Go U Bears.

Every year, I’m lucky enough to return to Bowdoin College to photograph Homecoming and Reunion.  Returning to my alma mater is a chance to reconnect with old friends, and share in the beauty of coastal Maine.  I can’t possibly write captions for all these images… but I wanted to share a few for those alums that didn’t get a chance to return.  It’s amazing how time flies, how children grow, how Bowdoin develops… yet everything feels the same.  The good just gets better.

We took all these photos (plus a bunch more) and posted them on our Facebook page here.  Tag and share to your hearts content:  http://www.facebook.com/brianwedgephoto

Also, there are literally hundreds of other photos online from Homecoming Weekend, capturing every aspect of the festivities.  You can view, download or request prints here: http://www.brianwedge.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=830

My friend John's kids... charging the climbing wall.

For many students... it's just another weekend.

Reflections of fall foliage.

Sorry Hamilton… Tough loss.  But at least there are free hugs!

Thanks for the smiles!

A happy, dry Will.

You might see this shot and think we were going for a "hardcore" look... not really; this is Will becoming hypothermic and forgetting to smile.

Oh, and back to the athletes at The Lobsterman Triathlon… a friend of mine sent me the following photo that shows how I managed to get in the way of many swimmers (with permission).  Just look for the bald head amongst the purple swim caps.  Many thanks to Peter Thomas of alpengraphik.com for the photo.

Swimming Upstream...

I was a big Norwegian water hazard that day.  Thanks to all the athletes for allowing me that position, but I think the images were worth the obstruction!

And I even had a few minutes to catch part of the bike.

It’s hard to believe that I first raced The Lobsterman Triathlon NINE years ago… but I might just have to throw my hat back in the ring for the race’s ten year anniversary next September!

It didn’t take long for the first students to begin congregating to watch the televised ceremonies in New York City, and later, to see Bowdoin’s President sitting alone below that flag, collecting his thoughts before addressing the community.

Shortly before noon, students appeared from every corner of the quad, and quietly assembled as the chapel’s bells rang.  Students stood in unified silence next to faculty, staff, alums and community members alike.  I can’t remember ever seeing a group of people gather so effortlessly, so purposefully and without hesitation.

I can’t possibly know what each person was contemplating, but for me, the moment of silence was a bizarre sense of sadness and joy.  Sorrow because of the destruction and loss of life; gratitude for the strength of our Bowdoin community at that very moment.

After a moment of silence, Barry Mills (Bowdoin’s President) made a few brief, but poignant and thoughtful remarks that were incredibly meaningful.  His words resonated with many in the crowd, and my heart went out to those, whose memories of 9/11 obviously were still vivid.

It was an honor to document that ceremony for the Bowdoin community, and as the flowers left beside the campus memorials for alums killed on 9/11, it is clear that the memories of that day have not been forgotten, and the spirit of unity and hope is alive and well on campus.

Last September I was lucky enough to join a small group of courageous cyclists for a 6 day, 600 mile ride down the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles… all in honor of cancer survivors.  Our team, named the Fireflies, is a small group of advertising and film professionals who tackle the hardest climbs of the Alps and the coast of California every year to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer, and specifically leukemia.

In about 30 days, I’ll be boarding a plane for Switzerland, to join the Fireflies again for a ride from Geneva, Switzerland to Cannes, France.  I’m thrilled, I’m honored… and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a touch nervous.

Yes, I ride my bike a lot… but there’s NOTHING on the coast of Maine or California that could possibly prepare me for the hardest climbs of the Tour de France.  It will be 1000Km of hard roads and 22,000m of elevation climbed by the time we reach Cannes.  The Fireflies motto is “For those who suffer, we ride” and every pedal stroke, every moment of self doubt, every glorious view and grueling ascent will be for those leukemia survivors… like my big sister Lea… who have lived with a disproportionate amount of suffering every day since being diagnosed.

This ride is 100% in aid of Leuka, one of the world’s great leukemia research and support foundations.  Their mission could not be nearer and dearer to my heart… and quite honestly, I hope you will consider making a donation to Leuka today.

So… like everything we do for cancer survivors, there’s an opportunity for YOU to get involved.  Here’s how:

1.)  I won’t belabor the point: we need financial support.  100% of donations go to Leuka in aid of leukemia research, awareness and support.  None of your donations pay for any part of my trip.  I have a goal of raising a minimum of 2,000 £​’s (that’s about $3,000 as $1 = .6£’s) in the next THIRTY (30) days. Please help!

The direct link to my fundraising page is here (or click on the Leuka logo below)

2.)  Beginning June 13th, we leave Geneva, Switzerland for a 9 day ride in search of the hardest climbs of the Alps on our way to Cannes, France.  Though I always ride for my big sister Lea and her ongoing battle with this awful disease and the aftermath of her bone marrow transplant, once again, I’ll be dedicating a part of each day’s ride to a cancer survivor that YOU tell me about.  Just email directly HERE or leave a comment & send me their name etc.  You can also contact us via Twitter or Facebook.  We know there are cancer survivors out there who are suffering, and we want them to know that we’re in the fight with them.  There is power in Unity. It may be a really steep climb, it may be the day when my legs are exhausted from the hundreds of miles I did days before, or the incredible view from the top of the Alps… but connecting with survivors will motivate me to keep going, to tell their story, and hopefully do remind them that they’re not alone.

3.)  The third way you could help, is to go find a friend who hasn’t yet registered for the bone marrow registry and get them committed to signing up.  It breaks my heart to see people literally dying, because the public doesn’t realize how EASY and FREE registration and donation is.  You can go HERE for the link to all the information, and the FREE registration process.

If you live in France or Switzerland, or know someone who does… please come out and cheer us along.  We are a small, but dedicated group of wackos who put ourselves on the line in order to support the fight against cancer.  We love meeting new folks along the way, and can provide detailed times/locations to anyone who might want to connect to ride with us, or just needs a sweaty smile and wave.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

Nobody does bugs like Costa Rica... and nobody shreds on waves like Andres.

Any professional photographer will tell you that light is everything when it comes to making a creative exposure.  Decisive moments, emotion and storytelling details are all critical components of photojournalism… but without light and the proper lenses to capture that light, well, you’re in trouble.  That being said, I showed up to this rodeo like a kid wielding a knife at a gun fight: I had no flash, no spare camera backs, no telephoto lenses: nothing that I would typically use to cover fast action.  So bear with me here, the following images might not be technically perfect, but they help share a great story.

The "stands" for kids

One aspect that I did have working to my advantage was access.  Logs had been assembled with bailing wire on the village soccer field to form a ring.  Spectators stood or sat on the fence or in the ring to watch the bull riding.

In the action: a rope is tossed to lead a bull out of the cattle car.

I wandered near the cattle truck that held the bulls, and an older man quickly motioned to me to climb up INTO the chute that led the bulls from the truck to the ring.  As an understatement, let’s just say that there were no restrictions, no OSHA, no insurance liability wavers to sign… and as important, no one there to tell me (the blond idiot in flip flops who spoke almost no Spanish) when to get out of the way.

When to get out of the way.

As luck would have it, the first bull came out of the chute so fast that a rider couldn’t get on it’s back in time, which scarcely mattered much as the real entertainment was watching the spectators almost get trampled by the bull.

Costa Ricans: The friendliest, most chill people on Earth.

Is it possible that there is such a thing as calm mayhem?  I would think not, but there was a sense of fun and calm and relaxation amongst the tortured animals and the bleeding, sweating men.  It was incredible to take it all in.

This image was exposed for 1/30th of a second. This guy's ride lasted about as long. He was thrown from the bull almost immediately.

The taunting of the bulls…

The end result of taunting the bulls… an injured teenager is taken to a waiting ambulance.

A rider straps in for his ride. Note the taught rope around the bull’s neck.

As a journalist, I often hear that I’m supposed to suspend my judgement and emotions… just capture a story with integrity, creativity and depict scenes honestly.  It’s with complete honesty then that I’ll say it was sad to see these bulls being zapped with cattle prods, poked with spurs and generally manhandled for entertainment.  I’m not a member of PETA, nor a vegetarian… but I was close enough to touch these bulls separated by only a flimsy wooden board.  I found myself whispering apologies to them as dozens of men attempted to incite them.

There really was no fight in these bulls.  They wanted to get away from the cattle prods, the jeers, punches and spurs… but they were at once powerful and dangerous while simultaneously being timid and scared.  It was a strange feeling to be so terrifying close, yet feeling so much empathy for them.

In a blur of motion... another bull sets off.

I had my fill of bull riding pretty quickly.  Luckily, Costa Rican Rodeo’s lack of security allowed me access to the ambulances and ringside triage centers.

An injured bull rider is attended to.

As seen through the tinted window of an ambulance, this rider was trampled by a bull.

Family members wait anxiously for riders to appear from triage.

As his son looks on, a rider is treated by a local doctor.

A woman holding her infant son can be seen in the window's reflection as her husband is attended to by medics.

Andres.

The rodeo is a family affair. A young boy patiently eats chorros.

Maybe the coolest taxi on the planet?

As I’m taking that photo of the CTITW (Coolest Taxi In The World), this guy runs up on me and starts smiling.  At first I think he’s drunk, so I do the obligatory smile and snap a photo of him.  But then he dashes off into the darkness and returns with his young son.  He’s not drunk, he’s just PSYCHED to have his photo taken.  Next thing I know, I’m following him down some darkened street, prepared to either be mugged or to learn something new about Costa Rica.

The guy leads me into his home and shows me all the amazing food he has prepared for the rodeo.  He is asks for photos of each dish, and then tries to feed me after each picture is made.  He is proud of his kitchen, his cooking and his home.  I’m not fluent in Spanish, but I can understand his pride and appreciate his enthusiasm.  Beyond the dusty dirt streets, beyond the relative poverty here, beyond that bullring that’s filled with machismo, adrenaline and pain… this guy is just thrilled to share with me his food and his home.  It’s a connection that transcends cultures.

Happiness.

It’s another reminder for me that happiness is a state of mind… and this guy has it.  As I leave his house to return to the dark streets, he calls back to me for one last photo with his wife.  Just as I release the shutter button, he turns and plants a kiss on his “amada.”  His beloved.

What a night.

I’ve always been inspired by people who say less but do more.  I’ll use that philosophy as a convenient excuse for my absence from our blog for most of the past month… which is partially true as I’ve been traveling and working a bit more than I should.  I did however have an incredible time surfing down in Costa Rica a few weeks ago, and in the process got to know the owners of The Witch’s Rock Surf Camp.

Believe The Hype.

Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) Surf Camp is based out of Tamarindo, Costa Rica; a place that’s also at the heart of a fantastic series of surf breaks.  The surfing was great, and the weather was perfect.  The trip was a wonderful opportunity to unwind after an insanely busy year and just surf until we were completely exhausted, then wake up and do it all again the next day.

Pura Vida

Every night after surfing we would go to the restaurant downstairs for fresh sushi and got to chat with the owners Joe and Holly.  Their story is the stuff of fiction: they left San Diego 9 years ago in a school bus with a bunch of surfboards in search of good waves and the dream of setting up a surf school.  Witch’s Rock Surf Camp is the result of that adventure.

Joe with an old nearly destroyed longboard.

After a few conversations with them, we started to learn more about their self-reliant business and their commitment to the environment.  What they created at Witch’s Rock has been an unequivocal success as a surfing destination, but more importantly… they told us with pride how they built their own sewage treatment plant, ran all their buses off of cooking oil and were in the process of teaching themselves to recycle surfboards.

I had heard of recycling metal and plastic... but surfboards?

So between surf sessions the next day, Joe invited me to his newly built shaping room… where he was literally piecing together old boards to make new ones.

Joe and a freshly trashed longboard.

Major Board Ding.

Recycling surfboards at a remote surf camp in Central America seemed like a perfectly normal thing to do for Holly and Joe.  After all, it was expensive, unreliable and wasteful to bring in surfboard blanks from out of the country.  Besides, broken foam boards were filling up local landfills… and just because they had never shaped boards before didn’t seem to slow them down one bit.

The Witch's Rock Surf Camp Secret Formula.

Step one to any new endeavor is to just begin.  Back in the day, I used to build wooden boats, and the first boatbuilder I worked for told me that “Experience starts when you do.”  Nothing could be more true and Joe has embraced that philosophy completely.

How to shape boards: Read a book, make a shaping table from beach sand cement/duct tape & get to work.

Part of living well (in my estimation anyway) includes living as simply as possible.  Being in Central America was another reminder that most folks in this world can’t (and shouldn’t) walk down to their local big box store to get something new every time it breaks.  There is joy to be found in repairing things, in making do and in thinking deeply before consuming or discarding something.  There is a simple beauty to having to live resourcefully.

Fin Boxes

The first part of recycling a surf board includes stripping the fiberglass and using everything possible for the new board.  Often, longboards get snapped in half: in those cases Joe makes them into shortboards.  In other instances, he repairs the dings, salvages the fin boxes and modifies the board shape to make up for imperfections.

Joe teaching fractions in a metric world.

One aspect of Joe & Holly’s business that we loved was the fact that their employees are like family.  Many of them have been with them from the beginning 9 years ago, and as the surf camp grows to include a restaurant, hotel and now board repair/manufacturing… their employees are learning new skills along the way.

The beginnings of a fractions cheat sheet on the wall. Surfboard measurements are universally referenced to as fractions. As such, all the Costa Rican guys struggled to learn fractions despite living in a metric based country.

Working with a power plane, the blank is shaped.

Just like wooden boatbuilding, boards are measured off a centerline.

Final Step: glassing the board.

The Witch's Rock Surf Camp quiver of boards.

Finished boards are prepped by Maxi... and then they're ready for surf!

Ok, so surfboard “recycling” is a cool concept right?  It gets better: over dinner one night Joe asks me if I’m familiar with Earth Bags… an environmentally sustainable (and simple, and strong) building material/process.  Think sandbags that are then cemented/stuccoed together.  The end result is stronger, more durable, more efficient and sustainable construction.

A beachside bar made from beach sand, palm fronds and Earth Bags.

I’m duly impressed.  I’m stoked to hear that other folks are out there doing their best to make a living while caring for our planet.  Besides being super nice folks, and wonderful hosts… the story of Witch’s Rock Surf Camp is a success story to be shared.  It is possible to do what you love, live simply, pay your bills and protect our environment at the same time.  If you do get a shot to visit Witch’s Rock, please tell Holly and Joe we said hello!

Though she tried hard to avoid this from happening... I had to include a photo of Holly.

We wandered over to a cyclocross race this past weekend on the way back from another assignment, and snapped a few pics just for the fun of it.  I’ve been hearing all about the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series for a few years now, but never managed to get myself over to watch a race.  Cyclocross, is a short (40-60 minute) circuit bike race on dirt/mud/gravel that includes a variety of obstacles (hills/barriers/stone walls) that force a rider off their bike briefly, before they remount to ride again.

Following the circuit.

Honestly, I was hoping for mud… and LOTS of it.  But Mother Nature did not cooperate.

Lots of short, steep, winding hills.

Running past the log sections.

Racing through the leaves on skinny tires.

All the arrows pointed the wrong way.  Must be a ‘cross thing.

Women Elite race begins… with an amazing backdrop and slow shutter speeds.

Stone wall bike handling skills.

Running the barriers.

Farm implements everywhere.  I couldn’t resist a few snaps.

Focus.

A nice excuse to plug my boys at Cannondale… makers of some of the best ‘cross rigs in the world.

Cows and bikes.  You can’t go wrong.

Some more log barriers.

Action.

Sweet Victory (please do NOT mention the giant booger coming out of his nostril).  Dude was working hard.  We get it.

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We have a couple hundred more images in a gallery.  If you want to see them, just click the link below:

http://www.brianwedge.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=771

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/11/03/cyclocross-maine-or-why-is-that-dude-running-with-his-bike/feed/ 11 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/10/11/350-org-aerial-shoot-at-wolfes-neck-farm-freeport-maine/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/10/11/350-org-aerial-shoot-at-wolfes-neck-farm-freeport-maine/#comments Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:35:54 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=3744 Continue reading →]]>

Individual pumpkins form the 350.org logo for the 10.10.10 celebration in Freeport, Maine.

The environmental group 350.org asked us to take an aerial photograph of their 10.10.10 celebration at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine.  Founded by Bill McKibben, 350.org gets it’s name from it’s mission: to lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere to below 350 parts per million.  350.org is a great organization attempting to raise awareness and a sense of urgency about the earth’s climate crisis.  If you have a moment, check out their website here, and consider getting involved:  350.org website.

On the short flight to Wolfe’s Neck Farm, I couldn’t help but look out the window and capture some of Maine’s incredible beauty.

The leaves were bursting with color.

We passed farms with cows…

And boats still moored safely in harbors.

Seeing Maine from the air always reminds me of how precious our environment is, and how we all can do our part to protect our planet.

350.org  is a global movement.  Check out what people are doing worldwide, and how you can help!

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/10/11/350-org-aerial-shoot-at-wolfes-neck-farm-freeport-maine/feed/ 1 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/04/22/growing-something-for-you-and-for-me/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2010/04/22/growing-something-for-you-and-for-me/#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:45:21 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=2528 Continue reading →]]> THANK YOU for the emails and the calls making sure everything is going well.  YES, things are going quite well; we’ve never been busier or happier, but I admit… the blog has taken a backseat as a result of all our adventures.  We have been so swamped with work and creative projects for so long, that we decided to take the time recently to build some new creative alliances and “practice” our craft a bit.  During the past few months we have pursued every opportunity to improve, learn and grow.  Our time was not used in vain, as we’ve got lots of new photos to share… and stories to tell.

That being said, while we were traveling and shooting far away from the blogosphere, much occurred, and we will try to recap some of it here:

First up… my sister Lea and her husband Billy adopted an adorable baby boy!  Henry is absolutely beautiful, and has a remarkably calm energy about him that is just amazing.  Though we did miss the cranky-baby 2am diaper changes and feedings, we are quite certain that Henry is either high on baby formula… or just happy to be alive and have parents who adore and appreciate him so much.

Though we only stopped in for a few days during our return from Hawaii, one thing led to another… and of course an impromptu photo shoot occurred that resulted in baby Henry winding up in a salad bowl.  Sorry Henry, but you just don’t know where creativity will lead you!  Anyway, we wanted the whole world to know how proud we are to have him in our family!

And speaking of growing, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we won a few more awards for our photography and we wanted to thank the sponsors for their encouragement and recognition.  First up, we managed to sneak out a few awards from the prestigious Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA.com) once again.  There are some truly incredible photographers that compete in their contests… so we are honored that we had NINE winning images in the past year.

Here are the two latest winners:

This image is from Matt & Ashley’s Hurricane Wedding at The Newagen Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  The photo is a fun grab shot of the bridesmaid being “blown away” in the wind.  The great news is that the bridesmaid holding the umbrella (Christine) is engaged to be married & in June we will be in Massachusetts to document their wedding for them!  There is no greater honor than to get the opportunity to support the friends of great clients like Matt & Ashley.  Don’t worry… we PROMISE… the weather will be better!

Next, from Heidi & Ross’ wedding at The Sebasco Harbor Resort, we won 4th place for dancing… but the true story is that the dancing started about 8 hours earlier, and the award should really be for the consistency and longevity of the dancing.  If I remember correctly, this is Heidi’s brother… who started dancing before the ceremony and in my mind is probably dancing wherever he is right now.  Congrats!

Last up, our favorite social media guru / Innkeeper Jason Schlosser (from The Newagen Inn in Boothbay Harbor) held a photography contest and self selected our entry because we were out of the country at the time (thanks Jason!!).  By popular vote, we were lucky enough to win the contest in 2008, and we never expected that we would again in 2009, but as luck would have it, we did!  The prize for winning the contest was a 2 night stay at The Newagen Inn, along with dinner.

In honor of all our good fortune, our great clients, and most of all… our precious new nephew Henry, we’ve decided that we are going to donate our two night stay at The Newagen Inn to raise money for LIVESTRONG and their continued fight on behalf of survivors like my sister in their battle against cancer.  More details about the raffle will be coming tomorrow: we’ve got a donation page all setup with LIVESTRONG, and Jason at The Newagen Inn is psyched to host the prizewinner.

So for now, thanks for all the support, love and emails.  We love hearing from everyone… and rest assured, we are back!!  Spread the word about the contest… more details right here tomorrow!

One of our awards came in the category “Emotion.”  We’re thrilled to see that, because the hallmark of our work comes from an ability to capture the natural moments & real emotion in an unobtrusive, creative manner.  There’s an elemental truth in this scene: one of joy, relief and love.  What a wonderful opportunity to capture something like that for a great couple!

JUDGES COMMENTS: There’s pure joy in this photograph. It’s a clean, easy to read shot that has immediate impact, revealed through their body language. It’s a simple, yet, effective image that evokes a higher emotional state than the others for me.

JUDGES COMMENTS: A dreamy, long lens image that makes one think they are in a dream. These two obviously are, and the outstretched arms are like one big smile ready to embrace the groom.

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We also received another award for our image of an engagement ring left beside a note from a groom to his bride.  At our core, we’re storytellers… and it’s important that we always attempt to capture details in a way that contribute to that underlying story.  We usually arrive early at weddings to creatively document these details… often overlooked by folks at first glance, but cherished years later as an important element to their very special day.  Something as simple as a ring and five words from a brief letter says so much.

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]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/10/01/wpja-award-winning-images-again/feed/ 1 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/08/27/bowdoin-college-pre-orientation-trips/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/08/27/bowdoin-college-pre-orientation-trips/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:30:58 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=1762 Continue reading →]]>

The night before last I was asked to spend a few hours with the incoming freshman students at Bowdoin College as arrived for their Pre-Orientation trip.  For those who aren’t familiar with that term, the “Pre-O” trip is an opportunity to spend about 5 days with a small group of fellow students off campus before the on campus orientation begins.  Bowdoin takes full advantage of being located in an incredible state like Maine and as a result, most of the Pre-O trips involve some sort of outdoor sport and service component.

Incoming students get to choose their preferred trip: for some that means sailing or kayaking through Casco Bay, for others it’s community service in downtown Brunswick and many more head north into “The County” to explore the wildlands and immerse themselves in the culture of that “other Maine” we often hear about, but so few get to truly experience.

Seeing the students arrive at Bowdoin brings it all back for me and my days as an incoming freshman.  A night spent sleeping on a field house floor, the excitement and exhaustion of meeting 300 new friends and the anticipation for all that was to come.

Camping next to the indoor triple jump lane.

A Bowdoin Tradition: sleeping in The Farley Field House.

First conversations.

The bonding happens quickly in these small groups.

Impromptu games of kickball were started.

Frisbees were everywhere.

Even a few old school woodsman’s games.

No, I did not ask for this… though I was impressed by the spontaneity of the design & construction.

After dinner there were a few brief instructions about the logistics of getting 300+ people packed and out the door beginning early the next morning.

The singing of Bowdoin’s Alma Mater.

And then there was this…

Which turned into this…

Which created a reaction like this…

And this…

Whatever “that” was I still don’t know, but it resulted in hundreds of smiling faces… and the start to an incredible four year experience at one of the best schools in the country.  On behalf of all the alums that are floating around out there, welcome to our community!

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Want to see the complete photos?  Just click here or visit www.brianwedge.com

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]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/08/27/bowdoin-college-pre-orientation-trips/feed/ 4 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/27/jordanna-jason-asticou-inn-wedding-northeast-harbor-me/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/27/jordanna-jason-asticou-inn-wedding-northeast-harbor-me/#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:13:22 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=1289 Continue reading →]]> People who only know us through our editorial and commercial work often ask us how and why on earth we shoot weddings.  The answer is simple: besides the obvious need to pay bills, weddings offer us unprecedented access into fascinating lives of some pretty amazing people.  Week after week we’re called to the beautiful locations filled with thoughtful details… but it’s the people and their remarkable stories that make our work so wonderful.  Last weekend was no exception as I photographed Jordanna & Jason’s wedding on one of the soggiest days of the year at the beautiful Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor, ME.

We met Jordanna and Jason last summer in Bar Harbor, and were psyched to hear their story of friendship that began at Harvard, followed by 12 years as a couple and finally returning to Jason’s home state of Maine to tie the knot.  Little did we know that Jason and Jordanna are incredibly talented and accomplished… working on Broadway in various capacities, with Jason most recently working as The Phantom of that little Broadway hit called The Phantom of The Opera.  Yeah, that one.

As I drove in the pouring rain up to Mount Desert Island, I worried that these two amazing, deserving people would be frustrated because of the bad weather.  Though I’m happy to work in any conditions… dust, rain, sleet, riots, fires, whatever… I never know how a couple is going to react to the adversity of weather, especially at a place like the Asticou Inn, which is famous for it’s back lawn overlooking Northeast Harbor.

Within minutes of stepping out of the car, I realized that my worries were completely unfounded and that I had landed smack in the middle of a cast of incredible characters, and a wedding that I’ll never forget.

For starters, on the front porch of The Asticou Inn, I met a mountain of a man, who was wearing a tuxedo and brandishing a large kitchen knife while wearing only one shoe.  I watched as he palpated and examined his shoe, occassionally grumbling something under his breath about how “it had to be done” and “there were no other options.”  His thoughtful contemplation and words reminded me of a surgeon bearing the bad news to one of his patients.  The situation was dire and he would have to “go in” immediately to save the rest of the shoe.

The knife wielding shoe butcher turned out to be Lou, the father of the bride, and I watched incredulously as he shaved off the heel of one of his dress shoes with an ease of hand that reminded me of a Tokyo sushi chef filleting a tuna.  His movements were confident, exacting and without hesitation.  After his first pass, he strapped the mutilated shoe back on and with a satisfied “Ah Huh” proclaimed that “it wasn’t bad” but that “the other shoe was next.”  It seems that Lou’s old Army dress shoes had seen one too many tours of duty and the heels had finally disintegrated to a point of no return.  Lou did what had to be done.

After thoroughly enjoying Lou’s inspiring cutlery demonstration out on the front porch, I ventured inside the Asticou to check in with Jordanna & Jason as the rain continued to fall.  They had explicitly written to me earlier that day that “unless there is horrible weather we would like to have photos out on the rocks near the ocean”.  Obviously “horrible weather” is a relative term, and as an old Outward Bound Captain and Himalayan mountain guide… it’s always best for the bride and groom to define those standards rather than me… otherwise we’re liable to wind up in a hurricane or a blizzard in no time.

To my pleasant surprise, they were both thrilled to go outside, and happy to dodge rain drops in order to get a few photos.  By sheer will, they had convinced their friends and family to venture out as well, and through a lot of laughter and rain showers… we got the images that we hoped for!

Singin’ In The Rain.

Jordanna’s beautiful smile while hiding under an umbrella.

Their wedding bands.

Because of the rain, the ceremony was held in a cozy room overlooking the water.  As a team of actors, Jordanna & Jason had decided that their intimate ceremony should not NOT be a performance, but a quiet, meaningful ceremony.  They were committed to having no distractions from their photographer… and therefore required that I not use flash and not move (even a little) during the entire ceremony even if it impacted the final images.  I always love a challenge, and the bank of windows behind the ceremony silhouetted everyone dramatically… making details difficult, but not impossible.  I switched to a 1.2 aperture lens, that captured more mid-tones than could normally be picked up in a situation like that.  So far, so good… we had successfully managed the rain, and the harsh lighting… all that was left was the reception!

When I grow up, I want to be like Jordanna’s grandmother: beautiful, smart, motivating and eloquent.  Here, she whips up the crowd during her speech.

Oh, if I only had audio running that day.  So many talented friends.  It was a joy to listen to.

Breaking the glass.

The kiss!

Their cake was a mountain with the two of them embracing on the summit.

I was warned by the guests repeatedly during the cocktail hour that I would be “in for a show” during the dancing.  The first dance hinted at what was to come.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so effortlessly and joyfully dance so beautifully.  I could tell that they had done this before.

Jordanna being dipped (again).

And then the crowd got involved… everyone was AMAZING.  They should have charged admission for their performance (my guess is that most of them do usually).  One moment everyone was swing dancing, then dramatic reenactments of musicals, then some latin dancing, then hip hop… just incredible.

Oh yeah… I forgot about the Russian dancing.  Check.

Time for the Hora… tall guys and short ceilings… bad mix.  Nice reminder Jordanna.

Jason knows no fear.

Yup, and just drop a split in the middle of the dance floor whenever you’re ready.

Then Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” comes on, and the music theater / interpretive dance gloves come off.

Not sure if this is part of the Madonna song or an impromptu decision to fly… regardless, it was incredible and hilarious.

When I emailed Jason and Jordanna to ask what their ideal image would be at the end of the night, they said “something that captures us ‘being us’ probably amidst a series of sweaty lifts, dips or spins while dancing together”.  Got it!

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So, the next time one of my editors or commercial clients ask why the heck I’m going off to shoot another wedding, I’m going to send them this blog link.  Because it’s fun.  Because weddings are filled with wonderful, meaningful, hilarious and original moments, that could never be duplicated.  It’s an honor to be there to document a dad sawing off their shoe soles, a grandmother’s dispensing wisdom and enthusiasm… and most all, to capture the joy of two people who love each other so completely, like Jordanna and Jason.

Thank you for having me at your wedding!  Thanks for bringing your amazing friends to Maine, for “going for it” despite the rain and for sharing your spinning, whirling, dipping sweaty selves with all of us.  What a joy!

***************************

Want to see the complete wedding photos?  Just go to: www.brianwedge.com

***************************

Vendors:

Ceremony/Reception:  The Asticou Inn

Band: The Coronados

Flowers:  Still working on that… email if you need it.

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/27/jordanna-jason-asticou-inn-wedding-northeast-harbor-me/feed/ 2 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/17/sharon-siva-traditional-indian-wedding-in-lenox-massachusetts/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/17/sharon-siva-traditional-indian-wedding-in-lenox-massachusetts/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:54:20 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=1188 Continue reading →]]> This weekend we traveled to Lenox Massachusetts to support Sharon and Siva for their weekend long celebration at The Stonover Farm Bed and Breakfast.  The Berkshires are one of our favorite locations, and Stonover Farm is literally just down the road from Tanglewood Music Center (the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra).. an incredible spot to be married.

Sharon had heard that I used to be a photojournalist and guide in India, Nepal and Tibet… and wanted someone with the range to comfortably photograph their quintessential New England wedding on Saturday, and all the details and nuances of their traditional Indian wedding on Sunday.  The key was that they needed creativity and quality… but they really wanted all of that achieved as unobtrusively as possible.  I absolutely love traditional Indian weddings, and have been lucky enough to photograph dozens of them over the years, so I was thrilled to be there!

Stonover Farm duck pond… before the rain.

Saturday’s Jewish wedding took place in front of Stonover Farm’s 110 year old barn.  A gorgeous, classic setting in the shadow of the Berkshires.  As luck would have it, the rain held off just long enough for the ceremony to end, and the cocktail hour was held inside the beautiful barn.  The reception was held in a tent in a field across from the B&B, and the party went on for hours as it rained outside.

Flower girl’s basket of fresh flowers.

Check out the reflection of the bride’s sister jumping for joy after seeing her sister.  Sisters are the best!

The ducks of Stonover Farm

The Hora… reluctantly.

Yeah, I just wish she were a little cuter too…

This facial distortion was actually part of a solo dance routine that lasted 20 minutes.

This is classic:  Sharon is rocking out and towing Siva around by the neck.

The next morning began early with the dressing of the bride… and the traditional Indian wedding ceremony held facing East.  I think the families were a little astounded that a 6’4″ blond haired, blue eyed kid like me understood the intricacies of the Indian ceremony.  I don’t blame them at all for being surprised… but after spending so much time in India and having photographed lots of Indian weddings, I really enjoy learning all the subtleties of the ceremony that mean so much to the couple and their families.

Day Two: Traditional Indian Ceremony preparations.

The Mangalasutra… gorgeous.  Want to know more about the mangalasutra?  Wikipedia explains it here.

One of Sharon’s seven helpers… Siva’s mom adding necessary details.

Delicious fruity beverages know no cultural boundaries.

The layers and layers of details were amazing.

I think that there are 20 bangles on this arm alone.

Siva’s mom during the Ganesha Puja

Sharon’s Mangalasutra is tied around her neck as rice is thrown on them by the families.

Sira puts the methi on Sharon’s feet.  The granite symbolizes the strength of their relationship.

Details, details, details….

Lajja Homan: Sharon offers puffed rice to the fire signifying her acceptance of her inlaws.

The mangalasutra finally on Sharon’s neck.

What a wonderful weekend!  I felt lucky to get to know Sharon, Siva and their families/friends.  I enjoyed both ceremonies so much, and the Indian ceremony and foods took me back to my days in India.  I miss it so much, and loved documenting all the thoughtful details that made both days so fantastic.

Want to see the complete set of photos??  Just click here:  Brian Wedge Photography: Siva & Sharon Wedding

Vendors who did such a great job:

Location: Stonover Farm (Tom and Suki Werner… two of the nicest people… go visit them, they’ll take good care of you!)

Caterer (Saturday): Mezze Catering (Linda Stripp and Nancy Thomas)

Caterer (Sunday): Dosa Temple

Mandap & Priest: Still working on getting their info… email me directly if you need it.

Florist: Mount Williams Greenhouses (North Adams, MA)

DJ:  JTD Productions

Tent: Classical Tents and Party Goods

]]> http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/17/sharon-siva-traditional-indian-wedding-in-lenox-massachusetts/feed/ 9 http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/11/nicole-pj-migis-lodge-wedding-casco-maine/ http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/2009/06/11/nicole-pj-migis-lodge-wedding-casco-maine/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:48:24 +0000 brianwedge http://www.brianwedge.com/blog/?p=1144 Continue reading →]]> I know what you’re thinking: Brian and Malia have a horrible life.  Another grueling assignment in Nepal covering riots?  No.  Saving Sea Turtles in Baja, Mexico?  No.  Running out of food while climbing in Tibet?  Nope, not this week.

We’re back (again) in Maine at Migis Lodge.  It seems that the now famous “Julie and Jim” of last year (link to their blog posting) had prompted more requests for wedding coverage at Migis than we could accommodate in our schedule.  Lucky for us, Nicole and PJ contacted us early enough last year when we still had room in our calendar, and we were so happy to return to Migis!

Immediately upon arriving I found this incredibly contemplative scene: the hair stylist pondering the back of Nicole’s head.  I loved the limited light and how serious everyone looked.

The seriousness of the moment was interrupted by Nicole grabbing a mirror, and running to the bathroom to look at the back of her hair.  What followed were an explosion of fist pumps, smiles, jumping and dancing (yes Nicole, it was dancing).  I’ve never seen someone so PSYCHED with their hair.  I knew that if she was going to be so happy with that moment… that there would be plenty more to come.

Next up: Dad sees Nicole in her wedding dress.  Bring on the tears, the tissues and an expert ability to remain beautiful even when crying.  I still don’t know how they managed to do it all so well, but they did.

Another Marcia Davis Flower arrangement.  So talented!

Nicole’s dad, waiting to board the boat.

Nicole was the first bride aboard the completely restored antique Migis boat.  Beautiful, beautiful work.

Nicole and her dad making their grand entrance: the mountains in the background.

Nicole and her Dad walking down the isle.  That’s joy!

With a reader reading in the foreground, Nicole listens attentively with tears in her eyes.

You may notice that everyone is turned in a direction opposite of the groom as they listen to a song being sung by a friend.  I thought it was so sweet that PJ’s focus stayed with Nicole, as she wiped away a few tears.

Holding on. Two hands.

The kiss.

I love capturing small details like these.  Just moments after being declared husband and wife, a blessing is offered for them in the background.  Nicole and PJ each turn to their respective families, and their eyes fill once more with tears.

No tears… just happiness!

Sunset with your new husband/wife aboard an antique boat.  Life doesn’t get much better than this moment.

Classic in every sense of the word.  This image is timeless.

Stuck holding a bridesmaid’s bouquet.  Nice work PJ.

So beautiful!

During the mother-son dance, PJ and his mom embrace.

PJ, going big.

Groomsman, going bigger.  Migis Lodge will never be the same after this split on the dance floor.

What a wonderful celebration, and an honor to document the story of their special day for them!  Great people, great stories and wonderful details.  Thanks for having us!

Want to see the complete set of photos?  Just go here: www.brianwedge.com

Ceremony / Reception Location: Migis Lodge

Flowers: Marcia Davis

Band:  Jim Ciampi Band

The Artist’s Covered Bridge over the Sunday River.

Lots of laughter, lots of tears… our kind of people!

On The Sunday River…

The emotions started early, and everyone did an amazing job of keeping it together!  Amy and Chad really wanted beautiful photos, captured in an unobtrusive manner.  They wanted the day to be about their celebration and their stories… nothing contrived or manufactured.  We were happy to oblige!

Their beautiful rings, hers inscribed with “Always” and his inscribed with “Forever.”

Lots of small, thoughtful details… the wedding party all received embroidered handkerchiefs.

Exquisite Bouquets.

The ceremony begins!

Dad walking Amy down the isle.  I don’t think there was a dry eye there.

Chad wipes a tear as he sees Amy for the first time in her wedding dress.

We always shoot unobtrusively, but photographing in the covered bridge without a flash presented many very real challenges.  We arrived a few hours before the ceremony to obsessively meter the light, and make a great plan for how we would capture the emotion and detail… without being noticed.  In this shot, we’re shooting with a very large (400mm) lens from a nearby roadway through the side of the bridge and into the scene.  Working with the natural light (instead of against it) revealed beautiful highlights & details.  In this image, a tear falls on Chad’s cheek.

Amy putting Chad’s ring on his finger, again from a distance with a long lens.

The kiss and applause!

The emotion after the kiss.  Love that filtered, natural light!

They’ve been together NINE years!!!  They’re so happy!

Their first moments as husband and wife.

Even the most organized brides can have something go wrong!  Here, Amy’s “after-wedding” slippers were taken back to the reception site ahead of schedule… leaving her with only her stiletto heels to hike down to the river bed in.  Conveniently, my amazing second shooter (and wife, Malia) was there and offered up her black shoes for the walk, and then proceeded to keep photographing in bare feet.  Nice work sweetie!

How do you have a relaxing wedding at The Covered Bridge with a reception at Sunday River? Hire shuttle buses!  Here, Amy and Chad return to the reception alone in an empty bus.

Beautiful.  Real.  Natural.

Great location for a wedding.  Mountains in the background.

Amy’s dad has his dance with his daughter.  So emotional.

The father and mother of the groom… wonderful people on their Harley!

Amy and Chad hired us explicitly because they wanted their very real story of love and family to come through with emotion, quality and creativity while having fun.  Their families and friends mean the world to them, & they rented a house at Sunday River for the week prior to the wedding for everyone to relax and bond.  I think it worked!!!

It was a beautiful wedding.  Simple, genuine and so thoughtful.  Congratulations Amy and Chad!!!  We loved getting to know you and your families!  Thank you for the opportunity to support you all!

The complete set of wedding photos can be viewed by clicking on this link:  http://www.brianwedge.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=537

Location:  Artist’s Covered Bridge, Newry Maine (Sunday River Ski Resort)

Catering:  The Good Food Store (amazing, wholesome food.  Thanks Heather & Dave!)

Andrea and Adam are friends with a large number of our past clients/friends who are all connected through Middlebury College, Dartmouth Medical School and Tuck Business School.  They, like our past clients are all these incredibly talented, down to earth, over achievers who value family, natural beauty and a wonderful combination of elegance and simplicity in their wedding weekends.

Andrea grew up going to Sebago Lake, and they both had a deep appreciation for the rugged beauty of the area.  When trying to find a location that could host a weekend long celebration complete with lobster bake and bonfire… Migis Lodge was the right fit.

After a week straight of cold rain, the skies parted and we had wonderful weather for the wedding!  We were so happy for them, and from the rehearsal dinner through Sunday the weather was perfect.

The bridesmaids react to seeing Andrea dressed for the first time in her Vera Wang dress.

Her bouquet by Marcia Davis… beautiful as usual!

Off to the ceremony!

Andrea’s amazing sister and niece carrying the back of her dress.

Bridesmaids marching to the wedding.

As is traditional at Migis, the bride arrives by boat.  Here she sits with her dad.  The anticipation building…

One of the most beautiful entrances possible… stunning!

Adam sees her for the first time!

With parents behind each of them, the ceremony begins.

In a BEAUTIFUL interfaith ceremony… the couple joins hands.

This was my favorite part of the ceremony.  Wrapped together, the Rabbi offers a blessing.  Just beautiful!

Their first kiss!

The Chuppah made from birch logs.

After recessing back down the isle, Andrea turns to face her husband for the very first time.  Special moment.

Classic.  Timeless. Beautiful.

Such genuine joy.  It was wonderful to see!

Then I just turned around and this is what I saw… still don’t know what was happening here!

Does it look like she’s a little apprehensive?  Despite the ever present potential of a head injury from a collision with the ceiling… they escaped unharmed!

Then the real party begins…

It was a great weekend!  Thank you Adam and Andrea for having us!  It was an honor to support you, your friends and your families!  We plan on seeing you at our annual Boathouse Studio BBQ this fall if not sooner!

Want to see the complete set of photos??  Just go to www.brianwedge.com and click on View Proofs.

Vendor Information:

Location, Catering & Cake:  Migis Lodge

Florist:  Marcia Davis

DJ:  Brian Sparhawk

Dress: Vera Wang

“Be the change you want to see in this world.”  -Gandhi

Gandhi said and did many wonderful things, but those words specifically have inspired with me for years and years since I first read them.  Though we’re far from perfect, my wife Malia and I have tried hard to build an environmentally and socially responsible company.  We often chat with clients who are surprised to hear the lengths that we’ve gone to stick to our core values… and to support those non profits who are promoting positive change in this world.

At the repeated request of more than a few of our clients and our colleagues, we thought we would share a bit about what we’ve been up to… why we’re actively supporting certain organizations… maybe even inspire a few folks to join us… and to remind everyone out there who is doing good in cyberland that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.  These “tough times” are hitting charitable organizations harder than any other sector of the economy, so they need our help!

Here’s our most recent attempts to be that change we wish to see… with our time, with our money, our expertise and with our actions.

Last year we donated over 10% of our profits to charities and non-profits.  Some call that tithing, others call it corporate responsibility, we just call it contributing to the common good.  We have committed in writing through a group called 1% For The Planet to make that same level of contribution every year.  They review our end of year tax documents, and they independently hold us accountable to our agreement.  The third party system of authentication is very important to us… we want folks to know that we’re committed to improving the world we live in, and not just exploiting a cause because it’s fashionable.

We operate our business out of a sustainably built (LEED Design) boathouse studio that’s a passive solar, super-insulated, reclaimed/recycled material based space, that is a joy to work out of and to meet clients at.  We’re very proud of the end result because of it’s low impact on the environment, it’s beauty and the fact that we built it ourselves with the help of our friend Bevan Harris.

We also donate over two weeks of professional photography services to non-profits who would otherwise be unable to afford such a  high level of creative investment.  It’s been an absolute joy to get to know these local, national and international non profits… and to “tell their story” in ways that help them further their mission.

Everyone always wants to know… where specifically did all that money go??  Who is benefitting and why?  Here’s the short answer for the past 12 months:

The Lance Armstrong Foundation:  Most folks know by now that our family has endured the hell that is cancer for the past three years as my sister, Lea, was diagnosed with leukemia.  Our support has ZERO to do with Lance Armstrong as an individual or as a celebrity (though I ran the Boston Marathon on his team, and he did seem like a nice guy)… it has EVERYTHING to do with the aggressive actions of the non profit to motivate/support research for survivors in their time of need.  We think cancer sucks, it infuriates us that it devastates so many people’s lives and we believe that there is power if we unite to destroy it.  We believe that cancer should be eradicated across the board… so we don’t fund individual types of cancer research nor age groups of cancer… though we have a special hatred reserved for breast cancer which took my aunt’s life, and leukemia which my sister battled with a bone marrow transplant and knocked back into whatever hole it emerged from.  My anger towards cancer is another reminder that I’m not Gandhi, but when channelled that frustration has been very helpful as we raised over $11,000 in 2008 alone.

The Surfrider Foundation:  I grew up near once-filthy Boston Harbor… so I’ll first say that many of our coastlines are cleaner now than they’ve been in a long time.  But we live on the edge of the ocean, our studio is on the ocean, we play and harvest food from the ocean… and the Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education.

The View From Our Boathouse Studio…

Cancer Community Center of Maine:  This is a great organization that was available to us when we dealt with cancer.  The Cancer Community Center provides a warm and friendly place where adults living with cancer, their families and friends can come together in a comfortable, caring setting to build social and emotional support as a complement to their regular medical care. 

The Jane Goodall Institute:  I grew up in a household of strong women who broke through social barriers and did things that they “weren’t supposed to do.” For example, my sister and wife were ridiculed as the first girls that played boys baseball in their respective hometowns, my mom was a weirdo in the 1960′s who consistently did things that were typically reserved only for men.  They did things before their time, and so did Jane Goodall.  Besides inspiring girls to live their dreams, the Jane Goodall Institute “advances the power of individuals to take informed and compassionate action to improve the environment for all living things”… how can you argue with a mission statement like that?

The United Way:  The United Way funds so many different community based organizations it’s amazing.  My direct connection: I learned to sail at a Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Boston.  The experience changed my life forever.

The Leave No Trace Center For Outdoor Ethics:  We’ve been around the world to some incredibly special places, and can’t help but notice that we are sometimes loving our environment to death.  Low impact wilderness travel is an essential skill that is often forgotten or ignored as we tromp through the our favorite backcountry spot.  The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.

Red Rocks, Nevada

The Access Fund:  The Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment.  They’ve done wonders for climbers over many years in spite of a relatively tiny budget and staff.  

Pro Peninsula: Pro Peninsula strengthens individual and community efforts to protect the natural environment throughout the Baja California, Mexico Peninsula.  One of the world’s last truly wild places, the Baja California peninsula is a unique yet threatened environment. Strong environmental organizations are needed to promote social awareness and participation in order to counter the relentless threats to the region’s environment, while at the same time promoting sustainable development alternatives.

The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation: Kokua in Hawaiian means “help,” and the Kokua Foundation supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawai’i.  My wife, Malia, was born and raised on Oahu… and it’s still our home away from home.  The Kokua foundation’s mission is to provide students with experiences that will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of their environment so they will be lifelong stewards of the earth.

“Our hometown beach”  Lanikai, Hawai’i.

Though we continue to assist other organizations like the Nature Conservancy, National Public Radio, The Portland Museum of Art and The American Lung Association in smaller ways, the organizations above have been the focus of our major efforts in the past year.  Thanks to everyone who has harassed us for so long to share the extent of our involvement… we hope it helps, and we appreciate the support of numerous clients who encourage our efforts.

We’re all in this together, we’ve been inspired by other 1% For The Planet Companies who have made certifiable commitments.  Our hope is that others out there might read this and be inspired to act in a way that contributes to the greater good.  The downturn in our economy means that our efforts are even more important, and we have a unique opportunity to step up and support the causes we believe in.

   Our traveling exhibition “STRANDED: The Sea Turtles and Fishermen of Baja California Sur, Mexico” is back in New England!!  Our good friends at the Patagonia Clothing Company are hosting the latest version of our exhibition in the Freeport, Maine store.  If you’re anywhere near Portland or Freeport, go check it out… learn a few things about the environment, buy some great quality / sustainably constructed clothing/gear and have fun.

    In addition to the exhibition, we will be delivering a few more of our famous slide talks on the “behind the scenes” of our assignment in Baja in the coming months.  The slide talks are always a blast and we promise you’ll learn something, laugh a lot and go home wanting to help make our world an even better place.  As always, our talks are either free or 100% in support of a charity we believe in.  We’ll post the exact dates when they get finalized.

    We’ve posted a link to the Patagonia Store directions here, and in the meantime, you can preview the exhibition online at www.brianwedge.com/stranded.  We’re proud to partner with Patagonia because we share many of the same core values that are rooted in an absolute commitment to quality, sustainability and responsibility.  Patagonia, like Brian Wedge Photography is also a fellow member of 1% For The Planet… putting their ethics to action and making a significant impact toward improving the world we live in.

Links:

The background story on the assignment in Baja

Patagonia, Freeport, ME Directions

STRANDED Exhibition link

My guess is that there’s not too many places in the United States east of Alaska where you can go dogsledding and enjoy ocean views during your trip.  Luckily for me, two old friends from Outward Bound invited me up to the Camden, ME area for a day of dogsledding.  (Alright, I invited myself up there… but what are friends for?)

Aimee and Ben are wonderful folks with a family of 14+ “sled pets” (sled dogs) who have lovingly developed an incredible relationship with each of them.  If you have never been dogsledding… go… go right now.  It’s akin to skiing deep powder, to sailing on an old wooden boat, or catching a perfect glassy wave.  It’s quiet, it’s pure and utterly beautiful.

What I loved most about dogsledding was the enthusiasm and unique personalities of each of the dogs.  They absolutely adored being out the trail, and while the tuglines and sled are being setup, the dogs are barking, whining, jumping and moaning… as they know they’re getting ready for a team run.

Ben & Aimee built a carrier for their pickup truck… that the dogs try to jump into on their own.

The cedar chip lined nest…

Taking the sled off the top of the truck… with the dogs supervising.

In anticipation… the howling begins.

The barking too (one of the sweetest dogs… looking pretty tough here).

Then the jumping and lunging… to say that they were patiently waiting would be a lie.

Finally… the team is underway.  The roar of the barking and whining falls silent immediately… and is replaced by the unified effort of the team.  Quietly gliding through the woods is spectacular.

It’s pretty amazing to see animals working together… like a single organism moving through the woods.  Quiet, heads down… focused effort.

Coming down a steep hill… Ben’s standing on the brake.

I just love the look of that dog in the back… intense, exhausted and moving.

Climbing up the hills.

A small, beautiful little cabin we passed… the perfect place to get in from the cold and have hot cocoa.

After the run, the dogs are pampered with food… and some “doggie gatorade” to rehydrate them and get some additional calories back into them.

So… if you get a chance this winter, and you’re anywhere near Camden, Maine… take a trip with Aimee and Ben.  It’s an incredible way to see our coastal mountains, to stave off cabin fever, and to have a low impact, eco and family friendly adventure you won’t soon forget.  Their “Blockhouse Pursuits Sled Dogs” can be reached at 207.763.4105, and they do half day and full day trips that are just incredible.  Tell them Brian sent you and you’ll get free extra dog kisses from each of the pups!

BLOCKHOUSE PURSUITS
Aimee Leclerc and Ben Hoops
189 Heal Road
Lincolnville, ME 04849
Phone: (207) 763 4105

ben’s cell (207) 975 2546

aim’s cell (207) 542 0608

    Today was a day for images.  A day of images.  Think about it…

    The Kenyan women celebrating, the jubilant mob in Times Square, Jessie Jackson crying, the incredible lines of voters, the American Flags… these enduring images carried the day.  No matter how you heard the news, no matter where you were; what followed was a steady stream of incredible images that said more than words could.

    As someone who knows the work, skill and effort involved in capturing enduring, meaningful images, I thought I’d take a moment today to recognize my fellow photojournalists out “in the field” bringing these incredible moments directly into our lives and our living rooms.

Newspapers turned their front pages sideways, to allow for more room for images.

    The work truly is grueling.  It’s physical, it’s tedious, it can be frustrating and it’s always challenging.  Too often their work goes unrecognized.  Their names hidden by the shroud of media sources like the AP, Reuters, or Getty Images.

Around The World…

    Today I wanted to bring one of those anonymous photojournalists into your lives.  Her name is Scout Tufankjian, and she’s a friend of a friend, as well as a fellow member of the National Press Photographers Association with me.  Scout embodies the true work involved in photojournalism.  Scout has been with Barack Obama for TWENTY THREE months.  Not a photo op here, or a press briefing there… but 23 months.

    Her work, much like some of my documentary work, isn’t the type of thing that you get to come home at night from.  It requires true endurance, tenaciousness and dedication.  Behind each of those images you saw over the past few days, there was some talented person working hard to capture it for us.

Click Scout Tufankjian’s image above to go directly to her site documenting Obama’s campaign.

    If you get a chance, go check out Scout’s site (the secret service gallery is my favorite).  She’s amazing… and is one of the many photojournalist’s whose names and faces are often hidden from view, but whose talents make historic nights everlasting.

    To those in the field…. Thank you!

The gasp of a loggerhead sea turtle fighting for the surface…

But thanks to my amazing wife Christine, I have also learned that I am a perfectionist… and sometimes the timing is never ideal.  With that said… everyone keeps asking to see some of the images from Mexico.  I wanted to hold off because there’s an important story here that even I didn’t fully comprehend until I was there… seeing the effort, the waste, smelling the smells and witnessing the hope of some incredibly dedicated researchers.

After wrestling the turtle aboard, it is weighed.

Turtle skull on shell… and sadly there’s hundreds more in every direction.

With the important disclaimer that there IS an amazing story and many more interesting images “in the vault” that will be released as soon as I come up for air, I offer up a little taste of what’s to come.  Stay tuned.  And to Hoyt and the team down in Baja… thank you for the opportunity… more is on the way.

Hauling the remains off the beach.

Another stranded turtle is discovered.

Note: wild sea turtles are not happy when caught, and despite the tranquility of this scene… that turtle was mad, and has it’s mouth open to defend itself against foolish photographers who dare come too close.

Once caught, scientists weigh, tag, measure and take blood samples.

About to be released…

The turtle cemetery.  The Mexican government didn’t quite believe researchers when shown evidence that turtles were being killed at such an incredibly high rate.  Mass graves are used to document the numbers of turtles killed.  All these turtles died during my one week visit.

Who says biologists can’t tear it up?

Shark fins drying at a subsistence fishing village.

Those wonderful Mexican smiles…

After 12 hours out on the boat… the fishermen clean their catch for 4 more hours.  Everyday.  (everyday).

Local girl.

“Rodeo” is the act of cruising in a boat at 10 knots until a turtle is spotted, and then jumped on before being wrestled onto the boat for study.  Here’s Hoyt showing All Star Rodeo form.

The release.

The Mexican Press Pool… covering the Governor’s crowning of the Turtle Beauty Queen.  Had to take it!

A Sea Turtle Assignment in Costa Rica a few years back…

    The Loggerhead sea turtles (or caguamas in Spanish) stop in Baja during their migration from Japan and Hawaii to a specific series of “hotspots” in the Mexico. During their time in Baja California Sur, thousands are killed every year accidentally by shark and halibut gill-netting fishermen. The local fishermen are not intentionally killing the turtles but their nets consistently produce a “bykill” of caguamas every year.

I’ll be bobbing around in a small boat about 35km off of Baja California Sur…

    My old college friend, Hoyt Peckham is a PhD candidate studying these populations, and has spearheaded an incredible campaign to educate, inspire and engage local communities to protect these turtles.  Watch Hoyt’s FANTASTIC (and entertaining) short video to get a sense of the problems facing the caguamas and the communities that are rallying to protect them.  Much more to come!

    In addition to making consistent financial contributions to the environmental organizations and community groups we believe in, we also commit one week a year to photographing for the causes that are making a positive difference in this world. If you’re part of an organization, you believe in a cause or you know of a worthy story that could use our help, let us know!

The Tour de California Coverage

  So how is it that a Yankee hater like me loves editorial assignments involving cycling?  Or in the case of the Tour de France, how is it possible that I can gleefully watch 3 weeks of chartreuse spandex clad cyclists, hurtling through the countryside with rapt anticipation and genuine interest?  It might be because the Tour de France has always read like a soap opera, complete with bad acting, deceitful affairs and agonizing defeats.  The tour is about the backstory, the strategy, the intrigue, the human suffering.

Prelude Criterium at Tour de California

 Last year’s Tour was marred by drug doping, blood doping, cheating, lying and more lying.  A whole new era starts on Saturday… and this video is great.  It’s all about “taking back” the past behavior, the false victories and the fake competition.  Heroes step off podiums, remove their yellow jersey… and everything starts anew.

Click to See The Video

  The Tour is certainly more than a bike race… it’s a punishing journey filled with tradition and intrigue.  I’ve personally witnessed and photographed the spectacle that is The Tour de California, and found the same strange fascination.  I don’t completely understand it myself, but beginning this Saturday, I’ll be on the edge of my seat watching another saga unfold.

  Very soon, you’ll be seeing another logo displayed near ours… one that indicates our recent membership in a fantastic organization called 1% For The Planet.  We’re one of the very first companies in Maine, and the very first photographer in this state to make this commitment.  By joining, we’re dedicating 1% of our entire sales before ANY deductions are taken (not just 1% of our profit), to be donated to organizations who are helping protect and improve our natural environment.

  I was so happy to hear that my Alma Mater, Bowdoin College, is awarding an honorary degree today to Yvon Chouinard… an icon of responsible businesses, the founder of Patagonia Clothing Company and one of the creators of 1% for the planet.  I’m very proud of Bowdoin and their commitment to The Common Good.

  Here’s a great short video on Chouinard and 1% for the planet: 

  We’re proud to be looking beyond the photos we create to support the people and causes we believe in.  And we’re just getting started.  We hope other companies will follow our lead, and learn as we have that making commitments to the common good are a necessary and responsible business decision!

  Contributing to our community is one of our most important core values… and though our clients love the beautiful images we create, we also know that it “matters” HOW we do business.  I’m just thrilled that our business is growing by leaps and bounds every month… and that we’re staying committed to the causes that mean so much to us.

  What goes around comes around.  Thanks for YOUR support!

  Mr. Bennett, Travis Hill and numerous other members of the greater university community protested the use of the flag in this way.  At first they picked up the flags, but were told that they were not allowed to do that.  As a last resort, they peacefully stood in front of one of the American Flags, arms folded, ensuring that at least One American Flag did not get walked on.

  I was incredibly impressed by these guys.  No matter where we all stand on this war, this administration or even the use of the American Flag… I admire people who stand up for what they believe in, and do it in a compassionate and peaceful manner.  During the photo shoot, I learned that they both had gone to war for this country, putting their own lives in jeopardy to protect our freedoms.  The flag is a symbol of that sacrifice and of their fellow soldiers who never returned home.  

  It was an incredible reminder for me that I could never be enjoying my family this Memorial Day without the tradition of sacrifice embodied by these two guys.  To all those families out there who have made that sacrifice… thank you!

Anyway, one of their main characters is obsessed with sailing in Maine… and they saw some of my work in a few magazines and thought it would be a great fit. How cool is that? I think it’s as close as I’ll ever get to being in the movies… so look for these images in a few months when the movie premieres!

  After a few weeks of sharing perspectives on everything from marathons to cancer through the medium of  photography, I’ve had an overwhelming response from folks who have been touched by this concept of “Survivor” and “Caregiver.”  

  Survivors overcome obstacles like disease, hardship and challenge… and Caregivers are synonymous with medical technicians, providers and those that clean up the “messiness” of disease and hardship.

  Since my sister was diagnosed with cancer I’ve shifted my definitions in very real and dramatic ways.  First and foremost, I’ve learned that survivors sometimes don’t actually survive.  I’ve met dozens of inspiring survivors who never fully overcome their diseases.  ”Survivor” is not a label just for those who are victorious.

  I’ve also learned that survivors include those family members and friends touched by the challenge of cancer… and those same Survivors are quite often the primary Caregivers.

  It’s an incredibly difficult dual role to play.  To have the discipline of an objective practitioner, while bearing the burden of anguish, sadness or just the “real life” stress of financial and logistical challenges is often overwhelming.  

  To add to our visual library of both Survivors and Caregivers, I’ve included an incredible collection from The Sacramento Bee’s photographer Renee Byer.  Her photography chronicles the journey of one single mother caring for her son and his cancerous stomach tumor.  The duality of the mother’s role is obvious… first Caregiver, Survivor and then back again.  It’s an impossible task, and one that we can barely comprehend.

  As trained medical professionals, documentary photojournalists and associate supporters of those on the front lines, it’s important to remember that who we focus on depends on the specific moment we engage them.  Understanding the plurality of each character adds depth and complexity to every scene.  

  It’s an important subtlety that we all struggle to balance: we all know the importance of “instinct” and “anticipation” as caregivers and journalists… but these images remind me of how important it is to stay in the moment, assume nothing and to take every event for the uniqueness that it is.

  With that said, Renee Byer does a fantastic job capturing one mother’s journey and challenges me to rethink some of the assumptions I make when encountering an “obvious” scene to be documented.  With depth and sensitivity, Renee illuminates the fact that the Caregiver is also the Survivor… and the roles held by one person can shift without notice.

  Here is the complete story including narrative… amazing stuff. (click NEXT to see each photo)

Her work is inspiring, and as many of you know whose lives have been touched by cancer… all too real and painful for many of us. It’s a real reminder that we’re all Survivors. Not just those diagnosed with the disease, but also the siblings, the parents, he friends and the children.

Too many long days and even longer nights that I can certainly relate to.

It’s tough to watch, but respectful, honest and REAL.  Everything we love (even with the heartache).

-B.

My approach to “trashing the dress” might be different then others. My objective is NOT to destroy it… but after your wedding the dress probably doesn’t need to be immaculate any longer. Being willing to explore creative locations and shots is the primary reason I’m hired for a “trash the dress” session.  

With that said, I will acknowledge that hopping onto a subway in a wedding dress, or doing a photo shoot on a lobster boat just isn’t enough for some people. They DO want to play in their dress and often trash it.

Whether for artistic sake, or just for the fun of it… a “trash the dress” session after your wedding can lead to some of the most memorable shots!

These photos and more are available at: trashthedress.com

NOTE: The goof ball above is NOT ME… it’s the very talented Art Director Greg (last name withheld to protect the innocent).

I recently worked with LL Bean during their photo shoot for the Summer 2008 catalog in Bar Harbor and Brooklin, Maine.

It was with GREAT delight that I learned that one of our locations for the week, was at EB White’s saltwater farm.

For those that don’t remember, EB White wrote Charlotte’s Web… you know, the one about Wilbur the pig and the SOME PIG spider’s web? Anyway, I love EB’s work and I was lucky enough to get to know the current owners of the farm.

They were kind enough to take me through the barn, show me some of the contraptions that EB built (he liked to build complex ways of holding open doors, discouraging chicken escapes and otherwise existing on the farm). Anyway, I remembered reading one of EB White’s essays about his dog Fred. He said that Fred was restless.

In a later essay, after Fred had passed on to doggie heaven, he wrote that Fred’s grave was just like his life: restless. As I wandered through the farm exploring the overgrown paths and imaging the life of EB and Fred… I stopped just past the giant “Farm Sized” compost heap and found Fred’s original grave marker still refusing to stand straight.

A few excerpts from EB White to enjoy:

Some day when I’m out of sight, Travel far but travel light!

Stalk the turtle on the log,

Watch the heron spear the frog,

Find the things you only find, When you leave you bag behind; Raise the sail your old man furled, Hang your hat on the world!… Thank God you’ve always doubted, The gifts you’ve never flouted; … Happy in the perambulation, Work no harder then you have to, Do you get me?

lines extracted from The Fox of Peapack 1938 “Apostrophe to a Pram Rider,” e.b. white

Also… And with tiller in hand,I’ll feel again the wind imparting life to a boat, will smell again the old menace, the one that imparts life to me: the cruel beauty of the salt world, the barnacle’s tint knives, the sharp spine of the urchin, the stinger of the sun jelly fish, the claw of the crab.