Trick or Treat!

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What a great bunch of ghosties, ghoulies and everything in between!  I hope they had a lot of fun tonight and more treats than tricks!

Happy Halloween!

The Artist.....

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What do you do when the Senior you are shooting is an artist?  You paint her, of course!  We had lovely morning at Settler's Cabin Park in Robinson and Mother Nature was painting her own canvas with all the foliage in full bloom.

I can't wait to share my sneak peek of the rest of Ashley's photos but for now, this will have to hold you over!

#seniors2017

Two Juniors Representing!

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It's was Thiel College's 7th annual Marching Band Visit Day and we took the 90 minute drive up 179 on a beautiful Fall day.  Over 35 different high schools from PA, MD, OH and more had marching band students come visit the Thiel campus in lovely Greenville, PA

It was quite the experience to hear how great these kids sounded after just practicing together for no more than 90 minutes.  It was then time to find our way to the dining hall for dinner, back to change and off to the football game.  Thiel was facing Waynesburg this evening and while Yellowjackets had the lead at the half, Thiel won 50-42.  Not a very defensive game this evening....LOL

Of course all I was waiting for was half time to watch Shannon and her new friends perform their show: Buckjump, Shut Up and Dance, Higher Ground and a Halloween (and KO favorite), Thriller! They sounded absolutely awesome!

Shannon did meet a new friend, Alyssa, who attends Trinity High School in Garfield Heights, OH.  I thought I would capture the two of them performing this evening.  I could not be prouder!

A shout out to Thiel Band Direct Mr. Andy Erb for making this event possible and keeping music nd band going at Thiel.

#letgotomcats

Record Breaking

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Friday night lights and what a night it was.  Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles vs Seton LaSalle Rebels in the final game of the season.  This game always proves to be interesting for a few reasons.  Our current coach use to be the head coach for Seton and their High School is almost directly across the street from ours.  The rivalry runs hard and fast when these two teams meet up and tonight it was the Golden Eagles who came out on top with a 42-7 victory.  8-0 in conference play and 8-1 overall.

We had a few records break tonight, one by Senior Nick Hrivnak as the all time leading receiver in both receptions and yards.  How exciting to be there to see and capture one of those receptions!

Congrats to Nick and Alex Smith, who broke a school record himself and to all the Golden Eagles and we go into the playoffs next Friday.  Opponent is yet to be determined but no matter who it is, you know it's going to be a GREAT game!

#weareKO

Peeping Tom!

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It was another dreary day with not much to photograph.  I got home from work and figured I would try a shot of the last of my flowers in the garden.  Dan was celebrating no homework and headed to the back yard to do some pitching.  Before I know he is motioning me to join him and low and behold, a "peeping Tom".  I am not sure what was so interesting in my neighbor's sun room but damn these turkey's have have no fear!  Good thing Reilly (their Golden Retriever) was not outside or it would have been an early Thanksgiving feast!

Some people go to the deli for their turkey, ours walks right up to the door and wants "in"!

Leave Me Alone......

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It's that time of year. Leaves falling everywhere and we barely have a decent size tree in our yard!

At least they're pretty. 

Falling leaves hide the path so quietly. 

~John Bailey

Feet Up!

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Some days, this is all you need. That and you have been so busy processing photos you forgot to take one!

I thought about a screen shot of WS Game 1 (Go Tribe!) but thought better of it. 

Round Hill Park

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Another photo exploration trip for Senior portraits.  It was Round Hill Park, just outside of Elizabeth, PA with KO Senior Lauren McMillen.  Round Hill Park was a special place when she was a child and it was wonderful to get to use this beautiful park and working farm as a back drop for her photos.

While we were taking a shot near the chicken coop, all of the fowls came out to voice their opinions and of course I had to grab a few shots and Lauren had to talk with them all...LOL

This colorful fellow was my favorite.

The rooster may crow but the hen's deliver the goods!

Everybody Loves a Parade!

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My favorite parade of the year!  One of 4 parades the KO Golden Eagle Marching Band performs in during the school year.  Just a short 20 minute march around Castle Shannon but the kids and community love it.  Monster Mash and Thriller got the crowd all ready for Trick or Treating!

When witches go riding
And black cats are seen.
The moon laughs and whispers,
'Tis near Halloween!

One For Every Season!

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I had the pleasure of photographing Keystone Oaks Senior Patrick Morrow today.  I wasn't sure that any portraits were going to happen this morning with all the rain in the last 36 hours but Mother Nature cleared things up for me in just enough time to complete the sessions.

Pat is a tri-athlete at KO and I am sure by the photo you can tell what those sports are.  We wanted to showcase all three in one shot and I am pretty happy with the way this came out.  I try not to overdue selective coloring but some shots just scream for it.

Here's to a Senior year fill with fun and making great memories!

Three Hours I Will Never Get Back!!

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This was the result of three wasted hours online with Verizon. If they had not just gotten my bill down almost $100, I would have thrown them out the window. 

Oh, and a tech will be out on 10/31.....UGH

#gottalovetechnology

Gobble, Gobble

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When we first moved here, I was amazed at how the deer and turkey just strolled around our neighborhood. We live just a few miles from downtown Pittsburgh.  Daniel used to try to chase them when they came into our yard. 

This scene is very normal any day of the week. If there weren't so much work to clean one, they could be Thanksgiving dinner!!

Just 33 days till my favorite dinner day!!

Parkway Color

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I suppose one of the benefits of traffic this time of year is that I get to enjoy the beautiful colors.

Yeah, that's it!

10:48

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It's 10:48pm and you've been knee deep in Boy Scout Popcorn and this is what you got!

It's What's For Dinner!

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A what a delicious dinner it was!  A special Thank You to Campiti's for offering a fundraiser night to the KO Marching Band and for donating pizzas to our Senior Rec night in September.  Tonight the KO Marching Band will receive a portion of all the sales where the patrons mention the band.  It's a yummy way to raise funds for our trip to Disney!

And as my friend Gina said, "Nothing better than a no-cook Monday!"

Local Color

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Our Fall color has been slow to show itself this year with the exception of tiny pockets here and there.  Daniel was telling me about two trees that he sees on his bus ride to and from school and today I found them on my way to a photo shoot.  I made a point to drive by these ruby red beauties on my way home and stopped for the shot.

What fantastic color and I am so looking forward to seeing more oranges, yellows and reds popping up around town!

Every leaf speaks bliss to me fluttering from the Autumn tree.
~Emily Bronte

Bibliophile

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There are times in our lives when we meet someone and everything clicks.  Today was one of those days.  A shoot with a local High School senior and what fun we had.  She is a true book-lover and we incorporated them in almost every shot.  When we were sharing ideas, using Pinterest for a starting point, we had chosen a lot of the same shots.   It was definitely a GMTA moment.

When I first spoke to her mom about the shoot and she shared about her love for books, I knew I was going to have fun getting creative.  Images in my head could not wait to come through the camera.

I do want to give props to Shannon Barron and the Green Tree Library for allowing us in today to photograph.  We did get a few funny looks from some of the patrons but in the end, we achieved our goals and had a blast doing so!

And her Mom?  What can I say....when a photo you take makes Mom teary-eyed, you know you did good!

She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.
~Annie Dillard

A Perfect Friday Night

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A quiet Friday night at home.  Just me, a cup of coffee (in my new Minion mug), Nick Callas broadcasting the KO/Apollo Ridge football game on the internet, ALCS baseball on the TV and Lightroom and I working magic with senior portraits.

I could use a few more nights like this!

And KO brought home the win......

#weareko!

I Love Reds

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Oh how I love the colors of Fall.  Everywhere you turn there are stunning oranges, radiant red and shimmering golds.  I would be happy with Fall all year long!

Delicious Autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive Autumns.
~George Eliot

Sunrise, sunset

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My favorite spot to catch a sunset.  

Come forth in the light of things, let Nature be your teacher. 

~William Wordsworth

Crash & Burn

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First day back after a long weekend did him in. Good thing there was no homework. 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I Love Fall

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It's finally, truly, Fall Ball season.  We get to enjoy our favorite game as we watch the beautiful colors of Autumn come into full bloom.

Of course that also means, as inviting as this view is, once the sun went down, my hoodie and blanket were not enough to keep the chill away.

Frost warning's tonight!  Oh please send some more Indian Summer our way!

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.
~Elizabeth Lawrence

Splash!

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Spent a beautiful morning in South Park, PA with KO Senior Andrew DeCollo.  Until today, my visits to this park were the Girl Scout Cabin and the buffalo.  Thanks to the DeCollo's I was able to explore more of this beautiful park.

We visited the gazebo by the pond and a rock formation not far that was a family favorite when their kids were growing up.  Then it was off to the island in the roundabout that was in full Fall glory. When all the requisite shots were done it was time to experiment!  Andrew is a member of the KO Golden Eagles Marching Band.  He plays snare in the drum line and while we did use his drum in earlier shots, I was looking to have a little bit more fun.

I acquired a replacement drum head (thanks Maia and Drum Factory Direct) and it was time to grab a bottle of water and experiment!  Took a few tries but in the end we got a few keepers and this was my favorite.

Now I wish I had a kid in the drum line!

Never be afraid to experiment.

Cloudy Day

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After yesterday's constant rain during the Homecoming parade, ceremonies and football game, Mother Nature promised some relief.  I did wake up to rain but it stopped in plenty of time.  Now it was very damp and still gray but it made for some very beautiful portraits of KO Senior, Jordyn Schmid at Settler's Cabin Park in Robinson.

I think most people think that good photos only come on cloudless days with full on sunshine.  They are great days for landscape shots but it's tough to fight the sun with portraits.  Shadows and squinting are just few of the obstacles you face on a day like that.  But today, the light was even and made for wonderful portrait.

I can't wait to get through the rest of her shots!

KO King and Queen

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We were all hoping the weather reports were going to be wrong.  Before the parade started it was just a drizzle.  It slowly increased and when our Homecoming Court took to their parade route and then onto the field, umbrella's were the only truly needed accessory.

The rain subsided slightly during the game and we were all hoping it would stay that way till the announcing the King and Queen.  Well, Mother Nature had other ideas and with just 2 minutes left in the game, the rain came again.

But no matter how miserable the weather, the court was stunning and our new King and Queen were crowned.  Congrats to Zach McKay and Dana Nardozzi, our KO Royalty for 2016!

And I must say, I did love seeing all those KO umbrellas both on and off the field!

#KOHoCo2016

It's Just a Phase

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The "waxing" crescent.  Waxing means the moon is getting fuller in the sky as it moves from the new moon to the full moon.  The period of the waxing moon last about 14 days and the crescent lasts 7.

This the Moon of Regeneration.  The Waxing Crescent moon is partly illuminated by less than one-half, and increasing. Things are moving forward and there is the hope of more to come. It provides a burst of energy and forward moving strength and power that you can tap into. Our plans, dreams and ideas are growing and this is a great period to focus on anything which you would like to deepen, grow and commit to.  

The Moon's role is to shed light on our emotions, unearth old memories, stir dreams and release our intuitive side.
~The Astrology Place

Senior Graffiti

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So it was a little over 24 hours and I was back on the trail, the Montour Trail to be exact with West Allegheny Senior Devin Cimarolli.  We visited 3 different sections of the trail for his senior portraits. My favorite spot was the Enlow Tunnel and all it's graffiti.  We just added a dress shirt and sunglasses and it was picture on!

Looking forward to processing all his shots and I hope he enjoys them as much as I did taking them!

This is their 15 minutes of fame!

Art in a frame is like an eagle in a bird cage.

Montour Run

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Did some photo recon today as I was checking out spots for Senior Portraits along the Montour Trail. Just a quick 5 min car ride is an entrance to the trail and a quick walk in gets you to the Enlow Tunnel.  Alongside the trail, aptly named is the Montour Run.  Once through the tunnel you get a nice view.

I think we are going to have a good photo day tomorrow!

The Devil Made Me Do It....

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It's not Emmy award-winning television but there is just something I enjoy about Lucifer.  Perhaps it's his accent or just that it lets me escape reality for a bit....but no matter what, this is the best 60 minutes of my Monday.

What's my guilty pleasure?  The thing is I never feel guilty about pleasures.
~Tom Hiddleston

We're Woodwinds...What's Your Superpower?

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The best looking flute/piccolo section in the band!  These talented young ladies shared a evening of comradery and good eats! They also celebrated the senior musician in the group, Melissa, who is also one of the Drum Majors in the band.

As the section leader, it was Shannon's job to plan the dinner and while normally it would be at our house before a game, we don't live close to either the school or the football field.  So we put our own twist on the tradition.  I enjoyed the no cooking or clean up!

Once upon a time they picked up a flute.....and the rest is history!

Eyeball and Eye Ball?

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This time of year this is always some creepy, fun thing to be found when out shopping.  My son never misses an opportunity to get another new ball, even if it's an "eye" ball.

Every day is Halloween, isn't it?  For some of us.
~Tim Burton