A Piece of America

Months ago I mentioned a trip I took to Virginia that brought me to the town of Floyd. My cousin Ron, who is a musician, square & contra dance caller, as well as husband, dad, and owner of a few self-serve car washes in Pittsburgh, brought me to this tiny town where music seems to thrive. I was excited.

First, I was excited to see him play. Plus, I love string instruments. I can't really explain it. I have no idea how to play them, but I am drawn to their beauty. I love the shape and look of the wood. I could watch people play them for hours.

Lightning Jack. His real name is Bill.

And he didn't stay seated for long.

At first I sat on a chair in the circle, next to Ron and Lightning Jack. But like Jack, I couldn't stay seated for long. Some moments could be captured from the angle the chair provided, but I quickly needed to change my angle, my viewpoint. Since I can't grasp what musicians are doing when they play their violins, fiddles, cellos, and guitars I tend to fixate on their hands. Which is where I end up pointing & focusing my camera.

Ron, keeping up with Lightning Jack.

When I look at these photos I can remember how Lightning Jack seemed to be playing off Ron the most. Perhaps because he was new and unfamiliar, but also because he seemed to like how he played. He got out of his chair and kept getting closer and closer to Ron as he played. He was listening to something I would have never heard. But I could watch. It was, for lack of a better description, pretty cool to witness.

People gathered to listen. Ron's face shows him listening to another man in the circle, who had not been playing for long. But I was focusing on Lightning Jack's hand.


Beyond the music circle you can see other musicians starting to gather in the streets. This is the scene on Friday nights in Floyd!

And how else would I have been able to witness this if not for my camera? There are details that present themselves when you have a camera that maybe you wouldn't notice otherwise. Not only did I spend a lot of time watching their hands, but also their eyes as they followed each other and tried to keep up or figure out each other's style. I noticed this ring Lightning Jack was wearing and took several shots trying to show it off. I kind of made my own assumption that there is a story and some meaning behind it. Just like so many things in life.

Ron and Lightning Jack playing off each other. At one point Lightning Jack stopped playing, smiled, and said "Man, where you from? I like how you play!"

I am not a musician, which may be why I am fascinated by watching those who can do this craft. I'm also from New England, and this scene was so different from what I normally see in my own town. But part of what I loved about this night in this part of the country was this sense of community. A small town community, a community of musicians and artists supporting each other - listening, playing, creating. It's the stuff that makes America great. And why it's so good to leave the comforts of home every once in awhile.



A piece of Floyd, VA - the country store where these musicians were gathered next to. Friday nights of music continue inside the store once it gets dark.
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Single Photo Friday: Open

My neighborhood is looking festive. Shot on Nikon D3 ISO 6400.

I got a new camera! Well, new to me. It came my way when I wasn't in the market for anything (though visions of camera gear dance in my head on a regular basis). What once belonged to the fabulous photographer and storyteller, Jim Daniels (whom I worked for over 10 years ago and whose work I admire greatly), is now sitting here in my office with me. Check out his site, and get ready to be moved.

Jim passed away earlier this year after battling cancer. His absence is felt throughout the photo community, but especially in the homes of his family members, and throughout parts of the world where he has made an impact with both his photos and general being.

Using a piece of Jim's camera gear carries a decent amount of weight for me. I walked in the cool air last night, cranked the ISO up to 3200, 6400, and even 10,000(!!) and took a few shots of my little neighborhood. It felt amazing! I have been trying to justify the buying of this camera when I am worried about other things I need more, when Christmas is right around the corner, when I'm in the middle of upgrades to our new home, when I already have 2 digital bodies that work fine.

But sometimes FINE isn't good enough. Earlier that day I packed up my first digital camera (the Fuji S5 Pro) and shipped it off to KEH. I felt more relief than anything else. That camera and I were never an ideal fit. It simply couldn't keep up with me.

But Jim's camera (which I think is what it will always be called) is fast and shoots in low light and fits nicely in my hand and by my eye. It can keep up with me AND push me to the next level.

When I got home I stood in front of my house and just stared at it. There were a few festive lights in the windows and I found myself needing to pause and take in the moment. I just used Jim's camera, photographed in the dark, felt alive and grateful and inspired. I stared at the warm glow coming from parts of my house and felt a wave of emotion that let me know I made the right decision - both in moving to this home and in buying Jim's camera.

Being open can really pay off at times.



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Single Photo Friday:: Graveyard Walk

Many years ago, while attending Ithaca College as a photo major, I learned about a style of shooting known as 'shooting from the hip.' It is safe to say that this was a turning point for me in falling more in love with photography, and learning about my own personal style.

I can clearly remember doing the assignment with one of my classmates. While I got more and more excited, she got more and more frustrated. I had walked into my comfort zone, she was very far from hers. I would say it was a pivotal moment for both of us in that sense. She turned more and more to the lighting studio after that, while I kept my camera at my hip and took to the streets.

Shooting from the hip can literally happen with your camera around your neck, dangling at your hip and very far from your eye. Push the shutter without looking through the lens, develop your black & white film, and find 36 surprises. Or, so it would go back in 1990whatever. The element of surprise was part of what I loved about it.

The other side is how much it teaches you about your equipment. You start to see things in terms of whatever lens you are using, which is crucial for a photographer anyway. It almost seems to speed up your ability to learn about and make that piece of equipment work for you. Almost 20 years later and I'm still using the technique, though it varies and is often not dangling at my hip (except when it is). Lately, my camera strap gets wrapped around my wrist (just in case..) and that camera is put on the ground or into a bush or on some hard surface that has caught my eye. Pavement, rock and brick walls, rusted fences, piles of leaves... there are just so many places to try out!

So, the other day there was frost on the ground and an electrician in my house. When he shut the power down my camera and I went for a walk. I have often shot with a wide lens when shooting from or around the hip, but this time I put on the 85mm and walked through the graveyard. Yes, my camera went on the ground, into the frosted leaves, next to someone's grave, to get that shot you see here. It is my favorite from that day's photo excursion. And yet another reminder of why I love my 85 so much!


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Last Minute Senior Session Special

I have recently decided to expand my business and start doing High School Senior Portraits. People have been asking me for years and I never pushed the idea too much. Then one day it occurred to me that I love working one on one with someone, capturing their personality, telling their story. This is possibly my favorite thing about photography and exactly what is needed when high school seniors say they want their photos done. They want to remember who they are NOW.

So, while the ship may have mostly sailed for this year I am offering a last-minute special to those who have still not had their photos done. This Sunday I have opened up my schedule for the last minute people out there still needing Senior photos done.

Sunday October 10 at SMCC campus I will be booking one hour mini SR sessions for $99 starting at 10 am, until 4pm. I am also available Monday (10.11) and Tuesday (10.12) afternoons for a mini session at the location of your choosing.

For example, these photos of Janice were taken at Portland's graffiti wall on Free Street - a location that suited her personality and look. Please take a look at them and think of ways to bring your own personality to life, then call me and let me know how I can help make that happen! Edgy, creative, athletic, straight-laced... whatever your personality is it should be celebrated and remembered.














Call (207.510.1322) or email (info@beedlephotos.com) for more info and booking a time. Waiting to the last minute sometimes has its advantages!!




The not-so-fine print: Sessions must be scheduled ahead of time and directly through me. I will send you an email confirmation. Payment due at time of service. A la carte options for ordering prints and/or books will be available, and images will be uploaded to online proofing gallery. 5 web size/facebbook files and one file for yearbook will be given. More can be purchased later if wanted.

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Two photos

... that can sum up my weekend:

During some hang time with the neph I took this one.

While having a delicious dinner with friends I took this.

Both events were fun and filled with laughter. Laughing with a 7 year old and cooking up crazy ideas can be as fun as laughing with creative friends gathered in a kitchen together. A reminder of the importance to spend time with the people who make you smile.

Could you pick two photos that tell a story about you? Two photos that describe your weekend or your mood or maybe where your life is headed? I love a photo's story-telling ability, and how the same image will say different things to different people. I'd love to hear what these two photos say to you. Could be a good starting point for a short story...


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Single Photo Friday:: Mono

In my past I was a black and white printer. I spent much of my twenties working in darkrooms and splashing around in a sink full of chemicals. When I wasn't printing, I was shooting black and white film like it was going out of style. Probably because it was.

Now that I live in a digital world my love for color has really bloomed. And, yet I still enjoy various shades of gray. Sometimes when I'm out shooting I literally look for a monochrome color palette. Like this wall.

I stumbled across this wall while at the Maine Media Workshops a few weeks ago. My classmates and I were out shooting without looking through the lens. I created an album on my Facebook page showing what I took that day. An exercise in SEEING, without LOOKING. Something I feel is crucial to growing as a photographer and something I encourage everyone who has a love affair with cameras to do. Let yourself be surprised by the results, and teach yourself to expand your vision.

Spend a half hour with your camera and just look for variations in color, light, and texture. That's where I always start. Next photograph the things that grab your eye, only without looking through the viewfinder. Stand close or far from the subject, get on the ground, get dirty, bend sideways, twist your arm and therefore your camera into funny angles. Play with the controls and focus. Learn to SEE in new ways, and really get a stronger grasp of how your equipment works.

And, FYI, cropping later is cheating! Learn not to do it :)



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Photo Excursion

Recently my nephew Max and I went on a little photo excursion together. It was loads o' fun exploring and watching him take photos. I thought I would share some of my photos from that day...

A photographer in the making, perhaps?

I love the way he looks at me when he's wondering what I'm doing.

I dig photos of swings, with or without people.

Swinging and chatting about life.

Spying through the rings.

A playground made from recycled materials? Cool!

I just love these rings. Again, he's wondering what I'm doing.

Photos taken 'Max style.'

So much concentration!

We can learn a lot from kids. Like how important it is to shoot from all different angles.

A photo he took of me, complete with head cut off. I've taught him so well.

Let's go back and hula hoop! Or something like that.

Our reflections on the hood of our car. This shot just makes me laugh.

It's great to find inspiration in as many places as possible, including your own backyard. Or hanging out with a 7 year old who looks at things totally different than you might. Try it out and let me know how it goes!

Here we are! Oh, I didn't take this photo :)

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Single Photo Friday:: Artful Community

Janice @ Portland's Graffiti Wall.

The city of Portland is filled with an amazing amount of creativity, and seems to be working hard at embracing its creative community lately. Here is a photo that shows two examples of this. First, Janice and her body art - a sort of walking advertisement for some local tattoo artists.

Second, Portland's graffiti wall - a public place of ever changing art. It is completely different every time I go by it. And I love to walk by, slow down, and stare. Sometimes I photograph people in front of it, or just photograph some of the amazing art work. Sometimes I try to imagine how a certain piece was painted and brought to life. I have always had a fascination with graffiti, so this spot is a bit of a gem in the Portland landscape for me.

Plus, it's a block away from one of my favorite coffee shops, where creative ideas come to life over laptops and lattes and good conversation.


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Single Photo Friday:: Step Back

It's Friday, the sun is out, and I'm recovering from my first 5k that I ran last night.

I was combing through my photo library thinking of photos that would have something to do with running. I don't seem to have things like that, probably because I NEVER photograph myself running (nor will I). But this image jumped out at me. I was photographing this man in front of a church. I took a step back, deliberately changing my focus, and ended up with an image I have always liked but done nothing with. For me, that is one of those things that I love about having a blog - it gives me a platform to show images that otherwise wouldn't be seen.

Plus I think it says something about my mood today. On one side I'm VERY jazzed up about what I accomplished last night. The other side of me is mellow and somewhat reflective, stepping back to take in some details. The nerves of yesterday are gone, replaced with a calm satisfaction that must be the result of setting out to do something, working really hard, and exceeding your expectations.

It feels pretty great.


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Single Photo Friday:: Brunch!

Welcome to a new adventure on this here bloggity blog. A little thing I'm calling 'Single Photo Friday.' Not photos of single people (though that is a possibility), just a single photo I like. No big thing. Check back every Friday and see what it is my mind likes from week to week!

And, please feel free to leave comments. I love hearing from any and all of you!

I must have been hungry when I picked this one :)

Delicious Brunch @ Local 188 in Portland, Maine

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Moved by Cupcakes

There's just something about cupcakes...


That makes everyone happy. This Gluten-free photog never really gets to eat them (unless I make my own... and these cupcakes inspired me to do just that), but I love to photograph them. Especially when they are served at my nephew's 7th birthday.




First, there were craft projects to work on. The neph made me a fantastic purple bookmark with foam swirlies covered in glitter during craft time at his party. Then there was a game of Twister which seemed to be something this group was not quite ready to grasp. Funny for the rest of us, though. And of course, blowing out the candles and making a wish!



After the kids od'd on sugar, there was dancing to be had. I photographed their legs as they twirled and jumped and shook the house. This one of the red stockings was my favorite.



It's funny how inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. I found myself inspired at my nephew's 7th birthday party, first by the cupcakes, then by all the fun they had doing crafts and laughing and dancing and just... well, just being kids. A few days later I bought a Gluten-free cupcake mix and while I was frosting them all I could think about was how much fun it is to frost cupcakes! And why did I forget that along the way? Or have I just never really done it that much? I'm not sure. But I was kind of digging how one event inspires an action which triggers a feeling and can just keep going from there.

All because of a few cupcakes!


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mullenberg designs-portfolio design studio from lcm=liquidcreativemedia on Vimeo.

And, OH Yeah....

I got an awesome new logo! So, some things are gonna change around here. Brace yourselves.


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