Costa Rica

Prior to this trip to Costa Rica, had you asked me of all the places we've traveled, which one was my favorite, I would have said Ireland without hesitation. Funny how things change. If you only get to visit one foreign country in your lifetime, I would hate for you to miss Costa Rica! It's such a beautiful country, there's so much diversity of plants and animals to see, and the people are extremely friendly and welcoming.

Costa Rica

We stayed at the Peace Lodge, on the edge of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. We chose this location because it was centrally located at the base of Poas Volcano, and situated within hiking distance of a section of the rain forest that had no less than five gorgeous waterfalls within hiking distance. This particular photo actually shows TWO of them where a pair of rivers converge. Don't worry, I'm not in a dangerous position, hanging precariously over a slippery chasm...this National Park has well-maintained trails that connect them all.

Costa Rica

We took several day-trips out from the Peace Lodge to visit other sights and indulge in some fun activities. On the way to Pozo Azul (where we went horse-back riding through the jungle and did a zip-line excursion through the jungle canopy, sometimes hanging 80 feet in the air) we had to stop for road construction. Go figure! On the side of the road was a young mother and her daughter, picking lemons from a lemon tree. We asked our wonderful guide/driver, Allen, if he would ask the mother if we could photograph her adorable daughter while we waited. Doesn't she have the cutest smile!?!

Costa Rica

Well, out of over a THOUSAND images, I don't know how in the world I'm supposed to pick a favorite. But I must say, this one would certainly be in contention. I just love how the green on the frog matches the green on the plant, and the red on his eyes matches the red on the plant. :-) As you can imagine, for a photographer this trip was like sending a kid into a candy store!

We Must Begin with the Children

It's early. It's still dark out. Cami & I are getting ready to fly to Costa Rica for the week. We're staying at the Peace Lodge at LaPaz Waterfall Gardens. So I wanted to share with you a quote from a very wise man. Mahatma Gandhi once said "If we wish to create a LASTING PEACE we must begin with the children."

This image is one of my favorites from a Sunrise Session I did for some WONDERFUL friends and clients out at Folly Beach. Denise, Chad, and little Thomas are always a pleasure to work with!

As Tall as a Four-Story Building

The new banner is already up and hanging from Stadium Center Court. Mike Saia, of the Family Circle Cup, was kind enough to send me this photo of it. It's about as tall as a four-story building!

NEW Family Circle Cup Banner

I am SO EXCITED! I just talked to Mike Saia, the Communications Manager at the Family Circle Cup. He informed me that this year's NEW BANNER of last year's champion, Nadia Petrova, will feature an image I photographed of her. Here it is!!!

If you don't already know, I'm one of the Official Photographers of the FCC tournament. Look back at some of my journal entries from last spring (here and here) to read more about my involvement in the cup.

The FCC is one of the Women's Professional Tennis Tour's most prestigious events. It's the last clay-court tournament played in the US before the players head to Europe for the French Open. Behind the four Grand Slam Tournaments, there are several Tier One Tournaments, of which the FCC is one of the most respected. So if you're a tennis fan but don't have the funds to go to the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, or US Open...the Family Circle Cup should be NEXT on your list!!!

So far, this year's entries include something like 7 of the top 10 in the world. Super Star and the Number One player in the world, Maria Sharapova will be there! The comeback hero of the last few years, Martina Hingis will be there! Other former Number One's, Justine Henin and Amelie Mauresmo will be there! Up-and-coming stars like the 17 year old Nicole Vaidisova will be there! It's going to be AWESOME! So make sure and come out April 7th - 15th. I'll be there!!!