Tag Archives: location
Butterfly Bio-Villa at Pendelton’s Country Market
Recently a group of friends, my son, and I went to Pendleton’s Country Market to see the Butterfly Bio-Vila. We had a small tour (perfect length for the kids to stay entertained) and a tractor-pulled hayride to the Bio-Villa. The tractor ride passed a right-turn only maze for the kids to play in afterwards and an area where kids can climb up towers, tires, and tricycles and have fun in the country sun. The main attraction was the butterflies. I loved seeing all the kids getting so excited about the butterflies and seeing butterflies actually coming out of their chrysalises and dry their wings! All the little kids ran up and down the brick road looking at the caterpillars on the parsley and butterflies fluttering around, occasionally landing on one of us and on nearby plants.
Something that really was fun to me was tagging the butterflies after playing around and after most of the crowd had left. They brought out some butterflies and placed a small sticker on their wing, and placed them on our heads and hands to let them warm up and fly away. The sticker has a number and can be tracked via internet! We can track them by visiting Monarch Watch. They told me that these butterflies should be in the system by Jan… I guess it will be fun to see where our butterflies end up! Of the three butterflies we tagged, I only got one tag code which was MLS 911. Let’s see how far she gets (she was female)!
Showing us the caterpillar’s antennae
Some kids (and parents) went into the no-left turn maze.
Butterfly coming out of its Chrysalis
The children loved going on a small bike ride
Some children took their pics in front of the caterpillar grow chart
Pushing along with a toy dump truck
“There’s a butterfly on your head!”Topeka Photography, Lawrence Photography, Kansas City Photography – Where to shoot? How to choose?
Generally most people travel to the photographer for portraits–regardless if they are in studio or on location portraits. And then there are cases (such as in wedding photography) that having them travel 45 minutes for a photo shoot for engagement pictures may not sound too enticing. As a photographer, I tend to look at my surroundings and think where would be a good place to take pictures. I like to be familiar with Topeka, Lawrence, and the KC Metro area because if I need to go to an engagement session in Kansas City, for example, I may know where we can go by knowing the style the bride and groom would like to create. Taking a notebook with me when we go to places is something I like to do. I usually look around and look at everything! I sometimes jot down the streets, city (whether I am in Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City, KS or Kansas City, MO!)
I also note why I like the spot. Does it have tall flowers? Does it have a pond or a lake? Does it have a grungy feel to it? What colors does the general background have? If I am really quick in noticing I can also choose wether the location may look best in the A.M or the P.M. by noticing where the lighting angle the area may have.
Having too many locations may be overwhelming, however it is great to have a variety at least one of each “category” in each city. This way each shoot may have that unique feeling to it and at the same time I would not need to choose which hay field would be best for this couple. I also like to tie the locations together. You if the couple would want the variety of styles, try to find the grungy old building closest to the lake to save time, gas, and lighting.
Another thing that may be a good idea is have a point-and-shoot camera with you and snap a pic and at least match the location to the image number so you could then get the rest of the details down later! Another way to record your locations is by leaving a memo on your phone. Most cells have voice recordings and can save a few seconds at a time. Just remember to transcribe your memos for future reference.
Really, the sky is the limit; and regardless if your focus is wedding photography or family portraits, having a list of locations has its pros. Besides, if you are just sitting in the passenger seat it doesn’t hurt much to jot it down!
Acting Natural in Front of the Camera.
Wedding at Mead Park, Topeka, Kansas
