Alumapalooza 2013

This marks my 4th year of photographing Alumapalooza for Airstream.  Each time, I meet someone new and instantly connect with them.  It's not hard to bond with other people who have the same love of travel, and these campers do it in style!
I love photographing candid moments and portraits of the people who attend the event each year.  Photographing Sandy and Ed with their wedding photograph to celebrate their 30th year together, was inspiring. Also, I enjoyed listening to stories of each person who stepped foot in front of my lens.  All of you are amazing and inspiring to me.

I have to say that the best part of the trip for me was what Kirk said to me.  He's pictured below holding a copy of a photograph I took of him at Alumapalooza two years ago.  Last year at Alumapalooza, he decided to quit drinking. He knew that I didn't drink and said to me, "if you can do it, I can do it!"  He did just that.  June 1st was his year anniversary of not drinking!  He told me that I was his inspiration to quit.  What an honor it is to be an inspiration to someone just by trying to live the best life that I can.  I share my story here (good and bad) so that other people can relate and understand that they are not alone in whatever it is that they are going through.  Congratulations Kirk!

Needless to say, this year was a memorable one.  Thank you to Airstream, Inc. for having me back another year to capture the faces of the people who love Airstream. If you have an airstream, be sure to tell your story on the newly launched LiveRiveted.com website!  I'm excited to be a part of it...even though I don't own an Airstream, I know a thing or two about living on the road.  In fact, we are back in the van for another go around.

Spring 2013 Edition of Airstream Life Magazine

I was so thrilled to hear that the portrait I took of Robert at Alumapalooza 2012 made the current cover of Airstream Life Magazine.  This image was one of my favorites from the event. Robert and his pups were such great sports to pose for me!

This will be my 3rd cover image for Airstream Life Magazine.  Looking back, I noticed that all three covers have a dog in the photo.  There must be something about traveling with pets that is so appealing.  I know that I can't even imaging traveling without Max.  The article in this issue is all about traveling with your pet...something Max and I know a little something about.  

Thank you, Airstream Life!

Alumapalooza 2012

The past week, I was in Jackson Center, Ohio to attend Airstream Life's "Alumapalooza" for the third year in the row.  Not only did I attend, but I was once again the photographer for the event and each year always seems to be a bit better than the last.  Maybe "better" isn't the word, but one thing is for sure... it is growing in numbers!

For five days, I walked up and down the grounds of Airstream looking for people to photograph.  Some days it wasn't easy with the rain and wind.  Usually people hide away and shut the door and I won't come knockin' if it's closed.  Once the sun peeked out, so did everyone else and that's when I ran around to capture to moments of the event.  

I can't just take a photo and leave.  I really do enjoy talking to everyone and getting to know the new folks that make the trek all the way to Ohio to be a part of the festivities.  It was nice to see familiar faces and I think most people approached me to see if I brought Max along.  Sadly, he stayed home.  One of the things I love the most is the dogs that come and bring their owners along.

This year didn't disappoint.  I can go on and on about the week, but for now... here are some of my favorite images thus far.  I am still glued to the computer, editing and have a lot more images to go through.  If you met me at the event, hold tight...I have many more photographs to post. I look forward to Alumapalooza 2013!  If you haven't been and you have interest in Airstreams, it's the place to be.  To me, it's family.

To see more photographs with option to purchase, click HERE

Photographs On Airstream, Inc. Website

As you might know, I photographed the people and the activities of Alumapalooza in 2010 and in 2011.  This is the event held at the birthplace of Airstream in Jackson Center, Ohio.  In the new redesign of the Airstream.com website, my photographs are displayed in the President's Letter section (the photograph I took of Bob Wheeler was from Alumapalooza 2010), Community Section and the Favorites section.  I am thrilled that my travel website (the one you are on now) is named second in the "People" tab.  I look forward to Alumapalooza 2012!  

Here are a few screen shots from the Airstream.com website and after the screen shots, I have attached the video slideshows I put together for each year.  You might guess that I love animals (especially dogs) if you watch the slideshows.

Alumapalooza 2011 Photograph Slideshow Video

There were so many favorite photographs from the event to list each on the blog so I put together a little video with some of the wonderful people I met in Jackson Center, Ohio a few weeks ago.

A big thank you to all who allowed me to photograph you with your family, including your dogs and cats. I look forward to next year!



All of these photos are available to purchase by clicking on my website here at www.AlisonTurnerPhoto.com

Palm Springs Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show

Last week I was lucky enough to tour some amazing vintage trailers and meet their owners during the modernism week in Palms Springs.  I arrived a few days early to spend some time with my friend, Kristiana Spaulding who is a jewelry designer, stylist, and proud owner of several trailers, one of them she showed during the event.  Max came along for the ride and we all stayed at an RV park in the area for a few days before the trailer was moved to the Rivera to be on display for the public to tour.

I met up with people I met at Alumapalooza including John Long who is a proud owner of a bowlus and author of a book on the history of this trailer.  John, Kristiana and I woke up at the crack of dawn to photograph this wonderful trailer at the home of designer, Trina Turk before the event.


During the event, I met the Funky Junk Farm's owner trio of John, Ed and Steven.  They all were very patient with me as I took their portrait a few times.  They had a few trailers on display that were all unique and different.  Their personalities matched well with their home on wheels they had on display.  Thank you to all of the owners who allowed me to take their photograph and for Airstream Life for hosting the event.  I look forward to an even bigger showing in 2012! 


For More Photographs from the event, click HERE.

The Florida Panhandle

Max and I left Savannah to head south towards the gulf.  We took a few South Georgia backroads to see the sights to end up in our final destination for the day of Tallahassee. The back roads can be an experience.  I always hope to find people who match the surroundings but sometimes, the people aren't out and about as much as their "treasures" are.  I found a row of old cars on the side of the road so I had to stop to take some photographs.  As I was doing so, I started feeling pain in my feet and ankles.  As it turned out, I was standing on an ant pile and they decided to feast on my feet while I was admiring the rusty cars.  I did the slap your ankles and feet dance and continued to take pictures.

From there, Max and I headed in a direct route to the water and coasted along that trail until we reached Destin.  We met up with Rich, Eleanor and their daughter, Emma at Henderson State Park in Destin for some camping. This photograph is of them at the Alumapalooza event last June.

I never really know where I will end up each day so it was nice to receive a suggestion from Rich to join them camping at the state park.  It was beautiful.  The beach water was a clear blue green, the sand was so white and fine that it squeaked under your feet and everywhere you looked, you were surrounded by beauty.  I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

Lucky me, Rich and Eleanor invited me over to their Airstream for dinner and I happily accepted.  The meal was delicious.  It was nice to be inside of their trailer during the night as the sun was down.  After chatting for a few hours, I returned to my tent home for the night.

And for the record, I know this area is called the "pan handle" of Florida but what kind of pan is that anyway?  I see how Oklahoma is shaped like a pan, but Florida?  Humm....more like an insect net handle or a ladle handle?  Maybe I am missing something.  No matter what the name, the beaches are a beautiful sight.

Photographs Published In Airstream Life Magazine Fall 2010 Issue

I wanted to take a pause on my travel blog adventures to mention what a thrill and honor it is to have a few of my photographs printed in the newest issue of Airstream Life magazine!

As you might have guessed, I love Airstreams.  I joined the Silver Sisters at a rally back in March and took a few photographs of the ladies having a great time together at lake San Antonio, California.  I wrote to Airstream about this wonderful group of women and their "unofficial" club and now they get to share their story with all of the readers of Airstream life in an article about the Silver Sisters written by Becky Blaton. I was even able to get in the magazine with a strategic timed group photograph. I was just keeping Holly (the yellow lab) company while we huddled together in the below normal, extremely cold temperatures in California last March.

I am thankful to the editor of Airstream Life, Rich Luhr for the opportunity to be the official photographer the first annual Alumapalooza event held in Jackson Center, Ohio last June and for publishing a few of those photographs in the newest issue of the magazine (to view current issue online click HERE).  It was a wonderful event to be a part of and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know all of the proud Airstream owners!  Some of whom I keep in touch with and will get the chance to visit with on the road...stay tuned!  Don't miss out on next year's Alumapalooza event!  You can click on their official event page to see what it's all about and register HERE.

If you want to get a flavor of what happened last June, I put together a little slide show of my photographs from the event that you can view HERE . I look forward to more Airstream adventures and owning my very own Airstream trailer someday.

Alumapalooza 2010 Slideshow

I wanted to show the photographs I took at the Airstream gathering in Ohio last week, but I had too many to post in a blog.  Instead, I put together a slide show of some of my favorite moments in photographs.  I had a great time and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2011!

Taking Photographs Of People At Alumapalooza

Since I am the one behind the camera, it's rare that I have a picture of myself unless I use my camera phone to snap a self portrait.  At Alumapalooza, I had my camera pretty much glued to my hands for five days and I hate to admit it but, um, I woke up with a calus on my finger from gripping it all day.  Yes, I know...so sad.

My friend Kristiana took a picture of me taking a picture so I thought it would be fun to post the picture I saw through the lens and snapped while she snapped this pic of me.  So, this would be a before and after, of sorts.  I don't use photoshop but use Lightroom to enhance the overall photograph as you can see from the pic.  When I take pictures of people I usually give little direction.  Sometimes I talk and try to make them feel at ease and wait for a moment where they seem relaxed or the "in between" when they think I am done.  Usually I tell them to look here or there but I try to make people feel as if I am not taking a photograph so their essence will shine through.  That's my ultimate goal, anyway.

Airstream Owners Gather In Ohio For Alumapalooza

What a fabulous trip!  Last week I traveled to Jackson Center, Ohio to be the official photographer for Alumapalooza.  Airstream owners from around the world came together for their love of the trailers and to have some fun getting to know each other.

As much as I enjoy landscape photography, I have a new love of taking portraits!  For the five days I was there, I walked around the grounds with my camera and tried to visit with each of the campers and take their photograph.  There were around 150 trailers and about 300 people at the event.  Although I didn't get to shoot everyone, I tried my best.

I am not one to take a picture and walk away.  I enjoy learning about everyone I come across and as you can imagine, each person had a story to tell.  I was invited in trailers to have a chat, offered snacks and each time I walked up to a camp, we sat down and chatted about life for a while.  It was a great group of folks who love to travel and the stories to prove it.  It was very inspiring to see all walks of life touring around in their trailer, and living the life they have always dreamed of.  I especially enjoyed talking to William Turner, a 87 year old man who attended the event solo with his brand new 16 foot victorinox.

When I first arrived, we were greeted with thunderstorms and rain and it came off and on for the five days I was there.  The city even sounded the tornado alarms which was a little alarming for a while.  When that passed, we were greeted with beautiful skies and warm temperatures.  Once the skies cleared, I circled the grounds to catch people outside enjoying the day.  When the trailer door is shut, it's a good idea to stay away and not knock on it.  Most of the time, each guest was at the large tent watching a presentation, visiting with others for happy hour, or enjoying the entertainment.

As I chatted with people, I told them that I am going to be on the road for the third year with my dog, Max in a tent.  Most were shocked that I didn't have an Airstream.  I do, but it's in my head for now.  It was funny chatting with one gentleman about my story and he said, "didn't you just go to the hospital a few days ago?"  I couldn't believe it.  Somebody reads my blog!  It's easy to share everything here on the web for people to read and a little odd when I run into someone who's been reading.  We shared a few laughs about it.

I am so thankful to Rich Luhr of Airstream Life and Sue Dooley of Airstream who asked me to come out and be the photographer at the event.  Especially since I had a point and shoot camera and they were fully aware of the tools that I had at the time.  I am glad that I traded my wine collection for a new tool to be able to capture in pixels what I envision in my head.

Thank you to all of the wonderful people I met at the event!  I hope to keep in touch and perhaps meet on the road.  To see more of the portraits I took, click HERE.  If you are on Facebook, I hope you "like" me.