Michael Blanchard Photography

Not Your Average Housewarming Party

Take note.  Inviting me to parties is a good idea.  I just can't seem to leave my camera at home!  (It's an OCD thing...)  Anyways, over the weekend Kim's family had their first official party at the new house in Brookline.  When I heard they were setting a tent up in the back yard, I totally didn't expect this...  Then again, I shouldn't underestimate the power of Hopple Popple.

The "tent" to the left of the house.  Yes, it's just as tall.

The entrance.

First room.

The lounge, which was built over the pool by the way.

Patti LuPone came to sing some of her Broadway tunes.

The stage, after the performance.

...I helped to put those up by the way.  (Just kidding!)

Time for some dancing!  Kim's Mom & Grandfather.

I love this shot.

Samantha and her Grandfather.

 

Party g0-ers.

Marcia & I.

I love this one as well!

Centerpieces. 

Mmmm desert...

Kim and I. 

By the way Kim, I think it's time I give you a category on my blog...  the amount of press you receive is ridiculous!

More dancing.

Couches drapery and lighting.

 

The dancing statue in the yard.

Another detail shot.

I had to put this one up...  4am, after the party and snacking on caviar lol.

Fire in Newton

Newton is a big city.  With that said, tonight I heard fire engines racing somewhere around 8:30pm, from my home in Newtonville.  Around 9pm, Amanda called me from Waban, asking if Newton was "under attack or something".  Apparently she could hear them not only from across town, but also a half hour later. 

I turned on our police scanner, lol, and tried to hear what was going on.  Not willing to wait any longer, I got in my car and headed towards Waban.  Then Mom called and told me it was something on Washington Street, which is a main artery of Newton with lots of large buildings.  It didn't take me long to find the flashing lights, and the suspected fire. 

By the time I had arrived, the apartment complex fire was already out.  The only reasons I go to these are because 1) I am nosey & 2) because I freelance for CNC, one of Boston's major publishers.  They rarely assign things to me but when I come upon something on my own, they'll usually publish it. 

The ladder truck shown here is the one my brother Joe works on.  He wasn't on duty tonight.  I'm sure he'll be disappointed to have missed this one.

A firefighter in a window.

Water being sprayed through the roof.

Firefighters on the top floor making sure everything is out.

My favorite.

I GOT TAGGED - FINALLY!

If your a photographer and your reading my blog, you probably already know about the tag game thats going around.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'll tell you.  There is a tag game going around. 

Not sure where it started but photographers are tagging other photographers via blog sites, and they must tell 8 things about themselves otherwise not known, and then tag 8 other photographers.  I was tagged twice, by Margaret Singer & Amanda Harris, two great photographers.

Here goes!

1)  I've been on Larry King Live.  It was the episode with Larry Birkhead and Anna Nicole's daughter Dannielynn.  Interested?  Click here to watch!

2)  I have been working at the same restaurant for over six years!  (I am 20 - that's a long time).  It's a family owned joint in Newton called Cabot's.  We are 50's style and have ice cream too.  (I blame the scooping for my tendinitis).  There actually aren't many places around who are willing to hire high schoolers, so when I turned 14, off to Cabot's it was.  My sister (now a nurse at Mass General) had her first job here too.  It's a great place to work instead of a chain like cvs or something.  Plus I think everyone should wait tables at some point in their lives, for obvious reasons.

3)  I have a twin.  Sorta.  There is a small hardware store not far from my house, and one of the guys who works there apparently looks JUST LIKE ME!  I shouldn't say apparently, I've actually discussed this with him, and yes, we do sorta look a-like.  At least 25 times over the past 6 years working at Cabot's, someone has said to me "Do you work at the hardware store??" or, "Do you have a brother at the hardware store??".  He reports that customers at his store frequently ask him about "the kid at Cabot's"!  One of these days I am going to get a picture of us together so I can post it!

4)  I <3 NYC.  My first visit to the Big Apple was around 94' with the fam.  Since then I've been back a dozen or so times.  Going there is actually not what makes me love it so much.  I guess I am just intrigued by the history of it.  My thesis on the race to build the tallest New York skyscraper in the 30's won first place junior year...  I also love old photos of the city.  After 9/11 I slowly realized that everything isn't always going to be here, or look the same.  This fueled my desire to photograph things.  It also started my NYC/WTC collection which includes all kinds of artifacts and memorabilia.  I also buy negatives and slides of the WTC/NYC in hopes of some day publishing a book of other people's photos.

5)  I've never eaten a whole tomato.  I love broccoli and carrots, but tomatoes gross me out!  (As do onions and pickles and mustard... Ahhhhh!)

6)  I actually enjoy going to the doctors/dentist...  I love the smell, ambiance, and personal attention there.  I feel lucky to live in Boston for the chance that someday I will need to be hospitalized.  We have some of the best in the country!  HOW WEIRD AM I!!??

7)  I think my second calling in life is Real Estate.  Lately those house-flipping shows have really gotten my attention.  If you don't watch them, you must start.  My favorites are "Flipping Out" and "The Real Estate Pros".  The guy on flipping out is neurotic and loony, however, I really appreciate his work.  He spends a lot of money on quality renovations that take time.  I wasn't brought up to do things quick and easy (see our home renovation) rather, I like things done right. 

8)  I'm getting a new toy!  MichaelBlanchard.com will be making its debut in the fall!  It will have one of the best looking blogs in the industry, a gallery stocked with photos, and a gift page featuring a line of frames and some one of a kind art work.  Send me your email address so I can keep you posted!

Now it's your turn lucky 8!  (Actually I did 9, deal!)

1.  The Martins - The personal blog of my amazing web designer Brock and his wife.

2.  Taslim Sidi - Another young Boston photographer!

3.  Tony & Ana Yu - A husband and wife photo team also from Newton.

4.  Heather Kincaid - A California photographer with a great eye.

5.  Heather Owens - A portrait photographer from Maryland who really captures emotion well.

6.  Jessica C. Moritz - A stunning photographer from Malta.

7.  Katie Higginbotham - A Florida photographer who loves "real" smiles!

8.  Michelle Howell - A blog dedicated to unique floral designs out of Kentucky.

9.  Crista Chitwood - A 21 year old from Illinois just doin what she loves!

Photography Items For Sale!

Today I listed a few items on ebay for my photographer friend Casey.  When she moved this year I was given the task of auctioning some old equipment of hers.  I finally got around to listing them this week and I'm very happy with the presentations.  I hope we make lots of money! Here are some items:

A Gift For Their Mom

Last year I shot around 33 senior portraits.  I started doing seniors when I was a senior - though the first year they were mostly just for my friends.  Every year since I started this, I've been doing more and more kids, and each year, they just get better! 

Anyways, one of my seniors from last year called me up to do a group portrait of her with her sisters.  It would be for their mom's birthday (hope she doesn't check my blog!).  They were lots of fun, and most importantly, willing to try anything I suggested. 

Kate, Sarah & Jen.

The sun was coming through the clouds in spurts, so it was go time while we had it!

First time I ever did this but I love it!

They scaled this tree wearing flip flops - and nobody got hurt!

An older gentleman was walking by and offered to take a shot of me with the girls.  Luckily I was wearing white too!

Don't mess!

I pass this row of massive sunflowers every time I go over my friends house...  I always wanted to stop.  Finally an excuse!

Traffic!

Those are some tall sunflowers...

Favorite!

The Power of the Internet!

Yesterday turned out to be one of those days where you go for something and you realize that life is about more than just 9-5.  That's because I took off my 9-5 to go meet up with the infamous photographers, Becker & Jessica Claire from California.  Seriously, if you are ever bored, check out their work, it will entertain you for hours. 

I spend so much of my free time checking up on my favorite photographers because I can't tell you just how inspiring they are to me as a young photographer.  [b]ecker & Jess are two of those people who I have come to really admire.  Their entire attitude towards work and play totally agrees with me, and through them I've discovered that it is possible to be in this business and REALLY enjoy it! 

When they announced that they would be in Boston over the weekend, I immediately canceled all of my plans ;)  They were at Boston Beer Works on Saturday, awaiting anyone that wanted to come and say hi.  I ended up not only meeting [b] & Jess, but also 5 other great people from the Boston area, (stalkers like myself).  Needless to say, it really was a very fun evening.

Becker with his crazily recognizable [b] logo!

Jess, playing with my camera... 

Becker with Paula, a portrait photographer, and Taz, a really talented everything photographer. 

The BPD on to you Becker...

Becker was also nice enough to show me how to use my camera a little better.  He hooked it up with some sweet custom functions, which he tested on me!  I love these photos he took... I may use them on my new website (coming in Sept!).

Can you believe this guy uses THAT camera!?  I couldn't... haha!

Jess, Becker & I.

It was such a nice day to be in Boston...

By the way, this image is straight out of the camera...  The settings on my camera that Becker left me with are really awesome... and I had no idea it was even possible. 

After we all departed, my sister met me at Fenway and we tried to get tickets to the game...

Never wait till the last minute...

My sister Carol while we waited in line for tickets.

We usually don't have a problem with her hospital ID but the game was completely sold out... too bad!

I don't usually do an "after thought", but today I will.  I feel that life is too short to do things by the book.  Well, some things you have to do by the book, but I do think lifes short enough that you should try to take advantage of every opportunity that you can.  Going to meet those guys was very random - but I'm really glad I did, and who knows what may come out of it.  I've noticed that little things can sometimes turn into really great big things, especially when you want them to!  At least in this business, that is 100% true.  Networking and getting out there is SO important, and it's something I'm really going to work on.  If your in the Boston area (or anywhere actually), leave me a comment or send me an email to introduce yourself!  Who knows what it could bring you!

Pool Shoot at Kim's

Kim called me today and asked if I wanted to go over & hang out by the pool.  I was changed and ready before I hung up the phone! 

Kim doing Martha Washington with her hair, lol.

Action shot.

Lying out in the sun is 10x better while also in the pool.

Except for when the chair slides out from under you!

Kim with her pool shades, or at least they are now...

Favorite!

When I look at this one I can't help but think it could be hanging in a tanning salon, lol.

Naven came out to visit!

Doing the Elle Woods pose.

We were photo'ing and the raft had to float into my shot.  I caught this one before it totally blocked us, and I kinda like it!

So we decided to set up a few shots with the self timer...  Lets just say a pool is not the best environment for a multi thousand dollar camera & telephoto lens.  Every time you want to see a photo or take a photo you have to dry your hands and also constantly wipe off the inevitable splashing. 

 

Did I mention that my camera decided to roll off of my camera bag and onto the slate patio?  It was on the eighth second of the self timer about to go off when we saw my make shift tripod start to fail.  I actually wish it lasted long enough for it to get a photo of our stunned faces as we watched it plummet to the ground, lol.

I love vintage polo towels.

She's the new East Coast brand rep.

All American.

Lounging.

Same time tomorrow?  "Okay!"

The Police at Fenway!

My friend Kristen took me to see The Police performing at Fenway Park last night!  I've never been to a concert at Fenway before, nor have I ever seen the Police perform, needless to say the combo was excellent!  Despite my "young-ness " and lack of knowing more than four Police songs, I still enjoyed seeing them.  Kristen bought the tickets months ago (which were really great seats in right field) and actually forgot all about them - until yesterday!  She called and we went! 

Most of the day was plagued with thunderstorms and downright gross weather.  Luckily everything cleared up and cooled down by night before the concert began.  It was really great being outside and at Fenway for a summer show.

Kris.

Sting taking the stage.

No flash required ;)

During Roxanne... "Put on your Red Light!"

Photographer note:  Like a dork, I brought my star filter to pop on and get a few shots with an extra 80's feel!  (I think it worked.)

After the show we visited our friend Murph who is a bartender at Who's On First.  What do you know - she was wearing a police hat!

Don't take her for an impostor, she had a gun too! 

Kris & I.

A Few Images From Summer

We took Tater Tot to the carnival a few weeks ago.  I don't think he knew what was going on, but it was cute to watch him wonder what the deal was.

Kristen was there hanging out with Laurie's son Tommy.

My Brother's friend Jeff also has a boy the same age as Jason.

And to the beach (Craigville, Cape Cod).  Thanks for carrying the bags Shan!

Shannon & I.

Carol & I.

She was being a shark.  I had no idea.

Remember the part in Ace Ventura no.2 when Ace is eating the asparagus and goes "Do I have something in my teeth?!"  lol I was trying to re-create... with sea weed!

A shot from my Aunt's camera.  We rolled in the sand before running in the water.

It was a bit strange setting up a tripod at the beach but I'm really glad I did, I love this shot of us!

My Grandparents.

Shannon got lots of junk at the outlets, lol.

My Grandmother Evelyn is a self-proclaimed HUGE JFK fan!  She's followed the Kennedy's for years.  Likewise, I am also fascinated by this family, and watch anything Kennedy when it's on tv.  When I visited the school book depository museum in Dallas I bought this photo book by Jacques Lowe, JFK's family photographer.  He is definitely one of my favorite photographers, and I really like this book - so when I saw it in a store I grabbed a copy for my Grandmother so she could add it to her collection.

(From the family archives) - This is a picture of JFK jr. & my Grandmother (right) when she met him at a wedding down the Cape, about 10 years ago. 

Logo ByBobbi!

I shouldn't be giving away my best kept secret, but oh well.  My friend Bobbi out in Indiana is not only the most amazing photographer, but also exclusively dabbles with graphic design!  I've been subtly hinting at my need for a new logo, and she finally caved.  What a friend!  Here is her awesome creation (shown with my Bellagio glass ceiling photo).

Here is a link to some of her other designs - ByBobbi.