Savannah: Wormsloe Plantation

Definitely at the top of my list of places to visit in Savannah was the Wormsloe Plantation. That visual of the famous Forrest Gump road lined with live oak trees and hanging Spanish moss was forever emprinted on my mind and on a drizzly morning it looked exactly how I imagined....

The drive (I wanted to walk) down the live oak road is about 1.5 miles, with nothing but Spanish moss above and gravel beneath and it's completely magicial.

Once at the end of the road, there's a small museum with artifacts that were unearthed at the plantation. Then it's a short walk to the tabby (material used to build the structure) ruins...There are a few nature trails and look-out points along the way, as well as a pile of "tabby" material, now worn down to the ground.

To imagine the plantation the way it once must have been...

Boston: State Street Headshots

Recently, I shot a three-day session of headshots at State Street in Boston, having previously shot this creative headshot session on location.

Headshots are a lot of fun and depending on how many people you're shooting, and sometimes you only get a few seconds to capture the moment and get to the natural smile.

There are a lot of great techniques out there for posing, and sometimes they work, other times it's like middle school portraits all over again, right?

So, to change it up, I try to surprise them, ask what they do, talk about their outfit, ask how tall they are, comment on how tall I'm not. That's when their shoulders relax, they exhale and give me their REAL smiles.

To me, a good head shot is all about the spark in their eyes and a true, genuine smile...

These are just a few of over 175 staff photographed at State Street, Boston, November 2013

Boston: Meet K.H of State Street

An example of how amazing social networking is, is how I met KH of State Street, why through Twitter, of course! And then we connected through Linkedin, another great place to network.

We had a fun time shooting on location at the State Street headquarters in Boston.

Boston: The Paint Bar

I haven't painted in yeaaaaars. I have two giant canvases at home, but have yet to make it happen. So, when I was invited to paint at The Paint Bar in Boston, I asked if I could bring along some friends to try it out with me and they were gracious enough to host us!

At the Newbury location, we were welcomed by Breanna, who was the instructor for that evening. Mia, also an instructor, was behind the "bar" that night.

Not only are the canvases included in the cost of the evening, but they are laid out with clean paintbrushes and water containers. All the paint is provided with instructions on how many pumps of paint per color needed for that particular painting. Aprons are also provided, for those paint (or wine) spills that may occur during a fun-filled night!

Thanks Ana for this photo of me pumping paint! We all loved how paint-splattered the aprons were, so beautiful!

The best part was the actual instruction, entertaining and easy to understand, with music provided between instruction so that you can really get into it!

Ready, set, GO!

I loved Ana's painting pose.

Wine to set the tone of my piece...of course!

Our finished work, L-R, me, Alaina, Ana and Chelsea.

A terrific way to spend an evening; so meditative! PLUS, you get to go home with a nicely painted canvas with something that resembles the ones Jackie has painted. Jackie is the daughter part of the "mom-daughter" team of Jackie and Jill Schon who started The Paint Bar, along with sister Mia.

Thanks ladies for having us!

OH, and I'm happy to say, my painting is hanging up at my just-moved-to-Boston-brother-in-law's home!

 All images shot with the iPhone5s

Q+A

On location Tybee Island, Savannah

I love reading Q+A's on friends, so was excited when Elizabeth of Seagrass Studio tagged me to participate!

FAVORITE FLOWER?

Peonies, carnations, anything that lasts a while

MOST  / LEAST ORGANIZED SPACE IN YOUR HOME?
MOST = I'd say my closet is fairly organized

LEAST = my office space can always be better organized

WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU READ RECENTLY THAT REALLY MOVED YOU?
I love reading novels by Indian authors and always pick up new authors whenever I'm in India. I'm currently reading "The Illicit Happiness of Other People" by Manu Joseph and although it's not particularly moving...it's a very well-written book with a lyrical type of humor

WHAT DISH ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THANKSGIVING DINNER:

Stuffing. Always stuffing. Oh and pumpkin pie! HELLO!

HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE?
If I drink coffee, it's usually instant coffee, Taster's Choice with lactose-free milk

WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?

I really don't miss high school much at all...if anything, those fries with gravy and ketchup at the mom n' pop restaurant we used to frequent

MOST MEMORABLE CONCERT?

Most recently, BEYONCE. In the past, HANSON. MMMBOP!

DOTS OR STRIPES?

BOTH!! Dots are more forgiving than stripes on me, but I love both

HOW DO YOU UNWIND BEFORE BED?

Usually a re-run of Big Bang Theory and hot water and maybe a Neil-made snack plate...YUM....

Thanks for tagging me Elizabeth!

I tag Anathalia, Alaina, Elizabeth H, and Hannah