.
An opportunity of a lifetime:
Being chosen as a still photographer for the ABC-TV Makeover Home Edition in
Connecticut. 800+ volunteers from all walks of life and skills descending on
a house that had been burned, robbed of its contents, flooded and the family
displaced. Ms. Brown is a Minister and her three children play musical
instruments at churches and mentor younger children, as a positive
influence, to help them better their lives. Certainly the Brown family, who
are highly regarded in their community, deserved a break and did they ever
get it!
Now visualize the filming of a TV show, with many out-takes and do-overs,
that will capture the demolition of the old house, removal of all the rubble
(including the basement) and then in a 106-hour 24/7 project plan, construct
a 3,400 square-foot Victorian home from start to finish, fully furnished,
landscaped and designed by my good friend Leigh Overland, Architect from
Danbury CT. The incredible work ethic, teamwork, emotion and “get the job
done” attitude will be a lasting memory for me. The dehydration in
90-degree weather, tired workers and unforeseen challenges were unbelievable
to witness and photograph.
There were also many photographers from other media present, but my
challenge with unrestricted access to the property was to capture the
efforts every day by taking about 100 shots and then select the best 20 and
upload them to the ABC executive for the Makeover Home Edition to approve 10
shots a day for the ABC TV website. Their website was receiving more than
30,000 hits a day during construction.
My most gratifying memory was when the on site producer selected me to be
the only photographer positioned on the sidewalk between the house and the
bus. The limo pulled up next to the bus blocking the view of the house for
the family, the crowd begins shouting “Move that bus! Move that bus!”. When
the bus was finally moved, I was the only photographer positioned to
photograph the family’s reactions. They were 15 feet in front of me with
4,000 witnesses – workers and well-wishers – in the background, I was the
only one to document the reactions from the front: the girls collapsing in
the street, the young man doing cartwheels of joy and the mother being held
up by Ty Pennington.
My experience was a once-in-a-lifetime one, an incredible opportunity and a
chance to meet and work with some truly wonderful people.
I hope you that enjoy the pictures.
Please click on an image to view a larger version.
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