June has arrived on Martha’s Vineyard, and with it, that unmistakable shift. The softening of the wind, the stretching of the light, the buzz in town as ferry lines grow and shops reopen. A BUSY Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, and the island is leaning into summer. For me, this moment is always equal parts grounded and electric—when the season truly begins.
After a winter of travel and creative exploration, it feels good to be rooted back on the island. My garden is mulched and planted, with new experiments like Lavender, Eucalyptus and Shiso taking hold alongside the usual tomatoes, kale and garlic. Early morning shoots blend into evenings spent watering and weeding, and that quiet rhythm is mirrored in my work. Things are beginning to bloom after months of planting ideas and plans.
From behind the lens, June is rich with possibility. Family portrait sessions and engagement shoots are already underway, and I’m gearing up for the first of many summer weddings. There’s an energy in the air, a sense of return and reconnection—people coming back to their favorite place, ready to make new memories.
This year, I’m also deeply immersed in two projects that are close to my heart and speak to the heritage and character of this island in beautiful and lasting ways.
One is The Sea Table: Stories by Fishermen and Recipes from Martha’s Vineyard. This cookbook was produced by the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, and curated by Cathy Walthers, and is due out this July. I spent last year photographing every dish – all simple, elegant, and deeply flavorful. The recipes in this book are inspired by the lives of our local fishermen and brought to life by Island chefs.
The portraits and editorial storytelling – from our local fleet of fishermen to their boats, hands at work, and moments behind the scenes – were captured by my friend and fellow photographer Brooke Barletta. Her images are absolutely stunning and bring gravity, dignity, and humanity to each story and recipe. Seeing the visual narrative come together—her portraits alongside my food imagery—has been incredibly rewarding. We photographed the book last year, and I truly cannot wait to hold it in hand.
The second exciting collaboration is my new partnership with the Vineyard Preservation Trust, who is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. I’ve started photographing each of their 17 landmark properties—from the Flying Horses to Alley’s General Store, from Edgartown’s stately Old Whaling Church to the newly shingled and iconic Grange Hall.
I’m also covering many of their public and celebratory events throughout the year. This work is about honoring legacy, preserving history, and capturing the essence of place. It’s a privilege to play a part in that visual storytelling.
In between these projects, I’ve continued working closely with the editorial team of Bluedot Living. One stand out assignment I truly loved was a story titled “Digging for Gold”, written by Lucas Thors.
It took me into the heart of the lagoon with the MV Shellfish Group, learning the art of clamming—where, how, and why it’s done. Lucas and I suited up in waders and joined the crew in the water. I even brought my underwater housing (about the size of a five-pound lobster) to capture their catch in action.
The experience was hands-on, muddy, and unforgettable. After the shoot, I brought home a haul and made linguine with clam sauce, connecting the full circle of food, place, and story. These are the assignments that light me up—deeply tied to the local food system, and full of character, grit, and flavor.
Just last week, an assignment brought me to our sister island of Nantucket. There, I had the chance to photograph a beautifully reimagined 1789 whaling captain’s home in Sconset for The New York Times “Living Small” column.
The piece, written by Julie Lasky and titled “A Ramshackle House on Nantucket, Brought Back to Shipshape”, chronicles how Nicole Tirapelli turned a once-crumbling 1800s whaling captain’s cottage into a soulful, storied home in Sconset—full of clever design, vintage treasures, and community roots. It’s exactly the kind of project I love: beautifully lived-in, deeply personal, and anchored in sustainability and place. It was a natural fit to tell this story through my lens.
There’s something about June that always feels like a beginning. The season hasn’t fully peaked yet—there’s still time, space, and breath in the days. Shoots feel spontaneous and joyful. Clients are relaxed and the natural beauty of this place does half the work. Whether I’m capturing a beachside portrait or a new business launch, the shared goal is the same: to create something meaningful, lasting, and real.
For me, photography is always about storytelling. Whether I’m documenting a nonprofit’s mission, a multigenerational family reunion, a lovingly built home, or a single oyster on the half shell, it’s about making a moment visible. Showing care, presence, and connection—through light, color, and composition.
After a season of travel, there’s something deeply restorative about being home again—grounded on this island with fresh eyes and renewed energy. The calendar is filling fast. The garden is growing. And the stories waiting to be told are as abundant as ever.
June is here—and it’s just the beginning.
