2011-08-31: Nubble

Had a great day yesterday showing some family from Michigan the sights of Maine. Went to Perkins Cove (Where my Photography career "Began") and walked the Marginal Way...And went to Nubble Light in York. It was a gorgeous day, and Dian, Ron and Terry enjoyed themselves. Here's this years shot of Nubble Lighthouse.

And today is a day of rest, for tomorrow it's back to work. Groan...And Friday, Taylor and Jeremy leave for Austin...Double groan...
Beautiful day today here in Gilford...Gotta go enjoy it. Till tomorrow
Em

2011-08-30: 1st Annual

last night we had an impromptu family cookout. Decided to have one at 3pm, and we had 18 family members at the house by 6. After great food, we had a bonfire. And during that, we had the 1st Annual Swanson Family TP fight. What a blast we had. 20 rolls flying everywhere.

I've got a crazy family who loves to have a good time. I'm a lucky man!
See you tomorrow
Em

2011-08-29: First Dance

I didn't get too many pics from the wedding, cuz I was too busy having fun. But I did get this shot of Taylor and Jeremy's first dance.

There, another day posted, and now back to work. We've got an impromptu family cookout and bonfire tonite.  18 people at last count. So I must get my butt off the chair and get to work.. I'm being paged to get ready... Tomorrow we're off to Nubble Light and Perkins Cove where my photography career began...Taking the Michigan relatives on a tour. See ya
Em

2011-08-28: Sweet Music

Too much to do today, but gotta post another wedding pic.
Started out the day at 7am cleaning up Sunny Slope Farm after the wedding hoopla. Then headed home before hurricane Irene hit. It had turned into a tropical storm by the time it hit here. Lost power for 5 hours, but other than that no other problems (knock on wood).
Anyway, here is a shot of Taylor and Jeremy at the piano yesterday up in the field. They were posing for the hired photographers, but I got my shots in with my zoom.

What a great wedding. Service up in the field with bales of hay for seats and an archway made by Jordan and Ashley out of birch branches.

Luckily Irene held off!
Ok, now for some R&R with our visiting family. Enjoy the rest of the day.

Em

2011-08--27: Whoops

Ok, I just got home from the most wonderful wedding. My youngest daughter Taylor got married to Jeremy today. Well it is now 12:09 on the 28th, so they got married yesterday. So please grant me the 1 day of missing my project 365. There is so much joy in my heart today for Taylor and Jeremy.
Here is Taylor before the wedding:

Simply gorgeous. I'm a proud poppa, and am now heading to bed.
Talk tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have some more from the wedding.

Em

2011-08-26: The "Kids" at the Farm

Here's a pic of my daughter Taylor and soon-to-be son-in-law Jeremy at Sunny Slope Farm where they will be getting married tomorrow. They will be staying there for a few days and we had just dropped off a bunch of supplies last night. I know they were busy last night getting ready, and I'll be heading over shortly to give them a hand. 1 more day to go! I woke up today at 4am. Think I'm excited? You bet I am! These are two of the finest people you will ever meet and you can see the happiness in their eyes.

OK! Posting done...Coffee brewing...Time to go!
See ya!

Proud Poppa

2011-08-25: Old Timey

Ok, quick post because we've got 1000 things to do today...Wedding 2 days away!
Anyway, shot this yesterday at the antique store in Laconia (Former Blooms 5 and 10), where they are redoing an old soda fountain from days gone by...

Can't wait until it's set up and ready to go. I'll be first in line! Reminds me of when I was a kid in Quincy at Lincoln Drugstore, getting vanilla and coke soda.

Ok, gotta go! Things to do!
Em

2011-08-24: It's a dog's life...

Hmm. What to do today? Yes, what indeed. A lot of running around and last minute errands to run. Clean the house for company...Visit with the from-out-of-towners...Not much time for taking pics and I almost just went with one from the stand by folder. But instead, I saw Taylor and Jeremy's dog Murphy, just perched over my shoulder on the couch trying to teach me how to relax. If I follow by example, I just might look like this:

Very hypnotizing looking into Murph's eyes. While I was trying to get a good picture, his eyes kept drooping shut. next thing you know, I started to doze off. But, I had to snap to and get this posted, and then get on with my list of chores...

Hey Murph - hold the couch down for me, will ya?

See ya
Em

2011-08-23: Couldn't sleep...

Woke up at 1:00 am this morning for no apparent reason... Tried reading, watching movings on my iphone, listening to music on Pandora,  counting sheep. Nada. Then I started to think about my toast I will be doing on Saturday. Little bits and pieces that I want to say. I figured I had it all worked out in my head and would write it down when I got up in the morning. But I was worried that I'd forget it by then so I got up at 2:30, and worked it out. There is so much I want to say about my little girl,  but I know there is only so much time allotted to a toast. I want her to know how very proud her dad is of the woman she has become. Proud of all she has accomplished, and how very proud I am to have her in my life. She is a wonderful person with a smile that lights up a room...

Here is a shot of my beautiful daughter, Taylor at her bridal shower this past Sunday, in a casual, relaxed moment. Anyway, 4 days till the wedding. I'm ready. I know she reads my blog. And she knows how I feel, but I can't tell her enough.

Love you sweetheart!

XO

Dad

2011-08-22: It's Official!

Went to Concord today to get my trade name taken care of. And it's official! Emery Swanson Photography is now a registered NH business. So here is a shot of the state house where I had to go (ok ok. So I had to go to an office across the street. But, I got it done finally and here's the state house.

And Taylor and Jeremy went to Laconia City Hall to get their marriage license. And that's squared away. But the government was working today for the Swanson's.
5 days till the wedding!
What else did I do today?...Went up Borders and bought a couple of photography books. 60% off. Also bought a carousel that I can display my pictures and cards on. One of their fixtures that they are selling off. Such a bummer about them going out of business. I felt depressed when I left the store.
Anyway, I went to the driving range after and my back feels good. That cheered me up. Haven't played all month. T-Time at 7am tomorrow!
Vacation continues!...Don't go back til Sept 1st. Think I'll go grab a beer and check out the new books.
Have a good one
Em

2011-08-21: Take me Back

What an awesome show at Meadowbrook last night by Chicago... 2 solid hours of hits. Sue and I sat 12th row center, and you could just feel the horns pounding in your chest. I first saw Chicago live when I was in my 20's, but I was introduced to them when my Aunt Karen bought me the album Chicago VI back in 1973. After that, I was hooked. I've been to their concerts a handful of times and just love their music. Over 40 years of playing and they still ROCK..Jeeze, where does the time go?

Anyway, I was feeling a bit nostalgic this morning. And wanted to do a shout out to Aunt Karen for all you do, and all you mean to me.  And thanks for introducing me to the music of Chicago. Love you!

And thanks to Chicago for all those years of beautiful music.

Em

2011-08-20: Saturday in the Park - Chicago!

Ah! It's a beautiful day here in Gilford, NH! The sun is shining,my back feels good,  the birds are singing, Sue is baking cookies, Taylor and Jeremy are coming back from Philly, and Sue and I are headed over to Meadowbrook Farm tonite for the Chicago concert! Nice when the bands come to your town to see you..lol.
Other than a couple of errands to run, it should be a relaxing day! Speaking of relaxing, here are a few comfy looking chairs I saw in Meredith the other night by Mill Falls. Hmmm...This might just be another project I'll need to try sometime.

Hey! I now have one item for my scavenger hunt this month - 'Similar Items'. I'd better get crackin. 9 more things to do.

Hey, Have a wicked awesome day!

Em



2011-08-19: Meredith

Had a couple of hours to myself yesterday. Dropped Sue and friends from work off at a restaurant and it gave me the opportunity to wander around Meredith and take some shots of the bay. A nice relaxing evening stroll..Uh-huh. I was using a different tripod-one that was left at my house by someone. It had more gadgets and clips and screw thingys than I knew what to do with. That was frustrating. (note to self-forget yesterday's note and use my nice simple tripod next time) Then I thought I had my mirror locked up...Couldn't get that to reset and couldn't get the camera to work. Turns out the lock on my remote was on so it kept the camera from shooting. After fumbling around for awhile and trying not to look like I didn't know what I was doing, I got situated and everything was working again. Then I'm on the docks trying to get some decent shots and the weekend warriors would keep banging into the dock with their yachts and disturb some prize winning shots. Sounds like a nursury rhyme. Yes, nice and relaxing...But then it was. I walked around and found some stable ground. Checked out the Pats score on my iPhone.(WINNING!)., found a nice park bench, and watched a beautiful night unfold...Here is the Bay Inn in Meredith...

Meredith at night sure is beautiful. Agreed?

See ya! Enjoy the weekend!
Em

2011-08-18: Need some Inspiration!

Hmm. Well I was all geared up to take some shots of my ol friend last night, but it never materialized. The gang of us  hung out at the restaurant till we were booted out and then it was too late/dark to get anything going. Oh well. Had a great time just the same! Nice people. So then I was figuring out what to post today, and realized that I hadn't taken shots of anything of interest in a whole week. Yikes! I've been too wrapped up with feeling sore with this dang pulled back to get in the mood I guess. Well I did try to get a shot of the moon last night over Winnisquam. But nearly got run over when I tried to walk in the dark to a decent spot. And it was kind of windy with the cars whizzing by. (NOTE to self...Need heavier tripod or a sand bag to hold it steady. Oh, and reflective clothes!) Anyway, I'll just post yet another flower shot. This one was on someone's desk at the office last week. (See-it's been a week)...

This would probably make a nice card. I think I'm going to do another art show in October so that's something else I need to start planning for.

I was thinking I might get out tonite and get some shots-no wait! Pats are on...Scratch that..

2 more days till Taylor comes home! 9 days till the wedding! Awesome!

Oh! Tomorrow is worldwide Photography Day.. It was Aug 19th 1839 that the French announced that they were giving photography to the world! After Louis Daguerre created his daguerrotype. Check out this link at PhotoJojo. Maybe I'll come up with something special for that...Got to put on my thinking cap.

See ya

Em

2011-08-17: Out of my comfort Zone

I'm meeting an ol childhood friend of mine tonite who is a singer/songwriter and is back home visiting from California. She aked me to take some photos of her, maybe for publicity or something. Anyway, taking pics of people is well out of my comfort zone. It is much easier to take a picture of a mountain side that is not moving, and something you don't have to get into a dialog with. Being kind of shy like I am, this is going to be a big deal. But it will be a good experience. I've been brushing up on my books where it talks about taking portraits - you know-the chapters I skipped before. Anyway, it will be fun catching up on old times and hearing what she's been doing in the 30 something years since I saw her last. And maybe I'll be able to relax and take some great shots for both of our portfolios. Wish me luck!

But for today's picture, I'm just posting something that I took a few weeks ago. Speaking of difficult...do you know how hard it is to get a Bee to sit still? Well it took a good half hour to get this one to perch...

So, wish me luck tonite! I'm as ready as I'll ever BEE.  ba-dump-bump.

See ya
Em

2011-08-16: Been raining a bit

I know we need the rain, but it's getting Taylor a bit nervous with the wedding 11 days away...And it's New England, so you can't predict the weather. But here's hoping that it will all be nice and dry by then. I'm sure it will be. If not, we'll do whatever we have to do to stay dry. It's going to be a wonderful day regardless. When the kids were little, I taught them how to run between the rain drops. Something my grandfather, Bernard Stevens, taught to me that he learned from his Indian friend Chief Kick-a-Poo up in Nova Scotia. If it does rain, we'll just pass that secret on to our guests. It's going to be a beautiful day!

And here's a little daisy I shot with my i-phone that I hope will brighten Taylor's day! And everyone reading this.

Have a beautiful day!
Em

2011-08-15: The Weirs!

Out on special assignment the other night trying to capture some local memorable spots. And you know, sometimes I feel that there really isn't a whole lot around the area. You've got your Belknap Mill. Your train station. Your big old oak. Lake Winnepesaukee. Lakes Opechee. Lake Winnesquam.. Belknap Mountain..What else is there? But I did find this shot that I hadn't captured before.

Had a lot of good times down there with the kids when they were younger. But, now I know why Taylor and Jeremy moved away. There's nothing here! I think I need a change of scenery too. Someday!

Em

2011-08-14: Cupcake Stand Done!

Last fall, Taylor asked me do build her a cupcake stand for her wedding. Similar to one she saw online. She knows that I like a good project, and I figured it would be a breeze. I quickly found a couple of stumps where someone had just cut down a tree. This was maybe around October,  and I never thought about how to slice up the stump. It was way too wide for my chainsaw, so I tried to find an old sawmill. I mean this is NH, and I didn't think it would be so difficult! Anyway, it got to be, June I think, and I hadn't had my tree sliced up. So I put on a brand new chain, and went to work. And it was a piece-o-cake! I was worried for nothing. I got 4 slices from different stump, and then I cut some birch into 6 1/2 inch lengths on my chop saw. And sliced 3 inch thick disks for legs.I connected it all with double threaded bolts. And voila! Ready for the wedding! With 13  days to spare!

So, now I think I'm ready for the wedding...Not sure about anyone else! Can't wait!

Happy Sunday
Em

2011-08-13: Yay Saturday!

Had a good day today, the meds I'm on are already kicking in and my back feels much better today. Enought so that I went our and did some yard work. Only for an hour or so, but I've had to neglect it lately and there was weed-whacking and raking to be done. Anyway, I feel ok, and the yard looks better! So I feel accomplished.
I also went to a couple of yard sales (bought nothing-YAY!), went out on a photo assignment, and stopped to pick up a couple of things for the wedding. And now, ready to watch Battle:Los Angeles..

Anyway, I almost forgot to post today. So here is a shot from the other day, up at the top of Cotton Hill, facing the back of Belknap mountain with a big storm starting to roll in.

I love this scene over the fence, facing the farmhouse in the distance. There was even a horse behind that bush in the middle. But when I moved to try to get a picture, he trotted off. It was too late at night and he was too fast for me to get a clear shot of him moving.

Ok, off to watch my movie now and do some photo processing. Have a good rest-o-the-night.

Em

2011-08-12: Things a happenin'

Went to the docs to day foe my back.gave me some prednisone and anti-inflammatories. Hopefully that will fix things soon. I've been having no fun.
But in a good note, I was accepted to plan and lead the local Scott Kelby WorldWide photowalk. We'll be doing that on Oct 1st at Kimball Wildlife Forest/Lockes Hill in Gilford. A nice couple hours of hiking and taking pictures. Should be fun. I've set up the walk website, and the Flikr site to post pictures to, and now I just need to get my newsletter done tonite for the club, and start advertising the walk.
I can accept the 1st 50 people, so hope to see you there. Click the website link above to register.
Anyway, here's the shot of the area I took yesterday with my iphone.

But tonite, I have to go out on assignment. Just waiting for the sun to go down.. "What's that boy up to now?"  Can't tell ya.

Have a good night!
Em

2011-08-11: Ruby

We had this bright idea to put our hummingbird feeders right outside our living room window. Doing! Why we didn't think of that before, I'll never know. And right away, we had customers. Here's a Ruby Throated one.

I got this one while I was on the heating pad nursing my aching back the other day. Would have tried for a better shot, but the window was over my left shoulder and it hurt too much to turn. Yesterday I was feeling a bit better, and when I got home from work, Sue said that there was one hummingbird that was back and forth between the tree and feeder all afternoon. Kind of protecting it and keeping other ones away. Apparently they are territorial. So I went  out to the car to get my tripod and camera. And you guessed it....he flew off for the night...Sat there for quite awhile and never saw him again. Figures.

In other news, we were off on a special assignment last night and needed some nice weather...Of course, as soon as we got where we were going, the clouds opened up and it was like a monsoon. Will try again tonite!

Taylor comes home in 9 days! Wedding in 16! Woo hoo!

All right-going out for a early morning walk to stretch out the ol' back.

See you here tomorrow?
Em

2011-08-10: RE:

Surely you recognize this balloon. It was one of the ones that at lease made it up last Saturday, albeit tethered.  I actually got this one with my zoom while it was lying on it's side getting filled up. But thru the magic of image rotation, it looks like its up up and away. Or maybe I was lying on my side and this was upright.

Well, weather permitting, I'm off on special assignment tonite. It was raining this morning when I woke up, and I was just in the mood for walking around the yard taking pictures of wet things. But tonite, I need some good clear dry weather, so here's hoping...And here's hoping my back can take it. Been really bugging me lately, enough so that I made an appointment to get it checked.

Stay dry!
Em

2011-08-09: Pittsfield Balloon Rally

Sue and I went to the Pittsfield Balloon Rally last Saturday, and were dissappointed. It was kind of windy and they weren't going to go up. A couple of balloons did tether up and sold rides, but not too exciting. One of them (pictured below) had to bring it down after a while because the patrons were getting jostled around quite a bit.
My main desire was to be there for a night glow. We waited around for a couple of hours, and still had a couple more to wait, and figured it would never happen. So we went home. Hope we didn't leave too early. Oh well. Always next year. Here's a shot of a balloon from NY as the pilot was blowing it up and it was laying sideways on the ground. I was leaning on the basket.

Kind of like being in the belly of the beast. The balloon team was very accomodating for photographers. There were about 25 of us all huddled around jockeying for position. I figured this was close enough, because when the pilot turned the burners on, I could feel it. I was worried the camera would melt!

I'll see if I can find a couple more interesting ones to post in the next couple of days.

See ya

2011-08-08: Need I say More?

Pulled back again sitting too long working..

Need I say more.

ug

2011-08-07: Project done: The table

Exactly 3 weeks until my little girl Taylor gets married. Wow...I was just checking out her wedding website http://www.taylorandjeremy.com/ and am now listening to a video of a guy who will be playing at her wedding. "Shakey Graves". It's going to be a wonderful day, and I just can't wait....Gotta head out today and find something to wear...Nope...I still haven't done that yet...  :-o But at least I got this done yesterday:

This is a table I made out of mostly birch which was scattered around the woods out back. I thought it would make a nice table for cards or for the guestbook at Taylor and Jeremy's wedding. Kind of fits the country wedding theme. They don't have to use it and I won't be offended if they don't, but I had it in my mind and thought I'd give it a try. This is what I was cutting a few weeks ago on this blog page:
Let me tell you, it's pretty hairy trying to put a round birch log thru a table saw...But I still have all my fingers so I'll call that a success!

On another note, went to the balloon rally in Pittsfield yesterday afternoon. Weather was too windy and only a couple of balloons made it up tethered. One didn't last too long. It was banging all around and he called it quits. We left about 7:30, and didn't stay around long enough to see if they were going to do a night glow. My back was killing me again from sitting to long the night before while working.  But anyway, it seemed too windy and we still had another hour and a half before they would even attempt to do the glow.  So we cut out and went home. Oh well, there's always next year. And this morning I woke up at 4:30...Back is killing still, so I'm going to get this posted, and get out the heating pad...Grrr.. I'm too young for this. And it's raining now, so I won't be golfing today..But I really need to go out walking and stretch. Hmm. It will be a good day to walk around the malls and look for wedding attire. So that's what I'll do! See you tomorrow.
Em

2011-08-06: I Love It Here!

Ok, quick post, since I've been up most of the night working. And now I need to work on some stuff for the wedding. But here's a shot I took with my iPhone, at my in-laws cottage in Hampton Beach last weekend. Kind of says it all.

And hopefully the rain will hold off because tonite we're headed to the balloon rally. Camera batteries are charged and ready to go and hopefully I'll get some nice shots. Wish me luck!

See ya
Em

2011-08-05: Serenity NOW!

Busy day at work today folks. Yes, I don't just hop around the world taking pitures for pleasure. I actually have  a paying gig. And today is one of those all out crazy days. So, a quick shot from last month when I was up in St. Albans Maine. Shot was taken from the water facing the shore. And luckily, ol butter fingers did not drop the camera in the water.  Anyway, it looks kind of peaceful to me, and I need that today....So I'll leave you with this:

Have an awesome weekend. Hopefully I'll get over to the Pittsfield Balloon Rally to get some shots.
Now back to work.
Grant me serenity
Em

2011-08-04: Sailing....

No, I'm not sailing right now, but I saw this sailboat when we were out on our whale watch last weekend. (which produced some boring shots). It does remind me of when we did go sailing in the Caribbean 7 yrs ago with Jim and Sheri. I really want to go back and explore all the islands again. Which by the way is where I got the 'Island' moniker in my blog and website. If I had a real chance, I'd be living on an island in the tropics. Taking pictures, and running my bar...a guy can dream, can't he? Maybe someday...In the meantime, here's the sailboat I saw 20 miles off of Hampton Beach...Well, first a poster edged version I created in Photoshop...And then the original.

Gotta go back....

Em

2011-08-03: Fire in the Sky

There I was, relaxing on the porch, reading a book at my in-laws cottage in Hampton Beach. Not even thinking about getting my camera out. When my better 1/2 says, "The sun's going down at the end of the street, if you want to get it". So I begrudgingly (yeah, right) got out of my easy chair, grabbed my camera, tripod, and shutter release, and ran down the end of Riverview Terrace. This was a shot over the marsh towards Seabrook.

It was like the sky was on fire. And no, the nuke plant wasn't having a meltdown. But it was breath-taking. I love the short. Thanks hon!

So what else is going on...Had camera club last night. Good meeting. I'm going to try and get us enrolled in Scott Kelby's worldwide photowalk, happening on Oct 1-2. We'll try and hike up Locke's Hill in Gilford and get some shots of the Lake. The club seemed excited about it. There are chances for prizes, and we'd only be up against 38,000 other photo walk groups around the world. Piece-o-cake!

And this weekend is the Pittsfield Balloon rally, so I'll def try and get there and get some shots.
Stay tuned!
Em

2011-08-02: Back from the Hamptons...

Hampton Beach that is...Sue and I had a fantastic 13th Anniversary weekend away at the ocean. Let's see...it's August and I finally got my tan that has to last me thru the winter...I do like the beach, but the water was dang cold. I really need lake water or the Carribbean. You know, I don't think I ever saw so many umbrellas out as this weekend. So...people go to the beach...where the water is too cold to go in....and bring umbrellas to shield them from the sun...Hmm...couldn't they just have stayed home? Oh well, getting out helps the economy I suppose. Anyway, here's a shot from my beach chair....

Unfortunately, the weekend ended too soon. Ok, I had Friday and Monday off, but it still is not long enough.
Camera club tonite...I was so busy doing my homework last night that I almost forgot to post here. Never fear...
See ya
Em

2011-08-01: Happy Anniversary!

Sue and I are away in Hampton Beach today. It's our 13th Anniversary!

Love you babe....Need to post an old one from a couple of months ago:

XO

Back home tomorrow, and hopefully I'll have some pictures of whales.

See ya

Em