After living in this town for decades and decades one runs out of things to shoot. Frank, my partner in crime, decided..... why not make a list of some of the murals... that had caught our eyes while driving around, and make a project of it.
Hence, on a windy, cool day a couple of weeks ago.....a shooting we went.
The Illinois State Fair has been around since 1853, held for the first time in Springfield at a wooded 20-acre site located one mile west of the Old State Capitol.
From there, the State Fair went on to be held at 12 different cities across the state, including Alton, Centralia, Chicago, Decatur, Du Quoin, Freeport, Jacksonville, Olney, Ottawa, Peoria and Quincy.
After 40 years, Springfield was made its permanent home.
The Fair runs eleven days during the month of August and is filled with many attractions and entertainments, bringing in thousands of people from across the state to enjoy music, rides, expositions and other events that make the Illinois State Fair one of the most iconic fairs in the Midwest.
No fair outing is complete until one has attended a night shoot.
The lights, the rides, the people, all take another presence unmatched to day time photography (at least in my opinion).
Therefore, no matter how many times I attend the fair during the day, there is at least one evening visit included.
The State Fair 2024 was no exception.
Every year, in August, the State Fair opens up for approximately 10 days. And every year, it seems, I end up going to the fair at least once during those ten days.
In the past, I'd go because of the kids. But now a days, the purpose is to photograph.
Unfortunately, every year, I also seem to take the same type of photographs because after all nothing really changes at the State Fair, from year to year.
Except, this year there was something new.
A wedding photographer, I AM NOT!
Nor do I have the desire to be one.
But when on the hottest day of the year one stumbles upon not one but two separate wedding parties, having their photos taken by professionals, one takes the opportunity to click a few shots.
First wedding party was a huge one. There were a total of 26 Zoomers (13 bridesmaids and 13 groomsmen) in the party. The bride and most of the bridesmaids had a hard time keeping cool.
The second wedding party was much smaller and seemed to be made up of a mixture of baby boomers and generation X.
A perfect opportunity to take some candid photographs without the hassle of being a wedding photographer.
The National Bikers Roundup is the largest camping motorcycle rally in the United States and is organized by a group of African American motorcycle clubs. Its location changes every year but every decade it returns to its founding city of Kansas City, Missouri. More than 1,000 motorcycle clubs attend the event and black women make up close to half of participants.
First organized in 1977 by Dallas Thibodeaux and Rozell Nunn, Jnr attracting 49 riders, it has since grown to a five-day event, with up to 30,000 participants, who enjoy camping, exhibition, parades, stunt shows, entertainment and a host of other motorcycle-related experiences including drag racing and a "biggest gut contest".
January came in very mild. No snow to be had nor cold weather, just pleasant.
Then all hell broke loose....ok maybe I should's say hell, since then it would be toasty warm.
Instead l'd say the ice ages came upon us.
Lake Springfield was a solid sheet of frozen ice, at least the top layer.
The evening before this shoot the temperature dropped to -7 creating a perfect setting for some winter shots.
There is a beauty when everything is covered in white, but that beauty is only appreaciated for just so long....cold weather gets old real quick.
The annual 5K fun run where you can dress like you just stepped out of a haberdashery in hat and tie, took place this morning.
This fun run benefits Historic Edwards Place in Springfield.
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