Oh my!!! Where does one begin??? Crop Tropical in Cancun was a most amazing event... fabulous on so many levels!! Similar to our Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking vacations, and yet not... being at an all-inclusive resort holds a completely different experience! Not better, just different (although much better for those who suffer from sea-sickness!!)
So let's begin with our oh so fun group of croppers...
Not only were ALL these ladies sweeties, but they majorly humoured me and put me in my EXTREME happy place by the ocean doing some "glamour" shoots leading up to sunset!!! By the time all was said and done, most of us were pretty soaked, but oh the pictures we captured against the blues of the ocean!!!! I'm still working on the photos for each, but here is one of my favs of Christy Riopel our featured instructor...
Christy is not only over the top talented (and stunningly beautiful), but she is just way too much fun to be with especially for a whole week!!! I know I'm not the only one who learned a ton from her! If you ever get the chance you MUST take her class on "5 Secrets to Amazing Layouts"... it has transformed my thinking on so many levels!! It was sheer pleasure to teach along side of her...
And speaking of teaching, I had such joy not only taking photos for everyone, but watching them learn to take their own great photos too!! Especially seeing the kids and hubbies join in!!!!
One of the best parts about this Crop Tropical event was that it was perfect for the whole family!! The kids that came got along so well and made great new friends...
The husbands never seemed to be at a loss for something to do...
And our group excursions were extra special having each other along! We did both a Mayan Ruins excursion and visited an ecological park called Xcaret. Here are some sights from both those...
I loved having my own family along as well. My gorgeous gadget guy husband is my partner in crime on these events and has fun doing a ton of things including videography for the group and even my kids got in on the action and designed a fun "photo scavenger hunt" throughout the resort!
The all-inclusive resort had so much to offer!! This is the pyramid building we stayed in with this beautiful garden in the centre (our meeting rooms were on that level)...
And the ocean was so stunningly beautiful, I never got tired of watching the beautiful blues, searching for neat seashells and watching everyone else enjoying it too!! And helping everyone capture their own fabulous photos was sheer joy for me as well!! That is truly one of my favourite parts of these events!!
I will share more later, but couldn't wait to at least show some of the highlights of this trip!! And I'm barely home and we are well underway for plans for Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking Cruise back to the Caribbean in November 2010!!! Maybe this is the one you want to join us for???!!!!
And for those who still didn't hear...
YES I, Allison Orthner, dropped my digital SLR camera in the ocean!!!
A wave took out my bad knee (popped it out of the socket) and I went down completely submerging myself with my camera... I tried to hold it up out of the water, but had the darn strap on!!! One of those rare times it would have been better to NOT be wearing it around my neck!!! So both my body and my good zoom lens are toast!!
The only "good news" besides this happening at the END of our trip AFTER almost everyone else had left, is that Brad caught it all on video!! Yes folks, I can relive the agony over and over for years to come!!! And I thought screwing up my Tim Holtz video at CHA was the oops of the year!!!!
Actually... since then, I've decided that this is a great opportunity to do a little test drive / competition... Nikon vs. Canon. So... what do you think?
Should I stay with Nikon or go with Canon???? Let me know your thoughts!!!
Meanwhile, there is still time to enter our Crop Tropical BLOG GIVEAWAY posted below!! Check it out!!!
12 comments:
wow, allison! those pictures are stunning! i'm so jealous! :) (but not so much of oopsing the camera - ugh!)
Beautiful pictures Allison! I think I see my friend Jodie Hardy in there! I must implore you to consider Canon, my hubby and I have been using it for 14 years and love it, though I know there are die-hard Nikon fans too. I'm so sorry about your camera and sincerely hope your knee is okay!
Gorgeous gorgeous pics - stunning! & I'm sure you all had a blast!
Sorry to hear about your camera - ouch!
Canon or Nikon.....
If I hadn't already had a bunch of lenses and lenses that I share with my Dad, when I was buying a DSLR I would have likely gone with Canon. Seems to be more for the $.
But it's changing all of those lenses over that is the $ kicker. I have heard that the pentax makes good stuff for the cost. (The London Drugs camera guy up in Brentwood loves his pentax, and he is a camera nerd).
On the plus side, a new body (and we all would love a new body)could have great features such as movie recording ( bird videos with a 300mm lens.... this makes me shake with "want") and live view on the screen (so you can be getting the shot of the underside of a mushroom and you don't have to put your face into the mud - you can actualy see where you are pointing on the screen) - These are good things to have in your bag.
As someone who worked in a camera and portrait studio shop for four years... I advise against the Canon. They were by far the name that we saw for repairs more than ANY other name.
I know that Canon is a little more user friendly, but you are certainly not a beginner when it comes to photography.
And, I agree with Rose, if you have Nikon lenses, replacing all of those will come at a hefty price tag.
Finally, I am not saying this as a Nikon fan... I am a Pentax-aholic.
I went with Nikon as Allison Orthner had one ....lol ... I suspect you will go with Nikon again because of your lenses. The trip looks grand .... I'm looking forward to your next event ... Scrapbook Your Heart.
My gut is saying Canon b/c then you would know exactly what I was having trouble with when I call you only hours before I leave for my own vacations!!! love ya', girl.
Hi Allison,
Have you thought about the Fisher Price Camera. Its waterproof! :))))
How's the knee by the way?
I love my Nikon D90. I think they have an even better one now D5000? That has brought the price down on the 90.
Olympus has really good "under water" cameras. I'll put some of the pictures of the fish,in January of Akumal, on Face Book so you can see the quality. We have a 10mp, only draw back is the lack of digital zoom.
Tulum is amazing isn't it?
I've coveted the Canon Rebel since it was first released (gulp! that was a long time ago) and I finally bought myself one last year (on Crop & Cruise LOL) and I gotta say - it was so worth the wait. I've heard Nikon is amazing but Canon - well, I don't think I'll ever not be a Canon girl. So so sorry about your camera and lens!
I almost cried when I read your post...camera in the ocean?? I might just have nightmares about that! I am a Nikon girl...if you have been happy with the results of your Nikon why switch? I agree with all the ladies about your lenses already purchased for your Nikon.
Beautiful photos posted!
I am sorry again that your camera became a part of the ocean... ack... I hope your knee is better too.
I have researched and my preference is going towards the Nikon... whatever you get, i am sure your "techie" man will have researched the best for you and your uses. You are the pro - so let us know what your decision is
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