I am interrupting my series of posts from Europe to post my latest edit- an engagement session at City Park in New Orleans.

I photographed these two a couple weeks ago. I had never met them before, but I soon learned that they are super easy going and fun to work with. Plus, it is obvious that they are in love, which makes the photos so much nicer. I began with a few of my favorite spots in City Park, mostly using my favorite portrait lens, my 85 mm 1.8 prime lens. It really does a great job of separating the subjects from the background.

I tried to let them be natural most of the time, so I could capture their real emotions.

The park was crowded and the tree I wanted to use was filled with children, so I asked them if they had anything in mind. I am so glad I asked them, because they mentioned a field of flowers they saw driving in and it turned out to be a perfect spot for photos. I went a bit photo crazy in this field of yellow flowers. The bright flowers complimented her green dress and highlighted the cheer of the occasion for these two.

The flowers brought out the playful side in them. The lighting was tricky because of the time of day and lack of shade, but I just watched their faces and used the light to my advantage. The images in the flowers pop nicely thanks to the sunlight. Glaring sun, as I have learned through the years, does not have to be the photographer’s enemy.

I wanted to take a macro shot of her ring on one of these flowers. I took one with my camera (top image), using a technique where I turn my 50 mm lens backwards and hold it steady. I have been wanting to get a macro lens, but good ones are pretty expensive and I just don’t shoot macro that often. I liked the look of it, but I was unable to completely get the ring in focus, so I took one with my iPhone (bottom image). I have been very impressed with how well my iPhone takes macro images. I used the camera plus app and put it on the macro setting. Maybe I don’t even need that macro lens…

Alicia made a heart cut out in the paper fake leaf and asked me to shoot a photo through it. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but because the effect is subtle, I think it is actually pretty cute.

And finally, we ended the day back by the tree I had wanted to photograph them on.

I’m glad we made the final stop, because I really like the final frame I shot. The sun flare and the golden light behind them set a lovely mood. Best wishes to Alicia and Tyler- enjoy your engagement, the wedding to come and beyond!

We were lucky to be in London while the World War I memorial at the Tower of London was being constructed. We left before it was finished, but the photos I have seen are very impressive.  Artist Paul Cummins designed the piece, which includes 888,246 ceramic red poppy flowers, one to represent each fallen British or colonial soldier during WWI. The instillation is titled “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” and was designed to mark the 100 year anniversary of the war. I wanted to post this on Tuesday, but I had work the last two days, so this was as timely as I could make it. On Tuesday, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Europeans paused to remember the moment the war ended in 1918.

Poppies were the first flowers to grow in the churned-up earth of soldiers’ graves in Flanders, a region in Belgium. The use of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance was inspired by the World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields.”

It was touching to see the crowds of people gathering to honor and remember the dead for weeks.

Pieces of the memorial will now be displayed around the UK, part of it preserved in the Imperial War Museum. Some poppies were also sold for 25 pounds each, with proceeds from that going to charities. I think the artist designed a beautiful and poignant instillation that touched many people.

For more on the story and photos of the finished instillation, see these articles.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29965477

One weekend early in our stay in London, we decided to do something outside the city. I researched places that were not too far away and came across Epping Forrest. It is a 6,118 acre ancient forrest situated between greater London and Essex. We planned to go for a hike, but when we arrived, we happened upon a small festival, complete with live music and a dog show. It was a completely random day that turned out to be one of our most memorable adventures.

The World Cup permeated the culture there all the way to the children. One of these boys said to the other, “I’ll be England, you be France” as they kicked the ball around the field.

The dog show was adorable. It was truly a glimpse into local life in the UK. Children and adults participated and the dogs competed in categories ranging from best costume to best trick. The proud pet owners marched their dogs around in a circle as the crowd gathered to watch from haystacks.

This old house was very interesting to tour. The structure was apparently studied by the architect who reconstructed the Globe Theatre.

The houses that people actually live in near Epping Forrest also had interesting architecture.

After exploring the festival and surrounding area, we grabbed a bite to eat and had the best burger we had during our entire stay in the UK, not to mention the delicious ginger beer.

Bellies full, we set out for a hike in the forrest and let ourselves get a bit lost.

It was a beautiful day and a wonderful glimpse into country life just outside the city.