Category Archives: Storytelling
Deathwish Piano Movers
Deathwish Piano Movers is a Malden-based company that has been around for over 20 years moving the heaviest, largest and most unwieldy objects that humans could own. A few weeks ago a new reality show premiered on the Travel Channel featuring these guys and their crazy endeavors. And, I swear, before the Travel Channel thing even became widely known, I was knocking on their door asking if I could photograph them on my own time, for a personal storytelling project. They said yes to me, despite the fact that they were becoming weary of having camera crews on their heels every second. And in mid-March, I finally got my first chance to witness and document a piano moving adventure.
This was a 7-foot grand piano moving into a first floor apartment in South Boston. First, the Deathwish team removes the window. Then they hook the piano up to a crane and lift it 10 feet off the ground. One of the crew guides the piano in through the window. They unhitch the crane, unpack the piano and assemble it in the client’s living room. This move, they said, was easy.
I hope to tag along with them several more times this spring and summer – enough to build a project. Stay tuned for more photos of Deathwish Piano Movers, and also tune in for their show on the Travel Channel, Wednesdays at 10 pm.
Also posted in Boston, New Work
Tagged Deathwish Piano Movers, personal work, small business owners, storytelling
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Tips for Getting the Best Wedding Pictures
Fun Bridal Party Picture
The holidays provide a romantic backdrop for wedding proposals, so for all of you newly-engaged out there, here are some tips for getting the best wedding pictures. And the most important tip of all: include your photographer in some of the wedding planning. S/he can make suggestions about timing & locations to help make sure you’re getting the best pictures you can. Good luck!
Bride Getting Ready for her Wedding
1. “Getting Ready” pictures are fun – but not without makeup on.
The pictures before the actual wedding – when she’s zipping up her dress, he’s straightening his tie, and she’s putting on jewelry – are wonderful memories. But before everyone’s makeup is on, hair is done and suits are pressed, the pictures can be a little…alarming. Have your photographer arrive about 30 minutes prior to “go-time” and make sure you look your best when she arrives to capture those last minute details.
2. Consider taking formal pictures ahead of time.
Many couples still treasure the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony. But if you and your fiancée are flexible, consider taking your formal pictures FIRST – before any tears have been shed, while your hair and makeup are fresh and when you’re not rushed. Doing formals first is a great icebreaker and ensures that you can enjoy every moment of the cocktail party!
3. Make sure you carve out time for you and your sweetie to take pictures – alone.
Two Brides Share a Kiss and a Sunset Toast
Obligatory formal portraits are a must, but don’t forget to carve out at least 20 minutes for you and your sweetie to be photographed without family hovering in the background. You can do this during the formal pictures time, or you can step out during the reception. One way or another, find a quiet place where you can be alone (with your photographer, of course) and where you can let your happiness and love flow. Those are the sweetest pictures and the ones you will treasure the most.
4. Allow at least an hour for formal pictures.
You will be frazzled on your wedding day. You’ll be nervous and stressed and overwhelmed. So don’t rush the formal pictures. It will only stress you out more to have to cut them short. And your photographer needs time – to get the right light, the right background and the right poses. So plan at least one hour for family pictures; 40 for your family and 20 for you and your new wife/hubby.
5. Plan out your formal family pictures ahead of time.
To help make formal pictures go smoothly, plan them carefully. A month before the wedding, sit down with your fiancée and make a list of every combination of family to be photographed. For example: “Matt and Sarah with Matt’s parents…Matt with his parents…Matt with his brothers…Sarah with her sisters…Sarah with Aunt Judy…” Line by line, this will make formal picture time a breeze and you won’t have to make any decisions in the moment.
Groomsmen Strike a Pose for the Camera
6. Dance together!
The first dance, father-daughter dance, and mother-son dance make for tender, loving photographs and work best when the two people are dancing close together. Remember, we’re going for romantic and sweet here. Dance cheek to cheek. Kiss a little. Look into each other’s eyes. Laugh. Hold each other close. Pictures are sweeter and more romantic the closer you are.
7. Use dinnertime as photo time (but don’t forget to eat!)
It’s common for the New Couple to visit each table during dinner, greet guests and pose for pictures. This is a great time for your photographer to get group shots of you and your friends. Make sure your photographer is following you as you make the rounds and you’ll get a photo with nearly every guest.
8. Front-load photography if possible.
Sometimes, after there’s been an open bar for 5 hours, the end of the night can be a bit…messy. People drink more, your hair comes down, your dress gets dirty. Once dinner ends and the real party begins, you only need up to 2 hours of “party pictures.” Front-load the important things (cake, traditional dances, toasts) and let your photographer leave before you and your friends get too down and dirty.
9. Assume that your wedding will run behind schedule – and plan with your photographer accordingly.
Weddings are big productions and are likely to run behind; assume that yours will. Don’t plan to cut the cake at 9:45 and have the photographer leave at 10. It’s not gonna happen. As a rule of thumb, don’t plan anything too close to the end of the night; if you run late you may end up rushing or being forced to sacrifice special pictures.
Bride and her friends celebrate
10. Try not to pose…too much.
Your photographer is going to get a mix of formal and candid shots, so be just that! Be formal sometimes and candid a lot of the time. When you’re on the dance floor, with your friends, laughing at the bar, and dancing with Grandpa, don’t look at the camera. We want to see the essence of your happiness, so “act natural,” and try ignoring the camera if you can.
Farm Photography
This morning I awoke before dawn and drove to Western Massachusetts for a photo shoot at River Valley Farm where all kinds of woolly creatures reside – especially sheep. I spent the morning photographing the farmer and her family as they interacted with the livestock and as we toured the landscape. The photos will be used by the American Lamb Board, whose mission is to get Americans to eat more locally raised lamb meat. This farmer is admirably serious about the sheep’s quality of life and the resulting quality of their meat. I learned so much about sheep today, I can’t even begin. Here are a few of my personal faves from the day – unlikely to make it in the final promo for various reasons, but I think they have a lot of personality in each of them.
Sheep at River Valley Farm
The Herd on the Move
Portrait of The Farmer
A Sea of Sheep
