Hartsbrook School Video Online

Today I'm uploading the Hartsbrook School's enrollment videos to Vimeo.com. There are three, one for the early childhood program, one for the elementary school, and one for the high school.

Hartsbrook High School Enrollment Video from Tom Klitus on Vimeo.

Amherst College

On Saturday, I was in Amherst for Krista and Aaron's wedding. The ceremony was at the Johnson Chapel on the Amherst College campus, with the reception at the Lewis-Sebring Commons, also on the campus.

Great idea: turning their wedding program into a fan, so guests could keep cool!

Got to work with some new (for me) vendors there. Becky Kusek was a great photographer to work with. You'll see great work on her website—I especially like her nighttime exposures using streetlamps and marquees. Dana Collins was the DJ and kept the party moving. And Erica Kates was the wedding planner who kept everything running smoothly.

Waterford Wedding

On Friday I was in Waterford, CT for Emily and Bryan's wedding. All events took place at the Eolia Mansion in Harkness Memorial State Park. It's a beautiful location, overlooking Long Island Sound, with extensive grounds.

It was one of those days we've had most of June, threatening rain. After a brief shower while the bride was putting on her gown in an upstairs room, the weather cleared and the decision was made to go ahead with the ceremony outdoors as planned.

The rain held off until the reception began, followed by clearing, and a rainbow appeared over the Sound. (Which always makes the photographers and videographer happy!)

Longmeadow Wedding

Saturday I was in Longmeadow, MA for Kristen and Greg's wedding. They were married at St. Mary's Church and had their reception at the Longmeadow Country Club. I'll post some stills when I get them uploaded.

I like shooting at St. Mary's. The long center aisle and the balcony give a lot of options for covering the procession and recessional. The Country Club has a lot of beautiful spots for outdoor photos, and the main house is broken up into several rooms for cocktails and dinner, with an outside tented patio for dancing.

Assonet Wedding

On Thursday, I was at Independence Harbor in Assonet for Ruth and Ryan's wedding. I hadn't been there before, and the facilities were so well maintained that I though it was brand-new. I was surprised later to read on their website that it's been in operation since 1976!

We were all lucky, as rain never really threatened. I'll post some video stills soon.

South Hadley Wedding

On Saturday, I was in three towns for Amy and Chris's wedding. We started in Easthampton, MA for some quick shots at the bride's parent's house. Then on to All Saints Episcopal Church in South Hadley. It was packed with guests—it was standing room only, and on what felt like the only hot day in June! After some formal photos at the church, we ended up at Oak Ridge Country Club in Feeding Hills.

Williamstown Wedding

On Saturday, I was in Williamstown, MA for Jess and Michael's wedding. They are both Williams College alums, and were married at the Williams College Chapel. The reception was just up the street at the Williams Inn.

We had great weather and were able to do some shots in some of their favorite places around campus.

Linden Hill School

The last two days, I've been in Northfield, MA, taping the end of year ceremonies at Linden Hill School. I believe this is my fifth year taping there. Thursday night is their awards night, where they hand out sports and academic awards. Friday morning is Prize Day, graduation for their 9th graders who are moving on to high school.

From their website: Founded in 1961, Linden Hill School is the nation’s oldest junior boarding school for language based learning differences. Linden Hill’s highly individualized approach to crafting a learning remediation program for each student has gained Linden Hill an international reputation as a leader in language-based learning remediation for middle school boys.

Lenox Wedding

On Sunday, I was in Lenox for Arian and Aaron's wedding. They were married at Cranwell Resort on a beautiful May day. The ceremony was outdoors on the beautiful lawn. Everything was so enjoyable, from the ketubah signing to the reception toasts. There wasn't a moment where people weren't smiling and laughing.

The Cranwell staff, under the direction of Samantha Talora, was superb, as usual!

Bat Mitzvah

On Saturday, I was in Florence, MA taping Izzy's Bat Mitzvah. The service was at Beit Ahavah (they use the Florence Congregational Church), and the reception was at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Sports Recruiting Video

On Saturday, I was at the New Haven Track & Field Center, shooting a recruiting video for two runners, a brother and sister. Sports recruiting videos are often used to give a college coach their first impression of a high school athlete. They are more commonly used in basketball, soccer, baseball, or football recruiting.

I taped each athlete running a 1600m race, and they each won their heat! What's usually done next is adding graphics & text, like a short bio or list of accomplishments. Freeze frames and graphic arrows can be used to highlight a player, so the coach knows who they're supposed to be watching.

With scholarship money hanging in the balance, recruiting videos are becoming a common investment for potential college athletes.

Pearl Bridal Boutique

I was dropping off my taxes at my accountant's office in Holyoke's Open Square. As described in their website, Open Square is a new mixed-use urban community in the heart of Holyoke's Historic Canal District.

As we were discussing weddings, my accountant suggested that I stop in to the Pearl Bridal Boutique in the next building. I hadn't been there before, so I stopped in and met Ryan, the owner, and explained a little about my business. As for the boutique, it's very stylish and hip looking, set in a renovated factory building with a lot of brickwork and natural light.

As Ryan put it to me in an e-mail: "We too are trying to do something different. We like to be thought of as a specialty bridal boutique. Meaning that you will find designers and accessories not found anywhere else. Brides are able to sit back, relax, and be pampered in a private loft style setting. They feel like they are in a couture salon in Boston or NY, but are here in W.Mass."

Chuppah

I love when these connections happen!

I e-mailed a prospective bride a few months ago, and she recently responded. She was watching the "Ron & Jen" wedding video on my website, and absolutely loved their chuppah. She e-mailed me to find out where they they got it. I e-mailed Jen, who explained that she made it herself, but had blogged about the experience and sent me the link. Actually, Jen reposted the very detailed information onto her newest blog, Willow Street Creative, and the prospective bride was very thankful. It's a must-see!

Jen is an amazingly talented illustrator and artisan who crafted a lot of her wedding accessories. Her blog is filled with detailed descriptions of her handmade wedding items and with great wedding advice, all accompanied by photos. Ron and Jen were married at the Lyman Estate in Waltham, MA.

Hartsbrook Agricultural Arts

Check out this sweet article in the Hampshire Daily Gazette about the Hartsbrook Agricultural Arts program. My kids have really enjoyed working with the animals there, and we've volunteered for weekend duty as a family. It's been very rewarding for all of us to have responsibility for the animals.