Willy Wonka - Norwood High - The Journey

The journey from rehearsal to final performance for a theatrical performance can be a long one. Months of rehearsals, opening night jitters, and then before we know it, it is the final performance. The journey is over and it was over too soon. This is a slideshow of some images from the rehearsals and the final performance of Willy Wonka. The next show is in rehearsals and I want to be there and watch the journey once again.

Christine Busler - Going to California

My Daughter Christine recently graduated with a BFA from Emerson College in Boston and has moved to LA. But we just had to fit in one more headshot session before she left. So we headed down to our favorite place - Starbucks for the session.

Wonka - The Final Rehearsals - Norwood MA - Busler

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory presented by Norwood High in the wicked excellent town of Norwood, MA. It literally soars ... seriously. And the cast, rocks

WONKA - Norwood High - Rehearsals II

Norwood High in Norwood MA presents Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with all the songs, dances and comedy of the movie.
There is no life I know, to compare with pure imagination ... Living there, you'll be free, if you truly wish to be. Come join the cast - Beginning on September 18, 2009

Controlled Chaos - The American Family

I love to take portraits, the eyes, the smiles and the images.

But what I like best is capturing the images of the person or family that really lets us see their lifestyle. Let's face it, it's tough to keep three kids still for a portrait.

And this is one of my favorites, It comes from a family shoot I did the day after Christmas 2006. The American family is real, it's fun and it's loving. It's not a perfect pose. It's perfect.

I just hope that I can capture this type of pose at every shoot, this un-posed slice of real life.

Val's Curtains - Norwood MA

Val's is all about windows .. you know dressing them up to look their best.
It's funny, during the day I don't even notice the store, but at night, the front windows come alive with color and chaos and beauty.



I think I love controlled clutter in my images. I can't stand it when everyone is looking at the camera, stiff as a board ... OK, yes, that is exactly what I make people do in a formal portrait, but it always makes me happy when the kids are laughing and the parents are just being themselves.
So back to Val's ... controlled chaos. I love it!

Wonka - Norwood High - The Rehearsals

All summer long they rehearse the fall musical. Long days, the kids barely get to enjoy their summers. But they squeeze in their family vacations and by the end of August, the production is starting to take shape.

The dedication they have is as much as any varsity team. The performances they put on are incredible. Here is a look at the rehearsals, soon enough you'll get to see images from their performance of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Brenner's - Norwood Center

Honestly, I don't know of another store that is left in the town that is from "the old days". Brenner's Children's Store was there when our Grandparents were buying our parents their clothes and it's still here. I wouldn't be surprised if there are still some clothes hanging that have been there for forty years. OK, twenty years.



With all of the trendy stores out there, where can yout still get a Cub Scout pocket knife ... Brenner's.
And how about a sash for your Girl Scout uniform? Brenner's
You might think it "corney" to care about the store that was there when three generations grew up, but personally I feel that we have to keep them alive.
Now if we could just get some new styles in the window....

I know that these are both the same picture. But color and Black and white are completely different.

The Leg in the Window - Norwood MA

The main street in Norwood MA is lined with new businesses and long time staples. It's a mixture that I'm sure you'll see in many towns.
One of the most interesting is the antique shop. For all I know it's a busy place, but I've never seen anyone in there. This image was almost an after thought. I was headed to my car, my camera packed away and there she was... in all her glory ... A MAJOR PRIZE! The Leg Lamp.

No fanfare, no real positioning except it was there in the window ... I think it was there to light the window , but there she was.

How many young men have marveled at it's beauty? I too stopped and got my camera out of it's safe place to take a shot ... just to document the Leg Lamp that lights the window in Norwood center.

Conrads Norwood MA

I was out on another search for images and there it was ... "Conrad's". On another night I would have kept walking I guess. But this night it just looked perfect.


It's nice the way certain places in town are consistant. A teenager can bring his date here and be treated with respect ... and the food is great.

It was quite late when I shot these images, the town was very quiet. Just the way I like it

Summertime - FUN!

We all live for the week-end .. you know the saying ... "Work to live not Live to work"
I think we forget that ... I know that I do. We need ... we want ... we "have to have" ... everything When we have "everything" if we just remember that family is the most important thing there is.
I shot this image and knew that I had captured a lot more than a slip and slide. For the moment they reached the end they hugged.

Girlfriends - A Quiet Moment

I shoot a lot of theatrical performances and sometimes my favorite shots come from the rehearsals. It's a lot of long days to put together a show.

The stage isn't set, there are no costumes and the actors deep in the process of preparation.

Downtime between your turn to rehearse can be hours. And during those times I see the best images.

Here's another image from my Girlfriends series and it will always be one of my personal favorites.

Girlfriends - Four Years Later

Four years ago I had the chance to photograph four girls who had recently graduated from high school.

They were "girlfriends" and they were all quite different. I don't claim to understand people, I just capture their souls, OK, I just take their pictures... but magic happens when you look back and see how things have changed.

Especially those years right after high school when a person's world explodes with new ideas - new places - and people.

I'd love to shoot the Girlfriends again, but that moment has passed

An Apple's Life - Captured in Walpole MA

I'm a bit sentimental. I keep the things that important people in my life have given me.

This tends to create "boxes of stuff". Not BIG boxes, shoeboxes of stuff.

My stuff reminds me of the happy moments in my life.

My Daughter gave me an apple in October 2005. I put it in the fridge and it ended up in the back ... for a year it aged there. Then I took a picture of it and put it back.

This image below is an apple's life documented over the course of three years.

I finally threw out the apple, it was getting way too old.

Seven Nations - Fiddle in Cleveland Irish Festival 2009

The band called Seven Nations is really a bit deceiving.; At first glance, they are have the look of a skateboard crew... tattoos and baseball caps , They don't look like they'd be a great band,

But as soon as it starts you soon find out that this is a group of seriously talented musicians that have worked with symphony orchestras, been part of the Olympic opening ceremonies and the X-Games.

I only got a few images of Victor Gagnon, the band's fiddle player, but you get the picture.

The Screaming Orphans - Cleveland 2009

I had the chance to see The Screaming Orphans perform at the Cleveland Irish Festival in July 2009. I playing at the festival too, so I only had the chance to get a few shots of the Joan Diver, the band's drummer and lead singer.

They don't scream and they aren't orphans. They are a band made up of four sister's. Their Mom was the band's lead singer up until they took to the road to perform around the world.

Check them out if they are in your area of the country.

The Step Dancer's Shoes

There are so many forms of dance. Some are free form and fluid and others more rigid.

Irish step dancing is all in the feet. It's quick moving, and it can be loud and solid, and very very exact.

As a drummer, the step dancer is my friend. We understand each other, we know that the rhythms we produce are at the heart of all we do. It is an extension of our heart beat and soul.

So listen closely to the rhythm, applaud it when it's loud and sharp and quick and lively and wonderful. Breathe in the rhythm and hold it tight.

Your heart will understand

Your soul will dance to the rhythm and then , you will smile.

Eileen Ivers - Cleveland Irish Festival 2009

You may have heard of Eileen Ivers. All-Ireland fiddle champ, member of the band in the show River Dance, the "Jimi Hendrix" of the violin on and on. She is inventive, incredible, funny, exciting and wicked good.


I had the opportunity to see her and her band play at the Cleveland Irish Festival in July 2009. When you realize the level of talent you are seeing it is even more amazing that she is so unassuming.

Eileen is just at home with the Boston Pops as she is sitting with a few friends sharing fiddle tunes. And the audiences love her for it.

A Graduation - UMASS Med - Worcester MA

My Son graduated from UMASS Medical School with a Master's degree in Nursing on June 7th. Here are a few images of the graduation and how in the end, everyone gives in to their little sister

The Gazebo - Norwood MA

The gazebo on the town common in Norwood, MA is the site of band concerts, the awards ceremony for the kids Fourth of July parade, zillions of prom pictures, and billions of get togethers. It comes alive after dark when the lights come on.

The 4th of July Parade 2009 Norwood MA

Later in the day, the main 4th of July parade takes place in Norwood. Led by fire trucks from every town near by, this is the highlight of the day.

This parade brings it all back, the history, the pride in country and the love of family. The country takes a break from the rush and hurry.

We see that family and friends really do matter

The Kids Fourth of July Parade 2009 Norwood MA

The kids parade in Norwood is a lot of fun. The town basically closes down for a couple of hours so that hundreds of kids can come down the main street to the town common

They are dressed as famous people, the Statue of Liberty and flags are everywhere. It's a great day and the kids and everyone else just love it.

And I get to capture it all!

Snow White - Norwood High

Here's a quick slideshow of some of the images I captured of Norwood High School's production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

I've seen most of these actors in many other productions. Their talent continues to amaze me, but what is most interesting is how accepting they are of the roles they are given. Big or small they jump right in and do a great job.

I too jump at the chance to capture all the action, drama and comedy .. both on and off the stage.

The Fourth of July Hat - Norwood MA

I know it's still a month away, but I'm the kind of person that can listen to a Christmas song in June ... which I did last night by the way, so it's time to get up and out your "Fourth of July Hats".

What? You don't have one? Show that Red White and Blue!

Like the other "one day holidays", the Fourth of July seems to stop time and helps us remember what is most important in our lives.

One of my favorite parts of the day is the Children's Parade in Norwood MA. The kids, or more likely, their parents dress the kids as little patriots and Presidents. Then literally hundreds of them come marching down the main street.

Everyone turns out to share in the event and to see those crazy Fourth of July hats. And I'm there capture it all. I can't wait to share this years images with you!

Graduation Day UMASS Medical

Today is graduation day for my Son at UMASS Medical.

He was certainly destined for greatness. A great ice hockey player, always loved working with kids (and still does) but what a surprise when after graduating from Quinnipiac University with a degree in Bio-Medical Science ... with a minor in Psychology he'd then head off to UMASS to get his Masters degree as a Nurse Practitioner?





I will be photographing again today. Just trying to capture another moment in time. This is a once in a life time experience, just like everyday.

I don't mind getting older, well, I mind a bit I guess. I think it's more that my kids are on their own now and I am too.

One day I'll look back on this day with pride, but I know that I had nothing to do with it.