I love the idea behind this magazine and was excited to look through the issue. Trey is home from school this week, so I am spending most of my time playing and celebrating the time we have together, but I did cozy up with a cup of tea and the magazine yesterday, and what a treat! I loved seeing into the spaces of so many creative women. I found it so inspiring. I just adore working with Sarah and want to also give a big thank you to Amanda from Where Women Create for using my photographs.

Although this was pretty exciting, it didn’t quite match the giddiness I experienced when I opened the package that contained  Painted Pages (the book I photographed for Sarah Ahearn)*

Oh my goodness it is so beautiful!

Quarry did a fabulous job with the paper and the design just turned out to be such a lovely compliment to Sarah’s work. I love love love what Sarah did and am so honored that I was able to be a part of such a delightful book. Thank you Sarah! Thank you Quarry!

*Thank you so much Regina for sending me your very own copy so I could see it!

*pic of me taken by the lovely Darlene Kreutzer

I have a dream.

My dream is to share through words and photographs, behind the scenes glimpses into the lives of artists and creative souls that I have been blessed to cross paths with. To share the wisdom that blossoms from our connecting and sharing. I have had this dream for at least a year now, and haven’t been sure how it will manifest. I still don’t know what forms this will take, but the collaborative article  “Sarah Ahearn Bellemare: Artist, Author and Mother“, that will be in the March/April Issue of the Somerset Studio Publication is the first manifestation of this dream.

After many all day photo sessions and conversations with Sarah, while working with her on her book, Painted Pages: Feuling Creativity Through Sketchbooks and Mixed Media (Quary Books, 2011), I found myself utterly inspired to share some of our experience with others.

My lovely and talented friend, Writer/Author Christine Chitnis encouraged me to pitch* my story idea and photographs to Stampington & Company for possible publication. I was over the moon when Christen over at Stampington & Company, replied to my pitch saying she liked the idea and thought it would be great for their publication, Somerset Studio.

So with deep gratitude to Sarah for her friendship, openness and support, here is a peek at the article. It should be on news stands soon…

*Christine Chitnis will be teaching a class called Pitch perfect at the Fall 2011 Squam Art Workshops in New Hampshire. She is a wealth of information and a wonderful teacher. If you are interested in learning how to pitch stories to publications this is a class that will help you tremendously!

Artist Sarah Ahearn chose me…me…to photograph her beautiful art, inspirations and sketches for her new book Painted Pages!

I will never forget sitting in my studio when Sarah called and told me she was writing a book, and she wanted me to be the photographer. I was so flattered Sarah wanted to work with me and trusted me to visually communicate her vision. Soon after the first wave of excitement, some insecurities surfaced that I may not be experienced enough for the publisher (Quarry books) to contract and hire me for the book. A few days after talking with Sarah, Quarry contacted me and asked to see some high resolution files.  I was sooooo nervous! What if they weren’t good enough?

It is amazing how one moment I can shed tears editing my photographs because I feel like I was able to capture that perfect feeling, moment or angle, and then the next, when presenting my work for approval by others, be wracked with insecurity that maybe they won’t see what I see.

I chose the best images from the portrait session I did with Sarah and uploaded them via ftp for the art director at Quarry to look at. I felt like a little kid on Christmas, when I got the email from Quarry books that they wanted to hire me. Signing the contract was surreal and so exciting!

Painted Pages will be released in May 2011 and is actually already on amazon, available for pre-order!!!!

Working on this project with Sarah has been so enriching, and it has allowed me to identify my passion for connecting with my clients and capturing the essence of who they are on an even deeper level. I loved having the opportunity to work with Sarah over many months, photo sessions and phone calls. The hours in her studio just flew by and I was always sad to leave.

No matter what type of artistic stirrings or outlets you have, Painted Pages will inspire you. Sarah’s eye for color, texture and ability to infuse her art with love, history and meaning is all brought together beautifully in this book.Working on this has inspired and fueled me on so many levels.

Sarah and I will be working on some fun things together in the near future and I am now exploring a personal project that I have been dreaming about for over a year now….collaboration is a beautiful thing that opens up your heart to new possibilities. Life is good.

xo

Thea

The children enjoyed creating tickets by using stamps, coloring, hole punches and writing their names. They dressed up as conductors and passengers and collected tickets. They measured and planned how to build a train out of boxes. They were all so busy and engaged the whole time. I think that is what always impresses me the most. The level of concentration I see in the students, especially at such a young age.

From Our World Montessori Web site “Our Enrichment program is a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers to explore new ideas, themes and projects. Enrichment days are an option for Primary children (or alumni) who are between 3 and 6 years old. They are offered most days that our regular programs are closed due to holidays or seasonal breaks. The Enrichment program is taught by experienced Montessori teachers and is held in the Primary One classroom. ”

I find myself wanting to repeat what I said this past April, when I posted photographs from an in school field trip,  “ as a parent and a person whose job requires careful observation and tapping into the moods and feelings of children, it is a joy to be in a classroom with children who are excited to be learning.”

Our World is a wonderful school!

*A little birdie told me OWM may have a few spots that opened up for next year.

I went to the Complexions web site and started to read Denise’s blog. Not that I am any expert on Spas, but I was really impressed with the scope, breadth and array of interesting topics Denise blogs about. I learned that in May of 2008, they opened the new facility at 221 Wolf Road ” – one of the very first new construction energy-efficient day spas in the nation. We are registered with the US Green Building Council and recently received Gold Level LEED Certification. Complexions is also an Internationally accredited CIDESCO Beauty Center, one of only a small number in the United States.”

I also learned a bit of the back story on the event she was looking to have photographed reading her blog and listening to her interview with with Megan Baker & Paul Vandenburgh from Talk Radio 1300. In her own words “decided to roll the dice and ask Future Hall of Fame Jockey Jose Santos if he’d like to stop by the Men’s Barber Spa sometime next week for a shave, polish and trim. August is a pretty busy month for him, so you can probably imagine how thrilled I was to hear him say yes.”

From the interview I learned of Megan Baker of Baker Public Relations. I have been looking for a Public Relations person to work with, so I contacted Megan to discuss working together. Looking through their website I really liked what I saw, and talking with her revealed that she could definitely help me with some goals I have in mind. I am really excited to work with her.

So Tuesday Megan contacted me to let me know that Denise would like to have me come do the photographs of Jose and Filberto’s visit to the Male Spa at Complexions. I was so excited and a bit nervous. What would the lighting be like? How would I be able to take photographs in an intimate  peaceful, zen spa without ruining the peaceful feeling of the experience for them. Sometimes I feel a bit clunky with my camera, flash, fong light sphere. I imagined myself bumping into the barber just as he was shaving with the straight razor. Not a pretty visual:) I managed to do ok, but I felt like a cartoon elephant tip toeing around a china shop.

Lucky for me Denise, Megan and Pat (from 1300) were all so friendly and laid back, which put me at ease while we waited for Jose and Filiberto to finish with their massages and steam.

Filiberto and Jose were warm and friendly. It made perfect sense to me that “Santos won the coveted George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 1999. The George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award has been presented annually since 1950 to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey in North America who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct both on and off the racetrack. It has long been considered a very high honor to win the George Woolf award as the winning jockey is selected by his or her peers. Santos also won the 2003 ESPY Awards as the outstanding jockey in the United States. Santos has long been a fan favorite and one of the most well liked and respected jockeys in the sport.” from wikipedia

So both gentlemen were in for the full treatment. I never conceptualized a true manly Spa experience but Complexions has it mastered. The Barber Spa ambiance is as stated on their website “New Age grooming with an old world charm “.  The Barber Spa has it’s own side of the Spa and feels like a mens club you see in the movies.  The layout of the Barber Spa combined with the beautiful and well dressed barber and stylists makes for a truly wonderful feel. Complexion’s Barber Spa is a uniquely new concept that combines traditional barber shop services with aromatherapy skin treatments. It features a men’s lounge with steam and shower, private manicure and pedicure services and master barbering services. For the ultimate indulgence, experience our Royal Shave, scissor haircut, or skin treatment performed by our expertly trained barbers & stylists.”

Filiberto started with a “no-nonsense gentleman’s manicure that pays particular attention to nail and cuticle condition.”

While Jose began with a hair cut.

Next Filiberto received a traditional hot shave. Watching him get the treatment made me feel relaxed. It was the first time in my life, I wished I had facial hair!

Ladies, trust me when I say, you can buy your husband a Spa certificate that he will appreciate!

The barber- Zack- is a real pro. He was knowledgeable, professional and friendly.

After his haircut, Jose moved on to his manicure.

After the hot shave, Filiberto got a hair cut while Jose got his traditional hot shave.

I had to leave before the gentlemen were finished so I was only able to grab a photo of Jose with Denise and Megan.

Thank you Denise and Megan for including me in this fun Day at the Men’s Barber Spa. And Thank you Jose and Filiberto for allowing me to photograph you enjoying these amazing Barber Spa treatments.

Thank you Elizabeth, Misty and Christine…and of course Country Living:)

Between this great news and a session inquiry I received today for a Squam LOVE session, I figured now would be a good time to repost the details of what I am offering. I have just one to two more openings left, so if you are interested send me an email.

SQUAM LOVE PHOTO SESSIONS  2009

In addition to taking photographs of the loveliness of the workshops again this year, I will be offering 2 kinds of SQUAM LOVE photo sessions during the Fall Squam Art Worshops 2009.

These sessions are being offered at GREATLY reduced prices due to my love for all things SQUAM especially the lovely lovely people I met and know I will meet more of this year:)
***** The sessions are available during scheduled free time.
FOR THE LOVE OF YOU SESSION……$150

One hour of fun giggle time one on one with me-in the beautiful surroundings of Squam lake. We will play and frolic while I capture you….beautiful you:) This includes 8 full resolution images from the session on a flash drive with a full written release-delivered to you by Monday October 12th.
FOR THE LOVE OF US…….$250
Perfect for you and a kindred spirit. An hour and a half where the three of us will let the sun shine on the bonds you share as well as what is beautiful about each of you as one part of the whole. This includes 2 copies of 10 full resolution images (approx- 4 of you together and 3 individual photographs of each of you) on flash drives with full written release-delivered to you by Monday October 12th.
Due to the limited availability for sessions-full payment is due at time of booking and is non refundable.

Thank you Elizabeth, Misty and Christine…and of course Country Living:)