our state | behind the scenes at the biltmore

One of the things I love best about working for Our State Magazine is that I get to see and photograph some of the most beautiful places in North Carolina!  I have always wanted to visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville but somehow in all my years of being a transplanted Canadian, I haven’t made the time to go to the Biltmore.  When Art Director Deanne O’Connor called to ask me if I’d like to shoot a story there – I was so excited.  Not only is the Biltmore fantastic but the marketing department was so wonderful to help me with getting the best shots.  And the cherry on top was getting this month’s cover of Our State Magazine!

Stay tuned for more of my favorite shots from the Biltmore coming this week!

wedding bells | au naturel

In September I had the opportunity to shoot with the amazing team at Wedding Bells magazine in Toronto, Ontario.  We shot in a lovely daylight studio at S1 group.  Our team for the day:  Jennifer Haskett, art director; Catherine Doherty, stylist & her lovely daughter & Mun Wai Chau, assistant.  Associate editor Roseanne Dela Rosa, also popped in for bit as well.

It was exciting to see the huge amount of beautiful china, props and gauzy fabrics that filled all the available tables in the studio!   Please enjoy the stories & a few behind the scenes photos!

i feel so french!

Today the weather was so warm here in North Carolina that I was able to get out into my garden to do some work.  I ambitiously trimmed the rosemary, lavender and rose bushes & pulled up some of the dead flower stalks.  Yes, I should have done this in the fall but I just ran out of time!  I gathered up a bundle of rosemary and boxwood and a bit of lavender and decided to make a few arrangements for the house.   I love that you can bring a little of the outdoors inside to remind you that spring is on the way. . . I feel so French!  Which makes me think of pain au chocolat, comte, and street cafes. . . . .

canadian gardening | portraits of erin mclaughlin

Some people are very photogenic and Erin McLaughlin, editor of both Style at Home and Canadian Gardening, is a prime example.  She is so natural in front of the camera and joy to photograph.  With the amazingly talented and super nice Jackie Shawn along to do makeup, my job was so easy . . .

garden & gun | capitol’s living wall

Another great assignment from Garden & Gun magazine!  Everything about this job was pleasing to the eye.  My subjects:  the lovely Laura Vinroot Poole, owner of the stunning couture boutique Capitol, and her talented architect husband, Perry Poole.  The backdrop:  the amazing vertical garden wall by famed botanist Patrick Blanc  in the middle courtyard of Capitol.   I was thrilled when I spotted a turquoise tête á tête inside Capitol!  I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

We were pleased to have the opening photo of Garden & Gun’s “Talk of the South” section – see more photos at Garden & Gun.  Below I have included the article and then a few of my favorites from the shoot.  Hope you enjoy!

garden & gun | the party barn

It was such a pleasure to be assigned to photograph Bittersweet Farms for Garden & Gun magazine.  This idyllic property, owned by the Bechers, is near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina.  The barn was constructed out of the most beautiful wood from reclaimed barns brought down from Pennsylvania.  There are belted Galloway cows, meadows for dogs to romp and in a small vale sits an amazing twig sculpture called “Hocus Pocus” by Patrick Doherty.  See a few of my favorites below followed by the article.