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ALEX CENA ON LOCATION: slideshow image 1
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2010 USS Oklahoma City Reunion.

August 28, 2010: Over the weekend, I photographed the USS Oklahoma City’s Reunion held at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in Herndon, Virginia.The USS Oklahoma City was laid down on 8 December, 1942, by the Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA. It was launched on 20 February, 1944 and reported for duty in the Pacific on May 1945.  She saw action in World War II as well as in the Vietnam War.  The shipmates are a proud and friendly group.  During the presentation of the Colors, the singing of the National Anthem and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, it was very noticeable that these men stood a little straighter, there was no banter, no photos were taken and all focus was on the American Flag and everything she represents.  It was truly an honor to photograph these real-life American heroes.

You can read about her history by clicking here.

Shipmates who served together during World War II Mandatory Credit: Alex Cena

Keep It Short and Simple Project Results

From July 30 to August 1, 2010, Ioffered  complimentary mini-portrait sessions in my gallery. It was called the Keep It Short and Simple Image Project because each sessions were: (1) less than 30 minutes, (2) against a simple neutral background; (3) utilized one light; and (4) utilized no more than one chair or box for a prop.  We did, however, break a few rules and took some of the photos on the roof top and in the case of Jay used two lights to evenly display his body art.

A lot of fun was had by all and we captured many wonderful images.  In addition to the photographs of the musicians that performed at 7th Street Coffee’s Javapalooza Music Festival next door, we met a lot of wonderful people from Milford as well as the surrounding area.

Here is a sampling of some of the weekend:

Photos by Alex Cena

Javapalooza 2010

Milford, PA-based 7th Street Coffee hosted its annual Javapalooza Music Festival over the weekend featuring many local artists, including Jared Feldman, Wooden Spoon, Eric and Tara Yetter, They Know, Titanium, Friends of Mine, Mega Savant, Mike Zimmerman, Scott Weiss and Dan Engvaldsen.

A great time was had by all.  In addition to the festivities at 611 Broad St, many merchants also featured live performances as part of the Milford Music Festival.

Photos by Alex Cena

Local Cyclists

31 July 2010:  I was walking back to my gallery when I saw this woman peering in through the glass door interacting with my two puppies so I invited her to come on in.

She turned out to be  Kathryn Fourie from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.  She describes herself in her blog as “an avid rock climber from the age of 14, spent her youthful years listening to Pearl Jam, shopping at Hospice and drinking illegally with her friends. She obtained a BA Honours in Geography from Rhodes University, and has basically never, ever used her degree. Kath worked with many off-the-wall and wonderful people in a variety of unrelated industries for four years. She subsequently decided she was not an office person and wanted to surf more. She now travels a fair amount, works from home as a freelance writer, and loves every single moment of it.”

After playing with my dogs Bella and Indy, I asked her if she and her friend would pose with their bicycles.  She promised to come right back, which I thought was a kind way of saying Hasta La Vista Baby, but she came back with all her friends in tow.  The girls are here from New Zealand, South Africa and other parts of the world working as counselors at Camp Netimus, which is a residential summer camp for about 145 girls.

When the girls came in they immediately started playing with Bella and Indy, while snapping photos of each other with their point-and-shoot-cameras.  Once they were relaxed a bit, I was able to capture a few images of them before they returned to enjoying Javapalooza hosted by 7th Street Coffee at 611 Broad St. in Milford, PA.

After another week at a local camp, they plan to travel throughout the United States to enjoy all America has to offer and see.  If any of you happen to bump into them during their travels, be sure to extend them every bit of American hospitality.

Mandatory Credit: Alex Cena

Sarah’s Tennis Portrait

29 July 2010 Thursday:  Sarah Hetzler photographed at The Lenape High School Tennis Courts in Stanhope, New Jersey.  Soon she will be packing up her bags for college where she will be studying engineering at a Big 10 school.  We wish her well and hope her studies aren’t too strenuous so she can spend some leisure time on the courts.

29 July 2010 Thursday: Sarah Hetzler photographed at The Lenape High School Tennis Courts in Stanhope, New Jersey. Mandatory Photo Credit: Alex Cena

9 July 2010 Thursday: Sarah Hetzler photographed at The Lenape High School Tennis Courts in Stanhope, New Jersey. Mandatory Photo Credit: Alex Cena

Mandatory Photo Credit: Alex Cena