Behind The Scenes: Secrets of Monticello
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
What does it take to capture one of the South’s most iconic gardens? A lot of time and patience. Staff photographer Robbie Caponetto spent nearly a week at Monticello to capture Thomas Jefferson’s gardens in their best light.
“For three days, we woke up every morning at 5 a.m. to figure out the exact angle, setup and time to capture the sunrise on the grounds,” Robbie says. “We knew we had to time it perfectly, because there are only a few minutes to be able to shoot into the sun at the angle we wanted. On the fourth day we went back to the precise spot we planned.”
This is what he shot, which is featured in the opener of “Breaking Ground” on page 82 in the September issue.
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
“It was such a privilege to stand where Thomas Jefferson once stood,” he says.
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
Robbie was guided through the gardens by Monticello’s Director of Gardens Peter Hatch. “Peter — and the entire staff — is so passionate about preserving Jefferson’s legacy.”
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
“It was fascinating to walk throughout the gardens and learn about the origins of these plants and Jefferson’s logic in growing each one.”
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
Photo by Robbie Caponetto
To see all of Robbie’s images, and read the story of the Monticello gardens, pick up a copy of the September issue of Southern Living.
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Fantastic pictures! Loved the lighting in the ‘Breaking Ground’ shot.
Robbies photos have a rare sensitivity and intimacy. I want to see a lot more of this kind of work of his in Southern Living, Dorit
America and the world have been fortunate to have Peter Hatch and staff at Monticello.
Jefferson is a central part of my life, and the sunrise view of Monticello touches my soul. Thank you, Robbie.
Is there a way we can support your work? Please let me know.
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This is beautiful and worth the efforts of your group! Thank you for capturing such an important garden by one of the most influential men in our country to date. Great work! Looking forward to sharing the article with our gardening community.
Fabulous photos! With more photos like these, SOUTHERN LIVING will become once again the great magazine that it used to be.
Your beautiful pictures inspire me to visit Monticello once again. The early morning shoots were certainly worth the effort to give us an ethereal feeling as we viewed the sunrise at Monticello. Thank you Robbie for representing Southern Living so well.
Awesome!
This article is so timely. I have been studying Thomas Jefferson, his life and gardens all summer so that a fellow garden club member and I can present a program for our local garden club in May 2013. Thank you for your dedication and wonderful feature on this extraordinary American and his many talents. We visited Monticello about 3 summers ago and will encourage all my garden club friends to visit also.
Sandra Snapp
Sept. 7, 2012
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Monticello is such a beautiful and historic place. My husband and I so enjoyed its tranquil peacefulness. We toured the home and grounds and I found myself closing my eyes and picturing the day to day happenings……..food cooking in the kitchen, Jefferson in his solitary office……….enjoying the sunset……..I made a memory that day.
I’ve been fascinated by Monticello since I learned of its existence and would love to see the architectural drawings of the house done by Thomas Jefferson.
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