2009.04.30 (Thu) - God's Children

Had an awesome day today, we got up early for our day's adventure with fellow Smugmug Daily Photo friends. We hit the road about 6AM, traffic wasn't too bad so we arrived at SmugMug Headquarters (SMHQ) a bit early. Robin and I drove around Mountainview a bit and got gas and washed the car. We returned in time to meet up with Hillary, Monica, Lady Kate, and Kamryn. We had never met in person and exhanged hugs and smiles before meeting up with Tony, one of the Owners of Smugmug. We were given a tour of their offices and got to meet some of the sorcerers of smug. They had the most spectacular photographs on display, many done by Tony's sons, some by customers, all AMAZING work! The employees were busy with the Thursday releases so we tried not to disrupt them too much or over stay our welcome, they were very friendly and shared a bit with us before they had to get back to work.

After SMHQ we took two cars into the city and ended up at Pier 39 where we had lunch and spent some more time getting to know one another a bit better. Robin and I felt very comfortable from the start, we are very happy to call them all friends.

After lunch we spent the day slowly walking the pier, smiling, laughing, sharing, and (of course) SHOOTING! Oh, and there was a fair amount of shopping which is to be expected considering five out of six were women! I was the only guy in the whole group and I had a blast with all the ladies!

We must have been quite a site, each of us packing cameras and shooting each other and everything around us. At one point the ladies were in yet another shop goofing off and I just stood around outside shooting all the intersting people on the pier. I really liked the shot of this man in the wheel chair. He looked so handsome and there is something in his eyes that really struck me as pure and loving. I know our Father is particularly fond of him, I can't wait to meet him when he is no longer confined by his chair or his body.

I was really struck by how we are all God's children and feel very lucky to have experienced His love today and to have shared our love for photography with our new friends. More than that, we shared a friendly love with one another, what a wonderful day I had!

Well, we ended up near the Bay Brige shooting a bit there before the gang had to break up, Lady Kate and Kamryn had to part company, we left shortly after that. R and I drove Monica and Kate back to Berkley but not before stopping on Angel Island for a bit. Monica flipped out about all the wonderful spots for shooting, we stopped and played a bit longer before finally dropping them off at the Bart station.

The drive home was long, we were tired and got a bit too much sun. We went straight to bed and left posting photos for the next day.

Hope you all had a great day, to our new friends... We hope to see you again soon!

Until tomorrow...

Darron

2009.04.30 (Thu) - God's Children

Had an awesome day today, we got up early for our day's adventure with fellow Smugmug Daily Photo friends. We hit the road about 6AM, traffic wasn't too bad so we arrived at SmugMug Headquarters (SMHQ) a bit early. Robin and I drove around Mountainview a bit and got gas and washed the car. We returned in time to meet up with Hillary, Monica, Lady Kate, and Kamryn. We had never met in person and exhanged hugs and smiles before meeting up with Tony, one of the Owners of Smugmug. We were given a tour of their offices and got to meet some of the sorcerers of smug. They had the most spectacular photographs on display, many done by Tony's sons, some by customers, all AMAZING work! The employees were busy with the Thursday releases so we tried not to disrupt them too much or over stay our welcome, they were very friendly and shared a bit with us before they had to get back to work.

After SMHQ we took two cars into the city and ended up at Pier 39 where we had lunch and spent some more time getting to know one another a bit better. Robin and I felt very comfortable from the start, we are very happy to call them all friends.

After lunch we spent the day slowly walking the pier, smiling, laughing, sharing, and (of course) SHOOTING! Oh, and there was a fair amount of shopping which is to be expected considering five out of six were women! I was the only guy in the whole group and I had a blast with all the ladies!

We must have been quite a site, each of us packing cameras and shooting each other and everything around us. At one point the ladies were in yet another shop goofing off and I just stood around outside shooting all the intersting people on the pier. I really liked the shot of this man in the wheel chair. He looked so handsome and there is something in his eyes that really struck me as pure and loving. I know our Father is particularly fond of him, I can't wait to meet him when he is no longer confined by his chair or his body.

I was really struck by how we are all God's children and feel very lucky to have experienced His love today and to have shared our love for photography with our new friends. More than that, we shared a friendly love with one another, what a wonderful day I had!

Well, we ended up near the Bay Brige shooting a bit there before the gang had to break up, Lady Kate and Kamryn had to part company, we left shortly after that. R and I drove Monica and Kate back to Berkley but not before stopping on Angel Island for a bit. Monica flipped out about all the wonderful spots for shooting, we stopped and played a bit longer before finally dropping them off at the Bart station.

The drive home was long, we were tired and got a bit too much sun. We went straight to bed and left posting photos for the next day.

Hope you all had a great day, to our new friends... We hope to see you again soon!

Until tomorrow...

Darron