Tag Archives: Chicago Family Photography

Susan’s Photo Journal – Pacaya Volcano

Pacaya Volcano

William, a member of our host family we are staying with in Antigua, offered to bring Ira, myself and another Tecun Uman Spanish student to Pacaya Volcano for a little hiking.

The Pacaya Volcano first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago. The peak is 8373 feet. It took us about an hour to make the hike. While I think of myself in pretty good shape, I have to admit I was huffing and puffing. The steep climb and altitude definitely caused me to need a handful of breaks on the ascent. Thankfully, we were protected from the hot sun for much of the hike by the lush trees.

Our guide, who had to be in his 60s, did not seem in the least bit winded by the hike. So, yeah, pretty impressive.

We Made It

We were all pretty pleased with ourselves when we made it to the top. While you hike up very close to the top of the volcano, you can’t actually hike to THE top of the Pacaya Volcano because it is, after all, an active volcano.

After we arrived at the top, we hiked down a little ways to a rock field where our guide handed us sticks and marshmallows to roast over a hot vent in the rocks.

Antigua Market

We were all pretty exhausted from the hike, but it didn’t stop us from making a trip to the Antigua Market on our way home. Our host William wanted to make a big BBQ for us and several friends, so we needed to make a stop for copious amounts of fresh vegetables, meat and fish.

The colorful Antigua Market is unlike any place I have ever been. Imagine stall after stall after stall of vendors selling clothes, artisan goods, shoes, music, movies, toothbrushes, fruits, vegetables, meat, and literally everything else you can think of. Once you duck into the “interior” area of the market, you enter into what feels like a rabbit warren of vendor stalls. Thank goodness William was with us or I certainly would have been lost wandering around aimlessly for hours looking for an exit.

Dinner Time

William spoiled us by making the most amazing dinner of chicken, beef, fish, roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables and fresh salad. Sabrina and Erin, a couple of travelers staying with William for a two nights, invited their backpacker friends over for the feast as well.

These millennials were ravenous and seemed excited to be eating an incredible home cooked meal.

I had at least 15-20 years on all the travelers at the table. But it was still fun to hear their stories of traversing Central America for months at a time, hopping from hostel to hostel per friends’ recommendations. Maybe now I won’t be so scared if any of my girls decide to do this one day!

I am a candid, family and event photographer from Chicago, Illinois. Want to see some of my family photojournalism sessions? Click here, here and here.

Interested in checking out my event photography? Click here, here and here.

Want to see other posts in my photo journal of Guatemala? Click here, here and here.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Susan’s Photo Journal.

Next stop, Panajachel, Guatemala!

Susan’s Photo Journal – Antigua Street Photography

Antigua Street Photography

Every morning I have to hoof it to make it to Spanish class on time. Ira and I start classes at 8 am, a fifteen minute walk from our homestay in Antigua, Guatemala. But our host, William, always makes us an amazing, sit down breakfast that is too good to rush through. I love the sights and sounds of our walk to school and I am determined to photograph it. However, we have two problems – we are always running late, and the cobblestone streets are so uneven I have to stare down the entire time so I don’t turn my ankle. Hence, my version of street photography. I walk quickly through the streets with my camera against my chest facing outward. I pre-set the exposure using a high aperture so I can have a huge depth of field. And I set a high shutter speed so things will be in focus even though I am shooting while moving quickly. Hence, my version of Antigua Street Photography.
I couldn’t believe how well so many of the photos turned out! Granted, I am still trying to compose and look for moments while I am walking. I am just not looking through my camera while I am shooting. So, it’s a bit of intentional shooting, and a bit of luck.

Antigua McDonalds

I also couldn’t resist taking a cruise by the Antigua McDonalds. Everyone kept telling me how beautiful it is, so I had to check it out. Below is a photo of McDonald’s patio where you can enjoy the gardens and fountain while you eat al fresco. Yep, McDonalds don’t look like this where I am from!

I am a candid, family and event photographer from Chicago, Illinois. Want to see some of my family photojournalism sessions? Click here, here and here.

Interested in checking out my event photography? Click here, here and here.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Susan’s Photo Journal.

Family Photojournalism| Chicago IL Photographer |Disney Surprise Scavenger Hunt

What is family photojournalism? Family photojournalism is what some people like to call “Day in the Life” photography. A family invites me into their lives to document a moment in time that they would like to remember. It can be as simple as Saturday morning pancakes, bedtime rituals, or cheering on your child at a sporting event. Or sometimes, I am invited into someone’s home to document a special memory in the making.

Family photojournalism shoots are great for families who don’t want the pressure of picking out L.L. Bean catalogue -worthy outfits. Who don’t want to bribe, cajole, and scold their children into sitting still and behaving for the camera. It takes all the stress out of a typical photo shoot because I am focused on getting pictures of children being themselves, not a prettified, sitting-still version of themselves.

I know, I know, you take lots of snapshots with your iPhone of your everyday moments. Those are great too! But wouldn’t it be nice to have a photographer capturing the precious connections between you and your child? Having a professional photographer make artwork of your everyday is a truly a gift that will be cherished for generations. Your children’s children will love to see their parents’ lives in action.

And getting parents IN the photo instead of just behind the camera? Even better.

When you look back at your family photos in 20 years, what will be more meaninful to you? An album of photos that document your connections and moments (family photojournalism)? Or what you looked like in matching outfits in a beautiful background (standard portrait photography)?

Day in the Life

The “Z” family invited me over to photograph “the big reveal” of telling their children about an upcoming trip to Disney. M and K collected clues around the yard until they found the big box in the backyard. Watching the building excitement from one clue to the next was a blast!