Time Flies!

Once again time has gotten away from me.  I did not realize it had been so long since my last post.  The summer has flown by this year.
It took me until the middle of July to get my Mom's house in Northern Minnesota sold.  Which was huge undertaking but it had to get done so it was worth all the time and effort to get it done.  Having a second house was a big financial drain for them.  We were able to visit with lots of family and friends while we were there.
After we said our Goodbyes and left Minnesota, we drove South to Colorado.  I have a good friend who lives in Cripple Creek and another friend in Bailey.  We stayed in Colorado for a week to visit with our friends and enjoy the beautiful mountain views.

While we were in Colorado we visited Garden Of The Gods Park.  I highly recommend a visit to this free public park when you are in the area.  It has beautiful rock formations that provide lots of photo ops.  If you would like more information about Garden Of The Gods click on the link below.
http://www.gardenofgods.com/home/index.cfm?flash=1

After we bid farewell to our Colorado friends we headed to Southern Utah and visited Capital Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.  We spent a day at each park exploring and taking hundreds of pictures. I highly recommend a visit to each of these beautiful parks.  Here are a couple of links for more information.
http://www.capitolreef.org/index.html
http://www.brycecanyon.com/

Here is the good deal for today for Photographers.  Topaz Adjust is 50% off this month.  I have used this photo editing software for several years now and am very happy with it.  Click on the link below for more information.
http://www.topazlabs.com/adjust
My travel business has kept me busy lately.  I am very excited to announce that I am working with Professional Photographer, James Beltz, on a Photography cruise to Alaska for June of 2015.  James Beltz is the creator of the website Photo Tips which offers pod casts of his Photography classes and much, much more.  This is wonderful opportunity to see Alaska and improve your Photography at the same time.  For more information click on the link below & scroll down to the middle of the page.
http://www.phototips.biz/ or contact me at 612-490-0359 or email at tvlgoddess@npgcable.com
The Thought For Today is:
"My favorite thing is to go where I've never been before." by Diane Arbus.
Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC

Vacation Travel Specialist, Photographer & Blogger

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
Purchase prints, posters or cards of my work at:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess - Prints, cards, posters

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/

Did You Miss Me?

I am sorry it has been so long since my last post.  I have been in Minnesota helping my parents sell their second home in Northern Minnesota.  My Mom has had some health problems and I had to deal with some family dramas.   Family duties have to be my first priority right now.  Thanks for your patience.
This article is about airline fares.  The airlines have made the fares so confusing.
I have been in the travel industry for 24 years and there is still no rhyme or reason to how the airlines price their fares.
 http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2014/06/16/online-agency-fare-fixing-bias/10571279/

Here is a list of the top 50 places to photograph.  I do not agree with all of these but there are many of them worth visiting.  Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon are two that I recommend.
http://www.popphoto.com/gallery/50-best-places-to-photograph-2014

This one is a list of some really useful and really cool websites.  You will want to book mark these for future use.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/33-amazingly-useful-websites-you-never-knew-existed?bffbdiy
Here is a Blog Post about the Amalfi Coast in Italy.  This is one of my favorite places on the earth so I was excited when I found this article.  Enjoy!
http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2013/03/04/4-of-the-best-places-to-visit-amalfi-coast/?utm_content=buffer779e0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Here is the Thought For The Day:
"Anything one does every day is important and imposing and anywhere one lives is interesting and beautiful."  Gertrude Stein

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist, Photographer & Blogger

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
Purchase prints, posters or cards of my work at:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess - Prints, cards, posters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/

Getting Ready To Go

I have been busy getting ready for our road trip back to our home state of Minnesota.  I am not sure how long we will stay but it will be at least a month.  I have a lot of friends and family to see while I am there.  I am hoping to have time to go out shooting with my Photo Buddies.
Not to blow my own horn but I finally won a #1 award for 2 of my photos on Pixoto!  I am really proud and grateful for all the support I am getting.  Check out my top shots at the link below:
http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/awards

Here are some photos that will blow your mind.  They are all supposed to be real places.  Very cool!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/17/planet-earth-is-prettier-than-me-and-everything_n_5134068.html?&ir=Travel&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000040

Here are 7 Exercises that will improve your shots from out friends at Petapixel.
http://petapixel.com/2014/04/22/7-daily-exercises-will-help-make-better-photographer/
Here are some really cool shots that I love:
http://www.photographyblogger.net/18-heartwarming-pictures-of-old-couples/
Here is the Thought For The Day"
"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."  Iris Murdoch
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist, Photographer & Blogger

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
Purchase prints, posters or cards of my work at:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess - Prints, cards, posters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/

Crater Lake National Park

Once again this Blog is really late.  I have been busy with my vacation travel business as well as working on taxes.   Real life gets in the way of things I want to do like Blogging and Photography.

If you are looking at somewhere cool to go this summer then this link is for you.  It shows some beautiful pictures of Crater Lake in Oregon.  We were there a few years ago and we really loved it.   Be sure to wear sun screen & bring bug spray.
http://www.photographyblogger.net/20-beautiful-pictures-of-crater-lake-national-park/
For more information on Crater Lake National Park click on the link below:
http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm

Here is a list of some of the world's best beaches put together by Trip Advisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g291962-d300164-Reviews-Hol_Chan_Marine_Reserve-San_Pedro_Ambergris_Caye_Belize_Cayes.html
Here is an article about shooting the sky at night.  It is something I want to try myself.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/star-trail-photography-tips/
Here is an article about a new concept for Disney theme parks.  My daughter were able to test this out on their last trip to Disney World.
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2014/03/21/putting-disney-magicbands-to-test/

Here are some tips from a Photographer friend of mine on improving the sharpness of your images.
http://hdrphotographer.blogspot.com/2014/03/tutorial-tack-sharp-photos-in-10-easy.html
This is a 15 different mugs that would be great gifts for anyone who loves Photography as well as coffee.
http://www.photographyblogger.net/15-mugs-for-photographers-who-also-love-coffee/
Here is the Thought For The Day:
"To know anything about oneself on must know all about others." Oscar Wilde
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist, Photographer & Blogger

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
Purchase prints, posters or cards of my work at:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess - Prints, cards, posters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/

March Musing

So sorry it has been so long since my last post.  I have been busy with my travel clients.  I am currently working on three big fully independent travel trips which take a lot of research.  I really learn a lot on each trip so it is all worth while plus I enjoy working with my clients.
I have, also, been spending time posting photos for sale on Red Bubble and Pixoto.   My sales are slowly going up. Yeah!  There are links at the bottom of the post if you want to see some of my work.  AKA shameless self promotion!

Here is one for travel & photography lovers alike from our friends at Trip Advisor.  These are great hotels with great views, what could be better?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.hotelviewsEN1

For those of you in cold climates yearning for Spring.  Here are some amazing swimming pools from around the world.  Enjoy!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/amazing-pools-you-need-to-jump-in-before-you-die

For those of you starting to shoot in Manual Mode.  This article explains what the different focus settings on your camera are for.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-choose-the-right-focus-mode-on-your-camera/
Here is an article about shutter speeds when you are shooting hand held.  This will require you to shoot in Manual Mode.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/what-is-the-slowest-shutter-speed-you-can-use-for-handheld-photography/
Here is today's Thought For The Day:
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no thinks of changing himself."  Leo Tolstoy
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist, Photographer & Blogger

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
Purchase prints, posters or cards of my work at:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess - Prints, cards, posters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/

February Fun

I hope you are all having a good February.  My heart goes out to all of you in the cold climates with the terrible weather you have been having.  We have been enjoying a warmer than usual winter here in Arizona. It supposed to be in the 80 degree range this weekend.  I cannot wait!

We have two fun events coming up this weekend in Lake Havsu City, AZ.  One is the Winter Blast Pyrotechnic event which has 3 nights of fireworks showing off all the newest fireworks.  The other event is the annual Rock A Billy Reunion Car Show which features 50's Pin Up Girls, lots of Rat Rods as well Streetrods.  For more information just click on the link below:
http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/search-events.aspx?EventMonth=2

Coming up in the next couple months will be the Wild Flowers blooming in the desert.  This varies every year depending on how much rain we get.  Some years it is quite spectacular.  The cactus flowers bloom in April too so those are fun to shoot.  Here is link to the Arizona Highways website with some examples of how beautiful the desert can be in the Spring:
http://www.arizonahighways.com/photography/portfolio.asp?utm_source=google&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0314_AH_newsletter

Here is a cool Blog that one of my Facebook Photography Buddies found.  It is written by a British gal about traveling on the old Route 66.  There is a lot of interest in traveling Route 66 here in the US as well as in other countries.
http://emmalouiseclarke.co.uk/10-great-reasons-why-a-route-66-roadtrip-is-a-fabulous-idea/
Here is your good deal for the day from our friends at My Publisher.  They are offering a free Photo Book for new customers only.  Just click on the link below and look for the offer in the upper right hand corner.  You will have to download their software before you can create your book.
http://www.mypublisher.com/getStarted/email/?utm_source=Marketing&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=20140213_freebook1xbuyers_0_c&utm_campaign=FREEBOOK1XBUYERS
Here is today's Thought For The Day:
"It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end."  Leonardo da Vinci
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist, Photographer & Blogger

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
Purchase prints, posters or cards of my work at:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess - Prints, cards, posters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/

Fun With Photography

I think I have finally recovered from the Balloon Festival.  I am looking forward to some events coming up in February in Lake Havasu City.  We have the Winter Blast Pyrotechnic Show and the Rock-A-Billy Reunion Car Show & Pin Up Event.  There will be lots of photo opportunities for me.   If you would like more information on the events here, click on the link below.
http://www.havasuchamber.com/events?oe=true

Here is an article about the first year in a new photographer's journey to learn Photography.   It will help you
if you are just starting out with your camera.   Be sure to read your camera's manual, practice and have fun.
http://digital-photography-school.com/year-photographic-lessons-journey-novice-photographer

Here are some helpful tips on lighting for a shiny object.  I have found this to be really challenging.
http://www.dpmag.com/how-to/tip-of-the-week/learning-to-light-shiny-objects-1-6-14.html?utm_source=newslettertotw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DPTOTWeNews_010614

Here is a video showing you how to do a fun technique.  Once you get this down you will have a blast
shooting moving cars at night.  It works on any lighted moving object.  A tripod is a must for this one.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/timelapse-landscape-photography-of-wyoming/

Here is my favorite The Thought For The Day:
"Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not
self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  First Corinthians 13:4-5
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist, Photographer & Blogger

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
Purchase prints, posters or cards of my work at:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess - Prints, cards, posters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/