Suwali Farm

My final project for ViCo 486 was at Suwali Farm in Glouster, Ohio. The farm is run by Deb Schneider and Rik Simmons. Nine years ago the couple moved from Columbus onto their dream property. It was 42-acres of pasture and woods, with a pond and a barn, which was perfect for their 5 kelpies (herding dogs.) Now the farm is home to sheep, goats, 6 dogs and geese.

I did an audio slideshow, newspaper layout and 5 spread magazine for class. Here are just a few images until I actually take the time to upload the slideshow.



All images ⓒ 2008 Melissa Santorelli

Wedding

Today was the actual wedding of Aidan and Aditya Goil. Here are just a few shots, because I've got over 700 to go through... so it'll be a while before more are up.

P.S. I haven't toned or cropped any of these. Just wanted to get them up here.

Aidan's mehndi, and engagement ring, holding up her train.

Adian's gorgeous wedding gown. They were traditional Christian for the ceremony and then changed into traditional Indian clothes for the reception.

The table at the front of the altar with the unity candle and roses.

Cutting the wedding cake. This is the couple in their Indian wedding attire. Aidan's dress weighed almost 15 lbs. and was handmade.

Indian Wedding

This is the first wedding I've ever covered. So far it has been completely overwhelming, but very cool. Today I got to see some of the pre-wedding ceremonies that take place. Aidan's mom (Pastor Jan) is the pastor at my church and will be the one performing the ceremony. It is a mix between traditional Indian and traditional Christian wedding ceremony.

Aditya was born and raised in Mumbai, India. He and Aidan met at college in St. Louis, and now live in California together. The couple has family and friends that have flown in from everywhere, including Mumbai, Chicago and L.A.

I walked out onto the back porch to take pictures of Aditya's friends, and one of them grabbed my camera and put me in the middle so I could take a picture with them!

Aidan was told she didn't look Indian enough, so Aditya's mother gave her the jewels to put on her forehead.

Aidan has traditional mehndi applied. The henna designs cover her hands and feet, and will last about two weeks. Somewhere in the design, the mehndi artist hides Aditya's name that he must later find.

Aditya's mother had a ceremony where she was "upgraded" from a mother to a mother-in-law.

Aditya after the Groom Ceremony (haldi). A mixture of olive oil, flour and turmeric was smeared over his face, chest, hands and feet in order to cleanse him. Members of his family took turns covering him in the paste and dipping blades of grass into olive oil to sprinkle on him.

Homecoming parade

I'm working on a story on Debbie Phillips, the democratic candidate for State Rep. in Athens.
I walked in the parade with the OU Dems to get some shots.

Zoe Adams holds the Debbie Phillips balloons to be passed out during the parade.

Tyler Jewett carries a Debbie Phillips sign while chanting for Barack Obama with the other OU Dems.

Celtic Day

We had a one day shoot in 486. We were limited to only 100 frames, and our goal was to make each one dynamic and different from any other. It was much harder than we thought it was going to be!

Along with 6 other PJ kids, I ended up at the Celtic Day in New Straitsville, OH. It was much smaller than we hoped for. But here are a few frames I used in my newspaper layout from the days events.

The Shamrock Club pipe band, of Columbus, OH warms up before their performance.

Master of Ceremonies, Robert Black plays his bagpipes with The Shamrock Club. Black is a retired Franklin
County Sheriff, and has been playing bagpipes for 43 years.

Dancers from the Graham School of Irish Dance, of Columbus, OH, perform.

Shaylin Fraley, 16, stands to the side of the stage after changing out of her costume and wig.

Beginnings

I decided it was about time to set up my site. With advanced picture story just a few short weeks away, I will be posting things a lot more often.

Just a few shots from random Summer moments to start it all off. Life on Lake Erie, the Shrine near my house, Soccer games, etc.

Portraits

These are from the Spring of '08.
While in a portraiture class I learned to use studio lighting. Here are a few of my favorites!

Lauren at Euclid Creek Reservation. Tamron digital 17-50 lens on a canon rebel for the vignette effect.Veronica posed for the non-facial diptych.

Emily posed with her bike for the lights on location assignment.

Tori posed in studio to show 6 different sides of herself.

Building a Future

In March 2008 I spent a few weeks following the boys at the Tri-County Career Center in Nelsonville, Ohio as they worked on their anual building project.

Each year the senior carpentry students build a home for a family in Athens County. They spend a few days in class working on plans for the house, and the remaining days building and finishing the house.

They have been building one home each school year since 1976.