HAPPY HAPPY, MERRY MERRY

HOPE YOUR HOLIDAYS ARE THE BEST EVER.

LOVE & PEACE TO YOU ALL,

JEAN

Peek At The Oxbow

I got a heapin helpin of "creative soul food" yesterday morning.  My photographer friend  Craig and I returned to a beautiful place at the base of Avon Mountain I'd seen weeks earlier to photograph the oxbow during peak fall.  A shout out and a thank you to Vince for letting us explore!

Well....due to scheduling & weather challenges, I uh...missed peak and had to settle for just a 'peek'.  But did I really settle?  NOT.  It was spectacular.  A crisp fall morning complete with dew and mist on the fields.  People (but not gun) shy geese and colors galore.  I especially loved the carpet of duck weed that covered the oxbow waters.  Nooooo, you go look it up.  I did.

I have named my lens' starbursts Maria because I like to think of her when I'm out in nature enjoying myself.   Maria joined us for the outing.

This reminded me of a fish trapped in a net.  The webs were glistening....everywhere!

Ok, here is the oxbow (a body of water that has been cut off from it's river source).  I first saw it on a hayride and damn near jumped out of the wagon to get more time with it.  I imagined coming back and it being surrounded by fall foliage at peak.  oops.  It's still pretty though isn't it?

Shy geese.

Dinosaur remains.

Oh, and this little sneak was trying very gingerly to get over that barbed wire fence.  Careful dude you might get a stick in your fork.......

And of course a pause for personal reflection......uh reflection?  Ok, close.

A HEALTHY HELPING OF TABACCO

My creative soul was happily filled up on Saturday morning when I met up with my photographer friend Heather Whitehouse and we went on photo safari.  Heather had seen some barns she wanted to photograph not far from her home but I had no idea till we got there what a visual feast I was in for!  The barns with filled with drying tobacco in various stages, fresh picked green, semi dry golden & ready to roll browns.  The scenery was heaven, the smells absolutely devine.

Thanks to the very generous permission of the 5th generation farmer/owner we were given free reign to wonder about and photograph the farm.  And we did, happily for a couple of hours. Thank you Mr. Farmer.  We'll put some prints in your mailbox for your collection.  And thank you Heather for an amazing, creative blast of a morning!

Love this shot in color & black in white.  Such a different feel between the two.

 

I just loved the smoke house door.  Yummy textures, warm colors.

 

Just yummy.

Peekaboo Sunflower

And before we left I stopped in front of a old Ford tractor to reflect on a perfect morning. tee hee.

SENATOR JONATHAN HARRIS' WEDDING

Once upon a very rainy day in June I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of our Connecticut Senator, Jonathan Harris & Lucy Morin under the perennial garden pagoda in Elizabeth Park. It was an honor to photograph this man I have voted for throughout the years and happily find out that his approachable, real, and friendly nature is still intact.

It was rose weekend and it had been raining for days but the roses were in full bloom. Lucy's wish was to get married among the roses and the beautiful gardens there. She arrived beaming with smiles and positive energies and did not let the rain dampen her spirits or her plan.

She and Jonathan were troopers with umbrellas and they were quickly joined under the pagoda by their families. We all got pretty close under that pagoda...but we stayed dry!

With me that day was my sister Ann, who helped me with my gear, kept me grounded and even picked up my other camera with my big zoom. The close quarters under the pagoda was no place for my killer zoom but she managed to catch some candid action from the sidelines. Thanks Ann!

Jonathan awaits his bride.

Slipping the camera down low for a peek under umbrellas.

Little bridesmaids.

The lovely bride, Lucy.

Senator Harris' boutineer advisor.

Standing up for Jonathan is Lucy's son.

And here's one of Ann's shots from the sidelines. Sweet!

Whew.....a job well done.

A congratulations for Uncle Jonathan?

Details were caught in a quick and candid fashion. Everything happened pretty quickly during a break in the downpours.

Right after the ceremony there was a break in the rain and some beautiful butter light of sunset sneaked through the clouds for a second or two. We got about 8 minutes out in the rose garden for some shots before the rain started up again. But we got there!

My personal highlights from the wedding.......every time he looked at her. He is smitten!

CONGRATULATIONS JONATHAN & LUCY.

AND.....a special thanks to my photographer friend Craig for referring me!

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

Shamus, thank you for your soft ears, sweet personality, your unconditional love, playful spirit, unwavering loyalty and all the happiness you have brought our family for more than 14 years. How blessed we feel to have had you share your life with us.

May your tail wag forever in your new home and may you find a companion to run and play frisbee with once again. You are the best dog ever. We love you and we will miss you every day.

REST IN PEACE DEAR SHAMUS

ANNA & SCOTT'S WEDDING

I had the greatest pleasure a few weeks back now, of photographing Anna & Scott's wedding day.  It was the best of June.  A day full of sunshine and large puffy white clouds.  A day of fun, excitement and anticipation and lots of giggles.  I hung out with the ladies of the bride for the afternoon, some I met that day, some I've known for a short while and one I've known for more than uh...um... 30 years.  Wow.  

While I mull that over, enjoy the photo story of the day along with some puns from me.  I seriously cannot help myself.  I love punnies.  Especially if they cause an eye roll or even better, an audible groan. ;)

 The afternoon......... was a bowl of cherries!

But hair is where it really begins, at Anna's place.  A lot of banter, a lot of activity, an afternoon of giggles and witnessing the wonderful transformations from weekend casual to formal and stunning.  Dress up is still fun.

The result? Lady Anna, our lovely bride.

Her Cameo appearance.

The glass is definitely half full.  I loved finding the blue skies captured in the glass as well.  I should probably send a copy to Anna's neighbors.  I'm sure they were wondering why I was laying on my belly in their driveway.

There was a blue theme......with jelly beans.

I do believe this one is my favorite of the day.

It was a sunny, lush day in June.  The only one that I can recall.

Anna surrounded by her supportive brides maids.  Good thing because she was already tipsy....(kidding).

Scott, getting ready to rock n roll.

Just a peek.

Anna connects with Scott at the other end of the aisle.

The kiss was spectacular!  And my assistant shooter Molly nailed it! 

We're married....you know it...

Groom and groomsmen take a breather.

No really, sit back and relax.

Two thumbs up for all the sugar from the brides maids. 

And some fun with the groomsmen.

Maids of honor in repose....

One of my oldest and closest friends, Nan, and her handsome hubby John.  She does dressed up so elegantly.

Molly's double take on the cake action.

Every party...has a pooper.  That's why we invited you.  Uh.....little boy next to him doesn't look too happy either. 

A moment taken for personal reflection........

I do believe this speaks for itself.

The flowing brides maid dresses in action.  Another fun Molly shot.

Molly also got this trippy shot of  a surprise performance by Eli, Scott's best man.  Eli, aka, Mr. Roboto.......(that's a long song dude!)  He took us with him for the whole hypnotic robotic ride.  Domo.

Great catch you got there Scott...Good luck and best wishes to you both!