May & June are some of the busiest months of the event calendar here in Boston. So far I've photographed a number of exciting charity events, including the MSPCA Gala, BCRF Hot Pink Party, Rogerson Communities Gala, Boys & Girls Club House Party, Boston Arts Adademy Gala, Make-A-Wish Gala and the Slater Foundation benefit for Operation Homefront. Other events include several in-store cocktail parties plus many corporate and private functions. Thank you to everyone who has gotten together for a photo this season, but beware it's not over yet! To view photos from these events and more, click on the galleries page above.
Michael Blanchard at the Boys & Girls Club House Party, May 2012 by Bill Brett.
Note: The below blog pages have not been updated since the fall of 2010. A site re-do is in the planning stages. Stay tuned!
This week we said goodbye to my wonderful Aunt Margaret. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
My Aunt Margaret was a kind and gentle soul who never said anything negative or unpleasant. It was her calming and accepting nature that I will remember most. Margaret did not drive a fancy car or live a lavish life for she didn't need to, her three girls were her everything. Margaret wanted nothing more then to be there for Annie, Kathleen and Elizabeth. When she found out she was pregnant with the twins she left her job as a buyer for Talbots to be with them. She quickly found a niche for herself in their beloved town of Westwood by joining various Mother's groups and participating in the PTA. She would even make friends at the playground - it was hard not to instantly like her. Then as the girls got older my aunt took a day job at a Dedham school caring for children with special needs. It was the perfect second career for Margaret because only a person with her empathy and patience could provide the love and attention these kids needed on a daily basis. There was nobody else like her.
As I looked through hundreds of pictures to make this collage, I don't think I found one photo that Margaret wasn't smiling in.
I suppose the only good thing about this past year and her fight with Melanoma is that we all got to know each other a little better. She not only made you feel comfortable when visiting, but she even made you feel good about yourself by the interest she showed and the care in her heart. They don't make them like you anymore... We miss and love you Margaret!
If every year flies by as quickly as 2008 did, I'm going to be retired and living in Florida before you know it. So much has happened since the beginning of last year that I am having a hard time remembering it all. That's why I am so happy to have most of it documented on this website. It's always fun to look back and remember the faces I've met, and places I've visited.
One thing that wasn't widely publicized was my graduation from the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University. CDIA's photography program is roughly 8 months and intensely covers a bit of everything. Although it was a bit short for my taste, CDIA definitely left me in a place ready to conquer all. Without my experience there I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing!
Below I've chosen ten of my favorite blog posts from 2008 to highlight as a quick look back at my year.
1. Last month I received an email from the Yale University School of Management asking my permission to include my video on the Polaroid Corporation in one of their upcoming case studies. You can imagine my surprise that Yale University wanted anything to do with me! All jokes aside, I really appreciate the fact that Yale, the Boston Globe, and countless former Polaroid employees took the time to watch and review my video, POLAROID - AN ICON OF A COMPANY, shown below.
2. There is a small booth on Atlantic Avenue in front of the Marriott Long Whaf where you can buy a ticket to BOSTON'S NIGHTTIME FRIGHTSEEING TOUR - GHOSTS & GRAVESTONES. Next to the ticket sales is a wall of photographs I shot in June. My shoot with this amazing group of actors is one of my fondest memories from 2008. We had SUCH a great time together!
4. When my friends the Shapiro's told me about the CARL J. AND RUTH SHAPIRO CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER - DEDICATION at Brigham and Women's Hospital, I knew I had to tag along! Touring a brand new hospital was kind of like sitting in a new car with only 7 miles on it - the beds had not been delivered yet and there was no need to purell before entering! The dedication itself was a milestone that I was proud to witness, especially knowing that my friends were able to help make it happen.
6. Another cherished relationship formed in 2008 is with the Ad Club of Boston. I truly love the Ad Club and their regular members. What's funny is I had never heard of an "Ad Club" until Susan Wornick told me to stop by their Legends Night event. It was a heck of a party - THE AD CLUB PRESENTS LEGENDS NIGHT AT THE FAIRMONT COPLEY - the rest is history!
7. Sometimes I can be a bit of a dud... I was asked to photograph a party for HOTEL COMMONWEALTH AND THE 2008 CHARLES REGATTA, and I showed up expecting to see sail boats... Not my area of expertise! Great party though!
8. If you saw the crowd of onlookers TRYING to get a glimpse of celebrities in Boston, you'd know why I felt special to be inside. NOW FILMING IN BOSTON - "GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST" was such a FUN night with my friends Enza & Melanie!
9. Although I didn't know who Tory Burch was at first, TORY BURCH MAKES PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE was a great event, as are all of the ones put on by the fashion girls at Saks! I'm really looking forward to this year with them!
10. I'm kind of a news junkie and ever since David Epstein gave me a tour of WCVB Ch. 5, I'll never look elsewhere. That's why my night at KELLEY FOR ELLIE AT THE BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL was so much fun for me. I recognized everyone from Ch. 5!
I had so many more favorites from 2008 but must refer to my friend Bobbi who always says "Less is more!"
Congratulations to my friend Giovanni, who this week turned two years of age! With everything that Giovanni has been through and accomplished so far in his young life, it is hard to believe that he is only turning two! Way to go little buddy, you're the man!
I went to New Hampshire on Saturday for the party.
"Calling all superheros!" Let's face it, the party would not have been complete without a Superman cake!
This website has been boring lately. I've been super busy and have not had time to post on here as much as I would like to!
A friend told me at dinner last week that she thought I had dropped off the face of the planet with no calls or website updates. "Are you sleeping all day?" she said. Aside from the days that I have - yes, slept all day, here is a look at what I've been up to.
If Jason can't hide - neither can I :)
Old Town Trolley had me back for a third photo shoot - this time for their Ghosts and Gravestones tour.
Best ghost tour EVER! - BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!!
...We had fun with this one!
MORE FROM THIS SHOOT COMING SOON!
I've been trying to visit my friend Giovanni as much as possible, too.
I can't wait to see you this week pal!
SIMPLE AND PAINLESS!
I finally took my bone marrow donors test. Save Giovanni's Friends is nearing it's 15,000th donor! CONGRATULATIONS Giovanni!
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