Lara Kimmerer | photographer

thirteen years...and a photo assignment

Today is Peter's and my thirteenth anniversary.  We have been together (or at least spoken to each other) pretty much every day for the last 13 years...quite a run, if I do say so myself.  We were somewhat in the same group of friends in high school, however we didn't start dating until the end of my senior year.  Since then, we have supported one another and allowed each other to change and grow, which I think can sometimes be the most difficult part of being in a relationship.  We've come through these years stronger as individuals -  and as couple.

To celebrate we went to Provincetown this weekend - a place that offers Peter and I an enormous sense of calm.  A friend was kind enough to let us stay at his place.  We woke each morning to the beautiful cape light, and stared out over Ptown while sipping coffee and listening to music.  We lucked out with the weather...it was warm and wonderful and great...and I want to go back soon, before the bustle of summer begins.

 

 

*****

A few weeks back I went to Inspire Boston - and met some amazing people, who also happen to be photographers.  I'm so thrilled to have a burgeoning group of new photo friends.  One of the women I connected with immediately is named Alex.  She's a great photographer and a wonderful person - and I'm excited beyond words to have her as a new friend.  

Alex and I gave each other photo assignments for this past weekend.  My assignment to her was to photograph something that represents calm to her.  You can see her post here.

Alex's assignment to me...in Alex's words, "Since it is your anniversary, I want you to take a cutesy photo of you and Peter with the ocean in the background not looking at the camera.  Self timer style, baby!  I want to feel like I walked by this adorable couple on the beach when I see it."

Since our anniversary is March 22nd I found the cottage on Shore Road with the 22 and then added us to the scene.  The cottages are Days' Cottages.  They're Cape iconic - and everyone who passes them seems to photograph them or paint them...but I still love them - especially the one named Lilac.

Thank you, Peter for the last thirteen years of being my best friend.  The support you've given me -  through the many ups and downs, especially the last 4 years - has helped me to heal and grow and become the adult woman who stands before you each day.  I love you.

blue hills in the distance

Tasty treat giveaway!  Check the bottom of this post.

There are so many interesting places - and I feel lucky that I get to see some of the ones close by.  As I mentioned earlier, I photograph homes for real estate sales, and sometimes I enter a place that makes me get excited and smile - and makes me want to stay and photograph every nook and cranny.  The other day I fell in love with a home on an estate that overlooks the Blue Hills.  I'm not quite sure when the house was built, but my guess is around the 1930s. 

Two of the images below were for the client - the rest are ones I took for me - vignettes that caught my eye.  I recently gave a talk at MassArt to students and alumni about making your art your career.  Part of what I spoke about was how I integrate my art, my life and my "work" photography.  Everything blends together for me.  I really do enjoy it all.  While I'm living my life, or working on a job, I'll photograph spaces, or objects, or moments that I will later sell as prints - my art.

 

 

An old intercom system...and fantastic wallpaper.  

I'm guessing this wallpaper was added later on in the century.  I think it's hilarious.  The entire laundry room is covered...kinda fun though.

**I'll send a package with some tasty treats from my favorite bakery, Clear Flour, to the first person who can tell me the name of the manufacturer of the intercom in the image above.  If you think you know, leave your answer in the comments.

Arden's Place

A note from my brother, which he posted on my Lara Kimmerer-photographer "fan page" on facebook, with which my best friend Jen agreed:

"You haven't updated your blog in a month. I know I am, among many other people, eagerly anticipating the next installment. Surley, something of photographic and human interest must have transpired in the passed month?"

Yes, I have been lax in my writing.  For the last few years February has been a heavy month for me.  This February was especially busy and filled with many emotions.  I'll write more about this later, but for now I figured I should show you some photographs.

*****

As some of you may know, in addition to people I also photograph interiors and exteriors of homes.  Quite a bit of my work is for real estate agents in the Boston area.  I have the opportunity to see some amazing homes, but very often these homes are decorated very similarly.  Don't get me wrong...they're beautiful, but many of them look the same.  Entering a space where I can feel the person who lives there - really get their personality and style - is very exciting. 

A few months back I went to photograph Arden's place because she was putting it up for sale - she's ready to move away from the Boston area and the Boston winters (although this one hasn't been too bad).  To take "real estate" photos we often end up clearing away a lot of the stuff that makes the place a home, so that you can really see the space.  Arden has such a distinct style that I was sad to have to rid "her" of her apartment.  I asked if I could come back and photograph, but this time take photographs that show her style off.

Arden submitted the photographs to ApartmentTherapy.com and her place was featured on the site in February.  She explains her thoughts about her decorating style in the post...take a look.

 

Here are some more photos form Arden's Home...

 

 

I'm showing this shot on the left again because I wanted to point out that Arden's bed is in the loft in the top of the image.  The photo to the right is taken from the loft area.  She has a great little nook that overlooks the her living room and kitchen...a cozy place to read a book before bed.

 

Most of Arden's apartment has a dark and cozy vibe to it.  There is one space however that is very well lit and bright - it's the guest room.  The guest room has a ladder that leads to a roof deck, which has a gorgeous view of the Prudential and the rest of downtown.  I found out by reading the Apartment Therapy article that the Arden had a muralist come and paint the fairy tale-ish mural that covers the guest bedroom walls.  The muralist is named Jill Pabich.

  

You can learn so much from a person's home and seeing the items they collect - the things they find important enough to keep and display.  

Arden's words from the Apartment Therapy article: 

I do not have a decorating aesthetic, but rather follow the wise words of my Danish step-mother: "If there is room in your heart, there is room in your home." Everything inside is there b/c I found it (most often at an antique store), fell in love, and later figured out where to put it.