Matthew Mead’s Blog

Sometimes, you don’t have to close your eyes and pretend you’re in Paris … rather open them, and see the Paris that exists right in front of you.

My sixteen-year-old niece, Emilie, came to New Hampshire this summer from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to intern at my studio. We hardly ever get to see her, and it was a true delight to get to know this outstanding young lady and see her developing talents in the field of photography and styling. They say it runs in the blood, and, after working with her … I believe that is absolutely true.  She inspires me, and I really believe that if she wants a career in this field, it will happen for her.

I asked her to join me on a photography sojourn one early morning in July (at about 5:30 am),  when the light was soft and pretty. We went on a hunt to find beautiful architecture and design that reminded me of Paris right here in my hometown of Concord, New Hampshire.  It wasn’t difficult, and here are some of our favorite shots.

Jenny took me to Paris as a Christmas gift three years ago, so I had lots of visual ideas to draw on.

Some small steps and a carriage path at a park near my house.  Granite is natural to New Hampshire, but the distinctly stylish pointed posts are the work of European craftsmen. Can you see the morning mist softly illuminating the trees at the back of the shot ?

Carved in granite, this beautiful fern reminds me of the many botanical references found at buildings like the Louvre and the Musee D’orsey.

This column top makes me think of the Place de la Concorde. I like the laurel roping which is so regal and formal in its execution.  Many buildings in Concord have some type of classical embellishment.  The New Hampshire Historical Society building (The Tuck Library circa 1909)  was designed by Boston architect Guy Lowell (also designer of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts) features distinctly classical ideals in its construction.   Mr. Lowell was inspired by European architecture and the many beautiful buildings found in the city of Paris.

Here is one of the wings of The Tuck Library on a quiet Sunday morning.

The traditional capital with columns is obviously born of Greek architecture.  The additional flourishes soften the hard edges to give it a more updated look and feel.

The central crest over the main entrance depicts angels and a seal bearing an open book emblazoned with the state name, New Hampshire. The many layers of fine detail that make up this beautiful building are a feast for the eyes.

I was fascinated by the urns atop memorials in a park by my house.  Aged with mosses and lichen, they are much like the oversize ones I saw in the park near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

Here, a simple bracketed exterior lamp and stone work reminded me of similar styles in Paris.  So, take a look around your own hometown and then take some photos. I’m sure you will find some Parisian influences in your own haunts, just as easily as I did in mine.