My Visit in Atlanta

If you know me and follow my work, you have most likely heard me mention my photo mentor who just so happens to be my great uncle, Richard Ferris. He is the first person I contacted about opinions on my first professional camera in 2012, the person who taught me photo basics for a week when I first started, my encourager, my source of endless photo knowledge, my email buddy, my 365 day photo challenge partner (currently on hold) and just one heck of a human being. He is currently kicking cancer's butt, so my parents and I decided to drive to Atlanta for a visit. 

When we finally arrived in Atlanta on Friday night, we stopped at the hotel and then went to their house for pizza. It was so great to finally lay eyes on them in person! The next morning Aunt Vicki made us breakfast bright and early since it would be our only full day there - we thought we better start early. As I sat around the table where I first learned the basics of photography just four years ago, I felt all those memories come back. I would wake up in the morning (always later than Uncle D) and we would chat and I would take notes. Then we would get ready for the day and go shoot somewhere amazing, and come back to that table after a long day of learning and load and edit photos at the table while drinking whiskey. Since it was too early for whiskey, we settled for orange marmalade.
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After breakfast I took a little walk around their yard to snap photos just like I did four years ago. Their back yard is full of unique decorations and bird houses. It is so peaceful back there. 
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After my little mosey session out back, we talked some more. Because dang chemotherapy really takes it out of a person, it was time for Uncle D to rest so we all took a drive to Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain was one of the first places Uncle D took me to take photos on my first trip and it is breathtaking. We even convinced my mom to ride all the way to the top!
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At the hotel, I showed my dad aperture priority mode and we talked about F/stops. He has always loved taking photos. I got my weird left eye dominance from him.

Here are some of my dad's photos from that day... He's got a great photographic eye!

The next day we had a picnic with Uncle D and Aunt V and their daughters and grandchildren. It was supposed to be a really crappy rainy day and it turned out bright and warm, just the way my heart felt getting to spend time with them. 

Goodbyes are always tough for me, but as we hugged all of them I planned my next trip down to Atlanta as soon as Uncle D's treatments are over as a way to celebrate!