Alumapalooza 2012

The past week, I was in Jackson Center, Ohio to attend Airstream Life's "Alumapalooza" for the third year in the row.  Not only did I attend, but I was once again the photographer for the event and each year always seems to be a bit better than the last.  Maybe "better" isn't the word, but one thing is for sure... it is growing in numbers!

For five days, I walked up and down the grounds of Airstream looking for people to photograph.  Some days it wasn't easy with the rain and wind.  Usually people hide away and shut the door and I won't come knockin' if it's closed.  Once the sun peeked out, so did everyone else and that's when I ran around to capture to moments of the event.  

I can't just take a photo and leave.  I really do enjoy talking to everyone and getting to know the new folks that make the trek all the way to Ohio to be a part of the festivities.  It was nice to see familiar faces and I think most people approached me to see if I brought Max along.  Sadly, he stayed home.  One of the things I love the most is the dogs that come and bring their owners along.

This year didn't disappoint.  I can go on and on about the week, but for now... here are some of my favorite images thus far.  I am still glued to the computer, editing and have a lot more images to go through.  If you met me at the event, hold tight...I have many more photographs to post. I look forward to Alumapalooza 2013!  If you haven't been and you have interest in Airstreams, it's the place to be.  To me, it's family.

To see more photographs with option to purchase, click HERE

Jackson Center, Ohio Community Days

Who doesn't love a community fair?  I know I love them and I was lucky enough to attend the Jackson Center Community Days fair in, you guessed it...Jackson Center, Ohio.

As I approached the event, I knew it was one not to miss hearing the live music streaming through the town and all of the blow up jumpies for the kids to enjoy.  Jackson Center is a small town with about two stop lights and the only fast food restaurant is a Subway.  The main drag also has a bank, hardware store, movie theatre, small grocery store, family diner and a bar.  Oh, I don't want to forget the drive through pizza and liquor store.  That was a sight to see.  

As I approached the fair, there was small car show at the entrance and one of the participants allowed me to take his photograph in front of his pride and joy.  As I walked in the fair, it was a mixed bag of entertainment.  You could bungee jump in the air, play in a sandbox full of uncooked pasta, listen to live music or get the party started by buying a "bag of beer."  They were selling a party in a bag for $10.  For this small fee, you too can get a plastic grocery bag full of ice and 6 bud lights in the bag.  

For me, my entertainment was walking around and taking photographs of people attending the fair.  Everyone was happy to be there and it was a well run fair with something for everyone.  I remember going to a similar fair as a child in my hometown and taking my pet turtle, Pokey to the fair to enter a turtle race while my father entered the arm wrestling contest.  Pokey won.

Summer is here so I am sure there will be many fairs in your area to enjoy.  I look forward to attending many more in these upcoming months.  For more pictures of Jackson Center, Ohio, click HERE.

Airstream Owners Gather In Ohio For Alumapalooza

What a fabulous trip!  Last week I traveled to Jackson Center, Ohio to be the official photographer for Alumapalooza.  Airstream owners from around the world came together for their love of the trailers and to have some fun getting to know each other.

As much as I enjoy landscape photography, I have a new love of taking portraits!  For the five days I was there, I walked around the grounds with my camera and tried to visit with each of the campers and take their photograph.  There were around 150 trailers and about 300 people at the event.  Although I didn't get to shoot everyone, I tried my best.

I am not one to take a picture and walk away.  I enjoy learning about everyone I come across and as you can imagine, each person had a story to tell.  I was invited in trailers to have a chat, offered snacks and each time I walked up to a camp, we sat down and chatted about life for a while.  It was a great group of folks who love to travel and the stories to prove it.  It was very inspiring to see all walks of life touring around in their trailer, and living the life they have always dreamed of.  I especially enjoyed talking to William Turner, a 87 year old man who attended the event solo with his brand new 16 foot victorinox.

When I first arrived, we were greeted with thunderstorms and rain and it came off and on for the five days I was there.  The city even sounded the tornado alarms which was a little alarming for a while.  When that passed, we were greeted with beautiful skies and warm temperatures.  Once the skies cleared, I circled the grounds to catch people outside enjoying the day.  When the trailer door is shut, it's a good idea to stay away and not knock on it.  Most of the time, each guest was at the large tent watching a presentation, visiting with others for happy hour, or enjoying the entertainment.

As I chatted with people, I told them that I am going to be on the road for the third year with my dog, Max in a tent.  Most were shocked that I didn't have an Airstream.  I do, but it's in my head for now.  It was funny chatting with one gentleman about my story and he said, "didn't you just go to the hospital a few days ago?"  I couldn't believe it.  Somebody reads my blog!  It's easy to share everything here on the web for people to read and a little odd when I run into someone who's been reading.  We shared a few laughs about it.

I am so thankful to Rich Luhr of Airstream Life and Sue Dooley of Airstream who asked me to come out and be the photographer at the event.  Especially since I had a point and shoot camera and they were fully aware of the tools that I had at the time.  I am glad that I traded my wine collection for a new tool to be able to capture in pixels what I envision in my head.

Thank you to all of the wonderful people I met at the event!  I hope to keep in touch and perhaps meet on the road.  To see more of the portraits I took, click HERE.  If you are on Facebook, I hope you "like" me.

Five Days In Ohio

Five days ago, I flew out to Ohio to participate in Alumapalooza at the Airstream Factory in Jackson Center.

What an exciting five days!

About 150 beautiful silver trailers came out to celebrate all things Airstream for six days on their grounds.  I listened to speakers, toured the factory, watched live entertainment, but most of the day was spent meeting all of the wonderful people and taking their photograph.  I was lucky enough to be the "official photographer" at the event.

I hoped to capture everyone in attendance.  It's hard for me to snap a picture and walk away, since a lot of the fun is chatting with people and hearing about their life.  Everyone has a story and I love to listen to where they traveled from, what they enjoy doing and listening to them describe the love they have for their trailer and their Airstream lifestyle.

These pictures were taken from my camera phone.

I look forward to sharing more with you soon!

Alumapalooza 2010

I love Airstreams.

It's been a dream of mine to own one someday as you might have guessed by my "Airstream Dreams" blog and the blog about "life in an Airstream," when I camped with the Silver Sisters.

At first glance, you can see that these trailers aren't just like any trailer out there.  They are unlike anything I've ever seen.  The company is rich in American culture with Wally Byam leading the way to what the company and trailers are today. The day I first stepped foot in an Airstream is all it took to begin my life long love affair with these traveling pieces of art.  I am hooked.  I am in love with this beautiful home on wheels and I know that someday I will be living in one.

You've heard the expression, "love what you do, do what you love," right?  I am fortunate enough to be able to say that I am doing just that.  It didn't come easy and it took a long time to figure out what I really wanted to do enough to love it.  With that said, I am getting ready to do so many exciting things that I am looking forward to in the weeks and months ahead.

I am so honored to be asked to be the event photographer for Airstream's "Alumapalooza" event at their factory in Jackson Center, Ohio next month.  It's an exciting five day event filled with activities that all Airstream lovers will enjoy.  They describe the event as: "over 20 talks, seminars, and demonstrations will be presented by Airstream staff, Airstream dealers, Airstream Life magazine contributors, and vendors.  Lots of door prizes at Happy Hour every day, movies or live entertainment every night — plus live bands performing in downtown Jackson Center on three nights!" Sounds like fun to me!  

I am grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to sharing more!  If you are in the area, I hope you come out to the festivities!  You won't be disappointed!  Click HERE for more information on this exciting event.