World War II Memorial

Its amazing how much DC has to offer. I have had the chance to play a couple sports (football, softball, kickball, soccer) on the mall and at every game look around in awe that we are playing sports on the grounds of such incredible monuments and memorials. So this week for my photography class, I took my camera to the World War II Memorial to snap a few shots. It was cold so I did not last too long out there but here are the two photos I submitted. I am going to do a monument night photo walk when it gets warmer so stay tuned for that!

This week's photo assignment...

The assignment for this week was using natural lighting inside to shoot a subject.  Sweet Baby Lyla was my subject.  This second photo cracks me.  It is what Michael calls "The Phantom Cry"... Lyla didnt actually cry after she made this face.  It was one yell and it last for about 5 seconds.  The first photo is sweet.... seriously have you ever seen cuter eyes than this??  I have a couple more fun photos from this impromptu photo shoot I will post later this week!

U Street... A City Within A City

So maybe I am biased.... but I really think U Street is the coolest neighborhood in DC. It has a ton of character. While out shooting for my class I took photos of two of my favorite places on U street. The first is out in front of Marvin and the second is at the Love Cafe.

"Lines" assignment

My assignment for this week was "lines." I had the chance to meet up with a wonderful old friend on Saturday, Katie to shoot some photos. We walked around U street and got some fun shots. I will post a few more of those shots later this week. In the meantime here are the 2 photos I submitted for my assignment this week. Both were taken at the Scottish Rite building on 16th St. NW.

Old dogs are the best dogs....

My family dog, Libby (short for Liberty), is getting old.... there was a great article in the Washington Post about old dogs which made me think of Libby.  Here is a photo of her cute old face I took over the holidays...

Photography class week 1

So I have never had any formal training... my training has been exposure to really talented photographers. As part of my New Years Resolution, I signed up for a photography course. Last week was my first class and it looks like it is going to be a great class! My first assignment was "emotion." What a perfect week to be able to capture emotion here in the Nation's Capitol! I don't love the two photos I submitted for "emotion" but I love the history and meaning behind them.



This photo was taken 2 blocks away from my apartment where an awesome Brasilian drum band played. I love the bedazzled Obama hat and this woman's expression and as she soaks in the music and the historic moment!

This photo was taken inside a hangar at Andrew's Air Force Base while the former President was speaking prior to his departure to Texas!

Reflections

For the last 6 years, I have had the incredible opportunity to do press advance for the White House. Through this I have seen parts of our country and world from a unique lens. It has also provided me an opportunity to take photos and learn from some of the incredibly talented photographers that travel with the President.

The memories, friendships, and experiences will always remain close to my heart. From time to time I will post photos from my press advance travels.

I came across this photo essay of the last 8 years of the Bush Administration:

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2009/photographing_bush/?xid=rss-topstories

Here is a photo I took at the departure of President and Mrs. Bush in Rome, Italy this past June: