Photo day

Even though I posted my photo from the Tidal Basin this morning, I figured I'd post a second time anyways - this time from the portrait session with the kids.

I got Leah to wear her hat - which she doesn't like - for a quick photo.

Then it was on to Ian. Leah helped me come up with an idea - basically goofball with the teacup. Ian said I looked psycho when I showed him what I wanted. Thankfully, his photo came out better than psycho.

Cheers!

Marc

Cherry Blossoms

I couldn't convince anyone to get up early with me to go check out the sunrise on the Tidal Basin this morning. A weather app predicted only a 50% chance for a pretty sunrise - I am glad I gambled (and sorry they missed out on a beautiful morning). It is hard to see in this photo, but the golden light was bouncing around and illuminating the blossoms from both the sky and the water - it was breathtaking!

It rained about 30-45 minutes after I took this photo, which I think helped to keep the crowds down. I walked all the way around the Tidal Basin, and this is my favorite composition, by far. Both times I've been here, I've had the place practically to myself.

Cheers,

Marc

More fun with the kids

Ian and I did some manual labor yesterday with his youth group at church. The group is raising money for a trip this summer - he'll be going to South Dakota. As part of that, the group raises money to help defray the cost, which means I got to help do a bunch of landscaping yesterday. Thankfully, it was a nice day, and everyone pitched in with no complaining.

After church today, Catherine and I plotted out our spring break and summer vacation - it will be a whirlwind tour this summer through New England and update New York.

Later, when it was time to take photos, my flash unit went haywire. I may need a new wireless unit to make it work again. Until then, I pulled an old trick to make things work.

Cheers,

Marc

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Ian and I got back about noon today from an Eagle Scout project on Wallops Island - right next to the NASA facility where they sling rockets into space. Sadly, no rocket launches while we were there.

We did finish the project - we constructed a half-mile nature trail for the staff at the Chincoteague Field Station to use during their summer camps. Traffic was crazy getting there - the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was backed up for miles.

I've been fighting a cold, so when we got back, we unpacked, showered, and I took a nap. After dinner, I decided to grab my camera and snap some photos.

I even managed to sweet talk Catherine to sitting in front of the camera.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Marc

Another picture for Sunday

Another Sunday, another photo day.

Nothing terribly new here. We went to the late service at church, but with the time change it didn't feel too late. Once we got home, I snapped some quick photos before the kids could get changed out of their nice clothes.

I had Ian practice keeping his eyes open in front of a mirror. He tends to close his eyes...I think the practice helped!

Cheers,

Marc

Better luck next time

As per our new routine, I got Ian and Leah in front of the cameral today, trying out some new lighting concepts. Things worked out fine for Leah, but I had the wrong focus point for Ian (it was the front edge of his book, which made him all blurry since I was shooting with shallow depth of field).

Leah had a nice ceremony at church yesterday with her youth group. Afterwards, she had a Girl Scout function where she stayed up all night at a local mall doing crafts and games. It sounds like she had a fun time, but she was sleepy all day.

The rest of us just stayed home, we are in the throes of another winter storm. We had snow earlier, but rain now. Yuck.

Have a great day!

Marc