A "Me" Day at Longwood Gardens | Water, Flowers, and a Whole Bunch of Frogs

A few days ago, I saw a post on Facebook from a photographer who had registered for a photography class at Longwood Gardens but then couldn't attend.  She was looking for someone to take her spot.  I read about the class and loved everything in the description!  (I later found out it is one of the most popular photography classes at Longwood - and has been sold out for months!)  I looked at my calendar, and besides my seemingly-never-ending PhD work that I was supposed to get around to working on that day, I only had a photoshoot scheduled for the late afternoon.  The calendar Gods were smiling upon me that day, and I decided it was a sign!  The PhD work could wait!  (And, my photoshoot clients decided to change their location to Longwood Gardens once they found out I was going to be there anyway!  It worked out perfectly!!)

I bought the ticket from the other photographer and woke up at 5am to be at Longwood Gardens by 7am.  I am not a morning person (putting it very mildly), but I can do it when I absolutely have to.  It ended up being more than worth the early wake up and drive!  I was able to watch the sunrise while I drove to Longwood, and wished I was a little bit more of a morning person.  Once I arrived at Longwood, I realized we had the entire property to ourselves for a few hours before it opened to the general public.  It was awesome, to say the least.

Our class started with a little bit of instruction and shooting tips, then we were broken into three groups.  Each group was going to be allowed access in the world famous waterlily ponds for an hour at a time - and we got to go in twice!  And, I'm not talking just any access - we were given waders and actually allowed to get INTO the ponds and take photos from a "frog's eye view".  It was so amazing being able to get that close to the flowers I have stared at in wonder for years.  I also got up close and personal with a few critters - including frogs, damsel flies, dragonflies, tiny fish, bees, and lots of other insects that were flying and hopping around.  When we were not in the ponds taking pictures, we spent time wandering around the gardens taking photos (and making some new friends).  If you look at my photos closely, you'll even see that we were visited by a stunning Blue Heron!

Here are a few of my favorites from the day!  I took HUNDREDS of pictures, so this is just a small sampling of them.  (I wouldn't have time to get anything else done this weekend if I didn't force myself to stop going through them!!)  I hope you enjoy my photos - and if you haven't ever been to Longwood Gardens, or if it's been a while since your last visit, you really should go. :)

Thank you for the opportunity, Krista!  Thank you for lending me your filter for a few shots, Andrea!  Thanks to Jon (the light ninja) for a great class and a lot of laughs!

"No One Fights Alone" Golf Tournament | A Personal Session

This morning, I stopped by the Chapel Hill Golf Course to take a few photos for a friend.  Over 70 people competed in the "No One Fights Alone" Golf Tournament to show their support for Bill Haines, Jr. and other local individuals who are battling cancer.  Countless other people showed their support through donations and other behind-the-scenes efforts.  It was an honor to donate my time to this important cause, and to this incredible family.

Bill, I haven't known you long, but it didn't take me long to discover that you are loved by many.  I'm honored to have been a small part of this day, and to have been able to capture a few memories of this journey for your family and friends.  You are most definitely not facing this battle alone.  We're all rooting for you to kick cancer's ass.

Community Over Competition | Headshot Swap

Last week, I hung out with a group of very talented and kindhearted photographers from Berks, Lancaster, and Lehigh counties.  We decided to meet up at Blue Marsh Lake for a headshot swap.  I'm so thankful for all of the photographers I have met over the past year who are less interested in competing and more focused on lifting each other up so we can all be successful in this industry.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together.  Thanks for a fun evening, everyone!!

Berks County Personal Session | Akina

Tonight, just because I felt moved to do so, I asked Akina to grab her violin and hop in the car with me.  We drove down the road and I stopped as soon as the light felt right.  We got out, got my camera ready, and she played her violin for me for a few minutes.  Here are some photos.

Vans Warped Tour | Scranton, PA | July 11, 2016

I never imagined that my Starbucks chai tea addiction would lead to such incredible opportunities!  A few years ago, I met Brent while ordering my typical "venti no water chai".  He quickly became one of my favorite Baristas!  We found out we had a lot of common interests, including tattoos, music, snowboarding, and caffeine!  I also quickly found out that Brent happens to be a pretty incredible drummer, and asked him if he was willing to take on my middle daughter as a drum student.  He agreed, and he's quickly become an extended member of my family!

Brent started touring with Emarosa this year when they found themselves in need of a drummer.  A few months ago, Brent helped me get a photo pass to shoot Emarosa at the Chameleon Club.  Last week, Brent came through for me again and hooked me up with a photo pass for Warped Tour when they were in town (well, as close to being "in town" as they were going to get).  The rest of the family also got all-access passes, and it was a pretty incredible experience for all of us!  I want to provide my daughters with experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives, and I think this one definitely qualified!

Here are a few of the MANY photos that I took at Warped Tour that day.  Everything took place in Scranton, around the Pavilion at Montage Mountain.  Brent, thank you again for the opportunity to shoot this event!!  It's been an honor being able to follow along as you chase your own dreams.

 

 

A Just Because Session | Owen

I'm an empath... perhaps to a fault.  The energy around me strongly affects me, for better and for worse.  In case you haven't noticed, television and social media have been filled with a lot of negativity lately.  On top of that, I've been under the weather and covered in poison ivy from my last few photoshoots.  It's been a rough few weeks for me, physically and emotionally.  I desperately needed to recharge.

A few days ago, a group of photographers organized a meetup at this amazing flower field and invited me to join them.  I have a lot of anxiety when it comes to meeting new people and was going to decline their offer, but I knew the timing was perfect - I needed to venture out and take some photos just for me... and I needed to do it soon.  So, I texted my friend Brooke yesterday morning and asked if she and her son Owen were available to meet up with me at the location.

They were available!

So, in spite of my anxiety and poison ivy and general sense of misery, I packed up my camera gear and went.

The photoshoot was amazing.

Seriously.

It was epic.

My husband always says that my camera is my 'binky'... and my husband is usually right.  (Well, I don't know about usually, but I'll say more often than not.)  In any case, it worked last night.  I'm feeling a bit better already.

I am gifting these photos to my friend Brooke and her little guy Owen.  Brooke started out as a student of mine in graduate classes I taught, and has since become a close friend.  She trusted me to take photos of her precious Owen when he became one of my very first newborn clients (unfortunately, that was before I knew how to create the froggy pose)!  Whenever I see them, they bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart.  (And it has nothing to do with the fact that they bring me Wilbur Buds whenever they come to visit - that's just an added bonus!)  Thank you for being so supportive of me over the years, and for being incredible friends.  You are two of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders.  I love you both.  I hope you enjoy these photos as a small token of my appreciation.

For what it's worth, the photoshoot was just the pick-me-up I needed right now.  I knew in my heart if I got over my anxiety and pushed through my discomfort that I would be rewarded.  And I was right. <3

Fireworks on the 5th of July

Each year, a family in my neighborhood organizes an incredible fireworks display.  They purchase these themselves, and just recently started asking for donations to help with the cost.  It's become a wonderful tradition that brings many families in our neighborhood together, even if only for one night.  This year, due to downpours on the 4th of July, they were held one day late. The wait was worth it - this year's show was even better than in the past!  My neighborhood rocks!

This was my first 'real' attempt at taking fireworks photos.  I love how they turned out, and I can't wait to try again!

TLA, Philadelphia PA | The Dead Kennedys

On June 29th, I caught the Dead Kennedys show at the TLA in Philly.  Their tour manager hooked me up with a photo pass for the show, and I'm so appreciative!  The first band to open was Soul Glo, followed by Le Yikes Surf Club and The Welch Boys.  The Dead Kennedys went on around 10, and put on an entertaining and opinionated show, as always!  Here are a few photos from the evening!

(Yes, I know I have a diverse taste in music, and I wouldn't have it any other way!)

A Rainy-Day-Just-For-Fun Shoot

A week from today I'll be celebrating my 19th wedding anniversary!  I can't believe how quickly those years have flown by.  With my anniversary on my mind, and being trapped inside because of the rainy weather, Akina and I decided to unpack my wedding dress and have some fun.  I hope you enjoy the results of our impromptu 5 minute photoshoot.  I love love love how these turned out! <3

Red Rocks, Colorado | Thievery Corporation + Emancipator Ensemble + Late Night Radio

May 13, 2016 is a date that will forever remain dear to my heart!  Thanks to the planets aligning in my favor, and the efforts and kindness of a longtime friend, I was able to cross off an item on my Bucket List - photographing my favorite band at my favorite concert venue!  I was able to secure a photo pass to photograph Thievery Corporation at Red Rocks Ampitheatre - and to make it even more meaningful, it happened to occur during Thievery's 20th Anniversary Tour and Red Rocks 75th Anniversary!

The weather was fantastic, and the crowd's energy was contagious!  I rented a fisheye lens for the occasion, but it arrived broken - I didn't let that dampen my spirits, though, and captured some amazing photographs with the rest of the equipment I brought!

Late Night Radio opened first, followed by Emancipator Ensemble.  (This was my first time hearing both, and I thought they were great!)  Thievery Corporation played third, and did not disappoint.  As much as part of me wanted to stay in the pit and shoot the entire show, I also wanted to step back and enjoy my favorite band with the rest of the stoked fans.  So, I found a balance - and I love how everything turned out!

I am so grateful to my friend Annabel and to Thievery Corporation!!!  I'm looking forward to my next Thievery show, as always!!  I've listened to their music while making countless memories over the past 20 years of my life!  Here are a few of my favorite frames from the evening.