Jay Reiter, Author at Jay Reiter Photography

Jack and Zoe – NH portrait photography

October 22, 2015

This is Jack…and Zoe.

Jack is one of my all-time closest friends, a kid I met while I was teaching photography at an arts camp in Massachusetts. He had this innate curiosity about just about everything – that and a great eye for art and a knack for photography – well, you can figure the rest out. He quickly started turning into a phenomenal photographer.

Not only that, but he thought I was a pretty decent photographer that he could learn from, so we started hanging out. That was six years or so ago…and a friendship that has grown in breadth and depth with each year. We went from being counselor and camper to counselor and counselor, he’s now my second shooter at weddings, and it’s a treat to go out and just shoot with Jack.

He’s probably going to get a swelled head if he reads this, but oh well!

He was so intent – on his photography, on playing and producing music, on doing mostly bizarre things with computers, on studying his butt off – that he never seemed to have time for romance or relationships.

Imagine my surprise when he suddenly was hanging out with the cutest – and incredibly interesting girl, Zoe.

This past weekend we met up after they had scoured Northern New Hampshire checking out the fall foliage – and on a cold and blustery New England day I did some portraits of them.

Here’s one I’m particularly fond of.

Jay Reiter No Comments portrait, portraits

The Potter – MA portrait photography

October 4, 2015

I am an extremely lucky person – I have met and photographed some simply amazing people along the way, but few as incredible as world class potter and close friend Elizabeth Cohen. Her pottery inspires me – as it probably will you, check it out at http://elizabethcohenpottery.com/ – and she and her family are among the most grounded folks I know.

A month ago I traveled to see her to photograph her children and to do a family portrait. After those were shot, Elizabeth asked if I might do some of her…but not in her studio.

Here’s one of the photos from the shoot, one that, at least for me, travels deep into her soul. Tell me if it strikes you that way, is it more than just a portrait of a person?

Jay Reiter 2 Comments artist, family portraits, portrait, portraits

Spring sky – NH landscape photography

May 8, 2015

It has been a really strange run of weather – snow that seemed limitless this winter coupled with brutally cold temperatures, a dry spring that’s been cool and suddenly 80 degree temperatures. No transitions, no warning, no mud season . . . but the tick population is healthy if me and my dog are any indication – every time we come back from the woods there are ticks to be picked off.

The sky lately has looked more like fall – and I’m just constantly shaking my head at the nay sayers who say there’s no such thing as global climate change. I think they should go outside for a little bit.

Jay Reiter No Comments Fine Art, Projects

Abandoned house – NH Fine Art Photography

April 29, 2015

Out for a hike to spend time with family…and do some photography as well…and came upon this old house. Judging from the beams, we’re talking a home from the mid 1700’s I’d guess. From the looks of it, years of neglect and a roof that no longer kept out the weather were it’s demise and it’s now being taken down board by board. The person doing the job must be planning on re-using the lumber…and he or she has an infinite amount of patience! I’ve done that work before and it’s not for a person in any hurry.

What caught my eye was the door – would love to know why it is still on – not doing much in the way of keeping anything out, but visually a real treat. So, thank you to the unknown person doing the work – you provided a very satisfying photograph for me!

Jay Reiter No Comments Abandoned buildings, Fine Art, HDR, Projects

The disappearing season – NH landscape photography

April 7, 2015

The past few days my nature writing and photography class has been working on a conceptual assignment – the disappearing season. Their task was to ponder that concept and in photographs and writing create a journal entry or entries. As I dealt with tons of their questions, I thought I’d take a stab at it myself – it’s easier to deal with their frustrations and issues if I’ve encountered them myself.

A walk through the woods to the river and I came to realize I was almost too late – the ice is virtually gone, but I came up with a few images that seemed to work.

Looks like the disappearing season is disappearing quickly…here comes Spring!

As always, feedback is greatly appreciated.

Jay Reiter No Comments Fine Art, Projects

Ice – NH landscape photography

January 27, 2015

Took a walk with the kids in photography club last week – through the field, woods and onto the footbridge over the stream.

Glad I went there before last night’s-todays blizzard. The stream was full of these funky ice patterns, patterns that I’m sure are now buried under 20 inches of snow.

Can’t figure out what the patterns remind me of, just like the flow and form of them.

Would love to know your comments.

Jay Reiter 2 Comments

Strange winter – NH landscape photography

January 17, 2015

Bone-chilling cold, then mild Spring-like then bone-chilling cold…but not enough snow to make it seem like it’s already mid-January. That’s been the story of our winter so far.

And unless you’re a plow truck driver there a lot of people see certain benefits to the lack of white stuff on the ground – certainly cold enough for the ski areas to make plenty of snow.

Looked out the office window this morning and was struck by the wind swept patterns in the couple of inches of snow we do have on the ground – still haven’t bought that macro lens I keep promising myself so I shot from 30 feet up with a long lens…came out kinda interesting.

Would love to hear what you think!

Jay Reiter 1 Comment Fine Art, nature photography, winter

Winter’s closing in – NH landscape photography

January 1, 2015

Anyone living in New England knows how lucky we’ve been – with the exception of the Thanksgiving storm the weather has been mild and snowless – bad for the skiers, boarders and plow truck folks, but good for the rest of us.

Can’t say I minded seeing the ground on Christmas, but I have a feeling the party’s about over. The river in Newmarket is freezing fast – out with the dog and a symphony of cracking and groaning ice as the tide went out. Thinking the rain is pretty much over – winter’s about to rear her head and blanket us.

Doesn’t matter really, we live in New England for a reason. So shooting snowless photos may be about to end – until then, here’s the river ice and wishes for a wonderful New Year.

Jay Reiter 4 Comments Fine Art, photojournalism, Projects

Linden- Fashion photography

December 30, 2014

Long time friend ( and second daughter) Linden needed some photos for her college portfolio – she’s bound and determined to be a fashion designer. If my opinion is any indication, she’ll realize that goal!

We met the other morning – mild for late December in New Hampshire, but still bone-chilling cold if your portfolio consists of clothes designed either for New England summers or anytime in the Southwest.

She gritted her teeth ( and we took breaks so she could grab her jacket and warm up) and did a photo session before she ran off to visit relatives in Maine.

Hard to decide what I liked the best, but the prom dress – which she wore to her prom last year – is incredible.

Watch for her – she’ll be big time some day soon. Here’s a few photos from the shoot.

Jay Reiter No Comments commercial photography, portrait, Projects

Owls – NH wildlife photography

October 11, 2014

Good friend and world class wildlife rehabilitator Jane Kelly called the other day – she was releasing a young Barred Owl back into the wild after nursing it back to health, was I interested. Ok, it’s hard not to be facetious when answering that question – seeing raptors up close, having the opportunity to watch them return to their natural habitat, heck just seeing an owl instead of just hearing it – how could a person pass up that opportunity.

So this beauty, which had been hit by a car, was so ready to take off – biting Jane, clacking it’s beak ( reminded me of the sound of the alien in Predator). Jane let it go and it took off to the trees like it had been shot from a cannon. Immediately perched on a branch and started taking in it’s surroundings. What a moment.

After, Jane brought out a Eurasian eagle Owl – the largest in the owl family, which looked like a great horned owl on steroids and had the most piercing eyes I’ve ever seen .

Just another amazing experience with this lady who is so comfortable with birds of prey, birds that stir both awe and fear in most of us. Her raptor rehabilitation work is supported by visits to schools to educate the rest of us about raptors – interested, leave a comment or send me an email – I’ll connect you to the coolest raptor lady ever.

Jay Reiter 6 Comments nature photography, owls, Projects