Jambo! (If you don't know what that means, go back and read Part 3.) It must be said, I am extremely happy that the mask mandate has finally been thrown out by the courts. The 20 hours it took to get to Nairobi was very uncomfortable with a mask on the entire time. The flight from the Masai Mara to Nairobi in 90 degree plus temperatures was pretty unbearable. Let alone the 30 hours of flights and airport lay overs getting home. That said, the hot flight back to Nairobi was over and we were met at the Wilson Airport by three Driver/Guides contracted by Pareet Shaw-Cheka for the trip and stay at the Amboseli National Park.
The drive from Wilson Airport to Amboseli National Park took a little over 5 hours. The brakes failed on one of the Land Cruisers, so we pulled over in a gas station while the driver made repairs. We used the time to empty our bladders and refill on water and snacks we purchased. The women had a thrill as the toilets were simply a hole in the floor. Quite a bit of conversation took place around that subject. It was quite a ride to the park. Four hours on a two-lane paved road through numerous villages and small towns, then another one and a half hours on a dirt road. We finally arrived at the gate to the park where we took another well deserved break, while park entrance fees were paid.
It was very interesting to see all of the Weaver Birds in the trees with their nests. Hard to photograph, as they are very fast, do not stay still for very long, and blend in somewhat with the nests they are weaving. The individual in this photo is a Masked Weaver Bird. The drive to the lodge was great. There are so many birds, it is a Bird Photographers paradise. There are Lesser Flamingos in great flocks and many varieties of Storks, Herons and various Shore Birds.
Pareet paired me up with the Guide/Driver, Tiampati Manei (Tim) for my time in Amboseli. Tim is not only a professional guide, but his specialty is ornithology. He not only knew where to find numerous varieties of birds, he knew their names and habitats. I spent the next couple of days with Tim and photographed, or saw, a total of 38 species of birds, many to add to my life list.
As we left the entrance to Amboseli National Park, it was another 45 minute drive to the Ol Tukai lodge. The rooms are very nice, decorated in Safari fashion with a great mosquito net over the bed. The only down side is the heat. Amboseli is high desert, situated 184 miles south of the Equator, reminding me of my time in Arizona. In the 90's during the day, and not a lot cooler at night. I am already missing the tents at Olapa Mara. The surrounding grounds are very nice and there are monkeys everywhere. We arrived too late to do an evening game drive so we checked in our rooms and headed to the dining room for a very nice buffet supper.
We began Day 8 of the Great Kenyan
Adventure at 0615 with our first Game Drive in Amboseli. Pareet, Ed, Val and I were teamed up in Tim's Land Cruiser. It was a beautiful morning with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Photographed many Zebra, Wildebeest, Lions, and Elephants. A Pride of Lions took down a Wildebeest for breakfast. We arrived moments after the takedown and the Wildebeest was still alive. Watched the Lions eating for quite awhile while Elephants strolled by. Amboseli is known for its large Elephants and they provided us with many photographic opportunities.
Did I mention the birds? Aside from the desert, which provides many birds their habitat, there is a series of several bodies of water that attra
cts a large variety of ducks, geese, herons, storks, cranes and shorebirds. Tim pointed out this pair of Pied Kingfisher and they sat still long enough for a photo. I may be repeating myself, but Amboseli is a bird photographers paradise.
We stopped at the small Amboseli Air Strip for breakfast and to use the facilities. A surprising number of weaver birds in the trees behind the administrative building. Following breakfast, we drove through a large mud flat that was dry as a the bones we found. The texture was very interesting and some of the dried mud looked like shaved chocolate. Hard to believe that during the rainy season this will all be covered with at least a foot of water.
Back to the Lodge for lunch and relax until the next game drive at 1600. It was 90° F (28° C)
that afternoon. More photos of Elephants, Zebra, Wilderbeast, and Birds, lots of Birds. Elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background at sunset. Then on to the beautiful colors with Zebras in the foreground as the sun sank below the horizon. What a beautiful end to a beautiful day. Then it was back to the lodge for supper and a nice hot shower.
Day 9 of My Great Kenya Adventure started with a final game drive at 0600. Half the group decided to sleep in. Amanda wanted to go with me and Tim to photograph some of the birds we had been talking about.
After a couple of hours we headed back to the Lodge for breakfast and checkout. Now on to the long, hot, arduous 5 plus hour drive back to Nairobi. Several miles before we were to reach the paved road the brakes on the other side of the Land Cruiser went out. We limped along to where the rest of the group had stopped to shop at a market with items actually made in Kenya. Tim made a couple of phone calls and got help fixing the brake line. The long trip begins again.
We finally made it back to Nairobi and the traffic is terrible, and Tim said you should be glad it is not rush hour. It is good to be back at the Trademark Hotel with the best showers of any hotel I have stayed at.
Day 10 in Kenya and I decided it was my time to sleep in, and have a down day. Some of the group went to a National Park in Nairobi that had White and Black Rhinoceros. They had a great time and good photos. I spent the day wandering around the Mall that was attached to the Trademark and drank a lot of Iced Coffee. Met the group at the Hero Bar and Grill on the 9th floor of the Hotel. The Hero is rated the 80th best bar in the world, and Number one best bar in Africa. The Curry Lamb was delicious, but it really snuck up on you. My lips were burning for the next 30 minutes.
Day 11, and our last day in Kenya. The hotel was gracious enough to give us a 1500 checkout, as most of us were not flying out until 2300. David and his drivers picked us up at the Trademark and drove us to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. David stayed with us while we took the Rapid Covid test. The results were emailed to us about 15 minutes after we took the test. You must get a negative report or you will not be allowed on the airplane. We all tested negative and had a snack and drink at Paul Cafe before going through security and entering the airport terminal. The check-in process was less stressful than I had feared. We found another cafe in the terminal to sit and eat and drink waiting for time to finally board our plane to Paris for the return trip.
Five of us were returning through Paris, where we would part ways. They were going from Paris and I was returning through Detroit to Portland, Maine. My trip home would be quite a few hours longer, as I had an 8 hour layover in Detroit. Security was more intensive in Paris that other Airports I have flown through. We never left the secure area during our layover, but was made to go through another round of security with our carry-on bags, as if we had just arrived at the airport. That was understandable, as Paris has had more than its share of terrorist activity.
Except for the time waiting in Airports, the return trip was uneventful. I was able to complete my Global Entry interview in Detroit. My next international flight return will be much easier.
Landed in Portland, Maine at 2300 to 35° F temperatures. A little shock to the system, but not too bad.
Things to know before you go.....
Just a few things to emphasize if you plan a Safari trip:
- Their seasons are the reverse of ours, as Kenya is in the Southern Hemisphere. It is starting into Spring in the United States, where it is beginning of Fall in Kenya...
- The Sun is intense and if you are light skinned, or prone to sunburn, bring your sunscreen with you..
- Bring plenty of Cash! Many places will not take credit/debit cards, such as the Park entrance fees, and sometimes the camps. Olapa Mara did not take cards, only cash.
- When you bring cash, only bring new bills. I don't mean new as uncirculated, I mean new style bills as opposed to the older bills that are still in circulation. For some reason, the Kenya Banks will not accept the older currency.
- Be prepared for a long trip, both ways. It took me 20 hours from Portland, Maine to Nairobi, and 30 hours for the return trip.
- Any of the inconveniences are well worth it to be able to participate in your own Great Kenya Adventure.
- Other than the Cobra event, that was/is very rare, Safari's are safe and the Guides are there to take care of you and make your experience the best....
Please let me know if you have any questions, or concerns.
Click on this link if you would like to see my photos of My Great Kenya Adventure!!!
Jambo, Welcome to the 3rd installment of "My Great Kenya Adventure"! (Jambo is Swahili for Hello!) If I go back to Kenya, I believe I will take a course in Swahili. Most Kenyans speak three languages. Kenya was formerly a British Colony, until they got their independence in December 1963. English is taught in all the schools and Swahili is the national language. In addition, many of the villages have their own language, or dialect.
Before I continue with my day to day accounting of this "Great Adventure", one of the readers asked if we felt safe during the Safari, or did we feel we were in any danger? I thought this was a good time to relate one story that happened to a few people in one of the vehicles. There was one scary moment that involved a Black Spitting Cobra. One of the vehicles had stopped to look at some game when all of a sudden the Black Cobra raised up to window height to spit its venom. The young lady at the window jumped back with a scream. The venom did not hit anyone and the Cobra immediately crawled into a hole and out of sight. The vehicle I was in pulled up about 2 minutes later and the Cobra was gone. Our guide said in his 25 years of guiding in the Masai Mara he had never seen a Cobra before. A close call that gave everyone a story to tell. As far as the Safari Vehicles are concerned, the game accepts them as just part of the landscape, albeit a moving landscape.
The 6th day of the adventure we were able to sleep in an extra 15 minutes. The first game drive of the day left at 0530. We started the day looking for Lions, and we were not disappointed. We had found a rather large herd of African Buffalo with an obviously injured one slowly trying to keep up. It was limping and falling further and further behind. Stalking it was a couple of female lions. One of them crept closer and attacked. The Buffalo did its best to hold off the Lion and let out a few bellows for the herd to hear. About a dozen broke from the herd and came to his defense. Seeing them rapidly coming to his aid, the Lion backed off and put a lot of space between them. African Buffalo in numbers are not to be trifled with, by even a fully grown Lion.
It was time for breakfast on the Savannah and our Guides found a nice spot. We were eating, talking and laughing when one of the Guides noticed a pride of Lions moving our way. Breakfast fixings were quickly packed up and everyone was back in the vehicles before they got too close.
Saw the herd of Buffalo again and witnessed a battle between two very large males. Quite a sight to see. Shot some nice Ostrich photos on the way back to the camp and saw a beautiful Long-tailed Widow Bird on the Savannah.
After another great lunch and a couple hours of down time, we started on our last evening game drive on the Masai Mara. I can not emphasize enough the quality of our Guides/Drivers for the success of the Photography during this adventure. The sunsets on the Mara were fantastic. I have heard that sunsets in Africa are the best in the world, and I believe it.
Back in camp, we were treated to a fantastic evening meal and desert. The Masai performed a traditional dance of the warriors and the entire staff came together for a parting celebration. The Masai gave me a name while I was there, Lolparpit. I have not had a haircut in over two years, and it is quite long now. Lolparpit was the name of a Lion with a rather large, bushy mane.
One last game drive before we head to the airstrip to fly back to Nairobi. A few final hours on the Savannah and then back to camp for our last Breakfast on the Mara. It was phenomenal, and a great way to end our stay at the Mara Olapa Camp. We came upon a Cheetah walking on the road, with a Lion following. The Lion did not have a chance with the Cheetah, as they can not run near as fast. The Cheetah kept ahead of the Lion whenever he approached a little too close. Pareet said it was only the second time he had ever seen a Cheetah on the road.
Pareet knew that the one bird I had been hoping to see had not shown itself. Jonathan, our Guide/Driver for that morning, got on the radio and it was only a few minutes later that we were driving rapidly to the spot where two Secretary Birds were eating. These Guides are amazing. If you want to see something in particular, they will get on the radio and if any guides on the Mara have spotted it, away you go.
Back to camp for Breakfast and load our gear on the Safari Vehicles for the short drive to the airstrip. A one hour flight to Nairobi and then a 5 hour drive to Amboseli National Park. It will be a long day.... The plane came in but had a flat tire. The flight was delayed 45 minutes while they repaired the tire on the runway. The Kenya Airways flight made two short stops on the hot flight to Nairobi.
Please join me for Part 4 of My Great Kenya Adventure for the drive and a couple of days at Amboseli National Park. You won't want to miss it.
Please click on the following link to view all the photos I have processed from the Great Kenya Adventure: jimwalkerphotography.smugmug.com/Travel.../Kenya-/
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Part 2 of this blog finds me still in the Masai Mara, staying at the Mara Olapa Tented Camp. The opportunities for photographing wildlife are outstanding. On one day alone, we saw Leopard, Hippopotamus, Jackle, Topi, Zebra, Gazelle, Hyena, Impala, Elephants and more. That does not even include the Birds that I photographed, which will be highlighted in another Blog post. The following photo shows the 12 of us, plus Pereet and the four guides/drivers on the Great Kenya Adventure.
Every morning we set out before the sun came up and ate breakfast somewhere on the Savannah. The Chef, Joseph, prepared quite a meal for us every morning. We returned to camp around noon for another great meal, and a little siesta time. We left camp about 1600 every afternoon and spent several hours scouting for great Photo opportunities, returning to camp just after dark, about 1900. Another great meal, some drinks and lots of stories to be told, then off to shower and a good nights sleep. The sounds of the animals at night lull you to sleep as well as the rain on the tent we had for a couple of nights. This pattern repeated itself for about four days. The photo ops were outstanding. This photo shows us just after breakfast on the Savannah.
Not all animals are beautiful, but they all serve their purpose!
The big Cats are high on the food chain, but even they have to be ever watchful for predators. Hyena's, and other cats, prey on each others young. It is tough, surviving in the wild. Fortunately, Kenya is trying to eliminate the human predator.
I will never forget the beautiful sunsets in Kenya. Even when a storm was brewing, the sky would light up with orange, pink, red and yellow. What a sight to see every evening.
One afternoon we saw Hyena's attempting to steal an African Buffalo that the Lions had killed. These Hyena's gave up when it was obvious they did not have the numbers to go against the 6 male Lions eating on the Buffalo. It was reported by a couple of the guides in Kenya that a Cheetah had lost one of her cubs. Many are mourning that loss, but we all know that nature can be cruel, but it has always been survival of the fittest.
On the fifth day of my adventure in Kenya we headed out to look specifically for a Leopard, and find one we did. He was hunting small game and we followed him for quite a ways up a stream bed. This Leopard afforded us many fantastic photos. The morning progressed with many sightings of Hyena, Topi, Thomson's Gazelle and several nice birds. We had breakfast under an Acacia Tree on the Savanna. More scouting for game, then back to Camp for lunch.
The 1600 game drive began in earnest as we were searching for a large pride of lions, the Topi Pride. The pride consists of 5 adults and 17 cubs. They apparently have not eaten in over a week and we were hoping to see them bring down some game. As soon as we found the pride, and the vehicles pulled to a stop, the cubs quickly gathered in the shade of one of the Safari Land Cruisers. One cub climbed under the wheel well to amuse itself on the tire.
Female lions were not successful,
and after watching them for quite awhile, we went looking for Giraffes to photograph against the evening sunset.
It was another great day in Kenya and we get to sleep in an extra 15 minutes tomorrow as the game drive will not begin until 0530... The next Blog entry will continue with our time on the Masai Mara and our trek to the Amboseli National Park. Thank you for reading this and if you want to view all my photos of the Great Kenya Adventure click here...
A Photo Safari on the African Continent has been on my bucket list for many years. A fellow photographer from Maine, Lauren DelVecchio, made it possible by arranging and coordinating this fantastic trip to Kenya. Lauren set this trip up through contacts she made on her trip in 2021. The Guide service was planned through Pereet Shaw - Cheka. The group consisted of 12 of us, photographers and spouse/significant other, except for a few of us singles and Lauren's son. We made hotel and airline reservations on our own.
I booked the trip on Delta Airlines and left Portland, Maine at 0600 on 13 March 2022. The trip to Nairobi took 20 hours, with layovers in Atlanta and Amsterdam. But land I did, at 2300 on Sunday, 14 March 2022. Pareet had arranged for a car service to meet us at the airport with a couple of cars. Eight of us arrived in Nairobi, Kenya on the same plane from Amsterdam. Most of us had planned for a down day before heading to the safari camp on Tuesday the 16th. The TradeMark Hotel in Nairobi was a great place to begin our adventure. The staff was very friendly and efficient. I know it sounds odd, but the hotel had the best shower of any hotel I have stayed at. What a pleasure after a long day of traveling.
To begin the adventure on the first full day in Kenya, we decided to visit the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi. David, and his drivers picked us up at the Trademark at 1300 and took us to the Giraffe Centre, about a 1 1/2 hour drive through Nairobi. They stayed with their vehicles while we explored the Centre, and were there for the ride home. What great service. The center is dedicated to preserving and protecting Giraffes. The admission fee includes one cup of feed for the Giraffes. The Giraffe Centre is the creation of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W. Kenya), a Kenyan non-profit organization. Their main purpose is to educate Kenyan school children and youth on their country’s wildlife and environment, as well as give local and international visitors an opportunity to come into close contact with the world’s tallest species, the giraffe.
We finished the day with a great meal at the Ankole Kitisuru in Nairobi. The food and service was top notch. Pareet met us for after dinner drinks to go over what would be happening the next day.
After a very pleasant first day in Nairobi, we were to get an early start the next morning. We met David and his drivers, with Pareet, at 0700 in the lobby to begin our journey to the Masai Mara. After an hour drive through Nairobi we arrived at Wilson Airport where we were to catch a small plane to an airstrip in the bush. Kenya Airways fly planes to many destinations within the country. This flight would only take us about 45 minutes. When we landed on the dirt airstrip, Musiara Airstrip, in the Mara, our Safari vehicles were waiting to take us to the Mara Olapa Camp. What a fantastic beginning! Not 10 minutes after leaving the airstrip we encountered a Bull Elephant, 10 more minutes and we saw the rump of a Hippopotamus in a small pool of water. Almost immediately after that we came across a small pride of Lions sleeping in the shade of some bushes, and some Thomson's and Grand Gazelles grazing. Before reaching
Camp there was a flock of Ostriches. What a welcoming committee.
The manager of the camp, Eric, and his staff were there to introduce us to the camp and take us to our respective tents. This is Glamping at its finest. The tents are outfitted in very comfortable beds, and full bath rooms. The showers are very welcome after a hot, dusty day driving around the Masai Mara. The all inclusive Mara Olapa Camp served incredible meals, and packed a breakfast to be eaten in the field. The cooking staff turned out incredible food tailored to the guests taste.
The dining room staff, Clara and Mary, were excellent, friendly, efficient and catered to the guests. What a first class experience, even for a seasoned traveler.
After a great lunch, and a short siesta, we left camp at 1600 for our first game drive. We headed for the Lions, passing a small herd of African Buffalo. When we reached the Lions, three males, they were sleeping in the shade of some bushes. We waited, hoping they would soon wake up. We did get some good photos as one after the other would raise their heads to look around, yawn, and lay back down. While we waited, we experienced our first storm on the savannah with high winds and torrential rains. As it was getting dark we called it a day and headed back to camp. On the way back we spotted a flock of Helmeted Guineafowl with several fighting. I had to boost the ISO to 12,500 to get enough light to photograph them, which really introduced too much noise for a good photo.
Back to camp and another wonderful meal. A fast shower and a few notes in my journal and I am ready for sleep. For me, it was very soothing to listen to the sounds of the night while falling asleep. We start the new day at 0545, starting out before first light.
We went on two game drives a day. The first early in the morning, before sunrise, and the next late in the afternoon until dark. Depending on what we were looking for on a particular drive, game could be seen within minutes of leaving the camp.
I will be writing a continuation of this blog in the coming days. For those interested, I photographed 22 species of animals and 38 species of birds. The photos of my Great Kenyan Adventure can be seen at my SmugMug website by following this link: jimwalkerphotography.smugmug.com/Travel.../Kenya-/
Stay tuned for Part II of the Great Kenya Adventure....
Wow, what a year it has been! 2021 has been a very busy year for Jim Walker Photography! My work on SEO over the past 10 years has paid off. Clients are now finding me with Google Searches and Facebook. It takes a little extra effort, but I recommend anyone in this business use Keywords extensively and consistently. It is well worth it in the end. I am still working with Connie Mills of All In One Weddings, when she needs me. My Instagram account, @jimwphotos, has helped keep my photography in the forefront of potential clients as well.
I photographed my last wedding of the season in Damariscotta on 16 October at Schooner Landing on a cool, breezy day. But, it did not rain during the festivities. Cassie and Nick had come from Salt Lake City, Utah to exchange their vows on a river boat. A friend of theirs was doing the photos on the boat, and they contracted with me for the reception and photos when they returned to shore. What a great couple and a relaxed and fun time everyone had. A great event to end the season with.
I also get some of my clients through a site called Thumbtack. Kristi and Camron contacted me with a request for Engagement Photos at a Lighthouse in, or around, Portland, Maine on 18 October. They would be coming from Ohio and had never been to Maine. I offered a package with three Lighthouses: Portland Head Light, Spring Point Light, and Bug Light. They loved that idea and were very enthusiastic at the possibilities. The day they arrived it was very cool and breezy once again, but no rain. The session was a great success, with a great couple. Kristi and Camron had been engaged for a month, and wanted to use the photos for their "Save The Date" cards for their wedding in 2022. Another great photo session to end the season.
Jim Walker Photography is still busy with several Commercial Head Shot contracts coming up in the next couple of months. Commercial Photography is one of my favorites and I hope to continue to expand in this market.
To all my past, current, and future clients, I would like to Thank You for putting your trust in me to give you the best of images to last a lifetime.
2022 is already shaping up to be a great year. Several weddings have already been booked, beginning in January. The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) convention will take place outside of Washington D.C. in January. To top off the beginning of the year, I have a photo safari in Kenya at the Mara Ngenche Safari Camp - Masai Mara booked for March. This is on my bucket list and photos will be posted on my Travel and Wildlife website when I return. It is only October and I am already looking forward to 2022.
I am also trying out a new logo. Let me know what you think. For the foreseeable future I am using both logos.
Everyone likes a good, well planned proposal! So far, every proposal I have photographed, "She Said Yes"! Having a photographer at your planned proposal seems to be the thing to do this year. Maybe it is because people were locked down for so long during the Pandemic, they are now looking for photo documentation of special days and events.
I was contacted in 2019 by a young man that was planning on proposing to his girlfriend on their vacation to Maine, and was it something I would be interested in capturing? I immediately said yes, and the day was planned. Dylan was to bring Kimmy to Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in South Portland, Maine. I would be there, as a tourist, photographing the Lighthouse. I must say, it went off without a hitch. He led her out on the breakwater, stopped her, got down on one knee, brought the ring box out and popped the question. She was totally surprised and "She Said Yes!". She was not aware of my presence until he pointed me out. I then proceeded to take photos of the happy couple around the lighthouse and the surrounding area. All in all, a very enjoyable experience for all of us, and they loved the photos. That was my first experience with the "proposal", but certainly not my last.
Unfortunately, 2020 felt like the year that never was. I managed to book quite a few Portrait sessions in the latter part of the year, but very few couples were getting married or having a public display of proposals.
Ahh, 2021 is rapidly bringing us back to normal! As a matter of fact, business has not been better than this year. In May, Max contacted the Wedding Planner that I sometimes work for, Connie of All In One Weddings, to arrange a surprise proposal at Portland Head Light, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Connie arranged to have me and a videographer at the Light House, along with Flowers and a bottle of Sparkling Cider for the couple. Max brought Paige from Schenectady, New York to propose. It was a total surprise to Paige and played out beautifully. So good, that Connie is adding this service to her web site for future couples. And, "She Said Yes!"
Only a couple of weeks later, in June, I was contacted by Ernesto to photograph his proposal to his girlfriend, Petal. This was a unique setup. Two of Petal's girl friends were flying in to Portland, Maine to start a "girls week" trip to Bar Harbor. The young ladies knew about the proposal, and how they kept it from Petal is a mystery to me. Ernesto drove from Boston to meet the ladies at Portland Head Light, to ostensibly tour the grounds and have dinner with them before they headed out on their trip north. Once again, I was to pose as a tourist photographing the Light House. I will say, Petal was completely and totally surprised. And the important thing is: "She Said Yes!" Ernesto said they would be married in Trinidad next year. That would be great if it worked into a destination wedding for me. I would love to travel to Trinidad to photograph this great couple during their wedding....
I love nothing better than photographing these couples in their happiest moments. I have another "surprise" proposal scheduled for July. It is destined to be a great day.
Consider hiring a photographer for your proposal. It will be a day to remember in photographs...
It is a relief to know that the pandemic that affected most events last year in winding down. Gov. Mills of Maine just announced that most mask and gathering restrictions, inside and outside, are being lifted. Many couples postponed their weddings until this year, making this season one of the busiest I have seen.
My season started with two vow renewals and several small wedding in the coming weeks. First off was Tish and Jim from Belgrade, Maine. They had planned a Vow Renewal for their 50th Wedding Anniversary last year. Because of the many restrictions they were forced to put off the celebration until this year. Wanting to keep to the 50th year theme, Tish planned the Vow Renewal for the last day of their 50th year together, on April 17th. The next day was to be their 51st Anniversary. The event took place at The Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta, Maine. Their kids did a bang up job of decorating the banquet room and the food was great, along with a very good staff in attendance. Keeping with the restrictions still in place, there were almost 50 friends and relatives in attendance. What a great night and Congratulations to Tish and Jim for 50 years together.
The next Vow Renewal was Karen and Darren from Virginia. They preferred a less formal setting of Portland Head Light in Portland, Maine. Their 26 year old son, Alex, was there to witness the event. Karen and Darren had been married for 30 years and it was a very touching and heartfelt ceremony. Connie Mills of All In One Weddings officiated and coordinated the event. The day turned out to be perfect with sunshine, warmth and a beautiful sky. Congratulations to Karen and Darren.
My first official wedding to start off the season was Kelley and Ron. They came all the way from Ohio and Kentucky to get married in Kennebunkport at the Nonantum Resort. It was a perfect day for a wedding. The sun was shining, the temperature was 71 degree with a breeze coming off the ocean, and very low humidity. The ceremony was officiated by Jill of All In One Weddings, who had also contracted for my photography services. A great family to start the season off with.
The Covid-19 pandemic is becoming less of a threat as more people are vaccinated the size of the weddings are increasing. My preferred Wedding size is small, Diane and Terry had about 30 family and friends in attendance. They were married at the Old Red Church in Standish, Maine, with a reception at the Perkins House in Cornish, Maine. Maybe I am just lucky, but I get to share some happy times with some wonderful couples and their families.
Next week continues my season with a Proposal at Portland Head Light. I hope she says 'YES'.
Until next time, keep following the light....
]]>Awards at first glance seem to be tooting your own horn. But in reality they are a great validation of the years of hard work and dedication to your craft. Those are especially note worthy when they come unexpected and unsolicited. In the last week I have received two such awards.
The first to arrive showed up in my email last week informing me I had been selected as the Winner for the 2021 Best of Auburn Awards in the category of Stock Photographs & Stock Photography. I have had a studio in the Auburn and Lewiston area since 2013, and had been a prolific photographer in the community for many years before that. It is with great pride that I will display this award in my studio.
AUBURN March 18, 2021 -- Jim Walker Photography has been selected for the 2021 Best of Auburn Award in the Stock Photographs & Stock Photography category by the Auburn Award Program.
Each year, the Auburn Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Auburn area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2021 Auburn Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Auburn Award Program and data provided by third parties. Jim Walker Photography can be reached by email at [email protected].
The Auburn Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Auburn area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Auburn Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.
Jim's wildlife, landscapes, cityscapes, and travel photography can be seen at: Fine Art, Birds, Landscapes, etc...
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The next award I received came as a great surprise at the annual MPPA Awards Banquet held via Zoom this year. The National Award is a special honor that PPA Affiliates can award to recognize outstanding services in professional photography. It is available to state, regional, and national PPA Affiliates to honor an individual for his or her outstanding services to professional photography in their community.
29 March 2021 – Auburn, ME - Jim Walker was honored with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) National Award for outstanding service to professional photography. The bronze and walnut plaque was recently presented to him by the Maine Professional Photographers Association (MPPA), a PPA Affiliated Association, at their annual convention held 28 March 2021.
Jim Walker Photography has a studio in the Professional Building, 145 Lisbon St, Suite 604, Lewiston, Maine. He specializes in Portraits, Headshots, Family sessions and small weddings and elopements.
The National Award is offered by PPA to state, regional, national, and international affiliated organizations on a yearly basis. First made available in 1958, the award recognizes those who generously contribute their time and talents to the service of their profession, their affiliated organization and their fellow photographers. Selections of the award are determined by the recipient's peers, adding to its distinction and value.
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association, founded in 1868. It currently helps 30,000+ professionals elevate their craft and grow their business with resources, protection, and education, all under PPA'S core guiding principle of bridging the gap between photographers and consumers.
Jim's studio and on-site work can be viewed at www.jimwalkerphotography.com.
Jim's Fine Art Photography can be seen on Fine Art America.
]]>When I reopened the Studio in July 2020 it was with great hope that we would be looking at the Covid-19 Pandemic in the rearview mirror. Little did we know that we were looking at many more months of restrictions and fear. My Studio allowed me to continue photographing Families, Couples and Headshots into January of 2021. The studio is large and we can maintain safe distances as well as keeping all the equipment and props sanitized in between clients.
I began the modified Covid-19 season with a small intimate wedding at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. Rachel and Michael traveled from Florida to be married on the Maine coast. The fog rolling in added atmosphere to an already great day for a wedding.
I liked to get at least one photo of my clients wearing their masks to commemorate the year of Covid-19 and some of the things we had to do to protect ourselves and our clients.
This was but the beginning of a great year for the studio and my photography, despite the pandemic that was raging around us. The following months were filled with Elopements, Weddings, Engagements, Birthday Parties, Family and Individual Portraits and Prints. So very welcome, Prints. I love it when a client sees the need for a slice of time to be presented on the walls of their home or office.
December of 2020 came rushing forward and it was time to make a decision. My left knee had been going from bad to worse all year and I had finally decided it as time for a total knee replacement. The only question had been When.... As it usually does, business was slowing down as the calendar was getting closer to Christmas. So, January 2021 looked like it was going to be the time I could afford to close the studio for a couple of months to recuperate from the surgery. It was necessary to take a Covid-19 test about a week prior to the surgery, so I scheduled it for January 5th, and the surgery on January 11th.
Then I was contacted by a friend whose daughter and husband were home for Christmas. Could I possibly do a family photo before he left for Advanced Training in the Army on January 5th. I scheduled them for a Studio Session on January 4th. One more client before the surgery. The photo shoot went very well and was a lot of fun.
The Covid-19 test was negative and the surgery was performed on January 11th, as scheduled. All seemed to go very well, and the knee pain was a thing of the past. I was ecstatic and home on the 15th. Androscoggin Home Health was scheduled for Physical Training to strengthen the joint and teach it to bend properly. The PT therapist noticed that something was not quite right with the incision. Back to the Doctor I went and sure enough, there was an infection. Serious enough to send me back to the hospital on February 5. The reopened the incision, cleaned it out, replaced a part, and put me back together again. Only this time I was to go home with a pic line and administer large doses of antibiotics to myself. For those of you who don't know, a pic line is fed through a vein to the heart, and extends outside the body so antibiotics can be fed directly into the blood stream. I would have this for the next 42 days, Oh joy! To complicate matters, there was also a hole in my incision that did not heal properly and would have to be looked after by the Wound Center for the next couple of months.
It is now mid-March and I am ending the time for heavy doses of antibiotics and the pic line. By next week I will find out if I have a clean bill of health on the infection. The wound in my knee is slowing healing. Something that takes longer in a diabetic.
All in all, I am looking at reopening the Studio by April 1st and scheduling events soon after. I can hardly wait to be working with clients once again and being behind the lens. I also have two web sites; my people photography at Jim Walker Photography and and my travel and wildlife photography
If any of you, or your friends, have the need for a new portrait, an engagement session, a small wedding, Birthday party or any event you would like to record for the future, please give me a call at 207-650-0200 so we can chat. Please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I hope to see many of you this spring.
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Please take a look at a short video, my attempt to keep in touch with everyone.
Remember, Stay Positive, and this too shall pass. I hope to see you all on the other side of this quarantine.
If you have an event, a special occasion, want a family photo, need a head shot, or just want to talk, do not hesitate to reach out. For now, my calendar is open and ready, beginning in August.
I would just like to thank my friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and past and present clients for weathering this storm. We will get through this, and it may be painful, but please do not get discouraged. Like all storms, this too shall pass.
My Wildlife, Nature, and Travel Photography can be seen at: https://jimwalkerphotography.smugmug.com/
Thank you for watching, and I hope we will get to see each other soon....
The way this virus is spreading, it is probably a good thing not to congregate in groups and invite people into the studio for photos. You can be contagious before displaying any of the symptoms of the virus. It would be nearly impossible to ensure the studio was sanitized before and after each photo shoot. Especially with all of the backdrops, props, and equipment that is in the studio.
This is a short blog entry to ensure prospective, past, and current customers that Jim Walker Photography will be here to serve your needs when we come out the other side of this.
In the meantime, please take a look at my work with people at: www.jimwalkerphotography.com, and my wildlife, landscape and travel photography at my jimwalkerphotography.smugmug.com. If I can be of service to you and your events, when we can get back to work, please let me know.
Here are a few samples of my work from past sessions:
Whether it is a Family, a Headshot, a Portrait for business or personal use, an Elopement or a small intimate Wedding, Jim Walker Photography will be here after the crisis is over and things get back to some semblance of normal.
I am not sorry I agreed to be their photographer. Paige was fantastic, and had sold mini-sessions and "day of the pageant" DVD's before I even arrived. Her organization skills were very impressive. She took a lot of the burden off of me, and all I had to do was set up the lights and backdrop and start scheduling the young ladies. They were a very enthusiastic group, and were thoroughly enjoying the event. Paige and her helpers were teaching them the opening routine, as well as how to present themselves on the runway.
The Miss Southern Maine Pageant is an official preliminary pageant for the Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant (MASP)! The titleholders move on to compete for the USA National Miss titles at the September state pageant! The pageant Titleholders promote an anti-bullying platform named "The Crown C.A.R.E.S." (Creating A Respectful Environment in Schools) and works with Unite Against Bullying ME.org to educate others. The titleholders are trained and available to make appearances to promote the platform by reading to school-aged children, talking about preventing bullying, and also to help promote local businesses, especially during special occasions or festivities. In addition to their web site, please check out their facebook page!
The day began with mini-headshot sessions for those that wanted current photos while their hair and makeup was pageant ready. These are always fun and fast. I try to coax the best look I can from each of the young ladies. I really do not want to refer to them as girls, as the ages range from toddler to the Mrs. Division, and everything in between.
The mini-headshot sessions went well. I brought a red background and one studio light with me. In most cases, I prefer a one light setup. It works well with fashion and beauty photos, when you want to keep the shadows to a minimum. It is best to have a space assigned that is out of the line of traffic, but easy for the ladies to get to for their scheduled appointments.
I also offered a package that included a DVD of photographs of the day. With this, I would include photos of all the ladies during the opening number, the talent portion, and the runway competitions (Casual Wear, Fitness Wear, and Evening Gown). Also included is the awards and Crowning in the various Divisions.
While not as stressful as a wedding, nor as lucrative, it is important to make every shot count, and not miss any of the young ladies on the runway. After all, as in a wedding, there is no do over. The contestants, and their families, count on seeing themselves on the DVD. Not everyone can win, and you feel the disappointment for those not chosen in their division.
Several of the Division Titleholders have already scheduled their one hour photo session in my Studio in Lewiston, Maine. Samples of these photo sessions can be seen on my facebook page, as well as my instagram account; @walkerj56.
I know that Pageant Photography is not for everyone, but it can be rewarding and is good word of mouth advertising when you turn out a good product and the ladies and their families are happy. Good quality Headshots are an asset to your portfolio also.
Until next time, have a good March!
The New Year began with a family photo session on the 4th of January! What a way to start the new year. Relatives were visiting Raisa and her husband from Russia and they wanted family photos before they left. These sessions are always fun, and this family was no exception. Raisa did most of the translating for me and we had fun with the session. I did a quick turnaround with the photos so they could take them with them. Thank you Raisa for thinking of me....
Eleven days after the family photo shoot, I flew to Nashville, Tennessee for the annual Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Convention - ImagingUSA 2020. This is the fourth year I have volunteered to work the convention. It is a lot of work, from 6:30 am to sometimes 9:30 pm every day. There are over 10,000 professional photographers from all over the United States and about 20 countries in attendance. Volunteers have the option of attending any classes we want, when not working a session. One of the perks is getting to meet, and know, many of the top people in our industry. I learn new tips on posing, lighting, and business practices from the best. The networking alone is worth being there, and a part of the experience. The convention was held in the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville.
Walking around the Resort and Convention Center, either on a break or between sessions, you may see many classes that have taken the students and their models on location. It is a practical way to teach lighting and posing with hands on experience.
If you are a Professional Photographer, or thinking of starting in the business, you should go to Imaging. Imaging2021 will be in Gravevine, Texas at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center.
Two days after I returned from the conference, I was scheduled to photograph the Miss Southern Maine Pageant in Buxton, Maine. It has been a couple of years since I photographed a pageant, and was really not looking for the job. Fortunately, as it turned out, the Director of the Pageant, Paige Lessard, messaged me and asked if I would consider doing it for her. I had taken Paige's Headshot a couple of years ago, which she used when she went to the National competition. I am very glad I agreed to be the official Photographer for the Miss Southern Maine Pageant.
2020 has started with a bang, and I have four Portrait Sessions scheduled for February. Happy New Year to everyone and thank you for reading my Blog.
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I was privileged to be the photographer of choice in several small, intimate weddings this fall. I love being a part of these celebrations, as you can get to know the couple and their guests better than the large weddings. There was Tara and Paulo at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. Nick and Stephanie chose a backyard wedding in Lewiston with photos preceding the ceremony at Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary a few blocks from Stephanie's home.
Krysti and Billy chose The Inn ByThe Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine for their nuptials. A beautiful setting for a wedding, with a path to the ocean.
Couples, Families and Headshots make up a good portion of my business. I love having clients in my Studio, where I can control the lighting and the backgrounds. But, I will go where the client wants me and bring my portable studio with me. A good example of on location is Brittney. She wanted a Headshot for a new job, with a coastal look. She met me at Bug Light in South Portland for a fun, and successful Photo Shoot.
Matt and Beth, a fantastic young couple from Bates College, wanted a Studio Photo Session and had their pick of backgrounds. They chose the Christmas background as the most interesting. We had a great time interacting, and I got some really good shots of them.
The van Mourik-Carrier family also chose to come to the studio for their session. We took several family photos of the eleven of them, and then smaller family groupings. June and Fred chose to make their session into a book that would be given to each of their children's family for Christmas.
2020 looks to be another fantastic year for Jim Walker Photography. I have started booking sessions for the New Year with the first one scheduled for the 4th of January. Two small, intimate weddings have also booked with me, and I could not be happier. Book your sessions soon for Valentines day and Easter. My calendar looks like it will fill up fast in 2020.
Also of note, and it is a difficult thing for me to blow my own horn, I was voted the Best Photographer of 2019 in the Greater Lewiston/Auburn, Maine area.
The middle of January will find me in Nashville for the ImagingUSA 2020 convention. This is the annual gathering of the Professional Photographers of America, with over 10,000 professional photographers from the United States and International community. In addition to volunteering at the convention, I will be attending classes and interacting with top professionals in our business. Proving you are never too old to learn...
Have a very Happy New Year, and I Hope to see you all in 2020!!!
PS: Please do not model, or photograph, on train tracks. New England lost a talented Model and Photographer this year when she was struck by a train while on the tracks. She most likely never heard it coming.
What to Wear: Tips for Selecting Your Wardrobe
A lot of people ask what they should wear to their photo session? After all, these photographs will become a staple in your family frames and albums for years to come. Choosing timeless, yet appropriate attire will lend to the positive outcome of your photo shoot.
If it’s an indoor session, choosing soft, warm colors can be very pleasing to the lens. Outdoors, you can opt for bolder colors, earth tones or contrasting, such as big stripes paired with a solid color. Pinstripes or small dots generally do not photograph well. Wearing accessories can add a nice touch, but try to avoid accessories that are too big as they may overshadow your face.
Here are some general tips to follow for selecting your wardrobe:
- Choose soft colors, such as pink, light blue, lavender, yellow, etc. for dreamy looks
- Choose bold colors such as red, black, dark blue, purple or orange for dramatic looks
- Minimal accessories are best, as too big or too many can detract from the image
- For children, bring outfits that have a lot of creativity behind them. They can be fun, layered looks, sporty, textures (tutus and ruffles for girls look so cute!), jeans, khakis, sweaters, skirts, dresses, etc. “Sunday” wear dress code works well.
- Avoid character t-shirts, shirts with sayings, etc., and shirts with company logos.
- Don’t forget the shoes and socks. Men, avoid wearing white socks with dress shoes. Make sure your shoes are clean, not raggedy or muddy. Barefoot photos can also be fun! For the women, boots, heels, sandals or dress shoes look great.
These are meant to be guidelines. If you have any specific question about your wardrobe, or just in general, please let me know. You can comment on this Blog Post, or send me an email to: [email protected]. There is still time to have photos taken for Christmas, and now is the time to start planning that photo session for Valentines Day photos.
These are some of the Headshots I have done in the Studio:
Click on this link to see my Fine Art, Birds, Wildlife, Nature, and Travel and Event photography!
Until next time, I hope you all have a great holiday season!
The park is a great introduction to Brussels. I recommend spending at least a little while in the park soaking in the view and the relaxed and festive mood of everyone.
Then it was on to the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel close to the City Centre. The hotel was excellent and convenient. It was only a couple of blocks from the beautiful Grand Place. The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable and the food in the dining room was excellent. For those true foodies, not on a budget, the hotel also boasts a restaurant with a 2 star Michelin chef. Unfortunately, I was not able to sample the chefs talent.
Ten O'Clock the first morning we were met in the lobby by our guide for the day, Dominique Janssens. Dominique led us on a 4 hour walking tour of the area around the Grand Place in Brussels Centre. This was of particular interest to me, as I spent a lot of time in this area 40 years ago, when I lived in Obourg and worked in Casteau, Belgium. I wanted to share the beauty and architecture with my significant other, Rose. Dominique paced his tour to accommodate our slower pace and limited mobility.
The first stop on our walking tour was the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula. A grand cathedral built around 1226, and has continually been added to. A thorough restoration of the cathedral was carried out between 1983 and November 1999. Remains of a Romanesque church were discovered, as weIl as a Romanesque crypt under the choir.
The next several hours were spent walking the streets of Brussels on our way to the Grand Place. The old portions of the city are fabulous with Chocolate shops, Gaufre (Waffle) shops, and shops selling a myriad of Beer. I was told that Belgium has over 3,000 beers made in country. On the tour was a stop at the infamous Manneken Pis.
It may be small, but the Manneken Pis is a major tourist attraction in Brussels. There are many legends about the origins of this urinating lad; just pick which one suits you and go with it. There are over 1,000 costumes the statue wears on special occasions throughout the year.
The Brussels Grand Place is one of the most beautiful in Europe! Most of the buildings are adorned with gold gilt and are former guild halls. Most of the Grand Place dates from after 1695 when the French Army bombarded Brussels and destroyed most of the houses. The Guilds quickly set to rebuilding in even more grandeur than before the destruction. Most of the Guild Houses are now home to businesses, such as: Chocolatiers, Gaufres (Waffles), Food and Drink Establishments, Starbucks and Hard Rock Cafe. Still one of my favorite places is the Le Roy d’Espagne brasserie ("King of Spain"). A Food and Drink pub that I first experienced in 1976. It is mostly unchanged from those days, and still serves good food and drinks for nearly every taste.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert should not be missed during your stay in Brussels. This shopping area was built in 1847. It was the first such covered shopping area in Europe, and still one of the best. The galerie of shops are under an arched glass-paned roof with a delicate cast-iron framework. The perfect place to enjoy your coffee or hot chocolate with a sinfully delicious desert on a rainy day in Brussels.
Rose and I had the best hot chocolate we had ever had at this chocolate shop in the Galeries. Part of our walking tour of Brussels was a chocolate tasting. Our Guide, Dominique, took us to Neuhaus, the inventor of the Praline. Neuhaus has been in business since 1857 and has a wonderful shop in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. We spent several enjoyable strolls under the cover of the Galeries. One of the best things is that it was only about two blocks from the hotel, and a short cut to the Grand Place.
We had only been in Brussels a couple of days, and it felt like we had done so much. But, there was so much more to see, and share with Rose, it just is not possible to cover Brussels in a few short days. To top it all off, we still have a morning to journey by train to Antwerp for yet another walking tour.
The train trip to Antwerp was probably the weakest link in our itinerary. To put it mildly, we boarded the wrong train. The destination was correct, but it was a local that stopped at every little village and took forever to arrive in Antwerp. A very kind conductor informed us of our error, and told us where to get off, and which track to wait on to board the express. There was a litle mix-up with the guide meeting us in Antwerp, as he was ill and they had to find a substitute. We finally connected and Daniel LaCroix began our walking tour of Antwerp. The train station in Antwerp was a beautiful piece of architecture.
Antwerp was a nice day trip, but I did not enjoy it near as much as Brugges and Brussels, partly because my feet and knees were about worn out by this time. The Grand Place is grand, but not as spectacular as Brussels. The river and canals were very picturesque and well used by tourists and residents alike. As all of Belgium, Antwerp will warrant a better look when I return.
With the help of our guide riding back with us, we took the subway to the train station, and the correct train back to Brussels. Thank you Daniel.
One last night in Brussels, and a last go for the Liege Waffles that I have got to learn to make.
All good things must come to an end, and such was our 10 days in Belgium. It was a great trip and I have to give my appreciation to FireBird Tours. They arranged this tour exactly as I requested, and contracted with English speaking guides that were all excellent. I can hardly wait for my next adventure.
Thank you for reading these blogs. Follow these links to the first two blog posts: Travel Photographs - Brugge, Belgium and Travel Photographs - Damme to Ghent, Belgium. By clicking here, you can also view all of my Belgium Travel Photos.
After a short break and a walk around the grounds of the Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Hemmelvaartkirk) we were ready to get back on the road. That was a pleasant deviation from the planned drive to Ghent.
Ghent is a much larger city than Bruges, with a population of about 262,000. It is necessary to park in the underground garage before venturing into the downtown area. Most of the streets in the downtown, and historic district, are pedestrian only, after the delivery vehicles have serviced the stores and restaurants. And, walk we did! Once again I clocked over 10,300 steps. Ghent is not supposed to be as much a tourist destination as Bruges, but you could not prove it by me. There were people walking everywhere and taking in the sites, as well as enjoying the outside cafes which are a big part of life in Belgium.
One of the first attractions that our guide, Michael, took us to was Saint Bavo Cathedral (also known as Sint-Baafs Cathedral, or in Dutch Sint Baafskathedraal) an 89 meter (292 feet) tall Gothic Cathedral. It is the seat of the diocese of Ghent. Beautiful architecture, paintings and sculptures. There are masterpieces painted by Hubert and Jan Van Eyck and by Peter Paul Rubens. It is definitely a sight to see.
From there we walked to the one of the many Market Squares and stopped for a much needed hot chocolate and eclair. Rose was able to have a gluten free macaron with her coffee. Finding Gluten Free food in Belgium was much easier then we had imagined. There is so much to see, and do, in Ghent, a few hours was not going to do it justice. But, we were determined to take in as much as we could.
Both sides of the river are populated with many restaurants and beautiful architecture. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to outside enjoying the weather. You can see the top of the Gravensteen Castle in this photo. Time was short and we did not get to tour the castle, Oh well, maybe next trip to Belgium. I will put it on the list....
The Gravensteen Castle, built around 1180, is sometimes called the Castle of the Counts (in French, Chateau des Comptes).The current castle dates to 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. It was subsequently re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton factory. It was restored over 1893–1903 and is now a museum and a major landmark in the city. The first fortification at this site, a sand dune with swampy borders in between the branches of the River Leie, was built in the mid-9th century by Baldwin I, the first Count of Flanders, to fight off Viking raids.
Alas, it was time to continue our journey to Brussels, for the final 4 days of our Belgium trip.
My travel photos of the entire Belgium trip can be found on my SmugMug website. Please take a look and enjoy! You might also be interested in my travel photos of the South of France, taken a couple of years ago.
Thank you for taking the time to view my Blog! The remainder of the trip, Brussels and Antwerp, will be coming. Please stay tuned.
Belgium does not seem to be a top destination for Americans, and it really should be. One of the things that has changed significantly since I lived there was the ability to speak English. 40 years ago it was difficult, at best, to find someone willing to speak English. In 2019, it is unusual to find someone that does not speak English. Belgium has a great mix of the old and the new. The architecture around the Market Place (in Flanders), the Grand Place (in Walloon), are old European with history preserved.
One thing I really noticed in Bruges was the bicycle traffic, much more than in Brussels. Bicycles were everywhere, zooming in and out. The streets are narrow, and mostly one way. If a destination was only a couple of blocks away, it was probably a couple of miles by taxi. One of the most prominent features in Bruges is the canal system. You do not have to walk far to come to one of the very picturesque canals with 16th or 17th century houses reflecting in the still waters.
Our first walking tour was of Bruges, and started at Hotel Aragon, where we stayed for 4 nights. This was a very nice hotel and the staff could not have been better. It was only located a couple of minutes walk from the Market Place. Our guide,
Nikolas, of Legends Tours, was extremely knowledgeable about the history and architecture the city. But, be prepared to really walk and wear comfortable shoes. That first day we put in over 10,300 steps in about 4 hours. Well worth it though.
If you are into beer, Belgium is the place for you. There are over 3,000 beers brewed in Belgium. The first beer pipeline was constructed in Bruges, and still takes the beer from the brewery to the bottling plant on the outskirts of the city. Not being a beer drinker, I will keep my tasting to the food, chocolate and waffles.
The seasonal specialty of Belgium is Mussels. and this was the season for them. We found a nice outside restaurant next to one of the canals, and they were advertising their fresh mussels. Rose had also heard all of my tales about the wonderful fries they have in Belgium. (French Fries are actually Belgium Fries. They were invented in Belgium and are still the best. Soldiers, after WWII were sitting in cafe's in Brussels hearing french and named the fries "French Fries". A wound in the side of Belgium ever since.
Four wonderful, if tiring, days in Bruges and it was time to move on to Ghent for the day. I will continue this trip in another blog post very soon. As luck will have it, I am a Professional Photographer and business has been great. I must be doing something right, as customers are finding me on the internet regularly. If you would like to see my travel photos, please go to my travel and wildlife website.
Thank you for reading this, and I hope you enjoy the photos and a little narrative. If any of you get the chance to travel to Belgium I would highly recommend it.
I was pleasantly surprised when I was notified by SmugMug that I had sold seven photos. I contacted the purchaser and found that Bangor Savings Bank has purchased the photos to be hung in their new branch that is under construction. The new branch should be open in December in Auburn, Maine. When it opens, don't hesitate to come in and browse the photos on display.
These are a few of the photos that will be displayed at the Bangor Savings Bank in Auburn, Maine:
It is quite gratifying to know your art will be hanging where the general public will be able to enjoy it.
Does your office or business need art to beautify your surroundings? Contact me at [email protected] and we can discuss your needs. I am also available to photography any local landscapes for your business or home.
Thank you Bangor Savings Bank!
The first family booked me for their family reunion at the 555 Restaurant on Congress Street in Portland. They were a great, fun loving family from Florida, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Smiles galore seemed to be the theme of the reunion. 555 is a five star restaurant in Portland, Maine with Executive Chef Steve Corry, who has appeared in Food/Wine magazine. The only downside was lugging my equipment up three flights of stairs to the 3rd floor function room. On the upside, the wait staff and employees of 555 were more than helpful in getting everything up the stairs. I am very grateful for their help.
The Chase Family was one of those clients I love to book. Everyone was so full of smiles and laughter. I asked Stephanie Chase how they came to choose Portland as the location of their reunion. She told me the family home was in Florida, "She loved Portland", and "Have you ever been to Florida in the summer?" I guess that answered that question. I am just thankful she chose me as the photographer for this occasion.
I used two lights to illuminate the room. A 400 Watt Alien Bee and a 600 Watt White Lightning, both from Paul C. Buff, with white shoot through, umbrellas. Set at about 1/2 power they did a good job of providing good light, without over doing it. That allowed me to shoot at ISO 100, 1/250, and F8.
The following week I was booked to photograph the Strout Family at the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It has been said that this is the most photographed light house in the United States. I do not doubt that, judging from the amount of tourists that visit the Lighthouse throughout the year.
The Strout's had a special reason to visit this particular Lighthouse, especially as the family lives in Sheridan, Wyoming. Richard and Laura had brought their family to Maine on vacation and made a two day stop in Portland before moving on to Blue Hills and the Bar Harbor area downeast.
Richard is a direct descendant of the Strout family that were Light House Keepers at Portland Head Light for 4 generations and a grand total of 128 years. Joshua Strout, and his family, were the keepers when the Annie C Maguire ran aground on Christmas Eve of 1886.
The day began with rain, but by the time of the scheduled photo shoot, it was 75° and partly cloudy, with just enough breeze to make it comfortable. The family was happy to be here and relaxed, which made for some great group photos, as well as several family units. They had quite a history with the Light House and its keepers.
The lighting conditions were constantly changing as the clouds moved overhead and we moved around the Lighthouse. I was comfortable shooting at ISO100 and 1/200, with constantly adjusting my aperture to account for the change in lighting and how much depth of field I wanted. A perfect day for a Family Photo Session at Portland Head Light.
Thank you for taking a look at my blog. My Wildlife, Nature, Travel and Event photography can be seen on my SmugMug gallery. If you like what you have seen, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
There is a wedding photographer I know, Val Bozzi, that is adorned with many tattoos. She agreed to come to my studio and let me photograph her art. This is a big deal! As I well know, many photographers do not feel particularly comfortable when the lens is pointed at them. I can not tell you how much I appreciated Val's willingness to visit my studio and step before my camera!
Val showed up at the studio at the appointed time with her husband! After introductions were made, and a tour of the studio was conducted, we got right to it. A photographers, and a models, time is valuable and not to be taken lightly. Val was taking part in my wish to photograph her tattoos, while on a rare day off during Wedding Season. I had my lighting set up and a good idea of what shots I wanted. Val was very accommodating and a great subject. It is with great thanks that I was able to capture this wonderful art.
I am hoping, in months to come, that I can get other tattooed folks in front of my lens. If anyone reading this would like to have a visual record of your body art, please contact me at [email protected]. Photos of Val and my Model Portfolio can be seen at: Model Shots
Thank you for reading my blog. If you have any suggestions, or would like to see something discussed in the future, please let me know!
I was contacted on a Thursday evening and asked if I was available for a wedding in Naskeag, Maine on Saturday. I was available, but my first question was; "Where in the world is Naskeag, Maine?" Turns out it was an area of a town named Brooklin, Maine, several hours up the coast of Maine. I agreed to travel for this "Elopement".
Katheryna and Mikaela were a very interesting couple, with great stories. They met in Zurich, worked and lived in Amsterdam, and were moving to Scotland a few days after the wedding. The energy and love between this couple was immediately apparent. Mahlen Hsu, also of All In One Weddings, was the officiant.
They walked us down the long path to the water, where the ceremony would take place. It was a beautiful setting with the ocean water winking at us with the sun slowly sinking and islands looming off the coast. What a place for a wedding! We had met at the mothers house, and relatives owned the other two houses on the point. Katheryna and Mikaela went back up to the mothers house, and would walk down with the aunt's, uncle's and mother when everyone was ready. I began photographing as they all approached the beach, continued until we were back up the hill after the ceremony.
During the ceremony storm clouds were gathering and the thunder heads were getting closer. I had faith that we would be finished before the rains came. As we were walking up the path to the house, it began sprinkling.
By the time we reached the house, the sky opened up and the rain came down in buckets, or so it seemed. Katheryna and Mikaela were not fazed, and the rain seemed to give them even more energy. I continued to photograph them in the rain, and at one point one of the uncles held an umbrella over me, protecting the camera. What a great time. I loved it and ended up with some really good photos that the ladies loved.
Don't let a little rain put a damper on the festivities. The bottom line is that Elopements and small Intimate Weddings are a joy to be a part of. Bon Voyage Katheryna and Mikaela! Have a wonderful life wherever your travels take you!
11:00, the morning of the 3rd of July, found me sitting next to the steps leading to the breakwater at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. Dylan had sent me a text earlier, describing what they would be wearing, and I was doing my best to look like a tourist with a camera. It must have worked, for when they passed me and started on the breakwater, Kimmy did not suspect a thing. Dylan stopped about half way to the lighthouse, and I had to chuckle. Kimmy was so busy texting and sending photos of the lighthouse that she was not aware something special was about to happen. Dylan dropped to one knee, and now had Kimmy's entire attention. I was too far away to hear what was being said, but when he produced the ring you could see the happiness on her face. I did not need to hear, to know that "She Said Yes!!!"
It was almost comical when he told the entire thing was being photographed and pointed me out. She was totally surprised, and I know how relieved I was that she had said yes.
What a great couple! We took the wooden steps to the area overlooking the lighthouse that were previously used for big Gun emplacements when the area was a fort. The views over the bay are fantastic, especially for a hot, sunny clear day. I took some more photos of this loving couple, expressed my congratulations and bid them goodbye. What a great was to spend the day before the 4th of July. This is one of the main reasons that I continue doing this and keeping my studio open. Moments like this make it all worthwhile.
I am planning my next blog post will tell about the wedding I photographed in Brooklin, Maine on the 6th of July. It has been a busy weekend. Thank you for reading my post, and if you would like to take a look at my Nature, Landscape, and Travel Photos please click on this Link: Jim Walker's Other Web Site
I attended a gallery opening Friday evening that I thought should be highlighted and noted. The gallery is the work of Paul Gori and Neiley Harris. A lot of time and effort went into preparing space on the 2nd floor of 94 Commercial Street in Portland, Maine. The "Neiley" Gallery and Studio primarily shows her work in oils, acrylic and watercolor; as well as studio space to work on new pieces. Her flowers are big and bold, her trees reach to the sky, and her new paintings of Koi Fish are beautiful. Neiley has exhibited, and sold, her work at the Café This Way in Bar Harbor, Maine for many years. Her new gallery in Portland is a welcome expansion to her art work.
This photo of Paul and Neiley was taken at the Gallery opening on 22 June 2019.
A couple of examples of her wonderful flower images are seen in the background. More of her work, and information on her gallery can be found at: Neiley Gallery and Studio. Neiley also has her own YouTube channel with videos of her paintings, some from start to finish.
One room in the Gallery contains the work of her artist mother, Annette Lavallee. Annette is a well know watercolor and acrylic artist from Auburn, Maine.
This gallery should be on your "to do" list if you come to Portland, especially on the First Friday Art Walks.
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It is known around the Lewiston/Auburn community that I have provided Event Photography for many years. Political Rally's, Graduation Ceremonies, Ribbon Cutting, etc... But, every once in awhile, a request comes in that gives me a little pause. I received a call from a friend I had not seen in a few years. Her Uncle had died and her cousins wanted the Funeral and Procession photographed in a Photo Journalistic style and she had recommended my services. I had a nice chat with one of the daughters and decided it was something that I could do in a respectful reportage style.
Herve Gendreau had been the Police Chief of Lewiston, Maine when he retired after 30 years of service to the community. Chief Gendreau had started as a patrolman and worked himself up to Police Chief. Following his retirement he worked 19 years for the Public Works Department in Lewiston. The Funeral would have many police, fellow workers, friends and relatives in attendance.
The day began with an open casket viewing at the Pinnette, Dillingham and Lynch Funeral Home in Lewiston. It was a solemn occasion with family and friends saying their last goodbyes.
It was time to head for Saint Peter and Paul's Basilica for the funeral service. The procession was led by a Police Cruiser with its lights flashing, followed by the Funeral Home Hearse, a limousine with the immediate family members, Herve's Cadillac with his grandchildren, and friends, family, police vehicles and public works trucks.
The Lewiston Police Honor Guard was waiting at the Basilica to escort the casket. Two members of the U.S.Army Honor Guard were also on hand.
The Priest, an old family friend, conducted the service. His niece and daughters gave heart felt eulogies extolling the wonderful father, uncle, husband, and member of the community that Herve Gendreau served and lived in.
The Basilica is a beautiful building outside, but inside it is truly outstanding. I wanted to be as unobtrusive as possible, so as to not disrupt the ceremony and call attention to my presence. The Canon 5D Mark III that is my main work horse of a camera, allowed me to shoot at a higher ISO, of 3200, with only introducing minimal noise, eliminating the need for a flash.
The soldiers from the US Army Honor Guard performed a flag draping ceremony and the casket was transported to the Saint Peters Cemetery for a short ceremony that preceded the internment. Once at the cemetery, the Honor Guard folded the flag and presented it to his wife. That is always a solemn ceremony.
The family now has memories of this special day to look back on and share with the next generation. It was a pleasure, and a privilege, being able to provide this service as part of my business model.
I am available for Events: Corporate, Private, and Political; Headshots: Corporate, Private, and Social Media; Small Intimate Weddings: Elopements, Second Weddings, Vow Renewals, Destination Ceremonies; and Family Portraits: Small and Large, In the Studio or On Location. Samples of my work can be seen at: www.jimwalkerphotography.com.
Contact me for your next event or other photography needs: Contact Me
Thank you for taking the time to look at my Blog posts.
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Spring will be here before we know it. It does not seem like it with 2 feet of snow in the backyard, 8 feet piled up in front of the house, and 6 more inches due tonight. But, look at the bright side, March is just around the corner and the snow will be gone in a few short weeks.
This is a good time to give some serious thought to updating your images for your Business or Social Media page. Do you really want to show a photo on your Business Page that was taken 10 years ago? Or how about updating your Social Media pages with a current photo that shows the real you. When meeting potential customers, they expect to be greeted by the person they saw on your web site or Facebook page. My work is guaranteed so you will be happy with the results. Samples of my work can be seen by clicking on this link!
I will create a Portrait, or HeadShot, that shows you at your best. You can choose the background or color that coordinates with your business logo or setting. My Studio is conveniently located on Lisbon Street in downtown Lewiston, or I can bring a portable studio to your location. Whichever fits into your schedule. I will also provide special pricing for photographing your staff during the session. Please contact me at [email protected] to set up a time to discuss your needs and introduce you to my Studio and Jim Walker Photography.
I received a phone call from an anxious mother last weekend. Seems the photographer her daughter had contracted with had cancelled at the last minute. What a dilemma! At this time of season, most photographers have been booked for awhile and have little time to squeeze someone in. A mutual friend suggested she give me a call to see what I could do for her. It just so happened that I did have one time slot I could put her in, but only on a Wednesday afternoon. We discussed pricing and she booked me for her daughters photo shoot. Normally, I like to discuss clothing and locations, and what the daughter had in mind, as well as her likes and dislikes. There wasn't time for these niceties, so the time was scheduled.
We met at my studio, so we could discuss how the shoot would proceed and what Hannah wanted, and expected. She is a beautiful young lady with a great attitude and, I believe, a good choice in clothing. Hannah was a natural in front of the camera and took instructions very well. Her long-time boy friend, Anthony, was with her, as well as her mother, Alicia. We drove the short distance to Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston. This is usually a great place for Senior Photos with a lot of different plantings and a variety of trees, as well as views of the Androscoggin River. At this time there were a lot of workers preparing for the next weekends 25th Great Falls Balloon Festival. The park is spacious enough that we found a variety of interesting backdrops for her photos.
Halfway through the shoot it was time to change outfits. One of the pitfalls of Simard-Payne park is its lack of facilities. But, Hannah, being young and limber managed to do a quick change in the back of her mothers car. The dress she chose for this portion of the session was black and white, with a skirt that flowed in the breeze.
I love doing Senior Photos with these young people that are so vibrant and full of life. There are several great areas around Lewiston and Auburn, so everyone's photos can look different and be as individual as they are.
What are your likes and dislikes? Is the deadline rapidly approaching for your Senior Photo? Contact me to schedule a session for your photo shoot. We can have great fun making magic happen and providing you with photos that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Be sure to stop by my web site and take a look at my work. I know it is hard to think about it, but Fall will be here soon. The perfect time to take those family photos and get you Christmas Cards ordered.
LEWISTON, ME – Award winning Photographer, Jim Walker, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers Association of New England (PPANE). I will be representing the Maine Professional Photographers Association (MPPA), and am also currently serving on their Board of Directors as the Director of Communications.
I have been a Professional Photographer for 15 years, and own a Portrait Studio at 145 Lisbon Street, Suite 604, in Lewiston. I provide professional services in Portraiture, for personal, professional, modeling and actors; Headshots for business and social media; small Destination Weddings and Elopements; and Senior Photos; as well as event photography.
I can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or through my website at www.jimwalkerphotography.com
It is with a great amount of satisfaction that I can serve the Professional Photographers Community on both the Maine and New England Board of Directors. It also provides me with a great opportunity to learn from other Professionals in my field. Work has begun on organizing the Trade Show that will take place on March 18, 2018 at the Clarion Hotel in Portland, Maine. I encourage all Amateur and Professional Photographers to take advantage of the Trade Show and bring your questions to the many Vendors, and check out the new equipment that will be on display. I will post a detailed description of the Trade Show and the Vendors that will be represented as we get closer to the big day. For the last two years the Trade Shows have had a great reception, and this one should be bigger and better than ever.
]]>The wedding party met in the Ferry parking lot in Cumberland. The Chebeague Island Ferry has a shuttle bus that runs a couple of times a day. I noticed the parking lot is actually owned by the city of Cumberland, and the parking fee for one day, $16.00, is very high. The same price as a round trip ticket to the Island. This was the be
ginning of the season and the Ferry has an expanded schedule during the summer.
The day began a little overcast with the threat of rain. I had faith the rain gods would smile on me and let the wedding go on as planned. We arrived at the dock on Chebeague Island, and it was a short drive by the Inns van. The Yellow Chebeague Island Inn was a warm and welcoming sight with the back deck looking out to sea.
The staff at the Inn were very friendly and accommodating. The Groom, and most of the wedding party, had taken the same ferry to the island. The Bride, however, had already arrived and was sequestered with her Maid of Honor and one of the Groomsmen, getting dressed and ready for the ceremony.
There was to be a cocktail hour prior to the ceremony, at which time the Bride, Lillian, announced that the wedding would take place at 4:30 and that it would definitely take place outside.
The wind was picking up and the skies were getting darker as we came closer and closer to the ceremony. Shortly after 4:30, Brandon and his Groomsmen were ready and waiting. The Bridesmaids, and Lillian came down the aisle from the Inn. The air turned a little chilly, but the rain held off, and the ceremony was meaningful and beautiful. As soon as it was completed and congratulations were exchanged by the friends and relatives, the party moved inside. Then the rain came, not a great deal, but just enough to let us know it had held off as long as it was going to.
Photos were taken and everyone socialized while the bride changed into something a little more comfortable. We were waiting for the 6:00 ferry that would take us back to the mainland. All in all, it was a nice wedding in a pleasant venue. After the ceremony, I learned it was only the second day the inn had been open for the season. The staff did a great job, thank you. What a great way to start out wedding season.
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I was recently contacted by Global Manufacturing to do a group shoot for the companies 130th anniversary. While Global has been around for quite some time, they bought Falcon Footwear a few years ago, and it is now Global Footwear. The Auburn facility manufactures Boots for Fire Fighters. They had initially wanted the photo done outside, but had a contingency plan in case of inclement weather. Of course, being in Maine, we had to fall back on the contingency plan, which ended up being a great location.
Gayle, the HR person at Global, gathered about 52 employees and 3 company executives in front of an old Auburn Fire Engine, making a perfect back drop for the company photo. What a great group of people, very enthusiastic about their company and what they produce. Their spirit was catching. On of the employees set up a lift for me to gain height to make sure everyone was in the photo, and visible. Sure beat climbing up and down a ladder.
I used two Studio Lights to light up the group, and only wished my light stands would have gone higher. A boom would have worked good to direct the light down and reduce shadows, but I was happy with the results. Everyone was smiling and almost everyone was looking at the camera. That is where a good retouch service comes into play. I sent retouch.com two photos to use. One as the base photo, and one as a reference they could pull from. The base photo had everything good, except for two people that were hidden, or looking away. Retouch.com used the reference photo to pull those pieces and replace them on the base photo. When you look at the completed photo, above, you will never see that anything was done to fix it. I always try to leave enough space around the group so the photo can be cropped, depending on what size print is ordered.
After the group shot, we used the Fire Truck to pose the Company Executives with their fun outfits. Great sports, with infectious smiles and laughter to brighten any photo shoot. What a pleasure it was to work with the Company and its employees and representatives. I love doing corporate work and hope to schedule more in the future.
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In July my Portrait Studio will have been open for 4 years. It is a source of great satisfaction that I have a place to practice my craft, and photograph my clients in a controlled environment. When my Studio Partner came to me with the idea, it did not take me long to agree with her to open the Studio and share the expenses. Our businesses are separate, but we share the Studio space. We found a reasonably priced space in the Professional Building on Lisbon Street in Lewiston, Maine. A small reception area and one room we could use for our camera work. The only drawback is being on the 6th floor, but there is an elevator (that works most of the time). We don't see any walk by customers, but our work is done by appointment only, anyway. Besides, how much Studio work is gained from folks walking on the street? I would say, not much.
We started with just 2 studio lights and a reflector. I now have 2 lights from Paul C Buff, and
Brenda has 4 lights. We have acquired many backdrops and props, as well as reflectors and light modifiers. As you can guess, we quickly outgrew the single Studio room. When the office next to ours became vacant, we rented it. Now we had a room dedicated to props and equipment. It was not long before another office was vacated, and we added it to the studio. We now have two fully functioning Portrait Studios to use for our clients.
It is a real pleasure to have a client in the studio and be able to capture the look and feel of what they have in mind. Some clients will consult with me on their clothing and makeup, along with the backdrop that gives them just what they have in mind. The studio also lets the creative juices flow when photographing models or actors for their portfolio.
While I do photograph small weddings and elopements on the Coast of Maine and some of the adjacent Islands, my main focus is on my portraiture work with individuals and families. I am also very enthusiastic about photographing company events, group photos and headshots for Business use.
I invite you to contact me if you need a Photographer in, and around, Maine.
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The MPPA Convention and Trade Show was last weekend. The only thing remaining is the Thank You e-mails to Vendors, informing the Raffle Winners of their good fortune, and the wrap up Board Meeting and subsequent Newsletter. It was a lot of work, but well worth it. We had a very successful Trade Show and are looking forward to how we can make it even better next year.
The shoulder is healing well from the Rotator Cuff surgery, and the Physical Therapy is progressing nicely. I should be able to pick up my camera in about another week and a half. It has been too long and I can hardly wait to get back in the Studio. I am planning on doing a few gratis Headshots and Portraits to get back in the groove.
Easter and Mother's Day is looming on the horizon. Isn't it time you thought of having a Professional Photograph taken of your family? Your mother and/or father would love to have a well done Portrait of your family. And yes, Father's Day will be here before you know it.
The Studio will be open for business on 7 April. Schedule your Headshot, Individual Portrait, or Family Portrait by phoning 207-650-0200, or by e-mail at [email protected]. Samples of my work can be seen at www.jimwalkerphotography.com.
I have agreed to photograph the WMPG Fashion Show again this year. It will take place on 23 April at the Port City Music Hall. This is always a fun event with many local designers, and their creations. The designs range from the mundane to the outrageous, and everything in between.
So far, I have booked four elopements, or small weddings. The rest of the year may turn out alright in the long run. Being out of commission because of a necessary operation is concerning, but not the end of the world.
In addition to being on the Board of Directors for the Maine Professional Photographers Association (MPPA), I also produce their newsletters a couple of times a month, am on the Scholarship Committee, and am a member of the Professional Photographers Association (PPA). Recently, I accepted a position as the Maine representative to the Professional Photography Association of New England (PPANE).
All in all, it may prove to be a very busy year....
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March already!!! The Maine Professional Photographers Association [MPPA] is hosting the 68th Photographic Exposition, Convention and Trade Show. I have been on the Board of Directors for the past two years, and have been responsible for putting together a Trade Show for the 2016 and 2017 conventions, as well as creating and distributing the MPPA Newsletter. I was recently selected as the Maine representative to the Professional Photographers of New England [PPANE]. Both of these organizations are affiliates of the Professional Photographers of America [PPA], of which I am also a member.
In addition to the MPPA annual convention, we also hold monthly meetings with speakers featuring many topics of interest to our members. As many of you know, I own a Portrait Studio in Lewiston, Maine. I specialize in Portraits for Business, Models, Fashion, and Actors, as well as photographing small Weddings and Elopements. I also enjoy nature and wildlife photography. It is a real pleasure photographing people and seeing their joy when they see the finished product. I hear "I never take a good picture", only to prove them wrong. Granted, not everyone is naturally photogenic, but a good photographer, with proper lighting, can create a photo that they can be proud to share with family and friends.
That is one of the great benefits of the MPPA: association with many Professional Photographers in all aspects of the business. I have learned so much in the past few years. It is great to have so many experts to call on to answer any of my questions on technique or posing. I would encourage all photographers to get involved with their local PPA affiliate, and with the PPA itself. Their are so many opportunities to learn and hone your craft.
This is the cover of the MPPA convention book:
Oh, did I forget to mention that Saturday, March 18, is a free day. There is no admission fee to watch the Print Competition, enjoy the Trade Show, and listen to Canon Explorer of Light Photographer, Ken Sklute. You can follow this link to take a look at the MPPA Convention Book.
Be sure to check out my website at www.jimwalkerphotography.com
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At the top of my list of achievements last year was being asked to photograph a Somali wedding. Abdimalik Salaam had approached me earlier in the year about photographing the ceremonies leading up to Abdimalik and Fortun being married. Of course, I jumped at the chance to be a part of an event that had not been photographed in Lewiston or Auburn, Maine before.
A Somali wedding has no comparison to most American weddings. As Abdimalik tried to warn me, everything slows down to Somali time. The procedure begins with the Nikah, as the prospective groom meets with the elders of both families while the Bride price is negotiated and her family gives consent to accept him as her husband. This is all being negotiated through the communities Cleric, who is also interviewing the husband-to-be. When all has been accepted by both sides, songs and chants to Allah and blessings for the union are sung by all. When this is concluded, the couple are married in the eyes of the Muslim community. This does not conclude the festivities through. (Photos of this portion of the Nikah are private, and not available for public viewing.)
The Nikah was scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm on 8 Jul 2016, and this is when we began ”Somali” time. Food had to be gathered for the famiy's meeting, Elders must arrive, as well as many members of the extended family.
I received a call at 12:30 am on 9 July that all was ready to begin. I met Abdimalik, and several of his close friends and a brother, outside an apartment in Lewiston, and the adventure began. Gathered in the kitchen and living room, the women and children were enjoying food and conversation, while the men were in a separate room for the negotiations and interview with Abdimalik. Traditionally, the Bride does not attend the Nikah. Once the Bride and Grooms fathers have reached an agreement and the Cleric has given his blessing, songs and chants are begun in praise of Allah and to bestow good will to the couple.
The couple is now married, but the festivities have just begun. While the Nikah was going on, Fartun and her friends were having a Henna party. At 2:00 am, the couple, and their friends, met in the street to exchange greetings. I could not help admiring the beautiful Henna work done on the Bride’s hands.
During this evenings activities, Abdimalik was dressed in the traditional white Dishdasha or Thobe, and Fortun had on the traditional black Abaya covering her dress and Niqab for the head. Now it's home and a few hours sleep.
We were to meet that afternoon for photos around the lake at Bates College. Fortuna and her friends were not able to make it, so Abdimalik and many of his friends and family drove to Bates for an afternoon photo session. He was now dressed in a colorful jacket and pants and many great photos were captured.
Abdimalik had scheduled a limousine for the evening to take the wedding party to the “Aroos”, which is the party that culminates the wedding festivities. Unlike the traditional American Wedding Reception, the entire community is invited to the Aroos. When we picked up the ladies they were dressed in beautiful multi colored dresses and head scarves. Some memorable photos were taken along the Androscoggin River in the waning light of the evening.
Then it was on to the Community Center for the Aroos. Abdimalik and Fortun greeted friends and relatives and would then go on to their apartment as husband and wife.
I thank them for allowing me to be a part of this special day.
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My year in review found me in several new and unique ventures. I continued photographing weddings for Connie Jo Mills of All In One Weddings throughout the year. This, in itself is very interesting as most of these are destination weddings and I get to meet people from all around the country and all walks of life.
One of the most interesting was a couple from Massachusetts that were having a small ceremony on Malden Island, just off the coast of Georgetown, Maine. The shooting day began, and ended, with a skiff ride from Five Islands Lobster Pound to the dock at Malden Island. It was a second wedding for both of them, so the ceremony was small with just a few family members present. They were very personable and treated John Portela (the officiant) and I as part of the family. After the ceremony, the Bride wanted to dive in the ocean to celebrate.
I adjusted the settings on my Canon EOS 5D Mark III for a shutter speed of 1/250 and f16 to capture both the correct lighting and Depth of Field. I wanted a shutter speed fast enough so there was enough sharpness, and continuous shutter release. This enabled me to get a very nice sequence. The bride loved the results, and so did I.
Christine and Christopher were married at a camp in South Bristol, Maine. There is something special and magical about having your ceremony on the Maine coast with the ocean in the background. It is hard to convey the joy that is felt by capturing the memories of a couple in love.
Christine and Christopher were no exception. Tears of joy were shed by everyone.
This type of photography is not for everyone. No two weddings are alike, and the lighting is always a challenge. Christine and Christopher's wedding had just about every condition except rain. One minute it was cloudy, then sunny, then we were in heavy dappled shadows. You just have to be very adaptable.
My significant other, Rose, and I flew to St. Louis, Missouri to photograph my nephews wedding in Granite City, Illinois. It was a perfect October day for a wedding in the park. Robert and Jamie had been planning this for over a year, and the weather gods smiled on them. This was not the typical project I take on. Rather than the short elopement style weddings, this was big, and long. The day began at 10:00 am, with me shooting the groomsmen getting ready, then on to the park, photographing guests as they arrive. Finally the ladies arrived and the time for the ceremony was upon us.
I had no idea going into this that it would be such a large wedding with over 150 guests. If I had known this in advance, I would have hired a local photographer as a second shooter. The wedding went off without a hitch, and we finished the day around 9:00 pm at the reception in Collinsville, Illinois.
This was the area I grew up in and it was nice to take Rose around the area sight seeing. If you are ever in St. Louis, the Arch and the St. Louis Zoo are a must.
Stay tuned, my next blog entry will be about my first experience photographing a Somali Wedding in Lewiston, Maine.
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Now that the MPPA Convention and Trade Show is behind me, until next year, it is time to welcome the beginning of a new season for photographic opportunity. It has been a slow beginning to the new year, but that is not unusual for this business.
I begin the season with a hastily put together wedding on April 1st. Yes, April Fools Day. Connie, from All In One Weddings, called me on Tuesday, 29 March, to see if I was available on Friday. Of course my first reaction was, is this an April Fools Joke? Happily it was not. She had been contacted at the last minute for a wedding to be held in Rockland on that infamous day. I was free, and agreed to be the photographer at this last minute event. Besides, it might be interesting.
Interesting, it was! And very colorful! When I arrived at the address in Rockland, I was greeted by the Groom, Dave, and his best man. Laurence. Dave was dressed in a Purple long coat and hat, and Laurence had a two color combination going on. Ah, a themed wedding, as in Bat Man Villains. Dave was the Joker and Laurence was Two Face. The Bride, Susi, was to be Harley Quinn and the Brides Maid, Kathleen, was a modified version of Robin. All the ingredients of some very colorful photos.
The day was very overcast with a promise of rain, but the rain gods smiled on us and held off for the ceremony and family photos that followed. This time of year in Maine does not lend itself to great backgrounds. There is no greenery yet, and the snow is no longer covering up the dead foliage. For the family photos we left the apartment complex and headed to an area below the Samoset resort in an attempt to have the ocean and breakwater as a background. It was better, but had challenges of its own. The fog was rolling in over the harbor as the boats disappeared in the mist. Just as we were finishing it began to rain. As they say, timing is everything.
I had to ask the Groom, "Why April Fools Day?" He said, "they met on April 1st, moved in together on April 1st, so it only seemed right to get married on April 1st. Besides, it would be difficult to forget their anniversary."
An interesting start to a new season of Wedding, Fashion, Portrait and Pageant photography. I love this job....
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18 - 20 March is the 2016 Maine Professional Photographers Association's (MPPA) Photographic Exposition, Convention and Trade Show. This years extravaganza is being held at the Clarion Hotel, 1230 Congress St, Portland, Maine. We have some great speakers lined up for your enjoyment and education: Kaitlyn James on Weddings, Gary Hughes on Professional Headshots, Richard Sturdevant on Sports, and Alison Miniter on Beginning Photoshop. As an extra fee, we have arranged a workshop on Monday with Lou Freeman and her fashion photography. Please take a look at the Convention page on the MPPA website for the full schedule of events: http://maineppa.com/convention/
There are many activities planned for the weekend, to make this one of the most enjoyable, entertaining, and worthwhile conventions we have had. The MPPA Board of Directors has been working hard to put together a Trade show for this convention. We are still in talks with some Vendors, but here are some that will be represented at the Trade Show with a booth or table: H+H, ACI, Hunt's, Tamron, MacGroup, Moab, Maine Canvas Prints and Beauty Couture. In addition, Lowepro, Blue Marble, Nations Photo Lab, and Paul C. Buff have donated product or gift certificates for the Silent Auction and Raffle that will help support our speaker fund for the coming year. The Trade show is on Saturday, and is free for all photographers. You do not have to go to convention to come browse the Vendors in the Trade Show area. It will be going on at the same time as the Print Competition, which is also free to attend. The Trade Show and Photo Expo are Saturday, 20 March 2016. The Print Judging begins at 8 am and the Trade Show is open from 9 am to 2 pm. Hope to see many of you there.
Club 79 is also new to this year's convention and Print Exposition. In the past we watched the Print Competition in the same room as the judges and could not comment on the images (good or bad). This year the judging is being piped into a separate area we have set aside. So get rowdy, let your feelings be known. A cash bar will be available and you can pre-order lunch for $10. Should be a blast, and you can visit the Vendors at the Trade Show during the judging, Lunch, and breaks.
The Vendors will also be holding mini-programs throughout the day. So, come join the fun. You might be able to pick up a deal on one of the items being featured in our Silent Auction.
A Hospitality Suite is also available during the Convention. Evening festivities are planned for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, we are having a Sports Night. Wear your favorite team jersey (or not) and come join the fun. I hear there may be a Foosball Table, and other goodies available.
Sunday Evening, after the Awards Banquet, is the Gala Red Carpet event in the Hospitality Suite. What a way to finish off the convention. Come party with old friends, as well as new friends you have met over the weekend.
This Photography Exposition, Convention and Trade Show will be bigger and better than ever. And, I am not saying that just because I have been involved in the planning, and putting together the Trade Show. Well, maybe just a little.
To sweeten the pot, if you have never been to one of our conventions and have not been a member of MPPA since 2012, you may be eligible for a Buddy Pass for the weekend. Just contact one of the MPPA members and tell them you are interested in coming to the convention on a Buddy Pass. They can submit your name to our Membership Committee, and get you added to the list.
If you have any questions, please be sure to e-mail me at [email protected].
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One of my New Years Resolutions is to try to be more faithful to my blog. Admittedly, life sometimes gets in the way. But, I feel it is important to show my work and how I am progressing as a photographer, in the studio, as well as on location.
My last Studio session of 2015 was very satisfying to me, as well as producing some great photos. Jordan had asked if I would photograph him and his friend, Casey, before Christmas. They had both enlisted in the U.S. Army, and Jordan was leaving on 29 December for Ft Jackson, SC and Casey was leaving on 4 January for Ft Sill, OK. They wanted photographs to give to family and friends, knowing things would change after they were serving in the military. I applaud both of these young people for their upcoming service to their country, and on the beginnings of a new adventure.
I am hoping I can get both of them back in the Studio when they return from their respective training assignments. It will, without a doubt, be a scheduling nightmare to catch both of them home at the same time. I can not say enough good things about Casey and Jordan. To be selected as thier photographer was a privilege and produced some fine work. I am so pleased that they chose to have their work printed by the professional lab that I use. The prints will be enjoyed by family and friends for years to come, while digital files would probably languish in a drawer until technology passed it by.
Thank you Casey and Jordan for selecting Jim Walker Photography for your memories. The Gallery can be viewed at:
http://www.zenfolio.com/jimwalkerphotography/e/p30570248
Enjoy, and thank you for taking a look at my musings.
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It has been far too long since my last blog. I have had good intentions, but have not translated them to actually writing about events. It has been a busy summer since I returned from France.
The 4th of July wedding had perfect weather and a great couple, Marty and Eric. It took place in the backyard of a home in the country, surrounded by flowers and views of the countryside. What a fun couple, and some great photos.
A few days after the wedding, I made the trek to Perce' on the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec, Canada for the express purpose of photographing the Gannetts on Bonaventure Island. Two fellow photographers, Dan and George, joined me on the trip and shared the driving. And a long drive it was. With only occasional stops for gas and food, it took us 11 1/2 hours to drive from Lewiston, Maine to Perce'. After settling in the motel, and getting a well needed nights sleep, we took the ferry to Bonaventure Island the next day. Over 50,000 pairs of Gannetts come to the island to nest during the summer. The Gannett colony was on the other side of the island from the ferry terminal, and it was a 2 hour hike across the island, mostly uphill. The birds did not disappoint us, and some of the chicks had hatched. It was really a magnificent site with all those sea birds crowded into a relatively small area. Now that it is checked off my bucket list, I don't think I would care to make the trip again. Here is a short video to give you an idea of the scope of the Gannett colony.
Then there were the Portrait sessions in the Studio. These two families had the most fantastic kids. One set of red heads, and one set of twins. These kids were so great, they took direction very well and paid attention to what I was looking for. The results were some excellent photos. The red heads had accompanied their mother, Jennifer, to the studio and were a great bonus to our shoot. Here are a couple of samples of the kids.
With all of this going on, I am also very involved with the Maine Professional Photographers Association. We have been hard at work planning our 2016 Convention in Portland, Maine. We have a great lineup of speakers scheduled and the venue, Clarion Portland Hotel, has been superb to work with. Our speakers will include Katelyn James on Weddings, Gary Hughes on Headshot Photography, Richard Sturdevant on School Sports, and Alison Miniter on Beginning Photoshop. As a special one day workshop, Lou Freeman is presenting her "Portrait, Fashion & Lighting" presentation. All of this, along with Image Competition, a hospitality suite, an awards banquet and more, will make for a fun three or four day weekend March 18 -21, 2016.
Hope to see some of you in Portland in March.
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This is the third, and final, installment about my recent excursion to the South of France, ending with two days in Paris. It had been over 30 years since I had lived and traveled in France, and the first time in the South of France. This is a trip I had been anticipating for several years, and it finally came together.
We woke up in Chalon-Sur-Saone on 23 June, early in the morning. Bags were to be packed, and loaded on the trucks for Paris. Our time on the river had come to an end and we were to board buses after our final breakfast aboard the Avalon Scenery. It is funny how you develop relationships with some of the crew members over the course of a little over a week. They did an excellent job and really took care of us, we will miss them.
The bus made a stop in Beaune to tour the Hotel-Dieu, a charity hospital dating back to 1443. It is still a viable hospital today. Then a stroll through town, a stop at a sidewalk cafe, and time to purchase a few items for friends in Maine and it is back to the bus, and on to Dijon where we will board the High Speed Train (TGV) for Paris.
The train arrived in Paris after about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Buses were waiting to take us to the Pullman Montparnasse hotel. It is nice to have a room over twice the size as the cabin on the boat, but we do miss the Avalon Scenery. Avalon seems to use only 5 star hotels on this cruise. Quite nice.
After settling in our room, we took a stroll around this section of Paris and had supper and a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe. This is part of what I have missed about living in Europe. There is great pleasure in sitting there with the town bustling around you and watching the people strolling along, or hurrying to their destination. It is astounding the amount of traffic, and the motor cycles, scooters, and bicycles on the roads.
A good nights sleep, an early breakfast, and we boarded the Avalon Tour Bus for a drive around Paris. I thought it would be good for Rose to see the main sights this way, as she had never been to Paris. The bus made the obligatory stop for a view of the Eiffel Tower
and a Kodak moment. We also strolled through a nearby park and had a grand view of the now, French Parliament Building, once a grand chateau that was taken over during the French Revolution. Then it was back to the hotel, and lunch at yet another sidewalk cafe. After a leisurely meal we boarded yet another bus for the Louvre Museum.
There were only 5 of us on this tour and our guide, Joelle, proved to be resourceful and a fountain of knowledge. She appeared to be somewhat of an Art Historian. Rose loved it and thought the guide was fantastic. I was a little less enthusiastic. The Bus would not stop so I could photograph
the front of the Louvre. Joelle spent so much time explaining and talking about a few paintings, we could not see very much of the museum. The Louvre itself has grown a lot in the 40 years since I was last there. The modernization effort has taken the charm out of the Louvre. Add to that the hordes of Chinese swarming everywhere, and you were hard pressed to even get close to any of the masterpieces. Had I not spent time in the Louvre many years ago, I would not have known how much different it is now. Oh well, things always change, and you can never go back. Sometimes the change is for the better, sometimes not.
To mark the end of our stay in France, upon returning to the hotel we were informed there may be delays getting to the airport the next morning. The Paris Taxi Drivers Union has declared a one day strike and they will try to block many of the roads. The Avalon representatives were hard at work arranging alternate transportation for our trip to the airport and the flight back to the States.
That evening, we found yet another sidewalk cafe, and I got a French Crepe the likes of which I have been craving for many years, since I last was in France. It was a desert Crepe, filled with Bananas and Chocolate. They just don't make Crepes like this in the States or Canada. What a great ending to the trip.
After breakfast at the hotel, Avalon had arranged a Van for six of us to go to the Airport. As we were driving I was listening to the driver and the radio reports about various roads being blocked by the Taxi Drivers, including the road to Airport Terminal 1. Luckily we were leaving at Terminal 2, and that road was still clear. We arrived at the Terminal about an hour ahead of schedule and had to wait for the Swiss Air counter to open. Things went very smoothly for us to go through customs and take our flight to Zurich. In Zurich, we had to go to the other side of the airport to catch our flight to Boston.
The Swiss Air plane was most uncomfortable. I had paid extra for seats with extra leg room. I shudder to think how close the seats were where there wasn't extra leg room. We were crammed in like Sardines and they still did not have Rose's requirement for a Gluten Free meal correct.
The worst part of the entire trip was going through customs when we arrived in Boston. Five international flights landed within a very short time frame, and we waited in line for over an hour and a half to have our passports checked. Very poor planning on the U.S. Customs service. There were not enough agents on duty to handle the crowd, and half the custom booths were closed due to lack of personnel. I was very surprised that after we went through the passport check and retrieved our luggage, nothing was checked. I could have had anything in my suitcase and no one would have been the wiser. Not a good footnote for Border Security at the airport.
After another 2 hour bus ride to Portland, Maine, we were finally in my car and headed for home, arriving at about 3:00 am on Friday, 26 June 2015. It was a great vacation, and I would highly recommend Avalon River Cruises to anyone, but it was good to be home.
I had a Family Photo Session scheduled for the next day, and a wedding on the 4th of July, but that will be another blog entry.
Stay tuned and thanks for reading.
Please check out this blog by Jen on the 100 Best Things to do in France!
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My last blog entry left us in Arles, Provence, France.
We cruised down the Rhone River and woke up on June 18th, docked in Avignon. A leisurely breakfast in the ship's dining room, where the food is always good and the service is great, and then a decision to put off walking until this afternoons tour of Avignon. We need a little down time.
It is a beautiful afternoon for a stroll through Avignon and the Pope's castle. The grounds host the largest Gothic Church in France.
The temperature rose to 81⁰ F and the dry Mistral winds began blowing. We would be experiencing the Mistral for the next several days. While they are fierce winds, they do have a side benefit. The Mistral blows away the moisture and any chance for rain. Hang on to your hat, but no need for an umbrella.
The Pope's castle was vast with many stair cases, and we managed to climb them all. Our tour guide, Sandy, was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. It took several hundred servants and serfs to keep the castle running and the Pope waited on.
The "We" I am referring to is my girlfriend Rose, my companion on this adventure.
We left the tour after the castle for some free time shopping. After spending a few minutes at a sidewalk cafe with a cold drink, it was off to find a few shops where Rose had spotted some table cloths and napkins she wanted to check out. She found just what she was looking for and we made our way back through the winding, narrow streets to the boat. Avignon is a very impressive city with the original walls and battlements still in place.
A couple of the things I like most about Europe is the outside cafe's, winding, narrow streets, and their open air markets. We will find plenty of each on this trip.
The 19th of June and a late start to the day as
we cruised up the river to the largest, and deepest lock on the Rhone - The Bollene Lock. It takes about 50 minutes to raise the ship 82 feet to the level of the river upstream.
After another fine lunch in the Avalon Scenery's dining room, we took the walking tour of Viviers. A very steep climb to the Cathedral at the top of the village. Rose chose to go on a prearranged Van drive to the Cathedral for the Pipe Organ concert by ValerY Imbernon. He is a well known organist that provides mini concerts for some of the River Cruise companies under the auspices of the Viviers Tourist Board. Then it was back down, through the winding, narrow streets to the boat.
As soon as we returned to the boat, the bus was ready to take us to the Lavender Fields. We drove and drove through the country side and saw many
fields of Lavender in bloom. I was beginning to wonder if we would stop for a Kodak moment, but eventually the bus pulled off the road and the tour guide gave us 15 minutes to photograph the Lavender. We had one other opportunity when we made a brief stop at a Lavender Distillery. Then it was off to Chateau Grignan.
Grignan is located in the south of the Drôme department in the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, near the border of the neighbouring Vaucluse department, and close to Mont Ventoux, the highest mountain in Provence. The main crops produced in the area are lavender, truffles, wheat, and sunflowers. A 45 minute stop in this small, picturesque village was not nearly enough. Rose purchased some Lavender Honey, as well as some Nouget candy, that are made in this region.
Due to scheduling the use of the locks on the Rhone, the ship left the dock within 15 minutes of our returning from the tour. Time for supper while the boat makes its way to Tournon.
Woke up in Tournon on the 20th of June, and took a short walk in the village. Our English speaking guide this morning was Barbara, an American from Pennsylvania who has lived in France for 39 years. She led us on a short walk through the streets of the small town, explaining the history of the village on the way to the market. It was a nice market for a small town. Barbara purchased small amounts of Bread, Garlic and Goats Cheese for us all to sample. I just love the markets and the fresh bread and cheese- so good. I purchased a couple of Lavender soaps for Rose. Then it was back to the boat, where I photographed a pair of swans and their signets.
Off it is to Tain l'Heritage-Vienne, one of the oldest towns in the region with Roman ruins dating back to around 20 B.C. We set off with our guide, Cecil, a french woman with an American accent - what a fresh sounding voice. An informative hike around the city with views of a Gothic Roman Catholic church dating to the middle of the 12th century. The Priest kicked us out as he was performing a small wedding. Now I can say I have been kicked out of a Cathedral.
Several musicians were playing as tomorrow is the first day of their music festival. Seems there is a music festival scheduled in all the villages in the region for the next week, or so.
Once again, it is back to the boat for a small chocolate tasting. This evenings meal was superb as usual. I had the breast of Duck, along with the Apple Fritter. Wow, can the chef put out a great meal! After supper, Jerome, the cruise director, has booked a French singer. Very reminiscent of someone you would listen to in a small French Bistro in Paris or Marseille.
The 21st of June and we arrived in Lyon last evening. However, what a way to start the morning!!! Alarm did not go off and we have missed this mornings tour. Oh well, a leisurely breakfast and a little stroll on the rivers edge showed that my knee was hurting too much to walk very far. Lots of people out this morning. Several organizations are setting up demonstrations along the river, to take part in the music festival.
Another great lunch and it is off to Beaujolais for a wine tasting. But first, a stop in a beautiful area called les "Pierre Dorees", and the small village of Oingt. Oingt is the only village in the county to have been awarded the French accolade 'Most Beautiful Village'. The ochre-yellow stones that are the predominant building material in Oingt literally shine when the sun is on them. Then it is on to "Domaine Paire" for an introduction to the vineyards Beaujolais wines, both Red and White. Great flavor and aroma, but a little dry for my taste. The owner of the vineyard explained the process of making the wines and lead the tasting. Sixteen generations of Paire have been making wine here.
Back to the boat for a lecture about France and its history. The presenter was quite good, and very humorous. This evening a presentation by the Captain of all the staff, as we only have 1 more evening on the river. The special desert this evening was a delicious serving of Baked Alaska. When in Lyon we left the Rhone and started up the Saone River.
On the 22nd of June we woke up in Macon and decided to give the knees a rest. We were not going to be in this port for long. When we set off for Tournus it was quite apparent we were on a different river. The current was very strong on the Rhone, and it was much wider. The Saone is more of a gentle river experience with slow moving water, and more farm yards on each bank. Fishermen were in their boats and in their waders and we passed a small island with a White Stork rookery. There were many Swans on the river, and passed one flock of at least 25 birds, some with their signets.
In Tournos we had a nice leisurely walk about town and bought a macaroon baking sheet at a local hardware store. Our French was not so good, and their English wasn't either, but we managed to complete the transaction and had a good time doing it.
As we set sail for Chalon-Sur-Saone, Jerome had arranged for a cheese tasting. This is the last evening on the boat. Tomorrow, we will have a tour in Beaune before heading to Dijon and the high speed train for Paris.
For more travel information on France, be sure to check out the Blog by Jen: 100 Best Things to do in France
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This has been the start of a very busy summer. I quit my regular job at L.L.Bean to devote more time to my photography, and to take a needed vacation to France. The next few blog entries will be playing catch up with my activities. As soon as I returned from vacation I had a family session to shoot, then a 4th of July wedding, followed by a four day trip to the Gaspe' Peninsula in Quebec, Canada to photograph Gannet's.
I hope you enjoy reading about some of my adventures.
The month of June found me, and my significant other, Rose, on a River Cruise up the Rhone River in the South of France. After 9 days on the river, we were to take the high speed train to Paris for the last two days of our adventure. This was one of the best, and most relaxing, vacations I have experienced. Avalon River Cruises really know how to do it. It was nice having your hotel float along with you, and not having to live out of a suitcase as you travel.
As we were gone for 14 days, there will be several entries to tell the tale of our adventure in wine country, with wonderful food and photo opportunities around every bend of the river.
On the 14th of June we left Portland, Maine on the bus headed for Logan Airport in Boston, MA. We checked our bags with Swiss Air and breezed through TSA and customs. The plane was late leaving by about 45 minutes, but we are truly on our way. The staff on Swiss Air were really nice, courteous and helpful. The Plane was one of the worst. I paid extra for more leg room. If that was more, pity the poor schmuck with regular leg room. I could hardly get in and out of the seat. Granted, I am not exactly a small person, but come on.
We landed in Zurick on the 15th, but our 2 hour layover was now much shorter. We managed to get to the other side of the airport for our connecting flight to Nice with about 10 minutes to spare. This flight was not so nice, the staff was rude and just not friendly at all.
Suitcases made it, and it was a breeze going through customs in Nice, France (maybe too easy). A driver and representative from Avalon were waiting for us, and we were off to the first stop on our trip: Monte Carlo, Monaco. The driver gave us a great history lesson of the area as he
wound through the tight, busy streets. After checking in the hotel, and the Welcome Briefing by the Avalon Cruise Director, Rose and I walked around Monte Carlo taking in the view and searching for a restaurant. After eating, we spent the next hour walking around and looking at the shops and scenery. Everything seems to be built on very steep hills. We finally found our way back to the Fairmont Hotel to relax a little and get a good nights sleep.
Rose and I elected to take the optional tour of Nice in the morning of the 16th. Cecile, the tour guide, led us on a very informative discovery of Nice. The Bus driver was amazingly patient in the crazy traffic. (We were to discover that this was a pattern of behavior amongst Bus Drivers in France. They did an amazing job of negotiating small streets with incredible traffic of Cars, Trucks, Buses, Mopeds, Vespas, motorcycles and Bicycles.)
Spent an hour of free time in the Flower Market, and sitting at an outside cafe sipping an American Cafe'. The Bus stopped at several scenic overlooks on the way back to Monte Carlo.
After a light lunch at an incredible little outside cafe in Monte Carlo it was time to make our way back to the hotel. The Coffee Eclair was great and Rose had 4 scrumptious Macaroons of different flavors.
Then it was time to board the bus for our 3 1/2 hour ride to Arles and the Avalon Ship "Scenery". The only rain we saw on the entire vacation was on this leg of the journey. We were cooped up in a Bus, so the rain really didn't matter.
We had a welcome cocktail aboard the ship and a fabulous dinner of Veal. Rose was given first class service by the dining room staff and her Gluten Free requirements were catered to. We were to discover that first class meals and treatment were the norm aboard the Avalon ship.
Suitcases unpacked, electronics plugged in. Tomorrow starts the actual tour festivities in Arles.
17 June 2015 - Another wonderful breakfast on the ship and it was off for a walking tour of Arles. It is great being able to see such historic things as the Roman Coliseum and the ruins of the Roman Baths. The Coliseum was built around 45 B.C. and is still being used for concerts and bull fights. This morning it was evidently time for a side adventure. I became separated from the tour group, along with a couple from Australia, Russell and Wendy. A very nice couple and good companions to be on your own with. After some amount of extra walking, we found our group and finished the tour of Arles.
Back to the ship for lunch and at 3:30 p.m. it was time for another adventure. This time we boarded a bus headed to several spots on the quest to see the places that Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted, along with a stop at the Asylum at St. Remy where he lived for a couple of years. Very beautiful country, and it is easy to see where Van Gogh got his inspiration. After a welcome stop in St. Remy for some refreshments at yet another outside cafe, we headed back to the ship.
Outside cafe's will be theme throughout our time in France.
The evening brought one of the more formal Captain's dinner and then entertainment in the lounge by a gypsy trio and a dance. Off to bed as we make our way to Avignon.
For more travel information on France, be sure to check out the Blog by Jen: 100 Best Things to do in France
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I have been absent from the Blogosphere for far too long. The winter was too long, the spring too cold, but it looks like summer weather is finally here. It has been difficult increasing the traffic to my Studio. Things are looking up, with a very successful model shoot in May, and a destination wedding photographed at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine.
A Burlesque dancer, and model, expressed interest in spending some time in my Studio to get fresh photos for here portfolio. I will say it was a very fun shoot with Fleur Tease-Ya (her stage name). Fleur Tease-Ya tries to keep her dancing and modeling careers separate from her private life, so I will respect her wishes here. She brought several outfits and we tried different poses and lighting setups. A great two hours and some good photos were the results. When photographing models, always make sure you get a signed model release. Professional models are very familiar with this requirement, but you may have to educate those that are new to the business.
June 4th found me at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine to photograph the wedding of Jessica and Nicholas. I love these small destination weddings. This couple came from Ellenbury Depot, New York to tie the knot in our beautiful state. They could not have picked a nicer location. The days leading up to the wedding were rather nervous for the couple. It poured down rain the first few days they were here. Alas, the rain gods continue smiling on my couples. The rain stopped, the sky was slightly overcast, and the temperature was moderate. All in all a good day for a wedding. Connie Mills of All In One Weddings performed the ceremony and contracted my services for the photography. The couple had rented a golf cart for the afternoon, complete with the Gardens Wedding Coordinator to drive us around. That made taking photos in various areas of the vast gardens a little less time consuming, and a lot less strenuous.
Thanks for taking a look at my blog, and until next time. Enjoy the summer, they are woefully short in Maine. Make the best of what you have been given.
Jim Walker Photography
Member - Maine Professional Photographers Association
(Member of the Board of Directors 2015-2016)
Member - Professional Photographers of America
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It has been a month since my last blog entry, and what a busy month it has been.
The 2015 USA National Miss Massachusetts and New Hampshire Pageant took place for the first time in Milford, New Hampshire on 28 March. It was a small Pageant with 9 contestants. Several of the young ladies took advantage of the special mini-portrait shoot that I was offering. I had brought my Studio to the Pageant and set up a backdrop and two lights. I was very happy with the resulting portraits, as were the
subjects and their mothers. This shoot pointed out the need for additional backdrops, which I have since acquired. I try to learn something with every photo shoot I go on. Sometimes it is about posing, sometimes about lighting, but it is always about striving to be a better photographer.
The weekend of 10 - 12 April was the annual convention of the Maine Professional Photographers Association. A weekend traditionally filled with classes from well known speakers from around the country. This year we had Steve Bedell, Carl Cox, and Mary Ann Talamo. Saturday is the day for the Print Competition. It is interesting to just sit through the day long judging and learn what makes a good competition print. This was my first year of entering, and I wish I had done better but I did manage to get one Red "Above Average" ribbon. Not to worry, I will do better next year. It is all about learning.
Sunday was dedicated to a full day of classes on posing and lighting by the well known expert in the field, Craig LaMere from Pocatello, Idaho. What a dynamic and energetic person, full of ideas and with the ability to teach them to others. Wow, what a weekend.
Monday was a day we had arranged with Craig to have a special day long session with him, reserved for the first 20 photographers to sign up. Craig set up 4 stations with different light situations in each one. One of our members, Lauren DelVecchio, had lined up 10 models (9 female and 1 male) to do fashion and boudoir. It was a fast and furious day, exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. I learned a lot about lighting and posing on Monday. Now I just need to shoot more to keep improving on those skills. Here are a couple examples of the Fashion models from Monday's shoot.
Oh and did I fail to mention, I was elected to the Board of Directors for the Maine Professional Photographers Association. It is a great organization, with some great folks involved.
Keep shooting, and keep learning... Until next time.
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Part of the fun and pleasure of being a photographer is seeing the finished images after a shoot, whether it be a wedding, seniors, portraits, etc. The icing on the cake is when the client shows appreciation of the images, and likes your vision.
I have had individual photos published in magazines, books and newspapers over the years. But none were quite the same as when my photos were used in an article for an airline magazine, and I got the cover shot. You never know when a photo session will catch on and perpetuate itself over a period of time. I volunteered to photograph a young Somali Fashion Designer, and her fashions modeled by her friends. The designs were beautiful and full of color, and the young ladies that displayed them could not have done a better job. The entire shoot was fun, and turned out some fabulous images. The designer, Sahro'Uji Hassan, used the images in her portfolio to gain acceptance at a Fashion and Design School at Mount Ida College in Boston, MA. A couple of the images were used by National Public Radio on their web site, as well as the International Public Radio. Stories have been done on Sahro and her designs by the Lewiston Sun Journal, the Boston Globe, Saudi Aramco World magazine and finally Circa.
Circa is the publication of the Somali Airlines. My photos accompanied the article on Sahro, and was featured on the cover of the magazine. I am very proud of the photos that were used, and the magazine publishers did a great job with the color reproduction.
http://issuu.com/landmarine/docs/cirka_magazine02?e=1056874/11463957
The Studio is open for business, and it is time to start thinking of those springtime Family Photo sessions. And, it is never too early to schedule Senior photos if you will be graduating next year. I have expanded the Studio and added another room for props and equipment. This gives more room for shooting those award winning Portraits and Headshots. Do you need to update your Model Portfolio, and have a new Headshot for a Pageant you are entering? I also cater to Corporate Headshots for use in company literature and social media. Would you like a new photo for your website or Facebook page?
Apologies are in order for those of you that follow me on Facebook. Somehow I was hacked last weekend, and someone tried to contact a lot of my friends with a scam offer. I do not know how this happened as my passwords are a random combination of letters, numbers, uppercase, lowercase and special characters, and very hard to crack. It took several hours to clean this up and change passwords to everything. It should be safe again to follow me on Facebook and like my Jim Walker Photography page. Thank you for your patience, and for all of you that alerted me that something was very wrong.
When my Facebook page was hacked, I happened to be out photographing one of my favorite events of the the year, The World's Greatest Sleigh Rides. There is something majestic in seeing the Percheron, Belgium and Halflinger draft horses pulling sleighs full of happy people through the snow. The event is put on every year to benefit the Pine Tree Society, a Maine non-profit that helps handicapped and disabled children and adults.
I will be photographing a Pageant the end of the month, and hopefully several studio sessions. So, until next time, thank you reading what I have been up to.
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January and February are always tough months to be a photographer. Unless you photograph newborns (which I don't), there is not much call for Studio Sessions or Weddings. I have been working too much at L.L.Bean to line up more than a couple of weddings this summer, and no Studio Sessions. So, I decided it was time to try a little advertising through FaceBook. [Time for a little self serving advertising, please like my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Walker-Photography/114541688557470?fref=photo Thank you!]
The advertising led to a query e-mail from a young lady in Portland, Queenie. She was interested in a photo session on Valentines Day. Now I was thrilled, but not quite sure if the session would actually happen. Another Blizzard was due to hit Portland and Lewiston, Maine on Saturday afternoon. I made the appointment with Queenie for Saturday afternoon, and crossed my fingers. Queenie ,and her friend Chris, were a little late, but they made it. What a great couple. We chatted for awhile, and discussed what she had in mind as I showed them the Studio. We just began playing with poses, and locations and tried to have fun. It was fun shooting in the Studio again, especially with the lights.
And, as luck would finally have it, the Blizzard went south and north of us. But, only a couple inches fell in the mid-coast region of Maine. The weather man called this one wrong, and the brunt of the Blizzard went out to sea. With over 78 inches of snow having already fallen in the last few weeks, it was time we had a break.
Thank you Queenie and Chris for the pleasure in photographing you on Valentines Day. What a great couple!
I am handing in my resignation with L.L.Bean for the end of March. I need to devote more time to my Photography. It has been a good 14 years with L.L.Bean, but time to move on and do what I really enjoy doing, Photographing People... I have Studio Time available for Families, Couples, Corporate Headshots, and Models that need to update their portfolios. Contact me at [email protected] if you would be interested in booking a shoot.
On another note, I feel honored to have been asked to join the Board of Directors for Maine Professional Photography Association. I am looking forward to our annual convention in Brunswick in April, and entering the Photography competition with some of my Portraits.
]]>The end of the year found me working way too many hours for L.L.Bean. Now don't get me wrong, I love doing Customer Service for L.L.Bean and fixing people's problems. But face it, my true love is my photography. I don't like anything that interferes with my ability to exercise my chosen avocation.
I was able to get in one Family Portrait Shoot for Tessa and Ryan Crist and their family. The shoot was executed at the last weekend we could still get the photos and Christmas cards from the printer before the holidays. The shoot went well, everyone smiled, and even the little one cooperated. It was a Christmas miracle. All kidding aside, it was a great shoot, and some very nice photos were produced. And, best of all, the client was happy.
The kids above, and the family shown below. (As a side note: It is not too early to be thinking of those Valentines or Easter photos. Please contact me if you would like to schedule a photo shoot.)
With the holidays behind us, and the New Year started, my next photo shoot was looming on the horizon. Many of us were thrilled with the election results, and it was time to swear in Governor Paul LePage for his second term as Governor of the State of Maine. I was granted a Press Pass and was able to roam freely, photographing what and whom I liked.
For those of you who have never been to an inauguration, it is not a fast affair. There is much pomp and circumstance, following Roberts Rules of Order. In the end, Ann LePage gave a great speech on her support for the Veterans of the State of Maine. Governor LePage was then sworn in and gave a very rousing speech highlighting his quest to reform the welfare system in the state. The highlight of the speech was Governor Lepage's desire to end the income tax in Maine.
The next thing on the agenda was the monthly meeting of the Maine Professional Photographers Association in Westbrook. Helen Peppe gave a very interesting talk on Equine Photography, accompanied by many of her superb photographs as examples of what to do and what not to do. For me, the highlight of the evening was being invited to become a member of the Board of Directors. I am honored to have been asked, and look forward to working with the Board during the upcoming year. Thank you MPPA Board of Directors and I am anticipating the annual convention and print competition in April.
Until next time, thank you reading what I have been up to!
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Photographing the Seniors in the various locations around Lewiston and Auburn, Maine was great fun. Some very good images were captured during this season.
Several of the locations not only are good for Senior photographs, but would make a good background for Weddings and Family Portrait Sessions. They were 1) Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston, Maine {formerly Railroad Park}, 2) Bates college campus, also in Lewiston, with its many Architectural Structures and campus pond, and 3) The Gardens and Ground of Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine.
Another place, often overlooked, is Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary in Lewiston, Maine. Thorncrag offers beautiful trails through the woods, an open air fireplace on one of the trails, and views of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, on a clear day. Most of the trails are easy to moderate and give a feeling of being deep in the woods, right in the heart of Lewiston.
Now is the time to be thinking of family photos for Christmas and Greeting Cards. The holidays will be here before you know it. The studio will be decorated for the holidays to give a festive feeling to photos the family will treasure for years.
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I have been photographing Seniors for the last couple of months. The
challenge is finding the best, and varied locations around the area. You want each of the clients photos to be unique, and special. There are several places with easy Public access in Lewiston and Auburn that have enough varied landscape that you can make some interesting photos that the Seniors love. And, without making them all look the same.
The Simard-Payne Park (formerly called Railroad Park) in Lewiston has a very nice walking path the follows the Androscoggin River. There are many trees, flower beds and breaks in the growth along the River, for some very nice photographs. This is a photograph of Christian LeClair in the Park.
This is Hamso Ahmed, also at Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston, Maine.
Another Photo worthy area is the campus of Bates College,
also in Lewiston. The stately campus buildings and the Bates Chapel each have a character of their own. Their are many shapes and textures, as well as manicured lawns with trees of many shapes and sizes. Don't forget to walk around the Pond, one of my favorite places for Senior Photos. This is Fatuma Ali with the Pond on Bates College Campus in the background.
Take a short hike at the end of the Auburn River Trail, that runs behind the Hilton Garden Inn, in Auburn. The trail (paved and a fairly easy hike) winds up the cliffs and rocks to eventually overlook Great Falls and the Lewiston skyline. Aisha Love with the Androscoggin River in the background, taken on the Auburn River Walk.
One more area worthy of mention is not actually in Lewiston or Auburn, but in New Gloucester. Pineland Farms is a short 15 or 20 minute drive from Auburn, but worth every minute of it. The grounds cover many acres and there is all sorts of terrain and views. From Gardens to a Pond to an
Equine Center with a beautiful white fence, and trails through the woods and meadows. The day I traveled there to Photograph Erin Hubbard was very sunny, with a strong wind. I chose the Gardens as the setting for our Photo Shoot. The high hedges surrounding the gardens would help block the wind, without obstructing the light. Even in September, there were many flowers blooming and the setting was beautiful.
Where ever you, or your client, chooses to have their photos taken, try to make it personal for them. Word of mouth from satisfied and happy customers is the best advertising you can get.
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The Texan, Avenger and Corsair were pretty easy to capture at a shutter speed of about 1/400 or 1/600. But the Mustang, man was it fast. A shutter of 1/1000 or 1/1200 was not fast enough at times.
The Professional Building in Lewiston, Maine is the perfect roof top to photograph the Lewiston sky line at dusk as the super moon was rising over the former St. Patrick's Cathedral. Having a Portrait Studio in the building comes with a few privileges, like access to the roof. Shooting from a tripod at the magic time of evening when it is getting dark, but the sky is still a shade of blue renders some interesting results. This shows the Super Moon rising over the spire, with the newly lit City Building in the foreground. The photo below shows the moon rising with the cross from the cathedral spire in front of it.
One of the things on my bucket list is going up in a Hot Air Balloon. I got my chance during the 22nd Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston, Maine. It was a present for my 66th birthday, and I am not sorry I went up. It was a great morning with cool temperatures, and clear skies. The pilot, Joel Jones, from Alabama, was very experienced and did a great job. The views were fantastic and the ride much smoother and more pleasant than a small plane. I hope to do it again. Next time I will not bring my 500mm lens. It was too heavy, and too unwieldy for the limited space in the basket. Oh well, learn by doing.
This shot was taken as the balloons began ascending in the early morning light. If you have ever wondered what it would be like, I urge you to take a ride and discover it for yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. The next few weeks will find me taking Senior Photos and a Class Reunion. Never a dull moment.
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Marty and Lisa came from Ohio with the purpose of getting married in Maine. They had chartered the Hay-Val to take them to Burnt Island in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, wanting to have their ceremony in front of the Lighthouse, with great views of the sea. I would recommend Hay-Val Charters, and Capt Bruce White if you are thinking of an island wedding, or just a private cruise around the Lighthouses and rivers in the vicinity of Boothbay Harbor.
The day began like many others in July and August. It was raining when I left Auburn for the drive to Boothbay Harbor. After saying a few kind words to the Rain Gods, the skies began to clear. The closer I was to the coast, the better the weather. In Boothbay Harbor it was slightly overcast, but the seas were calm and the sun was shining. And, best of all no rain.
I can not stress enough the need for spare everything. As we were leaving the mainland behind, I chose to bring my LowePro rolling bag with spare cameras, lenses, memory cards, and batteries. A private charter affords you the opportunity of leaving the bag on board, but having it near in case of emergencies. Thankfully, the day went smoothly and backups were not needed. But, one never knows.
It is only a short boat ride to the dock on Burnt Island, where the caretaker, Elaine, met us. She as done a phenomenal job on the island. The Keeper's house looks great and Elaine has planted some very picturesque gardens, along with some relaxing picnic areas. John Portello, also of "All In One Weddings", was with us to officiate the ceremony and marry Marty and Lisa. He had brought the cake and champagne we would have after the vows were said.
It was a very nice, simple ceremony. Cake and Champagne were had by all, and photographs were taken at various points around the island. My favorites were in the Garden, with a rock wall and colorful blooms. Then it was time to return to Boothbay Harbor with the now married couple.
Congratulations, Marty and Lisa. Hope you had a wonderful stay in Maine, and many happy years to come.
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Mount Battie in Camden, Maine is a beautiful setting for a small wedding/elopement. The views of Camden Harbor are inspiring and the day could not have been better, with the exception of those pesky black flies. Lighting was a challenge as the wedding began at 6:00 pm, and the sun was casting long shadows. Connie Mills, of All In One Weddings, performed the marriage ceremony and a Sand Blending Ceremony was also included in the event.
With the couple now happily married, we chose various locations for photo ops. Overlooking Camden Harbor on a clear, sunny day is a view to be remembered. The Lookout Tower on top of Mount Battie has a charm all its own with a 360 degree view from the top.
All in all, a beautiful day, with a delightful couple. I wish them all the best with their life together.
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July 4th found me doing a small wedding at the Taste of Maine restaurant in Woolwich, Maine. Shannon Hilb and Jeremy Taylor were to be married at 11:00 a.m by their minister. They were hoping to have an outside wedding but the weather did not look like it was going to cooperate. As I drove, in the pouring down rain, to Woolwich, I uttered many praises to the Rain Gods. (Curses always have an adverse effect.) My pleas were heard, and the Rain Gods once again smiled on me. (The Good Reverend blamed it on a prayer to Jesus,) For whichever reason you choose to believe, the rain stopped as I approached Woolwich, and the Mother of The Bride was very relieved that the ceremony could proceed as planned. It began a little late, and a Sand Blending Ceremony was performed before the vows were completed. The Formal Photos were taken, and as the last shutter was pressed, it began sprinkling. As soon as the wedding party was moved inside for the reception, the skies opened up and the rain returned in earnest.
Remember to Smile, and Live Life to the Fullest!
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