Water ways of seeing

I've been told a number of times I "see things" differently. And every so often, I agree. There are these times when I see something so beautiful or different that I have an insatiable NEED to photograph it. A drop-everything-you're-doing need. In this case, a "put-pants-on-because-it's-mosquito-y" need to photograph the Maher's asparagus plants after a rainstorm.

Originally, this is what caught my attention as I was wandering through the Maher garden looking for edible tomatoes. The reflecting light caught by the thousands of large and small droplets was what got me through the fence as I passed by. At first I thought, "wet Christmas tree," and then laughed.

It's just that the branches of the asparagus are so pine tree-like!  And the bokeh of the droplets in the background reminded me of Christmas lights. Haha!

I ran back inside and grabbed my camera and attached my macro lens and snapped away. My pants got soaked and I definitely need to clean my macro lens after this adventure. And I only received one mosquito bite! He got me though my jeans! Thumbs down.

There's just something about the varying greens, the spikey branches and the plethora of water droplets that I absolutely love.

What was the last time you had a "stop-everything" moment and snapped away?

Ways of seeing

I took my first photograph when I was three, maybe four years old. I have the original 4x5 copy from the late 80s. It's a blurry, off-kilter picture of the two greatest women in my life - Mum and Baci. They're both laughing; the harsh flash reflecting off Baci's large round glasses, Mum in mid-sentence most likely instructing me to push the shutter button. It's one of my favorite photos to date, in all of my 26 years.

What I enjoy most about it is the subjects. They're not posed, but in their natural states. You can see my way of seeing at that time.

This past Sunday I photographed a fellow editor and close friend of mine who also shares a passion for photography. She's nearly eight months pregnant and wanted maternity photos with her family. The afternoon shoot turned into a couples/maternity/family photo shoot at Mount Holyoke College.
Her oldest, Francis, who I believe is seven, has become enamored with photography. Digital camera in tow, he was more interested in shooting next to me than being my subject. At every spot we stopped, he had to be rounded up to join the family. Truthfully, it was entirely cute and endearing. And I loved how patient he was with the slow, ancient model.

There's two specific shots I snapped of him taking pictures of his parents. This is my favorite of the two. I love how he's propping himself against the stair railing, firmly grasping his digital camera with both hands. The look on his parents faces attests to how great they are as role models - this was the sixth or seventh time he had jumped out of the frame, unable to control his need to take a photograph - and yet they're still smiling away for him, not rolling their eyes or looking at him skeptically. (Fellow photogs, I know you know how he feels.) I love his sister crawling up the tree in her polka dotted dress. But mostly, I love viewing what - and how - he's seeing.

Photo contest!

I shot this photo of my friends' wedding last fall in Maine. So beautiful, right? I love the moon glinting in the ocean, and the warm lights. It just exudes a happy, fun time to me.

The couple entered the photo into a contest held by the tent company to win $1,000 to start their newly wed life. They are in second place, behind a, let's say, less artistic photograph, just because that couple shared it with everyone everywhere.

Well, two can play at that game!

All you have to do is click this link, which will take you to the contest Facebook page, and "like" the photo. Simple!

I've shared it twice on my own Facebook and my Flickr. My last resort is lovely blog readers! I truly did snap that photo and am not associated with the tent company in any way. I'm just siked my photo is in a contest!

So please, do me a favor and help my fantastic newly wed friends win some dollars!
THANK YOU! :) <3

Woods-y weekend

We spend our weekends outdoors. Sundays are the sole day of the week where Sean and I have the same day off and if we're lucky, a Saturday or two. This past Sunday was spent at Granville State Park!

The park is so, so beautiful with a rushing river, a small waterfall and trees every which way you look! Moss grows on EVERYTHING because the water is so close by. Everything was green!

Tons of mushrooms grew on top of the moss. My favorite are the pancake looking mushrooms. But my most favorite mushrooms  to photograph are the colorful ones!

Green green green!

Sean likes to photobomb every photo I take of him in it. Which usually results in hilarious faces, like this one. Isn't his beard epic?!

What adventures were you up to this weekend? 

Snow way

The weathermen forecasted us New Englanders a Nor'Easter for this weekend. I completely did not believe them. I mean, when are they EVER right, especially when predicting a SNOW STORM IN OCTOBER!?
Welp, they were right. Not only did it snow Thursday night, but as I type, large snowflakes are tumbling softly to the leaf-encrusted ground. It's even accumulated over the past two hours that it's been snowing. Massachusetts hasn't seen snow in October since 1979! I didn't even know it was possible! I still can't tell if this is Mother Nature's trick or her treat.

What is the weather like where you are right now!?

Worldly beauty in Western Mass

Without a doubt, New England is THE place to be in Autumn. Come October, the leaves are quickening their color-changing pace and magnificent maroons, deep oranges and loud yellows are bursting from every corner.

Having lived in Western Mass all of my life, I've never given a second thought to other areas in the country unable to see such beauty literally in their own backyards. It's so beautiful here! I never realized the seasons aren't so severe elsewhere. Being able to see with my own eyes the changing seasons is palpable, making it easier to connect to nature when I can hold multi-colored paper-thin leaves in my hand, hear their soft crunch beneath my feet and taste the crisp cold in the air.

I wish everyone could experience it! So, this weekend when Sean and I hiked up Skinner Mountain and poked around the Summit House , I made sure to snap lots of photos.  The trail we took found us climbing up the face of the mountain, directly underneath the house, which I've never done before. I learned the foundation was poured literally on the existing rock face! It was so neat and afforded us this unobstructed, breathtaking view of the Pioneer Valley. Unfortunately, the deck was closed due to badly needed repairs, but the best part of this mountain top is the surrounding area.

I love living here, the farmland juxtaposed with endless mountain ranges and a snaking river between them. Beauty is everywhere.

I love heart leaves! Happy Autumn, everyone!  What's your favorite leaf color? Mine's deep red, bordering on maroon.

BK wedding sneak peeks

I couldn't not share these photos I took during our friends Becky and Korey's wedding in Cape Neddick, Maine. These two (both individuals and photographs) happen to be some of my absolute favorites. Both jumped out at me from the mass of thumbnails on my computer. 

The first really embodies who Korey and Becky are as a couple - strong. It's a bold yet simple photograph, also speaking to their personalities. 

The second is Korey getting ready in the next room over from Becky. He was in the room alone at the moment, preparing, when I poked in and snapped this. I like how it exudes quiet. He wasn't rushing around franticly. Rather, he was simply adjusting his clothes in the mirror, softly, deep in thought of marrying his best friend. 

If I didn't have to work tomorrow at 9 a.m., I would keep going through the TWO 4 gig memory cards of photos I snapped that day, but unfortunately, I do.  But believe me, I will be back to sorting these babies as soon as I get home!