Just spent almost two hours doing underwater photography with Danielle, a fantastic dancer from here in the North Country. At Sunday’s North Country Union High School Dance Concert, there was a display of great dance images that I made with the students. Danielle was a feature of this particular exhibit. Check out this photograph, taken under water this evening…it was an amazing experience!
WOW! I just experienced a spectacular evening that was entertaining but most importantly, moving and thought provoking. The assignment was to photograph a play and try out some very new high tech camera gear. The play was Rachael Cory, presented by a theater group at North Country Union High School and I must say that it was a very rewarding experience!
The play was about teenage suicide, but really was more than that – a look at the behavior of everyday people in society and their lack of sensitivity resulting in a tragic outcome of a young lady internalizing the burdens of that society to a breaking point.
This play was written by Robert Wing, and English teacher at North Country Union High School and directed by Cheri Skurdall. At the end of each performance the cast and teachers shared the process they took to bring the performance to the stage and the wonderful collaboration between the playwright, director and students. This is a delicate subject for these young people to approach, however, the insight they shared of the process was amazing.
It was brilliant and I must say these students are my heroes! As I said before—WOW!
Check out the images on my website under “online events” under the title “Rachael Cory”.
I have reached a goal, Master Photographer Craftsman!
The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of effort and energy as I embarked on the preparation for the annual competitions. The task required complex image making for six photographs to very high standards with the goal of meeting twelve criteria for wowing the judges. Each photograph took me between six and ten hours to complete.
The first competition at the Vermont Professional Photographer’s convention last week resulted in 3 blue ribbons, 3 red ribbons and the George Reed Award for best depiction of a Vermont Theme.
Swirl
This weekend is the Professional Photographers of New England regional competition. I have four images there where I have 3 blues and 1 red and one print, “Who’s the Boss” featuring the Patenaudes from Newport Center, scored an incredible 90.
Who's the Boss
The two other images that earned blues included “Adoration” featuring Gwynne Jones and her horse, Misty in a golden field of grass and “True Vermonter”, a portrait of Mr. Roy Davis in his sugar house in Derby Line, Vermont.
Adoration
True Vermonter
Now for the great news! The high scores in this round of competition now complete my journey to be awarded the distinct title of “Master Photographer Craftsman” from the Professional Photographers of America. I will receive the award in New Orleans in January.
Now I am off to prepare for one more competition at the National Level in three weeks…another 10 hours of printmaking to go!
SPRING SPECIAL: 2 Days Only – Thursday April 14th & Saturday April 16th. Call the studio for more information: 1-800-640-8138
Nicole and Matthew were married on March 19 in Newport. These photographs are part of a great studio session with Maid of Honor Kourtney Auger and Best Man Devin Lay.
A great session with Brewer, John Kimmich and his wife Jenn and their friend and banker, Justin Bourgeois, Community National Bank Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer.
John and Jenn own The Alchemist Pub and Brewery in Waterbury. It is a great place with incredible character!
On February 12, I was honored to photograph the wedding of Chantal Dionne and her husband William “Billy” Rioux in West Stewartstown, NH near Canaan, Vermont. I have worked previously with the Dionne family a few years ago for a wonderful family portrait experience at the family farm located between Canaan, Vermont and Colebrook, NH.
This wedding day brought some unique challenges with lighting. A day where it was snowing sometimes and sunny other times, kept me on my creative edge. I worked with supplemental lighting equipment and my assistant, Alaina, to keep the exposures where they needed to be while recording the emotions of the day.
I had great photographic moments with the family and guests with plenty of opportunity to use back light situations with the design of the Dionne’s window light living room and the outdoor background through windows at the St. Albert’s Church in West Stewartstown.
I love the image I created with Chantal and Billy outdoors complete with the white cape and white snow near the church! This was a true celebration of the winter season, the love of two great people and the relationships of family and friends.
