Heather Kemp Photography

I spent a weekend in Chicago this Spring visiting a dear friend and her family. Each day I got up early to go for a walk or run along Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue, a great start to the day and opportunity to spend time behind the camera.  Chicago is famous for skyscrapers and architecture and I could spend a lifetime photographing the bustling and beautiful city.  The Chicago Tribune building is my favorite of the skyline and the Buckingham fountain and Art Institute are two of my favorite spots.  Tulips were in bloom all along Michigan Avenue and at the Shedd Aquarium where I took in a great view of the Chicago skyline.

The long weekend was full of activity including sandwiches and soda at Grahamwich, an Architecture boat tour, a White Sox baseball game versus the Dodgers and a children’s choir concert at the Light in the City as fog rolled into downtown.

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During the Winter months, New York City is a little bit quieter and softer. Perhaps it is the snow that blankets the park or the cold air that keeps tourists away and results is a hushed mood. The streets are still full of New Yorkers hustling to hail a cab to the office or to dine at a new restaurant. The city never stops sparkling, but during the winter, the peacefulness is palpable.

In January, I spent a long weekend in Mid-town visiting dear friends. New York is one of my favorite destinations for photography, the opportunities for unique experiences and fun adventures are endless which result is great photos and memories to cherish for years to come. My friends and I shared laughter and good wine over dinner then went to a Broadway show, took-in the skyline view from the reservoir in the park, warmed our hearts and hands with a hot drink from Bouchon Bakery at Columbus Circle, admired the galleries at the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art, went shopping in the Village, Eataly market and FAO Schwarz (one of my favorite places on Earth. As the youngest of 5 children, perhaps I’ll always be a kid at heart), strolled through Madison Square park which sparkled at dusk, munched on H&H bagels on a park bench on the Highline and shared a glass of champagne at the Oak Room at the Plaza overlooking the park.

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Our nation’s capitol, Washington D.C., is full of life, rich with history and a photographer’s dream destination.  I spent a few days there over the Labor Day weekend which is an ideal time of the year for a visit if you want the city to yourself.  That time of year, Congress is out of session so hotels are less expensive and kiddos are in school so museums and historic sites are slightly less crowded.  Oh, and the weather is nice in September, not too hot or cold. 

I had visited D.C. years ago, as a teen, with my parents but this was my first trip with my camera in-hand.  Here are the highlights from my trip, I enjoyed every second I spent in D.C. 

• A free symphony concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol.  It was a beautiful night and even now, the memory of laying on the grass with the Capitol dome illuminated in the sky while listening to the Star Spangled Banner….well, it gives me goose bumps
• America’s pastime in our nation’s capitol…a Nationals baseball game.  Rookie Danny Espinoza went 5-4 including a homerun and grand slam and the Nationals won 12-3 over the Mets
• Tour of the Library of Congress, the main hall is impressive with intricate tile, arches and lovely stain glass, the main reading room is classicly beautiful and I love the idea of being surrounded by infinite amounts of history and information
• Tour of the Capitol, the rotunda is simply stunning and the building as a whole is such a symbol for our country
• Eatting a Chili dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a DC landmark, on U Street  
• Going for a run on the National Mall and taking in the view of DC from the Washington Monument
• The cuddly, adorable Panda at the National Zoo
• A tour of the National Cathedral, a solid limestone structure and the most breath-taking works of stainglass I’ve ever laid eyes upon.  The Cathedral is massive, I was humbled standing before it
• Tour of the Supreme Court building and the National Archives, so rich with history it is a little overwhelming
• Walking through the National Museum of American History to see an American flag over a century old, Kermit the frog, Dorothy’s slippers and Julia Child’s kitchen
• My first time walking to the Jefferson Memorial, a beautiful site

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I’m a Texan through and through and since my family, home and memories are here, I cannot imagine moving away from my home state.  I grew up in Houston, just minutes from the beaches of Galveston, and my family vacationed in South Padre Island every summer so a lot of my favorite memories include sandy beaches and the ocean.  All that being said, a trip to Cape Hatteras National Seashore this summer has me ready to back my bags and move to the East Coast. 

The beaches of North Carolina are simply stunning, with a deep blue ocean, striking lighthouses dotting the coastline and endless shades of pink and orange cast upon the dunes as the sun drops below the horizon at dusk.  I spent a memorable day climbing to the top of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, walking barefoot in the sand along the shore, talking to locals and fisherman on the beach, learning the rich history of the lighthouses and enjoying a delicious dinner at a seafood restaurant.  The beauty and fun of this beach will steal your heart and leave you breathless. 

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I spent the holidays in Bucks County and Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY.  I’m still editing the photos of picturesque Bucks County and Philly but wanted to post a few photos from my adventures in Manhattan. 

New York is truly magical around the holidays.  The city is all lit up and twinkles and there are more exciting things to do and see in the city than at any other time of year.  I was only in the city for three days and spent my time gazing at the tree in Rockefeller Center, fulfilling my dream (ever since I was little and saw “Annie”)  to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, had brunch at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill, dinner at Mario Battali’s Lupa and saw West Side Story on Broadway. I walked through a snow-covered Central Park and went shopping at FAO Schwarz and Tiffany & Co on 5th Avenue. I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge on a sunny day and under the arch at Washington Square Park and rested my head in a lovely room at the Waldorf-Astoria.

If you ever have an opportunity to visit New York during the holiday season, I highly recommend taking it. I had so much fun and the city is really, really beautiful and less crowded than we thought – including the airport (JFK to Austin direct).

During a weekend trip to Phoenix, Arizona, I went to a Cardinals vs. Colts NFL game, had a delicious plate of chilaquiles at a sophisticated dive called Over Easy and took a drive to Sedona to spend the day hiking in Red Rock State park.

The landscape in Sedona, Arizona is peaceful and beautiful.  At dusk, the soft, golden sunlight brings out hundreds of shades of red, orange and yellow in the mountains. If you have a chance to visit Phoenix, reserve some time to take-in the impressive natural beauty of Sedona.

This Spring, I returned to San Francisco and Sonoma Valley.  Northern California is truly one of my favorite destinations. 

My first trip to the Bay Area, I spent most of our time in the city.  This time around, I spent 2 days in the city full of activity.  I had brunch at the Buena Vista at Fisherman’s Wharf , spent the afternoon gazing at the Golden Gate bridge and driving through scenic Marin County and attended an evening performance of the San Francisco ballet at the War Memorial Opera House.  The next day, I had breakfast and picked up some Scharffen-Berger chocolate at the Ferry Building and attended a matinee performance of Wicked the musical at the Orpheum theatre before driving to wine country.  

In Sonoma Valley, time is a luxury.  Each day was unplanned and care-free.  For the second year in a row, I stayed at the rustic, charming Beltane Ranch Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Sonoma Valley.  Days were spent on wine tastings at small, family vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, indulging in spa treatments or hiking at Jack London and Sugarloaf state parks.  A picnic lunch was packed and an entire day was spent at the breathtakingly beautiful Point Reyes National Seashore.