Make Your Own CD/Album Cover 5/08

One of my photographer girlfriends had this on her blog, and it was so much fun I had to share it with you. What you do is create your own album cover, but it is all done randomly. You go to one site for the image, one site for the album name, and one site for the artist's name. You end up with your pretend cd cover for your fake band. Its weird that these Egyptians sculptures showed up to me out of all the millions of possibilities, since I visit them often at the Museum of Fine Arts. Weird huh? I liked doing it so much, I had the other two members of the family do one too. Here is mine on the right.

Here is how you can do it:
(Warning! Its fun & addictive!)

The name of your band will be showing up after using this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
Your album name will be the last four words from the last quote on that side here http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The third picture here will be your album cover: http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Put them all together to create your cover, and send it to me and I will post it, or you can email it to me at MrsTsPhoto@aol.com. Enjoy!

Here is my daughter Ana's cover, followed by my husband a/k/a Mr. T:

Cape Cod Scenics May 08

A couple of years ago I did the cover photo of Cape Cod Life Magazine, and also did the cover of the Yellow Pages of Cape Cod. Just recently I was asked to have one of my photos on the cover of the next Sandwich Community School Brochure Book that is coming out for the fall. It is an image of a swan in Shawme Pond, overlooking downtown Sandwich. Even though I am mainly a portrait photographer, I occasionally take some scenics for fun. We are so blessed to live on Cape Cod, the beauty is hard to ignore. So while I was looking through the folder of images, I thought I would share a few with you...
If you are interested, we sell packs of Cape Cod Scenic Notecards. They are
beautiful, and make great gifts too. If you mention that you saw it in the Blog we will give you an extra 5 in your packet!

I Love New York in the Springtime! April 08

In April, I had an awesome photo shoot with a fun engaged couple in New York's Central Park. It was a perfect spring day, and we had a great session. Great job Christine & Darcy- you were fabulous and I can't wait for the wedding!


I brought my husband and daughter with me to the City, and we stayed a few days. We saw the Statue of Liberty from the Circle Line Ferry. We visited The Cloisters, a monastery turned into a museum with fabulous Medieval Art work, as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We ate in Little Italy. We watched one of my husband's favorite music students, Frankie Cogliano, play jazz in a coffee house in SoHo. We visited Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Of course, the part my daughter remembers most is the 5-story M&M Store (thats right- 5 floors of m&m products), the American Girl Doll store and luncheon, & the giant Toys-R-Us. Take a look at our New York slide show below to see Mrs. T's view of NYC!!!

Mrs. T's Music Video of NYC:





Christine & Darcy's Engagement Session in Central Park:

New England Institute of Professional Photography 4/08

I had the pleasure to be the Model Coordinator for New England Institute of Photography 2008 Session, which was held at Ocean Edge in Brewster. Many of the professional photographers in the region close down their studios, and go for a week to study with some of the top pros in the country. Since you spend over 40 hours with the instructors, it is equivalent to a college course, and people work towards gaining merits for their Masters of Photography degrees. It is also a great time to network, and share ideas with other folks in the field. The models came from clients and friends, and were even advertised for in Craigs List. If you are interested in being a model next year, let me know. If you are interested in attending the school, go to www.NEIPP.com . I have made it for over twenty years, and wouldn't miss it.

On the last evening, there is a banquet dinner and the theme was The Great Gatsby. They hired a sixteen-piece big band, who happened to be Stage Door Canteen. My husband is the co-leader
of the band, and a jazz-guitarist. They had the place jumpin' & jivin'. They were such a hit, they have already hired them for next year.

American Girl Doll Fashion Show & Tea

If you have a daughter between the ages of 3 and 12 then she probably has at least one American Girl Doll. They have dolls for different times in history, along with the books about their lives, and the clothing and items from that time period. Some are from the Revolutionary War period, one is from the Prairie/old west, one is from the turn-of-the century, etc. Boy did I feel old when they recently created one, "Julie", who is from The 70's. Well, anyway, there was recently a Fashion Show and Tea held at a hotel in Boston, for Mothers, Daughters, and their dolls of course. It was great fun. I went with another photographer mom and her daughter (Sarah Thornington & Adriana). We had lots of fun! We also spent the night in town at a fabulous hotel that was chi-chi and extra fancy for the girls. It had leopard rugs and robes, and fur blankets, and best of all it was attached to the Cambridge Galleria Mall. The hotel is very european contemporary in design, The Hotel Marlowe, and I recommend it highly!

World's Largest Snow Woman 2/08

We went up to Mt. Abrahm in Maine to ski over a February weekend.
We saw the World's Largest Snow Woman, which was made as a tourist attraction in Bethel, Maine. Indeed, it was HUGE!!! It stood about 10-12 stories tall, was made with 13,000,000 lbs. of snow (!!), has 5-foot wreaths as eyes, real skis for eyelashes, 5 foot tractor tire buttons, and christmas trees for arms!! You really don't get a sense of the scale, until you stand beside it.
It was really great! Last year they had the largest Snow Man, so this year it was the Woman. If
you get a chance, drop by and see it. Its free, and its something you won't forget....

Mrs. T Wins State Photography Awards

At the recent convention of Professional Photographers of Massachusetts, I won three ribbons for three prints. I entered my favorite images that I also painted in my art show last year.

First one is called "Emily's Pastime" starring Emily Healy. The second one is of my daughter, Anastasia, and it is titled "Dream Girl". The third one is of Lauren Anderson, called "Glamour Girl". They were all a big hit at the convention, and all of the girls are stunning and just as beautiful inside too. Thanks girls!

Women's Winter Weekend 1/08

Okay, so if you have not gone away for the weekend with your girlfriends yet, you've GOT to do it!
What a blast! A group of women photographers from the Cape went away together to New Hampshire, near Loon Mountain. I didn't ski, but we did go Snowshoeing on a trail. It was so peaceful and hushed in the woods. Not a sound could be heard except the crunch, crunch of our snowshoes in the snow. Some of the group caught sight of a baby moose.
We also cooked all the meals together, played games, laughed til we cried, and we watched the movie "Waitress". Made us hungry for pies, and we made a date to get together and make one together in the future.....

































I recorded the beautiful sight and sound of a trickling mountain stream on my camera.
Here it is. Just like a soothing bedtime cd:

Medical Portraits 1/08

"Creating Life at a Fertility Clinic"


Those of you who know me from weddings or other portraits, may not realize that I also do photography for a medical magazine called MD News Magazine. There are three issues, one for Boston, The North Shore, and Southeastern Massachusetts. I do several sessions a month, and photograph whatever cutting edge medical breakthroughs, new techniques, and the area hospitals and top doctors and surgeons in the country or the world! It is a great honor to go in to their operating rooms, and photograph them in their real environment. Here is what I look like when I get suited up in scrubs to go in to the OR- not too glamorous- but it is fun.

Here are a few recent images.

Disney Was Mobbed! 1/08

January 2008

For Christmas vacation, my family and I went to Disneyworld in Florida-for a REST after the busy season. Big mistake....it was so packed it was more like being in Tokyo, or in Times Square on New Years Eve. There were so many people in the park that for the first time in fifteen years they had to close the admissions gate- unfortunately it was right after we got in. "Sorry folks, park's closed"... remember John Candy as the security guard in the great 80's movie Vacation? Well, the fast passes were sold out until midnight as soon as we arrived in the morning. It was a 3-5 hour wait for every ride, and two hour wait for lunch. I almost went as crazy as Chevy Chase when he punched Marty Moose! It was a good thing I didn't see Mickey. But anyway, the best part was how the castle looked at night with millions of sparkly icicle lights. Here are a few photos.

Studio Redone

We just wanted to upgrade my desk in the studio............but you know how it goes.
One project leads to more and more. Well, the new cherry desk needed a hutch to hold all the extra papers & then of course a new file cabinet to hold the printer. Then my assistant's desk wouldn't match so we got one for her too. Well then the new furniture doesn't look right with the old walls, so we had to repaint the room, and the bathroom, etc. etc. Does this ever happen to you? What a mess it was, but now its all worth it! The new space looks and feels great. The new color really makes the images pop off the walls. And it feels calmer with less clutter. Of course, now I am looking for a new loveseat...and drapes.... What do you think? Got the cherry office furniture at Staples online, and it was FREE shipping, thank goodness, because it weighed a ton!

Great Book! 11/07

Just wanted to recommend a really great book I recently read called
"The Mayflower" by Nathaniel Philbrick. He is an author/historian who lives on Marthas Vineyard and was researching the Wampanoag tribe there, when he decided to trace all the way back to their history with the Pilgrims. Wow! It is fascinating, and fills in a lot of gaps and corrects a lot of myths we have learned about both the Pilgrims and the Indians then. And the coolest thing is that it mentions many of the areas on Cape Cod, and surrounding areas of Plymouth, and Middleborough, and Rhode Island. Most of these sites or historical markers he speaks of are still there for you to discover. After reading the book, I happened along Route 6A one day, and came across a marker that showed the area where a pilgrim-friendly Wampanoag village was located, whose young and handsome chief Iyanough had died. Sound familiar? They said Iyanough is where the name Hyannis & Wianno come from. Anyway, if you are a history buff like me, it is a fascinating read.

Marine Birthday Ball 11/07

This is the third year now, that I have had the honor of photographing the annual Marine Corp. Birthday Ball which is held in November. This is a special formal occasion, complete with a ceremonial cake which is fed to the oldest Marine in attendance, and then to the youngest, to symbolize the passing of the torch. It is very special to be able to photograph all the handsome uniformed young men, and their beautiful dates in gowns. My own son and his fiance are in attendance, and I proudly watch him carry the American Flag for the ceremonies. Most in this unit have already been to Iraq, but some newer ones are scheduled to go soon, just after Christmas. My heart aches for their mothers, as I know what they will go through when they are gone. Watching CNN, hoping to catch a glimpse, praying every moment of the day that he was okay. I would wake up in the mornings with little curved cuts in the palms of my hands, because I was so anxious I would sleep with my fists clenched and my fingernails would gouge into my palms. It was the toughest year of my life.

But now, two years later, he is here dancing at this ball, with his lovely fiance in her pretty red gown. He is looking forward to marrying her in a year and a half. Lets hope this new group of 18 and 19 year old boys comes back home to their moms too. All I want for Christmas if for this war to end, and all the troops to return home where they belong. Peace!

P.S. Do you know a local family with a loved one about to be deployed?? Mrs. T will give them a free family portrait session before they go. Just have them give the studio a call.

President, Me? 9/07

I have been vice president of a professional trade association for a year now, and on the board for two years before that. I thought I had another year before I moved up, but to my surprise the old president had to step down, so I became President of The Professional Photographers of Cape Cod (http://www.ppocc.org/) now. Well, I am excited for the opportunity. It is a really great association, with a group of photographers who help and support one another in business. Many trades aren't as willing to help their competitors, but fortunately we are friendly competitors. We often have speakers, some about photography, and some about other areas of running a business. If you know of a good speaker, let me know. We now have our monthly meetings at the Hyannis Golf Club (http://www.hyannisgolfclub.com/) and it is a great room if you ever need a nice bright airy meeting space, or place for a party. I recommend it!

My Garden Party Art Show 8/07

Above Event Photos provided by Dianne Marshall

In addition to photographing portraits, I also can paint them. This August I was finally able to have an exhibit of my paintings for clients and friends. We had it in the garden for about 50 people, with great food, and live jazz music playing. It was very exciting because the subjects in the paintings had not seen them yet, so it was a complete surprise to them when they were "unveiled" to everyone. I had chosen some beautiful children of deserving moms that give to the community, such as the head of the PTA, and other volunteers.






Here are some other images from the show too.

My theme for this self-assignment was to paint in the style of John Singer Sargent, one of my favorite artists. Here are a few examples. What is your favorite???



Next year I plan to do another show, with the theme of Norman Rockwell. Do you know someone who would be a great subject for that? If so, email me at MrsTsPhoto@aol.com. If you would like to book a session to have a painted portrait done of someone you love, call the studio today to book it (508)539-8134.
I promise you will cherish this for the rest of your life, and it will grow in value over the years as it becomes a family heirloom.

Hammock 7/07

There's a hammock in my backyard, that I bought two years ago, and I have actually never been in it. There is always so much to do, especially in summer since it is the busy season. Sometimes while fervently working away on the computer, editing wedding or family portrait images, I look out the window at that hammock and think longingly "someday.......". As a business owner, and a mom, there is always work to do, calls to return, rooms to clean, a kid to bathe, laundry to fold, and millions of other projects awaiting my attention. I never allow myself time to just goof off. I would feel too guilty. But I know I must work on that to cut my stress levels down. Maybe right after I walk the dog, pay the bills, make the dinner, and take my daughter to karate lessons....

I am the Mother of the Groom 6/07

Well I have been a professional photographer since I was 22, and back then I was the age of the bride. Now, over twenty years later, I am the age of the bride and groom's parents. Now this year I have had the pleasure of actually having my own son Zack get married. I say pleasure, because it was magical and romantic, and I have dreamed of my children's weddings for many years since I am in the business. Everyone asks who did the photos for OUR wedding, and the truth is we had a table of seven of my photographer friends there as guests who all brought their cameras. So we had seven unique points of view, and got some fantastic images. But at one point during the ceremony I had to chuckle because it was like the paparazzi was there, popping out of the bushes, behind trees, in the front, and in the back. It was really quite funny. My son and his bride are very close to their dogs, a pit bull "couple" named Louie & Kaya who also attended and took place in the ceremony. The best part was that people blew bubbles during the outside ceremony, and when one photographer (Mark O'Connell) took the shot it captured little rainbows in each bubble. Here it is, what do you think? The main photographer was long-time friend Denise Passaretti, whose own son is getting married in Sept. 08, and I will be his wedding photographer. Here is one of Denise's images of my "kids" and the dogs.

Brownies 5/07

Well, I have been the leader of my daughter's Brownie Troop for two years and it has been so much fun. Now it is time to hand over the reins to some other capable moms, since my schedule makes it so difficult to fit in all the behind the scenes planning and prepping it requires. However, as my last act as leader we went on a Mother/Daughter overnite camping trip nearby at Camp Lyndon. About 16 girls and their moms stayed in four rustic cabins. We all had a wonderful bonding time together.