Tater tot came over and spent a day at our house last week. There was never a dull moment.
Playing the piano with gramps.
Concentrating.
He loves watermelon especially.
He also loves Newton fire fighters.
No clue what she was getting into...
I think he knew something was going to come out eventually.
My sister at the controls.
A little more cautious this time.
That was fun!
Grammie.
Going in for the kill.
I love this one.
Favorite.
Colder than you thought?
Summer is almost over. For everyone else that is! My fun doesn't end until September 24th... Anyways, I've been trying to make as many plans as possible before everyone leaves, and August has been fun so far. In the past week or so I've hung out with my friend Kim a lot... She has a great pool which I always find myself in (sometimes as late as 2am!). One night I took over my equipment and we set up some pool shots. The pool lighting makes photos come out very neat. Here are some shots:
Meri, Kim & I.
I don't have a remote so every picture required me to get out & dry off before I could set the timer again. Not fun.
Walking on water, kinda.
I'm holding my underwater digital camera in this shot. We used it to take pictures, but also to illuminate our faces in the long exposure shots.
Like in this photo.
The flash didn't work here but I still like it.
On Sunday we went to see the Hopper exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. It was the last day of the exhibit.
And it was sold out.
But we had tickets! Photography was not allowed inside the exhibit, and I actually followed the rules. The show was really great - Hopper was an amazing painter and it was so cool to actually see his famous pieces up close and personal.
In front of her grandparent's sign.
That night Kim threw a party by the pool. We had a cake for Naven who happened to be celebrating her birthday - it was very good!
Lighting the candles.
Naven works for Kim's family, she is such an amazing person! Last year she helped me make a video for my nutrition class which really helped me out. You can check it out Here.
Happy Birthday!
Last year I shot around 33 senior portraits. I started doing seniors when I was a senior - though the first year they were mostly just for my friends. Every year since I started this, I've been doing more and more kids, and each year, they just get better!
Anyways, one of my seniors from last year called me up to do a group portrait of her with her sisters. It would be for their mom's birthday (hope she doesn't check my blog!). They were lots of fun, and most importantly, willing to try anything I suggested.
Kate, Sarah & Jen.
The sun was coming through the clouds in spurts, so it was go time while we had it!
First time I ever did this but I love it!
They scaled this tree wearing flip flops - and nobody got hurt!
An older gentleman was walking by and offered to take a shot of me with the girls. Luckily I was wearing white too!
Don't mess!
I pass this row of massive sunflowers every time I go over my friends house... I always wanted to stop. Finally an excuse!
Traffic!
Those are some tall sunflowers...
Favorite!
Yesterday turned out to be one of those days where you go for something and you realize that life is about more than just 9-5. That's because I took off my 9-5 to go meet up with the infamous photographers, Becker & Jessica Claire from California. Seriously, if you are ever bored, check out their work, it will entertain you for hours.
I spend so much of my free time checking up on my favorite photographers because I can't tell you just how inspiring they are to me as a young photographer. [b]ecker & Jess are two of those people who I have come to really admire. Their entire attitude towards work and play totally agrees with me, and through them I've discovered that it is possible to be in this business and REALLY enjoy it!
When they announced that they would be in Boston over the weekend, I immediately canceled all of my plans ;) They were at Boston Beer Works on Saturday, awaiting anyone that wanted to come and say hi. I ended up not only meeting [b] & Jess, but also 5 other great people from the Boston area, (stalkers like myself). Needless to say, it really was a very fun evening.
Becker with his crazily recognizable [b] logo!
Jess, playing with my camera...
Becker with Paula, a portrait photographer, and Taz, a really talented everything photographer.
The BPD on to you Becker...
Becker was also nice enough to show me how to use my camera a little better. He hooked it up with some sweet custom functions, which he tested on me! I love these photos he took... I may use them on my new website (coming in Sept!).
Can you believe this guy uses THAT camera!? I couldn't... haha!
Jess, Becker & I.
It was such a nice day to be in Boston...
By the way, this image is straight out of the camera... The settings on my camera that Becker left me with are really awesome... and I had no idea it was even possible.
After we all departed, my sister met me at Fenway and we tried to get tickets to the game...
Never wait till the last minute...
My sister Carol while we waited in line for tickets.
We usually don't have a problem with her hospital ID but the game was completely sold out... too bad!
I don't usually do an "after thought", but today I will. I feel that life is too short to do things by the book. Well, some things you have to do by the book, but I do think lifes short enough that you should try to take advantage of every opportunity that you can. Going to meet those guys was very random - but I'm really glad I did, and who knows what may come out of it. I've noticed that little things can sometimes turn into really great big things, especially when you want them to! At least in this business, that is 100% true. Networking and getting out there is SO important, and it's something I'm really going to work on. If your in the Boston area (or anywhere actually), leave me a comment or send me an email to introduce yourself! Who knows what it could bring you!
Last week we had some family in from Texas so everyone was together a few times hanging out and eating good food. Yikes - there are a lot of kids in the fam! Very cute ones, though. Here are some of my favorites...
Shannon wearing short shorts. (Don't get mad!)
Ashley & Shannon.
Thomas up at bat. That's my brother pitching.
Little Maya.
Tater Tot enjoying a snack. Had a rough day kid?
This is my cousin Ashley. She's going to be a sophomore in high school and needless to say, is very photogenic. All I had to do was say "wanna go take some shots?" Gorgeous...
Ash you could be a model!
How many kids get to have their sophomore portraits done! Don't worry - no charge.
Ashley & Thomas - siblings.
Ashley & I.
Maya in her sox dress.
Cousins!
Cousins Thomas & Drew, VERY cute together! They don't even see each other that often so it was fun to watch them play together and be so lovey-dovey.
POSTCARD!
Angelic babies - photographer's dream.
Weeds worked perfectly as a backdrop, thanks Mary!
There they are again!
All I did was ask them to sit in the sun, then I sat back & watched!
Drew loves her Mommy!
Ashley & Thomas with Nonnie & Dexter.
The girls! Can you spot the twins?
Shannon & I ending the night with a bowl of doritos.
Four years ago when Sarah met Mac, they went to a museum on their first date. Now engaged and planning their wedding, Sarah & Mac wanted their engagement photos to be taken somewhere fun and meaningful. We ended up at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It was fun walking around turning heads away from the priceless works of art and over to us! I am so glad we decided to go here!
I met Sarah when she hired me to shoot some company parties for her work, EF Education. I was so happy when she thought to hire me a third time, to do her wedding! I can't tell you how many times I've answered a small job ad on craigslist or handed out my card at work and had so many other great things come from doing so. That is what I love. Hopefully I can work with these guys and all of my other clients for years to come as they have kids etc. Anyways, I'll let them get through the wedding first! (Which is right around the corner in September, so stay tuned for that!)
How cool are they?!
Outside of the museum.
Ring shot.
Mac-ing out.
Looking through one of the outdoor statues.
Touching up in the lobby.
Just acting casual... in the MFA.
In the green room.
And the silver room.
How cool is this!!
You should have seen the audience we had!
Taken in the Ruth & Carl J. Shapiro rotunda. Also coming to the MFA - the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard.
Talking art, over coffee.
SPLAT!
Favorite.
The newest addition to the museum's permanent collection:
Then we went over to the North End to take a few more pictures. They each lived in the North End at one point.
Taken in the park with the Paul Revere statue.
A typical North End hide-a-way.
This reminds me of people hanging off San Francisco street trolleys.
We love us some blue doors.
They do this every day.
I asked them to break into dance...
This was pure luck... there happened to be a carnival in the North End this week! They must have known we were coming...
We have a winner!
She really wanted that disappearing ink...
Second favorite.
Normally I don't do cheesy hand painted type effects to my photos, but sometimes I can't resist.
Awesome evening light.
I got them some ribbons for being good.
Taken with my new lens at 1.4 :)
I encourage all of my clients to consider having before the wedding photos done... They are lots of fun and it also helps all of us to be more comfortable around each other at the wedding itself. Ask your photographer to do this, it's worth it!
I'm willing to take similar pictures of any couple for any occasion, so let me know if your interested! Blanch141@rcn.com --Mike
My Newton home has been under construction for most of the new millennium. It has been in the family since my Great-Grandfather built it in 1925, and hasn't changed much until now. As you can imagine, a seventy five year old house would naturally be due for an update... a big one. My parents set out to accomplish this, and have done a really amazing job. Just about all of the work has been done by someone in my family, and we are just now seeing light at the end of the tunnel - which is very exciting.
Before any demo began, my Father gave me two throw-a-way cameras and told me to go around and take shots of the house as-is. I kept on to chronicle the entirety of the project, and it has proven to be a great idea. It was the first real photo project I ever worked on and sorta got me started in photography. You can notice how my skills have evolved over time. Through the thousands of photos I have, here are a few to share with you.
This is an old photo I found in the basement, taken in the 20's or 30's.
The house today. I took this one using medium format film and a fish eye lens.
A night shot.
My family was big into photographs growing up and the surviving shots are really amazing. This is one of the girls in the front yard, a popular spot for portraits.
Taken on the porch before my Grandmother's wedding. The man at the top left is my Great-Grandfather who built the house.
This is a photo of my Great-Grandmother and my Great Aunt sitting on the porch. They look very Italian, don't you think?
A recent porch shot. My Mother likes to keep lots of flowers out.
Close up.
Flowers in the yard.
The original garage is still standing, but will soon be replaced. I kinda like how it looks right now though, old and charming.
The old back of the house.
My Father is very handy, too handy for his own good actually. He is also a perfectionist. His brother Tom is a carpenter from Maine and also helped us a great deal. Here they are doing demo.
The new back.
My Father with a mustache!
Tommy.
Mom & Dad. Dad is an electrician but for some reason doing the wiring on his own house seemed to be 10x harder than ever before.
Remember I said my Dad was a perfectionist? Check out the wiring.
Me age 14ish. We used a propane heater for a while, lol.
Tom ripping up the old hall floor.
New plywood.
Taken today.
Working outside, the porch needed some repairs too. The wood was cracked and paint chipping. Here, Dad is torching the old paint off.
Mom doing her fare share.
Old railings.
My Uncle's built the new railings in Maine. Here is my parents painting them.
Lots of late nights...
In 2005 I took advantage of the having an empty kitchen, and I set up a studio for senior portraits. I've since been forced out ;)
This is the living room after the old wallpaper was taken down. Once doing this we could see where the original wall panels once were.
You can see what I mean here in this old group photograph taken in the living room. Probably taken in the 40's. I had to ask my grandmother who they all were - some family siblings & others are friends. I would have never known!
The old dark wood was sanded and painted an off white color.
The new living room, decorated and painted.
The attached dining-room.
And some new landscaping.
Just a few short years later...
Here is a shot of the old kitchen.
And the other side.
After the old room was gutted and re-framed, the blue board went up. I had to post this one... My Sister Carol helping? Ha!
Ready for plaster.
Meanwhile, four hours North, our cabinets are being made.
...By my uncle Mike! He is a custom cabinet maker.
We went up to take a peak.
Back home, another late night.
An exciting day. The first cabinet is brought in!
New cabs, granite, sink & tile floor!
And a sub zero!
Dad working under the sink.
Under the sink.
The window trim... I challenge you to find a nail hole! That's because there are none!
Picking a paint color was tough...
The granite is called Verde Noore. Black with green blue and gold specks!
Coming together. This is how it looks now.
Still gotta install the oven, a few more cabs, the hood fan and the slate back splash.
Future site of a wall hung flat screen tv over a table and chairs.
My favorite.
I hope you enjoyed seeing everything that has been done at our house. As you can tell it was not exactly the every day "flip" you see on TV. I will continue to update with photos of new progress.
This week my Brother is renting a house on the Vineyard, which has become an annual summer tradition. A lot of his friends also do this on the same week and they all get together on the beach. Carol and I couldn't resist the urge so we visited for one night.
The ferry from Woods Hole.
The steamship authority has this awkward sign next to the ticket counter displaying the current terror threat level. Thanks for reminding everyone at the start of their vacations, lol.
Leaving the Cape for the Islands.
I always end up taking photos of random people when I'm on a public boat for an hour.
This guy was feeding his fritos to the birds. They fly faster than the ferry travels so they were right along side to eat his entire bag.
Welcome to the Vineyard.
I don't have many "tourist type photos" of the island itself this time around because we pretty much headed straight to the beach each day and stayed there. What is great about the beach we went to is that you can drive right onto it! (With a permit, and SUV).
South Beach on a perfect day.
Fair skinned Tater Tot, meet SPF 50.
Can't even tell it's there!
Meg. She's expecting a girl in October! (Can you hardly wait to see pictures??)
Carol, Jason & I.
Playing with someone's dog.
Heading out.
Max came to the Vineyard, too.
Time for dinner, still sporting the hawk.
On the stoop.
Future Huskie?
At night we went to Oak Bluffs for a little shopping.
My sister LOVES motivational/inspiring plaques, signs, cards & gifts. We went to this store twice...
My favorite of the gingerbread houses.
Day Two. Heading back to the beach.
It was sunny for part of the day but very windy the entire time.
Jeff & Matthew.
Checking out the waves.
I love this one.
Self-portrait.
Carol braving the pretty good sized waves, although she did say they were small compared to those in Hawaii. Whatever, I still think they were big!
After going in myself.
Jason enjoying waters more suitable for children.
Lunch time.
Followed by some quality bird chasing.
Favorite.
Walking us to the ferry home.
Group shot ;)
The Blanchards.
On the boat home.
Note: I really like the Vineyard and I can tell that it would be a fun place to spend a whole summer. Meg told me she spent one of her college summer's on the island, working and renting a house with her friends. I am definitely keeping this option open for next year :)
Kim called me today and asked if I wanted to go over & hang out by the pool. I was changed and ready before I hung up the phone!
Kim doing Martha Washington with her hair, lol.
Action shot.
Lying out in the sun is 10x better while also in the pool.
Except for when the chair slides out from under you!
Kim with her pool shades, or at least they are now...
Favorite!
When I look at this one I can't help but think it could be hanging in a tanning salon, lol.
Naven came out to visit!
Doing the Elle Woods pose.
We were photo'ing and the raft had to float into my shot. I caught this one before it totally blocked us, and I kinda like it!
So we decided to set up a few shots with the self timer... Lets just say a pool is not the best environment for a multi thousand dollar camera & telephoto lens. Every time you want to see a photo or take a photo you have to dry your hands and also constantly wipe off the inevitable splashing.
Did I mention that my camera decided to roll off of my camera bag and onto the slate patio? It was on the eighth second of the self timer about to go off when we saw my make shift tripod start to fail. I actually wish it lasted long enough for it to get a photo of our stunned faces as we watched it plummet to the ground, lol.
I love vintage polo towels.
She's the new East Coast brand rep.
All American.
Lounging.
Same time tomorrow? "Okay!"
My friend Kristen took me to see The Police performing at Fenway Park last night! I've never been to a concert at Fenway before, nor have I ever seen the Police perform, needless to say the combo was excellent! Despite my "young-ness " and lack of knowing more than four Police songs, I still enjoyed seeing them. Kristen bought the tickets months ago (which were really great seats in right field) and actually forgot all about them - until yesterday! She called and we went!
Most of the day was plagued with thunderstorms and downright gross weather. Luckily everything cleared up and cooled down by night before the concert began. It was really great being outside and at Fenway for a summer show.
Kris.
Sting taking the stage.
No flash required ;)
During Roxanne... "Put on your Red Light!"
Photographer note: Like a dork, I brought my star filter to pop on and get a few shots with an extra 80's feel! (I think it worked.)
After the show we visited our friend Murph who is a bartender at Who's On First. What do you know - she was wearing a police hat!
Don't take her for an impostor, she had a gun too!
Kris & I.
