ANGELA B. PAN

I spent yesterday afternoon in Dumbarton Oaks photographing the wisteria there. Can I tell you that Wisteria Hysteria is a real thing? They are so beautiful in real life. I must have taken a million pics. Not really but I can not wait to look through those images. It was actually my second time there this season and I can’t get enough of that place. Ever since I visited last year with Andrew, I made a mental note that I had go in the spring. I bet fall is nice there too. Let me know if you’ve ever been in the autumn time. I wonder if there are a lot of colorful trees.

Well anyways, this image was from my first trip this season. I think my favorite part of the gardens at that time were these magnolias. They were so big and hardy (is that the right word to describe them?) that I don’t think I could hold one in one hand alone. *cat heart eye emoji* Obviously I didn’t want to touch them but I spent a significant amount of time staring up and circling these trees with my camera until I found the perfect sun flare. Love you, spring!

PS Happy Cinco de Mayo mañana. I usually don’t celebrate holidays unless it’s Thanksgiving or Mothers day or something like that, but I’ll be celebrating tomorrow. I had the best week ever! Thank you all so much for the positive feedback to Snap DC. I could not be more excited about it and I am even more excited for you to hold it in your hands! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! And yes, celebrations always include pizza 🙂

My camera settings for this image is F22 at 1/25th of a second at ISO 200 with my Sony A7II and 16-35 mm wide angle lens.

Officially home from California and could not be happier. Our trip to San Diego was a blast. I had such a great time being on the west coast. I spent everyday but one (when it was raining) photographing the city and I loved every minute of it. Now, I have so many images to go through. I’m pretty sure I took almost a thousand if not more. LOL. So get ready for some foggy ocean images coming soon 🙂

On my way home I picked up two copies of the Washingtonian Magazine, one for me and one for my mom, because I have 2 images published in the January issue! It’s their “Our Favorite Places” issue and they’ve highlighted some pretty cool places in the city. One of them being the image above, Dumbarton Oaks. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that I went there for the very first time this past summer. I can’t wait to go back again in the spring. I know that place will be flourishing in all kinds of beauty.

The second image I have on there is on page 76 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial I took back in 2012. It’s a full page image and was so excited to see how well it turned out! You may remember it because I captured it at the same time I took this one.

So if you haven’t already, pick up the January issue of the Washingtonian and let me know if you think they’ve left out any places that should be on the list. And a big MUCHAS GRACIAS to Washingtonian for publishing my work. It’s always such an honor to see my images in print.

My camera settings for this image is F/7.1 at 1/30th of a second and ISO 80 with my Sony A7II and 28-70mm lens.

If you’re in the Washington DC metro area, please let me know if it is just me or is it so hot outside? October is next week and it is still 90 degrees at 5p now? It feels like it is the hottest it’s been all summer. And it’s not even summer anymore. It’s FALL Y’ALL (I’m sorry, but I’m probably going to be saying ‘Fall Y’all’ at least 100x more times in the next month or two. Just a fair warning.)

PUMPKIN!

Anyways, this image was taken right before “summer” hit at Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, Washington DC. I know you’re used to seeing huge monuments and big skies from me, but taking the time out to explore the other parts of the city has been a priority for me this year. I can’t even believe this was my first time visiting Dumbarton Oaks. It’s gorgeous! And I really fell in love with this little corner of the park. I’ve already set a reminder on my calendar to make sure I go back again in the middle of spring so I can capture some more flowers and blossoms. I’m thinking a good time to go would be after the cherry blossoms have peaked. They seem to be one of the first ones out every year.

But now that I think of it, I wonder what this garden would look like in the fall with the leaves changing. I’m sure it will be just as amazing as it was in spring. Can’t wait to visit again!

My camera settings for this image is 1/25th of a second F/10 with ISO 80.

So if you ARE in the DC area and you know of some cool places to go take pics, let me know. I love exploring new places and seeing new things.

I did it! I said I would and I did. I finally visited Dumbarton Oaks garden and parks. Also managed to get Andrew to come with me too! I don’t know how that happened because it was a super hot and humid day when we went. It was 90 degrees but felt like it was closer to 100 with all the humidity. By the end of the visit, my dress was completely stuck to my back from sweat.

T O T A L L Y  W O R T H  I T.

As soon as I walked in, I felt like I was in Paris again. The gardens was all so beautiful and lush. Every tree and bush was manicured so beautifully. There was something so incredible to see in every corner. Its hard to say which part was my favorite. Can say it all was my fav? I definietly know I want to go back soon and spend more time there. I was also thinking how pretty it would be when it’s all covered in snow. *heart eyes cat emoji*

Anyways, this is the first building you see once you walk in. It must be used as an event space or something like that because it was completely empty. It was so beautiful to me to see it like that because it made the plants and ivy stand out even more. The light from the “roof” was the thing that attracted me the most to this little corner, but I love that empty vase. It makes things look a lot less perfect which I really enjoy. The whole time we were walking through the garden I asked Andrew if we could get remarried in this space. Not sure how he felt about that considering we got married less than 5 years ago and I’m already planning our second wedding.

Whatevs. We’re doing it!

One of my favorite things to do is just to walk around and get lost while traveling. It’s so fun to just explore a new city with no real plans and a camera in hand while documenting the things that inspire you. I’ve never really thought about doing the same in the city that I live in. I don’t know. I feel like “oh I already know all the cool spots” or “whats more could I actually see?” So I tried it out last week. I parked my car and started wondering around Georgetown. I picked Georgetown because I’m used to going to the area with all the shops and restaurants. Oh and also the waterfront is my favorite part, but I’ve never really explored the surrounding neighborhood. I’ve always heard that it’s a great place to live so I wanted to see why.

Everybody’s right. What a cute little neighborhood to live in. I felt so happy just walking around and exploring. All the houses are painted in bright colors, a lot of them how flowers surrounding them. Everyone just seemed so happy walking their dogs. While walking I found Oak Hill Cemetery. It wasn’t opened while I was there but from the outside it looks like a beautiful cemetery. (is that weird to say about a cemetery?) Regardless, I’d love to shoot there before all the flowers wilt. Also on my list to shoot, Dumbarton Oaks. Another place I’ve never been that’s on the top of my list.

This image was taking in front of someone’s house! Can you imagine walking home and seeing this beauty crawl along your walls. I feel like I’d be in heaven everyday. So if you’ve never done it before, you should try to be a tourist in your own neighborhood. You may find something that you’ve never seen before and totally fall in love.

The camera settings for this image is F5.6 at 1/30th of a second ISO 160.

Dreams DO come true and yesterday, one of mine came to life. I went to a cat cafe! It was all that I expected and more.

Crumbs and Whiskers in Georgetown is DC’s very first cat cafe. It’s a cozy little place where they have about 20 cats and all of them are up for adoption. They’re all there for various reasons but every single one of the kitties will totally put a smile on your face when you see them. If you plan on going, try your best to purchase the cat treats. They’re totally worth it because you’ll be the center of attention in the kitty purr-a-dise.

This guy was more interested in my camera than the treats.

Doing what kitties do best- lounge.

The trail we made to lure more cats towards us.

Slept the whole time we were there. I don’t think I saw his eyes once.

Photobombed

This guy was more interested in the snow more than anything else

He was smart. He found the source of the treats and went straight for them.

He’s cute and he knows it.

I think this one was trying to sneak home with someone.

Camouflaged

I mean come on!! He even has a trail of treats next to him and it still didn’t get him up. I still giggle every time I think about this cat.

Loved all the kitties and can’t wait to go back.