Cymande came to me for business portraits (I’ll be able to share those soon!). That plan evolved to include a photo shoot in Paris, and later a family photo session back in New Hampshire at my studio. Her day in the studio began with professional hair and makeup artist, Ashley. Hair & makeup by Ashley Conn Later
This is Casino Clogston. He began fighting fires when he was sixteen years old, when his grandfather was the Fire Chief, around 1985. Firefighting equipment is getting better and safer all the time, but firefighters still regularly carry over 100 pounds of gear while they work. The hood he is wearing here inside his helmet provides
Cymande initially contacted me for business portraits. We met at my studio in Plymouth, New Hampshire to plan for her session the following month. She decided she would like to have her family join her in that photo session. We chatted, and she mentioned she would be in Paris by herself soon. I had been planning
This Christmas, give the gift of a portrait session. It’s the perfect way to show someone they are important, beautiful, and loved. It’s a gift unlike any other. Each session is specially designed. From wardrobe to professional hair and makeup styling, all the details are covered. It’s a perfect day they’ll always remember, with portraits
It’s always special to see my work in print. My portraits of Jim, the mail carrier, Regina, the farmer, and Mary Francis, the minister, from my project “Life’s Work” are published in Vol. 2 of Real Small Towns. The magazine featured a full page with portraits and an article about my project. There are many interesting
One day in Paris, while returning from photographing a client, I heard beautiful accordion music echoing around the corner in Montmartre. I had been hoping to photograph an accordion player in Paris for my project “Life’s Work.” I don’t speak French at all though, so I decided to wait until my friends who do speak
You’re invited! Plymouth’s monthly art walk is next week! Join us for an open studio on Wednesday, December 6, 4:00 -6:00 p.m., at 2 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH. This month, I’ll show new work from Paris. I will also host artist Alma Grand, who will show some of her paintings and prints. Alma Grand
It seemed like it would never happen, but finally, miraculously, Amy and Paul welcomed baby Molly at the end of October. They can’t stop staring at her, and they filled the studio with love and joy. I am so happy to have created portraits for them to cherish forever. Hair & makeup by Ashley Conn
Laurent, the fashion designer from Lab 30 (see Part XI), told us that the woman who was working there was a very talented jewelry designer, and that her work was in the boutique. Of course, we returned to the boutique to find out more. Christiana’s jewelry is intricate beaded work, and absolutely beautiful. Her jewelry line is
Across the street from my makeshift Paris studio, I found a beautiful boutique called Lab 30. My friends Christina and Hilde and I went in. I found a dress I loved and when I tried it on, I knew I would buy it. Still, I wanted to come out of the dressing room to show
One thing I love about this project is that it’s showing how diverse trades and professions have become, in terms of gender equality and nationality in the nearly 70 years since Irving Penn photographed working people. Then, we would not have seen a woman minister, police officer or pastry chef. We probably also would not have
This quarter, the Fireball photographers’ challenge was chosen by Oli Beer, of Germany. She challenged each of us to a creative project called “Red.” I collaborated with dancer Amanda Whitworth, who is the Director of Dance at Plymouth State University. She also has her own dance company, Tributary Dance. We created many images at my studio in downtown
There were many reasons for my recent trip to Paris. One was an extraordinary exhibition of Irving Penn’s work at the Grand Palais. This was two floors of his printed work, magazines, video, and the backdrop he used in his project “Small Trades.” I also wanted to continue “Life’s Work” in Paris. Penn first photographed
You’re invited! Plymouth’s monthly art walk is next week! Join us for an open studio on Wednesday, November 1, 4:00 -6:00 p.m., at 2 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH. This month, I’ll show new work from the “Life’s Work” project. I also get to host woodworking artist Liz Hallen, who will show cabinets, benches, and tables.
I started photographing dancers under the guidance of photographer Lois Greenfield in NYC years ago. From that work, I learned how essential it is to direct people toward your vision for an image, even if you don’t speak their language. (I don’t speak “dance,” or French. More on the French part in the next blog
In early 2016, I attended a workshop near Versailles in France. At a lot of workshops, you meet people, it is pleasant, and you go on your way at the end. That particular group, however, bonded. We are a tight group of friends still–the Fireball Photographers. We continue to meet as a whole or in