Guest Blogger- Photographer and Editor for MV Times
Martha's Vineyard is a top Summer destination for New Englanders and tourists from all around the world. We had our fun there last summer during our visit to Oak Bluffs. Luckily, our thrill for adventures and photography connected us with Martha's Vineyard Times (aka MV Times) photographer and editor, Michael Cummo!
Michael kicked off his career in photography working with the Red Sox back in 2013, which all fans know was a big year for Boston. Not only did he experience the excitement of the game through his lens, but also got to celebrate with the World Series Champs afterwords! One of his photos from the 2013 World Series is showcased in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Today, you can find Michael in Martha's Vineyard, braving the winter elements on the Island and of course still taking awesome photos.
Check out his story and experience below!
Michael kicked off his career in photography working with the Red Sox back in 2013, which all fans know was a big year for Boston. Not only did he experience the excitement of the game through his lens, but also got to celebrate with the World Series Champs afterwords! One of his photos from the 2013 World Series is showcased in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Today, you can find Michael in Martha's Vineyard, braving the winter elements on the Island and of course still taking awesome photos.
Check out his story and experience below!
When you think of Martha’s Vineyard, you tend to think about sunny beaches are rich politicians, right? In the summer months, when the population swells to well over 125,000, Martha’s Vineyard is idyllic. But what’s it like when the population hovers around 17,000 in the dead of winter?
I am the photographer and editor at the Martha’s Vineyard Times and this is my first winter on the isolated Island. I’m used to winters in big cities like Boston, where I can walk around during the worst of a winter storm to take pictures. Here, however, that is not the case. To get the most dramatic pictures, I had to venture out in terrible conditions (road and weather), but it was well worth it.
But I was happy to do it. Martha’s Vineyard is extremely exposed, and in a whipping storm snow and sand get blown into gigantic snowdrifts. Most stores are closed for the winter, but during a snow storm the only thing outside besides me are snow plows. No grocery stores, no gas stations, no nothing. Without a bridge, the only way to leave the Island is by ferry—and any conditions exceeding 35 mph means the ferry is cancelled. This year, plenty of days were had without ferries.
That being said, getting trapped on the Island was the best thing that could happen. With everything shut down, I had time to explore wherever I wanted to. I went where the roads took me, trying to find a nice balance of winter scene photographs and summer activities covered in snow.
Armed with winter books, three scarves (for wind!), and everything else winter explorers use, I set off. Travel ban be damned! Our Island community is so small in the winter that when I was stopped by a police officer asking why I was travelling during unsafe conditions; I rolled down my window and the police officer said, “oh, you from the Times.” Then drove off. A perk of constantly working, exploring and publishing photos!!
Follow me on Instagram at @mcummo or Twitter at
@michaelcummo. I’ll follow back! Always looking to connect with adventurers
and/or photographers.
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Photos & Story above are in collaboration with- Michael Cummo
Kristy Albano & Matt Pickering
Traveltheeast@gmail.com | http://www.traveltheeast.com/ | @TraveltheEast
