What a fun project this was!  We got to work with a great team of people to bring a Baker / Designer's ideas to life.  Once we reviewed all of the needs - we then had a lot of organization to do and much planning.  Working through the creative ideas and figuring out what would and would not work was a challenge, but one that we accepted very willingly.  The team really needed to come together to work through the order of shooting the cakes, figuring out the timing of the prep, baking, decorating both the set AND the cakes themselves.

All of it was like a puzzle - and you can either get stressed out by the puzzle or you use it as a challenge.  We accepted the challenge and had a great time problem solving the amount of ingredients to buy, the fridge space needed, the cooking and decorating times, the multiple sets - the camera angles - the lighting and keeping it all fresh and vibrant and not getting jaded by the last slice.  By the end, we all agreed - let the all eat CAKE!

Truly, a day of work and fun, capturing the flavor of everything this special place has for people to enjoy.  What started out like any assignment, the email and phone call.  

Available?  Interested?  Sure, why not?  

Not really Heath's normal thing to do, but it seemed like an assignment that could be so much more - and it was.

People were buzzing around, last minute touches, dignitaries, chefs, politicians, foodies - all there for the opening of what already is an incredible success in NYC and now, the opening in Boston.  Everywhere you turn, there was some delictable tidbit that needed to be captured and Heath got the front seat, as Boston met EATALY.

Welcome to the neighborhood, we're excited you are here!

If you follow my blog then you've heard me talk about the importance of testing to develop your work and your style. It's a little different than interpreting a layout and then giving your input to an art director who already has a vision in his or her mind. With testing you are the art director as well, dealing with your own interpretations and desires and doing all the execution as well, and utimatley having to please no one but yourself.

It's important because first, it pushes your craft, and second, it gives you a tremendous understanding of what your clients deal with everyday.

A few weeks ago I finally put into motion an idea I had thought about for sometime about shooting kids in all out summer fun mode. Given I love kids I thought this would be a total blast! As I got into the planning of it I also realized how seamless the production would need to be if I was going to achieve my goals and get the images I wanted. So my crew choices and the model choices were going to be absolutley critical.

I'm happy to report that everything went perfectly and the crew and models were fantastic! We had a beautiful day, lots of laughs and a bunch of kids who went home exhausted and full! Many, many thanks need to go out to my crew: Joy Howard for her awesome food styling of popsicles and ice cream in 90 degree heat; to Lizzy Williams for all the fantastic toys and props for the kids to play with; to Coco Grace for her always perfect hair and make up, to Erin Riley for the sweet wardrobe choices. Also have to acknowledge my producer Sharon for always keeping me on track and the engine running at full speed and Katherine Hennessy, my rep for pushing me to do more than I thought I would. Finally if you ever shoot with kids...... Do. Not. Forget to call Kelly Naugler; amazing ability to motovate kids.

Here are some of my favorite pics from the shoot:

The crew:

A special gathering of friends, clients, peers and co-workers to celebrate the ebb and flow of the studio.  Kristin is moving on to a new frontier (literally) down in Texas and Sharon has stepped back into Massachusettes and will be managing and producing for the studio.  It's all pretty exciting stuff and it was a nice Summer evening sharing stories over some drinks and apps, catching up on news and life.  Thanks to all who were able to come by and to those that didn't make it ~ no worries, another cocktail party can't be too far away!

A special little place, The Vermont Creamery, became a story that evolved into a memorable day.  From farm to table with much love and care.  The Creamery started by two young visionaries and grew into a labor of love in a small farm in Brookfield.  A team of family, friends and creamery artisans joined together to enjoy what nature had provided.  We enjoyed our time and celebrated all that the farm had to provide.

To see more imagery, please visit the full story on our site:

http://www.heathrobbins.com/Stories/Vermont-Creamery/1