Travel Log: Stepped Gables in Brugge, Belgium

 Shadows and reflections of 17th century renaissance architecture is preserved with such beauty and detail in Brugge.  In my walk into town one morning, the light reflecting off the buildings and the still water of the canal was just too breathtaking to simply walk by without documenting the fleeting moment of bright light against contrasting against a dark and cloudy sky....

Travel Log: Biodegradable Dirt Painting in Cambridge, England

It was almost too easy to ignore this little work of dirt art while walking along the Cam in Cambridge, England, but as I stepped closer I gained a new appreciation for the time and effort it must have taken someone to etch this from soil. Or had they used some other type of substance which attracted the soil?  It definitely wasn't charcoal.  In any case, it made me stop to consider the possibilities and implications of biodegradable art and their fleeting nature.  Only a photo has the ability to make this art work live on indefinitely.

LOVE IT: Take a deep breath

Deep breath in....



Long breath out....



Repeat 5 times.


(Captured while flying between Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia.)

Emotional Moment: Dancing with Dad

I was going through previous weddings I'd photographed to prepare for a my next portfolio update and remembered what a beautiful moment this was.  Rochelle's take on this moment is priceless: "This photo below is a double goody because [dad] is smiling and dancing. We don’t really have any photos of my dad smiling. ….or dancing and now we have him doing both in one shot!"

See more from Rochelle & Alex's Jamaican Flavor Belle Isle Wedding

Design Find: Indoor Garden Picnic in Dublin, Ireland

On the rooftop of a little-known art space in Dublin, Ireland, lives a fantastic faux-outdoor space for the young at heart to play and be creative no matter how rainy or damp the weather is outside.  I'm looking forward to a return trip to Ireland next week, and I definitely plan to bring the "big camera" this time!  Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the space pictured below, which leads to my travel photo tip: always take pictures of building signage so you don't forget where you found such awesomeness!  Anyone from Dublin able to help me out with what this space is called?


I recently rediscovered the name of this space: "The Ark!"

Travel Log: Best Soup of My Life

We were in the Rheingau region in Germany, known for Riesling wines, and stopped in at at the gorgeous Schloss Vollrads estate & vineyard that has been making wine for 800 years.  After a bit of wine tasting, we decided to stay for lunch as well.  Germany's heavy meat offerings from the night before were leaving me craving something light and simple for lunch.  A soup and salad were the perfect fit.

The mushroom soup arrives to my table looking lovely but not more special than other soups I've had in my life.  I fold my napkin in my lap and place the first spoonful in my mouth.  Then it hits me- the most intense and beautiful flavors that have ever rolled over my tongue.  Wow.  I had no idea that mushroom soup could be so amazing.  Each simple ingredient had a depth and richness that I don't think I've ever experience in a soup before.  I've been to some amazing restaurants in my life, but no other soup has just blown me away like this one.  This is one food photo I'm glad to have so that I can remember the richness of flavors and creamy texture that were unlike anything I'd had before.  Mmmmmm... this weekend is Winterfest in Lowell, which has an awesome local soup competition!  I'm always looking for something that will make me want to lick the bottom of the bowl again. ;-)

Kisses Sweeter than Candy

I ducked behind the floral arrangement dripping with crystals as Justin turned around to see Elyse for the first time on their wedding day.  He had the biggest smile I'd seen all morning, and the kiss that followed was so sweet you can almost taste the powdered sugar...

Travel Log: Vlatadon Monestary in Thessaloniki, Greece

The Vlatadon Monestary in Thessaloniki is a quiet space at the top of the mount, overlooking the city and sea.  It has a unique combination of ancient and renaissance architecture with some interestingly crafted surprises like this field stone mosaic, and the two hand painted glazed plates set into the wall.

The view stretching over the city... ... and out to the sea...

Love Street - Where quarrels end in kisses

Captured in Brisbane, Australia

There is always more below the surface

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A post shared by Anne’s Adventure Journal (@anneruthmann) on Jul 19, 2012 at 2:23am PDT

Captured at the Great Barrier Reef off of Cairns, Australia

Design Find: Concentric Paving in Dublin, Ireland

Each piece laid by hand, one circle after another, perfectly surrounding the trunks of trees and filling the space between.  Dublin, Ireland.

Design Find: Retro Heathrow

While exiting the terminal at London's Heathrow Airport, the googley eyes and gold tooth of this vacant waiting area made me smile and pause my hurried rush out of the terminal.

My 33rd Birthday Wish

WWYD?

Unexpected... Dad and the Dress

Most men stay out of the room while women are getting ready together and they rarely ever touch the bride's wedding dress on the wedding day. Perhaps it is that simple fact that makes this one small moment so unique and exceptional. To describe the relationship between a father, daughter, and mother in something as simple and ordinary as helping a bride with her dress, is exactly what makes me so nostalgic about freezing little unexpected slices of life.

Remember when...

... your wedding ring was brand new?
Shiny without a scratch.
Foreign to the finger.
Catching the corner of your eye.
Reminding of one who loves you.

Three's a crowd

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Seek Adventure

The Cake in the Window

It stared out the window, knowing its ultimate fate. Pretty and sweet, it was all done up for the special occasion. The cake enjoyed the attention it received before everyone sat down for dinner, but now... now it was all alone, left only to its thoughts of what the future holds. The glimmer of hope was in realizing that at least the top would be saved and kept safely frozen among peas and pizza, where it would be seen and thought of often, and maybe even live to see another year.

If cakes could talk, what would they say?