Michael & Danielle

Wednesday was gorgeous - a perfect day to photograph Michael and Danielle to celebrate their engagement and make 'Save the Date' cards!

I have worked with Michael's family for many years, since he was just a little guy, and it's such a pleasure to meet his true love Danielle. We had a blast just chatting and wandering around Shelburne and Charlotte looking for 'photo ops'.

We went to the beach, the Charlotte Post Office (yes, that's right) and found some beautiful lupines on Greenbush Road.

Michael and Danielle have chosen October, 2009 for their wedding - another beautiful time of year here in Vermont. I can't wait!

Check out their video below and visit again to see the wedding photographs!

Watching them grow!

I first met the family in 2006 when Veve was 5, Gaege was 2 1/2 and Bre was only 1. Ryan and Stephanie's children were so beautiful and we had a wonderful session. The family moved to New Hampshire soon afterward and I wasn't sure I'd see them again, but Stephanie wanted new portraits and drove over from Littleton. Wow! They had grown so much, especially Bre and we had another great photo session.
I photographed the whole family this time and we had a blast. Ryan works in construction, like my husband Ed, so we had plenty to talk about. When Stephanie came back to Vermont to choose her portraits, my grandkids were visiting and the afternoon turned into a fun play date. Maybe the kids can get together again when she picks up her finished portraits - now, you may ask, why don't I just send them to NH? Well, Stepahnie says she likes an excuse to come back to Vermont!
Thank you, Ryan and Stephanie, for bringing your family to see me in 2009!

Hanging by A Note

My love of Celtic music lead me to the Burlington Irish Heritage Festival where I met a remarkable young woman. Hannah Beth is a gifted young fiddler whose first solo album is called "Hanging By A Note".
Her love of music began when at age three, her family moved to Glasgow, Scotland. After returning to the U.S., Hannah Beth learned to play the violin, beginning classical lessons at age seven. When she was nine she went to a Natalie McMaster concert and her love of the fiddle was born.
Hannah Beth is a member of two Celtic groups, Fiddleheads and Switchel and has performed at the Flynn Space as part of the Young Traditions Showcase. She is a natural performer, poised and joyful on stage, and has a delightful personality.
In her words, "Colors? Yes, that's another part of my music. I have music-color synesthsia (also known as Chromesthesia), when the senses cross. In my case I see colors when I play music. My music has many colors that change day to day.
"My world is my music and I can't picture my life without it".
My son Anthony has played the Uilleann bagpipes (Irish) since he was thirteen, so I felt we had a connection. I really enjoyed getting to know Hannah and her parents and I know she is going places!
The music on the slide show below is from Hannah Beth's second album "Eternal Friendship". Enjoy!

A Memoir to be savored

I had a fun project earlier this year. Robbie Pfeufer Kahn has written a book about life with her beautiful dog Laska. Laska lead Robbie to many new insights and she describes their loving and learning relationship very movingly in her book.

"Milk Teeth; A Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog" has just been published.
Said one critic, "If one were interested in finding a gold mine of information about the psychological aspects of the human-dog bond, this would be the place to turn..."

Robbie and Laska came to the studio for a portrait to use on the book cover and we took a lot of wonderful photographs.
You can buy "Milk Teeth" at Amazon.com and learn more about Robbie at the "Milkteeth" web site.

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS

Could you wish for a cuter Christmas angel?
Ellen's family came to the studio for holiday portraits during my Toys for Kids promotion in December. The concept is simple - the family brings a new, unwrapped toy for the holiday collection drive and they get a free portrait session. Every one wins!
I want to thank all my regular and new clients who participated this year - together we collected a pretty big pile of goodies for neighboring families. I enjoyed seeing you all and the chance to help out in our community.
So to all my friends, young and old, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANNUKAH, PEACEFUL KWANZAA AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Don't forget to check out my Double Your Money holiday special at www.gillianrandall.com /Galleries/Portraits/Specials. This special, good for any portraits taken in 2009, expires on Dec. 31, so take a look!

Picking Apples

THIS was a gorgeous day! I photograph Finn and Rory fairly regularly and their mom had a great idea for our 2008 session. We went apple picking at Shelburne Orchards just before sunset. Nick Cowles and the staff were great and let us AND new puppy Rowdy wander around looking for the best apples.
Finn and Rory are active, happy kids and we all had a blast. They took home every apple they didn't eat and will have wonderful memories of playing in the orchard. I can remember visiting an apple orchard for the first time soon after my family moved to Vermont and I wish we had taken pictures!

Patrick SBHS 2009

Patrick is an outdoors kind of guy who enjoys sports and he chose to be photographed near the lake. We had great weather, even though it's late in the season for environmental portraits.
He is intelligent and articulate, thinking of studying government next year.
If you know Patrick, let me know when you make an appointment for you senior portraits and you'll get 16 FREE wallets and he'll get 8. Call now - your yearbook photo deadline is looming!