At some point during my visit at the end of last month to shoot with the lovely Gwyneth Colleen, Gwyn was quick to point out that while I had been telling people I’d not really been to New England before my trip to see her, that—as a matter of fact—I’d been to Boston last fall and well, that counts as “having been to New England.”
To which I promptly followed with a “Yes, that’s true, but that’s not like, the real New England.”
I know, I know … if there’s anyone from Boston reading this, I’m going to get it, but folks, when I think of New England, I picture more Kennebunkport and less Red Socks.
Yes, the New England I was envisioning was EXACTLY what greeted me as I stepped off the plane and set off with Gwyn to her New Hampshire home. All American flags on the doors of beautiful Colonial homes and lots of rolling green hills and stands selling lobster rolls and plenty of salty sea air. Over the course of a few days, we shot a lot for clients but relaxed quite a bit too and when she took me for a detour to Kittery, Maine after an awesome burrito lunch, well … it was then that I realized I could cross this one off the ‘ol 101 in 1001 list. For I’d now been there, seen that and promptly fallen in love with this pocket of what I like to call the real New England 
We visited Fort McClary right on the water and the view of all the sailboats on the ocean in front of us was so peaceful and relaxing. And then I spotted a house with a tennis court butting up to the coastline and I thought, “Yeah, I could live here … for sure.”
I liked the texture of this sign and hey, sometimes you just need proof you’ve been, you know? 
Gwyn took this shot of me peeking my head out of one of the fort’s window frames. With that scarf wrapped around my neck, I feel quite jaunty in this photo. “Jaunty”…now isn’t that a word that feels New England-y? No? Just me then?
And a shot of Gwyn … we had fun exploring the old battle sites and soaking up some much needed sun after a long wedding shoot the day before.
Thanks again Gwyn for letting me come out and play and explore a part of the states I’d never been. I LOVED New England and I hope it’s not the last you see of me out that way!
See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Friend Gail on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.
by Gail Werner
show hide 6 comments
link to this post email a friend