My favorite is the foggy one followed by the truck, although I'm also partial to the one where the leaves have all changed, because we had no sunny days that Fall except for that particular day, so it's kind of a special photo.
Showing posts with label westernma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label westernma. Show all posts
Thursday, July 18, 2013
One Barn: Two Years of Photos
Being that I'm probably limited to how many more times I'll drive by this on my way to work, I decided to compile all the photos I took of the same barn over the last 2 years into one image. It's really amazing how the landscape changes from season to season and even day to day. It starts at the top with photos from two years ago and ends with a photo I took today. Which photo is your favorite? Why?
My favorite is the foggy one followed by the truck, although I'm also partial to the one where the leaves have all changed, because we had no sunny days that Fall except for that particular day, so it's kind of a special photo.
My favorite is the foggy one followed by the truck, although I'm also partial to the one where the leaves have all changed, because we had no sunny days that Fall except for that particular day, so it's kind of a special photo.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Alex + Lena: Married
I've been very fortunate to be able to photograph so many weddings this past year, some of them were as a second shooter to my friend Larry. When Larry's son, Alex, got engaged I mentioned that I would be more than happy to photograph their wedding. I ended up photographing alongside our friend Katie who was rocking two Canon 5D Mark IIIs the whole night (and those suckers are heavy)!
It was a cold day, but the wedding was beautiful and Alex and Lena were good sports about getting some photos outside after the ceremony.
Here are a few of my photos from their day!
Congratulations Alex and Lena, best wishes for a lovely future together!
For those interested, the wedding cupcakes came from their family shop, Kayce Cupcakes and they were delicious!
It was a cold day, but the wedding was beautiful and Alex and Lena were good sports about getting some photos outside after the ceremony.
Here are a few of my photos from their day!
Congratulations Alex and Lena, best wishes for a lovely future together!
For those interested, the wedding cupcakes came from their family shop, Kayce Cupcakes and they were delicious!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Hot Chocolate Run
A few months ago, we were chatting in lab about the fact that the Hot Chocolate Run was coming up in December and almost everyone expressed an interest in participating. So we signed up as a group, "Beaker Full of Flakes", our name being a homage to our day jobs. We even had a slightly disastrous t-shirt making party using my Yudu machine (I've made countless t-shirts and never had problems with the thing before, go figure it has performance anxiety when I have to show a group of people). The race sold out a few days before Thanksgiving - a whopping 5,500 participants! I saw it featured in Rachael Ray Magazine a few months back, I'm sure that helped!
On Sunday morning, I woke up bright and early to get to the walk, which started at 9:30 AM. I considered running for a few minutes when I signed up. I figured 3 miles wasn't a bad thing and I could probably pull that off if I trained a little. I ended up signing up for the walk, what can I say, I've got bad knees.
We were told to corral up at about 9 AM. I waited a bit for another one of my lab mates, Kasie to join me for the walk. All our other lab mates were doing the run, which started at 10 AM.
It was amazing how busy the walk was. I'd say that about half of the participants did the walk and half did the run. Out of the gate, we passed by the local news filming the run, apparently interviewing a polar bear.
Speaking of costumes, people really went all out. We saw everything from Santa to polar bears, to cows, to these guys. How they ran in these things is beyond me.
It was a super foggy morning, you could hardly see a thing.
The race started on the road that Herrell's, Osaka, and the Northampton Brewery are on and wound up and around Main Street in Northampton.
There were a few local groups scattered around playing music or cheering us on.
Up the hill we turned left and walked through the Smith College campus. A ton of people brought their dogs along for the walk.
So foggy.
As we were finishing up, we saw the runners on the overpass above the bike path.
I think this was the sign everyone was looking forward to. It was seriously freezing that morning. Hot cocoa was definitely a welcome treat!
Kasie and I picked up our mugs, which is the finishing prize instead of a medal, and headed towards the hot cocoa. The Northampton Brewery uses their beer brewing kettle to brew the hot cocoa the morning of the run. It was really really tasty.
We saw a few casualties from the run. So sad.
Kasie and I were searching for our runner lab mates as they crossed the finish line. Fortunately, we found two, Beth and Eva, but we somehow missed our other lab mate Ashley. As you can imagine, with 5,500 people, it was pretty crowded and easy to miss people. Our team shirts helped though!
I was so glad that I got to do this before I leave Massachusetts. It was great having people that I could participate with. I even had some amazing friends who helped raise some money for Safe Passage, the charity the Hot Chocolate Run benefits. Thanks so much guys, you're awesome!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Diana's First Visit to Western Mass: Part 2
On our second day, Diana and I headed to the Roost in Northampton for a quick breakfast. I love this place. I've only had breakfast here, but the service is fast and the food is good. I had the sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich and a pot of winterberry spice tea. Yum.
After brunch, I took Diana to see Kringle Candle. I always find it kind of funny that our area is well known for being the candle capital with the Yankee Candle flagship store and the new Kringle Candle store within a few miles from each other. I figured it's something she should see and maybe she could pick up a few souvenirs from her trip! Who doesn't love candles or wax melts? :)
I didn't take too many photos here, since I've posted about my trips to Kringle before. They happen to have a pretty large carved pumpkin display that wasn't there the last time I visited with my family. Diana really liked the one that was eating a fake human foot. I wish I got a picture of that one, it was pretty funny.
Since Yankee Candle is right down the road, I thought we could swing by on our way back home. On the way, I asked Diana if she'd be interested in going to Magic Wings. I posted about this place previously and it's a great trip, especially if you haven't seen anything like it before.
I love these butterfly displays as you walk in. So many different kinds of butterflies and they're all so beautiful.
Diana started with the photos right away. While I brought my DSLR, I actually ended up using my phone and my new lenses much more. I was having fun with all the amazing possibilities in front of me!
There were a few flowers in bloom, like these hibiscus. The good thing about flowers is that butterflies really like landing on them, so you can get some really pretty pictures.
Here's where the Photojojo iPhone lenses come in. These were taken with the macro lens and a steady hand. Those wings. Holy smokes. Who knew how amazing butterfly wings looked up close? Not me. They're like mini pixel paintings. Any guess as to which wing belongs to which butterfly?
Somehow these butterflies were unfazed that I was so up close and personal. I was probably about a half an inch away from these guys.
I took a few other pictures with the macro lens and I found a few butterflies dancing around. Tiny dancers.
We happened to meet a worker who was bringing around this little walking stick creature. I tried to take a photo of it while the woman was holding it, but the walking stick had other plans. She (we were told that the walking stick was a she) was so interested with my macro lens she started waving her arms trying to cling on. I held out my hand and she walked right up and photobombed me. Diana took the shot above and I took the one below at the exact same time. How incredible is that? The walking stick is actually holding on to my lens with her little legs!
On our way out we snapped a picture of the both of us under the butterfly crossing sign to remember our trip here together.
On our way back to Amherst, we stopped by the Yankee Candle flagship store so Diana could see how huge the place is. We had fun trying on these silly Halloween masks, smelling all the different holiday scents and watching people get their hands dipped in wax. Yes, you read that correctly you can dip your hands in wax and they will make a candle out of it or a sculpture or something. We didn't really inquire, we were just amazed at the number of people doing it.
For dinner I took Diana to Mission Cantina in South Amherst, which is our new favorite Mexican food joint. Their pineapple salsa and margaritas are delicious. I highly recommend them both!
That wraps up our adventures in Western Mass, stay tuned for our quick, rainy trip to Boston the day before Hurricane Sandy hit.
After brunch, I took Diana to see Kringle Candle. I always find it kind of funny that our area is well known for being the candle capital with the Yankee Candle flagship store and the new Kringle Candle store within a few miles from each other. I figured it's something she should see and maybe she could pick up a few souvenirs from her trip! Who doesn't love candles or wax melts? :)
I didn't take too many photos here, since I've posted about my trips to Kringle before. They happen to have a pretty large carved pumpkin display that wasn't there the last time I visited with my family. Diana really liked the one that was eating a fake human foot. I wish I got a picture of that one, it was pretty funny.
Since Yankee Candle is right down the road, I thought we could swing by on our way back home. On the way, I asked Diana if she'd be interested in going to Magic Wings. I posted about this place previously and it's a great trip, especially if you haven't seen anything like it before.
I love these butterfly displays as you walk in. So many different kinds of butterflies and they're all so beautiful.
Diana started with the photos right away. While I brought my DSLR, I actually ended up using my phone and my new lenses much more. I was having fun with all the amazing possibilities in front of me!
There were a few flowers in bloom, like these hibiscus. The good thing about flowers is that butterflies really like landing on them, so you can get some really pretty pictures.
Here's where the Photojojo iPhone lenses come in. These were taken with the macro lens and a steady hand. Those wings. Holy smokes. Who knew how amazing butterfly wings looked up close? Not me. They're like mini pixel paintings. Any guess as to which wing belongs to which butterfly?
Somehow these butterflies were unfazed that I was so up close and personal. I was probably about a half an inch away from these guys.
I took a few other pictures with the macro lens and I found a few butterflies dancing around. Tiny dancers.
We happened to meet a worker who was bringing around this little walking stick creature. I tried to take a photo of it while the woman was holding it, but the walking stick had other plans. She (we were told that the walking stick was a she) was so interested with my macro lens she started waving her arms trying to cling on. I held out my hand and she walked right up and photobombed me. Diana took the shot above and I took the one below at the exact same time. How incredible is that? The walking stick is actually holding on to my lens with her little legs!
On our way out we snapped a picture of the both of us under the butterfly crossing sign to remember our trip here together.
On our way back to Amherst, we stopped by the Yankee Candle flagship store so Diana could see how huge the place is. We had fun trying on these silly Halloween masks, smelling all the different holiday scents and watching people get their hands dipped in wax. Yes, you read that correctly you can dip your hands in wax and they will make a candle out of it or a sculpture or something. We didn't really inquire, we were just amazed at the number of people doing it.
For dinner I took Diana to Mission Cantina in South Amherst, which is our new favorite Mexican food joint. Their pineapple salsa and margaritas are delicious. I highly recommend them both!
That wraps up our adventures in Western Mass, stay tuned for our quick, rainy trip to Boston the day before Hurricane Sandy hit.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Diana's First Visit to Western Mass: Part 1
One of my best photography buddies (and one of my best buddies in general), Diana, is from the Mississippi coast. When I found out that Adam was going to be moving to Pittsburgh, she decided to come visit and keep me company for a weekend. She was so excited to visit during the fall, because she doesn't really get to see any foliage down there along the coast. She was arriving a bit after peak season, but I was determined to show her how pretty fall is around here.
The day she arrived, I picked her up from the airport and on our way back to my place, we stopped at our friend's cupcake shop, Kayce Cupcakes. Diana has heard all about this place from me and the owners (Larry and Kayce), a father daughter duo who we're mutual friends with, so she was excited to be able to finally try it.
We got a cotton candy and a s'mores cupcake to try. The s'mores is my favorite, it's the closest that I've had to the ones at Kara's Cupcakes (huge props to Larry and Kayce for making something so delicious!). I thought it was funny that my nails matched the color of the cotton candy icing. I asked Larry if they needed a hand model.
We also got a sneak peek of one of their new flavors for the month of November, sweet potato casserole. Yum.
On our way to dinner, I decided to take the long way around to Northampton, through Amherst and Hadley, so I could show Diana some of the sights. A few weeks ago, I noticed these house installation pieces went up on the Hampshire College lawn and I was intrigued. Luckily, Diana was also curious, so we stopped to get some photos. I think it was Hampshire Halloween that night and they block the entrances off for a big party which is invite only (not the case when I was in college!), so we hurried to take some pictures before anyone could shoo us off.
In Hadley, on one of the back roads, I've always noticed people walking on what looks like a path, but never knew what it really was. It isn't the bike path - which is just down the street. Diana was game to check it out, so we parked in the little lot and headed up towards where the path was only to find out that it had an AMAZING view of the Connecticut river. It was also an amazing sunset that night. I got to try out my new iPhone toy here. I bought the Photojojo phone lens set and used the wide angle lens to get the shot of Diana and I. Such a great little piece of glass, I totally recommend them (I'll show more shots with the macro lens in my next post)!
We had food from Zen for dinner and Herrell's ice cream for dessert. I stuck with one of my fall favorites, pumpkin, while Diana had an interesting flavor, Sweet Dreams, which was chamomile, honey, lemon and vanilla flavored. She said she really liked it. I guess I'll have to try it if I head back there! We both had a little ice cream with our sprinkles. :)
Stay tuned for Part 2, our trip up to Bernardston and Greenfield, MA!
The day she arrived, I picked her up from the airport and on our way back to my place, we stopped at our friend's cupcake shop, Kayce Cupcakes. Diana has heard all about this place from me and the owners (Larry and Kayce), a father daughter duo who we're mutual friends with, so she was excited to be able to finally try it.
We got a cotton candy and a s'mores cupcake to try. The s'mores is my favorite, it's the closest that I've had to the ones at Kara's Cupcakes (huge props to Larry and Kayce for making something so delicious!). I thought it was funny that my nails matched the color of the cotton candy icing. I asked Larry if they needed a hand model.
We also got a sneak peek of one of their new flavors for the month of November, sweet potato casserole. Yum.
On our way to dinner, I decided to take the long way around to Northampton, through Amherst and Hadley, so I could show Diana some of the sights. A few weeks ago, I noticed these house installation pieces went up on the Hampshire College lawn and I was intrigued. Luckily, Diana was also curious, so we stopped to get some photos. I think it was Hampshire Halloween that night and they block the entrances off for a big party which is invite only (not the case when I was in college!), so we hurried to take some pictures before anyone could shoo us off.
In Hadley, on one of the back roads, I've always noticed people walking on what looks like a path, but never knew what it really was. It isn't the bike path - which is just down the street. Diana was game to check it out, so we parked in the little lot and headed up towards where the path was only to find out that it had an AMAZING view of the Connecticut river. It was also an amazing sunset that night. I got to try out my new iPhone toy here. I bought the Photojojo phone lens set and used the wide angle lens to get the shot of Diana and I. Such a great little piece of glass, I totally recommend them (I'll show more shots with the macro lens in my next post)!
We had food from Zen for dinner and Herrell's ice cream for dessert. I stuck with one of my fall favorites, pumpkin, while Diana had an interesting flavor, Sweet Dreams, which was chamomile, honey, lemon and vanilla flavored. She said she really liked it. I guess I'll have to try it if I head back there! We both had a little ice cream with our sprinkles. :)
Stay tuned for Part 2, our trip up to Bernardston and Greenfield, MA!
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