Hummingbird Highway: A Portrait Session with Dar Williams
I hadn’t listened to Dar Williams before we were introduced, but now I’m a fan. Her newest single, "Hummingbird Highway," has been in my head ever since I first heard it.
I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to connect with Dar to plan a portrait session for her upcoming album, Hummingbird Highway. During our first phone call, I happened to be sitting in my car at a trailhead, waiting to meet a friend for a hike. I pointed out the window and mouthed, “Just a sec!” before stepping out of the car. I apologized to my friend for the delay and explained I’d been on a call with a new client. “Have you heard of Dar Williams?” I asked. She laughed. “The famous folk singer? Of course! My roommate and I used to listen to ‘When I Was a Boy’ on repeat while cleaning our apartment years ago!”
Dar and I first met in downtown Northampton, MA, to begin our creative journey. Our first stop was the historic Iron Horse Music Hall, where we took advantage of the beautifully renovated green room and its stunning lighting. From there, we strolled through town and made our way to the Smith College Botanical Gardens to capture a little greenery and evoke that hummingbird energy. We wrapped up our session at Woodstar Café, sipping coffee to bring a French café feel to the series. As we walked in, we noticed a large hummingbird mosaic right at the entrance...such a serendipitous moment!
A few weeks later, I had the pleasure of visiting Dar at her home to capture more intimate moments. She welcomed me in with warmth and openness, and I was able to photograph her in her element while relaxing, playing guitar, and simply being herself.
