Michael Blanchard Photography

New Website/Blog

Please update your bookmarks (if you had me bookmarked, and if it was to my typepad address...) to my new website @ www.MichaelBlanchard.com

Hope you enjoy!

--Mike

Just a Little FYI...

This week is kinda crazy for me!  Tonight I am shooting a really high end party that I'm very excited about, tomorrow is the wedding of Sarah & Mac which will be a blast, and I've just started booking senior portraits.  To top it off, I'm in the middle of a site re-design.  The new MichaelBlanchard.com should be up and running within a few weeks.  Needless to say, I won't be posting much until it is up.  If you are here looking for photos from one of the events I have listed, just hang tight and they will be up shortly.  Just keep checking back often for updates.  If your here for senior portraits, I am booking throughout September & October so leave me a comment or send me an email so I can put you down. Thanks for your patience!

Here is a sneak peak! 

9/11/2001

9/11 has changed my life in more ways than one.  Seriously.  I didn' t even know anyone who died.  Today on the sixth anniversary I wanted to pay tribute, but also give you something to read at the same time.  In 2004 when I was graduating from high school, I was one of a few seniors asked to write a senior statement to be published in the school newspaper, the Newtonite.  I immediately knew I wanted to write about 9/11.

Here is what was published in our graduation issue.

"For the past four years, Newton North has been part of many memories that will stay with us forever. We've won awards, made life-long friends, attended proms, and even became state champions. However, one day at North will especially stay clear in our minds forever. As freshman, the class of 2005 was still learning to find its way around the expansive North on our fourth day of high school. The date was September 11th, 2001.  Just about every senior I’ve asked remembers that day at Newton North in fine detail. It can be compared to the day President Kennedy was assassinated, and our parents remembering their exact whereabouts at the moment they found out. As for myself, my day started in Mr. Vignone’s history class, which went as usual except for him turning on the radio, which he had never done. My next class was English with Ms. Craig-Olins. It was here when Mrs. Huntington made her first announcement to the school, briefly describing what had happened up until that point. I then remember hearing a rumor that more had happened then was announced, but I brushed it off as crazy and impossible. Later in gym class, we didn’t do much because it was signup day, so people quietly talked. I heard Ms. Baugher and another teacher talking about what they knew, and it confirmed the rumor from earlier. As soon as class let out I went to the library and got on a computer to see for myself. A small crowd of stunned kids gathered around to see too. Not much else went on at school that day, although I did sneak into a classroom that had the news on for a little while. I don’t think many kids, including myself, really understood how big the events of the day were at that time. However, it seemed more serious when the bus my friend and I took home everyday, was free of charge, just to get everyone home safe. That night, aside from being glued to the television, I looked through some photos and video I had taken myself less than a month earlier on a trip to New York, which I am now so glad to have. For the Newton North class of 2005, we are the last students to have been at North on that day, and even after a new school is built, it’s something we won’t ever forget."

I took this picture 28 days prior to 9.11.2001

Not Your Average Housewarming Party

Take note.  Inviting me to parties is a good idea.  I just can't seem to leave my camera at home!  (It's an OCD thing...)  Anyways, over the weekend Kim's family had their first official party at the new house in Brookline.  When I heard they were setting a tent up in the back yard, I totally didn't expect this...  Then again, I shouldn't underestimate the power of Hopple Popple.

The "tent" to the left of the house.  Yes, it's just as tall.

The entrance.

First room.

The lounge, which was built over the pool by the way.

Patti LuPone came to sing some of her Broadway tunes.

The stage, after the performance.

...I helped to put those up by the way.  (Just kidding!)

Time for some dancing!  Kim's Mom & Grandfather.

I love this shot.

Samantha and her Grandfather.

 

Party g0-ers.

Marcia & I.

I love this one as well!

Centerpieces. 

Mmmm desert...

Kim and I. 

By the way Kim, I think it's time I give you a category on my blog...  the amount of press you receive is ridiculous!

More dancing.

Couches drapery and lighting.

 

The dancing statue in the yard.

Another detail shot.

I had to put this one up...  4am, after the party and snacking on caviar lol.

First Visit to Natick Collection

Believe it or not, the town of Natick hasn't always been so "Glamorous!"   I vaguely remember going to the original Natick Mall, before the first new mall was built in the early 90's.   Part of it was outdoors I think, with a playground in the middle.  I also remember the old shoppers world and Jordan Marsh with it's huge dome.  Then there is Lechmeres, and Service Merchandise...  Ha!  Maybe some of those were in Framingham, but who's really keeping track?  Go Here for an interesting article.

Last week, just up rt. 90 West, Natick got it's newest "luxury" expansion, The Natick Collection.  Attached to the old mall is a stunning new wing filled with higher end stores.  The mall is kind of segregated now, it's funny.  They did however integrate the two sections very nicely, I almost didn't notice we were walking into the regular mall.  Maybe I was just too focused on the new water feature, made of black granite.  Did I mention they have valet now?

A few construction pictures first...  Here is the street that ran past Macy's (now J.C. Penny).  Taken Sept 22nd, 2005. 

Every time I would go to the mall I parked in the same spot at the top of this garage (now gone) and I'd take a photo of the construction. 

Here, the construction continues on December 27th, 2005.  (I must have been returning a Christmas gift...)

Filene's before it left.  March 2nd, 2006.

A temporary re-route took me past the point where the new mall would eventually connect to the old mall.  Taken June 3rd, 2006.

Looks like this is probably Neiman or the new condos... 

Nearing completion, January 29th, 2007.

What's coming "09.07.07"

And, today!

Neiman Marcus.

Nordstrom.  The first in the area.

Doesn't this look like an artists rendering and not a photo?

Carpeted halls.

The "trees" are really cool, I have to admit.

This is near where the new part connects to the rest of the mall.  The water feature is very cool.

There is a street that runs under the mall as well as new underground parking.

That's all I have to report for now...  If your craving more, Globe West is having a field day blogging about the collection.  Click here for their blog.

It's NEVER Too Late For Belated Presents!

Over the holiday weekend, Kim, Steve, & I went to Copley for some shopping.  I think it's my new favorite mall... (until Natick opens).  Anyways, before we left, Kim wanted to go to check out Tiffany's...  (Like she's never been before or something).  I tagged along, checking out the expensive engagement rings and other finely crafted neck wear.

I've never been one for jewelry, or any kind of "accessory" actually.  I didn't even wear a baseball hat until a few years ago!  No watches, no fancy belts, not even sun glasses...  They just never interested me, I guess.  However, a couple years ago on a cruise to Bermuda, I took my casino winnings and bought a gold chain.  Since then I've realized it's okay for guys to wear whatever.  I now have about a dozen hats, a replacement gold chain (RIP), a couple nice belts, glasses... etc!  (still no watch though... hint, hint ;) 

Back to Tiffany's - Did you know they have mens?  I didn't, but apparently Kimmy did.  After splurging on herself (I don't think she wants me to tell you what she bought), she surprised me with a late birthday gift!  It was a sterling silver ring...  Something I've SERIOUSLY always wanted!!  At weddings I'm always taking pictures of rings, but since I'm not married, I never had one of my own.  This is not a wedding ring or anything, lol, but I do love it, a lot.  Steve bought a really nice one, too.  I recommend them as a gift for your guy friends... way to go Kim!

This was a hard shot to take by myself, lol.

At weddings I always try to find a neat way to display the rings in the environment I'm given...  I had some fun doing this at home, too.

Favorite.

Microwave Safe...  I don't think so.

In the ring of fire.

I also bought a necklace...  Cool isn't it?

"Money can't buy happiness"  right...

Fire in Newton

Newton is a big city.  With that said, tonight I heard fire engines racing somewhere around 8:30pm, from my home in Newtonville.  Around 9pm, Amanda called me from Waban, asking if Newton was "under attack or something".  Apparently she could hear them not only from across town, but also a half hour later. 

I turned on our police scanner, lol, and tried to hear what was going on.  Not willing to wait any longer, I got in my car and headed towards Waban.  Then Mom called and told me it was something on Washington Street, which is a main artery of Newton with lots of large buildings.  It didn't take me long to find the flashing lights, and the suspected fire. 

By the time I had arrived, the apartment complex fire was already out.  The only reasons I go to these are because 1) I am nosey & 2) because I freelance for CNC, one of Boston's major publishers.  They rarely assign things to me but when I come upon something on my own, they'll usually publish it. 

The ladder truck shown here is the one my brother Joe works on.  He wasn't on duty tonight.  I'm sure he'll be disappointed to have missed this one.

A firefighter in a window.

Water being sprayed through the roof.

Firefighters on the top floor making sure everything is out.

My favorite.

I GOT TAGGED - FINALLY!

If your a photographer and your reading my blog, you probably already know about the tag game thats going around.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'll tell you.  There is a tag game going around. 

Not sure where it started but photographers are tagging other photographers via blog sites, and they must tell 8 things about themselves otherwise not known, and then tag 8 other photographers.  I was tagged twice, by Margaret Singer & Amanda Harris, two great photographers.

Here goes!

1)  I've been on Larry King Live.  It was the episode with Larry Birkhead and Anna Nicole's daughter Dannielynn.  Interested?  Click here to watch!

2)  I have been working at the same restaurant for over six years!  (I am 20 - that's a long time).  It's a family owned joint in Newton called Cabot's.  We are 50's style and have ice cream too.  (I blame the scooping for my tendinitis).  There actually aren't many places around who are willing to hire high schoolers, so when I turned 14, off to Cabot's it was.  My sister (now a nurse at Mass General) had her first job here too.  It's a great place to work instead of a chain like cvs or something.  Plus I think everyone should wait tables at some point in their lives, for obvious reasons.

3)  I have a twin.  Sorta.  There is a small hardware store not far from my house, and one of the guys who works there apparently looks JUST LIKE ME!  I shouldn't say apparently, I've actually discussed this with him, and yes, we do sorta look a-like.  At least 25 times over the past 6 years working at Cabot's, someone has said to me "Do you work at the hardware store??" or, "Do you have a brother at the hardware store??".  He reports that customers at his store frequently ask him about "the kid at Cabot's"!  One of these days I am going to get a picture of us together so I can post it!

4)  I <3 NYC.  My first visit to the Big Apple was around 94' with the fam.  Since then I've been back a dozen or so times.  Going there is actually not what makes me love it so much.  I guess I am just intrigued by the history of it.  My thesis on the race to build the tallest New York skyscraper in the 30's won first place junior year...  I also love old photos of the city.  After 9/11 I slowly realized that everything isn't always going to be here, or look the same.  This fueled my desire to photograph things.  It also started my NYC/WTC collection which includes all kinds of artifacts and memorabilia.  I also buy negatives and slides of the WTC/NYC in hopes of some day publishing a book of other people's photos.

5)  I've never eaten a whole tomato.  I love broccoli and carrots, but tomatoes gross me out!  (As do onions and pickles and mustard... Ahhhhh!)

6)  I actually enjoy going to the doctors/dentist...  I love the smell, ambiance, and personal attention there.  I feel lucky to live in Boston for the chance that someday I will need to be hospitalized.  We have some of the best in the country!  HOW WEIRD AM I!!??

7)  I think my second calling in life is Real Estate.  Lately those house-flipping shows have really gotten my attention.  If you don't watch them, you must start.  My favorites are "Flipping Out" and "The Real Estate Pros".  The guy on flipping out is neurotic and loony, however, I really appreciate his work.  He spends a lot of money on quality renovations that take time.  I wasn't brought up to do things quick and easy (see our home renovation) rather, I like things done right. 

8)  I'm getting a new toy!  MichaelBlanchard.com will be making its debut in the fall!  It will have one of the best looking blogs in the industry, a gallery stocked with photos, and a gift page featuring a line of frames and some one of a kind art work.  Send me your email address so I can keep you posted!

Now it's your turn lucky 8!  (Actually I did 9, deal!)

1.  The Martins - The personal blog of my amazing web designer Brock and his wife.

2.  Taslim Sidi - Another young Boston photographer!

3.  Tony & Ana Yu - A husband and wife photo team also from Newton.

4.  Heather Kincaid - A California photographer with a great eye.

5.  Heather Owens - A portrait photographer from Maryland who really captures emotion well.

6.  Jessica C. Moritz - A stunning photographer from Malta.

7.  Katie Higginbotham - A Florida photographer who loves "real" smiles!

8.  Michelle Howell - A blog dedicated to unique floral designs out of Kentucky.

9.  Crista Chitwood - A 21 year old from Illinois just doin what she loves!

Visiting Newport

Day trips are often proposed, and rarely executed.  Amanda and I have been talking about going to Newport, Rhode Island for months.  We finally came to a date that worked, and we went!  - Dammit!  ;)

I took these while walking around.

Some excellent doorways in Newport!

A boat-fixer-upper place.  Restoration, I think its called?  Yeah, that's it.

Doesn't this make you want to get outside and work in the yard...  Or at least call a landscaper?

Dream on!!

You can't tell from the photo, but they were playing cards.

And over to Bellevue!

The street of the Newport Mansions.  I love this street because it's concrete and not asphalt paved.  Some day I want to live on a concrete paved street...  So neurotic!

I hate to associate this with Newport, but while we were walking down the street this disgusting tour bus drove by projecting gasoline into the air for hundreds of feet.  Cars were stopped behind it because they didn't want to get it all over their cars.  This bus was such a piece - that I couldn't even make out the license plate because it was covered in black suit. 

Everywhere I go, I try to leave it a bit nicer then when I came.  Even when this is impossible, I'm still always conscious of myself.  I always try to do my part, whether it be cleaning up after myself at a friends house, or simply taking home a plastic/aluminum can for recycle - instead of throwing in the trash.  That's why it pisses me off to see things like this, which I see a lot it seems like!

...ON TO PRETTIER THINGS!

For some reason this house drew us in.  Small but very elegant.

On the side of the estate.

Million dollar porch.

Heading to the Cliff Walk!

The Cliff Walk has an un-finished part to it...  We made it though!

With my new aviators.

Surfers - In Newport!

Self-timer portrait.  Love this one.

BAD DOG!

The Breakers Mansion.

We didn't go in (although I've been before) rather we just walked along the Cliff Walk.  We spent a lot of time at the shops, and out to eat, so we no longer felt it was absolutely necessary to go into the mansions.  The Cliff Walk was pretty good substitute anyways!

Small tomatoes?

Side gate to the Breakers.

Iron detail.

Me portrait.

I LOVE round trees like this!!

Photography Items For Sale!

Today I listed a few items on ebay for my photographer friend Casey.  When she moved this year I was given the task of auctioning some old equipment of hers.  I finally got around to listing them this week and I'm very happy with the presentations.  I hope we make lots of money! Here are some items: