The other day, I stopped by Kody’s home in Strafford, Vt., to do his senior portrait. Our time together reflected his love of being outside, whether it’s hunting, running with his beagle, or exploring the area in the truck he and his Dad rehabbed. Follow this link to see more and to purchase prints and downloads in the Galleries section of my website.
It was such an honor to photograph Zea and Nick’s wedding recently at the Inn at Mountain View Farm in East Burke, Vt. I’ve known Zea for nearly her whole life – she is the daughter of our wonderful neighbors, Wendy and Jean, at Tunbridge Hill Farm. It was a wonderful celebration; Zea’s horse Penney also made a special appearance! Follow this link to see more photos on my Facebook page, or click here for a larger selection and to order prints or downloads.
In late September, my 37-year run at the Valley News ended. Hired as a staff photographer in September 1989, I covered countless high school games and documented news events and feature stories. I also drove thousands of miles looking for stand-alone photos.
For over 25 years, I was also a photo editor and, toward the end of my time, one of three newsroom leaders. For nearly 25 years, I also helped run a photo internship program that was a stop on the journey for so many successful photographers.
Through it all, I learned so much under the guidance and trust of five editors-in-chief and four publishers. I was willing to do whatever it took to help get the newspaper out every day, working with so many talented photographers, reporters and editors.
In May, the fifth publisher I worked for decided I should strictly be a page designer instead of a newsroom manager. I gave it a go for four months, and concluded it wasn’t for me. It’s time to move on to new challenges and projects.
Here are a few of my favorite photos (with a bit of commentary) from over the years.
In October 1990, campaign manager Ed Flanagan checks his watch as Vermont gubernatorial candidate Peter Welch reviews his notes in a practice room minutes before a television debate with his opponents at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. Spending time with Welch was such a memorable experience for me as he crisscrossed the state on the campaign trail — I even helped with the driving!
Racing legend Richard Petty visited Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., in June 1992, during his last season of racing. It was a treat to cover the Hall of Famer because I grew up watching him race on TV.
A portrait of Ernest Hebert exploding from a swamp was a collaboration with the author – Ernie mentioned it was part of the opening scene in his 1993 book “Mad Boys.” We had a great time trying over and over to get the shot just right (before digital!).
Fourth-grader Kathryn Harris, 9, tries out a trombone during a demonstration of band instruments by David Ellis of Ellis Music Co. at Marion Cross Elementary School in Norwich, Vt., in March 1994. Kathryn’s expression made the photo memorable, and the AP wire published it nationally.
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton listens to an interviewer’s question during an editorial board with the Valley News in November 2007. I used a “grid spot” attachment on the lighting equipment to match her serious stature.
Learning about the phases of the moon, Samuel Morey Elementary fourth-graders Lauren Holt and Collin Gould hold Styrofoam balls toward a light bulb in Fairlee, Vt., in February 2009. I couldn’t believe my dumb luck when the class filed into a darkened closet to run the experiment!
Parked at the junkyard’s fence line in Orford, N.H., in November 2009, a 1957 Chevrolet station wagon faces out to a neighbor’s field in honor of its owner, a friend of yard owner Jim McGoff’s who died young. I brought lighting equipment to highlight the unusual cars Jim had. I was lucky to have the opportunity to do photo projects from time to time.
Dried mud covers typewriter keys that were under five feet of water at the Vermont Standard office in West Woodstock, Vt., in August 2011, during Tropical Storm Irene. I did a very small part of the extensive photo coverage the Valley News did of the disaster that hit the Upper Valley.
Nicole Cormen, center, asks Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, left, at Kilton Library in West Lebanon, N.H., in November 2011. Cormen, a Lebanon City Councilor, wanted to know Huntsman’s alternative if Congress repealed President Obama’s healthcare law. The New Hampshire Primary gives voters (and the media) a chance to get an up-close look at presidential candidates.
With puddles remaining from the fall’s wet weather, Bob Bushway, of South Strafford, Vt., plows with his 1980 Allis Chalmers AC 5040 in Royalton, Vt., in October 2012. The Central Vermont Tractor Club gets together for their annual plowing day, another photo project I enjoyed covering.
Lisa McCrory, of Bethel, Vt., leads her Jersey cow, Cocoa, to the pasture’s edge to milk her early in the morning in October 2013. Milking the cow once a day, McCrory said she gets about 2 1/2 gallons of raw milk a day to sell to neighbors and for her family to use at Earthwise Farm and Forest. Documentary photography was the bedrock of the Valley News photography team; authentic moments like this are the reward.
For the themed issue about beer for Enterprise, the Valley News’ business magazine, I collaborated with editor and page designer Amanda Newman about how to make the illustration work for the cover design in September 2016. Working with my newsroom compatriots to achieve the best possible outcome is a memory I will always cherish.
Stevens High School sophomore Derrick Stanhope, center, cheers with a capacity crowd watching the NHIAA Division III boys basketball state championship with Kearsarge in Manchester, N.H., in March 2017. It was so full that people watched the game on TV in an overflow gym. It was a high-energy game and a lot of fun to cover.
As the sun sets towards the end of practice, Newport quarterback Marius Edwards hands off to running back Josh Sharron in Newport, N.H., in November 2020. The brilliant orange sunset was an unusual moment; I think the photo made it to the front page.
As cardboard cutouts replaced spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mascoma’s Connor Thompson saved the ball from going out of bounds during the first half of their game against Lebanon in West Canaan, N.H., in January 2021. The pandemic was difficult to cover because healthcare organizations wouldn’t allow access. Moments like these still show how out of the ordinary it all was.
Valley News photographs copyright © Valley News
May not be reprinted without permission
It’s truly been a gift to be regularly invited back to photograph Cara and Dean’s growing family in Barnard, Vt., something I’ve done often since photographing their wedding in 2008! Follow this link to see more photographs from my recent visit and to purchase prints and downloads.
After another memorable wedding season, I’m grateful for the many couples who trusted me to document their wedding celebrations while working for Paul Saunders Photography. It’s truly a joy and honor! Here are a few favorites from the past year:
I recently collaborated with playwright and singer-songwriter Lise Michelin to do photographs for her upcoming website. I enjoyed spending time capturing her fun-loving spirit!
Last weekend, Gina Capossela asked me to photograph her students and the Raqs Salaam Dance Theater’s 21st showcase. As always, it’s a fun performance to document! Follow this link to see more in the Galleries section of my website, and to purchase prints and downloads.
Arminja and Scott asked me to stop by this weekend to do family portraits with their spunky son – I photographed their intimate wedding over a decade ago. Follow this link to see more (and to purchase prints and downloads) in the Galleries section of my website. It was a pleasure to see them again!
Elizabeth and Jim asked me back to photograph their growing family, this time at Patch Orchards in Lebanon, N.H. There were lots of places to explore with the kids! Follow this link to see more and to order prints and downloads from the Galleries section of my website.
During times when a Valley News staff photographer is unavailable, I welcome the opportunity to dust off my cameras to document life in the Upper Valley. Here are a few of my favorites from those times:
Autumn Dauphinais, 15, of Sharon, Vt., spends time with No. 329, a Brown Swiss cow that is among the Westlands Farm dairy herd in South Royalton, Vt., sold and transported to Sunset Lake LLC in Alburgh, Vt. “She’s my favorite,” said Dauphinais, who helps out owner Peggy Ainsworth occasionally with her mother and boyfriend.
Jackson Burch, 13, of Windsor, Vt., shows off a chain pickerel he caught with his sister during an ice fishing derby on Lake Runnemede in Windsor, Vt. The event was part of Windsor High senior Cole Anderson’s capstone project.
While defended by Middlebury’s Becka Seeley, Hartford’s Sophie Daniels moves the puck toward Middlebury’s goal during the VPA Division II state championship in Burlington, Vt. Hartford won, 2-0, for their second consecutive title.
From left, Aubree Vail, Emma Bazin, and Madison Barwood celebrate Hartford’s first-period goal against Middlebury after Bazin scored on a pass from Vail in the VPA Division II state championship.
Hartford’s Flynn Moreno takes a moment with the team’s VPA Division II championship trophy after their 2-0 win over Middlebury.
Dana Ireland, of Norwich, Vt., waves an egg carton at passing motorists during a protest against the Trump Administration on Lyme Road in Hanover, N.H. Ireland said showing the symbol of high prices was a last-minute decision. “I didn’t want to leave the house empty-handed,” she said. About 80 people participated in the Saturday morning protest.
Drivers slow to honk their horns in support of the 1,500 anti-Trump demonstrators who lined Maple Street from Hartford Avenue to the end of the bridge over the Connecticut River in White River Junction, Vt. Several demonstrations in the Upper Valley and across the country were held Saturday to express anger over the White House’s drastic changes since January.
Donald Trump supporter Jon K. (who declined to give his full last name) of White River Junction, Vt., waves a 2024 campaign flag at Maple Street and Hartford Avenue intersection.
A participant in an anti-Trump protest in White River Junction, Vt., displays an upside-down American flag as a sign of distress.
Valley News photographs copyright © Valley News
May not be reprinted without permission