Beth Ann O'Hara for New Hampshire Magazine

Beth Ann O'Hara, March 2014.

I was assigned to photograph Beth Ann as part of New Hampshire Magazine's "Remarkable Women 2014: Game Changers" article. While known for her theater work, I was more intrigued by a passing reference to her being McGovern's photographer during the NH component of his presidential run. I asked her about this when I visited her, and she revealed that he had invited her to continue with him throughout his national campaign. Her family obligations, however, led her to decline this offer.

I asked whether she had those photographs at hand, but after a search, she couldn't locate them. We promised each other another visit to explore them and discuss this part of state and national history from one who witnessed it in a way few others did.

The above unpublished photograph from our session shows her intricate needlepoint art hanging on the wall. They depict the four seasons.

Olivia Dodd, actress

Olivia Dodd, 2014.

I met Olivia through her work with theatre KAPOW, and I've been fortunate to photograph her in a few of their productions. Still in her teens, her list of roles and accomplishments is already impressive. We had a great session, utilizing both the natural light of my studio and strobes. She was just as at ease in front of the camera as she is on stage.

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.