Marlboro College Commencement

Marlboro College recently asked me to photograph their commencement.

(You may click on any image to enlarge it.)










Commencements are right up there with weddings and reunions when it comes to event photography. There are a range of emotions, as students celebrate their four years of hard work, and say good-bye to friends and teachers.









Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, Marlboro's president, welcomes the students and their parents.
















I'm always looking for three things in creating images at events—the first is finding beautiful light.
















The second is catching a moment—a fleeting gesture that is four or more years in the making.


















The third thing is composition—highlighting an interaction in the midst of many interactions, focusing on simple, poignant moments.



































One of the joys of event photography, whether it is a commencement, a wedding, or performance art, is recording a powerful and important moment so that years from now, we can return to the image and be reminded of the details, the feelings, and the memories of that day.

















I loved the light in this part of the room!

























































Members of the Class of 2025?












The good-byes begin.

























Long-time friends bump into one another.











A parent meeting one of her son's favorite professors.













There were a lot of beautiful colors on this sunny spring morning.












Heading off to the next adventures that life has in store.

May your day be filled with new adventures as well!

Thanks for taking a moment to look at these images.

Dogs as Art

In November we did a series of dog portrait sessions as a fundraiser for two area humane societies and food shelves. I tried to catch the unique personality and style of each dog. Sometimes this wasn’t all that hard to do.



















The event was hosted by One-Stop Country Pet Supply in Brattleboro and their new Keene store and Leslie acted as my assistant. Riley and Rufus’ mom is giving this picture to her husband as a surprise Christmas present.



















Over the course of two weekends, I did portraits of over 70 dogs, including Wesley.




















We raised over $1,000 for pets in need of food and care. Cash donations were made to the humane societies and bags of dog food were delivered to the food shelves. A national dog food company helped out by donating even more food.



















This is Johnny, who stole our hearts.





















We call this our miracle shot, and not only because we were able to get this image with no PhotoShopping involved. Four of these dogs are rescues, each with a rich story, including the three-legged Collie, who was found on a rainy night on Route 9 outside of Brattleboro.










These portraits reflect both Leslie’s years of dog showing experience and Jeff’s portrait work. It didn’t hurt that Moxie was so photogenic.












Merlyn, a beautiful Australian Shepherd, looking for someone to herd.





















Chopper, as you can see, is a distinguished gentleman.





















Zack was one of several rescue Greyhounds from dog racing tracks.




















This is Christine and Kyla. Christine is a friend who cuts our hair, so we hear about Kyla’s antics all the time.




















Some shots are fine art, like this image of Burilla.





















And some of them just make us laugh. Wesley gave us this look when he thought we were making fun of his coiffure.




















This image of Gigi, a Cavalier show puppy, reminds us of a Rembrandt.





















Sam is over it.





















Moxie doesn’t have to do anything to be funny.





















Sunday, the Boxer. Do I stay or do I go?










Stoli, demonstrating infinite patience.





















Jesse does a seal imitation for the camera.





















This is Batman, a rescue Collie who is now a therapy dog. He was beautifully brushed out by his adoring owner Amee.




















If you’d be interested in hosting a pet portrait fundraiser in your area, we’d love to do it again. We had a ball.




















I love doing event, wedding, product, and campus photography, but doing these portraits was a real treat.




















This is PK, a recent rescue from Puerto Rico. I so enjoyed meeting dogs like PK, who are wonderful survivors, and making images of them for their loving owners.





















Thanks for taking the time to look at these. I hope you had as much fun looking at them as I did making them!

Have Your Pet Shot for a Good Cause

This coming weekend, Woodwardesign is partnering with One Stop Country Pet Supply to raise funds for the Monadnock Humane Society and the Keene Community Kitchen.

Be good.















We decided to combine our love for animals and photography, and do photo sessions of your favorite pet(s). The cost for a 10-minute session and a 5 x 7 print is $50, 50% of which will be donated to help pets in need.









This is Cassie. She is not a pet in need, but she hopes you'll help out! The photo sessions will be held at One Stop Country Pet Supply in Keene (149 Emerald Street) this Saturday, November 14, from 10 am to 6 pm.









Any pet is welcome. Cats, dogs, lizards, cockatoos, boas, taranchulas.

All for a good cause.

















Your pet doesn't have to be this cute.
But it sure makes our job easier.

















We promise your dear one won't get bored! We're going to make sure everyone has fun and looks great.
















Remember watching Lassie on TV? Smartest dog you ever saw. Lassie would start barking, and Timmy would ask "What is it Lassie? There's a fire at McGregor's farm!?!"

And, sure enough, there was a fire at McGregor's farm. She was always spot on.













This is Jasper, a good old boy, and truly loved.

















To schedule a 10-minute session this Saturday in Keene, call 603/352-9200.

Additional prints and greeting cards will be available for those who would like them, and will be ready in plenty of time for the holidays.













We hope you'll be able to make it! Call today, operators are waiting to receive your call!

If you know of someone who might want to participate in this fun fundraising event, please forward them the link to this blog. Thank you!!