After being a professional photographer for 32 years I had my first “parade gig” this May 31^st.  I was there to photograph the Spofford Pond Marching Band.   As the Memorial Day ceremony played out, I couldn’t help but be swept up in the emotions of community, pageantry, pride, sorrow, and beauty displayed before me and my lens.  It made me proud to be part of this community.   I was glad I was there to save the memory of the moment for those who were there.

Ms. Monty shaped these awesome musicians into “The Spofford Pond Marching Band” for all parade watchers to enjoy.  Liam McGrath and Will Gibeley both had solos.  They played “Taps”.   Will played in front of the Boxford Fire Fighters at the cemetery and Liam at the ending ceremony while the rest of his band members stood with their hands over their hearts.

My son Phil plays the trombone in the band.  I asked him how it felt to play for this event.  He said “I felt important to be there and play my best for those who kept us safe and for those who have lost their life keeping us safe. They deserve our thanks.”

The 4th floor of the “Marriott Copley Place” was used for the well attended scientific programs. Some individual programs were attended by up to 1200 people at a time! The programs were shared in a multitude of languages. The 3rd floor housed the trade show. The many doctors who attended the trade show seemed quite taken by the multitude of trusted tools and new technology available to them.  To make it even sweeter, old friends and dental school roommates were able to enjoy each others company at the social events.  The awards ceremony shined a light on student accomplishments as well as the accomplishments of long time and well respected members.

Dr. Myron Nevens, the program chair, welcomed “an elite coterie of dental professionals to this special meeting. The triennial timing of the symposium has been established to ensure that you are kept up-to-date with new developments that can be introduced into your practice. Please join your esteemed colleagues from 57 countries and all 50 states for a congenial and meaningful experience.”

A Reason to Ride is a fun event that Tom DesFosses, BIDMC patient and brain tumor survivor started as a way to give back.  At the last event more than 100 cyclists pedaled from the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers across the scenic North Shore of Massachusetts to raise awareness and critical funds for brain tumor research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Diagnosed with primary CNS lymphoma, a cancerous brain tumor, more than four and a half years ago, DesFosses launched “A Reason to Ride” in 2007 to benefit Dr. Eric Wong’s Brain Tumor Research Fund and Dr. Lewis Cantley’s General Cancer Research Fund—100% of the proceeds go to Dr. Lewis Cantley, and Dr. Wong’s lab.

Tom credits Dr. Wong and Dr. Cantley with saving his life. He has established an event that will run year after year, with more and more people.

Tomorrow Tom will have chemo – the last treatment in a 5 year protocol.  It takes about 3 hours for the chemo which is yellow to drip through the IV.  Tom says that he imagines that it is liquid sunshine making him healthy and strong. Please keep Tom in your prayers tomorrow and through the week as he recovers from the treatment.  YEAH, TOM!

September 12, 2010

8:00am – 2:00pm
Danvers, MA

Register or donate today!

www.gratefulnation.org/areasontoride

I can't wait to meet Mary!

I love my little sister!

Mary’s big sister Elise has been head over heals waiting for Mary to arrive.  It is hard to be patient when your are almost 2!  And finally the big day arrived and Elise got to meet her little sister Mary!

Mary was born at 9:50 on June 7th.  She is 7 pounds 15 ounces and 21 inches long.   How lucky am I to be the bearer of such great news. A miracle made. Utter perfection right before my eyes and lens.

Catherine is graduating from high school and it is time for her senior portrait. She has grown into a beautiful young lady. The first time I photographed her it was 15 years ago and she was 3 years old. I have been very proud to be her photographer over the years. What a pleasure to watch her grow. The portraits that I have taken over the years grace her family’s home.

We photographed Catherine at home. She will be moving away to school in the fall and will enjoy remembering her home.

Catherine’s family got in on the act, too. I hadn’t photographed the whole family in a while, so it was good to take some images of Catherine with her brother, mother and father.

The images show the many sides of Catherine. Fun, whimsical, colorful, formal, timeless.

One of the most amazing mothers I have ever met got a great mother’s day present this year…two puppies Mugsy and Murphy.

Mammy (as she is called by her 8 grandchildren) has worked hard raising her 6 children and now is very involved in raising her grandchildren. She is the hub of this very large, very close and very busy family. The kids found an awesome way to give back when they found Mugsy and Murphy for her.

As you can see she is thrilled. Mammy is just completely blissful with her newest babies. They couldn’t be cuter and are loved by all.

Stanley Jordan, world renowned musician, gave a 2 hour presentation on April 24^th at the Newbury Town Library.  The Master’s Class was sponsored by our very own local musician, guitar expert and teacher, Eric Clemenzi.  What a gift Eric gave to his students when he set up this amazing event for them.

My son Phillip and I are Eric Clemenzi fans and I find myself photographing many of Eric’s wonderful events.  This one was no exception.  85 of us sat at the edge of our seats listening to Stanley Jordan.  Stanley explained his ideas about music, playing music, practicing your music and healing qualities of music.

Stanley so eloquently talked about how he goes about getting ready to play his music.  He closes his eyes and remembers how lucky he is to have this time to practice his music.  He starts slowly and gradually and methodically works each note to get the best quality of sound out of them.

Stanley is known all over the world for the mastery of his unique guitar style.  He often plays his guitar with no strumming, a different style of playing.  Stanley can also be seen playing 2 guitars at the same time. He played his guitar and keyboard at the same time during the master’s class.

Stanley Jordan has been producing albums for 25 years.  His newest album release is “State of Nature”.  You can check out Stanley Jordan at www.stanleyjordan.com.  What an amazing event performed by such a classy guy.  To view more images of the Stanley Jordan Master Class go to www.kathyjoyce.com and click on Stanley Jordan.

I am looking forward to Eric Clemenzi’s next Master’s Class. Eric will be presenting The Charlie Hunter Trio on July 10^th at the Newbury Town Library  at 2 p.m. You can learn more about that class at www.ericclemenzi.com.

I have known Emily since she was a little girl. What a great kid, so smart, so talented, so motivated, a shining star.

I have photographed Emily on several occasions, most recently I photographed her with her friend Victor. They both needed professional photographs with their violas.

What an amazing photo session.

First of all, Emily has grown into a gorgeous woman. She and her friend Victor were such a pleasure to photograph. We had several clothing changes and had the good fortune to use Cochran Chapel at Phillip’s Academy because Emily is an alum from there.

We produced many images from this session that I love.

One day in September Emily called me. She said “I know this is a strange request, but could you send me an photo of my eyes.” She told me that she was recently diagnosed with being allergic to the tears in her eyes. She was no longer able to wear contacts and her glasses didn’t provide enough peripheral vision. She had to quit orchestra because of it which was a great loss to her. The only fix was lasik surgery and that was very expensive.

The lasik doctor had “The most beautiful eyes” contest for free lasik surgery. The contest involved people posting photos of their eyes to his website and the person with the most votes during the contest would win free lasik surgery. Emily asked me to choose a photo of her eyes to use in the contest. I did that and then every of the contest I added a new photo of her to my facebook page so that all of emily’s facebook friends would be reminded to vote for Emily that day.

AND guess what. Emily WON the contest. We were both so thrilled.

Wow, it felt so good that my photos had a part in helping Emily with her eye problems. Photographs can bring many good things to the world.