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/

Lake Havasu Balloon Festival 2014

Today's Blog is all about last weekend's Lake Havasu City Balloon Festival.  It is my favorite event of the year.  My Photo Buddy, Tina, flew in from Minneapolis, Minnesota to go shooting with me.  We had a fabulous time.

Friday was the first day of the Balloon Festival.  We got up at O Dark Hundred and headed to the first early morning ascension.  It was a cold morning but getting shots of the balloons as they were inflated was totally worth the suffering.  It was a sensory overload with all the bright colors in the early morning sun.
Friday night we headed down to catch the Balloon Glow.  We ended up stuck in traffic so by the time we got there the balloons were starting to come down.  The pictures we did get we were not happy with but we had one more night to try and get the shots.

Saturday morning we were up at the crack of dawn once again.  We were lucky enough to be invited to a friend's house who has house that overlooks the bay and the Nautical Inn where the Balloon Festival is held. She puts on a pot luck breakfast buffet complete with Bloody Mary's and Mimosas.  We had a great time shooting the balloons as the took off that morning.  Great friends, wonderful food, drinks and shooting the balloons, what could be better?  Thank you, Donna, for a great time.

Saturday afternoon we went to the Balloon Festival a lot earlier and had a much better experience shooting the Balloon Glow.  It was a great experience seeing them light up.  We, also, got some shots of the Carnival rides.

Sunday morning we up earlier again so we could go down to the Channel to see if we could shoot some pictures of the balloons reflecting in the water.  We got there at 7:00 AM and it was still pitch dark so we went and got some coffee to drink while we waited for the sun to come up.  By 7:30 we had enough light to wonder down to the London Bridge and get some shots of the bridge in the beautiful morning light.  We walked down to the end of the channel and took some shots of the balloons as the floated over the bay.  It was a fun morning.

I have had some people ask if they can get prints of my pictures.  They are available in Canvas at Pixoto and in prints, greeting card and posters at Red Bubble.  Just click on the links below.
The Thought For The Day:
"The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is taken too seriously." Samuel Butler
 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/-Prints on Canvas

Looking Back On 2013

Well, it has been a while since I have had time to write my Blog.  2013 was a good year for me Photography wise.  In January I was able to shoot the Lake Havasu Balloon Festival as well as the VW Bus Show.   February I was able to take a lot of pictures at the Rock A Billy Reunion and the Winter Blast Pyrotechnic Firework Show.  In April I had the opportunity to visit the Boneyard Museum in Las Vegas and shoot lots of pictures of the old neon signs.  It is very cool.

In May we jumped in the RV and drove to Southern Arizona.  We visited the Organ Pipe National Monument  and I shot lots of pictures of the cactus and desert plants.  We then headed East to Benson Arizona to visit some friends.  We visited an old monastery and did day trips to Tombstone and Bisbee Arizona.  We then headed North and visited Sedona, Cottonwood and Montezuma's National Monument in Arizona.

 We then headed to Southern Utah to visit Moab which is so beautiful.  We toured Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park all the while shooting lots of pictures.
Our next stop was in Longmont Colorado to visit friends and a cousin of mine..  We took a day and visited Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park which was fun to shoot and explore.  We then headed to Minnesota to visit our family and friends there.  We attended the Back To The Fifties Car Show.  I was able to go out shoot with my Photo Buddy, Tina.  We shot photos in Lake City, Wabasha and Red Wing Minnesota.

We left Minnesota and headed West to see The Grand Tetons which are beautiful and a joy to shoot.  We made a stop at Mormon Row to shoot Moulton's barn with the Grand Tetons in the back ground.  We then headed East to Littleton and then Cripple Creek Colorado to visit some more friends and of course, I squeezed in some time to go out shooting.  Since we had burned up our travel budget we reluctantly headed for home.
I did a night shoot down at what we call the Channel which is where the historic London Bridge is.  In October some of our kids came to visit and we had a big party for my husband's 70th Birthday.  In December I did some shooting of the annual Boat Parade and the beautiful Christmas lights down by the Channel.  We took a couple of evenings to go out shooting some beautiful Christmas displays here in Lake Havasu City.

I hope you all have a great 2014 and remember to go out shooting every chance you get.
Today's Thought For The Day:
"Enough is abundance to the wise."  Euripide
Thank you for reading my Blog!

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

612-490-0359
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://fineartamerica
http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess