Mary Johnson Photography

Branford 2012 Sunsets Calendar

2011-12-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

Back by popular demand. 2012 Branford "Sunset" Calendar

You can order via my website.http://www.maryjohnsonphotography.com/viewing.html

This is a great holiday gift.

See inside of calendar.

Branford Compassion Club Fundraising Calendar "Firefighters and Kittens:"

2011-11-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Just In: This is the Branford Compassion Club fundraising calendar for 2012. Firefighters from Branford, East Haven, Hamden and Guilford participated in this calendar with kittens from the Branford Compassion Club, North Branford, Ct.
This calendar is to raise money for the BCC to help feral kittens/cats in need to find homes, neuter/spray, shots/vaccinations, food/shelter they need in order to go to loving homes.
Thanks to all the firefighter's who donated their time sitting with the kittens.

To order any of the calendars, please go to www.maryjohnsonphotography.com. Most of the proceeds go the the BCC. Thank you.
Mary Johnson

Photographer

Link for BCC
http://www.branfordcompassionclub.org/

To order calendars
http://www.maryjohnsonphotography.com/

Hurricane Irene-OneWeek Later Aftermath- East Haven, Ct. 8/28/2011

2011-09-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

Purple Royalty
by Mary Johnson

Although, I was in East Haven that Sunday night after Hurricane Irene hit, I was compelled NOT to go visit Cosey Beach Avenue because I knew what I would see would bother me. I actually waited till Friday afternoon to go and visit.

Friday when I arrived, there were people of the neighborhood walking around like they were still in a state of shock from the damage that Hurricane Irene caused. I parked and took out my camera. As soon as I picked up my camera gear, I heard someone announcing on a megaphone that it was lunch time and the man asked everyone to please come to the booth that they set up to eat something.

There were a lot people trying to clean up the mess that Irene had made. Some of the houses, I wondered how anyone could even search in because of the extensive damage to them. The boards falling on them, exposed nails around, broken glass, etc.

As I walked along, I saw people and asked them how they were and if they needed anything. Mostly everyone let me photograph their horror. They looked very sad. Some residents looked like they were staring into space. I think you call it PTSD. Post traumatic stress of seeing their houses, that most of them lived in for many years as a summer cottage, with many memories, just broken.

I was there for about one hour and decided to leave. When I left and started driving away, I couldn't control my crying. I feel so bad for them.

The following day, Saturday, I went back to revisit with my friend/photographer. We arrived this time and had a hard time getting into the area, but was finally allowed to. We spoke to many people. Some wanted a conversation with other people. I supposed they wanted to talk about it, like therapy. It must be the healing process. Some people were angry. There are all stages of stress. I would be angry also, that my memories were taken away with my house.

We met a woman who started talking to us about when she was able to go back to look threw her things. All she really wanted was her mother's wedding picture. She found it unharmed.

Then we met purple royalty. Purple royalty was an older woman, around 94 years old, who you can tell was a very nice dresser. She sat in her chair with her family. She had on the color purple. That was her favorite color. She had helpers earlier that day come by to help clean out her things in her flattened house. One of the helpers painted the door frame lying on the sand of the front of her house purple! Her relative pointed out her purple pillow that was on her sofa

Define the color purple:

In the dictionary it means

Mysterious-(this was the older woman and I wanted to know more about the color purple)

Magic-(it seemed that she was able to keep her family focused and together)

High Ranking-(she was definitely the oldest and everyone congregated together around her)

If you can find it in your heart to help out the people of Cosey Beach Avenue, East Haven, please go to the town of East Haven website.

One thing that I was asked was to ask the public, if you know of some trusted, reputable contractor who would like to help volunteer. They need help to fix and clean up the houses because it's hard to go look for their processions without knowing how safe the houses are on Cosey Beach Avenue with all the damage they sustained. Please contact me via email or contact the East Haven Town Hall. There have been a lot of looters. The looters come at night time and even come on boats to steal. How can some people be soooo mean and cruel?

Note: I am not a writer, so if you see anything that looks wrong, please contact me...( please be nice :)

A trip to Buttonwood Farm-Griswold, Ct.

2011-08-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

I just recently took a trip with a good friend to Buttonwood Farms in Griswold, Ct. The sunflowers go on for miles and miles and just to be exact, they span for 14 acres! This event usually happens for a week or two late July. Since 2003, with this year the 8th year, Buttonwood Farms has sponsored "Make-A-Wish. This year they raised a whopping $100,207.00 and ALL of the proceeds, yes 100%, went to this foundation. Cut bouquets of sunflowers just cost $5.00 for a donation. What a cool event! A MUST do event for couples., children AND photographers. Don't forget to take your camera next year when you go. I went during the week and some of the sunflowers were beginning to die and the electric fence was up probably because the sunflowers had already reached their point of blossoms. We did see some cows eating the dead blossoms. But, I heard if you go on the weekends when they are in full bloom, you can actually stand in the fields of the sunflowers.

A BIG HUGE thumbs up to Buttonwood Farms. I highly recommend it for a day trip next year.

The storm

2011-08-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken on 8/1/11 at around 7 P.M. at Branford Point. There was a very scary, intense, windy, thunderstorm floating around in the sky because of the hot humid day we just had. Funky mammatus clouds rolled in at sunset just as the storm was ending.
If you would like to learn more about these rare clouds, please click on this link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammatus_cloud

Shannon & John's Engagement Photos

2011-07-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you meet people that you just click with. This couple had no problem with being creative and I had a blast photographing them.

In the morning I went over to the Hamden firehouse where he is a lieutenant and shot some pics of him and his future wife near the fire trucks. Shanan had 3 wedding dresses for me to photograph her in. That was fun.

When I found out they had a motorcycle, I thought it would be great to take some pictures at sunset time on the bike. The couple came over with a bottle of homemade wine for me! Thank you Shanon and John!

We headed out to Branford Point and Stony Creek. These are some of my favorite pictures of that day.

Stony Creek Sunset

2011-07-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I love to photograph is sunsets. I am addicted to them. Here are a couple that I shot on July 4th in Stony Creek. I think I have photographed a sunset or two in every shoreline around Branford.

Branford Point Fireworks

2011-07-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

I know it's late, but these are photos of the Branford Point Fireworks show.

They have a wonderful fireworks display every year.

The fireworks are shot right off the rocks right at the end of the street near the water.

The debris from the fireworks actually fall on your head because it is so close.

This year we had a huge party that day because both of my daughter's graduated school. One graduated high school and the other college. It was party time with a millions of friends and relatives, good food and music.

Easter Bunnies

2011-04-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

Friends?

2011-04-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Katie & Jim

2011-04-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege to photograph Katie & Jim's engagement session at Branford Point the other day. What a wonderful couple. They have know each other since she was 15. She told me that they met on the city bus years ago. Their dog is going to be the ring bearer in their wedding in June. That is going to be lots of fun for me to photograph. I love unique weddings. Can't wait and looking forward to it.

East Coast Seascapes

2011-04-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Branford Point Fireworks-The Best on the shoreline!

Newport, Rhode Island Sunset

Madison, Ct.

Stony Creek, Branford, Ct.

Branford Point, Branford, Ct.

Rainbow, Branford, Ct.

Stony Creek, Branford, Ct.

Montowese Street, Branford, Ct.

New Hampshire

Maine

Snowy Branford, Ct.

Beach, Branford, Ct.

Branford Point

Cold/warm snow, Branford Point

Stony Creek, Branford, Ct.

Pawson Park, Branford, Ct.

Easter Cats

2011-04-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

This is baby sitting underneath the umbrella. She is ready for April showers and May flowers.

Mia would like to shake your hand.

Amazing Grasshopper and Praying Mantis

2011-04-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

Introducing Mimi

2011-03-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

These are pictures of Mimi. My friend's new chihuahua. She is 5 years old. The last picture is PJ, her new brother. They get along great.

Who cares!!!!!

2011-03-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

Found this picture when I was going thru the girls old pictures. It's nice to be this young and not have a "care in the world".

I love this Kitty!!!

2011-03-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

I was taking portraits of my neighbor's new dog, Mimi today and Mia decided she wanted to get her picture taken also. Look's like she's a bit frisky today! She jumped right on in and did a modeling session. Tell me you don't love her. Look for my new post soon of Mimi.

Branford Compassion Club Grand Opening Video

2011-02-27T18:20:00.000-08:00

Video of the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Branford Compassion Club Grand Opening

2011-02-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

Branford Compassion Club cake.

Vicky at front desk.

HUGE donations!!!

Doggie was waiting in the car. I think he wanted to go in and visit the cats.

Mary M., President of Compassion Club

Krista, Mary, Volunteer, Eunice (Past President of BCC), David

Ribbon Cutting!

Cake cutting.

Girl Scouts were visiting the new building and playing with the kittens.

My cats would love this to play on.

"In Memory Of" tree.

What a great cause and such a wonderful event.

I still love Black & White Film

2011-02-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

All the the photos above were taken when I still developed my own black and white film. I used to spend hours in my darkroom developing millions of negatives until digital was introduced. I still spend hours playing around on Photoshop. Sometimes...I like the serious faces.

Full Moon 2/17/2011

2011-02-17T18:07:00.000-08:00

There was an awesome full moon tonight!!! One of my friends sent me a text on my cell phone and gave me the "heads up". So glad that he did because I would have missed it. It didn't take long before it was hidden by clouds. I've always been intrigued with the weather and astronomy. If you look closely it looks like there is snow on the moon.

My Daughter's Artwork

2011-02-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

This has nothing to do with photography but I'd like to post it anyway. This is my daughter's artwork when she was a lot younger. She is now 21 years old. I kind of think when she drew it at the time, she was thinking about a boy that she probably had a crush on. What do you think?

I NEED THE COLOR YELLOW!

2011-02-15T16:15:00.000-08:00

The color yellow represents to me, the sun, brightness, happy and warmth. The warmer weather cannot come fast enough. Seems like this winter never ended. Blizzards and snow storms were throughout the eastern U.S. Snow is pretty when it first falls in Connecticut, but after plowing, it's all dirty. So I want to be in a yellow mood. I can see now, why, yellow is my daughter's favorite color. This photo was taken in Stony Creek, Ct. during the end of the summer last year, when sunflowers are plentiful. I can hear the birds tweeting, feel the warm summer breeze and the smell of the sea at high tide. Let's go for a dip in the ocean.

Gini And Her Daughter

2011-02-14T18:55:00.000-08:00

Valentine' Day if for people you love or have loved so I just had to post this picture in memory of my friend Gini, before she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at the age of 43. She had 4 children all under the age of 7. I met her when my daughter and her oldest daughter were in Kindergarden. Our kids were best friends at that time. Gini was one of my best friends. This woman was the great mommy to her children. What a great friend she was and was always happy. Her kids came first. I miss her dearly and I think of her often . Hopefully in Heaven, she knows that! Some people have great impact in our lives and she did for me. Bless her! To you Gini..............love ya!!!
Why is it that the good die young?

BEAUTIFUL!

2011-02-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

I wish I looked like her.

Valentine's Day is coming soon!

2011-02-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Share the LOVE......What are you giving your loved one for Valentine's Day? A great idea, a special portrait for mom or dad to enjoy forever. There is still time left to order your photos.

"Crazy Days" and it's gonna get busier!

2010-11-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

Hi All:
I'm playing around with my new blog. I should be editing photos. So crazy busy. .
I have lots of upcoming portaits for Christmas also. Book your appts. now. Not much time left.

I love the holidays!!!!

Branford Compassion Club Fundraiser

2010-11-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

If anyone is interested in buying a 2011 "Cat" calendar for the holiday or for yourself, please contact me via e-email: marylovesphotos@gmail.com The calendar has high quality photographs of "rescued cats/kittens". These pictures can brighten your day as you look at your calendar for your day's appointments. A percentage of the sales go to The Branford Compassion Club. Branford Compassion Club is a volunteer based cat rescue organization serving Branford, Ct and surrounding shoreline towns. There are two calendars available. One is 8 1/2x 11 size selling for $ 19.99 and a larger calendar selling at $22.99. Plenty of room to write in appointments, etc. Shipping and handling is $5.00 if you would like it shipped to your address.

Wow! This is the beginning of my new blog.

2010-11-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

This is the beginning of my new blog. This is a first for me. I assume that you tell people what you are up to and what you are doing. I'm not too good at that, but I will give it a try. I guess it's something inside of me that doesn't like to give strangers personal business information.