{PHOTOS} Kennedy Space Center - Shuttle Atlantis' Wheelstop

After the final shuttle flight, STS-135, NASA's Kennedy Space Center held an event for the employees to personally say goodbye to Atlantis, the final shuttle to be launched, and the program itself. They worked to make it really special by including food, take home memorabilia, and the opportunity to see Atlantis much closer than is normal. After this, the process of decommissioning the shuttle and readying it for display at Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex began. You can see pictures of this process here at Florida Today.

If you'd like to see more of my photos of Kennedy Space Center, feel free to visit my portfolio site.

{PORTRAIT} Rain, Rain, Go Away - Arnold Portrait Session

When I left my house to meet up with the Arnold family, the sky was blue and there were SOME clouds in the sky to the East but nothing to worry about. Then, as I turned West and got closer to the shooting location, it looked like this one black rain cloud had decided it would hang out over our shooting location and dump rain. At one point, while I was sitting at the park (where I had arrived early to get set up), it just poured and I couldn't even see through my windshield. I debated about calling the Arnold's and cancelling because who would want pictures in the rain for their Christmas card portraits? I understand rain can make for creative pictures - but not when it's for Christmas card portraits!

I decided to wait it out (and I kept forcing the weather application on my phone to update to ease my concern) and this one black rain cloud FINALLY passed. It was a little gray afterward but there was blue behind it and I thought "I can work with this but will THEY be ok with it?" The ground was wet and this meant wet knees, humid/sticky air (it's Florida) and wet doggies (oh yeah, I didn't mention we also had two dogs, right?).

Luckily, Barbara and Ryan were cool, calm, and collected and the pictures came out fantastically! Not one complaint about the humidity or the wetness and everyone really pulled together to make this a fun session. Once they had a chance to get over the initial excitement of being at the park, Bailey and Emma posed like princesses and never once hesitated to give hugs or kisses. What a great pair!

Now, enough blabbering and enjoy the pictures!

Walking The Courtyard - Loews Portofino Bay, Orlando FL

 I have been doing a lot of clean up of my photos and trying to see what needs to stay/go and came across this wonderful photo - already watermarked and ready to go! I have no idea how I never shared this before as it really appeals to me. Something about the wonderful golden background, with the patterns up high, contrasting against the shadows in the foreground and the darkness of the gentleman walking up this hallway is enchanting for me.

This was taken at the Loews Portofino Bay hotel in Orlando, FL. They had this lovely interior hallway leading to their restrooms and multiple conference rooms. I loved how they took the time to decorate it like an outdoor Italian courtyard, even though it was entirely inside!

{Photo} Hollywood Beach - AM/PM

Yup, I disappeared for awhile.

I had to do some thinking, analyze some priorities, relax a bit, started a new job, and now I am back. I promise, I won't do it again.

As my peace offering, I wanted to share my day and night images of Hollywood Beach, Florida. I tried for a sunrise shot as well but the hotel room was so cold it not only fogged my lens for almost 10 minutes but my internal sensor went haywire. I took some shots but later, upon inspection on my computer (and it not being 6AM with me delirious), they were just too hazy to be any good.

On the left is the inter coastal waterway and on the right is the Atlantic Ocean.

{PHOTO} The Thirsty Fish Bar aka "The Y Fish Bar"

I must need a vacation because, lately, I seem to have hotels on the brain. I posted a photo of Disney's Contemporary Resort earlier this week and today I share an outdoor photo of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel's "The Thirsty Fish Bar" (both hotels are located in Orlando, Florida). I've shared one photo from this hotel previously showing their beautiful lagoon and the Italian boats. It was a wonderful hotel and I can't way to try it again.

I personally love the golden tones in this shot and the shadows across the sidewalk at the bottom. Too bad the light on the sign was so bright it blocked out the word "thirsty". Instead it looks like it's "The Y Fish Bar". 

You know, that is a good question. Y Fish? Personally, I prefer veggie-ta-bulls meself. Yes, I was that kid who ate all her veggies. My mom struck gold in that area. You're welcome, mom.

{PHOTO} Contemporary Resort - Magical Shops of Fantasia

In all my trips to Disney, I have never truly explored the Contemporary Resort.

We’ve eaten breakfast there once many moons ago and I’ve ridden through the resort on the monorail countless times, but this evening we decided to have dinner there. I had no idea how many underground floors there were! There is a whole world hidden inside this resort and it’s on many different lower floors for exploration. It was really cool AND I learned the true entrance to the hotel is actually a floor below this one where all the shops are.


Summer is coming and I am just not a fan of being at Disney during the summer and standing in line for an hour (or more!) melting into a puddle of sunblock and Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream.  BUT I was invited on a weekend, all expenses paid, trip to Disney. So, am I going to say no because of the above complaints? No way - time to break out the sunblock and ice cream!


The good news is that being a Disney pro means knowing all the insider tips/tricks and also realizing that since we live close enough if we don't see/do something we can come back next time with our passes.


I am super *stoked* about getting more Disney shots. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions of what you'd like to see a picture of at Disney? Doesn't matter the park - our passes let us go anywhere we please!

{PHOTO} Orlando: The Boats On The Water

This past Christmas, my family stayed at the beautiful Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando. It had a great Italian theme, which included this water view with gondolas and boats (permanently anchored).This was looking away from the main hotel, so this was the view from most rooms there.

In the distance, you can even see a little bit of the park.

{PHOTO} Disney's Grand Floridian Resort at Twilight

Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort, as viewed from the dock at the Polynesian Resort. I'm not sure which is more my favorite, the smokey gray/blue against the golden lights or the silhouette effect of the lamp.

What do you think?

{PHOTO} STS-134: Shuttle Endeavour On The Launchpad

Endeavour on the launch pad, readying for its launch on April 29, 2011.

{PHOTO} No Trespassing: $500,00 Reward

You wouldn't believe me when I say this photo session began with watching an escaped herd of cows be herded back to their home by a station wagon honking it's horn, then I wandered around a 132 yr. old graveyard, and ended the twilight hour by finding this abandoned square building.

I honestly thought a random homeless person might pop out to scare me half to death, just for kicks. 

After taking this, I pretty much ran back to my car having scared myself with my own over-active imagination.

{PHOTO} Disney Fans: Do You Recognize This?

I'll give you one hint:

It's in Epcot!

{PHOTO} Kayak Or Ginormous Banana?

You be the judge.

{PHOTO} Mad Tea Party: Spinning Into Oblivion

I don't know when it happened.

When I was little, I could spin & spin & spin & spin & spin until I just couldn't see straight and thought it was the best thing ever. Now, well, just writing spin that many times made my stomach do a lil' kickflip.

One year spinning like a top was awesome and the next year I went on one spin ride at the fair and was sick for two days. Cruel, cruel inner ear - why have you forsaken me?

Alas, this means no more riding Disney's Mad Tea Party - but watching it is definitely still fun.

{PHOTO} Sometimes, Words Get In The Way

I keep a running list of places I think would be great for taking pictures. I have every intention of going and even make detailed plans to get there. Sometimes, though, I just decide to veer off the road I am driving on to find a random nook or cranny and see if there's a photo opportunity waiting to happen.

Manatee Cove Park in Merritt Island, FL was one of those places and it did not disappoint.

I was driving home from work and wanted to avoid traffic, so I took a turn onto an off road. I saw the sign for the park, noticed it wasn't too long from sunset, and decided to swing on through to check it out. I got there pretty early for sunset, so I had extra time to kill.

I was alone with my camera, enjoying the quiet of it all. The water + the breeze + the quiet all added up to a peaceful moment - and then a man came out of the woods, directly to my right and quite unexpectedly, to which my heart decided it wanted to sprint far far away from it's current location, my chest. He looked just as surprised as me and even said "Woah, I didn't know anyone was out here". I informed him he scared me straight outta my Chuck's and he explained there was a special fishing spot nearby but you had to sneak through a secret pathway to get there. He also let me know there were several other folks there and they would probably be popping through soon - so be prepared. Luckily, none of them surprised me like he did and I managed to snag some great sunset shots.

Now, I will let the pictures speak for themselves because sometimes, words just get in the way.

Now, which one is your favorite?

{PHOTOS} A Local Icon: Ron Jon Surf Shop

I don't think I've had a family/friend yet visit Brevard and not also want to go to Ron Jon's for a souvenir, including a shirt (the usual), a surfboard (for the bold), or a sticker (for the person who doesn't want to pay the Ron Jon prices). It started as this little shack where you could rent surfboards, body boards, etc. as well as buy some shirts, shoes, and bathing suits but later became the neon behemoth you see today. The colors are beautiful and it is definitely best seen at night when the lights are bright and appealing.

I visited it on a whim, after getting lost trying to find the Cocoa Beach Pier, and it was definitely well worth it. I even meandered next door to the Cocoa Beach Surf Company, which I had never visited before, to see their indoor aquarium, hotel, restaurant, and Starbucks.

Ron Jon Surf Shop

Volleyball "Sand" Sculpture

Skateboarding "Sand" Sculpture and Entrance

Surfer "Sand" Sculpture

Ron Jon Surf Shop Entrance

Ron Jon Surf Shop Entrance with Permanent Wood-Side Station Wagon

Looking a little like South Beach

The view of Ron Jon's from A1A

Cocoa Beach Surf Company - Aquarium

Eating dinner in front of the fishies

View of the restaurant

{PHOTO} A Short Walk Off a Long Pier: Cocoa Beach Pier

Many moons ago (well, three months ago), I decided to head over to the Cocoa Beach Pier at sunset to try and see what pictures I could take. I was rushing to get there before I missed the "good light" because I get off of work at 4:30PM & the sun is well and gone by 5:30PM, due to it being winter. Unfortunately, despite living here most of my life, I still have no idea where anything is. I drove weeeelllll past the Pier and then ended up circling back. The good news is, this forced me to drive by Ron Jon's Surf Shop (the neon behemoth) and I decided I would head over there after the Pier. Today, I share the Cocoa Beach Pier pictures. I will show the Ron Jon's pictures in a later post.

S Ance Viewing from the Beach

Just in case you wanted to do some "S Ance Viewing". I hear it's totally worth the quarter.

Sunset & City Reflections

I love that you can see the reflection of the beachline behind me in the windows. Also, don't ask about what that sign means. I honestly have no idea.

Beachline Skyline

The sun, as it drops behind the buildings along the beach.

Path to Forever

I feel like you could just walk....and walk....and walk all the way to perfection here.

Just a Lil' Nap

Roll me over when I look "done", please.

Look, I'm Surfing!

In high heels, nonetheless.

Through the Doorway is the Beach

Just step on through the circus looking colors to somewhere calm and beautiful.

Daily Dose of Ocean

A tradition around here - go to the beach for the sunset hour. Even though we live on the East coast of FL, therefore the sun sets behind us when facing the ocean, it doesn't deter from the beauty and peacefulness.