Taryn + Jason

Taryn and Jason were happily married at the Round Church in Richmond at the end of September. The reception followed at the big, beautiful, newly restored Monitor Barn near by. The monitor barn also has a family connection: Jason's uncle built the gorgeous stone walls! The morning rains cleared to provide dramatic afternoon skies, so we were happy to get outside for a few photos! I was so impressed at all of the love and hard work put in by family members for the beautifully decorated barn and fabulous food! I wish I had an aunt who could cook like Taryn’s!

Here are a handful of my favorite images of the day.

A Tribute to Michelle

Last Monday, the photo editor of the Burlington Free Press sent me out on the most memorable assignment of my life as a photographer.

I tagged along with Michelle Gardner-Quinn’s best friends, Julia and Hannah, while they made and distributed missing person fliers around Burlington.

I was immediately smitten with both of them. I realized quickly that besides the fact that Michelle was missing, they were dealing with some very heavy issues. In the hours we were together, they were inundated with phone calls from media, family, friends, detectives, etc. And despite a few small break downs they were so incredibly positive and full of hope that Michelle would come back. I loved listening to their wonderful stories of Michelle and felt so privileged to be along.

One of the highlights of our walk was when we all stopped to watch a beautiful monarch butterfly on a dahlia, we were so close, but it didn’t seem afraid. We all decided that the butterfly was a sign of hope and we all felt comforted by the thought.

On Wednesday night I received a call from the girls telling me about the overwhelming presence of the national media frenzy over the days. I was honored that my very own Burlington Free Press was the most positive of all their encounters.

They invited me along on Thursday to search for clues in the Burlington Intervale and even though it was pouring rain, I was so happy to help in any way I could.

It was an overwhelming sadness to hear the news that they had found Michelle on Friday.

Hannah and Julia asked if I could make a poster of the butterfly and a couple of the other signs of hope we found for Sunday’s memorial service and it was the least I could do. It was a truly beautiful service.

Afterwards, the girls were taking down the posters and Julia said something that I will always remember. She said that the butterfly we saw wasn’t just a sign of hope, but Michelle herself!

Even though I never met Michelle, I know I would have liked her through the wonderful friends she had.

Here is a poem from the service that touched my heart:

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the uplifting rush of quiet birds circling in flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.

~Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004)

Un Duetto Perfetto

Tom and Julia met at the Marlboro Music Festival in Southern Vermont. So it was fitting that they were married at the Cooper Hill Inn, near the festival, in early September. Julia picked the location because it had a spectacular panoramic view of the valley below; unfortunately, it was under a heavy rain cloud that day.

Tom popped in on his beautiful bride as she prepared for the big day and she told him she was a little disappointed that they would be married in a tent. Tom told her he’d be happy to marry her anywhere, which touched my heart!!

But what a tent! It was beautifully decorated with paper lanterns, big bouquets of colorful Vermont wildflowers and twinkling lights. Their ceremony was so romantic and their guests were so much fun, that I can’t imagine it could have been so festive and intimate any other way. Now they’ve got it all because they’re happily married and got to spend 2 weeks soaking up the sun in Hawaii for their honeymoon!