Three Weddings & a Photographer

First, Jill came to meet with me about her wedding a few years ago, then Maren called me up after talking to Jill. Last year I photographed both of their weddings. Sarah attended those weddings and saw the photos, as a result, she called me. We were all together this November in Newport, so I had my assistant photograph all of us together. We are missing the groom, Sarah where is he? We were at the Ocean Cliff in Newport, Rhode Island. I consider it one of the best compliments of my work, when people refer their friends. Thank you to all three.

The James Blake Miller Story

This is one of the most compelling stories to come out of Iraq. Click the Title above "The James Blake Miller Story" and you'll be taken to Media Storm.org where you can watch this movie.

If you want to see the human face of the Iraq War from the perspective of a veteran who fought in that war, watch this video.

The Weinert Vineyard

My son is in Argentina for a semester of study abroad. Last weekend he and a friend did some traveling, and they discovered the Weinert Vineyard. My family name on my Mom's side is Weinert. So he took some photos, and enjoyed some of their Cabarnet.

Harley Fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity

This past week, a friend of ours, Renee, talked me in to doing this fundraiser for our local Habitat for Humanity chapter. It was wild. See Renee runs this high end nail boutique. Well, it's in the woods, but it's high end nails. Nails, as in women's (mostly) painted nails. She thinks we should do this event at the local Harley Davidson motorcycle shop. In a nutshell, people come in get a massage, make-up, hair and nails, then they can get their photograph taken on a Harley. So guess who is the photographer?

I'll be honest, I thought, no way is anyone gonna show..... Wrong.

We had all kinds of people, alot brought their own bikes, some used the one in the store. It was fun, and people ordered cards for the holidays, like the one above, gifts for the boyfriend, and my favorite from the whole night is the Black & White of Don. Great guy. Ex-Army, now a carpenter, son's trying to become a model, looks like Dad could do it too.

All in all we raised a bunch of money for Habitat for Humanity -- and had fun while we did it.

Later addition: And just to be clear, no the guys didn't have their hair, done, nails, make up. Though I did do some touch ups in the faces of some men. Oh, and no, I did not get a Bike......yet, but spring is comin'.

Preschool Portrait Time

So, I've been doing some Preschool portraits at our church this week, using the background my brother Art painted for me. See his website at www.arthazelwood.com.

I thought I'd share some of my favorites outtakes - Some of these you can imagine what the parents or I might have been saying to them. To get the response, and others, well, just some parental instruction like, "Thomas stop pick........."

Engagement Photography

Jackie & John just ordered their Engagement Photographs from our session earlier this Fall. They'll be using them as Christmas Cards, I'm sure. I'm going to run a special this winter on Engagement Photography, so if you are interested, send me an email.

Kirstin & Juan at the Aldrich Mansion

The Aldrich Mansion is one of my favorite places to photograph a wedding. It's in Warwick, Rhode island on the shores of the Narragansett bay. If you've seen the movie Meet Joe Black, you'll recognize Aldrich. Last month, I was at Aldrich Mansion for Juan & Kirstin's wedding - complete with Chinese Drummers and Dragon Dancers. You can view the wedding in the slide show below.

Kirstin & Juan

Cheesecake

This fall I was going to lead a one day workshop for Photographers, but an assignment for that day interupted the schedule. Last month, Rachel Macpherson, contacted me. She wanted to attend the seminar, but since it was cancelled wondered if I'd be willing to have lunch with some other photographers and share my thoughts. So yesterday, Rachel, and fellow boston photogs, Kevin Langevin and Margaret Singer had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.

It was the first time I finished my lunch last. Why? Cause they were asking so many questions, and I just kep talking. It was great fun. But it did make me wonder if I am becoming the old man of this business now dispensing wisdom. Thanks to Rachel for sending to pic above, Margaret escaped out the back door.