Up and Running

Sorry I've been neglecting this blog the last two weeks.  I have been preparing to launch officially my new photography venture.  As of now, said venture is launched!

Please check out the brand spanking new blogsite for Doubly Happy Photography.

I'm excited to hear what you think!

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Weekend in Vermont: Quechee, Chester, & Perkinsville

On our way back from Montreal last week, we took a little detour through Vermont to check out the Cheese Trail and relax at a B&B.  I thought I'd share some highlights from our short trip.

Our B&B, Inn Victoria, is in the little town of Chester.  Southern Vermont is so pastoral and picturesque, with beautiful mills, perfectly dilapidated and rustic structures, and gorgeous covered bridges.

On our way down to Chester, we stopped in Quechee (near Woodstock) to have dinner at the Simon Pearce Restaurant.

The restaurant (and store and workshop) are located in a mill that is adjacent to a historic covered bridge and the stunning Quechee Gorge.  The night we were there, local kids were having a blast jumping off the rocks under the bridge into the gorge -- it totally freaked me out, but no one seems to have gotten hurt.

The restaurant's terrace overlooks the falls.  The rush of the water provided a melodic soundtrack at dinner.

And while we were waiting for a table, we checked out the glassblowing workshop, where a few artisans were crafting some of Simon Pearce's delicate (and expensive) glassware.

The food was scrumptious; I had a panko-crusted fish with crispy onions.  The entrees were probably slightly overpriced, but you can't beat the experience and the view.  Sadly, Hurricane Irene did a number on the mill; the gorge apparently flooded, and the mill is temporarily closed while they assess the damage.  I hope they are able to make speedy repairs; it's really a beautiful building and site.

Our B&B, Inn Victoria, is the second highest-rated B&B in Vermont.  The Inn takes its Victorian seriously -- lots of tchotchkes, a glorious selection of mismatched china (which I love!), florals everywhere.  You probably know that's not exactly my aesthetic, but it's got tremendous character and is really comfortable and well-appointed.  Also the inn-keepers are so welcoming and hospitable that it's no wonder the Inn has such glorious Tripadvisor ratings.  I particularly loved their afternoon tea; they even dress up in Victorian garb!

Of course, even an extravagant afternoon tea wouldn't keep me away from a delicious dinner experience.  We managed to score a last-minute reservation to Restaurant Verterra at the Inn at Weathersfield.  The chef at Verterra is at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement, and we were treated to a menu of Vermont delights, beginning with a corn chowder with a corned beef hash.

The main course was a soy-glazed sirloin, from cattle raised on a local farm.

The dessert was a carrot cake with cream cheese ice-cream (!), pickled rhubarb, and peach chutney.

Of course, since we were in Vermont, we couldn't pass up the cheese plate, which featured a tarentaise from Spring Brook Farm, and two cheeses from Consider Bardwell Farm, including Consider Bardwell's Dorset, a pungent, soft cow's milk cheese that is probably the best cheese I have ever had.  (Consider Bardwell's cheese shows up regularly at Per Se and French Laundry, so you know it has to be good.)

The Times this morning reported that many areas of Southern Vermont, including Chester, sustained quite a bit of damage from the hurricane.  Thankfully, the Inn Victoria did not report any damage.  My heart goes out to the other residents of the area . . . .

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Behind the Lens: Jamaica Plain Portrait Shoot, Part II

This weekend, I also dragged the very lovely G from Cambridge to my neighborhood for my Jamaica Pond shoot.

Unlike me, who wouldn't voluntarily go hiking any place except for the mall, G is an up-for-anything nature girl.  She just got back from a two-day kayaking trip down the Mississippi River to benefit the Friends of the Mississippi.

Since she's a bona fide tree-hugger (she went to Forestry School after all), it seemed only natural -- no pun intended -- to shoot her frolicking amongst our urban forest.

But this nature girl is capable of some spectacular ANTM-style modeling as well.  Check out that full-on Tyra pose she's rocking standing on the rowboat (appropriately named Queen "B") below.

Our photo session took place on a dark and cloudy day, so I didn't quite catch the "magic hour" light I'd been hoping for.  But I love how the photos turned out, and I'm excited to keep learning how to work with light, posing, and composition.

Thanks for coming along with me on this educational journey!

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Behind the Lens: Jamaica Plain Portrait Shoot, Part I

As you know, I've been trying to build up my inchoate photography portfolio.  Even though I'm a total amateur with my camera, a few very generous and patient friends have volunteered to let me experiment on them take their portraits.

This past weekend, my friends A and G joined me for a frolic around our beautiful Jamaica Plain neighborhood.  Here are some of my favorites of A from this super fun shoot.

We started off on my street, which is so verdant and lovely this time of the year.

I particularly loved shooting A in the wild tangle of lavender in front of the Taylor House, a charming bed and breakfast.  Isn't she gorgeous?

We then traipsed over to Jamaica Pond, where we found my favorite photo prop ever -- a rowboat named "Cookie Ship."  A is an amazing baker, so it was total kismet that we happened upon this boat.

A beautiful summer day . . . my favorite neighborhood . . . a super photogenic subject . . . what more can a photographer want?

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Behind the Lens: Cambridge Portrait Session

Long-time readers of this blog might remember my friend Alisa, who is a brilliant professor as well as one of the most stylish Bostonians according to the Boston Globe.  (Stuff Magazine also recently recognized her fabulous style.)  Last weekend, I managed to convince her to do a portrait shoot with me, and I'm so excited to show you the results!

I wanted to capture Alisa in her natural surroundings, so we braved the 90-degree heat and took a stroll around her charming Cambridge neighborhood.

We started out in her own backyard.  Here she's rocking an Anthropologie maxi dress with an African-inspired print.  How gorgeous is she with the sunlight softly streaming down on her?

I love a good ramshackled house and half-fallen wall.

Alisa's neighborhood consists of adorable, quirky wood-framed buildings with lots of character.  Like her, the area has great soul.

The local park was filled with kids playing in the water fountains -- it was a balmy day after all.  But somehow my model managed to look cool and sophisticated.  I kind of hate her.

I love this series of photos I took of Alisa on the swings.  

It captures her personality so perfectly!

But she's not just fun and good looks.  She's a professor, after all!  And she brings a book with her everywhere, even on a fashion shoot.

After frolicking around her neighborhood, we took a short trip over to Memorial Drive, where she stopped traffic with her fiercest Pam Grier pose.  (Seriously, random tourists stopped to have their photos taken with her!  I guess they must have thought she was a celebrity.)

Guys, this hot property is available.  Gals, be on the lookout for her fashion and style blog, which will debut soon.

And if you know anyone in Boston who is in need of fresh, fun, fabulous headshots or portraits, please send them my way!

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Behind the Lens: Boston Engagement Session (Favorites and Outtakes)

As you might remember, I recently did a super fun engagement shoot.  Since this was my first engagement session, I was not surprised that there were a number of shots that were . . . artistically challenged.   I was, however, surprised at how many of the "bad" shots I loved.  I thought I'd show you a few of my embarrassing mistakes, followed by some of my favorite shots.

This shot turned out way soft -- but I love how it plays into the emotions of the moment.  And don't even get me started on the heart shape made by the position of their heads!

These shots thrill me in similar ways: lens flare, lens flare, lens flare!  The shot on the left was taken when my lovely couple got invited by some locals to take photos on their boat; I was shooting from the shore, and I just couldn't get an angle where the sun wasn't blasting down at me.  As for the second photo, I was fixated on trying to get a close-up of their hands making a heart and didn't meter the shot properly.  And the third photo was "ruined" by a random jogger -- who ended up creating kind of a cool shot; I love how wicked huge he is!

Now, for some of my favorites . . .

How beautiful is this couple?  They regard each other with such love, tenderness, and good humor.  It made me happy just to be hanging out with them.

And how picturesque is the Esplanade?  I love how the canoers paddled by at just the right moment.

This photo is like a film still . . . and these two could easily star in their own Bollywood movie.

My super chic couple told me they dressed to complement the colors of the Esplanade.  Isn't that fab?

I made a "thank you" garland for the couple, in case they wanted to use any of the images for their thank you notes.  Serendipitously, my bride-to-be had chosen a yellow sundress that matched the garland!  Adorbs.

We walked over to the public garden, which gave me a chance to capture them amongst the weeping willows by the duck pond.  With views like this, it's easy even for a newbie like me to get a decent shot.

Finally, this was my favorite shot of the afternoon . . . an archway in Beacon Hill leading to the most magical little cul de sac.  The folks who live in this fabulous spot are very, very lucky indeed.

It's such a delight to have the opportunity to capture special moments in people's lives . . . it's no wonder that all the pro photographers I know are so happy.  I can't wait to do another engagement shoot!

In the interim, I'll be posting my favorite family and friends shots on Doubly Happy Photography's Facebook page.  Please come by, say hi, and tell me you "like" me so that I don't feel like such a loser. ;-)

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Behind the Lens: Boston Engagement Session

I did my first engagement session today!  I had the pleasure of shooting in Beacon Hill and the Esplanade with the most delightful couple, who are not only beautiful to look at but so much fun to hang out with.  A few teasers below.

More to come . . . .

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