Lauren Karjala, artist

Lauren Karjala, 2012.

I met Lauren a few years ago through her family (her father is a photographer). I was beginning to actively photograph artists in their studios, so I asked to visit her. At that time, she was living and working in the basement of her grandmother's condo, which had been transformed by her figure paintings, drawings, and sketches of all sizes.

Towards the end of our visit, I realized that, during our conversations, she had been sketching me. Before we parted, she wiped it away.

Lauren's senior exhibit opens at the University of New Hampshire's Museum of Art on Friday.

Grace

Grace, August 2013.

Grace is the older sister of Christopher Duffley, who was in the studio last year for some promotional photography. She is a talented artist and musician in her own right, often performing with Christopher, who, despite being blind and autistic, has awed thousands in person and millions online with his musical performances. But her tremendous love and support of her brother is immediately obvious.

Towards the end of our session, I asked her to sit for me, and she obliged.

Andrew Sterling in Mill Pond Music Studio

Last year, producer Joe Deleault invited me into the recording studio to photograph Andrew Sterling as he finished his album. We spent a few hours in Jim Prendergast's Mill Pond Music Studio in Portsmouth, NH, reviewing previous results, recording a few more tracks, and watching Andrew and Jim work. The environment was relaxed yet technically precise, and everyone ended the day pleased with the results.

Carlo D'Anselmi, artist

While I was in NYC last month, I visited Carlo in his New York Studio School space to see some of his new paintings and drawings. His bold work is attracting attention: he had just finished a two-person show at the school. He and I (among others) will have work in the inaugural Alumni Exhibition at Saint Anselm College, which opens soon.

Carlo D'Anselmi, New York City, February 2014.

a cover for Parable Magazine

Claire Aucoin had been a person of interest for Parable Magazine's editors for some time, but her work in Colombia kept the New Hampshire native far from her home. So when she was here briefly last summer, author Gary Bouchard and I visited her together for an interview and some portraits. As she related her personal history and awe-inspiring work for Colombia's poorest at a nearby church, Gary and I both realized that hers was a much larger story than initially thought.

Knowing that I may not have access to her again, we asked to see her family farm, where many of her siblings still reside and work. Knowing this would very likely become a cover story, I made portraits in multiple locations there. The resulting article and photographs were just published.

character portraits for theatre kapow's "Penelope"

For theatre kapow's production of Penelope by Enda Walsh, director Matt Cahoon and I decided to create character portraits for promotional use. If the results are compelling, it is due to wonderful and talented actors.

The performances are this weekend, and even more photos are available on their Facebook page.

Neal Blaicklock as Fitz

Wayne Asbury as Quinn

Colby Morgan as Burns

Peter Josephson as Dunne

Gina Carballo as Penelope

Littles and Bigs

On an early December morning, I photographed a fundraising event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester. Part of my task was to create portraits of the Littles (in their lingo) with his or her respective Big. Given the hundreds of supporters waiting in the next room, our time was limited, but I hope the portraits reflect the ease and comfort of these special relationships.