People new in my life ask me all the time, "What do you do for a living?" And I tell them that I am a photographer. Then they almost always say, "Oh that must be so much fun, what a great job you have."

It's true, it is just the most interesting, challenging and fun job I can imagine! I end up in the strangest places with the most amazing people trying to figure out how to get a really good photograph of what other people hope to see.
I refused to take typing when I was in school because I didn't want to be a good enough typist to be tethered to a desk - ever! Well, I now wish I was a better typist, but I did it… I have managed to spend the majority of my working world NOT at a desk. I really do have one of the best jobs in the world. Look at just a few of the jobs I've had in 2011.

The opening photos are of a very special man, Muraina Akinfolarin, the founder of Oasis International in Providence, RI. Oasis is a community based organization that helps African immigrants transition to become residents of the U.S. - no easy task for Mr. Akinfolarin or the African immigrants. Please read more about him, he is a very wonderful person!

This is a photo taken (in the dark) in the very old (built 1912) Orpheum Theatre in New Bedford. This gorgeous relic is going to be restored someday. With the help of RWU Historic Preservation graduate student (and fine builder), Duane Houghton, we toured the decrepit and incredible theatre, visiting the "Sharpshooter's Club" shooting gallery, the projection booth and the main once gorgeous auditorium. We even found some of the original admittance tickets.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I have always loved and owned horses, so this photo shoot was close to my heart. This is equestrian extraordinaire Shannon O'Keefe riding Phil. In case you didn't know, RWU has a terrific equestrian team!

These are photos from the barn at Linden Place in Bristol. This RWU graduate, D.J. Sevigny started cleaning out this historic treasure so that it can be rehabbed and become the new home of the Bristol Art Museum. Before throwing out the junk (he filled a 10 ton dumpster!) he had to sort and catalogue all sorts of pieces of wood and tile; scraps of wallpaper, and windows and doors so that the barn can be restored reusing pieces of the original structure. We climbed up into the rafters to get a view of the space.

Meet Karin Tammi. If you ever need to smile, go visit her at the RWU shellfish hatchery. She knows everything about scallops, EVERYTHING. She taught me that they have about 60 bright blue eyes, and they can swim! This is a photo of Karin in front of a tank of scallops - look closely and you can see one of the scallops swimming! Karin has written a book, "Scallops: A New England Coastal Cookbook". The recipes are yummy and the photos are beautiful, check it out.

I had the gift of photographing and listening to Edward Albee, the esteemed playwright.

I listened to and photographed Fernando Bermudez, a miraculous man. He spent 18 years in Sing Sing prison, wrongfully convicted of murder. He maintained his innocence and thanks to the intense pro bono work of lawyer, Alan Kaufman his conviction was overturned. He is pictured here with Betty Anne Waters (The movie, "Conviction" is about she and her brother) and Attorney Kaufman.

Of course I have to include two of my favorite brides from this year.

I photographed the opening of the new showroom for Stoneblossom Floral and Event Design. It is exactly what I would expect from the owner, Joyce Holland, a most elegant space with perfect, magical details. Russ Morin's staff created a Tuscan table worthy of a Cezanne painting. The whole event was a mini taste of the creative genius that Stoneblossom and Fine Catering by Russ Morin put in every job they do.

And finally, the best for last! A week old baby girl and her wonderful father. More about this in my Mother's Day blog.

Happy Spring, and I hope you find peace and joy every day.