Amber Rose Gets her Rose at Red Lotus Tattoo and Body Piercing

Although I have no tattoos myself, I've always found them very interesting. How does one choose his or her tattoo? Is there a special story behind it? How do you decide where to place it on your body?

Last Saturday I went with my friend Amber to a tattoo parlor in our hometown, Red Lotus Tattoo and Piercing, to photograph a tattoo she's been looking to get for a while now. She waited until our work schedules aligned (which took quite a few weeks) so that I could come with her. Not for the moral support really, she's no stranger to getting tattoos. No she just knew this was something I'd always wanted to capture after taking some shots of her getting her tongue pierced back in high school. This time it was a rose on her left hip, for her namesake, Amber Rose.

Her tattoo artist, Hayli A. Marquiss, was really nice and encouraged me to get up in her face if I needed to. So I did, shooting beside her, above her head, over her shoulder...I just wish it hadn't been a florescent light but whatever. Hayli (HAM) also answered a lot of my questions about getting tattoos, the kinds of people that she's met through her work, the kind of tattoos she's done, and what it really feels like to get one.

She asked me if I wanted to photograph some of the tattoos of the people she worked with. Although a nice offer, it occurred to me that photographing an already created tattoo just didn't do the trick for me. I want the process, I want to see the artist in action.

Woman's Best Friend at Norristown Farm Park

Jessica DiMuzio and her Papillon Johnny Angel, co-authors of “Bark! Bark! Bark! for Our Park!,” hang out at Norristown Farm Park Thursday, May 17, 2012.

This Sunday, the two of them will be hosting a fund raiser to raise money for the 690 acre park. A few years ago, Jessica wrote a children's book that told the story of how she and her papillon saved the park by speaking at town council meetings and organizing petition signings. Jessica, a veterinarian, said she got the idea to write the book because she wanted to teach children in the area the importance of enjoying and conserving the outdoors.

Jessica was very camera shy and the second photo is a very rare one in which she actually looked at my camera. I was fine with that, she was very good at candid moments, kissing and holding her dog, Johnny Angel, who I could tell plays a huge part in her life. Her next story, she told me, is going to be based off the true story of how she recently saved Johnny Angel's new girl friend, a fellow papillon, from a puppy mill.

Third Annual Norristown Arts Hill Festival

Arianna Prete, 7, of Norristown paints a picture during the 3rd Annual Norristown Arts Hill Festival Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Actors from the Center Theater Children's Play perform for children during the 3rd Annual Norristown Arts Hill Festival Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Mike Wood, of Bridgeport, works on his craft during the 3rd Annual Norristown Arts Hill Festival Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Earrings hang on display during the 3rd Annual Norristown Arts Hill Festival Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Dancers from Metropolitan Ballet perform during the 3rd Annual Norristown Arts Hill Festival Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Norristown Arts Hill Festival Article by Christine Reckner

Art festivals are definitely one of my favorite types of assignments to cover because they're events I'd go to even if I wasn't working! Well that's not necessarily true for this week, because as soon as I finished I had to jet to Penn State to see my best friend graduate.

But anyways, seriously all those types of art, performing, dance, abstract, paintings, caricatures- and children amidst it all, with their bright, curious eyes make for the best subjects. There was a point during the day when I almost forgot I was working...but when I was also reminded of the reason I wanted to be a photojournalist. So much inspiration! I spoke with so many artists who, instead of pestering me to buy their work, instead showed me how to create my own!

This arts fest is only in its 3rd year, and that's also another reason I'm so impressed. Norristown, the city I work in, is not known for its arts scene. It's a town more known to my friends and to everyone else that's grown up near the area as more of a crime scene. Every week I'm meeting people that live here that are using all the resources they have to change their hometown's image and I think that, while they've still got a long way to go, they're certainly off to a good start.

What's a Shortstop?

These were literally all shot within the past week. What has become of my life??

Mirror Mirror...

Brynn Lecato, 9, of Norristown, looks into a mirror to view her newly painted face at the Elmwood Park Zoo during the zoo's opening day events Saturday, March 31, 2012. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Norristown Bicentennial Celebration Article by Christine Reckner

NORRISTOWN — Children and adults trudged through muddy grass Saturday afternoon to celebrate Norristown’s 200th birthday at Elmwood Park.  

The event began with a kickoff celebration which consisted of speeches from all three Montgomery County commissioners, Norristown council, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge William Nicholas, and Hank Cisco, Norristown’s ambassador, as well as an opening prayer by Bishop Richard McCray.

“Today’s been wonderful,” said Howard Scott, of Norristown. “All three commissioners spoke very highly of what we’re doing here in Norristown and the ambassador came in his party garb and Seuss-like tophat.”

Children ran freely, oblivious to the dreary weather, clutching strings of balloons, jumping inside inflatables and throwing footballs, all while sporting handpainted designs on their faces.

Throughout the day, The Fire Chief’s Memorial Bandshell was humming with energy, from historical reenactments by the W.S. Hancock Society, to the Norristown Karate Club Demonstration, to a live concert by the Allen Reynolds Band.

“We had a rough start but people have been really interested in coming out and supporting the community,” said Collections Manager of the Histrorical Society Jeff McGranahan. On celebrating Norristown’s bicentennial McGranagan said, “It’s always been about the people remembering the people of the past and recognizing the people of the present.”

Many prominent organizations in Norristown were present with booths of stocked with goodies and information.

Free food was provided by the Norristown recreation department and Zachary’s BBQ.

For some, the event brought on memories of the past.

Local George Marks, a Norristown Area High School graduate of 1960, said that what he liked the most about growing up in Norristown was the five movie theaters and downtown shopping.

“Back then we didn’t have the King of Prussia Mall,” said Marks.

Scott mentioned that what was particularly notable about the event was it drew a lot of people who had moved away from the area.

“That was very interesting, to see people come back to their roots.”

On Your Marks, Get Set Go! Easter Egg Hunt at the Lower Providence Township Building

Cassandra Long, 2, of Harleysville, picks up an Easter egg during the 2-year-old portion of the Lower Providence Township's Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 24, 2012. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

When I was younger, I treated my mom like a mobile coat hanger. If we went to an Easter egg hunt, I'd cast aside my jacket for her to sling across her arm and offer her my empty plastic egg shells. When I got a little older (but not too old to stop doing this) I'd look back at her from some pony ride or roller coaster and wonder to myself why she looked so happy. I mean seriously, why did parents enjoy watching us have all the fun while they stood there waiting?!

Now that I myself am a grown up I can understand it. I mean, my job is to be a permanent observer, never engaging in the fun, merely capturing it. And you know what...there are more days than I thought there would be where I'm ok with that. These are children I don't even know...and to see their faces light up when they grab one of those eggs is really priceless. They handle each one like it's a piece of treasure!

And of course, it brings me back fondly to my own memories of Sunday morning Easter egg hunts. Like the year I didn't win a chocolate bunny and they gave me one just so I'd stop crying. Or when my grandmother would set them outside her house every year and we'd memorize the good hiding spots. I can distinctly remember the feeling of pride when I'd open an egg with a gold coin inside. I'm not going to lie, I don't think I'm going to mind all that much when my own kids turn me into a hanger one day.

It's a Good Day to Be Irish

 

On Saturday, Fayette Street in Conshohocken was transformed into what a town might look like if a Lucky Charms factory exploded. As you can expect, this made for a deliciously visual day. I love love love St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Parades really make you work though, I spent most of my day running up and down the hill following performers, catching up to others, falling back for the crowd. A photographer's job can be misleading, it's not as easy as it looks! By the end of the day I sure felt like I could use an Irish Car Bomb..


Random fact of the day: My grandparents met at a St. Patrick's Day dance, which is why they named their firstborn, my dad, Patrick.

I met my boyfriend at a "Mug Night" at his apartment complex. I'm not about to name my firstborn Mug...