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

Capturing Christmas

I hope you all are  enjoying the Holiday season.  I really get into Christmas and I like to decorate and have some fun experimenting with my camera.  I have put together some great articles to spark your imagination and improve the quality of your shots this year.
Our friends at Digital Photography School have come up with sixteen tips to help you get great Christmas photos.  Click on the link below to learn more:
http://digital-photography-school.com/16-christmas-photography-tips

Here is an article giving you ten things to think about next time you are out shooting to make for more interesting shots.  I think getting closer and looking for leading lines are the most useful.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/10-tips-for-taking-more-interesting-photos/

This one is a collection of pictures of Christmas lights.  It will give you some inspiration to shoot your holiday decorations.
http://www.photographyblogger.net/25-beautiful-pictures-of-christmas-lights/

Here are some great shots of Christmas villages to get you in the holiday spirit.
http://www.photographyblogger.net/20-joyful-images-of-tiny-christmas-villages/
Here is the Thought For The Day:
"We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be."  Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
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

Give Thanks Week

Like most of the country we are getting things ready for Thanksgiving.  We are staying home this year because my husband is still recovering from his knee surgery.   Thanksgiving is one of the days I really miss my family.  There is always a big family dinner at my parents house for are very large family.
For the first time my husband is putting the turkey into a brine and then he will put in our smoker tomorrow. I am not a big fan using a brine because I don't like that much salt but I am trying to keep an open mind.

Here are some of the best rated All Inclusive Resort based on customer reviews from our friends at Tripadvisor.  I have stayed at the #1 pick and it is beautiful.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-AllInclusive-g1-a_Mode.expanded

The key to getting a really sharp picture is using a tripod and either your shutter timer or a remote trigger so your camera is perfectly still when you take the picture.  You need the right shutter speed and a low ISO setting for all you manual shooters.  Here are some more tips on getting sharp photos from our friends at Picture Correct:
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/more-tips-on-how-to-take-sharp-photos/
This is a really cool.  It has amazing shots from Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/hot-air-balloon-festival-timelapse-photography/

Speaking of Balloon Festivals, the Lake Havasu Balloon Festival is coming up in January.  It was so much fun last year so I am looking forward to it.  If you would like more information on the event, click on the link below:
http://www.havasuballoonfest.com/
The Thought For The Day:

"It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see."  Henry David Thoreau
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://fineartamerica

http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess

All About Photography

Sorry it has been so long since my last Blog.  I have been busy with my husband since his surgery.  I have to help with his Physical Therapy every day as well as help my travel clients.   He is getting better every day but it is a slow process.  Not easy for either of us.
I have not been able to get out and take a lot of pictures.  I have managed to take some pictures of our wonderful sunsets but that is about it.

Just in time for the holidays here are some cute gift ideas for the Photo Enthusiasts in your life:
http://www.photographyblogger.net/20-t-shirts-for-photographers-who-might-love-photography-a-little-too-much/
If you are new to Photography or just want to improve your holiday photos this article will give you some tips to take better shots:
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-take-better-pictures-for-beginner-photographers/
 Here are some of the first color photos from the Depression and War II years.  Kind of depressing but interesting at the same time. It is a  history lesson we can share with our children and grandchildren.
http://extras.denverpost.com/archive/captured.asp
I have have been uploading some of my work to a website called Pixoto.   The members vote on your work and they give out awards which is fun.  You can order prints as well.  Check it out!
http://www.pixoto.com/tvlgoddess/recent

The Thought For The Day:
"If your photos aren't good enough, then you're not close enough." Robert Cupa
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

Hot Sam's Antiques

I am sorry I have not  gotten time to write my Blog.  I have been very busy the last few weeks with my Travel business.  Also, I had a couple major projects going on at the house.  It was so much work but the results are great.  I had family visiting for 6 days and we threw a 70th Birthday party for my hubby.  Last week my husband, Tim, had knee surgery and he is now working on his Physical Therapy in a Rehab Center.  Whew!

One my favorite spots to take pictures is a place called Hot Sam's Antiques in Lakeville, Minnesota.  It is a cross between a museum and an Antique store on steroids.  There are lots of quirky displays and vignettes set up all around the property.  It used to be free to shoot there but now there is a small fee but it is worth it.
For more information about Hot Sam's Antiques:
http://www.startribune.com/galleries/219033701.html
One of my favorite things to shoot is a waterfall.  If you want to get the soft "Angel Hair"  look you will need a tripod and a camera with a Neutral Density Filter.  Cloudy days work the best.
Here is a link to a tutorial on how to Photograph Waterfalls:
http://www.photographytalk.com/forum/tips-and-taking-photos/254241-tips-on-how-to-photograph-waterfalls#293359

The best times to get beautiful light are at sunrise and at sunset and just afterward which is called the "Blue Hour."   Here is a link to some of the best shots from this time of day:
http://www.photographyblogger.net/27-beautiful-examples-of-blue-hour-photography/
 This in one of my "Blue Hour" shots:

Here is the Thought For The Day:
"Peace is a result of restraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be."
Wayne W. Dyer
Thank you for reading my Blog!
Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC

Vacation Travel Specialist

612-490-0359

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess

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

http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/becky-mcguire.html

Rocky Mountain National Park

One of our stops this summer was at Rocky Mountain National Park.  The park is located Northeast of the city of Denver.  It was a beautiful drive along the Big Thompson River from our RV park in Loveland to the park entrance.  Once inside the park we were treated to a herd of Elk grazing in a field by the road.  We spent the morning driving through the park enjoying the mountain views.  I was surprised to still see snow on the mountains but the run off made for little waterfalls.  For more information on Rocky Mountain National Park click on the link below.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g143048-Rocky_Mountain_National_Park_Colorado-Vacations.html

We stopped for lunch in the town of Estes Park.  It is a cute mountain town with lots of cute shops and restaurants.  There is a park area along the river just a block off the main street that we walked through.  We had a great afternoon.

Here is an article about incorporating texture into your images.  This is one reason I like shooting old rusty junk, antiques, cars, buildings, etc.  I think the rust and weathered surfaces make for interesting photos.  

http://digital-photography-school.com/texture-design-element

Now that October is here and the weather is getting chilly in the Northern states my clients are starting to plan their winter vacations.  There are some early booking discounts with some of the tour companies so it is a good time to book your vacation.  You are usually money ahead to book your air and hotel together to make a package.
The Thought For The Day:
"In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality." Alfred Stieglitz
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist

612-490-0359
Follow me on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess

To purchase prints:

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess

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

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/becky-mcguire.htm