A 3 Month Challenge

On set with Gitgo Prodcutions upcoming short "2020"

I am taking on a challenge. Part social experiment, part medical necessity. As of yesterday, I am unable to drive for 3 months.

Would you be able to do that? This is something that may be much easier for some than others. If I lived in New York City then not driving for 3 months would not phase me in the least. But I live in Maine, and not near any public transportation lines and not walking distance to any grocery stores or conveniences (though there is a farm stand about half a mile away). But I do live in an area where I can bike as needed, I have family members close by, no kids to cart around, and friends who have said they will help if I need it. I am self-employed and work from home.

Except when I don't.

Crew reflection in the side of a 1969 El Camino.

Crew setting up the next shot.

I do believe that will be my biggest challenge during the next 3 months. When the phone rings for work saying "I can't drive for 3 months" is not likely to be an answer that works in my favor. Though I do believe in an honest approach to how I live my life and run my business, and so sharing this info with people is what I plan to do. Sure, my mom might have to drive me to a photo shoot, and I may have to sit around and wait for a ride home. But this is a temporary situation. The end reward will be no longer taking medicine that I have been on since I was 11. I can stand a little humbling to get that to happen.




This is going to be an exercise in resourcefulness. I am going to have to swallow my pride and ask for help. Then I'll have to plan accordingly and be flexible. And be creative in finding solutions. I'm betting this will help me really think about how I do things and will therefore make me a better problem solver. And isn't that the kind of photographer you would want to hire?

So, if all goes well I will no longer be medicated for epilepsy 3 months from now(!!!). I will have saved some money, lessened my carbon footprint, and learned a thing or two about myself. Plus, I will be free of a medicine I have been taking for far too long. And that will be an unbelievable freedom for me. Of course, in order to get there I have to have a freedom taken away. The state will not allow me to drive while I go through this process.

I tell you this not to scare you away from hiring me, but instead to share this piece of my life with you, and invite you to share any stories or helpful tips if you have them. For the next 3 months I am the photographer who can't drive herself ANYWHERE (and might drive those around her a little crazy). But I know without a doubt this will not stop me from doing what I love.

I love being on set!

Director Kate Kaminski chatting with Kate Davis between takes.

Almost ready.

The actors in action.

More tests. A lot goes into film-making, in case you didn't already know that.

More fabulous actors during their scene.

Honk if you see me walking down the road lugging my camera gear on my back. Or stop and chat with me. Or cheer me on. Maybe offer me some water. I will gladly share my tales with those who wish to know. And if I know you I may even accept the offer of a ride when needed.

Me on set with my trusted Sound Blimp protecting my camera from the damp weather.

All photos above were taken on set with Gitgo Productions and their upcoming short film 2020, which will premiere in October 2010 in Portland, Maine.


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Single Photo Friday:: Outtakes

The other day I was photographing Brent, a talented local actor. I took this frame in between figuring out our next moment. I know he will not use this as his headshot, but there is something about it that I feel captures something so very Brent.

The funny thing about taking photos of people is there are always some nerves involved - for both the subject and the photographer. Even an actor, who is used to the spotlight to a certain degree, may not always feel relaxed when a camera is lifted and directed towards them. And as the photographer, I want to get images that speak to who someone is, so I put a certain amount of pressure on myself. I want funny and silly and serious and unsure and happy and anything else that I can get in our time together. I often fall in love with images I know people may not use, possibly because I love the moment. That may not be their favorite moment. Or, in this case, may not be their marketable moment.

If the goal is to get work for an actor, or to illustrate an editorial story, or to give a family a moment of their life to look back on, I look for the obvious and wait for the hidden gems. They will reveal themselves to you if you are patient!



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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:: Family Fun

I recently hung out at the beach with Mike, Maria, Ryan and Nick. Family photos are one of those things I love doing, especially when I get to see the same family members through the years. Last time we did this Nick was a lot smaller and perhaps not quite as active!

I love seeing what will happen when I tell the kids it's ok for us to do a goofy photo. The above photo is a classic example of how that can unfold.

This time of year is perfect for family photos. So if you are thinking you need them done I encourage you to act sooner rather than later to take advantage of the long summer days, great weather, and amazing light. And to give you plenty of time to use your images as holiday gifts ;-)

 Enjoy the weekend!


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Single Photo Friday:: Seagull Attack!

Lookout for seagulls!

Ahh, just gorges. Haha, I mean Fort Gorges, so proudly displayed in Portland's Caso Bay.

 

It's 9pm on Friday evening and I am just now sitting down long enough to remember that 1) today is indeed Friday and 2) I have yet to post to the blog.

I took this shot today while aboard The Lucky Catch - a lobster boat that takes people on tours of Casco Bay and shows them how to catch lobster. My cousin's daughter (therefore, my 2nd cousin) was visiting Maine for the first time, and so we did a touristy thing that ended up being possibly more fun for us locals than those from away. As they got bait ready the seagulls literally swarmed us. I chose to turn my attention and my camera to the flock rather than the action happening on the boat.

I think that was the most fun I've ever had photographing seagulls.


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Single Photo Friday:: Friday Night Fun

Well, it's Friday again. It's after 2pm, and I've been putting in some serious time on this computer today. Is it ok for me to confess that I sat down at the computer as soon as I grabbed my first cup of coffee, have barely left, and here I am at 2pm realizing I'm still in my pj's?

The joy of being self-employed.

And last Friday I was in VA at a family reunion. I opted to make it a non-working weekend, and therefore did not post to the blog. Instead I hung out with family, floated down a river on an inner tube, went to an amazing Friday night music event, celebrated the 50th anniversary of my aunt and uncle, and listened to an 8 year old tell me about all the adventures she's been on.

Of course a non-working weekend does not mean I leave my camera behind! Just the computers. I would have been beyond mad at myself (and not very dedicated to my craft) if I didn't bring my camera to this fabulous part of the country.

Here is a photo I took while in Floyd, VA at their weekly Friday night music event.

 I photographed these 3 teenage girls with matching tap shoes until my camera nearly got clogged.

Musicians take to the streets, playing with friends and strangers, and filling the air with the sounds of traditional Appalachian music. Then later The Floyd Country Store has bands on stage, and people clogging (as in, the type of dancing) on the dance floor.

It was a pretty amazing evening. I am saving all the photos of my cousin Ron playing on the streets with Lightening Jack for another post! Too many to cut down to one for a Single Photo Friday event.


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Single Photo Friday:: Lazy Sunday

I woke up this morning realizing it was Sunday (and the 4th of July!) and had no memory of posting to the blog on Friday. An easy thing to do during a busy week, both personally and professionally. So, this week's Single Photo Friday is arriving on a Sunday! And it comes with a little of that 'lazy Sunday' feel, coupled with a dose of light I'm kind of in love with.

Flag in my yard.

Happy Birthday, America! Hope everyone is finding a fun way to celebrate today.



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Celebrating Dads

Today would have been my dad's 70th birthday. So, Happy Birthday, Dad! I miss you tons, and especially on this day.

I also spend Father's Day missing him. If you are visiting my blog for the first time you may not know that my dad passed away a little over 5 years ago from Mantle Cell Lymphoma (a rare, currently incurable cancer). So, June is often a month that challenges me, on a personal level.

However, while there may be moments of missing or feeling kind of sad, there are also great moments of remembering. Hearing or seeing certain things that remind me of him, that often trigger smiles or even laughter. I try to celebrate him in little ways on both these days. So, on this birthday the Weekend Warrior and I will be going to see 3 houses as we have put our adorable and well-loved house on the market. We are looking for a place to help grow my business, and that feels exciting.

I spent Father's Day photographing a family, which felt like the perfect thing to do. The more time passes, the more I am in tune to how important these moments are for a family unit. As a family we all share many amazing and fun memories, but rarely do we get photos to document that. Kids grow fast, time speeds by. Recording these moments is not easy, especially while trying to also be a parent. Luckily, that's where photographers can step in! Telling a piece of the story that is your family, capturing moments you would not be able to get on your own.

So, hanging out with the Aiello family on Father's Day was, for  me, a great way to spend a day that often challenges me. They were willing to go to a place that wouldn't necessarily strike people as the ideal place for photos, and I loved that. They wanted photos done somewhere that meant something to them (more applause!), somewhere they like spending time together.

So, we headed down a trail that opens up to the marsh and hung out together. I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you. Father's Day served up some great light that day and a gorgeous sky, so that was an extra gift.

I love the color of these rocks against the sky.

Brothers throwing rocks into the marsh. 

The goofy brother.

The serious brother.

The parents.

 

The tickle war!

Did I mention I also photographed their wedding back in the early days of my career? Yes, so it's great to work with the same couple 10 years later. Ten years is a long time - how things have changed! Thanks for sharing Father's Day with me Kate, Justin, Mason, and Max!

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Single Photo Friday:: Copycat

My nephew and I went on a photo excursion the other day through my neighborhood. He carried his parent's point and shoot digital camera, I carried my NikonD300. We laughed and talked and took pictures and played on the swings.

I watched him take pictures like only a creative 7 year old can. He seemed to gravitate towards plants and shapes. He walked up to this pole on a the playground, rested the bottom of the camera right on the metal with the lens pointed up to the sky. Without looking he pushed the button, then moved on.

"Hey! I want a picture like that!" I said to him then proceeded to copy his actions. The photo I took is shown above. I kinda love it.

His mother would say he gets his ideas for photos from me, but it looks like I actually get some of my ideas from him! How does that line go? Oh yeah, "Art is always imitated."


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Single Photo Friday:: Dads

In honor of Father's Day....

This week's Single Photo Friday is dedicated to all the great dads out there! Happy Father's Day, everyone :)


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