Anyone that has had the opportunity to cast a fly at a landlocked salmon or a brook trout understands the importance of Rangeley because fly fishing history was created there. People traveled hundreds of miles to be able to enjoy the crystal clear waters that surround this small town. I have been to Rangeley a few times throughout my life and I have watched the town change over the years but it never loses its ability to attract new people as well as welcome back the families that have visited for decades.

Artists and photographers love this area because it offers so many different types of visuals. You can be standing in downtown Rangeley and watch fully loaded logging trucks rumble by and in just a short walk, you can find yourself in areas that look like it has been untouched by human hands. I remember having a conversation with an older gentleman up in Alaska a few years ago while on a shoot and he told me that the only other state he would ever move to is Maine because it is still untamed in many ways. The Rangeley area proves his point.

As the warm air temperatures of summer slowly come to an end, it just means that a new beginning is about to take place. The colors of fall are now among us and I can tell you that as a photographer, this is the season I wait for all year. It’s just magical, especially when my job is to capture images with a high definition camera. Brilliant gold and red leaves framing  a deep blue sky is what I am looking to find. If I can add a stream in the foreground and a mountain in the background, then I found the perfect shot. Soon those beautiful colors will fade away and fall to the ground letting us know that winter is at our doorstep. When that happens a whole new palette of color appears and we will be back on the road again to cover the Maine Streets and Back Roads of New England. 

The season that most New Englander’s dream about all winter is here and moving past us in what seems like a blink of an eye, and that is summer. Spring is long gone and the 4th of July parties are just memories to cherish. How did August get here so fast?  Having said that, there is still plenty of time to get outside to enjoy everything from the oceans to the mountains and everything in between.

Over the years I have spent endless amounts of time, in all four seasons, traveling around with my camera searching for imagines that truly represent what New England is known for. For those that appreciate raw beauty in its purest form, there is Maine’s rugged coastline.  You will find tiny fishing villages nestled in protected harbors along with working lighthouses that still to this day, allow mariners a safe passage home.  For many, the crashing waves and the haunting cry of the seagulls represents beauty and isolation all wrapped up in one. It’s a place to reflect on times gone by and the hopes of what life brings in the future.

For the adventurous type, there are waterfalls to explore.  Some are known and easy to get to while others are secret jewels tucked away deep in the woods. Recently my producer Clint Conley and I took our camera and went on a tour throughout New England in search of these magical waters and what we found was stunningly beautiful. No two waterfalls look the same but for those fortunate enough to come across them, what links them all together is the feeling of peace, tranquility and the overall pure natural beauty that they offer.

A true treasure that we have is the Cape Cod National Seashore. Despite the fact that thousands of people visit these beaches every summer, they still look like they have never been explored. Miles of white sand have become a home to protected birds and a paradise for vacationers searching for the true image of Cape Cod and what a New England summer should visually be.

Have you ever gone on a trip and when it was over asked yourself, what just happened ?  That is how I would describe my recent 48 – hour experience to LA to do a profile on Ellen. The day started with a 6:00 am cab ride from Channel 5 to the airport followed by a five and a half hour flight out to LA.   Shayna and I were picked up by our limo, thank you very much, and taken to Warner Brother studios, which is where the Ellen show is based out of.

I have to say, even after working in television for all these years,  it’s still interesting to drive through those big Hollywood gates and walk around sound stages where the icons in the movie industry once worked. Today, it’s the Ellen Show that we are featuring which is really a multi-million dollar company tucked inside the grounds of Warner Brother studios.

To keep the Ellen Show up and running, they have approximately 150 people working from the time they start production in September, straight through until June, which is when the show takes a break.  If you happen to be on this crew, you now have a choice of hanging out and relaxing for two months in the summer or find work somewhere else to fill the gap. The production crew works four days a week, Monday through Thursday,  one of which they shoot two shows.  So a three day weekend, two months of vacation in the summer and they live in a climate where it’s warm year round. Not a bad deal.

From what I witnessed in the short time I was there, the Ellen show runs like a well-oiled machine. There are many levels/layers of staff  involved throughout the day to make sure that this production is performed as flawlessly as possible. Every detail of that day’s show is considered and executed carefully right down to the personal requests of the guests on the show.  No stone is left unturned because perfection is the goal.

The audience  starts gathering at about 5:00 am for prime seating.  Over the course of the next few hours these Ellen fans are  slowly whipped into a frenzy by watching video clips of Ellen on the surrounding monitors and if that doesn’t do it, there is  music pumping out of PA speakers with someone running around with a microphone getting people to dance. At approximately 3:00 pm, the crowd is slowly let into the studio and once again cranked up to an even higher level of anticipation. Music is the theme which has now taken over the studio as the audience dances in the isles. It has turned into one big party and Ellen is the host of it all. By 4:30, the show is underway and an hour later, it’s over. The audience leaves and Ellen drives out of the lot to prepare to do it all over again the next day.

For Shayna and I, this has been a long 17-hour day. With only a few hours of sleep, it’s back downstairs to the lobby at 6:00 am to meet our driver and head to the airport.  We landed at Logan at 5:30 pm and back to Channel 5 by 7:00 pm.  One thing I could always count on throughout the years shooting for Chronicle and that is,  it  is never boring.

After spending years traveling across this country of ours searching  for those magical shots that truly create a portrait that defines beauty, I find myself always looking at New England as the gold standard. We are so fortunate to live in such an amazing place. A landscape that always looks different as each season passes us by, and with that comes a new palette of colors four times a year. From the rugged coastline of Maine to the soft rolling hills of Vermont, there are postcard images wherever you look. The following are just a few that I have found along the way.

St Lucia is not your typical Caribbean island that only prides themselves for their beautiful beaches and foo foo drinks available at a wave of a finger.  It does have all of that to offer plus so much more.

We flew into the southern end of the island, grabbed the gear and luggage and then took a three hour ride up through the mountains for our two night stay at the Cap Maison Resort.

This was a very long travel day so being dropped off in such an  amazing place was by far a great way to start off this shoot.  We were obviously not the only people to feel that way because last year, ABC decided to shoot scenes from  The Bachelor at this very location.

One other location that both Chronicle and The Bachelor featured was called Jade Mountain Resort which, for those who follow this show, is where the final rose ceremony took place and again, very beautiful.

We had a great time up in the northern end of the island including a surprise visit from a small lizard that got into my room. This was a scene right out of a movie.  Anthony and I  were on the floor trying to catch this little guy as he was running all over the place.  In the end, my hat goes off to Anthony because he was the one who finally caught him.

After a short boat ride back to the south, we found ourselves in a completely different landscape.  The foliage was lush green and the weather pattern had changed. We were now in a rain forest.  Plants, flowers and wildlife that can only exist in this small part of the Caribbean.  The rain that we had to deal with while shooting there was well worth it because obviously without the rain, none of this would have been created.

I have to say,  out of all the incredible places I experienced during this six-day visit to St. Lucia, the most unique location was my hotel room at the Ladera.  I can tell you the term  ” a room with a view”  will never be the same again.  Looking straight out with nothing between me and the open air,  I am literally one thousand feet above the  Caribbean Sea nestled in the side of a mountain. In front of me are the volcanic Piton mountains, which are the icons of St. Lucia. The fact that there is no fourth wall means that guests are sharing the same space with whatever wants to fly, hop,  or crawl in.  I do have to admit, it did take me a little time to not  flinch whenever a bat flew by my head while sitting on the couch.  Waking up in the morning and seeing a bird looking at me while sitting on my suitcase  next to my bed was all part of the experience.

This was a great trip and I had the opportunity to share it with a talented crew that appreciated everything we experienced.  Being on the road together working long days with many times in extreme conditions, everyone needs to get along and work as a team. If you don’t have that, it becomes a very long week.  I can honestly say, this week to me went by in a heartbeat.

The Crew

Anthony, Amy and yours truly

New England is known for many things but I would say the fall foliage is something that brings in more tourists than anything we can offer. The best part is that it’s free. There is no cover charge for this show and it happens every single year. The big uncertainty is the timing of this event and the quality of the color. Unfortunately, that is an element which is completely unpredictable and sometimes frustrating for those that have traveled across the country to witness this blaze of color that we call our own.  To be told that you should have been here last week is generally not what people want to hear. Sometimes I think it might be better to say that I hope you enjoy what you see because you hit it perfectly. At least that way, people walk away happy.

In Chronicle we deal with timing issues constantly when it comes to planning the shooting schedule for the fall series of Mainstreets and Backroads. In fact, it is the hardest season to work with because we need color in those leaves. Summer looks like summer whenever you shoot it and so doesn’t winter. Spring can fluctuate a little but pretty much dependable. We spoke to so many people on the road this fall and some felt that because the summer was so hot and dry, the leaves will just turn brown and fall off the trees. Others felt that stress is good for a tree when it comes to color so this should be a banner year. It is truly a crap shoot because there are so many elements that will affect the color but it’s interesting to hear the predictions whether they come true or not.

I had a Forest Ranger up in New Hampshire tell me once that a couple approached him and asked when was the best time to see the fall foliage. He gave them a window of time but they insisted on knowing more details so he picked out a certain week. Then came the question of the best time of day. He said, ” ya know, from what everything I am hearing, next Tuesday at 2:00am will be perfect but make sure you bring a flashlight”. They just smiled and thanked him and drove away. This Ranger after years of answering questions like this, felt pretty confident that this couple will be out there with a flashlight on that night.

As New Englanders, we know that fall is just a pathway to winter. At this point we have to make a choice. Do we pack everything up and head south for the next six months and spend the time lying on the beach sipping pina coladas or do we stay and appreciate the beauty that winter can bring. Either way, you can’t go wrong. There is one thing however that we all can agree on and that is it is truly amazing to experience the transformation of fall colors right before our eyes. For a brief moment of time, it is truly magical.

At some point in everyone’s life, we will all need a beacon of light to help guide us back home where it’s safe and secure from whatever journey we may be on.  For those who have chosen the ocean as either a place to make a living for their families or an escape from day to day life,  it is the lighthouse on the horizon that welcomes people back at the end of the day. 

The State of Maine attracts visitors from all over the world and one of the primary reasons  is its rugged coastline.  It is both beautiful and dangerous at the same time and to balance those two settings, the lighthouse was created.  Dotted along this rugged landscape are quaint little houses with a tower that gives off a beam of light that can reach out for miles. Originally they were operated by people who were willing to work long hours in all kinds of weather to make sure travelers passing by were kept safe.  Now they are automated, but that charm and reason they exist is still cherished by many. 

During this Chronicle tour of lighthouses, we were fortunate enough to have JC Monahan along with us. All I can say is that if you think that JC does a great job as a Meteorologist, which she does, she is even better as a reporter. With a little luck, I will have the chance to work with JC again very soon, and I will leave it at that. 

One of the great advantages of working with Chronicle is that we get to go places that most people can’t.  I personally have always had an interest in lighthouses and to not only see them up close but climb them as well, was an incredible experience.  Carrying the camera up spiral staircases was not the easiest thing to do but well worth the effort once I got to the top.  To be able to climb outside and get a 360 degree view from the top of the tower was amazing. 

During the course of the week, we visited a number of lighthouses and they all stand alone with their own individuality and appeal.  Some are more well known than others. Marshall Point Light was in the movie, Forrest Gump.  There was a scene where Tom Hanks was on a cross country run that took him from the furthest point on the west coast to the furthest point on the east coast. They chose Marshall Point Light in Maine because of the way it looked and its convenience. Anyone that has spent time up in Maine and especially those that have an interest in lighthouses knows that West Quoddy Light up in Lubec is the true furthest eastern point in the United States. Putting the facts aside, they did actually shoot in Maine and not in a sound stage in Hollywood. 

A few years ago, every state in the country had to hand pick an image that would be engraved onto a special series of quarters. For the State of Maine, they chose the Pemaquid Lighthouse. If you have ever been there, you would understand why this location was chosen. 

These tiny houses located at some of the most dangerous points on the coast of Maine also bring a sign of peace for many, myself included. There is something very magical about listening to that haunting sound of a fog horn during a stormy night as well as watching a beam of light coming out of a single tower trying to warn travelers of the danger that surrounds it. Every one of these lighthouses has their own story to tell and the next time you visit the State of Maine, try to visit at least one. You will not be disappointed. 

Loading my camera into the truck with the understanding that I was supposed to come back with visuals of New Hampshire that would represent what the state has to offer, there really is only one place to start. Three hours later, I arrived at Franconia Notch.

I was incredibly lucky that blue sky is what I found because so many times in the past shooting up in that area it is either raining or cloud covered. Yes, the Old Man Of The Mountain is missing but everything else has remained the same.  There is a postcard wherever you turn which is why so many photographer’s travel for miles to capture what is truly the landmark of New Hampshire.  The great thing about Franconia Notch is that it looks different in all four seasons but one thing that never changes, it’s always beautiful.

As the mountain range continued to fade in my rear view mirror and the sun slowly changing its color from white to golden-yellow, I passed the town line of Canterbury New Hampshire. There are many towns sprinkled throughout New England that could be on the cover of a calender and one of those choices for me, would be Canterbury. This is an area that has truly stood the test of time. Farms, white steeple churches,  country roads and everything else you would expect out of  what draws tourists to New England every year. Again, a photographer’s paradise and well worth the extra miles.

The state of New Hampshire has so many great places to visit but there is only so many hours in the day. The light determines what is captured and what is left for another time and with the sun disappearing below the tree line, this shooting day unfortunately is over.

Last week, Channel 5 made an announcement that will affect not just WCVB but every viewer that has followed Chronicle throughout its journey for the last twenty-five years. Hearing the words that Mary was leaving and her last show will be in May, was devastating to hear. This news spread not only throughout Channel 5 but also across every form of media in Boston. The idea of Chronicle without Mary is a tough thing to accept and that is because the last twenty-five plus years, Mary has touched the lives of everyone she has met as well as the people at home that only know her as an incredible journalist.

Chronicle is the longest running locally produced nightly News Magazine in the country and one of the key driving forces behind that success is Mary. Over the years, she has stood in front of our cameras in destinations throughout the world and has brought back not just stories but true journalism and reported them with the grace that only Mary can do. Many of the awards that WCVB has been proud to win have had Mary’s signature all over them, and most recently, The Pinnacle Award, which is a lifetime achievement award that Mary definitely deserves.

Three questions that I generally get on the road once people find out that I am with Chronicle are, is Mary going to be here,  what is Mary really like and is Mary as nice in person as she comes across on television. After spending over twenty years traveling across the country together, you get to know someone very well. In fact, Mary calls me her second husband because we spend so much time together. One thing that I can say is that Mary is not afraid of anything. The word danger is not even part of her vocabulary, which is why we have been able to do so many interesting stories. I can honestly tell you that I have been blessed to not only be a friend but a working companion to one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met in my life. Her smile is real and so are the tears that fall during a heart wrenching interview and that is because she truly cares.

As hard as it will be for all of us in Chronicle to say goodbye, we also want to wish her the very best for the future. Holding onto what we truly cherish would mean that we would never let her go, but life changes. The gift that Mary has left to all of us is a show called Chronicle and I say that because without years of endless hours of dedication, Chronicle would not be what it is today.

Over the next few weeks,  I would like to share a few stories from the road where Mary and I have had a lot of laughs together. They will include the time we went to Alaska, searching for polar bears in Manitoba, cruising up the Mississippi River on a paddle boat, almost getting eaten by crocodiles in Mexico, and the list goes on.  I look for to sharing these stories with you.

With the warm summer days a distant memory and our surroundings changing before our eyes, a new opportunity for capturing the beauty of New England is now focused within the lens. As the temperatures outside fall, so does that magnificent color palette of autumn. In its place, we are left with endless opportunities as photographers, both professional and hobbyist, to see the world in which we live transform into what many people feel is the most visual time of the year.

Winter in New England hosts cold gray days, a small amount of sunshine and temperatures outside that drop to single digits. Now add in snow and ice and it becomes the perfect mixture that will drive many people to warmer climates until spring returns. To be completely honest, there are times when I wonder why I spend my winters here. Standing outside with a camera on my shoulder in February wearing a heavy coat, boots, a hat and gloves and all the time knowing that I could be somewhere else, doing the same job, wearing shorts and sandals seems much more appealing. What would be missed are the four seasons and that to me is something that I do not want to give up, especially as a photographer. Where else can you put a camera on a tripod, take the same shot in all four seasons and have it look completely different. That is the magic of New England.

Winter can be harsh but it also holds beauty that is not shared with any other time of the year. Flowing rivers turning to ice crystals while pine needles become a bed for new fallen snow, is true art in its purest form. A sunrise seems to take on more of an amber glow during these cold mornings and late in the day, the shadows will reach out further as the days become shorter. Everything seems to slow down around us as the landscape that we once knew goes dormant, leaving the colors that remain to show its true brilliance.

For some people, the season of winter is a time to sit next to a warm fire and look out beyond frosted window panes and wait for spring to arrive. There is nothing wrong with that concept.  In fact, it sounds very inviting. The other alternative is to go outside and explore what is normally camouflaged by the other three seasons. We have a small window of time to experience this and for me, it’s one of the many reasons  why New England is such a special place to live.