A Love of Photography

Ever since I "borrowed" my mother's camera when I moved up to college my freshman year, I began to kindle an affinity for the art of photography.  I suppose it makes sense, my mother's apartment is ridden with photos.  She truly does have an eye for it, moreover, she is an excellent artist all around.  But I feel like her love for snapshots must have drifted onto me, for I find myself viewing the world through lenses quite a bit, and I'm not just referring to my eyeglasses.

I thought I would share some of my most favorite photos.  You will see places, people, specifically my family, and events.

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful Autumn morning !

Best,


Mark

 

 I snapped this beauty back in 2009. It was around 1 am.  My good friend Geo and I left our hotel room to get in some last minute tourism.  Little did I know I would be back in the city in just a few years.

 

 I thought this was an awesome shot!  This was also back in 2009. The little guy is only a few months old.  It was taken at the Pittsburgh Zoo.  I believe it was around Thanksgiving.

 

These were some really nifty glass statues at Phipps Conservatory in Oakland, PA.  It actually was chosen as the Cover of the 2010 edition of the Tobeco Journal, Clarion University's Literary and Art Journal.

 

This little guy right here changed my life.  I remember when he was born.  I remember everything about the drive out to see my sister, brother-in-law, and new nephew, Angelo.  I even remember the exact gas station my mother had to stop at in order to fill up. This kid puts a smile on my face every time I see him.  He actually just entered kindergarten, so this shot is a bit dated.  Now the only obstacle is to convince my sister that she should let him come up and stay with me for a weekend!

 

This guy right here is my brother, Joseph.  I call him Jo Jo, or Ho Ho.  Not really sure why that ever came up. I just really enjoy the emotion of this photo.  The stark contrasts of light and dark remind me of a Baroque style painting. 

 Alright, so this bad boy was taken last summer whenever I had a fellowship down in D.C.  I lived right on capitol hill, so I would head out of my house every day, and within four blocks this wonderful building was staring right at me.  I caught this one afternoon while I was walking home from work. Again, I feel this might be my favorite style.

 This little chunky monkey is my adorable little niece Sophia! She is the youngest of my sister's kids, but my god can she eat, scream, and go through diapers.  My sister told me that she reminded her of myself when I was that age.  When I asked why, I got a glare.  I imagine it had something to do with me being a pain.

 I took this photo around 5 am, this past winter, at Daytona Beach. I didn't have my camera, so I was forced to use the cheapness of instagram.  Still, I feel it turned out pretty neat!  This was a great trip, I will never forget it. I went down there with some of my best buds, Alex, Greg, Jo, Ashley, and Andy.  Side story, our car broke down the night before we were supposed to come home.  The date? Friday the 13th.......

 This was a candid shot of my best bud Pat's and his wife Val's dog, Bella.  Easter morning, 2012. 

 

Here is Olivia, the middle child. This was taken when she was about 1.  Now she's about to be 4, and I find myself having arguments with her. She is way too much like my sister.

 This photo was taken on the day of the Stanley Cup victory parade. I am actually surprised it turned out so well.  It was just a quick glance and shot, but I lucked out for sure!  The Mellon, or, Civic Arena, no longer stands.  So this is a shot of a now long gone skyline.

The summer after my freshman year, my cousin Alex and I went to visit his older brother Joey down in Palm Beach, Florida.  It was a great week. We did a whole bunch of awesome stuff, including skydiving.  But the morning we were leaving I woke up extra early and stepped out onto his balcony.  The inlet was calm, the sun was rising, and there was just one lonely fisherman out on the water.  Perfect timing.

Hope you all enjoyed!