album cover for En Route's debut

Brother and sister folk duo Jon and Alana Babineau of En Route came to the studio a couple months ago to photograph the cover of their debut album. These two have a maturity and sound beyond their years. We had a great session, and, this being also my first album cover, I'm very pleased the results.

Their album release party is tonight at Amoskeag Studio.

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.

Kelly Powers, jazz pianist

Kelly Powers

Kelly Powers

I've gotten to know NYC-based jazz pianist and educator Kelly Powers and her music over the past few years. She's talented, friendly, and easy to photograph. These were made recently at a brief session.

Tim Kile, live

Tim Kile, performing at Imago Dei Café, May 18, 2013

Joe Deleault

Joe and I have been friends for years. Back in February, he invited me to a studio recording session in Portsmouth. This portrait was made at the end of the day.


Joe Deleault, Portsmouth, 2013

Brian Booth

dj cheeks

A recent wedding reception was held at Scullers--one of my favorite places in Boston. I've heard some great performances there (most notably the late Joe Williams, where we had front row seats--right behind his pianist Norman Simmons). This was my first opportunity to photograph there, so while dinner was being served, I spent some time observing and photographing DJ Cheeks and his assistant. I'm very pleased with the results. (More from the wedding soon.)

my first cover

This job came about very quickly last month through a friend's referral. The assignment was to provide the photography for School Band and Orchestra magazine's feature article on Andy Soucy, music director at Londonderry (NH) High School. Both Andy and I were pleasantly surprised (almost shocked) by this--I graduated from LHS and benefited greatly from the music program, which has only grown over the years.

Spending time at the school was a bit surreal, of course, but the return was made easier by seeing some former teachers (who remembered me!). I photographed one of Andy's bands in rehearsal and later some portraits. The photographs chosen for the cover and the article are mine, except the ones of the marching band in action.

Every part of this experience has been great, thanks to Andy and the staff of SBO.

Mirage Band

I really enjoy photographing live musical performances (especially jazz), so I was pleasantly surprised and very excited to see Mirage Band playing at the reception of a recent wedding. An even better surprise was seeing saxophonist Bill Doss, who had just joined the band. Our families met through mutual friends, and the kids were close while growing up: I knew his sister well, and he and my brother played a lot of music together. (Bill was just married last weekend--congrats!)

Some of my favorites:

NH Jazz Orchestra

Much of the last week has been devoted to photographing the student concerts at Manchester Community Music School. The New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra performed after the student jazz concert. I know a few members of the group (including Jeff Jenkins, seen playing in the first photo, who was my brother's and my first piano teacher) and was given permission to photograph on stage (a first).