Just a taste of Emily and Donny's scrumptious Mt. Washington Hotel wedding.
Country Strong
I haven't always liked country music. In fact I can remember a time when I'd rather listen to nails on a chalkboard then the local country station. By the time I was in college country music had wiggled its way in and had become a regular part of my itunes playlist. These days I still listen to some country and I've been recently been enjoying Gwyneth Paltrow's new song. For those of you who don't know- yes she sings as well as acts. I first head her sing in the movie Duets where she and Huey Lewis sang together- well now she is staring in another movie- Country Strong and I personally can't wait to see it.
Anyone else excited about this one? Come on ladies I know you are excited- Tim McGraw is in this one too so plenty of eye candy!
"Reaching for the starts in a rusty rocket"
Rusty Rocket is a non-profit organization established in memory of James 'JD' Drown who passed away from cancer in 2002. JD was a founding member of "The Blend" a nationally recognized band from Maine who charted in the late 70's - early 80's. JD was also my father's best friend. They grew up together and were in bands together from high school, through the days of The Blend and up until the day JD passed away. I grew up with JD and his family being an extended part of my own family- which is why this non profit is so near and dear to my heart. I great up listening to JD's music. I remember getting in the car to drive to school in the morning and I didn't beg to put in a New Kids on the Block tape- I reached for my dads demo tapes of JD's songs. I've known every word to most of his songs my whole life.
The Rusty Rocket organization is dedicated to providing instruments and or funding to local individuals and Maine schools who are in need. The Rusty Rocket Corp. is completely run by volunteers. Starting in 2005, they began granting instruments to local schools in need with the first donation being 24 brand new student sized guitars to Arundel, Maine's Mildred L. Day School's music department to teach guitar to students in 4th and 5th grade. Rusty Rocket also paid for musical lessons for a very talented high school student under financial hardship. It is all about spreading and sharing JD's love of music.
Currently Rusty Rocket has taken on a new project to bring JD's music to the masses. We are working on a full length movie about JD and his music as well as a CD full of recognizable names recording JD's songs. Check out the trailer from that movie:
Reaching for the Stars short film from Brett Plymale on Vimeo.
If you happen to have a passion for music or just a passion for helping those in need please considering making a donation to the Rusty Rocket Corp. We are all just "reaching for the stars in a rusty rocket, livin' with the will looking for the way."
Colin & Lynn | Married Sept 1, 2010 | Little Cranberry Island, Maine
For once I was a guest and not the photographer but that didn't stop my asking the bride permission to bring my camera. Lynn and Colin were married at a beautiful, small ceremony on Little Crenberry Island off the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine. First of all what a location!!!! We were able to head to the island a few days before the wedding and were able to enjoy some time sight seeing and just enjoying the end of the summer. Colin and Silas have been friends since high school and we were so honored to be invited to his wedding. I was so glad it was on a Wednesday so that I could go!!!!
I took some photos during the week and quite a few the day of the wedding. I tried really hard to not be in the professional photographers way- although she was so nice and told me to take photos of whatever I wanted and not to worry about being in her way at all! These first few photos are of the island and one looking down at Bar Harbor from the top of Cadillac Mountain.
The flowers that Lynn had were perfect for the feel of the day.
The boys waiting on the steps of the house for the ceremony to begin.
Lynn looked stunning in her lace gown. She was also responsible for the outfit Colin wore- I loved the dark jeans, vests and hat- such a great vintage feel.
After the ceremony we all headed down to the only restaurant on the island for the reception.
Every detail was perfect! I loved the elegant and romantic feel of all their decorations. This table full of photos, the book of love poems and a tree full of cards for well wishes for the newlyweds, set the perfect mood.
They kept all the decorations simple. Books, a few flowers and candles but somehow it felt chic and classic.
Ok so there is a story with this next image.... I took a photo of this painting because sadly I could not afford to buy it. The moment I saw this watercolor I had a reaction I've never had to a painting before. I was floored by its beauty. I couldn't stop starting at it. Of course it was not anywhere close to my budget for a souvenir so I couldn't take it home with me no matter how much I loved it. So I did the next best thing and I took a photo of it to remember it and maybe someday when I strike it rich I'll be able to hunt it down and buy it.
More flowers- something about the color of these flowers makes me so extremely happy.
Colin and Lynn also had a few fake mustaches for fun-
I feel so lucky to have been able to attend this wedding AND to have been able to photograph some of the stunning details from the day. It was such a nice change to have my camera and only pick it up to use it when I wanted to. Thanks Lynn and Colin for inviting Silas and I to be a part of your wedding day.
I can't wait to travel back to Bar Harbor and hopefully shoot some weddings there in the future. Maybe even another one on Little Cranberry!
rainy days and smells of fixer.
The rain came down in sheets today- the wind howled outside my window and I had no desire to be productive- AT ALL. Eventually, I pulled myself out of bed and forced myself to sit down and start working. What felt like moments later my reminder alarm went off telling me it was time to go meet my friend Emily for coffee. "2pm already?" It still amazes me how the moment I sit down and start playing, *cough cough* I mean 'working' I get totally sucked in and it's hours before I come back to reality and realize I'm: 1. still in my PJ's, 2. haven't had a thing to eat yet and 3. Poor Coby has been holding it for hours trying desperately not to pee on the floor. It's on days like today that I realize just how lucky I am to do what I love for a living. Photography is the only thing I've ever really wanted to do. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, often when I was young, I'd respond with "a marine biologist, zoologist" or something of that nature. Once I actually had to think about it so I could give an answer to the high school guidance counselor, I realized the only thing I really loved was shooting with my Pentax K1000 and playing in the dark room. Seeing images through the lens, working with chemicals to make them appear on my film then transferring that to an actual print amazed me- honestly it still magical to me. Granted I don't spend time in a dark room anymore, 99% of the time I'm sitting at my computer but none the less I still totally love it.
Speaking of the dark room- I have recently been on a quest to resurrect my dark room. Well, to be fair I never had a full dark room set up, I have parts of it and am ready to bring it to life in my basement. Not sure when it will happen but until then I'll keep dreaming of fixer and red safelights.
What did you always want to be when you grew up?
