An Outer Banks photography class for kids?! Sweet!
Great idea Brooke. Let’s start ‘em young.
An Outer Banks photography class for kids?! Sweet!
Great idea Brooke. Let’s start ‘em young.
I may sound like a broken record, but the Outer Banks has soooo much coolness to offer…even beyond the beach. Do I say this too much? Oh well, it’s true.
I love the beach, the sun, and the surf as much as anyone, but I also dig all of the unique features that make the OBX so special – nature, art, history, food, and for the subject of this post – local businesses.
The OBX has some amazing local businesses, but I know from experience that the Outer Banks can create a bit of sensory overload when you’re here for a short time. Lots to see, lots to do, and it’s tough to determine the real treasures. Not to mention the beach is calling your name!
This is why we created Club Seaside a few years ago. Club Seaside isn’t really the focus of this post, so I won’t give a long sales pitch, but it is a unique way that we give our guests some insight into some of the great local businesses and offer a complimentary experience with the business to give a feel for the local OBX culture.
So why am I bringing this up? Well, we are getting close to announcing our 2012 Club Seaside lineup, and I’m happy to say that Brooke Mayo Photography is once again a partner! Which leads me to the main subject of this post…
Over the next day or so, I’m going to share a few great posts about Brooke, and to start let’s offer some virtual high-fives and woo hoos!
Brooke just released her second book! Shake, Rattle, & Shoot: The Business of Baby Photography. Congrats Ms. Mayo! Love the book!…especially the cover.
(That’s my Little Dude, by the way.
)
Here’s a link to an article in the Daily Advance that discusses the book and asks Brooke some questions. Inquiring minds want to know.
And here’s a link to the book on Amazon. Buy it. Read it. Love it.
Once again, congrats Brooke! You are super cool, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for bringing your awesomeness to Club Seaside in 2012!
Here’s your daily dose of some amazing Outer Banks art from one of my favorite blog subjects, Jordan.
In addition to hunting “Toys from God,” Jordan is into all sorts of art these days, and here is one of his recent snapshots – the famed “Lighthouse.”
Awesome.
Hot off the presses! The 2012 Outer Banks Vacation Guide has arrived!
The 2012 Outer Banks Vacation Guide was exclusively designed by Seaside Vacations and features custom images from Whitney Norko Photography as well as Brooke Mayo. Amazing photos from some amazing ladies!
We are soooo excited to share this gorgeous piece of Outer Banks art with you to help you plan your 2012 OBX getaway.
You can get a Personalized Vacation Guide that is tailored to your specific vacation needs, and we are happy to include the full 2012 Outer Banks Vacation Guide as well.
Or, if you’d like to do some vacation hunting on your own, you can search Outer Banks vacation rental homes at: www.OuterBanksVacations.com. You can also reach us at (877) 255-2641, and one of our Vacation Specialists will be happy to help with your search.
As the old OBX fishing saying goes, “the early fisherman gets the fish.” I just made that up.
But the idea holds true with great OBX vacation homes. The best houses go early and quick. If you have a good idea of your plans for 2012, it’s always a great idea to start the hunting and booking process early. It’s great to know your vacation is set and avoid that “where are we staying” pressure.
Happy hunting!
Hurricane Irene is bearing down on the Outer Banks. It’s almost midnight on Friday, August 26, 2011, and the wind, waves, rain, and lightning are starting to show up on the OBX.
Within hours we will be engulfed in what some were calling a “50 year storm.”
Perhaps that was hyperbole, or perhaps it is the result of a 24-hour, 7 days per week news cycle that relishes in a high profile “crisis” to boost ratings.
Then again, perhaps it is a “better safe than sorry” mentality that the collective public embraces in times of emergency to protect the thin line between calm reality and chaos that a natural disaster can bring.
At any rate, Hurricane Irene doesn’t seem to be the “50 year storm” that some were predicting. This statement isn’t meant to diminish the threat that the beast Irene is currently bearing down on the OBX. It’s just that the predictions of a Category 3 or 4 storm when it makes landfall on the Outer Banks have adjusted to Category 1, maybe Category 2.
And for this, we are all amazingly thankful. Thank you Mother Nature for showing your kinder, gentler side.
However, I don’t want to jump the gun. While we are thankful that the intensity of Hurricane Irene has diminished, we are still a very realistic lot, and a Cat 1 or 2 hurricane can still bring much destruction…just ask the Cat 1 Hurricane Isabel from 2003.
We’re still asking Ms. Irene very nicely to be gentle to the OBX, and we’re asking you to send us all the good vibes you can spare.
In return, we offer a first-hand, inside look at the Outer Banks during a major hurricane.
Earlier today I made my way to Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head to check out the scene and give a video Hurricane Irene update. As I hit the road, I asked a fabulous Outer Banks photographer, to tag along…and luckily, Whitney of Whitney Norko Photography obliged.
As a result, I have an awesome slide show of “Hurricane Irene, Before” photos to share with you.
We started at Jennette’s Pier and traveled north along the “Beach Road” to capture the feel of the OBX before a giant storm rocked our world.
Our intention is to travel this same route after the storm to share the before and after photos and give us all the impression of what a beastly hurricane can do to the delicate islands of the Outer Banks.
Enjoy! And thanks to Whitney Norko Photography for sharing the great pics!
Please be kind Hurricane Irene!
July, 2011 Programs. . .
The cost of general admission ticket to the daily attraction, Roanoke Island Fesitval Park, is $8 for adults/$5 students 6 – 17/children 5 and under – free. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm.
A vacation should be more than just a house at the beach. It should be time with friends and family, a chance to relax and unwind, and an opportunity to experience the local culture.
But how do you get a taste for the local flavor? How do you know what the locals do, where the locals go, all the hidden treasures?
We want you to get the most out of your time on the Outer Banks, and we’ve got some inside knowledge to share. This is the first episode of our new video series, “Outer Banks Treasures,” that will give you a local’s perspective; everything we love and think you absolutely, without a doubt need to know…all the best attractions, best local businesses, secret spots, and amazing people that make the OBX so unique.
To kick things off, we want to introduce you to one of the most fabulous photographers the Outer Banks has to offer, Ms. Brooke Mayo. As we’ve mentioned before, Brooke is an amazing photogrpaher with an incredibly unique style and an amazing eye for the perfect shot. She’s available to photograph anything from family shots to weddings, engagement, and even underwater doggies! Truly a one-of-a-kind…not to mention a super amazing person.
The video below gives you a quick look at Brooke in action and some great comments from our first “Outer Banks Treasure.”
You can learn more about Brooke and look at some amazing pictures at http://brookemayoblog.com.
Brooke is also one of the prized partners for our Club Seaside events. As a Seaside Vacations guest, you have the opportunity for a free sitting with Brooke. You can find more information at www.OuterBanksVacations.com.
Enjoy!
PS – Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see or know…we definitely take requests.
Brooke Mayo is a local Outer Banks photographer, but her reach goes well beyond of the OBX. Brooke is ranked number 7 worldwide by The Artistic Guild of Wedding Photojournalist, and she recently published a hardback book of photographs called Diving Doggies: A Celebration of Play Underwater. Using underwater camera equipment, she takes pictures of pups diving and playing in the pool from a ground up perspective; i.e. lying on the bottom of the pool.
Brooke is offering three great photography workshops in the next few weeks.
In addition to a wealth of photography related information, Brooke has such a fun personality that a workshop with her will hardly feel like a class…more like hanging out with a best friend.
Making Effective Use of your Digital SLR Camera
Sanctuary Vineyards
March 13th, April 3rd, & April 16th
One day workshop, 12 – 4
This is the perfect workshop for those who feel they could use a few pointers to get the most of their digital camera.
Class time from 12 – 1, shooting from 1 -2, critique and re-shooting from 2 – 4.
Workshop is $250
Space is filling quickly. Email brooke@brookemayo.com to register.
I have to admit, we are a bit partial to Brooke. Due to her amazing work and great reputation, Seaside Vacations has partnered with Brooke to offer a free sitting with Brooke through Club Seaside. You can find more details at: http://www.outerbanksvacations.com/club-seaside.htm
A vacation should be more than just a house at the beach. It should be time with friends and family, a chance to relax and unwind, and an opportunity to experience the local culture.
You get more than just a house when you stay with Seaside Vacations; you get a true Outer Banks vacation experience.
As a Seaside Vacations guest, you get to experience the local culture with our exclusive Club Seaside events. From surfing to wine tasting to yoga, these events will not only enhance your Outer Banks vacation but introduce you to great local businesses and add value to your Outer Banks vacation rental.
One of the new additions to Club Seaside in 2010 was a complimentary “Portrait Party” with one of the best photographers the OBX has to offer, Brooke Mayo.
Brooke’s amazing creative eye and flair for editing set her apart. We are very grateful to have Brooke as a Club Seaside partner, and the value she offers to Seaside Vacations guests is second-to-none: a free sitting and a complimentary 8′ x 10′ of her favorite picture from the session…plus great pricing for any additional photos purchased.
Brooke’s “Portrait Parties” are year-round with Club Seaside, but please reserve your spot early because her magic camera lens is in high demand.
Last week Brooke opened the “Portrait Parties” to some of the staff (and families) at Seaside Vacations, and it’s safe to say we were not disappointed…more accurately, we were psyched beyond belief. Brooke is so much fun to work with, and the results speak for themselves…
Thanks for the capturing amazing memories Brooke!
The Outer Banks is a natural wonderland; a Nationally recognized and persevered seashore, the tallest sand dune on the east coast, mile upon mile of undisturbed beaches, wild horses, sunrises and sunsets over vast bodies of water, and the list goes on. One of the most mesmerizing natural elements along the Outer Banks is weather patterns that change on a daily, if not hourly, basis and the resulting colorful displays in the skies.
As a result of this amazing mix of natural elements the OBX is a favorite muse for photographers far and wide, including many that call the Outer Banks home.
From August 1st through August 30th, the art gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park is featuring an amazing exhibit of weather and sky photographs from three great Outer Banks photographers.
August 1-30.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri) 10 a.m. 4 p.m. (Sat)
The three are well-known Outer Banks photographers with a passion for weather, sky and its moods.
For more information: (252) 475-1500 of www.RoanokeIsland.com.