2017-12-24 Christmas Magic

Whether it's the miracle of our savior's birth, the top hat that brought Frosty to life, or the light in young children's eyes when they prepare for Christmas, the magic of the season is one of its joys and mysteries. I know how easy it is to explain away the wonder as marketing hype and sales driven greed as companies do whatever they must to increase their bottom line, but the magic still lives within my heart, and hopefully in yours as well.

Nikon D800E SIgma 135mm f/1.8 @ f/3.2 1/200 sec ISO800

2017-12-20 The smallest things

Sometimes Christmas appears in the smallest details. A few snowflakes on a budding holly tree makes me remember the first snowfall of the season. Memories dart about recalling long forgotten reflections of winter wonder in the delicate flowering of a bright red visitor who comes in December. The red fruit is a welcome burst of vibrant color in what is slowly becoming the bleak tones of the cold months.

Nikon D800E Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro @ f/40 1/60sec ISO 50 TTL Flash

2017-12-19 Twas the week before Christmas

I'm going to try and squeeze seven days of Christmas pictures into my current work section this year. The Holiday bustle of crying children, grumpy retailers, terrible drivers and ridiculous store policies tend to peak for me during this last push towards all things commercial, so I thought a few calm happy pictures of Christmas moments might help alleviate some of the stress. Breath, relax, enjoy.

Nikon D800E Sigma 135mm f/1.8 @ f/8 1/640 sec ISO 100

2017-12-10 First Snowfall

The first snowfall of Winter is a magical event. Tiny flakes of seasonal change flutter down from the heavens to alight on each chilly surface for magnificent presentation to the world. Winter begins to display its beauty with every passing hour. Layer upon fluffy layer of flurries flake onto the landscape evolving nature into a bright picture of white upon white. Here's our first snowfall this year in Pennsylvania.

Nikon D800E Sigma Art 35mm F/1.4 @ 1/60sec F/10 ISO 100 Exp Comp +2/3

2017-12-05 Travel Tuesday - Longwood Christmas

It's holiday time at Longwood Gardens this season. The lights are aglow, the decorations are abundant and the fragrance of Christmas is everywhere. Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and some warm winter gloves and head down to Chaddsford to see a blossoming celebration of this magical time of year.

Nikon D800E Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 at 1/60sec f/2.8 ISO 1000 Exp comp -3