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On Island Time

Dunewood, Fire Island // June 2025

a boardwalk leading to the ocean

As the Steel Dragon that is the Long Island Rail Road came slowly to a halt at Bayshore, we all looked at each other with the faces worn down by weeks from the City. The hour had finally arrived, to set our watches to the local "Island Time." We hurriedly slung bags on shoulders and maneuvered carts laden with camera equipment and samples to disembark onto the elevated platform and meet up with our extended family who lovingly hosted us for the weekend.


Hanging baskets with vibrant red flowers on a porch, against lush green trees in the background. Peaceful outdoor setting.

Our mission, relaxation with family assumed, was to shoot the lamps and garments in some different settings. We arrived, however, to the beginning of a rainy and cloudy weekend that wasn't showing to be the most camera friendly. Bad weather is hardly an excuse though to hinder what needs to be done, so we set out the next day to see what we could do.

We began at the Bay, with the location fulfilling a two pronged attack strategy. The first is obvious, to take advantage of the natural beauty of dune grass, reed walls, and the gray/green of the water. The second however, was to forage for our lunch the next day. After having gotten some great shots (which will be appearing in succeeding posts) we dug our toes in the black muck and fished out some clams ranging in size from a ping pong ball to big guys slightly smaller than our palms. Having clammed as much as we could while standing in a whipping bay wind, we headed back to the house for a hot shower al fresco.


Lush green vines cover a wooden fence with trees in the background, creating a serene, natural scene. Overcast sky enhances the tranquil mood.

The rest of the day was spent shooting the lamps indoors interspersed with farro salad, birds visiting the feeder, and listening to the light but steady rain outside.


Warmly lit lamp on a wooden table next to a sofa and plants. A large window shows lush greenery outside, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Melo Table Lamp on top 1960's Lane Acclaim side table

Waking up the next morning we were determined to make the most of our last day which led us, inevitably, to the beach. With clothing and lamps in hand, and friends in tow, we set out towards the sand where we could capture the strength of the land, sea, and sky.

Man stands barefoot on a sandy path, wearing a brown jacket and cap. Surrounded by lush greenery and distant houses, he looks pensive.
Woman in a brown jacket and jeans stands on a sandy beach, hands in pockets. Overcast sky, waves in the background. Serene mood.
Carrier Jacket worn by Walter and Isabel

Our afternoon capped with our uncle's famous grill pizzas topped with the clams from yesterday's harvest after having been filtered overnight in a bucket filled with their native bay water to clear out any residual grit. The dough is stretched straight onto the slats yielding a thin, crispy, and charred flatbread then covered with clam butter, parmesan, and sliced green onions generously dispersed on top.

Flatbread on a grill topped with green onions and cheese. Grill marks and herbs visible. Outdoor setting with blurred plants in background.

Full of love, friendship, and pizza we took the ferry then LIRR back to the noise and grime of the City. Fire Island is a place very near and dear to us and we relish every moment spent on this skinny strip of a sand bar. We hope to be back soon for sunnier days but in the meantime we're planning for our upcoming road trip and pre-sale launch. Thank you for reading, we'll be sending out more images from the shoot very soon so stay tuned.


Peace,

J+J

 
 
 

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