Elizabeth Park, located in Hartford, Connecticut, is the largest municipal rose garden in the United States. Located about 50 minutes from our home in Massachusetts, a photography group I belong to opted to meet here on Thursday to take advantage of the numerous roses that are now in bloom.
This lovely young lady, Megan, is the daughter of one of the members. She graciously agreed to be our model for the evening and I don’t think we could have had a better subject. Apparently, she’s modeled before for the group, but since I recently joined it’s the first time I had the pleasure of meeting her. I’m usually taking pictures of food or a tablescape or some other inanimate object, so this was a nice change of pace and a great learning experience.
What did I learn you might ask?
For one, that no matter how good the photographer might be, there’s no substitute for the ‘glow of youth’. 😉
This is the only picture I did some editing on. It was taken under a gazebo with very little light so I brightened up her face and arms a bit.
After a quick change of clothes, Megan was ready for round two. To highlight her dress, we asked her to pose in front of white and red roses.
Do you have a favorite?
Now for just a few pictures of the garden…
Lots of photo shoots take place in this park on a daily basis, and this time of year the park becomes dotted with brides eager to capture its beauty. The family in the bottom left were getting their picture taken by a photographer. (I kept it blurry to protect their privacy, but I wanted to show you that gorgeous tree. Kinda reminds me of a huge mop).
I think that’s enough beauty for now.
Back to reality.
In other news…
We had 50 yards of backfill delivered and Friday it was spread. It’s not enough but it’s a start. We had a few hiccups with the process which I’ll tell you about another time, but I’m just happy things are getting done. Maybe not as quickly as I’d like, but it never is ;).
Sharing At
Tweak It Tuesday
Amy @ StowandTellU says
I think my favorite is of her in the field of red flowers, but they are all lovely. What a beautiful girl!! I think it’s awesome that you are talking a photography class, that has to be so fun and interesting.
Poppy says
Wow! You are quite the photographer, my friend! Gorgeous photos of your sweet, pretty model in all the different rose gardens; what a dreamy place! My favourite of Megan is the third one from the top, with her flirty dress, flowing in the breeze – something only that glow of youth you talked about could get away with! The one of the covered arbors is another, for its peaceful atmosphere. How relaxing it must be to simply sit there, and listen to nature’s whispers of wisdom.
Happy weekend!
xoxo
Poppy
Dewena says
Beautiful photography, Doreen! That sure beats my cellphone pics and R.H.’s pics!
I have to pick Megan’s sassy pose in the gazebo. Yes, glow of youth AND pore-less skin. I think I used to have that, many years ago.
And no doubt about it, that vine covered arbor is so very picturesque!
Jemma says
Good Afternoon Pretty Lady!
Oh, I enjoyed this so very much-what a nifty photography class you are taking-I bet you are enjoying it and the camaraderie too. Well, my favs are the very first photo-and the arbor-they look they came right out of a coffee table book. You did a great job on capturing the whimsy and joyfulness of youth and!
Please don’t work too hard-you know it worries me…
xoox
Jemma
Cecilia says
Gorgeous gardens! I like the photo of her laying in front of the red roses.
Yay, for getting things done. (I’ve got a lustrous and it keeps growing)!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
What a pretty model and gorgeous spot for photos!
tammy j says
love the play of light and shadow in the third picture… the gazebo one i think it is.
a lovely girl. very raphaelite hair! appropriate for a rose garden.
well done house honey on your first photo shoot!
the single yellow rose in particular! WOW!
Sue says
I like how you blurred the background on the pink flower, I want to learn to do that. I wish I could get a nice camera, maybe someday soon. The rose garden and your lovely model are a delight to see. Thanks for the photo of the tree that is morphing into a mop!
Jane says
Beautiful pictures, Doreen, and great subjects. How cool that you are in a group like this, I could sure use some help. I learn so much better with someone to work with rather than using a guidebook. Anyway—my favorite picture is the arbor with the vines…it seems to go on endlessly. What a breathtaking park!
Thanks for your funny comment on my garden post. I think you ‘get me’!
Jane x
Rachelle says
Stunning photography, Doreen! My favorite photo was third from the top where her light blue dress was blowing in the wind. Looked very ethereal. Nice capture.
Rachelle
Doreen says
Thank you Rachelle! There was a slight breeze just as I clicked the shutter. For once my timing was good ;).
xxx
Emily says
Your photography is beautiful. The lovely model only has to strike a pose, my favorite is the one where she stands in front of the greenery and tree. The color and shape of her dress with the green background is lovely. I think they were all beautiful and the gardens are breathtaking. Thanks for taking us along.
kelly says
That is one beautiful park! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many flowers in one place before (except the Biltmore House). the model was very pretty and I love the pics you took of her too. That sounds like a fun club to be in.
Cindi says
You are an amazing photographer!
I love every single photo but my favorite is the second because I would like that big tall explosion of pink in my yard!
What a fantastic park!
No wonder so many people go there for photo shoots. It’s just so so lovely.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun.
Those piles of backfill, Omg I’m tired just looking at it!
Good Luck!
XOXO
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, your photo shoot turned out wonderful. This young lady is lovely and quite photogenic. And this rose garden, oh my! I think you know which picture is my favorite (the one with the red roses). How funny that you compared the tree to a huge mop – it DOES look like one for sure. You really did a fantastic job, and I enjoyed all the pictures.
Have a beautiful week.
~Sheri
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Wow – those gardens are out of a dream! How beautiful!! And what a lovely model. She looked like she’d done that a time or two as she was posing like a pro 😉
Great job photographer Lady!! They really turned out gorgeous. My favorite is the one with her hair flowing down (no hat) in front of those bright red roses. Just lovely.
Looks like your big projects are coming along beautifully! Don’t work too hard. 🙂
Happy first week of summer to you (officially)!! xoxo
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
How could one have a favourite when they all look so beautiful! It would be wonderful to simple sit there and take all the beauty in. The vine covered arbor is beyond words!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Wow…what spectacular photos!….Bravo!….those gardens are phenomenal and the model is adorable!….Love the pic of her with the white roses in the background and that first pic!….how nice to be a member of a photography group!….
Doreen says
Thank you Shirley! You should check one out in your area if you’re interested. It’s not a ‘class’ per se, but a meet-up photography group. I’m sure they’re all over the country. I’m in the middle of nowhere, so if I can get one, anyone can lol. I’ve only gone to two meetings thus far. The first one was the night I had the run-in with the bear on the way home and that was more of a presentation type meeting. Right now, they’re in Paris! Something tells me you would love that ;).
(For some reason, your comment ended up in my spam folder. How weird, since you’ve commented before…).
Enjoy your weekend. I hear the weather should start to cool down a bit.
Vicky Hunt says
What a lovely young lady! The gardens are just spectacular! Perfect place for a photo shoot! Your photos are just wonderful. I am having fun teaching myself how to use my new camera. A class would be great though! I might look into that one day. Have a lovely rest of the week!
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hello Doreen! Great pictures! It’s hard to believe it is your first time taking people pictures. My favorite is the one where Megan is smelling the flower, but really, they’re all beautiful. Well done! 😀
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
What a beautiful girl! Your photos are fantastic, Doreen! I love the first photo, and the one of her smelling the roses. Gorgeous gardens! Makes me want to take a ride to go see it. I’d love to take a photography class like that – I’m taking a few at my local camera store, but they’re not hands on.
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
What a magical place to be and to play with your camera! I would like to do that one of these days. The gal who modeled is so sweet and pretty (and young!)….. oh my. My fave is the one of her in the blue dress in the gazebo….. I can just spend hours walking around someone’s yard who has a variety of flowers and little doo dads in their flower beds and yard (like bird houses, wood fences, hanging planters, etc.). I take my camera everywhere, but wish I had a “real” DSLR camera instead of my little Canon Sure shot. Portland, OR has some awesome rose gardens, but haven’t been there for years.
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says
What a lovely garden and beautiful girl. Thanks for sharing.
rue says
I wouldn’t pay to be that age again, but I definitely would like to look that age again 😉
Gorgeous place!
xo