and was pleased with the cozy atmosphere, stunning scenery, and awesome slate dance floor.

Just before I left, I managed to steal the couple away for a parting shot. Danette didn't mind giving her feet a break for a minute!

Congrats Gregg and Danette … and I'll probably be seeing you soon!

Tony & Courtney

2008-10-18T08:27:00.000-05:00

Saturday dawned another beautiful fall day and although Tony and Courtney's ceremony and reception were both indoors, it's always nice to have a sunny day for a wedding! These two pulled the day off perfectly…a challenge for a couple coming from out of town. Well, they weren't entirely out-of-towners…

Tony grew in St. Albans and Courtney actually worked at a veterinary clinic here which is how the two met. A co-worker set them up on a blind date and the rest was history.

I loved the funky flowers that the guys wore for boutonnieres. (I'm not a flower person so I have no idea what they were?!)

Courtney's bouquet was beautiful too with lots of green and those same quirky flowers. I love lots of green…

The two flower girls were too cute with their almost identical missing teeth. Can you tell they're sisters?

The bride finally emerged from the limo-van once all the guests had arrived at St. Pauls Methodist Church.

You could see the joy in both their faces during the ceremony.

The church was right across the street from Taylor Park, one of my favorite shooting locations in St. Albans and the foliage was perfect.

This hot white corvette whisked the couple off to the reception at the Doubletree Hotel in Burlington.

The couple made it easy for me to get plenty of shots of intimate moments dancing, one of my favorite things to do…

Congratulations Tony and Courtney! Best wishes!

Jeremy & Jamie

2008-10-17T08:13:00.003-05:00

This couple may look slightly familiar since I just shot Jeremy's sister Angela's wedding to Tommy just a couple of weeks ago. Busy summer for this family! And now his sister Lisa is getting married next fall…so that only leaves Kyle (hint, hint, buddy!). But I couldn't have asked for a nicer family to work with not once but twice.

And again I brought my good-weather juju with me as it was a sunny and unseasonably warm Friday at the Pigeon Hill Stables in Berkshire. And the barn was beautifully decorated with leaves, grape vines and flowers from the venue's gardens. It looked like a woodland fairytale!

And that was just the first time I saw Jamie tear up that day…

Jamie wore the most gorgeous lace dress from Sewly Yours in Burlington.

And she looked absolutely stunning!

I love this glimpse of Jamie with her two sisters in the bathroom putting on the finishing touches.

Nervous joy…
The timing of the day was perfect and I had just enough time to walk the short distance to the guest house that the guys had rented for their getting-ready location. It's funny how much confusion there always seems to be as to how to tie a tie. I think I should learn so that I can help the fellows out.

The breathtaking ceremony site right outside the reception barn.

This was one of my favorite shots of the couple and it was a completely stolen moment where I hadn't posed them at all. They were too cute together…

They dancing, eating and revelry went on into the crisp October night.

Congratulations Jamie and Jeremy!!

Jason & Heather

2008-10-11T11:27:00.004-05:00

Knowing Heather, it came as no surprise that she showed no sign of nerves at all in the hours leading up to the ceremony. And if similarity is a sign of a good match, then Jay is perfect for Heather. Even Father Roy tried to coax the groom into showing a hint of nervousness…but it didn't work.

This was a fairytale day for Heather, complete with the pouffy princess dress. The weather was perfect and unseasonably warm.

This little one needed a few shots before she warmed up to the camera, but once she did…oh, boy, she was ready for her close-up!

See? No sign of nerves!

I think the MOH, Erin and and Heather's mom were more nervous trying to get the dress tied.

I love to see a smile on the groom's face as the bride makes her way down the aisle.

Heather and Jay made sure to include their dog Chaos (what a perfect name!) in a few of the post-ceremony formals. He was super excited to see everybody, but he was such a good boy. Not chaotic at all…

Vermonters can often take the foliage season for granted because, well, it does happen every year. But every year there are moments when, as a photographer and as a Vermonter, that it just takes my breath away.

The reception was a blast with tons of dancing. This is one of my all-time favorite first dance shots!

Congratulations Heather and Jay!

Myk & Allison

2008-10-02T16:49:00.004-05:00

Green was the thread that tied it all together. Green trim, green socks, green earrings and cuff links. Except for the hot brown heels…
Michael and Allison's wedding was part vintage and part funk. The crimson and golds of the changing foliage were reflected in Lake Willoughby, the perfect backdrop for their boardwalk ceremony in Newport, Vermont. And to make things even more perfect, there couldn't have been a sweeter couple.

I had so many favorite photos from this wedding that I could have blogged forever, but I narrowed it down to the few below.

Starting with these cute little munchkins who were enchanted by the sweet orange Mustang parked in the driveway waiting to whisk the bride away.

But a hot car can be eclipsed by a beautiful bride.
Here's those green socks I mentioned.
And the boardwalk was not only a beautiful spot for a ceremony but the perfect place for the couple to take in their new status as a married couple.

Allison is giving Michael a run for his money…

This ring shot also turned into another couple portrait…

And I was able to pull the couple away from the reception for a few last shots on the boardwalk. I'm glad we did. Congratulations Michael and Allison!!

Tommy & Angie

2008-09-26T18:05:00.005-05:00

Every wedding is unique, but this one was especially new to me as I was able to watch two very special people tie the knot. Tommy has been one of my little sister's best friends forever…so seeing him get married last weekend was akin to watching a little brother get married. I had a few moments of looking on in awe, comparing the guy standing there in a tux to his younger self who used to push my sister in the pool and clean out our fridge.

I think Tommy has found his perfect match in Angie…someone who's sweet and kind and comes with a huge family of people just like her. So while I was a little nostalgic all day, I couldn't have been happier for these two kids!

Here's some of my favorites…

I love the look of pride and joy on Angie's dad Tom's face!

I forgot to mention that Tommy comes as part of a pair…those childhood memories of him are only complete with Casey in the picture too, so this picture is a classic in my mind.

Angie wanted to replicate this shot that her grandparents had taken when they were married and I think we came pretty close.

They really do make a beautiful couple.

We couldn't throw rice at the church so we had to wait and do it at the inn where we took the formal photos, but it made for a fun shot!

Congratulations Tommy and Angie! I wish you all the best!

A rollercoaster…

2008-09-19T10:47:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to share these shots from a recent portrait session with the Smith family. All I heard was one of them say rollercoaster and looked up to catch these! Too much fun!

Cell Phone MIA

2008-09-15T10:09:00.002-05:00

So if anyone tries to reach me via cell, don't worry I haven't disappeared or gone out of business. I just…um…misplaced my phone. But it has been found so I'll be back in mobile availability in a few days! I got a call on Saturday from a client who had recently ordered some canvas prints asking me if I was missing my phone. She was in North Carolina! It had apparently slipped out of my pocket as I was packing her prints for shipping. Doh!

Brian and Sam

2008-09-15T09:49:00.003-05:00

Samantha was the kind of bride that had everything worked out to a "T" and even with being a huge do-it-yourselfer, she was so completely organized. The day went perfectly and all of her planning and crafting was worth it! From the flowers to the table settings to the big white bus that whisked the wedding party from location to location, it all just came together. Well, Sam's mom Shannon might argue that it was a little bit more than that! Good job ladies!

We started at Sam's parents house where the huge bridal party readied. Little Izzy I think felt a little neglected.

At the church in Enosburg Brian was only a little nervous. Here the rings are carefully taken into custody.

Married!

Flower girl Kennedy was a quick one, but we manage to catch her a few times.

Some more of my favorites…

Yummy cupcakes.

Oh, those dancing shoes…

Congratulations Brian and Sam!

Wayne & Laurie

2008-09-05T12:19:00.003-05:00

I must have the luck of the weather gods on my side because last Saturday turned out to be a very pleasant day for Wayne and Laurie's wedding at the Franklin County Field Days site in Highgate.

Alex was a little disappointed when he found out he wasn't going to be able to sport the shades while walking his mom down the aisle, but reluctantly consented.

Laurie was relaxed, but I could tell that underneath it all she was a little nervous.

Wayne looked dapper is his dress blues.
Laurie was walked down the aisle by her father for the first half and her two sons for the second.
Just married!

They both looked so happy together.
A stolen moment…congratulations Wayne and Laurie!

Rich & Tasha

2008-08-28T09:06:00.004-05:00

I knew it was going to be a beautiful day as I drove through the Notch to get to the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. I was heading there to shoot the wedding day of Rich and Tasha. Rich, formerly known as "Richie," and I went to school together from the elementary years on up. He was always a bit of prankster so when I saw him again for the first time at our 10-year reunion a couple of years ago with Tasha he was suprisingly…well, um, mature! (No offense Rich!) Tasha seemed like a great match for him with her upbeat and engaging personality. A reunion can be a tough place for significant others, as Jason can attest, but she seemed to have just as good a time as we did…maybe even more.

So I was really excited when they asked me to shoot their ceremony in Stowe. It's always great when you know the crowd you'll be working with is a fun one.

I started in the bridal suite capturing the girls getting ready. There was one panicked phone call from a groom who couldn't locate his suit, but he eventually found it. You know you're working with a cool bride when in the face of what might seem like a minor emergency she shrugged it off and even came up with funny solutions…like just ties and boxers! Luckily it didn't come to that.

Tasha and her mom seemed to have a really sweet, close relationship too. I caught them more that once in an embrace, laughing about this or that…

And I'd say the same of she and her Dad who was more of a cool character who preferred to sit back and observe.

I don't get to work with props very often, so I was thrilled when she brought out this paper parasol for portrait time.

And the kicker was that the two were already married! They had a small church ceremony on 08.08.08 so there was no problem with taking some couple portraits before the ceremony.

Tasha's from Hawaii, so her father brought these beautiful authentic leis for the ceremony.

The backdrop was stunning!

And this never happens, but that's me (on the right)! Several people thought it was only appropriate to have a BFA class of '96 photo so the bride took this shot. Good job Tasha! Pete and Pat were Rich's partners in crime in high school so I was a little worried that they might pull some prank on me, but they didn't and the evening went smoothly. I guess we're all adults now…

It was really great to see old friend as well as shoot a fun couple.

Congrats to Rich and Tasha and thanks for the fun night!

Photo field-trip

2008-08-25T09:25:00.003-05:00

I have to say that my eyes are burning a bit from the photoriffic weekend I had. Saturday was a gorgeous wedding at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe that I'll post more about later. On Sunday I drove over to St. Johnsbury…somewhat bleary-eyed to begin with…for a day of photo learnin' at the Vermont Professional Photographers bimonthly meeting.

I have to say my attitude sucked on the way over as I was late and tired and would much rather have stayed snuggled in bed sleeping. But it turned out to be a great day! The weather was nice and we (thankfully) went outside to practice posing and lighting for a while. And we had a great barbecue at the home of Anne Jenks, mother of Bob Jenks, who along with VPP pres Don Whipple were the presenters for the day.

Here's Bob composing a shot with one of our models at a local church…

And here's Anna, one of our models.
The whole scene…Anna is tucked into the corner on the left there.
Don sets up a shot with multiple reflectors.

There were four models so the group had the opportunity to pair up and try some of the techniques we had learned during the day.

Here's what's happening…

And here's my shot…

Anna had a very distinctive style and I just loved her boots which really said it all so I had to get a shot. Thanks so much to our models for being so pliable and upbeat all day!! And thanks to the group for making it such a great day!

Jesse & Amy

2008-08-20T16:19:00.003-05:00

It was an unquestionably beautiful day, last Saturday. Finally! The day started at the Back Inn Time in St. Albans where the bride spent the morning readying for the big day with her Mom and sister. The inn is so full of antique and architectural charm, that it could only be eclipsed by a blushing bride.

Don't be fooled though. Amy looks so calm but behind the scenes was so nervous for the moment.

Jesse arrived in style in a hotrod Camaro and had a few moments with Dad before being ushered into the church to ready for the ceremony.

After the "I do's."

Sunshine in the park.

The reception followed at the Pigeon Hill Farm in Berkshire. The rustic decor and country touch make for a beautiful setting.

And here was my competition for the evening. He also turned out to be quite the dancer…well, until it was bedtime.

It was a cool blue evening.

But here's one of my favorites from the day. Congratulations to Jesse and Amy!

08.08.08

2008-08-15T15:55:00.002-05:00

8.8.08 really was a lucky day for Kelsey and Jon. It was drizzly in the morning, but sunny by picture time and …who cared after that, the reception was at the Hilton! Rain or shine though, there was no way I wouldn't have come away with some good pictures because they're such a cute couple!

I have to say, Kelsey couldn't have been more radiant. She spent the morning getting ready at her parent's home. Very composed, but as the moment drew near she wavered between laughter and tears.

The details on the dress were gorgeous…

And the rings…
Special notes…
A little overwhelmed that the dress is really on, she takes a deep breath…
The boys on the other hand were rather relaxed back at home. Or just tired from the rehearsal night festivities. Jon gave each groomsman an engraved silver beer stein. They brought them with to the reception.

Last minute touches for the groom.
Another deep breath, this time for Dad too.
Right after the ceremony there was a brief moment alone…an unposed moment of happiness.

One of my favorites as they catch each other's eye.
I've always thought that the St. Luke's Episcopal Church in St.Albans was one of my favorites architecturally. It has such unique stone and those red doors are perfect.

So, I was well aware that this was going to be a fun crew. Since I went to high school with the groom's brother Joe and his wife Meaghan, I had an idea of what lay ahead for the reception!

First dance.
Kelsey and the girls spent some time practicing their line dance leading up to the wedding so they gave the crowd a mini-performance that night.
Even the flower girl, Anna, danced into the night!

And one of my new favorite favorites! Congratulations Kelsey and Jon!

Boissoneaults…Est. 2008

2008-08-09T11:46:00.002-05:00

Last weekend Josh and Christina tied the knot in a ceremony at Holy Angels and had a beautiful reception under a big bright tent at her parent's house. Christina did a fabulous job decorating and took some tips from Martha Stewart. Both the bride and groom were slightly nervous before the big moment, but they stayed (mostly) well composed despite their jitters!

There may have been a few tears and sniffles…just a few.

Josh's nerves came through in the form of pacing at the church…
Which the priest may have mentioned during the ceremony giving the crowd a little chuckle.

Some Chrisitina's cute ideas, umbrella place cards. Each table also had a date as the centerpiece and inside the card was a little blurb about why that date was special to the couple.

The DJ had a maybe-not-so-great idea to have someone from each table uncork a bottle of champagne (all at the same time) but fortunately no one lost an eye!

And lastly, one of my favorite intimate moments of the couple during their first dance. Congratulations Christina and Josh!

VT and NH

2008-08-01T08:12:00.004-05:00

I haven't had a break in a while, so it was super exciting to have a mini-vacation this weekend! Thanks to my folks not only watching the gallery, but also baby-sitting the menagerie, and not having a wedding to shoot, I had four whole days off! Woah…

We had so much fun and had great weather the whole time. I'm actually human-colored now! Friday night we camped out at Lake Elmore for the annual Booth family camping trip which is always fun. Here's Azzie getting a little giddy waiting for dinner…

And Marjohn getting a little grumpy waiting for dinner…

But since Bobbi-Jean and Sandy are the masters of camping, dinner didn't take long to cook and was deeelicious.

Dinner was followed by several of us retiring to the campfire for a little cigar smoking…

Then Saturday Jason and I headed over to Lake Winnipesaukee for a few days of r&r with our good friends PJ and Rebecca. It's so much fun to hang out with them because we never get bored, and they also appreciate having "down-time" too. And all of our activities involved cocktails such as my Mojito below.

The greatest thing is that PJ and Jason have been friends forever…literally, since they were wee tots. You don't find that very often! I just think it's so great that whenever they reconnect it's like no time has passed.

Sunday we went for a hike. Here's evidence of what it's like to hike with Jason. He's always first…

Except when I jump ahead for photo opps.

Hey, it's a picture of me! I hate photos of myself but if I don't force someone to take shots like this, there will be very little record of my existence after I die…the photographer's dilemma.

PJ points out to Rebecca all of the coves of the lake visible from the top of the fire tower.

I loved this lamp at the house we stayed at.

PJ loves to fish. The night attempt yielded few results.

And it was a super meatilicious weekend too, ending with our rotisserie-cooked chicken. It was as good as it looks.

Brooke & Noah

2008-07-25T13:30:00.002-05:00

Here's just one of my favorites from a recent shoot with my friend Brooke and the arriving-soon Noah. I can't wait to meet the little guy! Looking at this photo is a little weird for me because Brooke and I are the same age and really at similar points in our lives, but I am sooo not there yet. It's also the first really close friend I've had who's been pregnant so it's been an opportunity to ask all the really weird questions about pregnancy! Anyway, I'm extremely happy for her and Rob (who sadly couldn't make it to the shoot).

Also leave some blog-love telling Brooke she's not a dork! I think she's being waay too self-critical and should be thinking of herself as the cutest little pregnant chick around!

Landon and Mary

2008-07-23T16:26:00.002-05:00

This past Saturday I photographed the wedding of Mary-Ellen and Landon here in St. Albans. They and their guests were only interested in having a rockin' day…which they did. I'm sure the fun lasted well into the night, long after I was gone! Below are some of the highlights from their day.

You just can't beat a cute flower girl and ring-bearer. These two shared a dance later in the evening. Who knows what this could blossom into!

I was so excited when instead of a limo, not one but three vintage cars arrived at the bride's house to carry her entourage to the ceremony. One really sweet Mustang and a couple of Studebakers…

We stopped in the park in downtown St. Albans to get some fun couple shots…

And I'm going to add this one to my favorites from this season. And it was totally their idea! The funny thing was that right after this photo was taken we all got in our cars to head to the reception, but their car actually did break down and they needed a jumpstart to get it going!

Congratulations to Mary and Landon!

I love happy babies

2008-07-21T09:50:00.002-05:00

Who could resist this face?! I love my job, especially when the babies are happy! Little eight-month-old Ella loved the camera last week during our studio portrait session with her parents Jodi and Brody. Here's a few of my favorites from the shoot.

Music was in the air…

2008-07-21T09:49:00.001-05:00

I'm a little overdue in posting some more highlights from Neil and Vickie's wedding from July 5, but better late than never! During their sunny celebration, I realized what a talented group of musicians I was working with. The ceremony featured an opera sung by two of the bridesmaids and the reception featured a local polka band that both the bride and the groom play in! Neil even brought along his trumpet so that he could play along for some of the pieces. Details like that always make a wedding special because it's so personal and uniquely yours…

The happy couple outside the church in Burlington…

Neil's dad is a bit of car fanatic and loaned the couple this sweet ride for their trip to the reception…

Not many bridal parties will climb a tree for group photos!

The sunset ballroom…

Flawless dancers…

Yay! We were blessed with a beautiful sunset in the evening and took full advantage of it.

Congratulations to the Waceks!

Turkey Fry '08

2008-07-13T13:11:00.002-05:00

It started last year when I just wanted to fry a turkey. It was a good reason to have a party since I wasn't going to eat the whole thing myself, so friends came and brought other goodies to fry. It quickly became a culinary "experiment" and we decided to continue the tradition this year.

What can you fry? Anything! The menu last night included turkey, chicken wings, french fries, zucchini and squash, rhubarb, eggs, pickles, dough (mmmm), snickers, twinkies, fruit and some other items. I made a weak attempt at ice cream but that plan kind of melted.

The strategy: batter it and blast it. Here's the second bubbling turkey.
Gabe and Luma (?Lula). She was such a good dog.
Peter keeping Tobi occupied. I think he needs a dog!

The carvings…
Fried dough was delicious. My favorite this year.
My parents and friends contemplating what time they will wake up in the middle of the night suffering the repercussions of the eating orgy.
Like father, like son.

And if there's one thing we learned all night it is not to trust Ethan with the Oreos…ever.

No news yet on how the car ride home went!
The girls building stick structures…my kind of girls!

Karen picking at the bird.
Marcin brought the pickles. They were surprisingly good.
Becca feeling the tryptophan.
The dogs knew where it was at…anywhere under a plate.
And the kids this morning…a little hungover.
I'm so glad everyone made it over. With my busy schedule it really means a lot to me to be able to hang out with everyone, so thanks guys!

Sneak Peek: Neil and Victoria

2008-07-12T15:39:00.002-05:00

It takes a certain guy…and a tall guy…to pull off a tuxedo with tails, and Neil was one of those guys. Paired with Vickie's beautiful dress and upswept curls, they made a classic pair. One of my initial faves…

More McCormicks

2008-07-12T14:07:00.002-05:00

Here's some more pics from Cielo and Richard's Fourth of July wedding. Some of my favorites this time were the black and whites.

Sneakers

2008-07-07T15:39:00.002-05:00

Locals know that one of the best places around for breakfast is Sneakers in Winooski. So I was excited when Cielo and Richard wanted to stop on the way to the reception for some quick shots. I'm still editing, but here's one of my favorites from their day.

A Marathon

2008-07-07T15:24:00.003-05:00

This weekend was a whirlwind of weddings and fourth of July celebrations. Let me just give a tip to my fellow wedding photographers…if you are shooting on the fourth of July, plan your route and then call each town to find out what their PARADE SCHEDULES are!!! My heart sank to my toes Friday morning when I reached Jeffersonville only to find a parade blocking the only route I could take to get to my bride getting ready at the salon in Stowe. But again, my wedding superpowers kicked in and I found a gas station employee (whom I will track down and thank profusely) who gave me the weirdest but best directions to circumnavigate the obstacle. Yay! Only five minutes late.

Needless to say, the weather was magnificent for both Cielo and Richard on Friday, and Victoria and Neil on Saturday.

Because I'm crazy, I also had a race Sunday morning. It was the can't-miss-it Bay Day race in my hometown. I think I'm on my seventh year now. Last year my Dad joined my team, which also includes Jason, and he's been doing the bike section of the run-bike-canoe/kayak for almost 23 years. My schedule has been so busy that I had no time to train for my solo 4 miles in my Dad's new kayak. My arms were on FIRE. I won't be picking up a camera anytime soon. We placed respectably and had a great time.

Afterwards I finally got some well deserved R&R at my parents house. There's nothing like floating in a tube with cold beer. The doggies swam all afternoon too. The pic above is of Maddie drying out her tennis ball.

The weekend ended with a drive-by-shooting (camera not gun) of the local fireworks display.

Jed & Sarah

2008-07-03T18:40:00.002-05:00

Jed and Sarah were so laid back there was no way their wedding day wasn't going to be fun! Even with the drizzle they were up for taking portraits outside. Thank goodness because we got some great shots at the Intervale in Burlington and at Battery Park. What followed was an awesome reception under the tent set up in the couple's backyard of their new home in Winooski. There were plenty of kid activities including coloring, making mud pies and wearing funny glasses…so the adults had plenty of room for dancing. Check out their slideshow below. Congrats to Jed and Sarah!

Andrew & Jill

2008-07-03T18:30:00.004-05:00

Ladies, am I right when I say that we dig it when men can show their emotions? (I also like it when they can and are not afraid to dance!) Well, Andrew was one of those grooms who wasn't afraid to let the tears flow when he saw his beautiful bride Jill. It was super sweet! These two had a great day on June 22 at the Sleepy Hollow Inn in Huntington VT following a fun-filled weekend with all of their guests. Jill had an action-packed itinerary for all!

There ceremony was an interfaith ceremony combining Jill's Jewish background and Andrew's Norwegian heritage. One unusual part included guests bringing up sauna stones and placing them around the couple's feet. The stones will be used in the actual sauna that they will one day build. What a great thing!

Congrats to Jill and Andrew!

Matt & Mira

2008-06-26T15:19:00.003-05:00

When you find out that a couple has been together for eight years, you would expect that their wedding day would be a breeze. But it's really sweet when even after a couple has been together that long that you can still see that look when their eyes meet.

Matt and Mira's day went so smoothly and the reception was a blast. I love fun people!
Helping hands…
A proud father…
Matt and Mira's cutie Megan had fun in her frilly dress all day.
But, it's funny to see how fast a 16-month-old can go from sweet to not-so-happy!

We lucked out with the weather too…sunny skies for all of our portraits.A few moments away from the group…

Taking advantage of the setting sun.

Congrats to Matt and Mira!

Heather & Jason Esession

2008-06-26T15:07:00.002-05:00

It was fun and weird for me to shoot Heather and Jason's engagement pics last week. Not because they're weird, but because Heather and I played softball together in high school which now seems eons ago. Heather was a pretty serious kick-ass (scuse my french) pitcher with something like a 60 mph windmill. Seriously. We were the unstoppable state champs of course during her tenure.

So, I'm used to seeing cleats, not high heels!
They were a great couple to shoot.

But it's still weird when you have one of those revelations that you're a grown-up now!

Solstice Celebration

2008-06-26T14:57:00.002-05:00

I haven't been out much lately, but I was able to make it to the annual Solstice party at the Kittell's on Friday night. I love it when it stays light out so late that the sky is still dimly lity when I go to bed. It reminds me of Alaska. The spread at this party is always amazing with the best home cooked potluck around.

A good bonfire is always on tap.

Bill (left).
A pile of sparklers and noisy things.

That's how we roll. Nothing like an IPA.
And of course there is always a fireworks display…

It looks like tons of sparkly stars.

The Sparkling Jewells

2008-06-20T17:19:00.002-05:00

I'm a little behind posting my favorites from last weekend's wedding in St. Johnsbury with Evan and Melissa, but I was also busy this week shooting the very talented soloists for 2008 for the Vermont Youth Orchestra. But hopefully you've already checked out the slideshow for this rockin' couple!

Typically I don't get to spend much time with the guys before the wedding, but due to hair appointments and such I got to hang a little with the boys which was fun. Beers and cigars…my kind of guys!

But Melissa looked beautiful in her dress and the grounds around the Alerin Barn proved to be picture-perfect.

The guys also looked great in their tuxes…tuxes that arrived just in time!

And this is one reason why getting married in Vermont is the best…and tractor-drawn wagon!

I love those little snags that turn into a hilarious moment.

Lush greenery and great ponds…

And the revelry when on long into the night in the fabulous barn.

Congrats to Evan and Melissa!

Jewell Preview

2008-06-17T16:10:00.004-05:00

Here's the slideshow preview from Melissa and Evan's day at the Alerin Barn in St. Johnsbury this past Saturday. More photos to come!

Steve & Aimee

2008-06-13T17:42:00.003-05:00

More pics from last weekend's wedding with Steve and Aimee. Not bad for a broken nose (healing well by the way). Enjoy!

Hey Guys!

2008-06-08T20:47:00.004-05:00

Wow, I've been holding onto that post title since this couple signed me for their June 7 wedding last fall (their last name is Guy)! Actually, before Saturday I hadn't met Aimee and Steve who live in Connecticut. It was Aimee's mom Marianne who found me through a friend who lives in this corner of Vermont. I was very pleased to meet a cute, happy and fun couple who were both out to really soak up their wedding day. The whole day took place at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, VT which is a beautiful spot. Think, waterfront, colorful adirondack chairs, and a classic inn. Below are a few highlights from the day.

I arrived early and relaxed with Aimee and her bridesmaids. She had such a cute dress…

I had to steal the ring-bearer's shades to get this one…

No signs of stress…

One of my favorites…

The forecast threatened thunderstorms, but we couldn't have asked for a better day!

Congratulations Aimee and Steve!

Just my Luck

2008-06-08T20:31:00.003-05:00

So, I've been gearing up for the official start of wedding season which kicked off this past Saturday. I had all my ducks in row and even a had a good night's sleep. The weather was perfect too. And then a few hours before I was slated to leave a very unfortunate thing occurred. I was going to mow the lawn for an hour before getting ready and decided to let the dogs out of their "area." As I unlatched the fence, I bent over to pick something up and the next thing I knew my head was ready to explode. My wonderful dog Tobi, who is a mix between a lab and a rottweiler and has a tank for a head, ran through the gate and straight through my face. I managed to not pass out, but when I checked myself out in the mirror, …well, let's say my nose wasn't where it was supposed to be. Yes, I…ahem…"shifted" things back to where they were supposed to be and then could do nothing but get ready to go! Try as I could, I don't think the incident was very well masked by the make-up I applied and my eye continued to swell as I shot happy couple portraits during my wedding shoot.

This is what it looked like when I got back to the studio Saturday night.

And this is what it looks like today. Yup, no filters. So, now I hope all of my present and future clients understand my level of dedication!

Anyone know what kind of doctor you're supposed to see about this?

Later that day…

2008-05-25T15:50:00.004-05:00

Jason had just stopped by and was on his way out of town when he called to alert me to an interesting scene that would be passing the gallery momentarily. I grabbed the camera and I have to say, this was one of the stranger things I've ever seen. Yes, that's a golden retriever on the back! And another dog running alongside! I don't know where she was going. Or coming from…

Happy Memorial Day

2008-05-25T15:42:00.006-05:00

If you ever have the chance to see the "Rolling Thunder" you should definitely check it out. Hundreds and hundreds of bikes ride on Memorial Day to honor veterans. I'm not sure what their official site is, but if you google them you can get more info. They came through town today while I was at the gallery so I got a few good shots as they were passing through.

There's so many bikes!

And I'm jealous of some of the really sweet rides that I spotted in the group.

Yup, I'm a biker too (for adventure and gas savings…and the occasional head turn) so here's the view of the passing group with my ride in the foreground. I'm thinking of starting a local biker chic gang…any takers?

Vickie & Neil

2008-05-24T17:24:00.012-05:00

Engagement shoots are such a great way to get to know a couple. If this shoot was an indicator of how well the wedding day will go, then I'm in luck! I met up with Vickie and Neil this week at the UVM green which it turned out was appropriate since Neil just finished getting his BA in computer science. Congrats Neil! Vickie also was a UVM grad. Both are multi-talented, but we had fun bringing out their Ultimate skills with some action frisbee shots.

in style

2008-05-18T13:51:00.003-05:00

Jason's parents Dick and Barbara are up for a visit this weekend which is great since I haven't gotten to do much visiting lately. We had a great lunch from Park Cafe and then were treated to a little parade that made its way down Main Street. The "Moving Wall," which is the Vietnam War Memorial replica, is in town so the parade was part of that ceremony. But since it went right in front of the gallery we brought out a couple of sweet armchairs for some great viewing seats. Needless to say, the marching veterans got a kick out of it!

Flowers for Katrina

2008-05-04T12:41:00.005-05:00

My new friend Katrina visited yesterday because she was in need of some mentoring for a photography project she's doing for school. She's really enthusiastic about her plans to take some nice flower photographs and then donate her cheery artwork to a public space. Even though it was drizzly, we headed up to Taylor Park to find some cool shots and I got a couple of her in action. Hopefully the few tips I had will be useful in her project! Next she's visiting a teacher to learn photoshop techniques and then has a big presentation to prepare for.

Here's a couple of her at work and a few shots I took.

Maple Fest Gone By

2008-04-29T07:27:00.008-05:00

I picked up some quick shots at the Maple Fest Sunday afternoon while taking a brief break from the gallery. What a busy weekend! As usual the festival provided a lot of "colorful" opportunities, but I was in a good mood so I only shot the nice ones…Yay for the weather we had!

I just wanted to exclaim…

2008-04-21T08:56:00.000-05:00

…that it's MOTORCYCLE SEASON. Yay!

The Peepers are Back…

2008-04-19T13:10:00.003-05:00

I have to say that one of my all-time favorite sounds in the world is the peepers in spring. To me that is the sound of the world awakened at last after struggling to keep my toes toasty the whole damn winter. I love sitting out at night (preferably by a fire pit) and just soaking in that sound. And yesterday marked their Northeast arrival.

I stopped on the way home last night to take this pic of the osprey pair that has a new roost atop an electric pole platform in the swamp in Fairfield. I'm thinking it will make a good addition to my power-line series. And as I shot from the side of the road, I was serenaded by the peepers.

Most of the year I grumble a little about where I live. It's far out and isolated and a long enough (and twisty) drive that it can get tedious. But once spring hits I'm a little happier about our location because of the sounds and smells. On the drive last night I caught the ospreys at sunset, the beaver in the creek, and a heron gliding over the house.

So glad spring is here!

New lens

2008-04-19T12:58:00.006-05:00

I just got a new lens and after trying it out last night, I am in love. I've been reading on the OSP forum about a lot of people using "primes" which I found out meant fixed focal length (no zoom). They are typically cheaper and you can get them with apertures that go down to 1.2. I had always thought that I was missing something in not being able to acheive that sweet shallow depth of field even in a lens that stops at 2.8, but holy cow what a difference it makes! I got just a standar 50mm 1.4 that I plan to use for portraits and weddings. I think I'm going to be using flash a LOT less now (which I don't like the look of anyway) and loving my pictures more. The ones above I shot last night during a reception at the gallery and I'm really stoked!

New Site Up and Running!

2008-04-16T11:58:00.002-05:00

I almost forgot to mention that I have a new website! Well, same site, stinaplant.com, but I've upgraded to a flash site so I'm hoping this is an improvement. If anyone notices any kinks, feel free to let me know!

The Air is Sweet

2008-04-13T17:54:00.003-05:00

Literally, the air is sweet this time of year as all the sugar shacks spring into action to churn out some maple syrup. I've been working on a series of sugarhouses shot at night for a few years now and above is one of my most recent additions. Someday, I'll pull them all together!

Moment of Zen

2008-03-27T14:24:00.004-05:00

Winter is fighting us to the death this year in Vermont, but we've had a few tiny glimpses of warmer weather to come lately. While I'm back to being a little grumpy today because it's cold and gray again, I had a moment of clarity yesterday. I closed the gallery and walked down to my car and caught a great sunset, one of my favorite times of day. The melatonin kicks in and I start to relax a little. Watching other things wind down has always had a calming effect on me. If a day where it was just warm enough to feel like you could loosen up for a minute were a sentence, then the sunset was a nice dot, dot, dot at the end of it (…)

Consumerism

2008-03-18T08:36:00.002-05:00

Chris Jordan "Plastic Bottles" 2007

I've seen some blogs before about artist Chris Jordan, but a friend at work emailed me this link this morning that shows his work as I've never seen it. There's a good collection of images there to look through. I never realized the scale that he was working with.

Cribbage Throwdown

2008-03-16T11:05:00.014-05:00

Last night was the annual cribbage tourney at Joe's house. It was a night of cut-throat card playing…

Robbie has another bad hand…

Abbey playing at the weird board…

Interesting design…

Ladies, this one is mine. I don't know where the plastic glasses came from but Jason rocked the green pair…

Such intensity…

Kevin rocks the pink pair…

Joe, the hostess with the mostest…

Christina getting tips from the hubby…

The tally…

Emily and teammate Peter took the prize for last place and each took home a fabulous Renuzit air freshener (for the stinkiest players)

Team Jason and Kevin blew their lead and fell to Robbie and Scott. Maybe next year boys.

I LOVE the internet

2008-03-12T17:22:00.004-05:00

So, I honestly don't know how I would survive without the internet. Really. I used to think I would be pretty good at survival in a mad-max kind of world were that ever to happen, but now I'm thinking that I might have a melt-down without my beloved internet. I have a real life that I enjoy very much, but I've realized that my cyber-life adds such a level of efficiency, personal interaction, education, sharing, opportunity, entrepreneurial advantage, etc., etc., that it really adds a richness to my life.

Take for example the wealth of information available. I'm like a sponge when it comes to learning new things or teaching myself how to do something. Geeky, yes. I've come to learn the value of a good online forum, especially when it comes to photography. There's so many different ways to do things and equipment can be so expensive that it's extremely useful when learning the how-tos and avoiding the mistakes of others.

One of my favorite new forums is the opensourcephoto forum. I only recently joined, but it seems like a really honest and knowledgeable and helpful community. I'll soon be starting a list of good forums to link to in my sidebar, but this one is a great place to start.

Christina & Josh

2008-03-10T14:45:00.005-05:00

Here's a few pics from an engagement shoot I had with Christina and Josh over the weekend. I'm thinking that I probably should ask her if her friends call her "stina" for short so I know to expect personal confusion ahead of time!

Icy Blue

2008-03-09T10:49:00.003-05:00

Although I'm super sick of winter at this point, yesterday's icestorm was visually stunning. As I played trivial pursuit with Jason in the light of our headlamps (power was out), I was also thinking about all of the photo opps I would probably miss because I knew I wouldn't get my butt out of bed early enough to seek them out. The problem is that my life has become so jam-packed that I don't have time to take photos just for the sake of taking them! I hardly have time to play trivial pursuit!

I didn't get up early this morning and by the time I drove in to open the gallery, most of the ice was gone. I managed a quick shot from the gallery door, but it's not the most inspiring photo I've ever taken. Or is it…

It does inspire me to not take photos like it anymore, to not miss photo opportunities, and to get my priorities straight. It's about something bigger than capturing a pretty picture, it's about taking the time to do things that make me happy. I recently went to a wedding photography seminar with David Jay (posted below) and his ideas and business practices all revolve around that concept. It's freedom! While creating more personal freedom may not be something that happens overnight, I resolve to work towards it!

Congratulations Bairs!

2008-02-27T18:42:00.003-05:00

Dan and Leila are one of the most relaxed couples I've ever worked with. Check out their day!

Polaroid RIP

2008-02-18T08:36:00.003-05:00

The camera at left is an instant Polaroid camera and it's about to be sent to the retirement home. Recently Polaroid announced that it's going to end production of its instant film. It had already stopped making the cameras so now it seems the end of an era is really at hand.

I'm a professional photographer and I now work with digital exclusively. But I'm also versed in film, including its use in large format applications which uses instant film for test shots.

While consumer Polaroids were mostly a novelty item, I remember finding one at a thrift store for $2 while on my solo cross-country road trip several years ago. I still have the prints (which cost more than the camera) pasted throughout my journey journal, of the friends I visited from Atlanta to Alaska. The print quality was awful, dark and unreliable. But it was fun.

The digital world has already answered the call for instant gratification with instant digital cameras. We'll buy them for parties and quirky gatherings. So when we mourn the loss of Polaroids, are we lamenting a changing industry or are we yet again just reminded that we're getting older?

Happy Valentine

2008-02-14T17:05:00.005-05:00

I went to see the "dating game" at the Franklin County Rehab Center today in St. Albans and took some photos for the Messenger. The seniors put on a little play in honor of Valentine's Day. It was very cute!

Back from New Hampshire

2008-02-10T17:25:00.000-05:00

I've procrastinated in more ways than one. First I've neglected this blog while keeping up with the gallery's blog, and second I have meant to write this post for about a week. Give me a break on the second one though…I've got a terrible cold!

I promise from here on out to be a more dedicated blogger and that's thanks to David Jay. I drove out to Concord last weekend to catch his seminar for the NHPPA and it was well worth the drive and sleepless night in the hotel. Larry Asam made the trek from VT too.

David Jay talked through everything from how to best utilize word-of-mouth marketing to the software he's developed to simplifying your workflow. The amount of knowledge/affirmation/inspiration I got out of it was fantastic!

David Jay at Concord seminar

A few of his points summarized: bring a laptop to weddings and wow the guests with a mini-slideshow set up at the bar to pick up new clients; use whatever social networking tools you can get your hands on (I'm a junkie now); sell yourself not your products; and adapt to the digital landscape and the tech- savvier clients. It all made sense.
Larry Asam
His workflow discussion has already shaved time off of my post-production. It's a simple idea of breaking processes down so that they can either be eliminated, automated or outsourced. His whole point here was to reclaim your life!

I will post some of the links and book titles he threw out on Sunday below. There's a lot more that I don't have time to fill in, but anyone who has questions can get in touch. I'm writing all of this because his final message was to be open and honest with each other and to share information. So I'm sharing this with you.

Thanks to the VPP through which I heard about this workshop, thanks to all the friendly people at the NHPPA and thanks to David Jay!

showitfast.com - software designed for wedding photographers to post slideshows on the web
pictage.com - they do everything
pinkpenny.com - wedding album design
albumesque.com - same (I think)

book list
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
The E Myth by Micheal Gerber
Love is the Killer App by Tim Sanders
The Long Tail
Creating Customer Evangelists
Never Eat Alone

Time Flies

2007-09-09T14:38:00.000-05:00

It's been quite some time since my last photo post. I keep coming up with ideas for new projects, and keep running out of time to work on them. Someday I will get a chance to print. The gallery is now up and running too so that will keep me extra busy. I just returned from the finger lakes and hope to print a series from my vacation photos.

Coming Soon

2007-06-14T09:03:00.000-05:00

It's been quite some time since my last post, but for good reason. As I was coming off the winter blahs and debating what the "next step" would be it practically fell into my lap. I was sitting in the Flying Disc in early May…enjoying coffee, talk, and atmosphere…I learned (sadly) that the shop had abruptly decided to close its doors at the end of the month. With a new baby and another shop in the town where they live, the decision to consolidate is more than understandable! BUT, immediately the winter-frozen cogs of my brain started to turn. "How much is your rent?" I asked. And from there it has all snowballed. I remain working at my full-time gig at the Messenger, but have spent the last month planning, planning, and planning the opening of a photography studio/art gallery in the space. The landlord is currently painting and cleaning and I should be able to move in by the end of the month. I'll be able to start shooting right away…yippee! The gallery will take a little more time to come together but hopefully will be up and running by September. I plan to update more frequently on my progress so stay tuned…

suburbia

2007-04-30T18:47:00.001-05:00

suburbia-8016, originally uploaded by stinaplant.

I've always been fascinated by people's homes at night. When you start to think about consumption, it's even more interesting. So many lights that a long exposure begins to look like day. Check out more of these at my flickr account. I think it's the start of a longer project.

My morning cup

2007-03-05T21:17:00.000-05:00

Charles Osgood's voice is as warm and soothing as my cup of coffee on a Sunday morning. I look forward to CBS Sunday Morning every weekend for a little culture. This weekend's art piece was about pop photog David LaChapelle. I've poured through the opened copies of his books at Barnes and Noble digesting all the color and innuendo. He's everything I've never tried to be…or had the energy to be. His website unfortunately seems to be down but I'd like to take a closer look at the most recent work featured on the show.

Rural nights

2007-03-05T21:14:00.001-05:00

IMG_7602, originally uploaded by stinaplant.

This is the time of year when we all get really sick of snow. I could really use a beach somewhere. But, when the temps warm up just a little, the snow sticks to the trees. Add a moon and viola, photo opp. See more at flickr.

Clean air

2007-03-01T17:22:00.000-05:00

The Danish Island Samsø provides a model for all of us. Couldn't every town do this? Read the article from Outside Magazine.

Arno

2007-02-28T20:02:00.000-05:00

I want to start pointing out some of my favorite photographers. Check out Arno Minkkinen's website. I was introduced to Minkkinen's work while working at the Maine Photographic Workshops in Rockport Maine during the summer of 2000. They paid me in food, but the place was crawling with artists from all over the place who came to teach workshops and give artist's talks. We used to cram into this stuffy little theater where you could hardly breathe…it was great. It was so long ago, but I remember enjoying his work and appreciating his down to earth personality.

I lied…

2007-02-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

In my first blog, I said I have no social agenda. That's not entirely true. A while ago I started work on a series of photos of power lines. In my work at the newspaper, I shoot a lot of cliche landscapy type stuff and power lines are always getting in the way. Partly because of that, and partly because several Vermont towns have rejected wind turbine projects arguing aesthetics, I started collecting photos with the lines cutting right through. Here's a shot from today (while out working on yet another project). Lately, so many ideas, so little time.

Jeff Wall

2007-02-26T18:52:00.000-05:00

I read and enjoyed the article in the recent NY Times Sunday Magazine about Jeff Wall today. My education in contemporary photography is ongoing - art school unfortunately focused mostly on the distant past - so I always enjoy catching up. His work is interesting but I mostly appreciated the discussion about his evolution and process. Last night I was reading my most recent issue of Aperture and the contrast of the Times article was refreshing. Aperture puts a lot of effort into being over our heads and making us feel small. Or is that just me?

As I read the story I listed the other artists referenced so that I could later check out their work too. Why don't these artists have websites? It's surprising how few have their own.

Lights - 2

2007-02-24T13:16:00.001-05:00

Lights - 2, originally uploaded by stinaplant.

Growing up close to farm country doesn't mean I fully "get it". A neighbor recently plowed through 3+ feet of snow to move some hay bales… at night. It was kind of like watching a strange movie. Hoping to take more night shots…Two more of these on flickr.

Close up

2007-02-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a series of macro flower shots. I took a ton of photos last weekend and despite their lack of narrative I'm happy with how they turned out. On the one hand, I appreciate meaningless abstractions that are just good to look at, while on the other I think of my art school friend and cringe at the thought of him looking at them. I have other projects in mind that have more of an agenda, but I think I've become so jaded from working at a newspaper that I'm less interested in making them. After all, a social agenda really needs a belief in change in order to go on. I'm not so sure society can. Whine, fume, complain…but drops of water are fun to look at. And they can still make someone feel something. More of these here.