“Getting to write our own vows was a very emotional process for us, so when it came time to actually say the words out loud to each other in front of our family and friends it was a really powerful moment. Looking into each other’s eyes and speaking directly to one another while the entire room was just overflowing with love for us, and happiness and hope for our future together… It still chokes me up a little just thinking about it. I’ll always keep those words somewhere safe so that when I need to remind myself of what our marriage was founded on I can call them up and go back to that beautiful moment we had together in front of our loved ones.” – Kait

Emily & Jonah welcomed newborn Ananya into their happy home earlier this year.  I was so touched by the love, tenderness and appreciation with which the older brothers interacted with their baby sister. Stepping into a family’s life for a few hours is so special and intimate.

On Friday, April 1st I will be hosting a Gallery Opening event at Uncommon Grounds Coffee & Tea in downtown Burlington, VT where my documentary Food 4 Farmers photographs are on display. Food 4 Farmers is a non-profit that works with coffee communities in Latin America to address the problem of chronic seasonal hunger. This exhibit offers a window into the daily lives of Nicaraguan coffee farmers and the powerful impact of their work. 

Catherine & Jesse invited me to join them on Valentine’s Day to celebrate Robin’s birthday and create some new family portraits. It had dropped down to -20 degrees the night before, but inside the home everyone was warm. This family knows how to have fun and really loves their dogs. 

“Ben and I have been constituents of Bernie for about 30 years. We’ve seen him first hand in action and he’s been steadfast in working for veterans, students, seniors, and working class families. He’s the only one who tells the truth about how our economy works.  The system is rigged to the advantage of the super wealthy and corporations. And he’s the only one who is willing to take them on.” – Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s

A few photographs from my recent trip to Culebra, PR. I finally had the chance to use my underwater camera rig and see what that felt like (very difficult), and I am happy with the results. It’s always good to attempt your craft in an entirely new way, and it was exciting to learn about light and motion through water. Included are some images of the kind locals I met and a bit of the island scenery.

Three minutes and thirty three seconds for 2015. Observations while on the long trail, finding precious creatures, moments with friends at cafes, book stores, thrift stores, celebrations in Boston, Vermont and Culebra.

Featuring Grandma, Audrey Benedetto, Nick Pierce, Sara Kassel, Abby Bowling, Cale Stoeffler, Adele Levine, Josh Pierce, 3 day old Calvin Pierce, Mom, Dad & Bear.

Growing up in northern Vermont, the Long Trail was a constant presence in my life.  Friends and parents of friends would share their stories of hiking the trail. Looking at the horizon, I could trace its winding path. Like many Vermonters, I am familiar with overnight hiking trips and what the weight of a 40 pound backpack feels like (terrible), but I never considered trying to hike the entire trail.  However, this summer I decided to start section hiking the Long Trail. The motivation finally came from Cheryl Stayed’s memoir Wild, which inspired me to contemplate the idea of hiking on my own. After a lot of research and consulting with Carol Irish, who celebrated her 50th birthday by thru-hiking the trail solo, I have set out to section hike the Long Trail. 

Catherine & Jesse married in Newbury, Vermont on Saturday, September 12, 2015. I loved all of the personal touches and details that were part of this wedding, everything from the cake to the dress was made with love, specifically for the occasion. One of the highlights for me was the ceremony, which literally brought the entire audience to tears. 

“To us, marriage does not have a specific meaning, it’s more of the result of love and hard work. To not just support each other through life’s challenges, but to help evolve to be a better person every day. And with that, our love for each other grows.  Marriage has an infinite amount of sides; from quirky situations to feeling like a child and an adult at the same time. After being best friends for over five years, we have shared every side imaginable. We can’t wait to go through even more the wonderful and weird sides of marriage.” – Jocelyn & Colin