We traveled to Vermont to shoot my book trailer

The official release date for my upcoming book approaches.

October 23. Less than six months away.

It has felt intangible until now. Until the day we traveled to Vermont to shoot the book trailer.

The book has such a seasonal component that I really wanted the trailer to reflect that mood. I wanted the colors to be rich, deep, and the light to have amazing contrast of dark and bright.

As you know, I am desperately in love with Vermont and the house on the hill, so I asked Nadia if we could come shoot at her house. She graciously accepted and welcomed us with open arms.

You should have seen the look on Jon’s and Miren’s faces when they found out they were going to go visit auntie. For days all I heard was “how many days until we go to Nadia’s?”. Every morning. Every afternoon. I knew they would feel at ease on the hill and that would make things a lot smoother for all of us while we were working.

I envisioned us collecting eggs like we did last summer and autumn. Cooking and taking walks down to the pond where the apples trees had started blooming.

I was incredibly lucky to have Ryan Marshall join me for this project, especially since he has been so busy lately. He arrived from another assignment in California with little time to prepare, but he got it right from the beginning. He captured the moodiness and sense of comfort I wanted to convey and he was patient with me and the kids.

Above are some of the behind the scenes images that Nadia captured. I love them.

Nadia’s house has this magical light. The light that is let in through the trees. The light that reflects on wood. The light of hiding places. Magical, indeed.

I cooked, styled, photographed, and reviewed some of the pages from my book.

It was cold in Vermont. Green landscape with wintery shivers.

Bundled up we played outside and were tremendously lucky to visit the gardens at Tasha Tudor’s family estate. The family invited us to visit the gardens although they do not officially open until summer. They also kindly asked us not to photograph the estate as they wanted to keep a low profile and maintain their privacy. But I must say, it took my breath away. Naturally beautiful without too much manicuring… a bit of Vermont wilderness, the lifestyle of times past…

I must visit in the summer one more time.

We even had a picnic under the blooming apple trees. Pear, swiss chard, and gruyere tart. Also scallop, beet, fennel and apple salad in jars, and for dessert, candied apple clafoutis.

All from my book.

I cannot wait for you to see the book trailer.

I hope you are as excited as I am.

Thank you Nadia and Ryan for being so wonderful.

Vignettes 11 and 12 are copyright of Nadia Dole. Used with author’s permission.