CHECKING IN!

Ignore the long absence. Sometime last February this blog turned....20?!  Despite pointing my energies at other channels/commitments/activities, I miss blogging.It's good to write a little. I can draw a line from my 2005 awkward hop into the blogging world to truly wonderful present life connections. It's nothing short of amazing. So...here's what I am up to...

 PHOTO BOOTH AT A WOOLEN AFFAIR OCT 16-17TH

 Last March I had a photo booth at Nash Yarn Fest--it was a total blast. When Catherine Clark, who puts on A Woolen Affair, the yarn and music fest the day before  NY Sheep & Wool Festival (aka Rhinebeck) asked me to bring it to her event, I didn't hesitate .  Maybe I'll see you there? Come say hi ! 

If you want a photo session sign up in advance-- I'll only take a few walkups and I suspect it's going to get crazy (in a good way, chaos plus happy).  I'm planning to be back at Nash Yarn Fest in April 2026, too.

Speaking of Modern Daily Knitting  (Nash Yarn Fest's hostesses with the mostesses), I am thrilled to be teaching a MDK VIRTUAL PHOTO CLASS  for Ann & Kay.  It's rolling around soon- November 7th- and seriously, it is going to be a good one.  Info (and sometimes a large picture of me) at the links.

Of course I am still knitting and making stuff! Above is my so-called Rhinebeck sweater.  As in vaguely aimed at finishing it before next week Friday, accent on vague. This morning I upended a mug of black coffee into my knitting bag .  It's drying from a quick bath rather than being worked on. It's a Piilo sweater, it'll be cropped and not  gathered in at the bottom hem and maybe not fully long sleeved. I'm finding I like stripes a lot this year, what about you? I'm not print person for clothing normally. 

(The yarn is Kelbourne Woolens Scout,  I recommend it) 

 

Still here! Or..somewhere!

I'm still here and this blog is too!

Fast link to places I am teaching photo for makers coming up SOON maybe you'll join me???

Columbus OHIO 4/27/24 and Chicago IL 5/4/24

 

 Here's a little behind the scenes from a Berroco photo shoot we did in late fall.  It's a really wonderful fresh crochet collection, the theme was Summer Festival wear --and it being way beyond the summer festival season IRL, we created this kitschy set .  And yes I want her boots!

 We purposefully lit it to be as bright and pop as the astro turf and fake backdrop. I really love the collection.

Wait till you see the next season of collections  we shot for Berroco that will be out soon for the Fall 24. All shot  on location in amazing places, fab moels and styling and such good designs and yarns.

Some fun trends: more and more good crochet design made with good yarns. And more and more shades of yellow greens! And more attention paid to yarn sources and sustainability.

These three are from a photo shoot for the Hudson Valley Textile Project, showing off member products. 

I'm even finding myself drawn to a bright almost not-quite  yellow green!  What colors are you falling for lately?

This week: teaching Chicago in person!

As much as I enjoyed teaching virtually these past two years, I am thrilled I'll be in front of a room of living breathing people teaching iPhonography in just a few days  in Chicago!

 

If you'll be at H+H Americas, the trade show for handmade business  please join me !

THURSDAY JUNE 23,  9:45-11:15 am     Smartphone/IPhone Photo Confidence 

FRIDAY  JUNE 24,  9:45-11:15 am  10 +  Tips for Product Photography

These will be fun, helpful, talks filled with actionable tips and time for Q&A.  Not to mention so many images to look at!

And then if you're in the area, visiting or a local,  I am so excited to be teaching hands-on Fabulous Phone Photography for Knitters and Makers                                      SATURDAY JUNE 25, at STRING THEORY YARN COMPANY                            Chicago (Glen Ellyn)    9:30-Noon

If you're thinking about this one , don't wait too long, there were just a couple seats left when I checked in on Friday! I have wanted to visit this shop for ages, having met Janet Avila, the owner at past events and long admired her mission, attitude, events and style.  Oh, and yarn selections! Going to be some new projects cast on here, I can pretty much promise that.

 

3 things on thursday: good things

 with photos, of course!

1) It's lamb season ! and the sheep and wool festivals are getting underway!  I'm going to swing by the tiny  Connecticut Sheep Wool & Fiber Fest this Saturday. It's just a one day event, and  makes my She Shoots Sheep Shots soul so happy.

The photo is from a quick visit last month to my LSF (Local Sheep Farm), Olympia Farm . Love that the little trio posed for me like that!  If you have a local farm that welcomes visitors, I highly recommend making it a stop from time to time. I'm going to be popping in again soon cause cheesemaking season just started. As if I need a reason beyond lambs and local wool.....

2) A long overdue new website is underway.  I am my own worst editor.  It's a truth that's led to many months years delay on this project.  I have help. It is pretty amazing to have a completely different set of eyes culling my work . I am super proud of myself for letting go of attachments to  the images and let them just be seen.  The website is still in process. Reveal soon!  This image is Fine Lines by Lori Versaci , pattern includes longer version.

3) Work has been bustling, including a big corporate project. For every day out photographing there are at least two solid days of desk work at my computer....which means lots of book listening while I edit. A recent favorite : The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton.  Fun, great characters, includes serious issues from various points of view, from the 70's and in the present --the kind of book that you think about the characters a couple of weeks later and wonder how they are doing. And then remember....wait, they are fictional ...Does that happen to you, too? I always feel that's the sign of a good writer.  

Here are some other 3 on Thursday posts

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/f37e7d0bf6a9416aa2ea723a841733c4

State of the Making Report

 

 

The Fern Lake Baby Blanket progress!  On the upside I am loving this Berroco Remix yarn. The colors together and nubbiness are just exactly what I hoped they'd be. 10/10 recommend as an alternative to a woolly blanket, if you have non-woolly blanket people to please. Also it is 100% recycled fibers,!

 

I'm sticking to this till it's done.  Might take a few days at my snail pace of an inch or two a night. If I had a good get together with friends I'd knit on this and blab and make all kinds of progress. True confession: I find blanket knitting a little on the boring. Even with a pattern that hits the right mark between engaging and simple. Thinking back, I can only recall two other blankets I've knit, ever! Maybe three if you count a collaborative mitered square blanket* tho making small squares is a different kind of thing.  

One was on gigantic needles when I was in college...and the other, this baby blanket for Zoe, ten years ago. (!) and I am dying looking at the linked photos now....

 I tell myself it's the same number of stitches as knitting a sweater and that item always engages me. It's the lack of shaping. With sweaters, you can tell yourself ooh I reached an armhole! I am almost to the hem, go go go.  Conclusion: I am all kinds of immature and like a reward ahead to keep me motivated.

So, since I wouldn't let myself even think of another knit while working on this, my mind fixated itself on sewing flannel receiving blankets. If you're thinking "wow , I usually don't see sewing projects from gale" you'd be correct. I have sewing skills. I don't trot them out too often.

 

It would have been a fleeting impulse. Except I looked at the Joann's website. Turns out I could sit by my fireplace sipping wine late Friday night, choose all the flannels, order them, and pick it up all cut and ready for me first thing Saturday morning.

So. I did. 

If I got nothing else out of these past two years of pandemic, I got fierce online shopping skills and no hesitancy to use'em.

This will be four double sided blankets--two will be backed in orange, two will be backed in the pink dots and one will be two shades of purple. I spent way way  too much time watching online tutorials of making mitered corner borders....and hopefully my plan will work.

Had to share a clearer view of this one. Have I gone full granny with this post? YES I HAVE.

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*looking back at that linked mitered square blanket..it's pretty cool. I may have to do one of those again!

Brite Stripes Scarf Kit= happy knitting

 

 I may have made my favorite scarf photo ever! This was the last frame shot from the photo shoot for The Yarnery,  Brite Stripes Kit, in October.   The scarf feels so exuberant  that I wanted to see if we could catch that vibe.

The kits released yesterday .  I am thrilled ot share these, shot on a handball court in Brooklyn. I kind of love the location as a street studio setting. And I lovvvvve these models, Martine McKinney and Ariana McLean.  

 

The yarn is pretty fabulous as well--it's knit in solid colors of Snefnug and a skein of self striping Lang Cloud yarn.  It's bulky gauge knitting  although very light and airy. I am crazy about the Snefnug because the colors, I mean take a look. And also that name, it sounds like a funny sneeze. It means snowflake in Danish.

 This is a candidate for another Treat Yo'self project--and I say that as someone who feels the urge to knit a long scarf pretty much NEVER.  It would fly.

3 recos for March projects

So here we are in March. It's s really not spring...but we're really tired of winter. And winter clothes, and winter projects and winter-looking gray trees.  Not to mention the news and  public health challenges. So what's a knitter gonna do? Put down that project that's become a slog and live a little. Cast on.  What to knit, you ask? I've got three good ideas for what we want--no NEED- in our March knits!  (all photos by me, in case you wonder)

 1) We want a fabulous new sweater. A March sweater project has to be quick, for the satisfaction of wearing it this season. And it must be stylish yet comfy like fabulous pajamas, because after months of wearing sturdy pullovers, we need some swish.   I nominate Keeler, made in this Ultra Chunky Wool.   

I have wanted to knit one since we did this photo shoot last fall.
The pocket and deep split curved hem remind me of a dearly departed vintage handknit of my great grandmother's, that I wore through college and into my 20's, till it was in tatters. I've dreamed of replacing it and have never seen a simlar pattern, This one comes close.

2)We want something lightweight-chic  to wrap around our neck now AND to wear over our shoulders with a sundress in May.    So  Hazelbrook in Quinoa does the trick. (sidenote: aaagh! look at the color options from that yarn link--it's a mostly cotton thick and thin pebbly yarn that's worsted weight) 

I knit a Clapotis in a linen-y blend a mere 15 years ago (really?), and it has gotten more outings in more seasons than almost anything else I've knit. Hazelbrook could  to do the same. Plus--that stitch?! So pretty.

3)We want new hats, fast hats!   Because it'll cheer us up right away. I wouldn't  necessarily go for the grey yarn shown but that chunky yarn and style are straight from the Let's Make the Best of March playbook  Added  bonus, it's a free pattern from Berroco newlsetter.   It's Yawl, in Catena, which is bulky and soft and luxurious feeling but most importantly, the bulky . 
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 NOTE:  These are all Berroco yarn patterns, and it just happens two are deisgned by Amy Christoffers. I am a huge fan of her style. I photograph these knits months ahead of release, and often fall for some of the 80 or so patterns that flash before my eyes as we move rom one yarn line to another, and various locations, over 4-5 days.  It's fun to see them release and fall in love with them again.

This is secretly a Three on Thursday post (I know, day late) and you can find more of them linked to Carole's post every week as in that link. Also  Beverly Army Williams and Cal Patch are in on this too. Drop over and give them a gander!

3 things on my mind (work related)

 Berries in a Box by Lori Versaci

Hadley by Veronik Avery  as seen on Mason Dixon Knitting (their gorgeous Winterburn Aran yarn!)

1) I photograph many knits on jobs,  that I'd like to (make and) wear --but wouldn't connect on my own.  The two above are just the tip of the iceberg.  Go check out the link for the top one, Berries in a Box. It looks good on so many different body types. Including mine!   Yes--of course I try on samples while they are here with me for photo shoots. Wouldn't you?  I thought this shape would be too much for a shortie but it was so good.

The second one, Hadley, is no surprise style-wise for me . However, I'd only seen the original pattern that was multicolored--and it's a whole'nother  look in dark red and oatmeal. , like this sample I was sent to photograph.

2. Why why why why why am I dragging my feet on getting my new website up?  Even a good sheep shot can only hold a place for so long!  The funny thing is, I had my professional website very early on--in 1999, when relatively few photographers had websites, and most internet activity was still dial up or slow connections. The images on it were tiny!  I've had many webites since then...and a new one has been half designed for months now.
Do you drive yourself crazy not getting things done too? 

Thanks to Nancy of Getting Purly With It, for this photo , she was in the class :-) and caught me making namaste hands without knowing it.

3.  I love teaching iPhonography workshops. Yesterday's in New York at HereNowSpace was especially enjoyable. The participants were so talented and engaged.  It didn't hurt that the venue is stylish, had state of the art projection (love) and we were  surrounded by samples of mYak yarn, as it is also their showroom
At the end I was asked if I have an online video instruction version of my workshop. Nope. I almost always get this question when I teach....usually I just say nope and move on. This time I started pondering. Maybe I should produce one? On the things-to-look-into list! 

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Maybe a better title for this is 3 random things...but hey look at me, three blogposts already for 2020! See you next week. or, maybe this weekend wandering around VKL in NY ?
 

3 things for a new year

1) Blogging, I've missed you!  Start as you mean to go on, etc!   This is a favorite image from last year, from a Berroco yarn photoshoot for Providence yarn, a tweedy soft wool/alpaca/silk  I really loved shooting. We did all the photographs in Providence, RI at an old manufacturing building that's now Hope Artiste Village-- which is a nice touch, right?  

2) I still shoot sheep shots. Any chance I can! These ladies, above, are some of the wild island sheep I return to every year, on Nash Island Maine, to help my friend Jani Estell of Starcroft Yarn with her roundup and shearing. I play a very small role in the annual event, but it holds a large space in my heart.  

Parade on Nash Island.  It's a little misleading-- you only see this kind of scene at roundup for a split second as they are finally brought in by our human chain around the island, and walk briskly into the corral -- usually this tiny island appears to have no sheep at all - they are shy and good at hiding in the hillocks. The only other time is right at dawn, if you are lucky enough to make camp for the night.

I photographed many sheep and goats and farmers and shepherds in 2019, working with the Hudson Valley Textile Project in New York state. I'm looking forward to more adventures with them, and in anything I can do to support  the fibershed movement. This sweet beastie lives on the very wonderful Wing and a Prayer Farm.

3) More open-mindedness. To experiences, ideas and ...anything..even if I think I've already made an informed decision on whatever it is. More on this topic another time. Happy 2020!

iPHONEOGRAPHY / PHOTO WORKSHOPS-- Rhode Island and Portland Oregon!

Sign up online! iPhoneogrpahy for Knitters & Makers at the Slater Mill Knitting Weekend Saturday January 19 in Pawtucket /Providence Rhode Island. Info here . Space limited but it'll be hands on, fun AND  in a fantastic setting. Such good light inside and great backgrounds too.

This is from a photo shoot I did with Slater Mill in the background, for Berroco Pixel yarn. 

and also---  PORTLAND OREGON  at TNNA workshops & making headshot portraits

and also, super excited about

Puddletown Knitting Guild Saturday February 2

Product Photography for Knitters Dyers & Makers

I'll share shooting tips and in-phone editing tricks to make your images pop. Above , one of my fave hat tricks: shoot from above to keep the story about the knitting--and get rid of a horizon line though the head.
See you soon?

3 things: knits I am looking at

I invite you to follow my hashtag above over on Instagram, please!  I had a lightbulb go off over there last month.  (you are going to say...ummmDUH..in your best middle school voice).

1)  Westminster Shawl by Toby Roxane Barna, from her book Design Doubles. That's Toby herself, modeling. We started planning this photo shoot in 2015, shot it in 2017 and it just came out!  (the book pairs sweater and shawl designs that use the same motifs or stitch patterns but in different ways). This one is knit in bulky yarn--I'd wear it as a scarf.

I spend a majority of my work hours photographing, planning/prepping/proposing to photograph (or post production editing ) handmade knits. or related subjects.  I'm immersed in knits and images and yarns I am dying to show you but can't till they are released, months or even years later.

 2) Legwarmers in Berroco Millifiori Big. These were shot in spring 2017.  At the time, all I wanted to think about was the end of winter! But this week? So fresh and YES! 

I realized I should just post what is newly released, or whatever calls to me seasonally or by mood or style.  More often than not  I love revisiting the photographs separate from the context of the work day we shot it in. .
3) and here's my 3rd thing in knit photos: more legwarmers! I adore these bootcut shaped ones from Jill Draper Makes Stuff new collection Here. It's all in her wonderful Kingston yarn, photographed in her hometown of Kingston NY. This was shot in a combination bar & bookstore (seriously why do I not live near one???)

I'm not making the blog a priority these days  but I'm not giving up--just showing up when I can. Meanwhile I hope you'll say hi on Instagram or wherever you find me.

* I'm going to be a sheep peep helping my friend Anne Lahners at her Olympia Farm booth at the NE Fiber Festival of New England  in Massachusetts this weekend on Saturday Nov 3 (it continue son Sunday Nov 4) . Please swing by and say hi if you attend!  I am looking forward to it like crazy.

join me at TNNA for PhotoShoot workshop

I am teaching at TNNA in June 13-15  in Cleveland: 

from Berroco Medina pattern booklet -- see the BTS photo from this shot further down

Two excellent social media photo and writing workshops along with Beverly Army Williams, and solo, Photo Shoot A-Z: Planning, Producing & Picture Making. *

I put my PhotoShoot workshop together because the comment I hear most often from first time clients goes something like this: “whew! I had no idea what went into a photo shoot! Thanks for holding my hand through it”.  

The truth is, that day you hold a camera is just a tiny part of a photo shoot. The preparation, the planning, the thinking through the elements- that’s what makes a successful and productive photo shoot. 

It’s partially stepping back to see the big picture of what else beside your product needs to be considered- theme, setting, styling, wardrobe, light sources, effective colors, people? Who is arranging those things? What kind of help is needed? And it’s partially knowing the language —what kinds of files do I need? How do photographers charge if I decide to hire one? What do I ask for?  How long is expected  to get the final images and how many do I get? What are rights? Who chooses the model? EEEeeeek!! How do I even find a model who represents my vision for my business?. 

Here's a BTS view from the shot at top. shooting at noon on a sunny beach day in late September on Cape Cod

And, more such thoughts. It was fun for me to break down what I do and make a flow chart. (I am very proud of my flow chart). It’s designed to lead students choice by choice from their very first thought of needing a photo shoot, through to planning it, including choosing whether to do it themselves or seek the skill of a photographer for the project. 

 This class is not necessarily for someone who wants to work as  photographer (though it certainly could be helpful ). It is for anyone who needs to create powerful images of their product, shop or business, to enhance their marketing. Because as we all know, that old saw-  A picture is worth a thousand words—is truer more than ever on social media and online marketing. 

I love this image-- its the Awestruck Shawl from Appletree Knits --in her gorgeous yarn

This is all about you learning to be the confident leader/creator of the photography for your business, no matter who is holding the camera. The class will be small enough to customize information for those who attend.  We will have time for Q&A at the end, so we can take it in any direction.

*

Classes Beverly Army Williams and Gale Zucker** are teaching:

• Leveling Up Your Business on Social Media | Wednesday, June 13 | 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Photo Shoot A-Z: Planning, Producing and Picture Making | Thursday, June 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• 10 Photo and Hashtag Tricks to Build Community | Friday, June 15 | 7:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

* If you can't attend, we are happy to teach elsewhere, and to tailor the content to your business--just send a message. We love doing in-service and in-house workshops! 

**PhotoShoot class is Gale alone, the other two classes are co-taught.

Will I see you there? Let me know!

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