PEI News

VW Kickoff - shooting at the speed of 4G-LTE

2012-01-25T22:14:00.000-05:00

In keeping with my new mission for 2012, the images seen here are from the New England Kick-off for Verizon Wireless. The event was held January 24th at the RI Convention Center in Providence.

These are the type of images that I would never have posted here before. It's not art. It's not necessarily nostalgic, though these images will be for many some day. They're not images that one puts in their portfolio. But these images don't come easily!

There is no room for error at these events. Each brings its own challenges - lighting, event flow, personalities, the need to be everywhere, but unobtrusive and the need to manage people. When awards are in play, decisions need to be made around when and how to shoot the awards to best keep the flow of the event. Clients are receptive to ideas on how best to do this when they know you have vast experience with events like this.

While these aren't the show images, these are in fact the images where a living is made. My ability to thrive in photographic environments like this is in large part responsible for whatever success I've had in this business.

These images span a three hour period.

Milton Academy Life

2012-01-22T22:12:00.000-05:00

January 20, 2012 - A few hours on the Milton Academy campus capturing mostly life in between classes.

UMASS BOSTON

2012-01-19T22:36:00.000-05:00

January 19, 2012 - Shooting for a few hours over at UMass Boston today. We worked on some general stock imagery for upcoming brochures as well as some housing-specific lifestyle shots.

Angus Russell

2012-01-18T23:36:00.000-05:00

Angus Russell is the CEO of Shire, a specialty pharma with offices in Cambridge and Lexington and US Headquarters in Chesterbrook, PA. I have written about my experience working with them before on this blog. I have photographed Angus many times during visits to the Cambridge and Lexington offices and he is the same every time - down to earth, accommodating and very easy to work with.

As I mentioned in a previous post, brevity is very important in these shoots. While I could have kept him longer, I shot about 100 images of him over the course of about 6 minutes in various poses. Available light, some natural poses, got what we needed, done. He's happy. Client is happy that he's happy. I'm happy that the client and Angus are happy.:)

There come times down the road when a particular shoot will require more time and more of him. It's days like today when you can build that equity and trust with a subject that I will shoot many more times. When I need to ask more of him at some point in the future, he will be amenable as he knows I only ask for what I need.

Obama: Future President

2012-01-14T11:13:00.000-05:00

On June 2, 2006, Senator Barack Obama from Illinois was the Commencement speaker at UMass Boston. Obama was gaining traction as a national figure and everyone had the sense in meeting him that "I might be meeting a future President of the United States!" I'm not sure if reasonable people could have really predicted that he would be the NEXT President, given the fact that he had just begun his first term and had very little experience.

In the top image, Obama speaks with Chairman Jim Karam, right, and Chancellor Michael Collins, center, during the procession.

UMass Dartmouth Student Profiles

2012-01-14T10:06:00.001-05:00

Images for a new viewbook at UMass Dartmouth. This type of photography has really been one of the staples of my work for the last few years. Almost always available and not a great deal of time spent with each person.

BSO

2012-01-13T14:29:00.001-05:00

January 5, 2012 - For a project recognizing the behind-the-scene folks that make the Boston Symphony Orchestra work. These are all environmental portraits shot at the BSO on off-days.

John McNeice

2012-01-13T14:19:00.000-05:00

For the past 15 years, since I founded my business, I come across John McNeice at every turn. I knew the name well from my time at BC High in the late 80's. Throughout my sophomore and junior years, there was a massive athletic building in the works along the breezeway between Cushing and Walsh. The piledriving often interrupted naps in my favorite chairs in the Walsh Foyer.

That building is the McNeice Pavilion and it came online in the middle of my senior year - a bit late. Throughout the past 15 years, I see him at Caritas Christi Healthcare (now Steward), BC High, Boston College, the Jesuit Province and St. Mary's Women and Children's Center.

This headshot was taken on January 5, 2012 for the Jesuit Province.

A successful business man and a legendary benefactor.

Jim Fitzgibbons

2012-01-12T23:40:00.000-05:00

A profile of Jim Fitzgibbons, Alumni and former Board Chair of Milton Academy, at his home in Brookline - January 9, 2012.

UMass Boston

2012-01-12T23:10:00.002-05:00

January 11, 2012 - UMass Boston is always a great place to shoot - great clients and always students with vibrant personalities and varying looks. These are some images from what was a whirlwind shoot for some of their enrollment books, brochures and web.

We started with some quick headshots of a professor and a Dean.

Images relating to some of the math and science curriculum.

A quick stop while walking to the next shoot.

Veteran students lounge.

A career counciling class. There was a PowerPoint presentation with lights off and blinds drawn.

Fortunately, a blind was broken and we had some nice light pouring into the room from the front.

We closed out with some classroom shots in the campus center and then transitioned into
a bit of lifestyle type shots to close out the day.

2012 Renewal

2012-01-12T22:46:00.000-05:00

Well, it's a new year and time to renew some commitments and set some new goals. This blog hasn't been updated since the summer despite shooting non-stop. Maybe because I was shooting non-stop. I'm going to really try to be more consistent about getting images to the blog. In addition, I plan to feature images from "regular" assignments as opposed to just the "exciting" shoots. There has always been a sort of inconsistency in the blog in that I do much of my work for education and healthcare clients and yet almost none of the images on the blog represent that work.

Chancellor Motley

2012-01-12T09:50:00.000-05:00

UMass Boston Chancellor Motley is an imposing figure with a loud deep voice. This was shot for a profile piece on him shortly after his inauguration and was the second or third time I had photographed him. I think he is the type of person that you need to win over in a way - with competence. I recall the first shoot with him and a tension and reluctance in the room that you could feel.

Fortunately, he really liked the images that came from that first shoot. The next time I saw him was at Chancellor Meehan's inauguration at UMass Lowell and it was like we were old friends. It's an important component of the photographic process - the establishment of a comfort level between the photographer and subject.

These guys are pulled in a million directions, often for things that deep down they are reluctant to do. If you can establish an ability to work quickly and at the same time get a shot that really works, I think they really appreciate you for that. I think a lot of photographers underestimate the process part of the job - the experience folks have during the shoot.

Unlike a journalist or advertising photographer, I tend to work for the same institutions year after year. It's very important that I establish this comfort level as it becomes a huge advantage to me as a photographer and to my client.

Simmons College

2012-01-09T09:35:00.001-05:00

Simmons College main building at 300 The Fenway in Boston. I have been doing work for pieces of the college for close to 10 years, but with much more frequency over the past 2 or 3 years. Over the last year, we have been working on the images for the rollout of all of their College Viewbooks.

The Lifeguard

2011-07-06T18:49:00.000-05:00

July 6, 2011 - This scene is so classic for me. I remember huddling around the lifeguards at the Greenbrook Pool in Stoughton, MA as a young boy in the late 1970's - maybe 6 or 7 or 8 years old. Almost 35 years later I still remember those two lifeguards - Russ and Greg. I remember looking up to them and being fascinated with this ritual that they did a few times a day to check the pool chemistry. On good days they would let you handle the task of squeezing the droplets into those uneven cylinders of pool water. And then we would wait to see what color the mixture would turn.

And ten years after that, in the late 80's, I was a lifeguard at the pool seen above. And I remember doing the chemistry tests and little kids huddling around me - same exact thing.

And then today, sitting at the Hoosic Pool in Canton, I look over and see my kids and a few others huddled around Chris, fascinated anew with a process he has probably done thousands of times.

Rain at Fenway

2011-05-22T22:44:00.000-05:00

May 19, 2011 - The resurgent Red Sox have been enduring a tough week of weather as they finally got back to better than 500 after a very rough start. Here the ground crew brings the tarp back over the infield. It's funny watching these guys up close as you become very aware that they all seem to be very cautious during these runs to NOT be the guy that falls!

Jay Maisel Workshop

2011-05-17T18:03:00.000-05:00

I arrived to Jay Maisel's Bank early Monday morning, April, 18, 2011. The five day workshop was very short on details, but long on personal testimony and recommendations. My expectations were high but I went in to the week unsure of what my expectations actually were?

We were expected to be up and shooting from 6am-8:30am, downloading and editing from 8:30-9am and then into the boardroom for sessions with Jay. The sessions were typically either group critiques or viewing various Jay collections along with great stories and insight. The remainder of each day was full of shooting, eating and group sessions. Dinner would end around 10:30 and I'd head back to the hotel room, download, edit and try to get to bed before 1am. That was the routine for five days - pretty grueling schedule.

Jay Maisel just celebrated his 80th birthday and is a legend of sorts in the photographic community. I was attracted to his personality and the way in which he approaches photography - a very no-nonsense approach and very down to earth. He doesn't claim to have all the answers and doesn't give definitive answers to questions that don't warrant them.

In the very first session, Jay seemed to sense that one of my challenges was going to be opening up from the rigid confines of assignment-based commercial photography. Jay's input and critiques were incredibly elastic. Everything he said was applicable to all ten participants. Nothing he said was necessarily confined to photography. We signed up for a photography workshop, but what he leads you through is more of a life perspective workshop - opening you up to seeing the world more completely. You could have shown up with watercolor painting kit and learned just as much. He had a collection of seemingly endless collection of quotes from famous people that he would simply read - they were all applicable to everything we were doing.

While much of the pleasure of the week came from Jay's philosophical outlook, there were some very succinct photographic takeaways. The number one for me was this: "There is nothing neutral in your photograph. Everything in the image is either working for you or against you." This one concept was incredibly helpful when critiquing images. Jay allows no cropping of images during workshop week. You would be amazed how difficult it is to get a great street photograph, with all of the potential distractions and moving parts, when you can't crop at all and nothing in the scene is neutral!

I'd like to thank Jay for an incredible week - one of those life-experiences that increases in value over time. He was very generous with his time, talents and experiences. And last but not least, he brought us to a fantastic restaurant for each lunch and dinner throughout the week.

I'll dedicate another post to Jay's incredible property - the 35,000 square foot former Germania Bank at the corner of Bowery and Spring. If you would like to read more about Jay, please visit his website at www.jaymaisel.com. If you are interested in photography and becoming better at it, no matter your level, I can't imagine a better experience than his workshop.

The top three images are of Jay and the bottom three are of the Bank.

Infatuation

2011-05-16T18:10:00.000-05:00

Early afternoon, April 19, 2011. After roaming lower Manhattan for a while I stopped into Starbucks on my way back for the afternoon session at Jay's Bank. Immediately upon opening the door, I see this young couple nestled into their area as if they had been there for hours. As I approached them, I noticed that the seat next to them was open so I nonchalantly placed my stuff down.

I was close enough to need, and get, a nod of approval when my camera came up and they just went back to that place that most of us have been and can remember vividly. I just started shooting. I was tempted to move around a bit for some different angles but it was like shooting a lightly sleeping child or animal where any disruption of the surroundings probably would have thrown it out of sync.

I spoke with them for a couple minutes before I left. Maria said she was supposed to be at work at 9am. He smiled. Both of them seemed happily resigned to the fact that she wouldn't be making it to work that day. Infatuation is an amazing intoxicant. Everything else in the world is of little consequence.

Nikita, the guy, gave me a great compliment as I prepared to leave. He said, "We really don't like to have our picture taken usually - I mean that as a compliment."

Street NYC

2011-05-16T15:40:00.000-05:00

These are the first images I'm posting from my workshop with Jay Maisel in New York in April 2011. It was an amazing experience and I will write a separate post about the workshop itself. These were shot just outside the Stock Exchange building on Wall Street just before 8am on April 19, 2011.

It was day 2 of the workshop and I had spent about an hour walking downtown from the Bowery. That walk was probably my most frustrating part of the entire week as I just walked and walked, the streets were lifeless and images just weren't happening. By the time I got to this location, I had about 15 minutes to shoot as I needed to rush back for the morning download/editing process.

These were some of my favorite images from that day - images that are quite "simple", but not that simple to see and capture. "Street" shooting is an interesting process in that your abilities to see, your vision for making images, sort of takes a while to form. There is a huge difference between this type of work and walking around on vacation documenting places. It actually is mentally taxing.

The only analogy that I can relay is the scene in Rainman when Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) was watching the blackjack table and his mind began racing with numbers and calculations. He was watching the some game of cards as everyone else, but he was seeing and processing things that were invisible to everyone else. As the week went on, I was more and more in a groove of sorts. My ability to "see" and to process what was around me in photographic terms really seemed to hit stride mid-week. At that point, it felt like there were images to be made everywhere.

Red Sox??

2011-04-24T20:12:00.000-05:00

April 23, 2011, Red Bank, NJ - Brought Johnny in to get a haircut at Rocky's in Red Bank. Took a few photographs and then all of a sudden it was as if they smelled a Red Sox fan in their midst. They all looked up, scowled and then went back to their business. Johnny's haircut was great.

An Odd Duck

2011-04-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

April 7, 2011 - An odd site for any Bostonian. Walking through the Public Gardens on my way to an assignment and saw something I had never seen - an empty pond. Not sure how long it was drained or how often they do it, but apparently it was being filled again the following day. I never would have guessed it was as shallow as it is - 2-3ft maximum. Guess that fear of falling out of the Duckboats was overblown.

Off-Season Rehab

2011-02-18T11:52:00.000-05:00

Team SullyMac at work.

A close-up photograph of the rgb led panels that make up the new screen.

The John Hancock sign is being prepped for its return to the top of the new scoreboard.

Looking home from the center field warning track.

Image of the massive containers in which the Mitsubishi panels are shipped.

Final work to the new signage panel that will sit above the bleachers in right center field.

A worker, standing where the final row of panels will rest, waits on the next panel lift.

Looking home from right field concourse.

Concourse along the first base side.

Fenway Park is undergoing another major overhaul. The Sullivan & McLaughlin Companies are involved in all aspects of the latest renovation to the historic ballpark. Come opening day, all eyes will be turned to three new scoreboards in center field, including one massive screen in the middle.

The work that is going on is incredible. Seat sections are undergoing transformation and the entire concourse is being redone, including all of the concession areas. As the electrical contractor, SullyMac is involved in all aspects of the renovation.

The images above were made on February 17, 2011 and give a snapshot of the progress where SullyMac is involved. Amazing that the Park will be finished and gleaming for Opening Day in less than two months.

I'm often asked what is my favorite thing to shoot? Over time I have come to find that it is stuff like this. I love to capture history being made. I have been shooting various pieces and happenings at Fenway Park over the last 14 years and the transformation is incredible. I find these types of images to be very important - creating a visual record of what things were like during varying slices of time. For today, they document work being done. But very quickly that work, and the before, during and after images, become part of our historical record.

Simmons College

2011-02-08T15:06:00.000-05:00

I spent about six hours shooting at Simmons College on February 3 - mostly images for the upcoming magazine. It was a very productive shoot and I had some very photogenic and friendly folks to work with which makes a shoot like this much easier. The images above are a sampling of the 1400+ images from the day.

I've been doing work at Simmons for almost ten years. It is a great school and one that has a real distinctive, friendly atmosphere. To me, this college has all of the qualities that drive someone to go to a smaller college. The college really seems to know what it is and what it is not - and is comfortable with it. Simmons is not everything to everybody and it doesn't try to be, but to those who find Simmons a match, it is a great match.

Father Monan SJ

2011-02-01T17:35:00.001-05:00

Father Monan SJ, served as President of Boston College from 1972-1996. You could feel his stature while photographing him - he's done this before! He was very comfortable in front of the camera - and from what I hear he's into photography as well, which usually helps the process.

I had about 5-10 minutes to do the shoot including the process of figuring out where to make the pictures. Many were made with a really nice reflection background and this was a quick outtake at the end where the light looked nice. All available light - top of the second-floor steps in the Bapst Library, just outside his office.

You can read about him in this article:

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v4/M09/tribute.html

Vintage BMW

2011-01-27T16:45:00.000-05:00

For about 12 days in early September 2004, I followed the BMW Vintage Marathon as it meandered from Woodcliff Lake, NJ up through Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. BMW enthusiasts from around the world drove and shipped in their classic cars for the Marathon. The assignment was shot for the cover story of that month's BMW Magazine, but I'm only now getting around to really looking through and editing the images. When complete, I will post a link to a full gallery of images from this assignment.

Taxi

2011-01-19T23:45:00.002-05:00

I watched "A Day with Jay Maisel" on the Kelby Training site last night and was really inspired by his work and his process. I love that he speaks to allowing the photo to develop and the value of walking into a shoot without preconceived ideas of what it needs to be. I have always found my favorite images just happen; they are not preconceived or planned but just present themselves. If you don't enter the process flexible enough to let things happen, they probably won't.

I attended a presentation a few years back in Boston with Jay and he states one basic fact that is exemplified by his work; you can't create great images if you don't have your camera with you!

The image here was shot today after an assignment for Verizon Wireless in Providence. Upon returning to my car in the garage, my newfound inspiration prompted me to head over to the edge of the garage and see what might be there. This was a piece of that view and pretty representative of the nasty weather in New England over the last couple weeks.

Jay Maisel is a legendary photographer based in New York and just turned 80 a couple days ago. You can check him out here:

http://www.jaymaisel.com/biography/

STIL: Kevan Gale

2011-01-06T22:50:00.000-05:00

These images were shot in July 2010 at STIL yoga studio at Legacy Place in Dedham. Kevan Gale, the subject, is a friend who took a leap of faith to follow his passion. He quit his job, and moved from western Massachusetts to open and run STIL.

When photographing this type of thing, you get a real sense of the body control, flexibility and strength necessary to not only hit the poses, but to do so to the degree that balance and symmetry is achieved even in a still photograph. He was incredibly easy to photograph in this way - and willing to repeat very difficult postures to get the right look.

You can learn more about Kevan and STIL here:

http://www.stilstudio.com/index.html

Campion

2011-01-06T22:22:00.000-05:00

In my ever-distancing past, I recall early in my freshman year at BC High our "retreat" out to Weston. That was in the fall of 1985 and I only have fleeting memories from the day - a pick-up football game on a sprawling field and a play-acting exercise. I also recall doing much thinking and writing for what we were told was a time capsule - writings and thoughts that would be returned to us as we neared the end of our days at BC High. I remember that because I love that stuff! I also remember that we never did get that time capsule back - and I want it!

Yesterday I briefly photographed the chapel for inside the main building of what is known as the Campion Center. It sits deep within the winding roads and woods on what seems to be the highest ground in the area. It's the home for the Jesuits in the area - from their days of studying, to ordination, then in retirement and finally upon passing. They may travel the world as missionaries for decades, but here they will return.

The chapel seen in the images above has recently undergone a complete renovation and is quite a magnificent space.

Pebble Never Gets Old

2010-12-10T23:01:00.084-05:00

The 18th Hole at Pebble Beach

My 14th time covering the Lexus Champions for Charity - I'm aging process alongside this event! Always held in early December, the first several years were in La Quinta, then a year in Scottsdale, AZ before the event moved to Pebble about 5 or 6 years ago. Those 14 years, back to 1997 when I began the business, has seen the incredible transformation from film to digital photography. When you think back to the limitations of film for events like this you can really appreciate what the technology advances have brought.

The Pebble Beach area, 17 Mile Drive and Carmel are amazing. I borrowed a great book about Pebble Beach, its history and how it came to be, over a couple lunches at the restaurant next to the Spanish Bay Pro shop. Like the Kennedy's and Muhammad Ali, part of the reason for the legend is that they had the foresight to value photography. The Kennedy's crafted their image at every turn and the visual record is unsurpassed - and no accident. Does anyone not envision the black and white photograph of Ali standing victorious over Liston when his name is mentioned?

In reading about the history of Pebble Beach, they employed a full-time photographer from its founding and used hometown pr to generate buzz for the resort - sending photos of guests back to the newspapers of their hometowns to let others know that the "Jones'" spent time at Pebble. The photographic record of this place is incredible and it does a great deal in creating the legend and the historical feel of the place. You are constantly reminded that you are walking in the same environs as legends before you. Enough of the structures and topography has remained intact; allowing you to place yourself in these historic old black and white images and walk amongst the generations.

The Boston-equivalent is Fenway Park and I don't tire of photographing either place. When places have such strong historical visual records, it really augments the value of every image you capture. These places remind you that today's photography documents tomorrow's old days.

Good Times in Cap Cana

2010-12-05T23:49:00.008-05:00

Big Papi hosted the 3rd Annual David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic in Cap Cana, DR in early December. If you're the type of person who likes to get very relaxed, close and personal access to some top tier celebrities, mostly baseball players, this is a really good take. You can check out information about the event as well as the work that David does with his foundation here:

http://www.davidortizcelebritygolfclassic.com/

THE ROAD TO COLLEGE

2010-10-16T20:35:00.000-05:00

I had an assignment out at UMass Amherst last week - a great fall day in New England. For many folks, this scene is just another pretty foliage/farm type shot that could be had on any nice fall day. But for me, and surely thousands of others who made Amherst their home for four or five years of college, this is a very memorable scene that brings back floods of great memories. This farmhouse is about three-quarters the way from the MassPike exit to Amherst. I can honestly say I was excited to get back to campus every time I passed this scene - dozens and dozens of times.

Driving out there and spending just a couple hours on campus and in Amherst just brings so much nostalgia rushing through your mind and stomach. Not sure how nostalgia is described or how it feels for others, but for me it is an anxious, almost butterflies type feeling, but about the past, not the unknown.

In Amherst some of the establishment names have changed and the faces are always new, but it always has the same vibe. You see an 18 year old, a bar, a dorm, a particular sidewalk or classroom building and memories of your days in that world bounce around like a pinball.

And invariably, like almost all of the past, the consolidated memory seems so great. But you know that while you were living it, while it was in fact good and had its great moments, you were ready to move on as it came to an end. Times, even great times, run their course. If you're lucky, you keep moving, leaving each phase of your life wanting maybe just a bit more, but ready for what awaits over the horizon. I've been very fortunate.

Milton Village

2010-10-12T21:12:00.000-05:00

This is a scene I am very close to all the time, but had never seen before. The orange trolley cars pass under Adams Street in Milton Village, the train tracks separating Milton and Dorchester I believe. I have never been on those old trains and never had reason to walk down these stairs. But armed with my little Panasonic GF1 and the 20mm F1.7 pancake, I took a quick detour from my Post Office visit.

The Artist

2010-10-11T20:51:00.000-05:00

We took the kids out to the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park on a great fall day today. The kids roamed the park with sketchpad in hand and Rose was fascinating! She was all-business in her deliberate work as she moved slowly from sculpture to sculpture. She would circle it, look it up and down, move close and then back off. She would then pick her vantage point and begin to draw. When she was finished she would make her way to the plaque and write down the name of the artist and piece and sometimes the year. The images above are from the last couple of pieces, including the Jim Dine Hearts that she knew by name already from all she learns from her Mom!

Live United

2010-10-10T08:05:00.000-05:00

The 15th Annual United Way Women's Leadership Breakfast took place on October 8, 2010 at the Westin Copley. The event was attended by 1200 women with a goal of raising $1.5 million for the "Today's Girls Tomorrow's Leaders" campaign. The keynote speaker this year was Basketball Hall of Famer and Olympian Nancy Lieberman.

I often find that when an athlete tries to make the parallels between athletic performance and business, it can either fall short or get to feel like a bit of a stretch. Lieberman was tremendous, especially in a crowd of all women, at making this connection. For me, their were two key messages that sum up her talk. First: no excuses, no explanations. Nobody else really cares why you weren't your best, or why you were late. And second, the real measure of being the best you can be often includes whether you allowed and helped those around you to be their best.

Washout

2010-10-02T09:17:00.005-05:00

The final weekend of the regular season is upon us and the greatest rivalry in sports readies for its next installment. Or not. The Red Sox season will end after this three game series regardless of outcome. The Yankee's play this weekend will determine if they enter the playoffs with a first place finish or the wildcard. The season crawls to a close on a weekend that could have been a very special one had the Sox and Yankees been fighting it out for the Division in a year-ending three game series.

This game scheduled for October 1, 2010 never did get played. The would-be spectators hung around hopeful until after midnight when the game was finally postponed due to rain. There were moments throughout the evening where the weather looked to be clearing, even official announcements of such. But in the end, like the Red Sox 2010 season, it was not to be. It was a season where there is nobody to blame - the team was decimated by forces out of its control. Injuries took their toll and despite a good effort throughout the entire season, it was just too much to overcome.

The Hole that Changes a Life

2010-08-24T22:05:00.002-05:00

Last week I shot the Wyndham Championship, a long-standing PGA event in Greensboro, NC, for Wyndham Worldwide and their agency, Company 20. A Monday qualifier from India jumped out to an early lead after posting a 61 on Thursday. With a few major names right behind him, it was generally assumed that Arjun Atwal would relinquish the lead at some point. Atwal played his heart out and managed the pressure for the next three days, but with a missed birdie on the Par 5 15th, he dropped back to a tie. He quickly launched a dart to a few feet and birdied 16 for a one shot lead. He went on to rim another missed birdie put on 17, sending him to the 18th tee with a one shot lead.

Atwal had never won a PGA Tour event and the images above show his journey down the 18th hole, the conclusion of which would truly change his life. A drive down the left side into the rough. Planning the approach, knowing he needed a par to win. The approach goes long and he gets relief from the luxury boxes. He chips on but shows the stress caused by the seven footer that he leaves himself. He lines it up, strokes it in. $900,000+, first PGA Tour win and the first Monday qualifier to win an event in over two decades.

Needle in a Haystack

2010-07-19T21:02:00.001-05:00

Rose moves among the exhibits at the MoMa on July 19, 2010. We had a really great day in the City with the kids.

A Cuddle with Mommy

2010-07-13T20:54:00.002-05:00

July 13, 2010 - Laying in bed after a long day on the Jersey Shore. This image was captured in the middle of a minor afternoon meltdown. And then everything was all better!

Little Rascals

2010-07-05T20:35:00.003-05:00

The gang enjoying ice cream at the Light House in Longbranch, NJ on July 5, 2010. The kids ran in the Tack road race on Monday nights and replenished the calories post-race. I bet images like this exist from generations of families and that's what I love about them.

Flag Day

2010-06-14T23:53:00.000-05:00

In honor of Flag Day, Massport conducted its annual Flag Ceremony to honor the Stars and Stripes and properly dispose of flags no longer suitable for service. The program consisted of a brief history of the United States flag along with a reading of the many laws that dictate its proper flying, display and disposal.

I found the ceremony to be very emotional - an opportunity to reflect and give thanks and appreciation to all of the sacrifices that have been made in the name and spirit of that flag and all it represents.

As I write about the experience and look at the images, I'm reminded that these images mean very different things to different people. I have many assignments where I witness and document things that I don't agree with. Today was not one of those days - it was a very special thing to be a part of.

Green Chopper

2010-06-07T21:22:00.000-05:00

June 7, 2010 - Massport hosted an event with Paul Teutul Sr. of Orange County Choppers fame, and Schneider Electric at Logan Airport's Terminal A to introduce a not so average hybrid motorcycle.

Crusader Friday

2010-05-28T19:11:00.004-05:00

Another May means another crop of young men and women entering the ranks of the world's educated people. And another round of Commencement speakers to encourage, inspire or bore the all too often tired and compromised graduates. Holy Cross celebrated Commencement on May 28 on its Worcester, Massachusetts campus and featured Kennedy offspring and Holy Cross Alum Mark Shriver as Commencement speaker. He was actually quite a good speaker - modest and self-effacing. The genetics of the Kennedy family really are remarkable - the physical features, and speaking ability, being retained so faithfully from generation to generation.

CityYear Welcome

2010-05-27T20:02:00.001-05:00

CityYear has a certain style and they execute that style very enthusiastically and with great consistency. When you enter a CityYear event you are greeted loudly, warmly and uniquely. It's almost like going through the "hot oven" as a kid, but the experience is completely positive and you are not hit when passing through. It does make your face turn red though!

These images were shot at their annual Starry Starry Night event that was help at the Westin, Boston on May 27, 2010.

You can check out more about CityYear and what they do here at http://www.cityyear.org

Team Shire

2010-05-26T20:11:00.009-05:00

My work gives me the privilage of entering different worlds all day. The culture and character of any organization is very interesting - how was it established and who are the stewards that move it forward?

I think a very important part of photography is being able to very quickly establish a level of comfort and trust with people. In doing so, you are let into their culture very quickly and you can get a good sense of the character that exists at an organization. I have been doing work for Shire for about five years and I love the culture of this company.

Their work is very important and serious, but they don't take themselves serious. They are light, respectful and very easy to be around - from the very top all the way to the entry-level workers. They seem to achieve what every company desires - and they make it look easy. I often sit in the lobby of their buildings waiting for a shoot. To the person, the employees walk in and out with a smile - morning or afternoon, Monday or Friday. Always a look in the eye and a smiling hello.

Shire employees may think this is the norm in the corporate world - they should know it is very unique.

This image was shot at their annual all-employee meeting in Lexington on May 26, 2010. They adopted a football theme as Doug Flutie of Boston College, Canadian Football League and NFL fame was their speaker. This is the senior leadership team in a light moment as we lined up a team photo.

Check out what they do - pretty amazing impact on the lives they touch:

http://www.shire.com/shireplc/en/home

Teacher

2010-05-24T20:48:00.000-05:00

A great teacher is a very special person. The best teachers inspire and impact kids in ways they probably could never even imagine. In almost any grade, K-12, the teacher is presented with moldable clay. Kids are soft, impressionable, vulnerable, needy. Every kid experiences each teacher differently in the same way that a great book is different things to each reader.

My guess is that a teacher seldom knows when they have connected. The kid most surely is not aware. But time has a way of defining life's meaningful moments and characters - and very often teachers are the memorable figures that impacted lives and changed the trajectory of futures.

Part of the mission at the Boston College School of Education Commencement was to follow this teacher throughout the day. Her entire class from the Boston public school where she teaches was on hand for her graduation. You could see the admiration in their eyes.

Simmons College

2010-05-14T21:07:00.001-05:00

A few happy young ladies getting ready to graduate from Simmons College on May 14, 2010 at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston. We can call this an inspired candid!

The King

2010-03-24T22:42:00.002-05:00

Arnold Palmer playing the Pro-Am at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard on March 24, 2010. At 80, Mr. Palmer played from the professional tees, walked most of the round and signed autographs along the way.

In my years traveling and photographing a wide range of people, I can't think of anybody who is as universally loved and respected like Arnold Palmer. There are players with more titles, but Palmer is most responsible for the ascendancy of professional golf, and the sport in general, to the levels that we see it at today. He is the model athlete in terms of class, respect for his sport, his fans and the sponsors that make their livelihood possible. His ability to engage the public is unsurpassed in professional sports. His lifelong dedication to philanthropy is an example for all.

I have met and photographed Mr. Palmer a few times over the last 12 years and he is aging quite gracefully - but he is aging nonetheless. If society could only have a "save" like the judges on American Idol, Palmer would be among the top of the list. Some people are more equal than others and this is a man we should never lose. Time and health are the great equalizers in life. No matter the greatness you achieve, by whatever standard you judge that greatness, time rolls on ever so quickly. That's life. The unfairness of it screamed at me this week as I watched and photographed Mr. Palmer. He has lived and is living an incredibly blessed life, don't get me wrong. But he is one of the very few that has given back at least as much as he has received - and that is saying a lot.

Here's wishing Arnold Palmer many good years to come.

Cunningham Lake, Milton, MA

2010-03-15T20:27:00.001-05:00

The endless heavy rains made for some future 'good old days' in Milton today. I took a ride around town to see some of the effects of the flooding and came across this crazy bastard surfing on what I believe is center field of one of Cunningham Park's baseball fields. It was sleeting and temps around 35 degrees. After paddling out to the middle, jumping off the third-base players bench and surfing a bit, he and a friend and what I presume were three of their children, packed it up for home. Quite a story for those kids to remember. It was also a once in a lifetime opportunity to photograph someone surfing in Cunningham Park - and I'll stick with that!

While it was fun and games for some, I should recognize that this storm is utter devastation for many. I drove through a neighborhood near East Milton Square with submerged cars and many houses engulfed by 4-6 feet of water all the way around - halfway or more up the front door! Thoughts go out to those folks.

Coach

2010-01-22T20:47:00.002-05:00

A gathering of 500 joined Coach Jim Cotter at BC High to celebrate the man and the publishing of his autobiography. Cotter, a Savin Hill product and 1955 graduate of BC High, spent his entire career at BCH as a teacher, guidance councilor, football coach and athletic director. As a photographer, I am spoiled to see these types of lives celebrated more than most. But in the real world where we only travel in a limited number of circles, we know that men like this only come along so often. To impact so many people in such a profound and positive way requires the alignment of many factors. The right person, raised in a certain way, from a certain place, at a particular time, who chooses and excels at a calling that intersects him with huge numbers of people at their most vulnerable and impressionable time.

For untold numbers of BC high students and football players, Coach Cotter was that guy. Forging their character, teaching them life lessons and discipline at a crucial time. For many, gaining them entry to higher education at places they didn't qualify for by the standard measures, but places where he knew they could excel. Lives were changed.

Coach Cotter was diagnosed with ALS in 2006 and is well along his battle with the terrible disease.

The last photo, just above, was shot during his final Thanksgiving Game against CM at Boston College on November 24, 2004.

To find out more about Jim Cotter and his biography, visit this link:

http://www.coachjimcotter.com/

Mission

2010-01-20T16:08:00.005-05:00

Caritas Christi sent a team of physicians and nurses to Haiti on January 20, 2010. The group is lead by Dr. Mark Pearlmutter, shown in the top photo in the plane prior to departure from Hanscom Field. Philips donated $1 million in medical equipment and John Fish of Suffolk Construction provided use of a private jet to transport the team. For more information on the mission, follow this link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176582.php

Brown Out in Quincy

2010-01-16T16:19:00.004-05:00

With three days until an historic special election to fill the vacant seat left by Ted Kennedy, Republican Scott Brown has emerged from recent obscurity and appears even in the polls with a once-sure-bet, Democrat Martha Coakley. His Bus Tour made a stop in Quincy Center on Saturday morning to a few hundred wildly enthusiastic supporters. You could feel their excitement and the momentum they now appear to be riding.

The race has taken on national significance with Brown potentially representing the 41st opposition vote to President Obama's healthcare agenda as well as numerous other legislative efforts. I can't think of a time where the election of one US Senator could have such far reaching and immediate impact for the entire nation. That fact has both Democrats and Republicans rallying around their candidates. President Clinton stumped for Coakley on Friday and President Obama plans to come in tomorrow impact voter turnout on Tuesday.

It seems as though this full-court press from the entire Democrat machine represents an all-in bet. Should they make this type of effort and Martha Coakley still lose, Obama's entire agenda and the current Democrat majorities in both houses would seem to be in a very fragile state heading into next year's mid-term elections.

Ted Kennedy Birth Register

2010-01-06T18:09:00.001-05:00

The late Senator Ted Kennedy was born in Dorchester at St. Margaret's Hospital, now St. Mary's Woman and Children's Center. These images are of the birth registry book that recorded the patient information of Mrs. Rose Kennedy.

Frozen Fenway

2010-01-05T22:44:00.001-05:00

Belmont Hill took on St. Sebastions on the Fenway ice on January 5, 2010. An odd site for any Bostonian to see hockey at Fenway, the rink was installed for the NHL's Frozen Fenway event on New Year's Day. Belmont Hill struggled throughout the game with a lackluster effort until the final two minutes. They scored two goals, one with only a few seconds remaining in regulation, to send the game to overtime. The game ended directly off the opening face-off with Belmont Hill capping a furious comeback.

Green Science at Milton Academy

2010-01-05T18:15:00.002-05:00

Milton Academy is constructing a new science center in the heart of its campus in Milton, MA. Some of the 'green' elements of the new building include a copper exterior, extensive solar panels, Low-E glass throughout and a green roof.

Randy Vera at Boston College

2009-12-23T23:22:00.000-05:00

Local singer/songwriter Randy Vera performed an acoustic version of the National Anthem at the BC/UMass basketball game at Conte Forum on December 23, 2010. Randy is an alum of BC Class of 1993.

BC High Profiles

2009-12-17T18:31:00.002-05:00

A couple of student profiles and a view of a new computer lab at BC High - December 14, 2009. I am now 20 years removed from my student days at BC High and the place has evolved in many ways. The facilities have been augmented in countless ways and a middle school has been added. Fortunately, the school seems to have retained its character through all of the changes.

Not your average Grandparent

2009-10-09T20:21:00.001-05:00

Mr. Bill Cleary, Belmont Hill Class of 1952, back on campus for Grandparent's Day on October 9, 2009. Following Belmont Hill, Mr. Cleary went on to become one of the great legends of US hockey.

He played his college hockey at Harvard, turning down offers from the Canadiens and Bruins to turn pro. He set every scoring record, seven of which still stand. He went on to compete in two Olympic Games in 1956 and 1960 where he won Silver and Gold medals respectively; leading the team in scoring in 1960 with six goals and six assists in five games. He is considered one of the greatest American hockey players of all time.

Cleary went on to a successful career as head coach and athletic director at Harvard. He is very active in the Belmont Hill community.

To read more about him, visit this link:

http://internationalhockeylegends.blogspot.com/2009/06/bill-cleary.html

Women Leaders

2009-10-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

Carla Harris, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, gave the keynote address at the annual United Way Women's Leadership Breakfast on October 8, 2009 in Boston. The crowd of 1200+ women leaders were given tips and advice for business and life! She was a great speaker - informative, captivating and funny.

Hometown Huddle

2009-10-06T22:08:00.001-05:00

Local kids teamed up with United Way volunteers and New England Patriot players at Gillette Stadium on October 6, 2009 for the United Way's annual Hometown Huddle. The kids were given fitness/health tips and advice from the players and then made their own trail mix concoction.

Solid Body Fit

2009-10-03T09:35:00.001-05:00

October 3, 2009 - Typical scene at Solid Body Fit in Hyde Park, MA. Personalized individual and group training at its best. Nothing fancy, just good instruction and hard work. This was a Saturday morning class where the women were rotating through stations - boot camp style.

Check out the gym here: http://www.solidbodyfit.com/

First Victory

2009-08-23T09:57:00.002-05:00

August 23, 2009 - PGA Professional Ryan Moore wins the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, NC for his first career PGA tour win. Ryan outlasted Kevin Stadler in a three hole playoff. Sergio Garcia seemed on his way to the win with a three stroke lead and momentum after nine, but crumbled down the stretch. He still had a chance to join the playoff with a greenside bunker shot on 18, but the ball came to rest hanging over the edge.

The collage at the top was made for Wyndham as an event-encompassing piece for their guests and executives. The bottom collage features Ryan Moore.

NetJets 2 Days at Fenway

2009-08-15T22:01:00.001-05:00

On August 13th and 14th, 2009, NetJets hosted clients and guests for "2 Days at Fenway." This is a selection of images from some of the offbeat stuff featuring Red Sox legends Luis Tiant, Fred Lynn, Dennis Eckersley and Jim Lonborg. The telephone is in the Red Sox dugout and is the direct connection to the bullpen.

The last image is taken inside the Green Monster in left field. Fenway Park is the only baseball park to still use a manual scoreboard and this is where its operators work during the games. During Fenway tours, guests are reminded that although it is a much desired job with a multi-decade waiting list, work conditions are tough with no bathroom, no air-conditioning or heat and a view of the game only through half inch slits at chest height.

Johnny the Photographer

2009-07-16T21:20:00.000-05:00

July 16, 2009 - New Jersey. Rosie was swimming in her second-ever swim meet, which caused great jealousy in little Johnny. So I offered to let him take the Nikon D90 and shoot - he proceeded to get the camera around his neck and didn't miss a beat. (Though many adults around the pool were a bit nervous with this little guy carrying this expensive camera!)

He roamed the pool deck for about 45 minutes shooting anything and everything. He 'chimps' after every shot, most often laughing and grunting approval at his images upon seeing them on the screen. He was a big hit around the pool - at one point he had about six 8-9 year old girls posing for him and asking him to take pictures of them.

We had lots of fun viewing his images and were really impressed. He had lots of images of legs, butts and other odd compositions - all reminding us of a three year old view of the world. I had a tough time selecting images to use, but all of the images above that he is not in were captured by him. He really loves taking pictures!

The Swimmer

2009-07-16T20:51:00.000-05:00

July 16, 2009 - New Jersey. Rosie is one week into her swimming career and competed in her second 'meet!' Though she does have an actual freestyle stroke, it is not race-ready as of yet, so she uses a hybrid mix.:)

She started with the 13 yard freestyle - kicking hard and coming up every sixth stroke for air, as suggested by Coach Nana. She then swam in the 13 yard breast-stroke in which she has no formal, or informal, training. But she must have been watching some of the other kids because she had very good form, despite some pull-kick timing difficulties. She was very methodical about the form as you can see in the second image above.

She got a couple ribbons for her hard work and had lots of fun. She's practicing her stroke for two races next week as well as her modified divejump entry which will be race-ready for next week.:)

Monmouth Park

2009-07-03T22:02:00.001-05:00

Monmouth Park, NJ on July 3, 2009 for the kids' first day at the races. The images are in reverse order of arrival. We hung out at the warm-up oval for a peak at the horses prior to race-time. Rose was quite positive that the 4 horse would win the first race. Johnny the 5. Daddy went with the 7. The 4 tripped at the start and the 5 and 7 finished out of the money.

In the second race we were unanimous in picking the 10. Rosie said he would win because he looked "tough." Turns out the 10 wanted to watch the race just like us and determined the best view would be from behind all of the other horses, so as to not miss any of the action. He also preferred that the horses in front of him get smaller and smaller. He finished 10th by a landslide.

Rosie's face says it all in the second to last image and Johnny looks like he's trying to start a fight in the last image. But we had a great time!

Stormy Day at the Beach

2009-07-02T22:09:00.001-05:00

July 2, 2009 - Jersey Shore - Johnny works the buckets with storm clouds brewing above. The dark sky made for some pretty dramatic images at the beach.

Leader of the Pack

2009-06-13T23:08:00.000-05:00

Rosie with her boys in Narragansett, RI, June 13, 2009.

Race Face

2009-06-13T22:59:00.000-05:00

When racing, Johnny's shoulders rise and chin goes down, pretty much eliminating any evidence of a neck. He grimaces as if running on a bed of molten lava. Or, his head stays perfectly still while sprinting with a non-stop, unflinching smile. Nothing in between.

Beach Bum

2009-06-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

A sand-covered Johnny struts his stuff on the sands of Narragansett on June 13, 2009.

Randy Vera

2009-06-03T21:55:00.001-05:00

A session with Boston singer/songwriter Randy Vera in Roslindale on June 3, 2009. These were captured in an alley in the early morning and I was treated to some good tunes throughout the shoot - as were some random, curious passers by. Randy has been playing the Boston scene since his BC days. He was much better in front of the camera than he thought! Always a character, I commented that Flight of the Concord beat him to his forte.:)

Harold Ford, Jr.

2009-05-30T22:44:00.001-05:00

Harold Ford, Jr., former Democrat Congressman, and youngest ever elected to the House, from Tennessee, delivered the commencement address at UMass Lowell on May 30, 2009. I would argue a better speaker than President Obama, coming off with a similar persona but seems to pull it off more naturally. He was great to photograph with the obvious charisma and animated facial and body gestures throughout his speech. We will definitely be seeing more of this guy.

Larry Hyde, BC High Alum

2009-05-19T22:24:00.001-05:00

Mr. Larry Hyde, Harwich, MA - May 19, 2009. Larry has visited every UN-recognized nation and continues to travel extensively. A lover of maps from a young age, his career and life has brought him to every corner of the world. He typically is provided housing and much access from Jesuit communities around the world, where he often meets with Heads of State and various dignitaries. He could have told, and we could have listened, to great stories all day! One of those privileged days that comes with my job.:) the story and a couple of images will run in the next BC High Magazine. He was off to India the next day.

Milton Library Opening

2009-04-06T14:58:00.005-05:00

The Town of Milton unveiled its new Library on April 4-5. The project involved the restoration of the old Library as well as a significant addition. These images were made during the festivities on Sunday and later in the day, during dusk.

Mayor Cory A. Booker

2009-04-02T20:10:00.001-05:00

Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark, NJ spoke to Boston Collage students on April 2, 2009. The bright, articulate, young leader played football at Stanford, was a Rhodes Scholar and a graduate of Yale Law prior to his efforts as a community activist and now Mayor of Newark. Judging from his credentials and ability to make a connection with everyone in the room, I can't imagine we won't be seeing the Mayor on the national scene very soon.

Hotel Rwanda

2009-03-18T20:01:00.001-05:00

As part of the Chambers Lecture Series, Boston College hosted a lecture by Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life hero of Hotel Rwanda. A packed house listened to his emotional account of the horrific events later told in the movie. The speaker and his speech proved to be very controversial as many of the audience questions came from Rwandans who were not so happy with Paul's account of the events and his opinions of the overall conflict. Whether he is right or wrong, truthful or not, the questioning did remind everyone that there are almost always at least two sides to every story.

Banner 17

2009-03-05T22:04:00.002-05:00

Rich Gotham, President of the Boston Celtics, spoke to students at Suffolk University on March 4 about the rebuilding and rebirth of the Boston Celtics. He detailed his years with the Celtics and the symbiotic relationship of selling tickets and winning games. "You sell tickets so you can win a championship, not the other way around."

No Line on the Horizon

2009-03-03T15:02:00.003-05:00

In honor of it being U2uesday, I thought I'd make a good nostalgia post! These images are from the U2 concert at Slane Castle on August 26, 2001. Jess and I went over to Ireland and met up with some friends from my University College Cork days of 91-92, then up to Dublin for the show. It was a marathon trek to the actual concert site at Slane Castle. U2 fans will recognize Slane from the cover of the Unforgettable Fire - the album was actually recorded in the Castle back in 1983-1984.

It was a homecoming for U2 and the death of Bono's father a few days earlier put the show at risk and added some heavy emotion to the performance. As seen in the photos, we arrived on time to get the absolute back row standing plots. The amount of people who were passed out before U2 went on was considerable - some I though may have been dead. Coldplay and Red Hot Chili Peppers played before U2 so they had been there a while.

We flew home a few days later and then of course the world changed the next week.

Milton Academy Squash

2009-02-21T14:14:00.002-05:00

The Milton Academy Girl's Squash Team hosted Nobles in their final home match of the season on February 21, 2009. The team went on to place 4th in the nation the following week. The images above are from the #1 match, which Milton won in four games.

Park B. Smith at Veritas

2009-02-14T21:18:00.003-05:00

Park B. Smith, Holy Cross Alum and former Marine, hosted an intimate wine dinner at his restaurant Veritas in Manhattan on February 9, 2009. The capacity crowd of 42 people were joined by wine critic Robert Parker and the Commandante of the US Marine Corps while contributing generously to a scholarship fund for Marine families at Holy Cross. During my twelve years photographing various events for Holy Cross, Park Smith has been a constant presence and philanthropic champion; a true Jesuit 'man for others.'

Mr. Smith is an amazing guy and you can read more about him in this article from the NY times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/14/dining/14pour.html

Seconds

2009-02-06T22:25:00.001-05:00

Rosie and Johnny on February 6, 2009. These images were made about two seconds apart.:)

Dorchester

2009-02-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

Carney Hospital in Dorchester hosted a Legislative Breakfast on February 6, 2009 - a chance for the CEO of Caritas Christi to engage the local leaders.

In this image, Jack Shaughnessy, the great Boston philanthropist and current Chairman of the Board at Carney, greets State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry.

Mr. Shaughnessy, along with his wife Mary, is a mainstay in the development efforts of many of Boston's Catholic institutions. I have photographed him at various events each year for Carney, St. Mary's Women and Children's Center, St. Elizabeth's and BC High.

Economy Roundtable

2009-01-30T21:59:00.000-05:00

The Rappaport Foundation hosted a roundtable discussion at Suffolk University Law School on January 30, 2009. The topic was the governmental roll in stimulating the economy - there were many questions but not many answers.:)

Triangle

2009-01-11T14:48:00.002-05:00

Rosie was giving the camera a wide peak into her mouth - she seems to have about 68 teeth! she was very proud that she has a tooth that is a triangle shape.

Gypsies in Cork

2009-01-03T16:56:00.000-05:00

The streets of Cork, Ireland - late-night august 24, 2001. A great visit back to Cork before heading to Dublin to see the U2 show at Slane. I do remember Gypsies being a constant presence in Ireland; annoying but seemingly harmless.

Holidays 2008

2008-12-25T19:32:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas 2008. A few of my favorite images from the holiday season. We spent Christmas in Massachusetts and the made our way down to NJ for the following week. The black and white image is Jess and her brother Jimmy in NJ.

Johnny needs nothing in this world besides the movie Cars and the associated Cars products, of which we have multiples of each. Wherever he goes, he needs "Aqueen" and "Mater." And when he watches the movie, which is often, he needs to have all of the cast of characters present, even duplicates.

Rosie had a great Christmas as well. She is growing like a weed; a tall, thin one. She is about five sessions into ice-skating and loves it. She loves her arts and crafts and now some games on the computer - Noggin.

Lexus Champions for Charity 2008

2008-12-14T20:23:00.001-05:00

Pebble Beach played host to the 20th installment of the Lexus Champions for Charity National Championship. I have shot the event for the past eleven years in Pebble, La Quinta and one year in Scottsdale, AZ. We enjoyed great, albeit threatening, weather throughout the three day event this year.

Spanish Bay opens each morning with the bagpiper walking from the 1st green towards the tee and clubhouse - appearing as though he came from the sea. Each evening closes with the same routine, often offering great sunset opportunites.

Pebble Beach is an interesting course to shoot. Most of the images that appeal to me are from very far away. The scenes really seem to need some distance in order to give the place its proper scale - a great example being the first image of the Cypress.

Common Sense

2008-12-04T20:39:00.000-05:00

Time to Learn - An Extended Learning Time Summit, took place in Boston on December 4-5, 2008. The mission of MASS2020 is to advocate for an expanded learning day that includes the necessary time and programming to achieve a better, more well-rounded education. I photographed an impressive tour of an elementary school in Revere where teachers, students and administrators talked to the successes and challenges they have faced as a pilot program.

The following day included a conference of panel discussions, keynote speakers and hands-on workshops. In all of the non-profits that I document and work for, I can't think of one solution that could solve more problems, at their route cause, than the incorporation of the ELT into the public school system as a whole. I can't see how this model doesn't take hold in the near future.

Different Strokes

2008-11-02T23:25:00.001-05:00

Whatchu talkin' bout Willis!!??

Halloween 2008

2008-10-31T23:11:00.000-05:00

We had a really great Halloween in Milton this year. The weather was great and the kids were perfect ages to enjoy the night. Rose was a cat - not a leopard or a tiger, just a cat. Johnny was a kangaroo and toted around his young in the pouch. They ran from door to door, sometimes back to the same door more than once or twice. Johnny would sponteneously yell out, "Happy Halloween!" or "Trick or Treat" or "Thank you!" - sometimes when in the middle of the street - to nobody in particular. It was a real joy to watch them.

Sarah & Chris : Inn at Mountain View Farm

2008-10-25T22:40:00.001-05:00

We spent the weekend in East Burke, VT at the wedding of Sarah and Chris Rose. The ceremony took place on a hill in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Never heard of the Northeast Kingdom before, but like the old-english-sounding description. I think most weddings are a great opportunity for the couples in attendance to take a step back and remember the important things in their life, family and marriage. This wedding, due to the people and the setting, did that more than any that I can recall.

From a photographer's perspective, it was very good. With rain threatening to move the ceremony inside throughout the day, the sky became very dark just before the service, but mostly in the direction we were facing. The light was still perfect on the faces - very lucky. It literally began to pour minutes after we all made it into the barn for the reception.

Election Season

2008-10-13T22:29:00.004-05:00

There was a very Springsteen-Cover type feeling to the scene at the gazebo in the center of town - October 12, 2008. These two have no idea who Springsteen is, never heard a song from Born in the USA. They are happily ignorant to the economic and political turmoil that swirls around them.

It seems like very dramatic times. The stock market crash wiped out 1/3 to 1/2 of most peoples' savings in less than two weeks. Still, incomes have been untouched for the time being. The Presidential election seems to be much more polarized than I can ever remember - certainly more so than 2004 or 2000. Even the economy, a grave situation which could very easily have brought the nation together like only natural disasters and wars, seems to have ignited partisan blaming, grandstanding and political opportunism instead.

Could be just that I am new to looking closely at these things, but I feel like there are no longer facts. Instead, we have the facts according to how one views the world. Is there a version of events that are in fact, undisputed facts?? My optomistic side views the current climate as part of the ebb and flow of American history. The rest of me is not so sure......

Rosie & Johnny on the Run

2008-10-13T21:45:00.004-05:00

Rosie and Johnny had some fun playing with the Miller boys over the Columbus Day weekend.

Johnny Injured

2008-10-13T21:39:00.002-05:00

On Friday, October 3, Johnny had a not so little fall from the minivan. The result was a trip to the ER and 7 stitches under the chin. These are a couple images from the following week, one with the original bandages and one with his 'princess bandaid.' He's pretty comfortable with his masculinity!:) He's doing well and we go for the suture removal tomorrow.

Character

2008-10-10T23:16:00.001-05:00

On October 10, 2008, Belmont Hill School had Grandparent's Day - a great annual tradition where middle schoolers host their Grandparents and bring them to class, on tours of the school and to lunch.

I have been around Belmont Hill for about ten years now - helping my father with photography assignments on a regular basis. It is a very special place. The best way to describe my experience is to paraphrase a speech I heard while photographing a fundraiser at Robert Kraft's house a few years back. Jack Connors, the founder of Hill Holliday and great Boston philanthropist, spoke to a crowd of parents and alums about BHS.

He spoke about his sons and his experience as a parent of Belmont Hill boys. He mentioned the obvious things - the quality of the academic education, the facilities, the competitive athletics, etc. But most important was that Belmont Hill made his boys good men. He attributed much of the credit for his sons' character to their time at Belmont Hill. And he meant it.

And that is what I have witnessed there. You can get a very good education at almost any school - public or private. There are very few places that instill character. The kids that are there are very fortunate. If I have a choice of schools for my son, it would be a very easy decision.

Verizon Wireless Player's Club - Papelbon and Varitek

2008-09-22T21:02:00.000-05:00

On September 22, Verizon Wireless employees mingled with Tek and Papelbon in the Player's Club. During the Fenway tour, the group got a friendly visit from Big Papi in a break from batting practice.

Rose and Johnny September 2008

2008-09-14T22:00:00.003-05:00

Some day in the life shots from early September 2008. Rose running down Big Blue and finger painting at home. Johnny at the block party and getting his hair cut. Johnny's been making some really cute faces lately!

Service Nation Summit

2008-09-12T21:05:00.001-05:00

On September 11 and 12, 2008, leaders convened at Columbia University to discuss the present and future of Service in America. The evening of the 11th included an historic live television event featuring Senators McCain and Obama. They each answered similar questions regarding their views of service and ways in which they will incorporate those views in their respective administrations. The date, coinciding with the seventh anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, served as a foundation and reminder of the spirit of togetherness and service to others that existed following that tragedy. A common theme was the desire to harness that type of energy to serve the common good.

The following day included keynote speeches from First Lady Laura Bush, Senator Hatch, Caroline Kennedy, Mayor Bloomberg, Jon Bon Jovi and Senator Clinton to name a few.

Verizon Wireless Player's Club

2008-09-09T20:52:00.000-05:00

Verizon Wireless employees were treated to an intimate visit by Youk and JD Drew at Fenway Park on September 9, 2008. Joe Castiglione, the voice of the Boston Red Sox, made a special appearance as well.

Love

2008-08-23T23:05:00.000-05:00

Rosie gives Johnny a nice squeeze on the side steps - August 23, 2008.

UMass Medical School Commencement

2008-06-01T23:22:00.001-05:00

UMass Medical School held its Commencement exercises on June 1, 2008 at Mechanics Hall in downtown Worcester. Top - graduates gather in the robing area prior to the ceremony. 2. More so than any Commencement I've shot, babies were abound. 3. The hooding sometimes resembles some type of religious ritual with humble servant bowing before the master - looking up in wonderment! 4. Chancellor Michael Collins chatting on stage with Massachusetts Supreme Court Chief Marshall, an honorary degree recipient. 5. Along with the many babies, many unions were made during the long road to becoming a doctor. A couple celebrates the shared achievement.

Holy Cross Commencement

2008-05-23T13:53:00.000-05:00

A beautiful sunny day for the Holy Cross Commencement in Worcester, MA on May 23, 2008.