A Special Photo Shoot at My Farm
It was a beautiful summer afternoon - just perfect for a special photo shoot at my farm.
Some time ago, my outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring Sherpa, asked if his daughter and her fiancé could take some wedding photos in my gardens. Chhiring has worked with me for more than 25-years, so I was delighted with the idea. The couple, Alina and Sam, along with their photographer, Don Hwang, selected several locations - in front of my stable, at my long pergola filled with bright orange tiger lilies, in the Boxwood Allée, by my tree peony bed, in my sunken Summer House Garden, at my small pond, and poolside.
Unfortunately I was away on this day, so I asked that they share some of their photos - here are a few, enjoy.
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- My farm, my home, and all the gardens, groves, and allées are constantly being used for my television shows, book shoots, and other appearances. I work very hard to make sure it is always in good shape for these events. This is my long clematis pergola in summer, when it is bursting with bright orange tiger lilies.
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- Here is my allée of pin oaks. These were some of the first trees I planted when I moved to my farm. In fact, Chhiring helped plant these trees with me. At that time, they were just a few feet tall.
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- Here is my pool, which was completed in 2018. I also have a pool house and a large pavilion nearby where I have hosted many spring and summer gatherings.
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- My sunken Summer House Garden was just a blank plot of earth when I moved here. The focal point is the giant ginkgo tree in the distance. I designed and planted a formal garden space with boxwood hedges, shrubs, ginkgo trees, thousands of spring blooming bulbs, and other specimen plantings. It has matured beautifully over the years.
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- On this day, I opened my farm to this young couple, Alina Sherpa and Sam Tharkay, for a series of portraits.
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- Alina, Sam, and Don, came late afternoon to catch the best light. The best time to take photos later in the day is in the last half of the “golden hour” before sunset when the light is soft, and warm.
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- Here is Don taking photos along the edge of the carriage road of my back hayfield.
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- Close by – Alina’s brother, Mingmar, and Chhiring. Mingmar, who is a US marine veteran, has also worked for me over the years.
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- Next stop is by my pond, which I restored earlier this year.
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- Here, Don sets the scene for the photo. He poses the couple, positions them in the best location for light and background, and then takes a series of images from several different angles.
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- When selecting a photographer for a special occasion, be sure to look at his or her portfolio to ensure their style of photography matches the desired vision of the shoot. It’s also important that the photographer’s personality is compatible. The session should be fun for all. Here, Don carries the bride’s long cathedral veil along the footpath of my Summer House Garden.
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- Other areas include the lawn in front of my tree peony bed under the shade of my giant sugar maples.
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- There are a few shots of Alina by herself – this one in front of my stable.
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- And a few photos with my beautiful Friesian. This is handsome Geert.
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- And here is the couple walking under the long pergola.
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- I was honored to have the photos taken here at my farm. I have known Chhiring and his family a long time. Here is a group photo of Chhiring, Sam, Alina, and Mingmar.
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- In the end, the couple and Don work together to choose the best photos from the shoot. The following are some of them. What a beautiful couple. (Photo by Don Hwang)
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- Here they are in the giant doorway of my stable. Don takes this image through the foliage of my potted sago palm. (Photo by Don Hwang)
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- Here is formal photo in the Sunken Garden. (Photo by Don Hwang)
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- And one of them looking at each other. (Photo by Don Hwang)
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- Here’s one of them walking down the Pin Oak Allée. Congratulations Alina and Sam. I am looking forward to sharing the wedding photos also! (Photo by Don Hwang)
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