Black and White Wednesday - "Amish Country"

Because of the nature of my job, I am constantly on the road driving.......and on any given week I travel through PA, NY, NJ, MD, DE, and sometimes even VA. That much driving can be a big pain during the winter months, but now that spring and summer are approaching, I actually look forward to my time on the road.

It was about this time last year when I really started to kick the photography into high gear. After I attended my first workshop in January of 2009, it quickly became a passion. From the second I left that workshop, everywhere I went and everything I saw while driving in my car I thought about in terms of photography......or as if I were looking at everything through my lens. In my brain I saw photo opportunites or "pictures" everywhere!!

Yesterday I had to drive through Lancaster, Pa.....also known as Amish Country. Do any of you remember the movie Witness, starring Kelly McGi!lis and Harrison F@rd? This is where they filmed a majority of that movie and it is so beautiful and scenic. In addition to the beauty of the old farms and wide open spaces, I am also intrigued by their way of life.

Everytime I drive through that area, without fail, I pass about 5 or 6 families riding horse drawn buggies......and never have my camera with me, so this morning as I was backing out of our driveway, I remembered all those times I wished I had my camera. I put it back in drive and pulled back up the driveway and quickly ran in and grabbed my camera bag.

I didn't want to be late for my appt, so I figured I would do a little sightseeing on my way back.



This farm was screaming to be photographed..... I was drawn to the varying heights of the three silos and the way the trees were perfectly placed to the right and left of the farm.



I had to be super quick with this one, because there was not really a place to park or pull over....so I had to roll down the window to snap before another car came up behind me. This is one of their one room schoolhouses. You can just barely make out the name above the door.



Another old barn...... I took this one through the front windshield... good thing the windshield was clean:)



While I didn't get to see a family riding in a horse and buggy, I did see this little guy waiting for his owner to come out of the store. Just as I pulled into the lot out came the owner. I wasn't really dressed to be running around outside taking photos in my normal fashion, which means crouching down low and sometimes even lying on the ground, so I didn't really get the perspective I would have hoped for, but this will have to do for now.........there is always the next trip!!

One of the things I love most about my job is that each day is an adventure. I never know where I am going to be or what I am going to see, but the one thing I know is that I won't be leaving home without my camera anymore. Not only am I looking for cool places to take some scenic shots in my travels, I am always scoping out new areas or places to take the kids and/or clients for future photoshoots.



This past weekend I found a gem of a spot practically in our backyard. I thought I would give you a sneak peek......love this shot of Nick in Black and White so I had to include it!!! More Full Color photos coming tomorrow:)

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!