St. Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester, MA
July 10, 2014

 The winner of the Greasy Pole Contest celebrates and carries the flag as he returns to shore during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA. The contest has been held since 1931 and involves participants running along a greased horizontal pole over Gloucester Harbor.
Competitors participate in the Greasy Pole Contest during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
People watch as confetti is shot into the air during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
People watch as the Fiesta Queen passes by in the Sunday procession during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Groups of men carry religious statues and icons, including Saint Peter and Mary, through the streets of Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA, as part of a procession and parade during St. Peter's Fiesta.
Bishop Arthur Kennedy of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston leads the Blessing of the Fleet near Gloucester Harbor during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Pictures of former Greasy Pole Contest winners hang on a wall on Commercial Street in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA. The contest began in 1931.
Children hold decorated oars at the edge of the Sunday Procession during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Men collect donations and attach them to religious statues in the Sunday Procession during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Spectators gather on the beach to watch Siene boat races and the Greasy Pole Contest at St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
People drink alcohol on a porch during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Marching bands wait for the start of the Sunday Procession at St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
People fill balloons and make balloon arches for the Sunday procession during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
People call out blessings and celebrations to various saints with chants such as "Viva San Pietro" during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Crosses and crucifixes are visible in St. Peter's Square during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Children walk along a funhouse bridge as people walk through the carnival area during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Men take a statue of St. Peter down at the end of the day during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
A rootbeer and lemonade stand was in the midway at the carnival during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
A carnival worker lays on the ground between trucks and trailers at the carnival of St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Spectators gather on the beach to watch Siene boat races and the Greasy Pole Contest at St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Spectators gather on the beach to watch Siene boat races and the Greasy Pole Contest at St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Groups of men carry religious statues and icons, including Saint Peter and Mary, through the streets of Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA, as part of a procession and parade during St. Peter's Fiesta.
A man gets ready to play a carnival baseball game during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
Participants celebrate after winning the Siene Boat race during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA.
The winner of the Greasy Pole Contest celebrates and carries the flag as he returns to shore during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA. The contest has been held since 1931 and involves participants running along a greased horizontal pole over Gloucester Harbor.
I'm a sucker for small-town community events. I'm drawn in by the display of local pride and little unique touches that differentiate these festivals, parades, and other public gatherings. Gloucester's St. Peter's Fiesta has been on my radar since moving to Boston, but this is the first year I made it up to witness the religious processions, carnivals, and greasy pole contests. I tried something a little different with this one, going for a very saturated and colorful look in the pictures. More images are available in my archive: St. Peter's Fiesta 2014 - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Working Dads for the Wall Street Journal
July 3, 2014

 Fred Bermont, daughter Elyse Bermont (age 2.5, right) and son Dylan Bermont (age 9 months) pose for a portrait before he drops the kids off at day-care in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont plays with daughter Elyse Bermont (in tent, not pictured, age 2.5) and son Dylan Bermont (age 9 months) in their home in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work and drops the kids off at day-care on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont drives his children Elyse Bermont (age 2.5, rear) and Dylan Bermont (age 9 months, not pictured) to day-care in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont and daughter Elyse Bermont (age 2.5) watch Sesame Street in their home in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work and drops the kids off at day-care on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont plays with daughter Elyse Bermont (left, age 2.5) and son Dylan Bermont (age 9 months) in their home in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work and drops the kids off at day-care on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont plays with daughter Elyse Bermont (age 2.5) and son Dylan Bermont (age 9 months) in their home in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work and drops the kids off at day-care on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont dresses son Dylan Bermont (age 9 months) while daughter Elyse Bermont (left, age 2.5) plays in a tent in their home in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work and drops the kids off at day-care on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont kisses wife Jen Bermont before she leaves for work while holding son Dylan Bermont (age 9 months) in their home in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont holds son Dylan Bermont (age 9 months) as he drops the kids off at day-care in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company, in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon.
Fred Bermont and daughter Elyse Bermont (age 2.5, right) eat before he drops the kids off at day-care in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, before he goes to work on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
Fred Bermont gets ready for work at his home in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, on June 9, 2014. Bermont is the father of two children and shares parenting duties with his wife, Jen Bermont. Fred usually takes care of the morning routine, including feeding, dressing, and dropping the kids off at day-care, and Jen picks them up and watches over them in the afternoon. Fred is a Senior Clinical Standards Specialist at Shire, a pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Lexington.
For a Wall Street Journal story published in advance of Father's Day, I photographed Fred Bermont and his family during their morning routine in Lexington, Massachusetts. The story focused on dads taking over their share of parenting duties. Fred, in this case, takes care of breakfast, getting the kids ready for the day, and taking them to daycare before he goes to work.

These are the kind of assignments I really like (though I would've liked a start time later than 6:15am!) because I could just be a fly on the wall documenting this family's story. Thanks again to Parker at the WSJ for the great assignment.

Here's the slideshow that the Journal ran, and here's BagNewsNotes' take on the pictures and story.

Landscapes from Tully Lake near Royalston, Massachusetts
June 13, 2014

 A view of Tully Lake at Tully Lake Campground near Royalston, Massachusetts, USA.
Wild mushrooms grow at Tully Lake Campground near Royalston, Massachusetts, USA.
A view of Tully Lake at Tully Lake Campground near Royalston, Massachusetts, USA.
Branches from a downed log poke up from Tully Lake at Tully Lake Campground near Royalston, Massachusetts, USA.
A view of Tully Lake at Tully Lake Campground near Royalston, Massachusetts, USA.
Branches from a downed log poke up from Tully Lake at Tully Lake Campground near Royalston, Massachusetts, USA.
A night view of Tully Lake at Tully Lake Campground near Royalston, Massachusetts, USA.
With summer comes camping and I spent a weekend at Tully Lake near Royalston, Massachusetts, earlier this month. These are a few of the landscapes I took from the lakeside tent spot I happened to get and while canoeing on the lake.

2014 MIT Commencement for MIT News
June 12, 2014

 Graduating students celebrate as they leave Killian Court after the 2014 Commencement at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating MIT students make their way to Killian Court in a procession for the the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Students sit in Killian Court under the MIT Dome during the 2014 Commencement ceremony to receive diplomas at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Friends and family watch the 2014 Commencement ceremony to receive diplomas at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating MIT students make their way to Killian Court in a procession for the the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
In the Kresge Oval, MIT Professors and faculty get dressed academic regalia and prepare for the procession to Killian Court before the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
In the Kresge Oval, MIT Professors and faculty get dressed academic regalia and prepare for the procession to Killian Court before the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
In the Kresge Oval, MIT Professors and faculty get dressed academic regalia and prepare for the procession to Killian Court before the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating MIT students make their way to Killian Court in a procession for the the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating MIT students make their way to Killian Court in a procession for the the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
A member of MIT's Class of 1964 (wearing red coats to signify their 50th class reunion) walks through Memorial Lobby before the 2014 Commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating MIT students gather in the Johnson Athletics Center to line up for the 2014 Commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating MIT students gather in the Johnson Athletics Center to line up for the 2014 Commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating students gather outside 77 Massachusetts Ave. at MIT before the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating students gather outside 77 Massachusetts Ave. at MIT before the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating students gather outside 77 Massachusetts Ave. at MIT before the 2014 Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating students and others walk through Memorial Lobby at MIT after the 2014 Commencement at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Students return to their seats in Killian Court under the MIT Dome during the 2014 Commencement ceremony after receiving diplomas at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Students sit in Killian Court under the MIT Dome during the 2014 Commencement ceremony to receive diplomas at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Friends and family watch the 2014 Commencement ceremony to receive diplomas at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Students sit in Killian Court under the MIT Dome during the 2014 Commencement ceremony to receive diplomas at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating students receive their diplomas in Killian Court during the 2014 Commencement at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Members of MIT's Class of 1964 (wearing red coats to signify their 50th class reunion) walk near the Kresge Oval before the 2014 Commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Graduating students walk through hallways at MIT after the 2014 Commencement at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
As I've done two of the past three years, I photographed the annual commencement preparation and ceremony at MIT alongside Dominick Reuter. It's a long and involved day, and we split duties photographing the huge event. As in the past, I focused on students and faculty getting ready before the ceremony and looked for colorful moments before, during, and after the event.

Adjunct faculty unionization for the Chronicle of Higher Education
June 5, 2014

 Professor William Shimer is an adjunct lecturer in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Shimer currently teaches 5 courses as an adjunct, or part-time, faculty member. He is a member of the organizing committee of Northeastern's Adjunct Action campaign, an effort to unionize adjunct faculty. In Boston, Adjunct Action is a coalition of people at 5 different universities working to unionize adjunct faculty.
Professor William Shimer is an adjunct lecturer in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. From Fall 2010 to Fall 2012, Shimer used his car, a green Volkswagen seen here, as his office to store teaching materials between classes. Shimer currently teaches 5 courses as an adjunct, or part-time, faculty member. He is a member of the organizing committee of Northeastern's Adjunct Action campaign, an effort to unionize adjunct faculty. In Boston, Adjunct Action is a coalition of people at 5 different universities working to unionize adjunct faculty.
Professor William Shimer is an adjunct lecturer in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. From Fall 2010 to Fall 2012, Shimer used his car, a green Volkswagen seen here, as his office to store teaching materials between classes. Shimer currently teaches 5 courses as an adjunct, or part-time, faculty member. He is a member of the organizing committee of Northeastern's Adjunct Action campaign, an effort to unionize adjunct faculty. In Boston, Adjunct Action is a coalition of people at 5 different universities working to unionize adjunct faculty.
Professor William Shimer is an adjunct lecturer in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Shimer currently teaches 5 courses as an adjunct, or part-time, faculty member. He is a member of the organizing committee of Northeastern's Adjunct Action campaign, an effort to unionize adjunct faculty. In Boston, Adjunct Action is a coalition of people at 5 different universities working to unionize adjunct faculty.
Professor William Shimer is an adjunct lecturer in the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Shimer currently teaches 5 courses as an adjunct, or part-time, faculty member. He is a member of the organizing committee of Northeastern's Adjunct Action campaign, an effort to unionize adjunct faculty. In Boston, Adjunct Action is a coalition of people at 5 different universities working to unionize adjunct faculty.
Adjunct lecturer in Accountancy David Fionda teaches a graduate course on Cost Accounting with an emphasis on management at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. Bentley University adjuncts voted down unionization and Fionda has gone on record saying that adjunct unionization is a bad idea. Adjuncts at a number of Boston-area schools are trying to unionize.
Adjunct lecturer in Accountancy David Fionda teaches a graduate course on Cost Accounting with an emphasis on management at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. Bentley University adjuncts voted down unionization and Fionda has gone on record saying that adjunct unionization is a bad idea. Adjuncts at a number of Boston-area schools are trying to unionize.
Adjunct lecturer in Accountancy David Fionda teaches a graduate course on Cost Accounting with an emphasis on management at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. Bentley University adjuncts voted down unionization and Fionda has gone on record saying that adjunct unionization is a bad idea. Adjuncts at a number of Boston-area schools are trying to unionize.
Adjunct lecturer in Accountancy David Fionda teaches a graduate course on Cost Accounting with an emphasis on management at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. Bentley University adjuncts voted down unionization and Fionda has gone on record saying that adjunct unionization is a bad idea. Adjuncts at a number of Boston-area schools are trying to unionize.
Adjunct lecturer in Accountancy David Fionda teaches a graduate course on Cost Accounting with an emphasis on management at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. Bentley University adjuncts voted down unionization and Fionda has gone on record saying that adjunct unionization is a bad idea. Adjuncts at a number of Boston-area schools are trying to unionize.
I recently photographed two sides of the adjunct faculty unionization fight in Boston for the Chronicle of Higher Education. On the pro-unionization side, I met Northeastern University adjunct lecturer William Shimer, who is an organizer involved with the Adjunct Action movement. Shimer has had to use his car (seen in the photos above) as an office because of inadequate and unsecured office facilities provided to adjunct faculty at the university. On the anti-unionization side, I photographed David Fionda, who teaches business and accounting courses at Bentley University.

The story is available to read at the Chronicle of Higher Education website: Power in Numbers: Adjuncts turn to citywide unionizing as their best hope

MIT’s Dr. Alex “Sandy” Pentland for The Verge / Vox Media
June 4, 2014

 Professor Alex "Sandy" Pentland is the director of the Human Dynamics Laboratory and of the Media Lab Entrepreneurship Program at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
People gather in common areas in MIT's Media Lab (Building E14) at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
An early wearable technology vest stands in the Human Dynamics Laboratory in MIT's Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Professor Alex "Sandy" Pentland is the director of the Human Dynamics Laboratory and of the Media Lab Entrepreneurship Program at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Professor Alex "Sandy" Pentland is the director of the Human Dynamics Laboratory and of the Media Lab Entrepreneurship Program at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Various versions of the sociometric badge designed in the Human Dynamics Laboratory hang on a dummy in the Media Lab at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The badges measure face-to-face interaction involving the person wearing it.
People gather in common areas in MIT's Media Lab (Building E14) at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
A few months ago I had a short portrait shoot with Dr. Alex "Sandy" Pentland at MIT's Media Lab for The Verge / Vox Media. Pentland's a busy person, but was happy to spend a little time with me after I reminded him of the last time I photographed him (that time, for the Wall Street Journal).

Click through to read the story at the Verge: Meet the Godfather of Wearables

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