Black Lives Matter

I am here to share that I fully stand with the Black Lives Matter movement! I am not afraid to lose business for people who disagree with me, I am afraid to lose business because people don’t think I support them. If you are one of the people who think all lives matter, please check your privilege. We all understand that your life matters as well, we are just saying that right now and for a long time now that black lives aren’t mattering and that needs to change! It all starts with the small racist comments that people make. It may seem small and insignificant but it’s not. It’s the seed that starts the thoughts in other peoples heads that all black people are bad. When the police show on the scene and see that George Floyd is a black guy they already have it in their head that this is a bad man just because he is black and that’s because of all the seemingly small racist comments that they have heard. There is a lot with the justice system that needs to be changed and you may feel that there is nothing you can do about it. I feel that same way but educating yourself and voting is one huge way that can help. But also stopping those racist comments that you hear and shut them down is another big way to help if we stop using this langue we can stop having that unnecessary fear of black people. If you are someone who believes that everyone should be treated equally but don’t want to deal with it I encourage you to educate yourself. Once you start learning the truth about how we have gotten here you won’t be able to stay quiet anymore. A great place to start is to watch 13th on Netflix. It gives you a good outline of how unfair the justice system is. How easy it is for a black person to get into the system and how it’s nearly impossible for them to get out.

On June 7th, 2020, I attended my first protest. I’m usually not one to go to them out of fear of getting in trouble or hurt. But I now realize this is the fear black people live with every day. So I said enough is enough and I went. It was one of the best things I have ever done, to stand up for what is right felt amazing. But it also showed me that even here in Vermont where we pride ourselves on loving one another there is still hate. There were way too many people in cars driving by yelling and flipping us off. It showed me just how much work left that there is still to do. But I am so proud of the town I live in for all the support that showed up! These photos don't even show the true number of people there because there were many people coming and going but there was a full crowd all day!! I could also still hear them going from my apartment after I left. I am so glad I was able to go and support the cause and look forward to finding more ways to support!

Here are the images that I took while at the protest in Rutland, VT.

Dark and Moody Stylized Winter Wedding

What do you think of when you think winter wedding? Before this experience and before moving to the New England area, I thought cold, snowstorms, and did I mention cold? So, when the fabulous Diane Lipski, of AveM Photography and Director of this shoot, asked for photographers in this crazy adventure, I was a bit hesitant. But this has changed my mind. Yes, it’s still cold and there could be a snowstorm, but the beauty is beyond worth it. And let’s be real if it rains on your wedding day in the summer you get soaked when it snows in the winter….it’s magical! When you add in some snow-covered mountains it turns into a fairytale. And for this shoot, we absolutely had some snow-covered mountains. With the huge white cover field and a white Mount Washington in the background, it was quite literally picture perfect! Our theme being dark and moody winter wedding I couldn’t have loved it anymore. With deep blues, reds, golds and black it was defiantly not a color scheme I have ever seen at a wedding, but man did it work well. Everything was gorgeous! And if you have planned a wedding you know it’s a hard job. You have to have a stylist, the venue, event rentals, hair and make-up, a florist, the perfect dress, invitations, the cake, a photographer and videographer. Not only do you have to have all these things they have to fit perfectly together. But that it did and it was phenomenal!

In general, most artist are a little self-conscious. We may try to hide it, but art is so subjective that every time we give a client are art, we get this knot in are stomach thinking about the little things that could be wrong and scared that they won’t like it. Then when you get in a group of other artists that felling can sometimes intensify. “What if they are better than me?” What if I mess up? They are defiantly going to notice.”  It was such a great feeling when I got there, and I fit right in. I was shocked at how well I did, I really shouldn’t have been I know I can do it! I have done shoots with other photographers before and I was always just getting the shots from off to the side or just grabbing the same photo as someone else and then feeling bad about posting the photo because I never felt I could actually recreate it. But this time I really had the confidence to get in there and take charge to get the photo that I saw in my head. It was fantastic and I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it really gave me that confidence I struggle with at times.

Everyone was so nice and welcoming, especially Top of the Ridge owners, Tatiana Cicuto and Gino. They really let us take over the place and got us anything we needed, also the food was incredible! Tatiana made those of us who stayed the night a homemade dinner and breakfast! We all stayed up past at least my bedtime talking about how well the shoot went and just about our lives in general. It was great making friends with some awesome people! The rooms there were great so rustic, warm and welcoming. I still can’t get over how awesome the rain shower was. I hope to be back soon and do another photoshoot!

Art Director | Diane Lipski
@ave_m_photo

Behind the Scenes Photographer | Victoria Trogani
@vt_social

Photography | Mary Grace Johnson
@mgjohnsonphoto

Behind the Scenes Videographer | Ashlee Vroom
@stillwater.weddingfilms

Stylist | Cerridwen Alwyn
@Cerridwenalwyn

Venue | Top of the Ridge Farm Bed and Breakfast
@topoftheridgefarm

Models | Brandy Jo Patino and Wesley Thurber
@endsoftheearthinnovations

Hair and Makeup | Ariana Leigh Lizardo
@arianaleighartistry

Dress, Accessories | Dorota Wysiecka
@adorcouture

Shoes, Jewelry | Ron Davis
@shoestodyefor2019

Events Rental | Kathy Flynn
@kathyskitchenmaine

Florist | Whitney St. Germain
@wrdesignsanddecor

Invitations | Myra Thornon
@myrathornton

Invitations | Morgan Dyer
@morganrdyer

Calligrapher | Rebecca Mayes
@rebletters

Cake | Katie Johnson
@fromscratchbakingco

Suit | Giblee’s Menswear and Tuxedos

My trip to Vermont

My friend Dave Miller moved to Vermont back in November and I finally was able to go and visit him last weekend in April! I was pretty glad I waited so long once I got there because it was a beautiful weekend and Jerry's birthday, Dave's cat! It had finally just warmed up (a little bit I was still a little cold all weekend) and the sun was shining! We went on our own Vermont tour starting out on Lake Bomoseen in Castleton, VT which is where Dave lives. We then made our way up to the Teddy Bear Factory were I bought a bear and named him Mr. Bear. (I know very original haha) After that we went to a few different breweries. The first one being Fiddlehead Brewing Company. It was a small place, so small I forgot to even take a photograph of it! (I know being a photographer is shouldn't even admit that) But it was my favorite beer of the whole weekend and there are a few places in Syracuse, NY that has it on tap so I will definitely be having it around here more! Next, we stopped at Magic Hat Brewing Company. It was a very unique place, to say the least! We tasted a few beers and headed on our way. We drove North a little more and stopped by the water in Burlington, I could easily get used to that view! We walked to Foam Brewers were there was a huge line but if you knew Dave he doesn't wait in line for anything. We walked right in and looked at what they had. The bartender said they were out of the four packs of the beer he wanted to buy to take home which was a bummer. But of course Dave had already made friends with a guy who had just got one of the last one and he gave him one of the four to have. I swear it's only this kid who can get away with things like this! We got our beers and went outside to sit and the place was packed so we grabbed a table that had a couple already sitting at it and talked with them. They were pretty cool people and we talked a lot about music and concerts we all are thinking about going to this summer. We were getting hungry and I was in serious need of getting food in me and the couple suggested we go to Burlington Beer Co. because they have awesome food. Dave drove my car, which is a stick shift, right up a mountain which was a little scary, but we made it! Thank goodness we did because the food was on point! I got the apple bacon burger which if that doesn't sound good enough, it came with a side salad. I know, I know wait! she got a burger but now wants to talk about how the side salad was better, especially because all it was was greens and some carrots!  Well, it was! Although the burger was delish, this dressing was to die for! It was equal parts balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and oil with salt, pepper, and garlic as spices. I could not stop talking about it for the rest of the weekend, and hey look I'm still talking about it know! After that, we were done with breweries for the day and went over to Ben & Jerry's to get some ice cream, because who doesn't want that! Also, fun fact, did you know that Ben & Jerry are Phish fans?! Well, they are and they named an ice cream after them! With one more stop of the day we were pretty beat but it was the stop we had to make because it was one of the reason this trip got started in the first place. We stopping at a children's center in Middlebury. Why? You might ask. It's because I had googled my name and this place came up. it's called Mary Johnson Children's Center! That's right I have the same name! Which I shouldn't be too surprised that I found something with my name since it's a fairly common first and last name, but I was and it was awesome! So then it was time to go home and get some much-needed rest after a long day and then were back at it again the next day. This was a much more chill day we started by going to the West Rutland Art Park which had a few pretty cool sculptures. One was a train made out of a different types of metal, even a fire hydrant! Next, we went to the Wilson Castle which was really pretty and kinda of creep but if you know me I love that kind of stuff! I got some cool photographs around the property and inside. My favorite photograph was of a stained glass window. It was some of the best stained glass I have ever seen! We then stopped at our final brewery, the Hop'n Moose Brewing Company. My mom has always loved moose and I have taken on that love so I got a sweatshirt with the logo on the back, which is a moose (duh!). We took a quick stop at a small waterfall and then headed back home to sit by the lake with a fire and some beer we had bought at the breweries until the sun went down and it got too cold to be outside. I had such a fun weekend and can't wait to go back sometime this summer when it gets a little warmer and a little more colorful! Thanks Dave for showing me around Vermont!

Luella Marie Capps Newborn Session

It was a long wait but she is finally here! Luella Marie Capps is my best friend, Kate's first child, and my goddaughter! I was about to go to North Carolina and meet her at only 4 days old! I just couldn't get enough of her. All her little coos and scrunchie faces were absolutely captivating. Kate and her mom spared no expense when it came to dressing her up and we spent 3 days taking photos of her in all of them! Here are some of my favorite ones.

Humans of the New York State Fair

This year I spent some of my time at the New York State Fair a little different than in years past. Instead of bringing my camera around to take photos of me and my friends I decided to take photos of strangers. I was so nervous for about the first 3 photos that I took, my anxiety was in full force! But after the first few people were so open to the idea of getting there photo taken, that anxiety quickly went away and changed into excitement! It was so much fun watching everyone's reactions to seeing their photo. And by the end of the second night, I realized not a single person I went up to said no to a photo. Yes, there were people hesitant at first but after there friends got there's taken they decided it was cool and also got one. Thank you, everyone, for being so open to this idea. I hope you all enjoy your photos! I can't wait to come back next year and do the same thing!

I can't wait to meet you Luella Marie Capps!

Luella Marie Capps, Lulu for short, is my god daughter! And I know she will be here soon enough, but man I can NOT wait to meet her! I have felt your little foot kick my hand but it's not enough I want to hold you in my arms!

She has the best parents any little girl could ask for! Jon and Kate have already shown Lulu that they will be there for her no matter what! And it's not from them having an adorable baby shower that looked like a unicorn throw up for it or that they have bought all the adorable clothes for her. Because even though they have done both those are just things. The real reason I know they will be good parents is from how amazing of friends they are to me. I was living with them about 4 years ago now I believe. It was definitely one of the harder summers I have had. I was depressed and most days I couldn't get my self out of bed. But it was their persistence at getting me up and out that helped pull me out of it. I will be forever grateful for what they did for me that summer and for our whole friendship. It is because of this persistence of pushing me forward that I know they will do the same for this little girl her whole life. Lulu, I can't wait to meet you and watch you grow big and strong and see what you will bring to this crazy world! 

With that being said here are some photos from Jon and Kate's maturity photo shoots. Both her one from North Carolina and New York! 

Kelsey & Christa Get Married! -Cape Vincent, New York

It feels like just yesterday that I was going Skiing with Kelsey with our sisters and dads and going to super bowl party at her parent's house. now we are both grown up and Kelsey is married to her beautiful bride, Christa!

The day was picture perfect, even though it didn't look like it was going to be for awhile. With all the rain the day before the grounds were flooded! But soon the clouds broke and the sun came out and just like in the itsy bitsy spider, "it dried up all the rain!" 

We started off early for Christa's hair appointment at River Day Spa & Salon in Clayton, NY. Everyone came out looking fabulous!  We were able to get a group shot right outside.

From there it was back to the house where everyone was putting the last touches together in the tent. The flowers were on point and took advantage of the time I had to get some photos of them.

things started to move quickly as Kelsey and her Bridesmaids started up some 90's jams while they got their hair and makeup done.

Christa snuck back into the house, so Kelsey and other guest wouldn't see her. This was an emotional time for her and her mother who started to tear up. It was a touching moment that I was happy to be there to capture it. The dress was finally put on with help from the bridal party! It was then time for the cutest first look session with her son. He had such an adorable reaction giving his mom a thumbs and a butterfly kiss.

It was now time for the ceremony with the most gorgeous backdrop of Lake Ontario with Canada close enough to swim to, family and friends all gathered around. Kesey and Christa said their vows they wrote and where pronounced married!  

We went straight into formal photos and then proceeded back to the tent to be introduced. Funny and heart-felt speeches where made by their friends and family. The dinner was fabulous, but time constraints made me eat quickly, so quickly I miss judged the horseradish for potatoes and put a whole spoonful in my mouth! The dinner was so yummy the horse radish didn't stop me from eating the rest of my meal. Seriously one of the best wedding foods I have ever had!

Before long , everyone was out on the dance floor! And for as long as I have know them this group has always been partiers. This didn't change that night. There wasn't many times where there wasn't anyone out there dancing and singing a long! The love of Kelsey and Christa spread all around. 

Thank you both for a phenomenal first wedding to photograph! I wish you both a life time of happiness!

~Andy and Katie Luckett's Wedding After Party~

I remember the day I moved into the Onondaga Community College dorms as a scared little freshman not sure what to expect. But Katie was the best roommate I could have asked for! Her crazy sense of humor with just about everything made my transition to college life an easy one. Her at the time boyfriend, Andy, now husband would come over when he got out of work at the hospital to take a nap. Some times it would coincide with my nap so we officially became nap buddies! Fast forward 8 years and these two crazy kids took a trip to Ireland to get married! Not everyone was able to make it there, so last Saturday night they had an after party at the zoo! Katie got back into her wedding dress and Andy in his kilt and had a fabulous night celebrating their love for the second time. I was so honored that they keep me in mind to be their photographer and had a blast doing it. So much so that when they said they would be going to Coleman's afterward, I had to join in and get an epic shot of them out in front. Everyone was watching and thought my lights were so cool! One guy even got in one a photo with them! It was so great being able to catch up on our lives since OCC. Then when the night had to come to an end we did it in true Ireland fashion with a baby genius. Which I found out was Kaula and Bayles shot! Once again congratulations! I'm so happy you both found such amazing people to spend the rest of your life with!