We've moved!!

As much as I loved blogging here, I've recently discovered a better way! I'm using wordpress and hosting my blog at my own domain...plus, I focused the blog a little bit more. It's all about photography, hiking, and combining the two at times...check it out!!

www.summitphotographynh.com/blog

I think you'll enjoy it!

The String Alongs - Claremont, NH

You know, in today's day and age everyone seems to expect bigger, better, faster and fancier things. It seems that we all want to upgrade this, or improve that...we're in an upgrade culture!

In fact, it seems out of the ordinary when we hear someone comment that the fast pace we all live is a departure of some kind. Most folks chalk it up to the novelty of old fashionedness when they hear someone reflecting on simpler times, or the fact that we're letting technology overtly interfere with humanity.

Cell phones are a great example of this. So are concerts...

Concert-goers virtually DEMAND the fancy light shows, HD backdrops, pyrotechnics....the whole shaboozle. However, I recently had a chance to take a 2 hour break from the world as we now know it. The veneue..."The String Alongs" at the Claremont Opera House.

In an intimate onstage event open to just under 100 folks, the String Alongs put on a really enjoyable performance. They're a local country and bluegrass music band made up of 4 very regular and very talented guys. No fancy onstage fireworks...no surround sound blasting out of trillion watt speakers...no 3D. Just a lot of great music played on acoustic guitars and banjos (including one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs, and an awesome song about Dimicks, a local resturant where they often play gigs). It was perfect.

For information about The String Alongs, just look them up! They're not on the web but you can find their info just about anywhere in Claremont. For information about the Claremont Opera House and their other upcoming On Stage Events, log on to http://www.claremontoperahouse.com/ and check it out.

Hold on tight! 2009 is speeding to an end!

As 2009 winds down, it will go down as one of the best years of my life. Lots of change has come my way, and it's been downright gnarly to say the least. So many moments, and so many of them caught on camera!

I shot a ton of weddings this year... more than I've shot in a single year to date. And, it was AWESOME! Not only do I love weddings, but I love getting to know the couple before, during and after their big day. Just as a fun way to recap, here are just a small handful of my favorite shots from a few of my weddings this year...

To see more, visit us online at http://www.summitphotographynh.com/!

Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!

Christina & James' Engagement Session in Conway!

Not that I'm in the business of publishing engagement announcments (that's the job of the local papers!), but...James Moodie and Christina Sarles are engaged! I know these guys from my old stompin' grounds over in the Canaan area, so it's great to be working with them!

They made their way 'over the pass' to Conway to have their engagement photos done in one of New Hampshire's most scenic areas...only problem was it was POURING buckets! So in true and historically correct form, we made our way to one of New Hampshire's many kissing bridges. This one crosses the Swift River in Conway. Although the weather finally broke a bit later in the day, this bridge (built in 1850) was a picture perfect symbol of the long lasting love that these two will share.Their marriage will take place next June.

These are just a few of my favorite shots from our time together on Friday. Congratulations, James and Christina! You guys are great to work with!

Grinder,... Anyone?

So recently I was in Raymond for a photoshoot at Iverson Machine Products. This shop has been run for the last 35 years by an incredible individual named Dana, and let me tell you that this place was amazing!

Dana had been getting ready to launch a website for a while and needed some images to help tell the story of what he does day to day. It was incredible to watch!

Basically, Dana does general metal machining and automotive machine work as well. If a company needs a hunk of raw metal turned into a functional part, they call him. Or, somebody needs some custom brackets built for their hotrod - they call him. Basically, he can take a block of metal, and using his bare hands and some impressive machinery he turns it into something meaningful! He's like a metal magician!

I admitted to him that the only machine work I'd ever seen done was in huge robotic factories that I saw on the history channel. After hanging out with Dana for the day, I got to see how a real person puts inventive thought, technical skill, and laser-beam accuracy to work in order to turn out a part. ...Plus, I got to check out some VERY impressive cars that he's built and customized!

Have a look at his newly launched website: http://www.iversonmachine.com/ ! ...and if you're looking for something in a catalog that you just can't find, call Dana - chances are he can make it for you! I'm telling you - go check it out!

"Did you walk up here?"

It's one of my favorite parts of hiking Mount Washington .... you get to the top, and without fail somebody who drove up the Autoroad sees or smells you, kind of gives a moment of thought and asks, "Did you walk up here?".

Given the the Rockpile is a busy hub on a human highway, and also a busy terminus to an unlikely mountain road, you can always count on at least a few people being on top with you. Amidst the hum of the generators near the Sherm Adams building, you can hear a mixture of dialects and languages conflating into one collective conversation.

On Saturday I decided to stretch my legs a bit and hit the top of the Northeast. I arrived at Pink's visitor's center (at which the parking lot is being remodeled, much to the shagrin of more than a few...) at roughly 3:30am. By 3:40, I was hiking by headlamp up the Tuck's Ravine Trail. By sunrise, I'd made it up onto Boott Spur via the link where I relaxed to take in a fairly nice sunrise.

Onto Davis Path...

Heading toward the Junction, I heard plenty of voices...well, at least I thought it was plenty for being shy of 7:00am. In any event, I hit the summit, enjoyed the earliest "lunch" I've ever had on a dayhike, and took a photo or two. I actually ran into Stacy K (sorry, I know how to say your last name...just not how to spell it!! ka-WECK-ie) who was an intern Observer during my first volunteer week on the Summit. We caught up for a few moments before she started slinging her slig cyclometer, had a hug, and parted ways. I was heading down before 7:45am...

Lion Head was the decent route I chose - relatively busy below timberline, but above it was peaceful...calm...I stood amongst the small plants and knee-hammering rocks, looked around and said aloud "This is awesome."

Being in an impressive place like that makes you realize what matters...at least it makes me realize!

Down by 10:00...great day!

Remembering to Photograph What We Love: Part Deux

Just a quick note to let everyone know - IT'S A BOY!

Carter Matthew Stearns was born at 4:58pm at Frisbie Memorial Hospital on June 25th! Happy, healthy, and rather handsome...if I may say so!

Now, the trick is to balance being a pround parent with a camera and a photographer with a camera....gotta try to not over do it or under do it! Here's a peek at the little man...