Greg

He was loading the delivery van outside the store. I approached him and introduced myself, asking if he was the owner. He's the manager. Which surprised me because he seems totally committed to the place; he's a great face for the owner in any event.

Mike

Mike told me that I'd already taken his picture in the spring. I wasn't convinced. Turns out I was right. I did get a picture of his partner-in-coaching, but I never posted it because I just didn't like it. Mike and Bill coach track at the high school and my son John has spent a considerable amount of time with them. Mike is only out of college a couple (few?) years and runs with the distance guys. He still competes as well. Coincidentally, he is the son of Brendan's second-grade teacher.

Emily

This is one of my favorite portrait locations. My dogs' vets exam room. I was excited to hear Emily tell me that they are expanding into the adjacent space and that they will paint the walls all kinds of bright happy colors. The room has great window light and is always so clean. Emily has been helping Finn recover from an "inter-digital cyst" which means a gross growth between his toes. Finn is a very cooperative, if somewhat nervous patient. He says thanks to Emily.

Greg

I'd been meaning to get Greg on this blog for some time. Today, when I walked out of the house, I was excited to see him in the yard, raking leaves. It's a full-time job to keep up with them in late October and November around here. Greg was raking the leaves on his mother-in-law's property (across the street from me). He's a real self-sufficient guy, and his approach to lawn care is to grab the rake and do it. His being dressed in black-and-red flannel was a real plus for visual interest here.

Dick

Made a quick trip to Maine to visit with Mom and Dad. Didn't have time to get anyone other than Dad here. Used the morning light coming in from the door to do a real directional-light shot. With the light and dark sides, and the asymmetrical expression, it's almost like two people here. Block half his face with your hand or a paper. Then the other. See?

Jim

Jim is the last member of the Bride family to grace this project. I actually shot him before but could not solve some lighting issues, so he gracefully agreed to be re-shot. Much better. Thanks Jim.

Homer

Window light really captures the nuances of his hair and eyes. And of course, he really works it for the camera, doesn't he? A neurotic, dignified dog.

Riley

Riley and Grace share much in common including their interests in soccer and student government. Yesterday was the induction of the student council and they are both classroom representatives. I'm surprised this is even in focus as I was experiencing the strangest allergic reaction while this was taking place. My eyes were runny, I was sneezing constantly and my nose was a faucet. Very uncomfortable.

Bella

This was taken at the conclusion of a two-day soccer tournament against some very tough competition. Bella played a stalwart defense the whole weekend, and the team really needed her to. She was the steady star of the weekend. Other players might have chances to score or make acrobatic saves, but Bella really shines when the other team is charging down the field, one pass away from a breakaway. And we all appreciate her for it. Great job Bella!

Ben

The odd thing here is that Ben not only knew what a book indexer does, he also knew another one personally. And not only that, but I knew her too. Crazy world, huh?

Bill

After the wedding ceremony at the Old Narragansett Church, we lingered about the church yard and enjoyed the nice fall day. As I was going inside to take a few more interior shots without the people, we encounted Bill, who is the church sexton. He was straightening things out and going about closing up the building. He gave us a crash course in its history and showed us the oldest organ in service in the United States, which had been played during the ceremony. Gilbert Stuart was baptised in the church in 1756.

Pam

In a lovely ceremony at the Old Narragansett Church in Wickford village, RI, Pam officiated at the wedding of her son, Aaron, to his wife, Jennifer. It was a beautiful ceremony on a beautiful day in a beautiful church. Congratulations to the bride and groom and their parents and family! And thanks for having us there.

Nick

Another from a senior portrait session. Funny how everyone wants the smiling shot. I've known Nick for a while, since he was in middle school with my boys. He really seems to have a good head on his shoulders, with a sensible approach to school, athletics and the college search. He's a good lacrosse player who lost his whole junior year season to a broken collarbone. Hope he survives the coming year in one piece.

John

So I'm picking up my suit in time for a wedding this weekend and I open up a "corporate" account for the discount. Sole proprietors don't get offered "corporate" anything for the most part. So when I told John here what my job was, he started to tell me about his connection to the world of books. Seems that he's pals with Ridley Pearson from way back in the 70s in this area. Pearson was an aspiring writer and musician back then, with screenplays taped to his wall and playing music too, in his band, Big Lost. Well, seems that Pearson is in RI this weekend for a couple gigs with the old band, including ... John La Moia on drums. You may recall that Pearson is a member of the Rockbottom Remainders (a rock band with Dave Barry, Stephen King, Amy Tan, Mitch Albom, and others). Oh, and the last connection is that Pearson's Lou Boldt series features a character named ... wait for it ... John Lamoia, the model for whom is here at the top of the entry. I hear he's a real ladies man. The character, anyway. Oh, and did I mention that his voice has the mellifluous rhythms of Christopher Walken, an actor who always brings a smile to my face.

Natty

Natty is making his third appearance on this blog, which is certainly a record for a non-family member. But he spends so much time here that he might as well be family. It's senior portrait time and this is an outtake from the shoot.

Jim

Jim had an air of disgruntlement about him. And I don't blame him. This picture was taken after more than two and a half hours of waiting for his flat tire to be repaired. After his first effort (a smile that he surely wasn't feeling), I asked him to give me a "serious" look. Despite his look, he was a real nice guy and a pleasure to meet. He's a retired 3M products distributor whose first car was a 1937 something-or-other. I wasn't listening closely enough at that time.

Dan

AAA is always at your service. Even when you wake up one cold drizzly morning to realize that your tire is flat. Guess it's better than some lonely dark road in the middle of the night.

Program Guy

Wasn't really sure this would be in the daily portrait collection, so I didn't get his name. He had a helluva smile though and reminded me a lot of this local guy.

Paul

Paul came to the house yesterdayto pick up our donation of clothing to Big Sisters. He's been with them a year and seems to enjoy it.

Geri

Just as I'm about ready for my haircut, Geri gets a phone call with the news that her car's air filter has been infiltrated by mice stashing bird seed, clogging it and ruining the sensor. An expense that she wasn't planning on to say the least. Then she told me the story of how a tree in her yard had always been a flocking ground for a thousands of sparrows from all over the area. One day, though, her Lhasa Apso came out and barked at them. And they never came back again. The image stays with me. I love the window light that comes in here, and Geri really gave me a lot to work with. Thanks for the haircut Geri!

Ed

Attended a cross-country race at Portsmouth Abbey yesterday. Ed was the winner. He's actually a better tennis player than runner, and from what I hear a whiz-bang student as well. Anyway, it was a great day for a run in the fields and the Abbey team acquitted themselves with much honor. Kudos!