Photo Reiter header

Monthly Archives: December 2008

Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.


Herrera family photos

December 17, 2008 – 12:01 am

When we moved to New Hampshire from Oregon – with a four year rest stop in Minnesota – we left some very close friends. One of them was the Herrera family. Angela and my wife were members of the “Cruncy Granola Moms” ( not their real name!) a group of young mothers who wanted to get together and talk about alternative ways to raise happy and healthy children.

They and an ever-growing number of other Moms would meet – the Dads were in charge of childcare those nights – monthly or more often.

We became very close friends of Angela and Carlos, our daughter and their’s were friends and it was one of the big losses when we left.

A year after we landed in New Hampshire, the Herrera’s came to Boston – a friendship renewed! When Angela called to see if I would do a family portrait this year, I was honored beyond belief. We had a great time wandering through the woods in Cambridge – and happened upon a set of abandoned railroad tracks which was the high point of the shoot. Here’s a few photos from the shoot.

By Jay | Posted in portraits | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

First place!

December 13, 2008 – 11:00 pm

I’ve been at the photography game a long time, and I have won enough awards over the years that I thought I was over the rush of awards. The Wedding Photojournalists Association ( WPJA) – a group I am a member of – has 4 contests a year, drawing judges from some mighty lofty places – often pulitzer prize winning photographers, some of the best shooters in the world.

Joining WPJA isn’t as easy as sending in your check – they have a selection process that is rigerous enough that when selected a person knows they’ve been invited into a prestigious group.

So when the email came that the results were in from the 3rd quarter contest, I linked over to see what I have come to know are some incredible photographs. As I skipped around through categories looking at the photos, I couldn’t believe my eyes – in the reception category a photo of mine was first!

It’s from Erica and Jeremy’s wedding and I’ve included some others from that day to share.

If you want to see all the contest results, go to http://www.wpja.com. The contest results are on the front page.

[caption id="attachment_110" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="This is the first place winning image. Erica gets money from a drive up ATM and Jeremy keeps working on his cigar as the couple takes a quick break from the reception. "]This is the first place winning image. Erica gets money from a drive up ATM and Jeremy keeps working on his cigar as the couple takes a quick break from the reception. [/caption] [caption id="attachment_112" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="Erica waits in a backroom of the church before the ceremony."]Erica waits in a backroom of the church before the ceremony.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_113" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="The ceremony was in an ancient church in Dover, NH."]The ceremony was in an ancient church in Dover, Nh.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_114" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="Erica and Jeremy do their best Bonnie and Clyde imitation during a photo session in between the ceremony and reception."]Erica and Jeremy do their best Bonnie and Clyde imitation during a photo session in between the ceremony and reception.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_115" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="The light was perfect for shooting photos of the couple."]The light was perfect for shooting photos of the couple.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_116" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="Silhouettes usually aren't my style of photography but the setting sun and being on top of a fire tower were too much to resist."]Shillouettes usually aren't my choice but the setting sun and being on top of a fire tower combined for an irresistible photo. [/caption] [caption id="attachment_117" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="A portrait on the stairs of the fire tower."]A portrait on the stairs of the fire tower.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_118" align="aligncenter" width="850" caption="The first dance - slow shutter speed, pop of flash at the end of a half second exposure and there's the first dance photo."]The first dance - slow shutter speed, pop of flash at the end of a half second exposure and there's the first dance photo.[/caption]
By Jay | Posted in wedding photography | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Birthday Girl

December 9, 2008 – 10:23 pm

On those days when I get out of bed a little stiff or sore I wonder what it is that keeps me young. I don’t have to think about that very long – my daughter is the fountain of youth. Its hard to believe, but she turned 12 tonight. I set up a couple of small strobes and did a portrait at the moment of birth – 9:11PM. If Eliza looks a bit familiar, that’s also her on the top of the blog – spinning in the breeze along a ridge in Tuttle Swamp.

Happy Birthday Eliza.

[caption id="attachment_103" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Eliza"]Eliza[/caption] [caption id="attachment_104" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Eliza"]Eliza[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_107" align="aligncenter" width="673" caption="The big hit of the night was a Kendama, a wooden stick with cups and a wooden ball - she caught on immediately."]The big hit of the night was a Kendama, a wooden stick with cups and a wooden ball - she caught on immediately.[/caption]
By Jay | Posted in portraits | Tagged , | Comments (1)

Lego Robotics

December 7, 2008 – 8:35 am

Yesterday was the NH State lego Robotics State Championship. 51 teams converged on Nashua South High School to compete in robot design, performance, project presentations and team skills. In the past I’ve shot a variety of teams as a freelance assignment for the Manchester Union Leader, but this year they passed on the event so I stuck with just 1 team. Team  FUUSEion, a team from Exeter NH ( OK, my daughter JUST happens to be on the team!) came into the competition with a very hot robot and a track record of stunning  successes at both regional and state competitions.

A variety of issues – a poor cable connection for instance – kept their score down – but not their spirits.

After struggling in the first two rounds they suddenly shot from 44th place to 4th place and earned a trip to the quarterfinals, but narrowly missed making the semis.

A humbling experience but a very full day of meeting new people, seeing some simply amazing robot and attachment designs, and having a blast.

Here’s a look at the day.

[caption id="attachment_76" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The team sees their 3rd round score and reacts"]The team sees their 3rd round score and reacts[/caption] [caption id="attachment_86" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Gage and Haley listens to the judge during technical judging.Ben and Roan watch the robot do its work."]Gage and Haley listens to the judge during technical judging.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_84" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The robot completes a set of complex tasks."]The robot completes a set of complex tasks.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_83" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Nick and Ben present part of the project - a solution to drought and a way for apple orchards to conserve water."]Nick and Ben present part of the project - a solution to drought and a way for apple orchards to conserve water.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_82" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Coach Jim samples some of Coach Miranda"]Coach Jim samples some of Coach Miranda's snack.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_81" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Ben "]Ben [/caption] [caption id="attachment_80" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Team members urge on the robot as it completes a task."]Team members urge on the robot as it completes a task.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_79" align="aligncenter" width="399" caption="Eliza reacts after the team"]Eliza reacts after the team's robot makes a good run on the table.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_78" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The FUUSE robot - designed and programmed by the kids."]The FUUSE robot - designed and programmed by the kids.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_77" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Joy at jumping from 44th place to 4th place"]Joy at jumping from 44th place to 4th place[/caption] [caption id="attachment_89" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Coach Jim"]Coacj Jim[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Coach Miranda"]Coach Miranda[/caption] [caption id="attachment_90" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Coach Frank"]Coach Frank[/caption] [caption id="attachment_87" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The team joins hands before approaching the table."]The team joins hands before approaching the table.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_88" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Damon and Nick have a side conversation during the technical judging."]Damon and Nick have a side conversation during the technical judging.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_91" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="In between rounds the team checks and fine tunes the robot in the pit area."]In between rounds the team checks and fine tunes the robot in the pit area.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_92" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Gage and Damon watch the robot on the huge screen behind the tables."]Gage and Damon watch the robot on the huge screen behind the tables.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_93" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Roger and Eliza hustle to change attachments"]Roger and Eliza hustle to change attachments[/caption] [caption id="attachment_94" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Coach Frank gives a pointer to Ben"]Coach Frank gives a pointer to Ben[/caption] [caption id="attachment_95" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Waiting for the results of the judges after a table round."]Waiting for the results of the judges after a table round.[/caption]
By Jay | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)