All Photography is Local

2009-12-31T09:17:00.005-05:00

Dan

So I guess that wraps it up. Looks like I posted 298 portraits of people this year. Not of 298 different people though. There were repeats (Grace appeared the most often (4 times) although that could have been more). I posted at least 20 every month (December being the lowest and November the highest (30)). There were certain periods where it was hard to muster the energy to ask someone if I could picture them. I didn't feel like explaining it all over again. There were times when the opportunities presented themselves left and right and were easy as pie. I learned a lot about lighting as the year progressed, and though I mostly used natural light, I did occasionally use a speedlight and learned a lot about using it effectively. There were people I wanted to capture but didn't because of time and distance or opportunity.

One of the great benefits about the project was that it forced me to carry my camera everywhere and so I was able to take pictures of many other things that were going on around me when I had it. I have some great images of my mom and dad from this year that I might not have had otherwise. I plan to continue carrying around the camera as much as possible.

I don't know if I can say exactly why I started this project. I originally thought of it as a memory-aid. Really. I thought of it as a way to document the faces and events of the year. And it will certainly work for that. There's my son's bass instructor, my daughter's soccer teammate, the AAA guy who changed a tire in the pouring rain, the guy who sold me the killer running shoes that I can't use because my knee hurts too much right now. All of that and more. It was a visual diary of faces. I'm interested in how it will look years down the road. Will it still help me to remember? We'll see.

Where do I go from here? What's the new project? I haven't zeroed in on it yet. I know that it won't be a "daily" or even "weekly" project so I don't need to have it decided by midnight tonight. This is going to be a busy year I'm pretty certain, and I'm not going to have the opportunity (or want the pressure) to picture that often. And I don't want this project to be constrained like the portraits were to a similar look or framing. Thanks to Santa, I have a new camera (D90) and will look to make the best use of it. There might be a diptych or triptych component, perhaps something that combines portraiture and landscapes. I don't know if I'll post it here or elsewhere or not at all.

I'll be launching a new site for my photography at danconnolly.com. This will include galleries depicting my various completed projects, and links to work-in-progress as well. That should happen within a couple weeks. For now, I will be posting family snapshots and general daily shooting (as I have been for a while now) at my tumblr page.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this project and thanks to my family for their forbearance and patience. See you next year!

2009-12-27T17:21:00.000-05:00

Bob

Bob was at the house today on an electrical "consult." We have some heating issues and some blown lights and stuff that we needed to have looked at. So Bob came right over (Brenda had recommended him to us) and looked around. We have some solutions working and Bob was great. Turns out he had done work on this house for the previous owner as well.

2009-12-26T18:57:00.001-05:00

Brenda

Finally. Technical issues with my laptop card reader stymied me for a couple of days from getting photos uploaded. So things seem to be okay now. Brenda has been serving Theresa and I our blueberry muffin and coffee for the last year on all our trips to the J-Town Deli. Thanks, Brenda.

2009-12-21T10:36:00.002-05:00

Annie

Annie is a girl of remarkably generous spirit, agreeing to spend time with Natty, Erik, Brendan, and John out of some sense of pity and kindness. She was in a blue theme when she stopped by our Christmas party yesterday. The reflected light from the snow really lit her well in our back doorway.

2009-12-20T10:58:00.003-05:00

Andrew

Andrew is the neighbor and former classmate of nephew Travis. They've gone their separate ways now. Travis to Clemson, Andrew to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Old home week at the new track and field facility in Providence.

2009-12-19T23:57:00.002-05:00

Steve

Coach of the girl's track team. He was trying to enjoy a late lunch break at the concession stand when I interrupted him. It seemed to be a very good day at the RITCA Invitational for the team.

2009-12-15T12:51:00.003-05:00

Bob

Bob was at his brother's house, running a quick errand for him. The bright sunlight of the day and the tinted glasses presented a challenge. I've been locked into a particular format/style on these portraits and have been dying to break out of it (my own ocd/autism keeps me locked in though). I had to do something different here, so I put the sun behind him and used my speedlight to illuminate his face. He gave good face too.

2009-12-14T09:25:00.002-05:00

Rayna

Another birthday girl. There were three parties that Grace attended in the last week. This was bowling-themed. Rayna was a great model, giving me a very nice look, not distracted by all the hoopla going on around her.

2009-12-12T08:48:00.003-05:00

Kirby

Kirby and his wife run a nice little garden shop here in town called Hidden Gardens. We always get our Christmas tree (and wreaths) there. And our spring annuals. And a few other odds and ends throughout the year. A nice selection and a great convenience to have them here in town.

2009-12-11T09:06:00.002-05:00

Matthew

I nabbed his photo yesterday after he got off the school bus, as he was walking home. Got his mother shortly after they'd moved into the neighborhood in September and have now gotten pretty much everyone at the bus stop.

2009-12-10T09:02:00.003-05:00

Gail

We used to do laps around a fenced-in field. The dogs would walk with us, or walk away from us. Now we don't; the dogs don't generally like it all that much anymore. She and her husband are creatives, developing ideas and art into entertainment.

2009-12-09T13:49:00.002-05:00

Lily

I am now 4/6ths of the way finished in documenting this family. Isn't her expression great? I asked her to open her eyes wide. I sense she doubts my ability to capture her essential self. She's not wrong. But I tried.

2009-12-08T17:36:00.002-05:00

Janice

Janice met with me to schedule me for a display of my photography at the Barrington Starbucks in April. Now I just need to decide what to show. I'm leaning towards Kenyon Farms, Homer and Finn, or Grace stuff. Hmmm.

2009-12-07T14:17:00.002-05:00

Patti

Another portrait from the weekend dog show. Patty owns (and breeds) Chinooks. She was at the show with Talis, who was so nice. You can see a picture of her on my tumblr log (soon).

2009-12-06T20:55:00.001-05:00

Emma

Emma's a birthday-girl today, hence the honor (such as it is) of being shown here. Today was her party - a rock gym party at that.

2009-12-05T09:08:00.000-05:00

Chris

Chris is a young man with a German Shepherd, showing him at the Bay Colony Dog Show here in Rhode Island this weekend. Lots of fun and some beautiful dogs.

2009-12-04T09:52:00.003-05:00

Keith

I ran into Keith a few houses down the street when I was walking one of the dogs. He was working on putting in a new front door for one of my neighbors. Not long after we moved in here, he came to help us remodel a few things (built-in bookcases, ceiling moldings and trim, dining room benches). Work has dried up a lot since he was here last but he's keeping busy. He spoke with pride about his daughter's academic and athletic achievements.

2009-12-03T05:37:00.000-05:00

Sue

She's recently recovered (still recovering) from the flu, with its wracking, never-ending cough, unproductive and annoying. She's the babysitter of my daughter's friend, Grace, and she's so nice. I hope she feels better soon.

2009-12-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Celeste

It was a bittersweet conversation, melancholic, yet retaining a sense of hope and optimism. The year has been a challenge, but there's the sense of looking forward, of new opportunities and better experiences. We agreed to mark the occasion with this image, and perhaps revisit it next year to see how things have been.

2009-12-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Lenny

I had some time to kill, so I stopped into the Hope Gallery. I bumped into Lenny there. Lenny's a photographer who seems to do mainly landscape, scenic, or abstract compositions. I've known Lenny's work for some time as the Rhode Island art scene isn't that large. He's recently done some nice work with the new highway construction in Providence. Surprisingly, he knew my work as well (I'd been in a few group shows and had an exhibition at the Barrington Library a couple years back). We had a nice talk and then I took his portrait.

2009-11-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Kenton

Like a blast from the past, he came driving into town. Brendan's good friend from school, he hadn't been by in a long time but we were happy to have him for a night.

2009-11-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

Miro

Miro moved to Rhode Island 10 years ago, Thanksgiving weekend. As did we (after only a few years away). But he came from a much farther place. Miro and his wife and kids are from Bosnia. Resourceful and friendly, Miro is a jack-of-all trades guy who can repair your shoes, sharpen your knives, and get you into the house you've locked yourself out of.

2009-11-28T07:47:00.000-05:00

Linda

This is the last of the series from Room 559. Linda and Bob have seen the inside of a couple hospital rooms themselves over the years so they know how visitors help the time pass. It was good to see them and everyone who came to cheer my mom up.

2009-11-27T07:42:00.000-05:00

Bob

Bob is the youngest of the three Connolly brothers. For years, my grandfather lived with them in Portland and we'd visit on a Saturday morning. I'd have a chance to play with my cousin Vickie and get scratched by grampy's ornery cat, Cuppy. I think it was Cuppy. Don't know if that's short for anything. Bob and my dad were talking the other day about the virtues of velcro on shoes. They like it.

2009-11-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Tom

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We're having one of Tom's relatives for dinner today. Not as a guest. Tom lives (still?) at Belwing Farms where he is raised "free-range" I suppose. He was wandering around with about 50 others when I came by to pick up my dinner. Here's to you Tom!

2009-11-25T07:32:00.003-05:00

Arnie

Peggy and Arnie were always the exotic aunt and uncle when I was growing up. I wasn't sure at the time why that was, but it's obvious now. They owned their own business at the time - a carpet and wallpaper shop I believe. That was quite something since everyone I knew worked for some big company. They also didn't have children, so my visits to them were rarer than visits to aunts and uncles who had cousins for me to play with. What was so mysterious as a child becomes so simple as an adult.

2009-11-24T07:27:00.003-05:00

Peggy

Peggy recalled the story of being sent by train to the The Homestead in Nova Scotia as a young girl (about Grace's age) in the company of her older brother (my dad). He was 11 or 12. While she almost went missing completely, he spent the trip playing cards for cigarette money. Not exactly like the train trip of the kids in the Narnia books.

2009-11-23T07:22:00.000-05:00

Tony

I have been lucky enough to get an image of one other authentic native-born Irishman. So this makes two. It makes me think that I need to add an audio interview to this, so you can all hear the brogue. Tony's wife, the estimable Maureen, was not feeling up to making the visit on this day. She should be warned that I will get her picture.

2009-11-22T07:16:00.001-05:00

Shauna

I saw Shauna this summer when I visited. Spent a nice evening hanging out at her palatial compound in the South Portland 'burbs. Football in the backyard, swimming, dogs running around. I wasn't doing any of that; just hanging and talking. Grace and Shauna's and Mike's kids were doing all that. It was a great night. Really enjoyed it.

2009-11-21T07:12:00.003-05:00

Nick

When you point the camera at a child, they don't require a lot of instructions, and they always give you the most honest expression they have. I'm constantly disarmed by this quality in them. Look at his eyes, frank, unassuming. Maybe this is where next year's project will focus. I'll need a new one.

2009-11-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Greg

Having moved away from Maine when I was 19-ish, and only going back to visit occasionally, I often feel like an outsider looking in at the family gatherings. In my generation, I am the only one who left (not counting the Texas branch who moved away when they were young, but who still lived in Maine in the summers). So when I sit and talk and listen, I'm often just trying to glean information and context. These people are my family. They are strangers. There is then. There is no now.

2009-11-19T13:00:00.001-05:00

Kacey

She starts a new job today. I suppose she'll get to it after working out at the gym, or playing basketball, or something healthy and active like that. The sequencing of images here, starting yesterday, and continuing over the next days, is mother, daughter, son, grandson. Three generations.

2009-11-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

Barbie

As you may have surmised by now, room 559 is a hospital room. The visitors were mostly all relatives of mine (which is why I got Duska out of the way early in the series). Because I live in Rhode Island, and my parents are in Maine, I have very few portraits of my side of the family. This will rectify that to some extent. Barb is my mom's youngest sister (the other sister was captured in this blog back in the beginning of the year - my technique has been refined quite a bit since then). She's been a steady visitor and a rock for all of us.

2009-11-17T07:15:00.000-05:00

Duska

Although this is actually one of the last in the series, it will usefully serve as an introduction to what I have labelled in my head as the Room 559 series. The next week or more will show you the people who came to visit my mother (in that room) this weekend while I was visiting her. She has a large private room with a lovely northwest-facing window which cast a lovely light all day long. The White Mountains were visible through most of my stay. I meant to ask Duska where her name derives from. Perhaps Russian? Maybe she'll send an email to let me know. She was one of the many caring nurses who took care of my mother.

2009-11-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

Meagaan

If you follow this link, you'll find out what I had for breakfast this morning. Portland's best breakfast, apparently. I wouldn't call it hash though. It was more like corned beef and eggs. But it was pretty delicious all the same. I'd recommend it highly and I have the corned beef hash everywhere I go. Meagaan was an attentive waitress (though I'm not much trouble as a customer) and when she sat down a couple stools over, I couldn't help but notice the light and asked her for her picture. Glad I did. Thanks Meagaan.

2009-11-15T20:00:00.000-05:00

Steve

I was able to spend half-an-hour with Steve yesterday talking about his craft and his business while I was picking up a rental double bass for my son. He's a luthier, one of the few in the area, and a pretty good one. Here's an example of someone who followed his passion into his profession, having worked for years out of his house while working at Electric Boat, and now with a nice commercial space in Peacedale, RI. Check out Beekman Violin if you're in the market.

2009-11-14T19:22:00.001-05:00

John

It has been since June that I have posted a portrait of John. He's been keeping a low profile around the house apparently. I was able to get a nice shot of Brendan in August and was looking for a match in terms of lighting and expression for John. This may be it. I was told by John to make sure I say something nice when I post the image. Hmmm. Not sure about something nice, but I'm pretty happy that we have a gigantic double-bass back in the house. The THRUM is a soothing sound.

2009-11-13T07:18:00.002-05:00

Michael

Long-time classmate of Grace and neighbor. What I like about Michael is that he always says what's on his mind. And he's got enthusiasm to spare. Nice kid, nice family.

2009-11-12T07:24:00.000-05:00

Mary

So this completes the series of girls on the U-10 soccer team. They were incredibly talented and excellent players. They were tough, and worked hard. And most of them will be together through the winter and into the spring as well, so things can only get better!

2009-11-11T16:45:00.000-05:00

Andrea

This was a bad day for portraits on the field. Glaring direct sunlight with no diffusion. Serves me right for not having taken her picture on the countless days that were ideal. Feel like I owe her a better one though. Will try to take care of that.

2009-11-10T09:21:00.000-05:00

Heather

Herding cats. Trying to get a photograph of a girl after playing soccer. All the same. They are buzzing and flying around and smiling and flashing hand signs and talking and looking at each other and laughing and smiling.

2009-11-09T18:48:00.000-05:00

Erin

This may not be Erin. I tried my best to keep it straight but it's possible that it's not her. But I'm going to go with the Erin scenario. Another fierce soccer girl in a (seemingly) long line of them. This fall was a tremendous East Bay girls U10 team. It's going to be fun watching them all grow as players and people through the years.

2009-11-08T09:05:00.000-05:00

Diane

I had a hard time getting anything but a teeth-bared wide-eyed hamming-it-up for the camera smile out of Diane. I won't say she's hiding something but it's like a shield between the lens and the soul. This is a little more restrained, but she burst out laughing seconds later. Maybe I'll give it another go. There were a lot of people around and maybe a quieter location.

2009-11-07T17:08:00.000-05:00

Austin

Austin is friend and teammate of Brendan. I photographed him after his race, although I don't think running is his special talent. So if you're looking to see whether I've really captured a part of him, I may have missed the mark a little. But I took the opportunity to get him when I had him in front of me.

2009-11-06T16:24:00.000-05:00

Dan

Congratulations to Dan, coach of the 2009 EIL champion cross-country team. I can't even begin, in this small space, to enumerate the ways that Dan has helped our son and family. He's a tremendous role model, and has been supportive of Brendan in his academic and athletic life (he's also associate headmaster) at the Abbey. Brendan wasn't even going to run cross-country this year because of a long-term injury. But Dan convinced him that he could train gradually without strain and still be competitive and pain-free. He was right, and Brendan finished 2nd in the EIL championship race, helping the team to it's first EIL title. Thanks Dan!

2009-11-05T16:48:00.000-05:00

Quent

Another member of the EIL champion Ravens cross-country team. Quent is a school-record holding swimmer as well. I think it's a distance event, like the 500 or something. Anyway, he's polite, intelligent, and focused. Something that isn't that rare at the Abbey actually.

2009-11-04T23:32:00.003-05:00

Madison

Had an opportunity today to get some portraits of some of Portsmouth Abbey's Eastern Independent League championship team. Run in the cold and wind of Franklin Park, in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, it was a total team effort, as they outpaced Concord Academy for the win.

2009-11-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

Bryan

Bryan is the long-term substitute teacher in my daughter's class this fall. Her teacher is out on maternity leave and Bryan is ably filling in. This was taken after her parent-teacher conference which went well. I find him to be organized and professional. I think at this point that both Grace and I would agree that he "meets the standard." Perhaps even exceeds it, but I'd have to look at the rubric more closely.

2009-11-02T09:10:00.000-05:00

Erik

A second appearance by one of Brendan and John's good friends. The last one was in the middle of winter and this is a nice contrast to that. Perhaps a diptych would work. The big season for Erik is closing in upon us. He is the hockey team's goalie and this is his senior year. Looking for big stuff from him.

2009-11-01T09:16:00.002-05:00

Mike

This is the second portrait I did of Mike, for which he dug out a more official uniform than usual. The new sweater, for instance. My uncle Frank was a mail carrier when I was growing up. He rose high in the ranks of the union (back in the early 70s) and that may have been my first knowledge of issues like working conditions, and employee rights and all that stuff.

2009-10-30T15:40:00.000-04:00

Greg

He was loading the delivery van outside the store. I approached him and introduced myself, asking if he was the owner. He's the manager. Which surprised me because he seems totally committed to the place; he's a great face for the owner in any event.

2009-10-28T00:15:00.000-04:00

Mike

Mike told me that I'd already taken his picture in the spring. I wasn't convinced. Turns out I was right. I did get a picture of his partner-in-coaching, but I never posted it because I just didn't like it. Mike and Bill coach track at the high school and my son John has spent a considerable amount of time with them. Mike is only out of college a couple (few?) years and runs with the distance guys. He still competes as well. Coincidentally, he is the son of Brendan's second-grade teacher.

2009-10-26T09:49:00.000-04:00

Emily

This is one of my favorite portrait locations. My dogs' vets exam room. I was excited to hear Emily tell me that they are expanding into the adjacent space and that they will paint the walls all kinds of bright happy colors. The room has great window light and is always so clean. Emily has been helping Finn recover from an "inter-digital cyst" which means a gross growth between his toes. Finn is a very cooperative, if somewhat nervous patient. He says thanks to Emily.

2009-10-24T16:16:00.000-04:00

Greg

I'd been meaning to get Greg on this blog for some time. Today, when I walked out of the house, I was excited to see him in the yard, raking leaves. It's a full-time job to keep up with them in late October and November around here. Greg was raking the leaves on his mother-in-law's property (across the street from me). He's a real self-sufficient guy, and his approach to lawn care is to grab the rake and do it. His being dressed in black-and-red flannel was a real plus for visual interest here.

2009-10-21T16:07:00.002-04:00

Dick

Made a quick trip to Maine to visit with Mom and Dad. Didn't have time to get anyone other than Dad here. Used the morning light coming in from the door to do a real directional-light shot. With the light and dark sides, and the asymmetrical expression, it's almost like two people here. Block half his face with your hand or a paper. Then the other. See?

2009-10-20T18:47:00.000-04:00

Jim

Jim is the last member of the Bride family to grace this project. I actually shot him before but could not solve some lighting issues, so he gracefully agreed to be re-shot. Much better. Thanks Jim.

2009-10-16T12:22:00.001-04:00

Homer

Window light really captures the nuances of his hair and eyes. And of course, he really works it for the camera, doesn't he? A neurotic, dignified dog.

2009-10-15T08:56:00.002-04:00

Riley

Riley and Grace share much in common including their interests in soccer and student government. Yesterday was the induction of the student council and they are both classroom representatives. I'm surprised this is even in focus as I was experiencing the strangest allergic reaction while this was taking place. My eyes were runny, I was sneezing constantly and my nose was a faucet. Very uncomfortable.

2009-10-14T10:05:00.003-04:00

Bella

This was taken at the conclusion of a two-day soccer tournament against some very tough competition. Bella played a stalwart defense the whole weekend, and the team really needed her to. She was the steady star of the weekend. Other players might have chances to score or make acrobatic saves, but Bella really shines when the other team is charging down the field, one pass away from a breakaway. And we all appreciate her for it. Great job Bella!

2009-10-13T10:02:00.003-04:00

Ben

The odd thing here is that Ben not only knew what a book indexer does, he also knew another one personally. And not only that, but I knew her too. Crazy world, huh?

2009-10-12T09:05:00.002-04:00

Bill

After the wedding ceremony at the Old Narragansett Church, we lingered about the church yard and enjoyed the nice fall day. As I was going inside to take a few more interior shots without the people, we encounted Bill, who is the church sexton. He was straightening things out and going about closing up the building. He gave us a crash course in its history and showed us the oldest organ in service in the United States, which had been played during the ceremony. Gilbert Stuart was baptised in the church in 1756.

2009-10-11T08:44:00.002-04:00

Pam

In a lovely ceremony at the Old Narragansett Church in Wickford village, RI, Pam officiated at the wedding of her son, Aaron, to his wife, Jennifer. It was a beautiful ceremony on a beautiful day in a beautiful church. Congratulations to the bride and groom and their parents and family! And thanks for having us there.

2009-10-09T08:58:00.003-04:00

Nick

Another from a senior portrait session. Funny how everyone wants the smiling shot. I've known Nick for a while, since he was in middle school with my boys. He really seems to have a good head on his shoulders, with a sensible approach to school, athletics and the college search. He's a good lacrosse player who lost his whole junior year season to a broken collarbone. Hope he survives the coming year in one piece.

2009-10-08T09:40:00.001-04:00

John

So I'm picking up my suit in time for a wedding this weekend and I open up a "corporate" account for the discount. Sole proprietors don't get offered "corporate" anything for the most part. So when I told John here what my job was, he started to tell me about his connection to the world of books. Seems that he's pals with Ridley Pearson from way back in the 70s in this area. Pearson was an aspiring writer and musician back then, with screenplays taped to his wall and playing music too, in his band, Big Lost. Well, seems that Pearson is in RI this weekend for a couple gigs with the old band, including ... John La Moia on drums. You may recall that Pearson is a member of the Rockbottom Remainders (a rock band with Dave Barry, Stephen King, Amy Tan, Mitch Albom, and others). Oh, and the last connection is that Pearson's Lou Boldt series features a character named ... wait for it ... John Lamoia, the model for whom is here at the top of the entry. I hear he's a real ladies man. The character, anyway. Oh, and did I mention that his voice has the mellifluous rhythms of Christopher Walken, an actor who always brings a smile to my face.

2009-10-07T09:21:00.002-04:00

Natty

Natty is making his third appearance on this blog, which is certainly a record for a non-family member. But he spends so much time here that he might as well be family. It's senior portrait time and this is an outtake from the shoot.

2009-10-06T09:42:00.002-04:00

Jim

Jim had an air of disgruntlement about him. And I don't blame him. This picture was taken after more than two and a half hours of waiting for his flat tire to be repaired. After his first effort (a smile that he surely wasn't feeling), I asked him to give me a "serious" look. Despite his look, he was a real nice guy and a pleasure to meet. He's a retired 3M products distributor whose first car was a 1937 something-or-other. I wasn't listening closely enough at that time.

2009-10-05T07:21:00.002-04:00

Dan

AAA is always at your service. Even when you wake up one cold drizzly morning to realize that your tire is flat. Guess it's better than some lonely dark road in the middle of the night.

2009-10-04T10:57:00.002-04:00

Program Guy

Wasn't really sure this would be in the daily portrait collection, so I didn't get his name. He had a helluva smile though and reminded me a lot of this local guy.

2009-10-03T10:24:00.003-04:00

Paul

Paul came to the house yesterdayto pick up our donation of clothing to Big Sisters. He's been with them a year and seems to enjoy it.

2009-10-02T08:42:00.004-04:00

Geri

Just as I'm about ready for my haircut, Geri gets a phone call with the news that her car's air filter has been infiltrated by mice stashing bird seed, clogging it and ruining the sensor. An expense that she wasn't planning on to say the least. Then she told me the story of how a tree in her yard had always been a flocking ground for a thousands of sparrows from all over the area. One day, though, her Lhasa Apso came out and barked at them. And they never came back again. The image stays with me. I love the window light that comes in here, and Geri really gave me a lot to work with. Thanks for the haircut Geri!

2009-10-01T09:10:00.002-04:00

Attended a cross-country race at Portsmouth Abbey yesterday. Ed was the winner. He's actually a better tennis player than runner, and from what I hear a whiz-bang student as well. Anyway, it was a great day for a run in the fields and the Abbey team acquitted themselves with much honor. Kudos!

2009-09-30T12:09:00.002-04:00

Danny

I was thinking that I'd end up with a photograph of a fierce little soccer girl when I went to pick Grace up from practice. But I ended up talking to Danny, the Irish grandfather of one of the girls. He's a transplant from Dublin, but is originally a Tipperary man. I told him my families were from Cork and Galway and he told me the story of his dad taking him to a big hurling match where it was Tipperary against Cork. He was only a lad and could not make sense of the fact that while he was cheering madly for Tipperary, his dad was cheering madly for Cork. His dad was a Cork man, which I guess took some adjustment for him. He said he "kept looking up at him" during the match and being so confused. He tells me that it's like Red Sox-Yankees. I don't know about that. But it was great to hear his stories. Thanks.

2009-09-29T10:23:00.000-04:00

Gary

I guess I could have put, "Professor Gizmo" instead of Gary. But most people know him by the more traditional moniker. I didn't even know about his alter ego until I spent a little time poking around on the Inter-tubes. So he's an artist/graphic designer, hands-on guy, who has a son who is great friends with mine and what a fine job he and his wife have done with him.

2009-09-27T20:14:00.002-04:00

Keke

Another in a long line of fierce soccer girls. I like to get their pictures after an hour or more of gritty, sweaty practice. Trying to do my best to foster an appreciation of the athletic and assertive side of the young female psyche.

2009-09-25T10:09:00.003-04:00

Anna

Another fierce girl soccer player. I love that these girls play so hard and shrug off injuries and are so competitive. That's gotta be good for them. Anna's a real solid player - good skills, steady and reliable. Oh, coach's daughter.

2009-09-24T14:24:00.002-04:00

John

He's a great dog-lover. I can't go by his house with my dogs without a visit with John. His daughter is affiliated with some rescue groups and he has adopted the neighbors yellow lab, who visits during the day when they are at work.

2009-09-22T20:05:00.000-04:00

Abby

No story here. Just a dog.

2009-09-20T08:57:00.003-04:00

Dan

The sign said, "Pick Your Own Apples - Walk through driveway See Dan." We did that. We saw Dan. Now you can see Dan. You wouldn't expect to see Dan where we saw Dan. You'd expect to see Dan in New York (see the hat?). Or perhaps in L.A. Not in West Cranston, or wherever we were. You might have seen Dan before. Maybe you saw Dan on Will and Grace or some other shows on your television in the past few years. Maybe you should see Dan soon and get some apples.

2009-09-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Addy

Wow. A ray of sunshine when she smiles at you. The nicest part of this day was when she walked by me a few minutes before this. She said, "You take nice pictures." I'll take that any day of the week. And if I can return the compliment - "Addy, you play great soccer." Keep it up!

2009-09-18T15:31:00.003-04:00

Bill

This is Bill's second go-round with coaching Grace. He also coached John way back four or five years ago. As I mentioned before, BYSA brings in experienced British coaches to work with the players. But there's nothing quite as impassioned and enthusiastic as a good parent coach. The caveat of course is that he or she should have extensive experience with actually playing the game. There's only so much you can do with passion and enthusiasm. And so that works in this case. Bill and Deb are coaching together and we are a lucky group of players/parents as a result.

2009-09-17T12:37:00.003-04:00

Jim

It's not beyond me to recycle material. Technically though, it's a new day and a new shoot so it's not really recycling. And the fact is that you would hardly recognize him compared to a month ago. Put a saffron robe on him and he could be monk (so he's been told). Anyway, we had a great time talking photography this morning. He's got some great material from his new project "in the can" and you can all see it ... someday. Don't rush art, man.

2009-09-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

Barbara

I have to admit that I didn't take no for an answer when I first asked to make a "quick portrait" of Barbara. And you can see that she was a little reluctant, but I love the honesty in her expression, and I have to laugh when I see it. She's always tolerated me well, and I'm happy to have worked with her on a few projects and things over the years. She's a tireless volunteer and a great mom to her 4 kids who've all turned out great. It was pure happenstance that we bumped into each other on Monday.

2009-09-15T14:06:00.003-04:00

Emmett

A blast from the past here. Emmett was a classmate of John's for five years before high school. And I've coached him in Little League. It was many years before he stopped calling me "coach." He's bright, respectful, and diligent. I wouldn't underestimate my influence on his development. All right, he's got good genes and a great family. How's that?

2009-09-14T22:33:00.002-04:00

Stephen

Stephen is my brother-in-law's brother. His daughter runs cross-country, as does my son, and so we spent some time catching up on things. The summer is over and we didn't do all the things we should have. We both agreed that we could have spent more time in New Hampshire, swimming and hiking. But you don't always have the time that you want, or need.

2009-09-11T12:14:00.000-04:00

Margaret

She's moved back to Barrington, in with her mom, because she accepted a job as a costume designer for a movie filming here this fall. Seems like her life is a little hectic but it'll settle down soon I hope. Her husband is still on Nantucket and her son is with her starting school (and riding the bus, which is where we met). I can't remember the name of the movie, but Providence and Rhode Island have had a few film here in the last few years. A regular Hollywood East.

2009-09-10T22:37:00.000-04:00

Barbara

Her daughter is one of Grace's best friends. They live nearby and we see each other at the bus stop and at school events and around the neighborhood. This year, they've moved on to fourth grade in a larger school, and their daily contact is diminished. Being so close, though, they'll remain friends for some time to come is my guess. Barbara juggles motherhood with her career as a math professor. At least I think it's math. Maybe it's chemistry?

2009-09-09T19:09:00.000-04:00

Mike

He's the car-man. Detailing, mechanics, brokering, you name it, he does it. We're in the process of selling the wife's car and thought that it could use a good detailing. Mike offers a "mobile" option where he comes to you and I couldn't pass that up. He did a good job. Now, anybody need a 1994 Acura TL with only 66k miles? In great shape!

2009-09-08T09:29:00.002-04:00

Although we stand at the same bus stop most mornings to send our kids on to school, they aren't in the same grade, and don't play together, so Ed and I don't have a lot in common. Until I found out that he was a triathlete (he keeps his hand in it so to speak). I'm entering my third decade of temporary retirement from the sport. Watch for my big comeback.

2009-09-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sara

I was impressed by her abilities as I was at the doctor's office this morning. She handled the check in at the desk, blood pressure and weigh-in, payments, set up for ancillary services. Crazy good. I hope she's paid well. She's doing 4 jobs at least. Plus she had a real intersting look to her that caught my eye. Neat glasses, hair color. Cool.

2009-09-03T08:39:00.002-04:00

Ray

Ray has been working on my cars for almost 10 years now. He runs a clean and organized garage with his wife (office) and daughter (mechanic), and the odd extra mechanic or two. In addition to all that, he's a high mucky-muck in the Masons. Aside from all the secret stuff I don't know about, they do a tremendous amount of charity work.

2009-09-02T10:17:00.002-04:00

Tom

There are some people who you wish you'd never met. Tom is one of those. Oh, he's a good guy. Actually, he's fair-minded and friendly and competent and quite professional. But the problem is that I'm going to be paying him thousands of dollars in the next weeks in order to repair the leaking roof. Transplanted from Rhode Island to North Conway, NH, he's livin' the dream.

2009-09-01T07:59:00.000-04:00

Kate

Although it is not official policy, through-hikers of the AT can usually find a bed and grub in one of the AMC huts in exchange for a little labor at the end of the day. This might involve food prep or cleaning chores. When hut workers have moved on to other jobs or careers, they are eligible to join the Old Hutman's Association. It's a job relatively few have had - a chance to learn and to serve. Kate served as the mistress of ceremonies at the graduation of the junior naturalists in the hut when we stayed there. It was quite a ceremony.

2009-08-31T09:31:00.000-04:00

Erin

Another veteran AMC employee and member of the new croo at Lonesome Lake Hut. Check out the AMC huts blog for some interesting stories of life in the croo. Although not updated nearly enough for my tastes, you'll hear of extraordinarily heavy packs behind hiked up to the huts, search and rescue missions, and general life stories.

2009-08-30T09:11:00.002-04:00

Taylor

If you talk to through-hikers of the Appalachian Trail, you'll find a special regard for their time in New Hampshire. Aside from it's breathtaking beauty, there's a series of seven high-mountain huts maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club. These huts are staffed from about June to October, offering meals and a bed for an immodest price. In winter they are open on a self-serve caretaker basis, no meals, just the bed part. At the end of August, the seasonal workers (i.e., college students) go back to school, and the AMC shifts people around to man the huts. At Lonseome Lake Hut, there was a mostly new "croo" to take care of us. New to the hut for that time, but experienced veterans all. Taylor has seven years with the AMC, in addition to a degree in Biology.

2009-08-29T07:53:00.002-04:00

Pat

Biggest scammer I've ever met. I mean that. She goes to one of these AMC huts or camps in the beautiful wilds of Maine and New Hampshire and she "volunteers" in exchange for room and board. She mans the information area, checks hikers in, sells merchandise at the stores. And she gets meals and a bed and hours off to hike or swim or whatever during the day. Beware ... she could be at YOUR local bit of paradise any day now. Sounds like a good retirement plan if you ask me.

2009-08-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Bobcat

I don't know the origins of his name, but he's a "section-hiker" of the AT. Section hikers are attempting to complete the 2100+ miles of the trail in shorter sections, picking up each time where they left off, or simply hiking all the trail in some other type of order. This is often done by people who are older and can't get 3 to 4 months off from work to do it in one fell swoop. In many ways, section-hiking is much more difficult than hiking all the way through without stopping. You need to ramp up your hiking pace, your motivation, and your physical conditioning each time you start out. After a few days on the trail, the rhythm of the hike gets into your blood once again.

2009-08-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Baudrau

That's Bodro (long o sounds). He's a creole from Mississippi. Some time back, his mom gave him some old family papers that showed his heritage going back to the original influx of French Canadians into the Gulf area. He's got Indian blood going way back (that's the creole equation). He's been spending some time now discovering a simpler way of living by hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Baudrau is an older variant of spelling - it's a significant family name which he has assumed for purposes of his hiking.

2009-08-26T05:30:00.001-04:00

Moose

This must have been about his seventh or eighth day on the trail. He came over here from London for a summer camp and had some free time before heading back to England. So off he went, pack on his back to hike across New Hampshire along the Appalachian Trail.

2009-08-25T10:52:00.000-04:00

Julien

Back to our series-in-progress on the very nice Quebecois family. Julien is likely the baby of the family if I had to make a guess. By now they are all back to work, school, family, home. I hope they enjoyed their short time here in Rhode Island.

2009-08-24T10:47:00.000-04:00

Brendan

Today is Brendan's birthday, and this photo is taken at one of his favorite restaurants in the world, the Shannon Door Pub. Happy 17th birthday Brendan.