It’s been 4 or 5 years since I last photographed a bar mitzvah.  I was a little anxious walking into Temple Israel in Portsmouth, NH.  Would I remember the terminology, the protocol, the standard poses, etc.?  And how would I find working with 13 year-olds again?  I am happy to report that it all went well.  My extensive experience with shooting bar mitzvahs came rushing back, and these kids (and their parents) were so fun.  Jordan and Alex probably asked me a hundred times if they could check the back of my camera to see how they looked.  I only caved once — as a general rule I don’t show people the camera LCD because it’s often not an accurate representation of the actual image.   But I know they are anxious to know how they looked so here’s an advance look at some of their pictures.

I’m excited to photograph their party tonight.  On my way out of Portsmouth, I drove by Strawbery Banke to scope out the Sperry Tent set up.  Looked awesome.  Can’t wait to see it all decorated in a couple of hours.

Knock ‘em dead this afternoon you two!  You’re going to do great!

I wanted to share with you two images I took of the behind the scenes of the Shoot with Beckstead.  Thirty photographers, five models, and window light.  It wasn’t an easy shoot to say the least.  This first image was the very first scene David set up.  I didn’t care for any of the shots I took of it which is why you won’t see any.   The second image shows you David in action.  He’s such a physical photographer, jumping and walking and lying down while shooting. Note his crossed ankles, like he’s hanging out, relaxing.  That shot he set up really did only work best from that angle.  That’s why he’s the instructor and we are all students.

On March 27th I had the honor of photographing the Equality Maine 26th Annual Awards Dinner at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine.  The awards dinner primarily celebrated the leaders and volunteers who worked so tirelessly on last year’s No on 1 campaign.  It was a bittersweet celebration, but there were plenty of tears, cheers, and laughs in the 600+ person crowd.  Shooting a big event with so many political figures reminded me of the  years I spent working in Washington, DC.  Sure, there weren’t any presidents in the audience, but Representatives Michaud and Pingree worked the room along with countless local leaders and just about every candidate for Maine governor.  While I feature Pingree and Michaud here on the blog, it was the speeches by the awards winners and honorees that really shined.  As disappointing as the year’s election results were to so many of us, it’s heartening to be in a room full of hope.

Please consider making a donation to EQME.  The coming election will bring many challenges to those in the state and local government who stood in support of equality.