Immanuel Congregational Church

Immanuel Congregational Church is on Farmington Avenue in Hartford, across the street from

the Mark Twain House.  The congregation dates back to the early 1800s but the current building
 is from 1914.  Immanuel is noted for its fine organ and exceptional choir.

Deb and Patrice

Deb and Patrice were both camera shy.  I promised them that I know how to take 

good portraits, so they reluctantly agreed to let me try.

Deb has worked in the jewelry store for about six months.  She also helps her husband in his home remodeling business.  Deb has three kids, the oldest of whom is going off to college this year.

I think she looks good in color and in black-and-white.  Do you have a preference?

Patrice works in the store's gifts department.  When not at work, she has been caring for a convalescing mother.  Her god-daughter is going off to college this fall, and that makes Patrice sad.

I did OK with her portrait, too, don't you think?

Ewa

Ewa (pronounced EH'va) is from Poland.  Before working in sales in the jewelry store, she was a Chanel make-up artist.  Ewa is outgoing.  On her own time, she is a passionate cook and gardener.

Fleet Feet!

Fleet Feet has to be the busiest store in West Hartford Center.  It took six visits before I found the store quiet enough that the owners could be photographed.

Sisters Steph and Carrie wanted to work together.  They are passionate about running, so they bought Fleet Feet in 2008.  Steph (in the hat, the extrovert) is a former meteorologist.  She handles marketing and promotions.  Carrie (the introvert) has an MBA; she worked in international trade in Washington.  Carrie runs the business side.  Fleet Feet sells athletic shoes and clothing.

Enjoy the Gift of an Ordinary Day

Norma has been a jeweler for 39 years.  She is known for her smile and her giggles.

When I asked for a serious expression, Norma couldn't do it.
So, here she is, twice, with her warm smile.

Norma has four kids.  Outside work, her main interests are family, reading and travel. 

Visiting a Jewelry Store

I went to the jewelry store to see if my watch repair was done.  A camera was slung over my shoulder.  John came up and asked if I was the guy with the photography blog.

He has been looking at it for years.  Amazing all the people who look at

these blogs without us knowing it!  I was thrilled to meet an unknown follower.

John had his own food blog for about three years.  Every day he photographed the process of preparing dinner, including a photograph of the completed dinner plate.

When he finds time, John is going to organize the blog contents into a seasonal cookbook.  

Emuelle watched me photograph John, so he stepped up for the next portrait.

Before working in security for the store, he worked in printing.

J.R. is the newest sales associate.  His passion is dance.  J.R. has danced professionally for
seventeen years.  He also choreographs for Connecticut dance companies.

And, Bob has been repairing watches for fifteen years.  After work,
Bob's interests are antiques, fine art, jazz, classical music and cooking.

The Calf with Two Heads

In Hartford, the word "curiosities" brings to mind The Museum of Natural and Other Curiosities,

a taxidermy museum on the top floor of the Old State House.  (Really!)

The featured exhibit is a two-headed calf!

In 1787, the painter Joseph Steward rented the top floor of the Hartford state house for a museum to exhibit stuffed animals from far-off lands, like giant tortoises, armadillos and alligators.

Click here to see how other bloggers with the City Daily Photo community
interpret the September theme of "curiosities."