It’s has been three years and three months since I made my first blog post here on my site. How did the time go by so fast? Many times I thought about blogging and even came up with a list of possible blog posts. SMDH! But, every time I thought about blogging, I put if off. The thoughts of blogging seemed to get placed to the back-burner until I finished another adventure, another moment, another trip, blah, blah, blah.
My initial blog post was on January 1, 2020. I remember being so excited for what I had planned to occur that year. I’m sure many other people felt the same way. For the first three months of “that” year, I had flights booked and trips planned.
In mid-January of 2020, I was invited to have my second photography showcase at SIP Wine and Beer. It was such a cool experience. It’s one thing to show your work on social media, but to get back to seeing your work in print is so nice. It’s such a different feeling when it’s printed. The other part is the face-to-face interaction with people. We’ve become so social media focused that we forget what it’s like to actually be face-to-face.
February 2020 was even more excitement. I started the month participating in the Surf City Marathon - Half Marathon - 5K in Huntington Beach, CA. I’m ran the 5K. I finished my run and walked around afterwards, found a spot to sit still and enjoyed the sunset. The simplicity of it all.
Then, there was the SIP Black Girl Magic Event featuring the McBride sisters and their Black Girl Magic wines. I was the event photographer. The event was filled with so much Black Girl Magic and I was elated to not only be in attendance, but to capture the amazing moment.
Huntington Beach, CA
(L-R) Robin McBride, Black Girl Magic Wine Co-Founder, Cassandra Schaeg, SIP Founder and owner, Me, Andréa McBride, Black Girl Magic Wine Co-Founder
Then, I was off to Las Vegas for the WPPI Expo where I explored new gear, networked with other photographers, had fun taking photos of models, but my biggest thrill was going out on the strip and capturing lighttrails. WPPI, is the an industry event for wedding and portrait photographers - professional and amateur. Understand that wedding and portraits are not my focus (pun intended), but I attend with my photographer - sistah - friend, Arlisa Lenn. Our deal was that I go with her and in exchange, WE go out and do some city and landscape photography.
March rolled in with another planned trip. LOL. I headed to explore Key West, Florida. The thought of exploring another place that I hadn’t seen before had me filled with excitement. I was READY!!! My travel routine was up early for sunrise, spend the day sightseeing/touristy stuff while finding a spot for sunset, capture night images, sleep for a few and repeat.
Key West was a very fun trip. The fact that I managed to ride a beach back while carrying camera equipment had me quite impressed. It was a huge learning curve for to remember to pedal backwards to stop the bicycle. UGH! Considering that I’ve been using handlebar brakes for quite some time.
Photographically, it didn’t disappoint. I took a LOT of images. I see a Key West Blog in my future. Speaking of futures, it was great that I enjoyed by visit there as the day following my return back home, was when everything shut down.
For me, I had other plans…………………….
~Angela
