Hannah and Mike at Six Mile Creek

I work with Hannah Dunn at the Johnson Art Museum at Cornell, and I was delighted when she asked me if I’d photograph her wedding for her. She and her husband-to-be, Mike Ryan, chose Six Mile Creek Vineyard for the venue and we met there to discuss their plans. She and Mike told me the wedding party was going to be large and they weren’t kidding with ten female attendants and six males, three flower girls and two ring bearers. And loads of family members, mostly from out of town. But the cooperation, planning, and great personalities of everyone made the whole day a true pleasure and everything flowed without a hitch. At least none that I could see.

We started with the ladies at Innovations Salon in Ithaca. The girls lounged and chatted as each took their turn. And all emerged glorious and beautiful. Hannah is a striking woman with large intense blue eyes and a captivating smile.

Later, I met the men at the winery where they graciously poured wine for the guys and gave us permission to shoot where ever we chose.

Six Mile Creek is a fabulous location for a wedding beside a beautiful lake with a central fountain, a pergola, and path that wraps around the water, small docks, and a backdrop of grapevines, woods, and flower beds. A small secluded tent was set up for Hannah to get ready out of Mike’s sight.

The weather cooperated all afternoon though the threat of rain was looming. We held on and didn’t see even a sprinkle until we were almost finished with the outside pictures.

John Simon played and sang for the procession and Janet Shortall from Cornell United Religious Work, as she always does, performed an absolutely beautiful ceremony that touched everyone with its love and tenderness and joy.

Afterward, Mike and Hannah made my job easy and seemed up for anything I suggested.

Everyone mingled patiently under the tent while we finished shooting formals and then some special stuff with just the two of them, then everything moved to the reception with wonderful food and tapas from “Just A Taste” in Ithaca.

Like most receptions, the bridesmaids are always the life of the party, inspiring everyone to have the grandest fun time. Everyone danced, laughed, and showered the bride and groom with love and attention, as it should be.

It was a beautiful, memorable night. My thanks to Mike and Hannah, to their great wedding party, their many parents, and all their friends for making me feel welcome and appreciated. You guys were great.

All images are Copyright © George Cannon.

Images from Hannah and Mike’s Wedding are available at:

http://www.georgecannon.printroom.com/

Running To Places does Damn Yankees

Running To Places finished their 2008 season in August with their production of Damn Yankees at Lansing Middle School, in Lansing, New York. And, as usual for this group, did it up so professionally and with such great spirit that would rival any cast of professional thespians. They are an amazing group of young performers and gave stellar performances way above my expectations. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

Timothy Fuchs and Eliza Vann were wonderful as Joe and Meg Boyd. Their duets and tender moments together touched the heart.

Emily Goodell played Gloria Thorpe, the reporter, with her always hilarious and high spirited enthusiasm. And Elias Spector-Zabusky as Mr. Applegate was so entertaining and diabolical.

The ball team gave great group performances with fabulous choreography and a bat juggling routine that was amazing.

Anais Duplan was, once again, so wonderful as Lola. She was comical, sweet, and, despite her devious intentions, became quite lovable in the end.

Hats off to all the cast and crew and support staff. And a big round of applause to Joey, Gail, Todd, and Mike for the great guidance and inspiration you have given this fantastic group of kids. They have done you and themselves proud and I can hardly wait for the 2009 season. BRAVO!

All images Copyright © George Cannon, All Rights Reserved.

Images from Damn Yankees are available for purchase at:

http://www.georgecannon.printroom.com/

Florida Over Labor Day

Labor Day weekend was spent back down on the Gulf Coast. I had a slide show accepted for inclusion in Digital Graffiti, a digital multi-media outdoor presentation at Alys Beach that included works from all over the world. I was delighted to be included, but disappointed when the weather didn’t cooperate. The community there is all white construction, sort of in the Greek style, and the works were to all be shown outside on the sides of the buildings throughout the development. The forecast was perfect, but the reality was that storms rolled through shortly before opening time and ruined some equipment and caused a serious disruption of the event. So about two thirds of the works never got shown. Many are up on their website now, though, and so can still be seen.

The weekend was not a complete bust, however because I was at least still at the beach and was able to get in some good shooting while there. On Saturday morning I got up early to catch the sunrise at Grayton Beach.

This is a neat small community, sort of old Florida with small cottages under the live oaks and a wide beach that allows permitted cars to drive right out to the waters edge. A lot of fishermen actually launch their boats right from the beach there. The community sits adjacent to Grayton Beach State Park with beautiful dunes and grassy marsh areas. I didn’t have a lot of images from the area so wanted to spend a little time there and try to get a few more. It was a beautiful, clear morning in a spiritual setting, quiet and soothing as the sun came up over the marshes and shown through the sea oats.

Grayton Beach is also home to the famous Red Bar, a must see for vacationers who visit the 30A stretch and one of our favorite hangouts. You might have seen it in “The Truman Show” which was filmed mostly just down the road in Seaside.

On Sunday, I went back down to Rosemary Beach to get some shots on the beach there. I have many from up in the streets of the community, the architecture and town shops. But not many of the shore there, so wandered down to take a look. The development there is nearly complete, with few construction sites left and most lots occupied. There seemed to be fewer people than expected, probably due to the threat of the approaching hurricane out in the Gulf that eventually brushed by New Orleans. The clouds were rolling through in waves so gave it a bit of a stormy feel at times, but made for a dramatic sky. The mass of umbrellas and beach chairs were there for anyone who had come for the last summer weekend and took on a life of their own in some ways, looking like bunched crowds or animal herds.

I strolled back up through town stopping again at one of my favorite spots in front of the Pensione where I always want to shoot the stacks of chairs against the pink-orange walls. The contrast and repetition and shiny reflections against the flat intense colors always make for great images (see Artcard #133).

I took some time back at the house to expand on my series of palms. I love the graceful nature of these trees and the variety that exists in the different species.

I always hate to leave Florida, knowing it might be months before I can return. But will always look for another good excuse to make the trip. It feels like a place I need to be.

All Images Copyright © George Cannon, All Rights Reserved.