In August I found myself at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, just around the corner from my childhood stomping grounds. It’s atop Hogback Mountain on some 200 acres of rolling hills with a centrally located pond that reflects a beautiful mountain sunset.
They had just opened an impressive new tasting room with a cozy fireplace nook, banquet hall, dining-available tank room with adjoined underground barrel hallway and three stories of outdoor porches with stone and wood accents everywhere (queue the wedding bells). Yeah, it’s dreamy. It’s a to-be couple’s wonderland and the setting for so many beautiful photos.
They had just opened an impressive new tasting room with a cozy fireplace nook, banquet hall, dining-available tank room with adjoined underground barrel hallway and three stories of outdoor porches with stone and wood accents everywhere (queue the wedding bells). Yeah, it’s dreamy. It’s a to-be couple’s wonderland and the setting for so many beautiful photos.
I was on set that day with photographer Jeff Mauritzen, a super talented commercial and editorial photographer based in Washington, D.C., and videographer Rich Berrnett, an equally down-to-earth guy with a great sense of humor. I love attending these work-for-hire shoots and observing the process through which each photographer works the assignment: different styles, different crews, models, wardrobe, craft services, etc. I learn a heck of a lot and enjoy taking behind-the-scenes photos.
I especially love this shot of the crew. Here is Rich with a makeshift towel and bungee cord sun protectant with Jeff snapping long shots of models off frame left, both lost in concentration. This affords the perfect opportunity to comment on the importance of photographers mastering their use of surrounding materials and lighting situations. We’ve all got a little MacGyver in us: bouncing flashes here, improvising lighting there, temporary tripods, pinning clothes, cheating the camera, sandbags, gaffer tape, piles of apple boxes, cardboard. Did you know a banana peel is great for shining shoes? We're not ashamed if it gets the job done, and, in this case, Rich really needed a hat.
A few more production shots throughout the day show the crew filming models at the main tasting bar (left), the big sunset finale on the western third story porch (center) and Jeff directing models (right).
I even got a chance to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day, but was so exhausted I didn't take note of what I was drinking. For this reason, along with the gorgeous property and incredible hospitality of the staff and owners, I vow to return on my own time to enjoy a day of tasting and, hopefully, another beautiful sunset. To be continued...
I even got a chance to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day, but was so exhausted I didn't take note of what I was drinking. For this reason, along with the gorgeous property and incredible hospitality of the staff and owners, I vow to return on my own time to enjoy a day of tasting and, hopefully, another beautiful sunset. To be continued...
RSS Feed
