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

Traveling With Your Dog

I don't travel often without my dog, Max.  Max and I are a family so I take him most everywhere I go, which is how I like it.  I can't imagine my life without a dog. I've had several dogs growing up including Taz, Barkley, Ruffles, Sushi, Maggie and now Max. Three years ago, I traveled the country in my teardrop trailer with my dog, Maggie.  The past two years have been spent traveling with Max in a tent.

I adopted Max about three months after my beloved Maggie passed away.  I've always had larger dogs in my life and didn't think about adopting a small lap dog.  One day I went to the farmers market in Long Beach for strawberries and the next thing I knew, I came home with Max.  He was up for adoption from a local rescue organization called "Hearts for Hounds."  They told me that Max (or "Freddie" at the time I adopted him) was on his last day at a shelter before they scooped him up.  I am so glad they did.

A few weeks after adopting him, we were on the road.  My car was packed with everything I needed to camp with but I kept a kennel open in the back for him to go inside and rest if he wanted to and a bed with blankets in the back seat.  Eventually I noticed that he didn't want to be in the kennel or bed but on top of the piles of stuff in the back.  This turned out to be his new home.

Max is a great traveler.  He sits in the back and sleeps most of the time and waits to get out on breaks. He doesn't complain or cry and he got used to the routine right away.  At night, he sleeps inside of the sleeping bag with me and stays asleep until I wake up and decide to start moving around.  Sometimes he stays there and waits to get up.  I am not one to lay still when I sleep so if I have to roll over, I just tuck him in my chest like a football and roll over.

He went everywhere I went.  When you travel with a dog, you need to be aware of restrictions at national parks and everywhere else.  If the temperature is too hot, some parks have a dog day care inside of an air conditioned trailer.  I never kept Max in the car if it was too hot or too cold.  We did camp in twenty eight degree temperatures in Yellowstone, but once we are both in the sleeping bag, it wasn't that bad.

Along with keeping me company, Max is the subject of many of my photographs during our travels.  I usually take a photo of him wherever we go and I don't think he always appreciated it.  The only time I was a bit concerned traveling with him was in remote camping areas where we were the only people there with the wildlife.  I think Max might make a good snack for some animals, so I was a little concerned that his scent would attract bears.  Luckily, we didn't have any problems.

I met some people on the road who also travel with their dog, which I love.  Some are shown here on the blog. I think Max likes to meet like minded dogs on the road to play with.  If we wanted to take a break from camping and if the weather wasn't cooperating, we would usually stay at a Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn, which both allow pets.  Best one yet was Red Roof Inn in Myrtle Beach.

Max and I are looking ahead to where we want to go next.  He's lucky enough to have traveled all over the country with me, even a short time in Canada.  I can't imagine traveling without him.  If you are thinking about traveling with your dog, here are some tips:

1.) Max and I liked to visit dog parks across the country.  One app we especially liked and used a lot was the "Dog Park Finder"

2.) Keep chewies in the glove box.  There will be times when your dog might start to feel stressed and bored.  Handing a chewie to Max while driving seemed to do the trick for a while.

3.) Keep all shots up to date along with papers.  Some campsites will need you to show this documentation in order to stay there.

4.) Follow a routine as much as possible so your dog knows what to expect.

5.) Keep bear spray handy when you are camping in remote areas by yourself. Dogs will attract wild animals.

6.) Have several leashes handy.  You might lose your favorite so a back up is handy.

7.) Always have water in the car that easy for your dog to find and drink.

8.) Play.  Remember that you are on the road together.  Take walks, go to the park, talk during the ride. Do things you would do with a friend, but do it with your dog.  As an example, Max and I decided to take an old time photo together at Wall Drug.  Don't take yourself too seriously.



9.) Follow the weather.  Don't keep your pup in the car if it's warm out. Take breaks, sit in the shade.

10.) Take Pictures!

Max At The Beach

When I decide to go somewhere, Max usually gives me his input to let me know that he would like to go to a place where there's a beach.  I think the beach is his favorite place to be, next to a dog park.  Last year, we went to several dog parks in different states which was always an adventure.  He especially loved the dog parks in Albuquerque and Provincetown.  His favorite beaches on his journey has been Orange Beach in Alabama and the Cape Cod National Seashore.  Each one goes on for miles and if he's lucky, if it's allowed, and there isn't anyone around, he gets to be off leash.

These photographs are from a day at the beach in Cape Cod.  It was an especially windy day but Max didn't mind even though he was low to the ground with the sand blowing in his face.  He's on to me with the camera, though.  Each time I get it out to take a photograph, he usually looks the other way.

We will be heading to the Southeast part of the country soon.  I know that Max will have "beach" on his places to go but I am still up in the air about the specific destination.  Is there a place that we shouldn't miss?

"Dogs Dogs Dogs" Juried Photography Exhibit At 1650 Gallery To Benefit Dogs Without Borders

As you know, I am a big animal lover and I especially love dogs.  I can't imagine my life without one.

I am thrilled to find out that my photograph, "Bella" and "Dog Beach"were selected to participate in the juried photography exhibit at the 1650 Gallery.  Their "Dogs Dogs Dogs" show will be held at their gallery in Los Angeles on October 23rd from 7pm to 11pm.  All proceeds will go to the non profit group, Dogs without Borders.

Dogs without Borders is a 501(c) non-profit dog rescue that is dedicated to saving homeless & abandoned dogs from high-kill shelters in the Los Angeles area and to find them permanent and loving homes.

Because of organizations like Dogs Without Borders, I was able to find my dog, Max.

I went to my local farmers market in Long Beach, California over a year ago in June and there he was looking at me from a cage with other rescue animals.  It was a lot like this picture of him with a stick. He was saved on his last day at a shelter from the amazing group, Hearts for Hounds.  I scooped him up and about a week later, we were on the road.

In addition to "Bella," two other photographs were chosen to participate in their online Annex gallery; "Stick Max" and "Dixie."

I am excited to be next to some amazing work.  I am especially excited to find out that my friend, Sarah Ause is also in the show.  She is the official photographer for the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.  I have always loved her work and made the trip to meet her when I was on the road last year.  The post of meeting here can be viewed HERE.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and love dogs, this show is one not to miss for a good cause!

A Few Hours In Nevada City, California

I decided to get out of the forest for a few hours so I kept Max in the cool cabin and headed to Nevada City.  I used to come here in the winter when I lived in Northern California.  The town is so charming and the people are so down to earth and friendly.  If you happen to be in the area during Christmas time, it's not to miss.  The entire town is decorated and will put you in the spirit instantly.

It's pretty hot around here right now as it is in most parts of the country today.  I decided to hang out at a coffee shop for a while to power up my computer and write for a while online.

As Western Mining History describes, "First settled in 1849, Nevada City is one of the oldest of the Gold Rush towns. The settlement was known by several names until the name Nevada was selected in 1850. In 1861, the creation of the territory of Nevada once again prompted a name change and Nevada City became the final name of the town. 

A prosperous mining town, Nevada City became Californias third largest city with over 10,000 residents. Nevada City became the most sophisticated of the gold rush mining camps. New England moral influence, and able leadership from early settlers resulted in a relatively lawful town in contrast to the lawless camps of the time."

The houses here in town are so beautiful, I wanted to see if I could get people in their element sitting on the porch.  I think I toured during the hottest part of the day since most people were inside of their homes.  This is a dog lovers town and there were several best friends hanging out on the street with their local owners and a few scattered tourists around.  From the last time I was here, it seems more quiet than usual.  I didn't mind, it was a nice break of the day to get out and be around people for a while.

After just a few hours, I headed back into the hills.  I look forward to seeing what I come across tomorrow.

A Stroll Around The Long Beach East Village Arts District

Once in a while, it's nice to tour around a neighborhood in your city that you don't see very often.  I took a walk around the streets in the East Village Arts District in Long Beach to see what I could find.  Perhaps someday I will live in this neighborhood.  I like it.  It has charm and character and each street is a different experience.

There are art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops...the usual for a downtown.  As you may know from my "where I don't belong" post, I enjoy stepping into barber shops and taking pictures of men being groomed.  This gentleman was kind enough to let me take his picture.  I think I can sneek in there without people noticing me, but I think they did.

Dogs and people alike walk the streets during the day to soak up the energy of the city.  This pup was waiting for another bite of a hot dog as I snapped the picture.

Later in the evening, I walked over to the house of hayden to see who was playing that night.  They were having their anniversary party so the bar was lively and packed with people watching.  I was attracted to the shiny bikes parked outside and took a few pictures as their owners came outside.  I kept snapping away as they hopped on their bike to go home for the night.

As I mentioned in my 11 Free things to do blog, taking pictures is one of them.  It's FREE and it's fun to see what you have once you are done.  More importantly, it will take you to new places and you will see things differently when you take a camera with you.  I usually carry mine wherever I go...as you might be able to tell.  Go to a new restaurant, try something new, take a walk on a different street...you never know what you will find.

For more snapshots of people in their habitat, click HERE

Photographing Dogs

I love dogs.  I dream of having a large piece of land where I can adopt all of the homeless dogs and we would all live together happily ever after.  I am lucky that Max likes dogs too.  I am able to go to the dog park with him where I wasn't able to with Maggie.  He just wanders and does his own thing and checks back with me every so often only to run off again.

Dogs are fun to photograph since it captures their personality in an instant.  There is a lot of character in their face when you take an unexpected snapshot without going through the routine of "sit""stay""no..siiitt""staaaayy""waiiiiit", etc.  They are challenging to photograph since they're always moving around which makes it interesting.  Most of my favorite shots are ones where I got lucky when I look back at the pictures I took.  Here are a few of my favorite from the past month.

I adopted Max from the Hearts for Hounds rescue organization here in Long Beach.  They have several dogs that need a good home.  Please click HERE to learn more.

I have more of my favorite dog photographs from traveling around the country HERE.

There is a good chance that your dog may be in one of them.

If your dog isn't in the album and you would like me to photograph your dog, please email me at alisontravels@gmail.com

Max and I are off to do something different and I look forward to sharing it with you soon...