Boston Musician Headshot & Album Cover - Kat Goldman

When Kat contacted me about creating images for a new album and website, I fell in love with her gypsy vibe and soul searching honesty. When I asked what location would express her new album best, I was totally surprised when she said Harvard Square in Cambridge. Really?! I always kind of imagined a gypsy traveling along in the wilderness somewhere near a dusty road, but I was up for the challenge and was curious to see what we'd be able to create in this all too familiar place for so many city dwellers. With the help of some toussled hair styling from Pyara Aveda Salon, a little lace and fringe, and some beautiful golden sunlight, I think we achieved that road-well-traveled gypsy vibe, with just a dash of hopeful whimsy that comes out in her music...


These images were also quite a big departure from my normal happy headshot work- and I had to stop myself from trying to draw out more smiles than Kat wanted to convey. Thankfully, a quick share from the back of the camera confirmed I was capturing the look she wanted so that I could just run with it and let the lyrics from her soul play out on her face. I can't express how much I love working with other artists and being a part of their creations.


Her new website and album are officially available- so definitely check out her music and help support a local independent artist: http://www.katgoldmanmusic.com/

Kat - thank you so much for introducing me to your story and your music. You make the world a better place by being honest about yourself and sharing it with others. ;-)

Sh! The Octopus - Band Photos

Isn't that a crazy name for a band? I love it! When Christine told me that her indie rock/folk band, Sh! The Octopus needed some new band photos for their press kits, I was thrilled that they chose me to be their photographer!! I love photographing bands for so many reasons, but especially because I love promoting independent artists and sharing their art with others!



As we talked about possible settings for their photoshoot, we intially had plans to use a diner, but when our ideal diner location was closed, we decided to head out to Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum! What a fun place that proved to be!!! Floor to ceilling, wall to wall, the place was crammed with antique and modern arcade games with a touch of whimsy and truly bizarre stuff! It's so unassuming from the outside that you could easily completely miss all of the fun inside, but if you're ever NEAR Farmington HIlls, MI, you've GOT to check this place out! You really have to experience it in person.



Paved paradise and put up a parking lot?


We then headed out a high school (don't remember which one) to get some great outdoor shots..









Check out their list of upcoming shows by CLICKING HERE to see if they're playing near you!

Bergen Interactive Music Conference

Previously, when I would join Alex for international music conferences, I was an active participant- engaged in the educational research and international implementations of curriculum and ideas. This year I took a less active approach, and only attended a few bits of the actual conference.

Even though my body wasn't quite ready to wake up for Alex's 8:30 am presentation, I made it and was happy to be there right up front cheering on my hubby.


Since I was already hanging out with the conference group, I joined them to see a performance dedicated to mid/high school students at Greig Hall, named after the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.


We made our way into what must have been the basement of the hall where hundreds of students were already gathering.


Sondre Lerche was the featured musician, who seems to be quite popular here in Norway. He's a great songwriter, and when he stopped the show to break up a fight happening in the audience among the students, I gained a lot of respect for him as an artist.


We followed with lunch at Macumba Cafe: Social Club..


... loved the interior design, and the food was equally fabulous!


The next day of the conference we joined the local Grieg Academy (college) students
for a presentation of traditional Indian music...


As you can see, we were all very intrigued...


Music is one of those things that simply cannot be captured in an image alone, so I took a few video clips of their performance to share with you. The experience in person was very meditative and transcendent, which is hard to capture in a few seconds of video. In any case, click play to watch, and more importantly, listen...


Magne, who is an amazing music educator and innovator as well as the main organizer of this conference, is the person who brought all of these people together to share their music, as well as making it possible for Alex and I to attend.



After the performance, the group received traditional Norwegian fishing hats as a gift... which reminds me... I need to get a picture of Alex in his hat too. ;)


As they were putting their instruments away, I wanted to get a close up of this instrument. The intricacy of the carvings is absolutely amazing.


What I didn't blog about were the other research presentations and interesting ideas from the other conference presenters, but I figured that probably wasn't the most intriguing aspect for my blog readers, so hopefully what I did blog about was interesting to you. ;) If you are interested, and can read Norwegian, you can visit the BIMUC Blog.

Should my next post be about Bergenfest or sightseeing? You decide! Click on the poll below to vote!

Our First Day in Bergen

As you saw from the previous video, we arrived safely in Bergen on Tuesday. The drive into the city was our first real look at the landscape of Bergen, so of course I took some video to share that experience with you. At the end of the clip, you'll also see our swanky hotel room which has some really interesting features. ;) Click play to watch the video...



Unfortunately, our checked luggage didn't arrive with us in Bergen. I had a sneaky suspicion something was going to happen when we were in Chicago and had to switch airlines. Both Chicago and Amsterdam airports are so large that it would be easy for something to get lost in the mix. Well, since we didn't have a change of clothes (because it was more important to carry on my cameras and our laptops), we took the opportunity to do a little bit of local shopping! Any excuse to shop is fine by me!



The shoe shopping here is to die for! Alex pointed out these green shoes... but I don't need shoes... but I'd really like some green shoes... but I like them both so much I can't decide and I can really only afford one pair!! The mule with the sprial design could be dressy or casual, but I wouldn't be able to work or hike in them. The slide that looks like a leaf would be a great casual shoe and could probably even stay on when hiking, but might not work as a dressy shoe.. but I don't dress up very often. Soo... what do you think I should get? Then the trick will be finding the shoe in my size... which may mean that I end up with neither!

As we were walking through the mall we heard some singing and found this middle school (?) girls choir near the information desk... so I stopped to listen. ;)

Click play to watch a very short excerpt...


To finish off our first day in Bergen, we ate at a local pizza chain called Peppe's.
The pizza was delicious, and very filling for the price, which was the perfect way to finish our first day in Bergen. ;)

Yellow Rose Inn Wedding - Karen & Tim

Karen & Tim had a very romantic wedding with tons of casual elegance topped off with a dollop of fun! This couple just oozes joy and happiness in everything they do. When I first talked to Karen, she had so many crazy things happen to her that would make most people pull their hair out or sink into depression - but she always managed to laugh it all off and concentrate on the positive.. I really admire strength like that!!




When I first heard that their wedding and reception would be held at a bed & breakfast in Indianapolis, IN called The Yellow Rose Inn, I instantly knew it would be charming! Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the place once I actually saw it in person! Such a fabulous location with tons of photographic opportunities!!! After the ladies sat down for their breakfast at the Inn, they headed off to Studio 2000 in monument circle (just above the Starbucks). I loved the whole art deco feel of the building, and what a great view of the circle!



From time to time I get asked to photograph the guys getting ready, so what exactly do guys do before their wedding? 90% of them watch the game on TV, eat some food, and maybe have a beer. It takes them like 3 minutes to put their tux on and usually no one helps them with it. So... feel free to give him a few responsibilities on the wedding day... after all, you have to get up before noon... it's only fair that he should too!! (Sorry guys!)



Isn't Karen absolutely stunning? I swear she looks like she came straight from a victorian painting... just gorgeous!! And I loooove her bouquet with red feathers!! I love feathers with flowers- they add such an interesting texture and touch of whimsical to a bouquet!



The ceremony was held under the tent in the backyard and her brother walked her down the garden path..



After the ceremony, they had a cocktail hour on the porch while the tent was undergoing its transformation. What a bunch of happy, beautiful people!!





You have no idea how much I wanted to snag one of those chocolate covered strawberries as I was photographing this... they looked sooo good!! Luckily Karen & Tim beat me to it! ;-)



The band, The Noteables, were a really swanky bunch. They were really sensitive musicians always aware of what was going on and what the appropriate music and volume was... not to mention, they can crank out those swing tunes!



I love finding interesting lighting after the sun goes down. Even though I never had a chance to get Karen & Tim up to the rooftop, I still managed to grab a neat view of the downtown skyline while I was up there. Congratulations Karen & Tim!!! You deserve many, many, many more days of pure happiness!!!

Live Music: Stampead at The Verve

Check out their music on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stampead
Here are a few photos from their stop at The Verve in Terre Haute, IN. These guys are seriously awesome musicians. You can click any picture to view more pics on flickr.