Kissimmee Celebrates the 4th of July

I’m hoping that invoking the “better late than never” theory will excuse the tardiness of getting these photos posted. They were taken this past Friday at the Kissimmee 4th of July festivities downtown on the lakefront. I had to leave before the fireworks, but while there I enjoyed photographing the crowd and sampling the food trucks. My favorite food truck find was the super friendly service and vegan black bean and plantain empanadas from La Empanada Food Truck.

There were lots of activities for the kids — young and old. It was fun to see people displaying their patriotism and participating in all there was to see and do. I hope you enjoy the photos.

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
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Parallel Textures

“All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.”
― Susan Sontag

“Textures in Parallel”, Nikon D800, ISO 640, f/6.3 at 1/200 sec., 28mm

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida

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Daytona Beach HippieFest #3

“Don’t gain the world & lose your soul,
Wisdom is better than silver or gold.”
― Bob Marley

This is the third and final post to feature photos from the 2014 Daytona Beach HippieFest, held this past Sunday. I played around a bit with a couple of the photos in this post, giving them a more vintage, 60’s feel. Or, such was the intent. It’s been groovy sharing these photos from the event with you. Peace.

Are you pictured here? Contact me via email and let me know which photo; I’ll send you back the full-sized HD version.

A vintage look to go with your cool vintage shades…

This guy was very popular. What you don’t see is the other half of a situation I’ll probably never be in again: At my back is a police officer while in front of me stands this guy yelling, “Free pot!”. Fortunately, the officer had both a sense of humor and the ability to read.

This happened after I ran into the guy with the free pot… 🙂

Wisperwood Tie-Dye helped a lot of people unleash their inner hippie.

And a good time was had by all…

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida

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Daytona Beach HippieFest #2

“I believe true happiness is derived from helping others and spreading love. Sharing Unconditional Love is the best high you can experience. Pure Engery flows through you unhindered by doubt, fear or expectation. It is magical beyond belief. Try it sometime!”
— Skip Stone

Today I am sharing more photos from my trip to the Daytona Beach HippieFest, held this past Sunday. (If you didn’t see the first batch, they were in yesterday’s post. I will share the last batch tomorrow.) I hope you enjoy them.

Are you pictured here? Contact me via email and let me know which photo; I’ll send you back the full-sized HD version.

Imagine if there had been phone cameras in the 60s. Subsequent generations of children would have had an entirely different concept of their parents. Be warned.

A member of local band Tie-Dye Road

My favorite photo all day.

These two were having fun and enjoying the music.

A downpour didn’t dampen spirits, but some tie-dye got a bit of an extra rinse.

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida

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Daytona Beach HippieFest #1

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
— Jimi Hendrix

Yesterday, I drove to Daytona Beach to attend HippieFest. This was my first time attending, but I don’t think it will be my last. I had a ball taking photos of people and they seemed to be really into it. I will share some photos from the day over the next two or three blog posts. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Are you pictured here? Contact me via email and let me know which photo; I’ll send you back the full-sized HD version.

These boots weren’t made for walkin’…

Local band Tie-Dye Road; I really enjoyed this band. You can find them on Facebook.

Seriously 60’s

My long-time friend John, owner and artist at Wisperwood Tie-Dye

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida

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Stumps of History

“The unrecorded past is none other than our old friend, the tree in the primeval forest which fell without being heard.”
— Barbara Tuchman

I couldn’t help but imagine how different this place must have been when a tree occupied the space where there is now only a stump. It’s cooling shade most likely comforted hot and weary workers and animals. I can imagine a tire swing suspended by a rope hanging from the lower branches, that swing occupying for many hours the attention and energy of those too young to help with the work but too old to need a mother’s constant care. I think of the birds, squirrels and other creatures that must have found shelter in that tree either temporarily or as a home for a lifetime. What is now a stump once supported, nourished and enhanced life. Although the present quickly passes, what’s past is present.

“Stumps of History”, Nikon D800, ISO 640, f/13 at 1/1000 sec., 58mm
Click on the image to view larger size and print options.

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it.

Going Up

“Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.”
—Ruth E. Renkel

“Going Up”, Nikon D800, ISO 320, f/11 at 1/40 sec., 50mm
Click the image to view larger size.

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Photographing people, places, pets and ponderings.
Booking family, personal, business and pet portrait sittings throughout Central Florida

Be sure to visit my booth at Space Cost Pride on May 25th!

Street Portraiture: Faces of Kissimmee, #21

16 East Dakin Avenue in downtown Kissimmee is an address you should make note of. There, you will find Savion’s Place, and you don’t want to miss this restaurant. The intimate surroundings and top-notch service create the perfect setting for the fresh and delicious food you will experience here, prepared by Chef Pouchon Savion.

Prior to opening Savion’s place in September of 2012, Chef Pouchon was Executive Chef at The Cheesecake Factory, Brio Tuscan Grille, and Seasons 52. Their website says Chef Pouchon was born in Haiti and raised in South Florida by a single mother. She instilled and nurtured his love for cooking, and we are fortunate here in Kissimmee to be beneficiaries of his experience and education.

Savion’s Place was the site of our Mother’s Day lunch last Sunday afternoon, and we were all delighted with the experience. At my own risk, I share with you that when it comes to restaurants, my mother is opinionated and difficult to please. I grew anxious when she told our server she had a message for the chef. Anxiety became elation when that message was, “…best I’ve ever had!” My nephew, Jared, devoured the lobster mac ‘n cheese; my sister inhaled the jambalaya; and four of us were extremely pleased with our choice of the grilled salmon – I got mine blackened. The sweet potato mash is over-the-top delicious, and by no means should you skip dessert.

As we finished our incredible meal and readied to leave the restaurant, I had the opportunity to approach Chef Pouchon and ask about taking a photo for my Faces of Kissimmee project. He graciously agreed.

“Chef Pouchon Savion” [Click image to enlarge or reduce its size.] Nikon D300, ISO 1250, f/1.8 at 1/125 sec., 85 mm

 

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Street Portraiture: Faces of Kissimmee, #20

I was heading back to the car to go home when I spotted Mark sitting outside Quokka Coffee on Broadway. To be fair, it was Mark’s glasses that I noticed first; I thought the frames were really nice. I commented as I walked past him, “Cool glasses.” He replied with a big, bright smile. I got two steps further when an alarm went off in my head: “HEY! YOU MISSED A PHOTO OP! YOU MISSED A PHOTO OP! STOP!”

Heeding that alarm, I turned back and introduced myself and my “Faces of Kissimmee” project. Mark didn’t hesitate to grant me permission to take his photo. Cool glasses and a great smile, right?

“Mark B” [Click image to enlarge or reduce its size.] Nikon D300, ISO 1250, f/3.3 at 1/4000 sec., 85 mm

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Street Portraiture: Faces of Kissimmee, #19

Charles and Samantha were sitting at an outdoor table at Joanie’s Diner. Samantha was in Charles’ lap, and they were sharing what appeared to be a glass of iced tea. Samantha occasionally lapped her portion from the bottom of a small take-out container that served as a bowl. It was obvious these two loved each other very much, and seeing them interact put a smile on my face. I couldn’t help myself; I had to interrupt them and ask for a photo. I was quite happy when they both agreed.

“Charles and Samantha” [Click image to enlarge or reduce its size.] Nikon D300, ISO 320, f/4.0 at 1/250 sec., 85 mm

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