STEVENSON RIDGE - AN ARTIST'S VIEW

I've been neglecting the blog again. Sorry, my friends. It's that 80/20 thing which has now moved to a 99/1 thing.

But I did get out the other week and shoot, thanks to the wonderful folks at Stevenson Ridge; special thanks to Jennifer LaRock.

Simple. Serene. Idyllic. That was my morning at this beautiful lodge/bed and breakfast/inn. There are many words to describe Stevenson Ridge, but I'll stick with my three - simple, serene, idyllic.

Stevenson Ridge is an 87-acre historical property. On that property you'll see some of the best in historical building restoration, the guest houses actually - and my three descriptive words - unique, pristine, charming.

I stuck to the exterior of the property as these buildings, like most historical buildings, intrigued me. While I didn't capture all the properties (yeah, I forgot my map and missed a few), I did make my way around to several and it wasn't always the building itself that caught my attention, but the small details of the buildings that captured my eye.

At the backside of the lodge is where it happens. On my first visit to Stevenson Ridge, the pond centered on the property was so calming. I stood on the balcony of the lodge and took it in - the small dock, the benches, the trees, the oar sticking up out of the pond. I have no idea what story goes with the oar, but it catches my attention. Probably because I just know there has to be a story.

The morning of my shoot, I took it all in again, only this time I had marvelous morning light and beautiful reflections of the Riddick House shimmering off the surface of the pond. I can just see myself sitting on the deck overlooking the pond in the quiet morning sipping a cup of joe.

 

From the Riddick House, I made my way over to the Log Home. This place has a charm you wouldn't believe and that's only from the outside. The idea of dropping the camera and curling up in a rocker with a good book certainly crossed my mind that morning.

 

With the porch of the Log Home just calling out for relaxation, I have one question that continues to plaque my mind, even now - what's with the bathtub on the porch? Not so much the bathtub itself, that's just charm, but the can on a stick jutting out of the bathtub. Ah, yet another story of intrigue.

I moved onward. I think I found the Adrian Cabin next. This is another one of those charming porch features. The Adrian Cabin is a small cabin which reminds me that it should be in snow covered ground, so I'd have to think winter here, even in summer. The porch was decked out with this old crate and again, I was drawn into comfort and a good book, along with a tall glass of iced tea with a lemon floating on top, sweating on the table (of course, I'm back to summer). Irresistible.

From the cabin, I hiked over to the Servant's Quarters. The first thing I noticed here was the blue hurricane lamp hanging from the eaves over the door of the house. The Servant's Quarters is very basic, until you trek around to the back. A small deck invites you in. A green door with a porcelain handle beckons you toward the house. An outside bath house (shower) dares you to give up the comforts of home.

Last we come upon the Spy Hill House. A simple two-story cottage with a view of the pond. I liked the detail of the door on this building.

And by the pond, we find the boat, with one oar, which may explain the oar sticking out of the water.

 

On my adventure to Stevenson Ridge, I missed the Corn Crib and the Civil War House. I asked if I could come back in the fall to again capture the charm of this place, and when I'm out shooting the property with the leaves in full fall color, I will be sure to collect images of the two missing properties.

DR. JEKYLL & MS. HYDE MEET TWEAK

So, now that I've taken the studio to a new level, went completely business and all, well, business and art, but mostly business while the art stays ever present in the background, I'm having conflicts. Kind of feel like a I have a split personality. There's Kerri the artist/photographer (we'll call that one Ms. Hyde) and Kerri the business woman (and we'll call that one Dr. Jekyll). And while Kerri the business woman was always there, Kerri the artist/photographer was the presence behind the business. Thing is, it's more than fine art these days. It's commercial with an art twang. Transferring things to the business side, let's just say Dr. Jekyll's been busy, but Ms. Hyde wants to come out and play.

And with that, I want to introduce you to Tweak and discuss the etiquette of common courtesy. Yeah, that's right, common courtesy.

MEET TWEAK

As I said, Dr. Jelyll's been busy and a lot of that busy has been networking. I attached my camera to my side on the last networking outing because it took place by the water, docks and boats and all that, along with the occasional passing Amtrak train across the railroad bridge. And if you've every looked at my shots, you know I love shooting railroad bridges.

OCCASIONAL PASSING AMTRAK

I was lingering on one of the docks taking this shot of the red and blue boats...

RED & BLUE BOATS

...when I spotted this guy walking around with a small dog in a front pack carrier (okay, I really don't know what they're called - but according to the label, Outward Hound). So I made my way across the dock, keeping my eye on his movement, cause I wanted to get a shot of this twosome. When I came upon him, I introduced myself, handed him a business card (it was a business event) and asked him if I could take a picture of the two of them. I mean, you have to understand - here's this cute little chihuahua with goggles over his dark brown eyes so patiently hanging out with dad. Dad was very obliging and I kindly asked him if he could lean up against the rail so I could get the angle I wanted.

TWEAK & DAD

Quick notes on Tweak: He actually did ride in on a motorcycle (and I thought my dog was spoiled). He was fine with the goggles and never had any problems with them once he realized they protected his eyes. This is the kind of information you get when  you take the time to talk to someone when you want to get their photo. Oh, and according to dad, Tweak got his name because he's always "tweaking".

Continue reading...

Now, this is where the courtesy (or lack thereof) comes into play. At that moment, I swear three to five camera phones swooped in and took over. Cut right in front of the shot. Dr. Jekyll was not happy (and Ms. Hyde wasn't too thrilled either). So I stepped back and waited for these inconsiderate phone photographers to finish their "gonna post this on Facebook" snaps (and who never once considered asking the twosome if they could take the shot) and started working with dad again. Patience paid off as I got the whole Tweak family. It's a Life (family) Portrait.

THE FAMILY TWEAK

This is where the conflict plays out. You see, Dr. Jekyll, as a professional business woman, would never complain about the inconsiderate behavior of others. But you know, Ms. Hyde, the artist/photographer, has no gripes about it at all. Don't get me wrong, Dr. Jekyll will always be the professional on every level of business (as in asking a complete stranger if you can take their photograph), but Ms. Hyde must always capture the art (and complain about the process).

And a big thanks to Tweak and his humans for allowing me to capture these great shots.