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Welcome

My name is Jay and I'm a photographer in Southern New Hampshire who specializes in...well, photography. I shoot weddings in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts - anywhere in New England or at destinations of your choosing. I do portraits, senior pictures, commercial, editorial and photojournalism. I also teach college photography classes. Pretty busy, I guess!

I've made my way around the country doing photography with stops in Maine, New York, Oregon and Minnesota. I don't have an accent from any of them but plenty of fond memories and great stories from each place and in between as well.

I've also got an amazing support system with incredible friends and an phenomenal wife, daughter ( both of whom are exceptional photographers) and son. Oh, and a dog, three cats, a bird and a guinea pig.

Who says I should have my head examined?

Clara’s Dream – NH dance photography

December 22, 2009 – 10:19 am

For those of you who thought tap dance was old-fashioned, stodgy, or simply people clicking away on a stage…WRONG!

A couple of night’s ago I had the opportunity to photograph a performance of Clara’s Dream, a jazz and tap rendition of The Nutcracker produced by Maine dancer and artistic director Drika Overton. The costumes were stunning, the stage lighting and set design phenomenal, the band tremendous…but all paled in comparison to the dancers. They could have put this show on on your local street corner and it still would have been mind-blowing.
From a photographer’s perspective, it was like being a kid in a candy store – almost impossible to choose what to shoot – there were visual delights stage left, stage right, and center stage. If you took the time to look away fro the spotlit dance, all sorts of subtle dances were happening in the background. I’ve never seen anything like it.

My suggestion – send Drika an email (http://www.jazzandtap.com/ ) and beg her to bring the show back in 2010. The show was first performed in 2000, and its been on vacation since 2006.  Don’t let it go back into mothballs again – the 6 musicians and 20 dancersw are a must see-must hear. After insuring its return, Mark it on your calendar, and make sure not to miss this show – it could – and should – be the start of a new holiday tradition!

And support it. Without money, the arts are just a footnote in a textbook. Don’t let that happen to this one-of-a-kind show. It’s too great to slip away.

Here’s a slideshow of some of the highlights of Clara’s Dream.

By Jay | Posted in commercial photography, dance, inspiration, music, Personal Project, photojournalism | Tagged , , , | 3 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

New student – NH portrait photography

December 16, 2009 – 1:07 pm

It’s been almost a year since I taught my last class at McIntosh College – the school was closed for corporate reasons I won’t go into but still leave a sour taste in my mouth – and I’ve missed the teaching role.

A few weeks ago I was doing a bit of volunteer work at the New Outlook Teen Center in Exeter, helping out with the beginning of a photo class since the person teaching it had a conflict and couldn’t be there for the beginning. When the teacher got there we had the opportunity to talk and she said she’d liike to do some classes with me…how cool is that, since the person – her name is Jaye Carr – is a pretty darn good photographer already.

Our first session was mainly focused on goals, expectations…and having a love affair with light. I am always struck by how few photographers really take the time to study and either appreciate or figure out how to modify or supplement the light that’s there. While we were talking I grabbed a few frames of Jaye…I was liking the light and the interest that was so evident in her eyes.

I imagine there will be more photos from the classs as we go along – as well as a guest post from Jaye!

Realizing how much I miss this part of my life has me cooking up some ideas for a few pretty awesome workshops I’m planning on putting together for late summer and early fall. Stay tuned for details – and until then, here’s a few photos of Jaye.jaye1002jaye 1012jaye 1026

By Jay | Posted in Uncategorized | no comments         No Comments | Add a Comment

Angela Ordained! – Mass. event photography

December 13, 2009 – 10:30 pm

Saturday afternoon I was on a road trip to Concord, Mass for the ordination of our good friend Angela Herrera. A short time after we landed in New Hampshire, Angela and Carlos and their two children came to Boston so Angela could attend Harvard Divinity School. They were good friends from our tenure in Salem, Oregon and it was a real treat to reconnect with them.

After almost three years, Angela was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister. It was so cool to hear speaker after speaker note the qualities that we had known about Angela since becoming friends almost 13 years ago. I sat in the balcony and felt like I had known a celebrity back when she was just a new Mom, part of a Mom’s group that I used to call the crunchy granola Moms. And now here she was – the focus of the beginning of her dreams. People came from Harvard, from Concord and Salem, ( both Mass and  Oregon )to witness and share the moment.Carlos was almost floating with pride that his wife had accomplished this milestone.

The most powerful part for me came when the entire community – friends, family, congregation, professors and mentors all put their hands on Angela in a show of community support that put chills down my spine.

And now Angela is Reverend Angela…and to think, I knew her when!

12-12-09 ANGELA HERRERA ORDINATION0010_2_4_tonemapped12-12-09 ANGELA HERRERA ORDINATION 12-12-09 ANGELA HERRERA ORDINATION 12-12-09 ANGELA HERRERA ORDINATION 12-12-09 ANGELA HERRERA ORDINATION

By Jay | Posted in Personal Project, photojournalism | Tagged , , | 1 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

Karen – NH theatrical headshots

December 1, 2009 – 10:35 am

Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph Karen. She needed new headshots for a theater resume and approached me about shooting them. We ended up working in a really tight space, the back of the Lonely Little Thrift shop in Newmarket since the store was closed Monday. The setup was simple – a black background to accentuate her hair, two small lights, one shooting through a white umbrella and the other just bounced with a dome to diffuse the light.

Karen has one of the most arresting looks I’ve worked with – she’s comfortable in front of the camera and doesn’t try to be anybody but who she is. What a treat!

We got some pretty intense photos – here’s a few stills and another showit slideshow.  I’m thinking I truly owe David Jay a Christmas present for helping me add this dimension to the presentation of my work! Thanks David.

11-30-09 KAREN 11-30-09 KAREN 11-30-09 KAREN 11-30-09 KAREN 11-30-09 KAREN

By Jay | Posted in portraits, theater headshots | Tagged , , , | 2 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

Elizabeth and Alan – Mass. wedding photography

November 24, 2009 – 11:39 am

Shooting weddings in late fall in New England is not for the faint of heart – you never know what you’ll get for weather. It could be rain, snow or a beautiful day like we had for Elizabeth and Alan’s wedding. Lucked out, no doubt about it. I usually have a plan A and a plan B – but I think I had more plans for this one than I could name. I thought the main in-case-of-weather backup was the best – the reception was at the Museum oif Science in Boston and we had complete access to the museum until it closed. I had visions of bridal portraits with dinosaurs looming over them…couldn’t get it out of my head. The plan then was to shoot a few photos inside the church in Harvard Square, head for Memorial drive and shoot Boston Skyline photos then to the Public Gardens for bridal perty pictures and finally on to the reception.

OK, we allowed for the weather but here’s what we didn’t count on.

Parking in Harvard Square doesn’t exist. Out of desperation I finally threw the car in a garage near the hair salon. And then after the salon I walked to the church because there was no parking anywhere near the church either. Missing the ceremony you’re supposed to shoot isn’t high on the cool list – even with brides as cool as Elizabeth.

The ceremony was over at 3:15, not 3:00, then a receiving line, then a few photos at the church, then a few more…and a few more. Then I had to walk back to the garage for my car, then stuck in traffic because some sort of police activity…got back to the church after 4. Sunset, by the way, was at 4:30. I’m sweating bullets now!

We drive to Memorial Drive ( and actually managed to find places for both the limo and me to park) and there’s now about 10 minutes of shooting time – great light but the Public Garden clearly isn’t going to happen.

Balancing late afternoon/sunset light and a little fill flash is an imperfect science – its just not set-it and forget-it time, so the shooting was slowed down a bit.

End result – way cool photos! Sometimes you can fall in a cesspool and come out smelling like a rose – this was one of those days. And we even managed a couple of photos in the exhibit halls of the museum – the folks there were kind enough to let me park very illeagily to shoot quickly then move my car into the garage.

Couple of photos from the salon, especially the cutest junior bridesmaid I’ve seen in a long time and a photo of this amazing church where the ceremony was held.

Great way to wrap up the season…and now I should have a little more time to return to a regular schedule of posts. Enjoy the photos.11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN 0659_60_62_64_tonemapped11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding 11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding EXETER HEALTHCARE11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding 11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding 11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding 11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding 11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding 11-21-09 ELIZABETH and ALAN Wedding

By Jay | Posted in Uncategorized | no comments         No Comments | Add a Comment

ECCA Art Show

November 16, 2009 – 1:45 pm

A few weeks ago I got an email from Karen Desrosiers, a writer, artist and chief cook and bottle washer of ECCA, Exeter Center for Creative Arts. Their third annual art show was being put together, would I be interested in submitting a few pieces of work for the juried show?

“You bet!”,  I emailed back. It all seemed so easy. In my spare time ( whatever and whenever that is!) I do landscape photography – in much the same non-traditional way I do the rest of my photography. Here’s a chance to put it out in the public eye and get some feedback, sell  a print or two…who knows, maybe the gallery scene next!

Yea, it all seemed so easy. I thougt about what I’d submit. It all seemed so easy, ideas were streaming through my head like a runaway freight train. I got busy, shelved the train and suddenly the deadline was approaching…Suddenly I really didn’t like my choices, second-guessed myself to death over and over again.

The bottom line – a few things I learned on my way – IT’S NOT EASY! It’s not easy being an artist, baring your soul and spirit. It’s not easy allowing yourself to be vulnerable. I think ego, one of the essential components of an artist, is way more fragile than I ever let on…

Bottom line, it may not be easy but “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

I’ll have some work hanging in the show – here’s the particulars:
A juried show, art work from 40 regional artists will be on display and for sale.  Works from many genres are represented: pottery, sculpture, photography, wood carving, watercolor, oils, pastels, acrylics, jewelry and more.

Artist wine & refreshments reception,
Friday November 20, 6-9pm
Gallery open weekends,
Sat. November 21 & 28, 11am-6pm
Sun. November 22 & 29, noon-4pm

Exeter town hall gallery, across from the bandstand, right in the heart of downtown Exeter, NH.

Funds Raised

Percent of proceeds go to support ECCA’s scholarship fund, so that all area children have the opportunity to discover the creativity within them.

So if you’re able, please come – especially Friday, have a glass or few of wine, and check out the art – and I promise not to be fragile!

Here’s a couple of my photos you may see.B 10-8-08 RAIL TRAIL0004____tonemapped_lzn4-13-08 TUTTLE SWAMP

By Jay | Posted in Fine Art, HDR, Personal Project | Tagged , | no comments         No Comments | Add a Comment

Amanda and Scott – Mass. engagement photos

November 1, 2009 – 9:49 pm

This morning I spent a  breathtakingly beautiful late fall morning – warm, reasonably dry, given a brief overnight shower, a gentle breeze -  with Amanda and Scott shooting engagement photos. The location was Willard Brook State Forest in Ashby, Mass and they couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful spot.

This is a couple who are clearly in touch with the environment -the fallen leaves on the moss covered rocks were as slick as ice and they scampered over them like mountain goats as we explored locations for photos. The mid July wedding will be at another spectacular location – Pat’s Peak Ski Area in Henniker, NH.

When I started to edit the photos, I decided to try another ShowIt slideshow – figured that I should try to remember how I did the first one. this time it took almost no time to produce the show so it was blog ready – I guess I remembered more than I gave myself credit for – and the fact is that the program really does make it doable…thanks again David Jay for making this great piece of software available!

So….here’s a slideshow of Amanda and Scott – can’t wait for their wedding!

By Jay | Posted in esession, portraits, wedding photography | Tagged , , , , , | 2 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

Katie and Nat – NH wedding photography

October 28, 2009 – 1:12 pm

So if you’ve read the about page on this blog, you are aware I’m an animal lover with a pile of pets. Because of those pets I met Katie. She was working at the vet where my animals go when needed. We got to talking ( Ok, some might accuse me of flirting…but me????) and when she mentioned a boyfriend and the thoughts of marriage, I quickly pulled a business card from my wallet and asked her to check my website.

The wedding finally came through – and yes, they hired me to shoot the photos – and on a late October Sunday she and Nat were married at the 3 Chimneys Inn in Durham, NH. The 3 Chimneys is an classic old New England Inn – great ambiance in the rooms and the food and service is first class – worth going there to check it out and have dinner by the way.

The wedding party entered the reception separately and did a dance – the show stealer was Katie’s 82-year-old grandfather cutting it up to “Men In Black”!

Here’s a few photos from a glorious event.10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding 10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding 10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding 10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding 10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding 10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding 10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding 10-18-09 KATIE and NAT wedding

By Jay | Posted in wedding photography | Tagged , , , | no comments         No Comments | Add a Comment

Busman’s holiday

October 22, 2009 – 1:25 pm

Well, if we assume that that expression comes from when a busman went on vacation, he or she had to drive, then the title for the post works…if not, please tell me the genesis of the expression.

My nephew was married recently in Pittsburgh, PA. I went – carrying only 1 camera and 1 lens. In a total test of my willpower, I also only brought 2 flash cards – a 4gig and a 2gig. Since I always shoot raw, that wasn’t a lot of images I could retain.

Pittsburgh was unseasonably cold and rainy, but the morning of the wedding I walked down a typical Pittsburgh hill ( they’re reminiscent of San Francisco if you’ve never been to Pittsburgh) to a church I’d passed a gazillion times but had never stopped to shoot. I found an open door but the interior of the church was as dark as a dungeon, so I played around with the incredible architecture. The church was built around 1901 – the ivy covering the walls seemed that old as well. I’ll admit to wishing I had a tripod and/or some strobes along. I was shooting at a 15th of a second at F 2.8. For those who aren’t photographers, that gobbledygook simply means there was no light and it was tough to hold the camera steady – especially since it was raw damp and freezing!

That afternoon when I went to the wedding ( at a historic downtown hotel), I noticed the rest of downtown in the gloom from a room where I was going to change into a full-blown tux…this was a black tie affair – including 1 poor soul still working at 6pm on a Saturday. Made a few photos using the window as a steadying agent for the camera.

Shot a few wedding photos also, haven’t had a chance to even look to see what I got, so here’s a few photos from a busman’s holiday._JAY0101_JAY0120_JAY0123_JAY0132_JAY0139_JAY0188_JAY0184

By Jay | Posted in Fine Art, inspiration, Personal Project, photojournalism | Tagged | 1 comments         Show Comments | Add a Comment

Racheal and Patrick – Mass. wedding photography

October 13, 2009 – 8:20 pm

Saturday was Racheal and Patrick’s wedding – the ceremony was in a Catholic Church in Massachusetts and the reception moved to the Pelham Inn in Pelham, NH. These were two huge Irish families – and all I can say is the Irish are no slouches when it comes to knowing how to party! After the couple’s first dance, there were never less than a hundred people on the dance floor – young, old, it didn’t matter – everyone was there to dance and celebrate.
An added treat for me was the presence of videographer Sean Cusick ( http://www.memoriesinhighdef.com ). It’s the second time I’ve worked with Sean and if you ever need a video guy, he’s the man. So often Video and still shooters are more focused on who owns what turf – to the detriment of the job at hand and the clients – but Sean is an absolute breath of fresh air to work with. Always aware of where I am, what angle I’m shooting…and never in my frame! I think its because we have such respect for the other’s craft that we work so well together. Additionally, Roger Ramirez ( http://www.chariotphoto.com) was there as a second shooter, so some serious photo/video work was happening!

By the time we reached the Pelham Inn, it was too dark to shoot the formals outside – and the temperature had dropped into the downright chilly zone, but Racheal and Patrick – both of whom are snowmobile enthusiasts – were psyched to venture out to the lighted gazebo for some photos – they were way beyond the frost setting in! We added a couple of small strobes to just fill the light a bit and came away with a cool portrait of the couple.

Here’s a few photos from a great day.

10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding 10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding 10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding 10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding 10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding 10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding 10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding 10-10-09 RACHEAL and PAT wedding

By Jay | Posted in wedding photography | Tagged , , , | no comments         No Comments | Add a Comment