Going on a Photo Hunt. Part Two.

As mentioned in this blog post: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/2016/02/going-on-photo-hunt.html 

I am doing the same photo assignments this Spring 2016 semester as my Photo II students. Here's Photo Hunt #2. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed creating them. 

Bokeh

Bug

Food

I am Obsessed With... 

Light Painting

Reflection

Night #1 (street motion blur & bokeh combo)

Night #2 (architecture)

Fruity Bubbles 

Weather (rain)

Black and White / Contrast

Weather (frost)

PS Huge "shout out" to my friend Kris for dealing with me and my night photo assignment! I always seem to get nice shots when she's along. When I am rich and famous - she's hired! 

Hawn State Park: My FAVE!

Missouri State Parks are amazing. It's not just my opinion, I am starting to view it as a fact. Beyond numerous national awards, I am seeing first-hand as I travel around our nation just how spoiled I am by the quality of our parks. We have excellent facilities, a top-notch staff, and amazing sights to see. 

With that said, I do have a favorite state park here in Missouri. 

Hawn State Park is a place I fell in love with the first time I camped there. I don't get there nearly enough considering it's not close to where I live, but when I do - exploring Pickle Springs is near the top of my list. 

My daughter asked me to take her camping for her 10th birthday, so in early May 2015 - off to Hawn we went. We spent most of Saturday exploring Pickle Springs. 

If you want to know more about Hawn State Park visit this site: http://mostateparks.com/park/hawn-state-park 

If you hope to visit the park, be ready for beauty. If you intend to camp during good weather on the weekend, you may need reservations. The little (but great!) campground fills fast on weekends. However, a few years ago on the weekdays (in peak season) I was able to camp without reservations Tues-Thurs just fine. 

Nearby is a trail I did a few years ago (and need to revisit soon) that you may enjoy if you want to explore outside the park. It's on Missouri Conservation land and called the "Trail Through Time" http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places-go/natural-areas/pickle-springs 

However, inside the park - there's plenty sights and trails to enjoy if you don't feel like leaving. I know many of the times I have camped in Hawn, I've had no desire to leave once I am there. 

Enjoy these images from Hawn State Park in May 2015. Hopefully, they'll inspire you to go on a little adventure, too!  Who knows? Maybe you'll be able to designate a personal "favorite" state park, too?

Michelle of MK Designs

Posted June 2015

PS If you want any images from this post or any other, contact me for pricing / printing information. Thanks! http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/contact.html

Post 101: Photographing History at Hamilton Primary School

In a previous blog post I mentioned a weekend roadtrip I took in the fall of 2014 to Illinois: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/2015/04/starved-rock-state-park-illinois.html

A wonderful part of this little trip was having the chance to get inside Hamilton Primary School with my camera in Otterville, IL. What makes this place so special? This is the first free school in the state of Illinois... and also it was the first fully integrated school in our nation. 

This beautiful place that is so rich in history has been designated a "Top Ten Most Endangered Historic Place" in the state of Illinois. Supporters continue to work on the structure and provide necessary upgrades like a new roof, paint, and more. However, they can always use your help, too. 

I was able to photograph this beautiful building because of facebook (of all things). Annette and I have many mutual friends, we both share a love of photography, and in time we became "facebook buddies." I noticed one year she was asking for raffle prizes for a picnic to assist this school. I jumped on the opportunity to donate artwork for this cause. 

Despite the miles, I was humbled to not only have the chance to photograph her family portraits this past fall, but she offered to let me in to photograph Hamilton Primary School. It was an amazing experience to say the least. 

Stepping inside this building was like stepping back in time. From textbooks to chalkboards, it's almost as if you could feel the appreciation for learning that took place here. For the first time in Illinois, students could attend for free. For the first time in our nation, anyone regardless of race was welcome to learn. 

The school can always use your help. For more information about the Hamilon Primary School and how you can assist them, visit this website: http://www.hamiltonprimaryschool.com

They also have more information available on wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Primary_School

Until next time, 

~ M of MK Designs Photography

http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com

...Magnolia State of Mind (Part Three), also known as "Take The Long Way Home"

At this point in the "Magnolia State of Mind" blog trifecta, I must share my personal travel mantra: Take the Long Way Home. (Hum the Supertramp song if you want!)

I get so annoyed by how many people miss out on what our country has to offer because of the manic "drive like a bat out of hell" from Point A to Point B mindset. What's the point in that? Schedule it to where you can take your time and check out some of the places, attractions, and people along the way to and from a destination. 

Case in point:

So, we pack to leave Gulfport. We clean up the vacation rental home, follow the directions, and check out. Instead of hitting the interstate and nearly killing ourselves on a mission to arrive in Missouri by midnight...we drive a bit to see more of the coast heading east towards Buloxi, MS. 

After we had a few more moments near the coast, that's when we make our way north to our hotel for the night in Arkansas. (Yes, you can break up a drive, please do!) 

Because I wasn't in a crazy hurry, mom and I were able to see things...

Did you know this? Just outside of Buloxi is a Lickskillet Road. I still wonder, was the skillet hot when they licked it? Is that why it was so "name-a-road-worthy" of an experience?

Heading north, we took the time to stretch our legs at rest stops and check out the "brown signs." One brown sign along our route had caught my eye many times. "Little Red Schoolhouse" is what it said, so this time we found out what it was.

I not only enjoyed stretching my legs here, but learning that this place wasn't just a "Little Red Schoolhouse" - it is the birthplace of the Order of the Eastern Star. Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Morris_(Freemason) 

On the second day of our "Long Way Home" I said, "I don't think I have ever been to New Madrid, Missouri." So, we went. Just off I-55 is this awesomely cute historic and interesting town. 

Granted, it sits right on a fault that could cause massive death and destruction, but I still enjoyed New Madrid. (Sorry about that dose of reality with the mention of the fault line!) The riverwalk area was so beautiful. There is so much history here. I know in the future I want to go back to really explore this area more. 

While I wasn't thrilled to get back to the Missouri temps, I am happy that on the way home we took the time to do some scouting reports. 

#1. New Madrid is on my list to return to in the spring or summer. Many spots to tour and explore.

#2. I know the next time I pass by the brown sign in MS for the "Little Red Schoolhouse" and it is a Tues-Sat, I am pulling over for a tour. 

Maybe we all need a "Magnolia State of Mind." I've noticed in the south people kinda tend to take their time. Often there's a slower pace. We can apply that to our travels. 

Mainly, don't just FLY via your vehicle at a high rate of speed towards your destinations. If possible, take your time to explore and learn more about your country and about your world.

Until next time... Happy Trails and Happy Creating, 

Michelle from MK Designs
Jan 2015 (but the trip was in Dec 2014)