Great-Grandfather's Suit, Frederick County Photographer

My good friends and neighbors asked me to photograph their son before he grew out of his Great-Grandfather's suit.  It's well over 100-years old and has fine details, such as a leather button on a chain and a red cravat.  It made for the perfect photo session, especially on this little man.  Maybe it's because I know him, but this was one of the easiest photo sessions with a child ever.  It has been suggested that this is the kick off to his modeling career.

I stepped outside with him and he grabbed the umbrella which was drying out from the rain.
This was the first shoot of the morning.
After I took it, I declared, "I'm done.  I got the shot!"  Of course I'd take many more.

What a simple prop can do. 

Gone fish in'.  Yet, another prop he picked on his own.

His mother and father make a good comedy team.

Sometimes you need to work with what you have one hand.  We almost forgot to put him in his car.

A Stop on the Underground Railroad at Cooling Springs Farm, Frederick County Photographer

Along a winding country road I pass a lovely farm on my way to work.  I've known of the farm's history but never had a chance to explore it until the other week.  I have always wanted to photograph the farm, especially when their tenants in the front field were out grazing.  The miniature donkeys are no long there, but the beauty still remains.

I contacted Peter Michael and asked if I could photograph in his field for my 52 Frames assignment featuring Furniture.  He obliged and met us in his front yard at about 8am on a beautiful spring morning.  He is the 8th generation to live in the house and farm, which is known to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.  Situated just 2 miles north of the Potomac River slaves seeking freedom were able to use the spring house on the Michael property for shelter before venturing north.

Here are some of the resulting images (with and without furniture).  Many thanks to Mr. Michael for letting me, my friend and our boys play in fields!  As the kids climbed on the hay bales I asked if it was okay, and he replied, "That's what a farm is for. "  For more information visit the Cooling Springs Farm website.

The image I used for 52 Frames, "Furniture"

The Spring House

The Approach from the South

Heading North

I invited my friend and our boys to come.  The boys explored the creek and spring house, jumped on hay bales and even played musical chairs.  

This image will printed large for both sets of brothers.

Can you hear the music?