Summer Has Arrived!
The Bellamy Mansion March 23, 2009
I wish we knew what this place was while we were there…I may have tried to take a tour of it… but if I had I would have missed documenting that house fire. Guess there’s always next time!
The Bellamy Mansion of History & Design Arts
The Bellamy Mansion is one of North Carolina’s most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss (1821-1907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now the house is a museum that focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.
The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts website
*Click to view larger*
All Around Town March 20, 2009
I’m sorry there hasn’t been a post in a couple days…that’s not like me at all. I had this one “almost” ready for two days but never was able to finish it because I wasn’t feeling well for over a week. I finally want to the doctor today and it’s a double ear infection and sinusitis! Some girls have all the luck! I’m on antibiotics and hope to be feeling better in 24-48 hours!
You’ve been seeing bits and pieces of my day in Wilmington and today I will share a little bit more.
The day in Wilmington consisted of touring around downtown Wilmington near the Cape Fear River.
We had gorgeous 77 degree weather which made for the perfect day to walk along the Cape Fear River and see all of the sights.
While people waited for the Tall Ship Tour (The Peacemaker) we checked out the ship and the crowd. I always enjoy candid photos like the following.
*Click the photos to view larger*
“A feather in your cap”
The trolley tour guide was so sweet. He told us all about the Amish-raised horses and how wonderfully they are cared for and let us pet them for a while. He even took our photo with the horses. They were beautiful and had the softest fur ever.
Throughout the day we saw businesses and attractions in Wilmington’s Downtown Historic District that are frequently used as locations on one of my favorite “Teen Dramas” 
One Tree Hill, including: CD Alley (8 Market Street) is the CD store where Chris (Tyler Hilton) worked.
Port City Java-Downtown II (300 N. Front St.) stood in as Karen’s Café in the pilot episode. Once the series was picked up, crews built a designated set for Karen’s Café on the opposite corner of Grace Street at North Front Street. During season 6 the set for ‘Karen’s Cafe’ was removed and the space was transformed into the Clothes over Bros. set.
I put my camera lens up to the window and shot some of the Cloths over Bros set:
…and of course I posed in front of the “Karen’s Cafe” painting on the wall of the building that used to be the cafe and is now the store.
We didn’t get to eat at this restaurant but I wanted to. It overlooks the Cape Fear River and you get your own cute little private balcony
This building is for sale. It made me laugh when I saw that they had drawn fake store front items on it to make you use your imagination of what it could be!
I have more to share soon…once I have time to edit.
Right now I’m concentrating on the wedding I have tomorrow at the beach in NJ, then getting better, and then the wedding I have next Saturday in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The Peacemaker March 17, 2009
The 150-foot Peacemaker tall ship and its crew docked in Wilmington, NC Saturday, March 7, 2009 and will call the Cape Fear River home until after the Azalea Festival, first weekend in April. We visited on the day the ship first arrived and watched as a crowd gathered to board the ship.
News Article 1 – News Article 2 – News Article 3 - News Article 4
The Peacemaker, originally named Avany, was built on a riverbank in southern Brazil using traditional methods and tropical hardwoods, and was launched in 1989. The original owner and his family motored in the southern Atlantic Ocean before bringing the ship up through the Caribbean to Savannah, Georgia, where they intended to rig it as a three-masted staysail schooner. The work was never done, however, and in the summer of 2000, it was purchased by the Twelve Tribes, a religious group with 50 or so communities in North and South America, Europe, and Australia. They spent the next seven years replacing all of the ship’s mechanical and electrical systems and rigging it as a barquentine. The refit vessel set sail for the first time in the spring of 2007, under the name Peacemaker.
The Peacemaker will be used to travel between the communities of the Twelve Tribes while providing an apprenticeship program for their youth in sailing, seamanship, navigation, and boat maintenance. Source: Wikipedia
*Please click to view larger so you don’t miss the details!*
Top O’ The Morning To Ya! March 16, 2009
HAPPY ST. PATTY’S DAY TO YOU ALL!
This photo was taken last weekend in Wilmington, NC after their St. Patrick’s Day parade in town.
This guy was quite the character!
Hot Topic March 10, 2009
Last night I posted two article links HERE regarding the fire I witnessed on Saturday afternoon on Sixth and Market Street in Wilmington, North Carolina. It’s not often that I have the opportunity to capture something of a photojournalistic nature such as this. Tonight I’m posting my own experience of this event though my photos.
I’m very saddened for the family that had to go through this. I can’t imagine something like this happening to me or my loved ones. This house was under renovation which is so sad that so much time and energy went up in flames like this. Wilmington is such a beautiful historic district… I hope that this house can be repaired.
To view the entire gallery of 157 photos click HERE.
It all started when I was taking a photo of a church…
I didn’t get past this first photo that you see above because in the next instant fire trucks were entering the 4 lane divided road facing the opposite of traffic. I was slightly shocked and couldn’t understand why they were driving into on-coming traffic when the other 2 lanes on the other side of the median were open. Seconds later I knew why as I looked over and saw the smoke coming from 3 or 4 houses to the right of where I was standing…
*PLEASE CLICK TO VIEW LARGER*
The Wilmington Fire department was immediately on the scene and “in action.” All I can say is that it was so impressive watching these guys work! I know I couldn’t run into a burning building/home for a living yet they do it without fear. I give them a lot of respect for what they do!
Below are a selection that I chose to highlight the scene…more can be found in the gallery on my website by clicking HERE.
Paramedics were on the scene immediately as well…
Another photographer appeared on the scene…(and a fellow Nikon shooter!)
They tried to extinguish the flames inside the home but the tongue & groove ceilings in this old house made it very hard to get to. They were unable to stop the fire that way so they used the tower unit to extinguish the fire from the outside.
It was quite an experience to watch the scene unfold. This is something I’ve only scene on the news and not up close and personal like this. I’m impressed with how the Wilmington Fire Department, Police Dept & EMS handled the scene. From what I witnessed they worked hard and should be commended for putting this fire out and protecting the house next to it.
To view the entire gallery of 157 photos click HERE.
House Fire in Wilmington, NC March 9, 2009
I just happened to be photographing a church near Sixth and Market Street during my visit to Wilmington, NC this Saturday when we stumbled upon a house fire that broke out before our eyes.
As a sneak peak here is are some articles showing the fire:
http://www.wect.com/global/story.asp?S=9965373
http://www.wwaytv3.com/fire_erupts_downtown_home/03/2009
I’ll be posting photos soon on my website and on here on the blog from the fire. I’ve never seen anything like it up close….
Stay tuned!
No Trespassing February 25, 2009
I loved this abandoned house the first time I saw it and I was excited to be able to stop at it on Saturday and walk around to get some photos. It took me a little while to look around the house and get warmed up as to what I wanted to take. We walked around 3/4 of the property checking things out and looking in windows that I could reach safely. There was still really cool old furniture inside and some great details. I’m took chicken to go inside a place this old for fear of falling through the floor boards but I would have liked to have snapped some shots through the windows.
By the time I finally had a picture in my head of what I wanted the series to look like and started snapping away my happiness was broken by the words “Can I help you?” being shouted from an open window of a huge SUV on the roadside.
We knew that was the end and we skulked back towards our car. We decided to approach the woman and tell her why were there so she wasn’t super suspicious of us. It was simply explained that I love photography and I love old homes like this. I guess our charm didn’t work on her because we were told that it was “someone’s property”…which was curtly followed up by the words “MINE.”
I was praying by some luck that she’d say that we could walk around and take more photos but that didn’t happen. We were told to “move along” by the owner. I was disappointed but I guess that’s what happens when you *ahem* trespass *cough, cough.*
Luckily it was the first time this had ever happened to me because it’s not the most pleasant experience. We had no choice but to get our butts out of there right away because you never know what can happen…
Before we were told to “move along” I was actually able to get a few shots that I like the results of…
*Please click on them to view them larger…It really helps to give the details justice.*
My favorite find of the day was this creepy, deformed, face-down doll laying in the grass at the back of the house. It looked like it had been there for a very long time. A minute after I found this was when were were busted so I’m so happy I got this shot in.
Additional structures behind the home:
More of Topsail February 20, 2009
Another photo in the tree series from Topsail Beach, North Carolina.
I’ll be in NC this weekend hoping to come home with some more great photos!!
Talk to you all soon!
Bridgeton Covered Bridge / Bridgeton, Indiana
When I visited Julie in November of last year we took a trip to snowy Bridgeton.
Bridgeton, Indiana is home to the oldest continuously operating mill west of the Allegheny Mountains. The mill overlooks Indiana’s most famous covered bridge and waterfall.
*Please click all photos to view larger and in more detail*
The Bridgeton Covered Bridge was burned on April 28, 2005. The local community immediately came together and decided to rebuild the bridge. Fund raising began and on January 12, 2006 a bridge raising ceremony was held. On August 28, 2006 the spans of the bridge were lifted onto the abutments. The completed bridge was dedicated on October 1, 2006.
We toured around the rest of this charming town and saw some neat sights like the Country Store…
The Country Store was built sometime between 1884-1886. Today the building functions as both a gift shop and a restaurant. The Bridgeton Country Store is open for most festivals.
…and the 1878 Barn.
Happy Valentines Day! February 13, 2009
“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.”
~Author Unknown
*** May your heart be filled with love today and everyday ***
Special thanks to Julie’s daughter Brianna who took these fun photos for us.
OSBP @ Newport Beach February 12, 2009
During my trip to California to visit Heather of One Shot Beyond Photography we had the pleasure of spending a couple hours at Newport Beach for a portrait shoot of one another. We stayed there until sunset enjoying the most beautiful weather along with lots of laughter as each tried our best to pose for the camera.
Obviously photographers are used to being BEHIND the camera so when we get in front of the lens it’s always laughter and giggles as we try to feel comfortable as “models.” Modeling isn’t as easy as it looks but Heather made it look easy! Don’t you just love her beautiful brown eyes?
*All of the photos below can be clicked on to view larger*
Meet the Lawsons January 21, 2009
Meet The Lawsons.
Sweetest family in all of Indiana!
Most of you know Julie Lawson of Julie Lawson Photography..now meet her hubby Doug and daughter’s Brianna and Emmalie (you probably remember Bri & Emmy from my Indy blog posts if you haven’t spent time on Julie’s blog yet).
When I was in Indiana Julie asked me to take formal portraits of her family.
I was totally honored to do so and this is the one that Julie chose to hang in her home:
Julie had a specific idea for this shot. I don’t think we achieved her vision but I still love the idea of it.
And one for the outtakes!
I love that little Emmy is making like she is eating her toe…and I can still hear Doug’s laugh ringing through my ears!
While I was in Indy I also did a shoot with Julie’s niece Kayla for Senior portraits (which you’ve seen a sneak peek of) as well as of Kayla’s sister Brittany. shown below. Look at those gorgeous eyes!
Brittany and Brianna has some fun that night with their bubble gum!
I think I have more from this shoot to edit that I hope to get to one day…soon…
“Serenity Now” January 5, 2009
If you’ve never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame. ~Adam Duritz, “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby,” performed by Counting Crows
Click to view larger
San Diego Skyline from Coronnado January 3, 2009
I’m so excited that I got to stop with Heather and my friend Kyle to enjoy the SD skyline and capture this night cityscape!
I’ve yet to take the NYC skyline at night and I live only 45 minutes away – so haven’t this is a real treat!
Click to view larger for more detail!
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