Cleveland may have been one of my favorite tour stops this summer. I know, I know, a Pittsburgh girl is supposed to hate that town, but we had a blast in that city. Probably the best part, however, was that my parents and sister drove from Pittsburgh to come to the show! I get very excited when my family visits a site to check out the scene, see what I love to do and meet all the fine people with whom I love to work.

Sunset shot from the back of Cleveland Browns Stadium. 7.28.12

Hey! That monkey isn't union!

As you saw a few posts ago, Team Z had a BBQ every Saturday before our Sunday shows. After a few games of corn hole, Bri and I grabbed a bottle of Woodford and headed to the top to the stadium... with our newly purchased 4-foot sock monkey (don't ask). I will only subject you to three of these photos.

Side note? This friendship is one of the greatest things that's happened this year. It's not often that you meet cool girls on the road and become such fast friends. Miss Bri already.

Cleveland Browns Stadium/Cleveland, OH/7.28.12

Day before the Brothers of the Sun show at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. 7.28.12

One of the highlights of this summer's tour was by far all of the baseball games we got to attend. Again, many thanks to all the stadium folks who hooked us up in Kansas City, Cincinnati, Cleveland and my personal favorite, Detroit.

In this episode of Tour Kid Fun, Bri (almost) punches a mascot and I spend yet another inning in yet another city trying to find the secret ball park space where they hide the good beer.

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers/Progressive Field/Cleveland, OH/7.26.12

Canadohta Lake. A sanctuary. Away from the road, away from New York. One of the most important places on Earth to me.

Memory lane up in the headlights...

First photo: My sister and my mom holding sparklers

Second photo: Amateur fireworks. Don't worry, everyone's finger are still intact. (Including the Captain's... win.)

Third photo: Lake at sunset.

Fourth: Kira, my oldest friend, lighting a floating lantern on the dock.


7.21.12

Annual summer photo of Mom's flower garden/Pittsburgh, PA/7.20.12

Pensive, thoughtful Evan.

Perhaps he's thinking about his friend's (me) rather impromptu decision to cancel her early morning flight back to New York the night before to hang with him and his sis all day on a La Jolla beach. Did I know that I'd be able to get on another flight or what it would cost? Nope - but it didn't really matter. Like I said below, it was the perfect Cali day.

And just in case you were wondering, I made a non-stop flight to JFK (instead of my previous connecting flight) that evening for a small fee of $50.00. Does it always happen that way?

La Jolla, CA/7.16.12

Cool Evan.

La Jolla, CA/7.16.12

I went to Comic-Con and all I got were these photos of La Jolla. Haha, just kidding, but much to my dismay, I had absolutely zero time to walk around the convention with a camera. I will say, however, that July 16th, 2012 was the perfect San Diego day, largely due to the company of Tiff and Evan, of course... and the food... and the booze... and the sun... and the music... and the fact that we were done with Comic-Con.

Tiff and and Evan/La Jolla, CA/7.16.12

Show day.

Kenny Chesney/Paul Brown Stadium/Cincinnati, OH/7.1.12

Weekly Chesney Team-Z BBQ at any given venue.

Paul Brown Stadium/Cincinnati, OH/6.30.12

Mr. John Paul Beaver of Stageco hard at work when all the rest have gone home.

Paul Brown Stadium/Cincinnati, OH/6.2012

The first site photos I took were on the fourth week of the tour. Boooo to me.

Paul Brown Stadium/Cincinnati, OH/6.2012

This picture is only funny because of the sign. Hopefully, you can read it.

Paul Brown Stadium/Cincinnati, OH/6.27.12

Part of the Big Pig Gig, "The Chinese Dragon with the Pig Tattoo" is one of 400 pigs designed and placed by local Cincinnati artists, schools and businesses. Somehow this pig initiative raised over $800,000 for local non-profits. Not even fiberglass bacon can be denied.

Cincinnati, OH/6.26.12

Probably the best seats I've ever had at a baseball game. Many thanks to Mr. Bedinghaus of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers/Great American Ballpark/Cincinnati, OH/6.26.12

As most of you know, I've been intermittently on tour with Kenny Chesney since May of this year, filling in my off-weeks with festivals and other crazy events. Since I've been working mainly on the production side of these events, I haven't had much of a chance to explore or shoot as much as I had hoped this summer.

Kicking off the tour in Atlanta, we then went to Kansas City and then to Philly. The first time I pulled my camera out was on a day-off's walk through Philadelphia. Afternoon tea at the Dandelion with a delightful pot of Earl Grey and small plate of cucumber sandwiches? Yes, please.

Even if you don't care much for tea time, who doesn't like a big cat with a top hat and a monocle?

http://thedandelionpub.com/

The Dandelion/Philadelphia, PA/6.18.12

By far my favorite photo of this shoot. No flash, nothing fancy-pants, just a cool pop duo with bright personalities.

Pretty incredible to be up on the "off-limits" 103rd floor of the Empire State Building. No fencing, just a little platform with a cement wall to keep you from falling 103 stories. As you can see, Amy and her 4-inch spikes chose to hug the building - not a bad decision.

Karmin/Empire State Building/103rd Floor/New York, NY/5.22.12

P.S. - One of the the photos from this shoot is now displayed on the ticketed public access route to the top of the building. If you happen to wander up, look for it!

Karmin/Empire State Building/103rd Floor/New York, NY/5.22.2012

One of my favorites of the lovebirds.

As the Man in the Moon would say, "Ah, ayounga lovers, que belllllla."

Century City/California/5.2012

Part three! With dog. Sorry, Charlie... didn't make the cut. Only my boy, Wally.

Century City/California/5.2012

Part Two!

Somewhere in-between part one and part two, my Ray Bans were snatched off the Santa Monica Pier, most likely, by some punk LA dummy (please see McClellan's comment on the Hollywood photo a few posts below). Totally my fault, totally my fault, but during the time of the crime, I snapped that lovely photo of Shas with her flowers, so I suppose all's well*. I will say, however, that the 25 frames immediately after the theft will never see the light of day. Let's just say, I was a little angry. Anger + engagement photos = not really the right vibe.

Almost immediately after we changed locations, some dude came up to me with gold Ray Ban aviators and asked if I could take a photo of him on the pier. Under usual circumstances, the answer would have been yes, but instead, I just awkwardly stared at his sunglasses for at least 25 seconds before he said, "You can just say no."

So I rudely (and still bitterly) said no. Upon realizing that everyone in LA probably has gold Ray Ban aviators (which immediately made me hate myself), I felt really bad.

Anyway, we moved part two below the pier and I got back into the groove abbbouuuut here. Beautiful light often helps one's attitude.

*Nope, I'm still an idiot for setting them down.

Santa Monica/California/5.2012

As it turns out, engagement photos aren't so bad after all. Hm. Who knew?

Santa Monica/California/5.2012

While I was in Los Angeles, my friend Shasta asked me if I would take her engagement photos. As many of you know, engagements and weddings aren't really in my bag of tricks, but because it was Shasta, I absolutely said yes.

Santa Monica/California/5.2012