NYC 911 Memorial at Ground Zero Views from A Maine Photographer

A few weeks ago my brother-in-law informed my husband that he and his family would be weekend vacationing in New York City on the weekend of October 19th.  He asked if we wanted to join them?  When my husband asked me I said "yes...absolutely!"  My husband could care less about visiting NYC...he had never been before, and it wasn't on his bucket list.  I, on the other hand, knew it would be a photographers playground, and although I have been once, when in grade school, I really wanted to go as an adult.  I also wanted to visit Ground Zero, and I wanted my boys to see the Statue of Liberty...and...my brother-in-law and family(Mark) live in Florida and the opportunity to visit doesn't come around too often so it was a great opportunity to visit and spend time with them!

So, we started to plan...just a little bit.  We found out where Mark and his family were staying, and we reserved a room "nearby".  We didn't make too many plans because we knew it was going to be a quick trip...just 48 hours...12 of which would be spent driving...so we figured whatever Mark had planned would be our agenda too.

We arrived in NYC at 7pm Friday night.  We checked into our hotel "The World Center" hotel.  I had no idea that our balcony would be overlooking Ground Zero.  I really hadn't paid any attention to the reservations or done any research what so ever, I was just grateful for the opportunity to visit NYC and was pretty much along for the ride and the great weekend getaway.

After a few pics from our balcony, we hooked up with Mark and family, who happened to be in the hotel just a few hundred feet from ours!  We took our first of many, crazy cab rides to Times Square.  Once there we boarded a double decker tour bus and took an evening tour of the city. 

The next morning we took a harbor cruise to view the Statue of Liberty, and the NYC skyline.  We then got back on the tour bus and did a bit of daytime sight seeing.  We ate dinner in Little Italy and then walked Wall Street for an evening stroll. 

Sunday morning we visited the 911 Memorial up close.  It was a very powerful, and sacred experience for me.  I am an American, and just standing there where so much pain happened, it was humbling and intense, all at the same time.  And being there with my family, with my children, the same boys who were in preschool when the attacks occurred.  These boys who I carefully shrouded away from the news in those dark days.  I was proud to visit this sight with them.

As I mentioned before, this was a quick trip for us...truly a trip of a lifetime.  I am sharing a few photos of the Memorial and the Freedom tower, now known as One World Trade Center, taken up close, or from my 10th floor balcony.  Also, I have put together a slide show of the rest of the weekend...because as I said before...NYC is a photographers playground!

 
...and here's the link to my slideshow.
http://animoto.com/play/doDNWh11M03ZTcMrcp1Iaw

Making Strides for Breast Cancer A Maine Photographer

It's been six years since my breast cancer diagnosis. Pretty easy years health wise...but this year wasn't without concern. I had my usual annual mammogram, but then received a phone call to come back and "re-take" it...which set the ball in motion for another call to have an ultrasound...which then let to an aspiration...in the end all was good...for me. However, this day, the "Making Strides" day, always seems to get me counting my blessings. I have fought this fight...and may have to again someday...and so many are fighting it today. So this blog post is in honor of us all...fighting the fight! God Bless!

Paws in the Park 2012 via a Maine Photographer

Yesterday was the Paws in the Park walk, which is an annual major fundraiser for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.

I spent the day there, at Payson Park in Portland, capturing all sorts of doggy expressions.  I have a wonderful collection of expressions to share with you in the 4 minute slideshow below.

if viewing from a small screen, go ahead and click the link...if viewing from a larger screen, click the arrow in the photo, and you will have a larger easier viewing experience!
http://video214.com/play/B9P406LbTQVJFLzsrw9MkQ/s/dark

I Sold my Soul to the Westbrook Soccer Boosters

Yes it's true, a few weeks ago I sold my soul to the Westbrook Soccer Boosters.  I said YES, I will take team photos of all four teams, YES I will take photos of all the seniors, YES I will take lots and lots of action shots of all the teams.

Remember when I wrote that blog post about one of my favorite movies YES MAN with Jim Carrey...I tried to look for the link to that post...but I can't find it...and to be honest I'm trying to just quickly blog this so you don't all think I've gone into hiding or something...but let me just say...I loved that movie...it was a bit far fetched...but the message was clear...the more you give...the more you get!  It's about time for me to watch it again...cause sometimes it's so easy to forget why I say yes.

So, here's the scoop.  A few weeks ago I told you how I was going to be teaching a class called Photography 101 at the local community center.  Yes that I am doing.  I also told you I would recap each class here on my blog, so you could participate a bit even if you couldn't join me in class.

What I didn't tell you was that I had sold my soul to the Westbrook Boosters...and that really I wasn't going to have time for much of anything else.

I'm happy to say that as of today, I have completed my project for the boosters, and I'm ready to resume spinning the other plates I currently have in the air....
...so that means you...Amanda, Victoria, Kathy, Cady, Milo, ...and all of the students in my class...and oh ya...my husband...hello everyone...you now have my full attention!

Here is a peek...(ssssssshhhhhhhhhh...it's still a secret)...at some of the photos I took for the WHS soccer program.  Don't tell anyone...it hasn't gone to print yet...so I can't even say it's hot off the press...I can only say...Hallelujah...it's done!  (and for this year...so am I)...  :)

OK...so half an hour later I still can't get this blog post to accept the photo format I'm trying to post...
so I took all of the photos out...except for one...and I'm going to try again...

OK...another half hour has passed...and I still can't get this post to work...I keep getting errors...I guess I can't give you that peek after all...I will try and scan some of the photos later this week...for now...I must get back to spinning those other plates!

To purchase 2012 WHS soccer photos please visit http://pictage.com/1306390