When I was a kid I spent a good bit of time at the Fair.  For the past few years our kids have had a 4H commitment of one sort or another which required them to put in their time as well which, in turn, provides the opportunity for a day of quality family time on the midway.  Like most any event, time spent at the Fair provides an opportunity to photograph things which I think make for an interesting image, but it also allows me to photograph Lynne and the kids when distracted while having fun on rides and playing carnival games and without them being too aware of the camera.

As a couple and as partners, Lynne and I have different strengths which have proven to complement the other's strengths as we face life’s challenges together.  It’s been much the same working together as photographers.  While Lynne typically takes the lead during portrait sessions, is much more adept at posing people and putting them at ease in front of the camera, and in putting together detail shots which are an important part of documenting an event like a wedding, I much prefer taking photographs of people and things as I find them.  Many of the images I like most then are those where the subject is unaware of the camera, which is decidedly not the case when taking a portrait, and rarely the case with my son, who is acutely aware of the camera, typically doesn’t care to have his picture taken and isn’t shy about telling me so.  Hence the blog post about this year’s visit to the Fair as context for some of the images below. 

Thanks as always.

American Lafrance Metropolitan Steamer Skee Ball is serious business. Tallying up the milkshake sales for the shift at the 4H booth.